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Review and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 27.

THE WORK AND THE WORKERS

Review and Herald

Jul 2, 1914

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 2, 1914

THE WORK AND THE WORKERS

THE fifth edition of the June Protestant (5,000 copies) is half gone, making a total of 70,000 copies thus far sold.
A TELEGRAM was received Thursday, June 18, from Brother H. A. May, secretary of the New Jersey Tract Society, ordering 1,000 copies of the Protestant Magazine. From a letter which followed, it appeared that 40,000 members of patriotic organizations were to parade in the streets of Camden, and our workers who were preparing for the annual camp meeting in that place decided to unite in selling the magazine in the line of march.
MISS ETHEL HENNESSY has just sold 1,250 copies of Life and Health and the Signs Magazine during fourteen working days, in the city of Boston. She thereby earned in that short time a half year's scholarship in the South Lancaster Academy. Here is her canvass: “I am trying to earn a scholarship in South Lancaster Academy, which requires a sale of between 2,400 and 2,500 of these magazines. In order to do this, I am selling single copies. I am not taking subscriptions. Thank you.” A written recommendation signed by Prof. B. F. Machlan, also proved helpful to her. There is still time for you to earn a year's scholarship—possibly two—in the same way, in one of our schools.
MR. O. P. DEFORD, proprietor of the Pierce Hotel, Denver, Colo., where Rev. Otis L. Spurgeon was overpowered and kidnapped by a Roman mob some weeks ago, writes: “I herein inclose list of all the county officials of the State of Colorado, and suggest that you mail the June number of your Protestant Magazine to each name. Mailed you draft a few days ago for four subscriptions. Purchased 10 copies of the June number at our organization last night, and am placing them in good hands. Were I financially able, I should order the magazine sent to every officeholder in Colorado.” Who will help us to send one copy to each of these 862 officials, at half price, or five cents a copy, or 20 for $1.00? Send your orders through your tract society.

The Coming Problem

Shall the National Government Continue to License the Saloon?

THIS question is coming to the forefront, and will not much longer be held in check. Congress must soon face the issue squarely. War, strikes, revenue, party politics, may sidetrack it for a while, but quietly it is gathering a momentum which is destined to sweep everything before it.
Be a factor in this great fight by selling the Temperance Special Life and Health, which will contain strong articles, illustrations, cartoons, brief sketches, etc., on the temperance question and prohibition. It will be ready for the mail about July 3.
Orders should be sent early, as the demand will be heavy.
Following are a few of the headings which will appear in the temperance Life and Health:—

ALCOHOL AND THE MIND

By Alfred B. Olsen

ALFRED B. OLSEN, M.D., D.P.H.
The brain, which is the organ of the mind, may roughly be described as a thinking machine. But in a broader and more complete sense the mind embraces higher faculties than the mere animal operations. When the functions of the brain are only slightly damaged, it is the higher nerve centers which suffer most. Take the case of the insane patient: the intellect is partially or perhaps even completely destroyed, and control of the will is also lost; but the lower animal functions, those of nutrition and elimination, for example, go on pretty much undisturbed, and such a person may, from the animal standpoint, exist in a fairly comfortable condition for many years.

Influence of Alcohol

BACK WITH THE SALOON AS A “SAFETY FIRST” MEASURE

By Thomas D. West

THOMAS D. WEST
THE very fact that saloons endeavor to cluster around industrial plants and to locate as close as they can to the en-
The author of this article knows from experience what he is writing about. He is chairman and managing director of a hazardous industry located in Cleve-
Mr. West is a prominent manufacturer, who learned that the saloon near the door of his factory was the principal cause of the inefficiency of his men, and of the accidents that occurred in his factory.

Alcohol and Racial Degeneracy

By L. Mervin Maus

L. Mervin Maus, Colonel, Medical Corps, U.S.A.
THE widespread custom of using alcoholic beverages is a perplexing and difficult problem to attack, on account of the prestige it holds with a large number of men and women of social prominence who
country have become extinct. The progeny of such families became drunkards and died childless or left children cursed with some form of degeneracy which rendered fertility impossible. It is only necessary to search the records of the

NATION-WIDE PROHIBITION

By S. B. Horton

S. B. Horton
In April and May Congressional Committees on the Judiciary gave four days to hearings on the subject of national prohibition, provision Strong speeches were made before both committees, from which we present the following excerpts. Representative Hobson said, among other things:—

The Demands of the Hour Call for Evangelistic Colporteur Work

By R. D. QUINN

R. D. QUINN
The great work which Jesus began, and which was continued by the apostles, is still going forward. History is still being made. What kind of history is being written in heaven regarding our work? At the close of Christ’s ministry he declared that he had finished the work given him to do. Paul could say, “I have finished my course.” It is written that “in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished.” We are slow to realize that Christ is still waiting for us to finish the work. In this we are like the disciples, who expected Christ to do everything, and so their last question was, “Wilt thou at this time?” Christ replied by saying, “Ye shall.”
How shall we finish the work? is still the most important question of the hour.
It seems hard for us to realize that we must actually do the work. Theoretically we have believed this for nearly a generation, but the millions of unwarned souls in the home and foreign lands are witnesses against us. There must be the dawning of a new day in this message. There must be a new experience. There must be a vitalizing power of the Spirit of God upon the servants of God, or the task is hopeless.
Now where do we stand? Reckoning up the time, we see that we are living more than seventy years this side of the signs given in Matt. 24: 29, 30. I do not see how any of us can face this situation without being deeply impressed with the call that is in the very situation itself. The question every one of us must ask himself is, How much longer can we delay the message and still see its finish in the few brief years that we have left?
In view of the responsibility that now rests upon every one of us who knows the truth to make it known to others, every one must say that nothing less than the absolute and unqualified surrender of our lives to God in loving service will meet the situation. The Acts of the Apostles is a record of how the gospel was preached to every creature under heaven in their day. The same devotion, only in greater degree, must be seen now. There is nothing in the teaching of Christ or the apostles that would lead us to conclude that the preachers were to do all the work. Jesus associated with him not only twelve ordained ministers, but seventy other missionaries; and not long after Pentecost we find that thousands were scattered abroad and went everywhere preaching the word.
In the army of the remnant not one untried soul will be found in the ranks. Every soldier must have tested the weapons of his warfare upon the citadel of sin in his own life first, and when he has found what the truth of God can do for his own soul, he will be able to wield the sword of the Spirit mightily for God in the salvation of others. How the work was to be finally finished was told us many years ago in Great Controversy, in the chapter entitled “The Final Warning.” Here are a few paragraphs:—
“Thus the message of the third angel will be proclaimed. As the time comes for it to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to his service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of his Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. . . . By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these.”
“The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third angel’s message is to lighten the whole earth with his glory. A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is here foretold. . . . The work will be similar to that of the day of Pentecost. . . . The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. . . . Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord’s side.”
Then, again, we find in the last published Testimony the same thought emphasized; namely, that a large number of workers would be enlisted in the final finishing of the work. The following brief paragraphs in Volume IX, page 126, and in Stewardship Series, No. 1, are to the point:—
“In visions of the night representations passed before me of a great reformatory movement among God’s people. Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other miracles were wrought. A spirit of intercession was seen, evenas was manifested before the great day of Pentecost. Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families, and opening before them the Word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with a heavenly influence. Great blessings were received by the true and humble people of God. I heard voices of thanksgiving and praise, and there seemed to be a reformation such as we witnessed in 1844.”
“The work of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers. The truth is soon to triumph gloriously, and all who now choose to be laborers together with God will triumph with it.”
South Lancaster, Mass.

A Morning Prayer

By S. J. TOWNSEND

S. J. TOWNSEND
My days are like a shadow that declineth; My soul is smitten, withered like the grass.
Thy years, O Lord, no finite mind divineth; They are not measured by shadow or by glass.
O for a closer walk with thee! Alas! That mortal flesh so weak is to obey Thy Holy Spirit's promptings ere they pass.
Be thou my strength; O teach me now thy way!
Guide thou my steps where thou wouldst lead today, And lead me alway where thou wilt. Amen.
Orlando, Fla.

Judging Before the Time

By W. S. CHAPMAN

W. S. CHAPMAN
PAUL admonishes Christians not to do anything which will interfere with the work of the Spirit of God, showing that in so doing they invariably yield to the influence of and cooperate with the efforts of Satan to create division, thus destroying the unity which should prevail in the church.
Judging one another is especially presented as a satanic method for creating division. What makes this sin of so heinous a character, and the reason why Satan seeks so persistently to perpetuate it among Christians, is that through criticism and talebearing, reputation is undermined, personal influence for good is weakened, and efficiency as a laborer is threatened.
Paul’s plea is that we should judge nothing “before the time.” 2 Cor. 4:5. Whatever may be the meaning of this expression, “before the time,” it is evident that Paul wishes to make clear the thought that a Christian cannot sit upon the judgment seat, rightfully, for any purpose until a specified date, which he terms “the time.”
In this period of “the time of the end,” God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world “by that Man whom he hath ordained.” Acts 17:31. Paul declares that this judgment will follow after death: “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Heb. 9:27.
In this judgment we are told that every detail of men’s lives—“every work . . . with every secret thing” (Eccl. 12:14)—will be presented. Surely that leaves absolutely nothing for human beings to judge beforehand, or to condemn in this life. It shows further that God, “the Judge of all the earth,” through his Son, will alone have the right to judge humanity. God will, at the appointed time, do the judging, because he alone has the power to execute the judgment written. This being so, when an individual mounts the judgment seat he assumes the prerogative of God, and, like the man of sin, who, “as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God,” usurps the authority of Jehovah.
The day will come when the people of God will have a part in this judgment scene. The saints will sit with Christ, judging the wicked dead; the wicked will stand before the bar of God to hear the sentence of the Judge and to receive the punishment decreed. It is optional with all whether the deeds done in the body shall go beforehand to the investigative judgment, pardon and eternal life taking the place of condemnation, or whether they shall appear for settlement in the court of death.
To the Christian, as an individual, condemnation of another is forbidden. The commission is, “Ye which are spiritual, restore” (not condemn) such a one.
“He [God] wounds only that he may heal, not cause to perish. The Lord lays upon no man a message that will discourage and dishearten the church. He reproves, he rebukes, he chastens; but it is only that he may restore and approve at last.”—Review and Herald, Oct. 17, 1893.
Any statement which affects the character of another, or his standing before the people is libel, even though it contains that which is true; for there can be but one object in repeating a libelous assertion—to injure the one thus spoken of. The element of malice makes the statement libelous. No Christian, whose daily walk is with Christ, will ever desire to repeat a story against another. If such a desire enters the heart, it is positive proof that the talebearer has become separated from Christ, and that for the time being at least Satan controls.
If you know of a brother or sister who has fallen from grace, should you mention it?—It would be a grievous wrong to do so. Not a word should be spoken to others concerning the matter. When the fall becomes known to us, we should go before the Lord with fasting and with prayer, confessing our sins and receiving pardon and grace to act as his messenger; then, endued with power from on high, seek the sinner, and by gentle, Christlike ways win him back to peace and safety, through confessing and putting away sin. If successful, a soul will have been saved. Failing, however, the matter is to come before the church, through the elder, for action. Then, and only then, can Christians as a church, not as individuals, pronounce sentence of excommunication. Having acted in harmony with divine instruction, their action has been influenced by the Spirit of God, and so is ratified and recorded in heaven.
Suppose that we are attacked, what is the proper course to pursue? The instruction seems to be that we are not to do or say aught that will discourage the church or individuals. We are always to be our “brother’s keeper.” We are to go humbly and confidently before God in behalf of the offending ones, pleading for their conversion and pardon, and for power for ourselves so to live that our lives shall be a light and an uplifting force before our associates.
Should no defense be attempted? The better way is to “let time vindicate you; silence is a thousand times better than explanations. Explanations do not explain. Let your life be its own excuse for being; cease all explanations and all apologies, and just live your life.”
St. Petersburg, Fla.

Importance of the Bible

By L. L. CAVINESS

L. L. CAVINESS
The importance of the Bible has been recognized by many all through the ages, and the great Protestant Reformation was based on the idea of the Bible as the only authority in matters of religion. Christ himself said:—
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matt. 4:4.
The apostle Paul (about A. D. 3-67) bore testimony concerning the Word of God:—
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb. 4:12.
The Fathers of the early centuries clearly stated the sufficiency of the Scriptures in all matters of faith. St. Basil (A. D. 329-379) said:—
“Without doubt it is a most manifest fall from faith and a most certain sign of pride, to introduce anything that is not written in the Scriptures, our blessed Saviour having said, ‘My sheep hear my voice, and the voice of strangers they will not hear;’ and to detract from Scripture, or to add anything to the faith that is not there, is most manifestly forbidden by the apostle, saying, ‘If it be but a man’s testament, no man addeth thereto.’”—St. Basil, “De Fide,” (Garnier’s ed.), ii, 313, quoted in George Salmon’s “The Infallibility of the Church,” London, John Murray, 1890, page 143.
Likewise St. Jerome (A. D. 340-420) said:—
“As we accept those things that are written, so we reject those things that are not written.”—St. Jerome, “Adv. Helvid.,” quoted in George Salmon’s “The Infallibility of the Church,” London, John Murray, 1890, page 147.
The Reformers, at the Diet of Spires, 1529, stated their position clearly:—
“Now, seeing that there is great diversity of opinion in this respect; that there is no sure doctrine but such as is conformable to the Word of God; that the Lord forbids the teaching of any other doctrine; that each text of the Holy Scriptures ought to be explained by other and clearer texts; that this Holy Book is, in all things, necessary for the Christian, easy of understanding, and calculated to scatter the darkness,—we are resolved, with the grace of God, to maintain the pure and exclusive preachingof his only Word, such as it is contained in the Biblical books of the Old and New Testaments, without adding anything thereto that may be contrary to it. This Word is the only truth; it is the sure rule of all doctrine and of all life, and can never fail or deceive us.”—J. H. M. D’Aubigne’s “History of the Great Reformation” (ed. by M. L. Simons), Philadelphia, Porter & Coates, 1870, pages 447, 448 (book 13, sec. 5).
Even Roman Catholic popes have recognized the importance of the reading and study of the Bible. Pope Pius VI (1778) wrote:—
“You judge exceedingly well that the faithful should be excited to the reading of the Bible; for this is the most abundant source which ought to be left open to every one to draw from it purity of morals and of doctrine.”—Quoted in “The Catholic Church and the Bible” (pamphlet), International Catholic Truth Society, Brooklyn, N. Y., page 1.
Also Pius VII (1820) wrote to the English bishops:—
“Nothing can be more useful, more consolatory, more animating; because the Holy Scriptures serve to confirm the faith, to support the hope, and to inflame the charity of the true Christian.”—Ib.
One pope even went so far as to offer an indulgence to those who would regularly and systematically read the Bible, as the following extract shows:—
“His Holiness Leo XIII, at an audience on Dec. 13, 1898, with the undersigned prefect of the Congregation of Indulgences and Relics, made known that he grants to all the faithful who shall have devoutly read the Scriptures for at least a quarter of an hour, an indulgence of three hundred days, to be gained once a day, provided that the edition of the Gospel has been approved by legitimate authority. Furthermore, the sovereign pontiff grants monthly a plenary indulgence to all those who shall have read in this way every day of the month. It can be gained on the day of the month when, after confession and communion, those who have fulfilled the conditions shall have offered up the customary prayers for the intentions of the Holy See.”—Id., page 2.
In Robert Pinkerton’s “Russia” is a very interesting document on the “Comparison of the Differences in Doctrines of Faith Betwixt the Eastern and Western Churches.” This document was prepared by Philaret, the metropolitan of Moscow, and given to Robert Pinkerton, an agent of the Bible Society, who translated it and published it in the above-mentioned book. The third, fifth, and sixth articles read:—
“Everything necessary to salvation is stated in the Holy Scriptures with such clearness that every one reading it with a sincere desire to be enlightened, can understand it.”
“Every one has not only a right, but it is his bounden duty, to read the Holy Scriptures in a language which he understands, and edify himself thereby.”
“Holy Scripture, being the word of God himself, is the only supreme judge of controversies, and the decider of misunderstandings in matters of faith.”—Robert Pinkerton, “Russia,” London, Seeley and Sons, 1833, pages 42, 43, arts. 3, 5, 6, of Philaret’s “Comparison of the Differences in Doctrines of Faith Betwixt the Eastern and Western Churches.”
The sixth article of the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion of the Church of England, states the position of that church in this matter:—
“Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of the faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture, we do understand those canonical books of the Old and New Testaments of whose authority was never any doubt in the church.”—“Sermons or Homilies,” London, the Prayer Book and Homily Society, 1817, page 572.
Alexander Campbell, the leading pioneer of the Christian Church, expresses the position of that denomination:—
“We take the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible, as the foundation of all Christian union and communion. . . . The Bible, or the Old and New Testaments in Hebrew and Greek, contains a full and perfect revelation of God and his will, adapted to man as he now is.”—Alexander Campbell, “The Christian System,” Forrester & Campbell, Pittsburgh, 1830, preface, pages 12-15.
We can hardly close this article without a quotation from Mrs. Ellen G. White, a pioneer of the Seventh-day Adventist Church:—
“A book has been given us to guide our feet through the perils of this dark world to heaven. It tells us how we can escape the wrath of God, and also tells of the sufferings of Christ for us, the great sacrifice that has been made that we might be saved and enjoy the presence of God forever. And if any come short at last, having heard the truth as they have in this land of light, it will be their own fault; they will be without excuse. The Word of God tells us how we may become perfect Christians.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. I, pages 125, 126.

The Awful Cancer Problem

By David Paulson, M. D.

DAVID PAULSON, M. D.
CANCER has already become a terrible plague. In Illinois it causes the death of one out of every nine mature women. Consumption is the only disease that is responsible for more deaths than cancer. According to present indications the day is not far distant when cancer will be the greatest human scourge. In spite of various new “cures” and millions of dollars that have been spent in investigating it, some features of it still shroud themselves in absolute mystery.
One fact, however, stands out as clearly and distinctly as a milepost, and that is, it especially preys upon the well-to-do classes, the high livers and the so-called good eaters, while those who either from force of circumstances or from principle live upon a simple, natural dietary and obey nature’s laws in other ways, are practically exempt from this terrible plague.
Over in Canada is a large community of Russian Dukhobors, who are entirely free from cancer, although the people around them are suffering from this disease. I quote the following from Dr. Russell’s book, “Preventable Cancer:”—
“The Russian Dukhobors have existed as a community about a century. They are plain livers, and do not eat flesh nor use stimulants. About seven thousand of them immigrated to Canada when expelled from Russia. Disease, according to Mr. Blow, was rarely known among them. They were particularly clean, frugal, and moral. They have keen minds, are kind to animals, and ready to help in any work. I have just heard from the manager that he has never known of any cancer among them.
“The Dukhobors in Canada refrain from fish, flesh, and fowl as food, and live on fruit, vegetables, and nuts. Cows are kept for milk. No tea nor coffee is drunk. Wholesome bread, jam, honey, and vegetable butter from sunflower seeds, are eaten regularly. The houses are roomy, airy, and clean; the people wash frequently in baths, and are scrupulously clean, regular, and orderly.”
In connection with this, I quote the following extract from Dr. Alexander Bryce, a prominent English writer:—
“Dr. Kellogg has lived in a community [Battle Creek] of flesh abstainers for forty-five years, and for forty of those years he has made careful note regarding the incidents of cancer among them. In all that time he has known only two instances of cancer in flesh abstainers. In one of these two cases a sarcoma was removed about four years ago, and has not since recurred. Thus it appears, and the fact is most remarkable and important, that only one death from cancer has occurred during forty years in the abstaining community.
“This record of Battle Creek proves beyond question that a great diminution of the probability of cancer is produced in two years in almost all or all persons who adopt the diet and free themselves from the common poisons of ordinary diet. A fortiori, the complete adoption from childhood of this fare, if cool, natural, and moderate, would at least make cancer a rare disease, and would save a world of suffering.”
Twenty years ago Sir William Banks, of Liverpool, made the remarkable suggestion that there was a close relationship between flesh eating and cancer. And W. Roger Williams, one of the greatest cancer specialists in the world, has called attention to the fact that cancer has increased in England just in proportion as flesh eating has increased. He also traces a definite relationship between the two.
Dr. Russell believes that cancer isprompted not only by the free use of available flesh foods, but also by alcoholic drinks and such “drug drinks” as tea and coffee.
It is an interesting fact that has been widely commented upon by reliable observers, that when natives in different parts of the world who have been living upon a nonflesh dietary adopt the dietetic habits of the Europeans, they quickly begin to suffer from cancer.
In view of this, it would seem that Dr. Bell, the great English cancer specialist, is absolutely correct when he speaks of this disease as “being to a large extent the bitter fruit of our so-called civilization.” He states his final conclusions in the following emphatic language: “Cancer is nature’s protest against disobedience, and is the penalty she imposes upon those who, though perhaps more from the force of habit than knowingly or willingly, have ignored her teachings.”
Dr. Bell advises that the diet be restricted to fruit, abundance of fresh vegetables, especially green garden truck, nuts, cereals; and he especially insists upon these three points,—thorough mastication of the food in order to obtain a complete mixture of the saliva with it, a daily complete evacuation of the bowels, and living in a pure atmosphere.
It would seem as if the whole cancer curse is a striking commentary on the inspired words, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6), and that the best cancer preventive yet known is to eat and drink to the glory of God. See 1 Cor. 10:31.
Nearly a generation ago these words were written: “From the light which God has given me the prevalence of cancers and tumors is largely due to gross living on deadly flesh.” Modern scientific observation is rapidly accumulating evidence that abundantly justifies the striking accuracy of that statement.
The late Dr. Nicholas Senn, who was Chicago’s most eminent surgeon, after making a trip around the world for the purpose of studying cancer, declared on his return that he found cancer was either absent or practically absent among nonflesh-eating people.
The day is not far distant when there will be a people who will not only appreciate that “the curse causeless shall not come” (Prov. 26:2), but will also be a living demonstration of the words of the psalmist, “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.” Ps. 91:7.

The Problem of Summer Comfort in the Home

THE great problem confronting the housemother just at this time is how to keep the house coolly pleasant and the stay-at-homes comfortable—and herself all three, cool, pleasant, and comfortable. The latter is an absolute essential of the first, for, though the housemother enjoys the rôle of martyr, her efforts to make the others comfortable will be un availing if she herself is hot, nervous, and tired from overwork. We all know how the entire family reflect the mother’s state of being.
Of course, in the sweet, clean country the problem is not so perplexing as in the crowded, dirty city. But country kitchens get very hot sometimes, and have an irritating way of raising the temperature of the other rooms in the house. In the South, where the summer kitchen is the rule rather than the exception, the problem is partly solved. If you have not a summer kitchen, nor have yet become the “happy possessor” of a fireless cooker, do the next best thing; namely, turn your back porch into a “summer-comfort” kitchen. This is much more easily done than one would suppose. Almost every country house has a roomy back porch; and when this is lacking, the sin of omission should be atoned for by building the porch at once; it should be latticed and screened. Everything belonging to the kitchen should be placed in the porch, except the stove, cooking utensils (which should be in a low cupboard beside the stove), and small zinc-covered table on which to dish up the food. Do all your preparations on the porch, and sit out there (sit in an easy chair, not stand on your feet) between “stirs” of the pot and peeps at the baking. Wash dishes there, even if you can’t carry the sink out.
Above all things, be systematic. System means more than half the battle won at the very start. Plan your work ahead, and simplify in every way possible. Elaborate dishes and smoking-hot food are not conducive to the comfort of the consumer or the producer. A large element of the food provided for man is to furnish heat to the body, and during the summer this is not needed. Make eating during the heated term incidental to the comfort of keeping cool.
Arise early, and after closing all the blinds on the sunny side of the house, put your dinner on the fire to cook before beginning preparations for breakfast; in this way it gets a fine start, and you can watch it while getting breakfast, and thus “kill two birds with one stone.” Serve food in a cool and tempting way. Put peaches and other fruits in a dish on their own green leaves. Garnish everything you can with cool, crisp lettuce leaves.
Keep the windows open all night; then early in the morning, before the sun rises, draw down all shades to within an inch or two of the bottom of the windows; open all partition doors, and close all outside doors. In this way you get a good circulation of air through the house. Of course, all draperies have been taken down long ago, and all carpets removed. The painted floor and loose rug are an absolute necessity for the summer.
Another solution of the summer-comfort problem is the open-air dining room, for use at all times except when it rains. If you are so well favored as to have a thick grape arbor, place your table there, and, behold, you have the fresh air dining “room.” If not so fortunate as to be a grape arbor possessor, then set up a large awning in the back yard. Place in the center of it a big homemade table, and cover with a white cloth; then put a bunch of fresh-cut flowers on the table, and place chairs about it. Use the simplest service possible, doing away with all linen doilies and the like. Talk about summer kitchens! Nothing can compare with the “summer dining room.” Have one this summer, and your family will rise up and call you blessed.—Indiana Farmer.

Live in the Sunshine

By Margaret Sangster

Live in the sunshine, don't live in the gloom; Carry some gladness the world to illumine. Live in the brightness, and take this to heart: The world will be gayer if you'll do your part.
Live on the housetop, not down in the cell; Open-air Christians live nobly and well. Live where the joys are, and, scorning defeat, Have a good morrow for all whom you meet.
Live as the victor, and triumphing go Through this queer world, beating down every foe. Live in the sunshine, God meant it for you. Live as the robins, and sing the day through.
—Margaret Sangster.

Unswerving Loyalty

“THERE is no grander quality in the Christian than unswerving loyalty. He may be imperfect in his development of character, his knowledge may not be extensive, his education may be defective, his experience may be limited; but he may be loyal to his God, his King, and his Redeemer. Others may fail and desert the ranks, he will only gird the armor more closely and be unceasingly vigilant. Others will prove false when some great leader falls, but the loyal stands firmer to duty than ever. Others may follow the multitude, he remains loyal to the law of his God, though he stands alone. O, for more zealous, loyal soldiers of God in these days of lukewarmness and treachery!”

Prayer in Every Place

FROM the secrecy of the closet, from the sanctity of the home, from the gloom of the prison, from mammon and the roar of the busy mart, from the quiet of the sick chamber, from the awe and solemnity of the deathbed, prayer may be offered, men may call unto God, and he will hear and answer them. Whenever and wheresoever the heart prompts, then and there we may pour out our souls to God. We have the sanction of our Saviour's beautiful example for this.—Intelligencer.

First the Cross, Then the Crown

“LIFE is a burden, bear it; Life is a duty, dare it; Life is a thorn crown, wear it; Though it break your heart in twain, Though the burden crush you down, Close your lips and hide your pain,— First the cross and then the crown.”
Continue reading: A Testimony to the Living God