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Review and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 64.

My New Year's Resolve

Review and Herald

Dec 28, 1916

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 28, 1916

My New Year's Resolve

RESOLVED, That I will this year endeavor, by God's help, to live a simple, sincere, and active Christian life, repelling promptly every thought of discontent, discouragement, impurity, and self-seeking; cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity, and the habit of holy silence; exercising economy in expenditure, carefulness in conversation, diligence in appointed service, fidelity to every trust, and a childlike trust in God. I will make an earnest effort to spend some time in Bible study and prayer every day, and to encourage or draw some one nearer to Christ at least once a week.
— From the “Morning Watch Calendar.”

Current Mention

By L. L. C.

Current History in the Light of the Bible

To the careful Bible student the daily newspaper often speaks very eloquently concerning the times in which we live. We shall here mention only a few of the items which have caught our attention in the past few days. ### Destruction in War The Lord, speaking through the prophet Joel, tells of the preparation for the final great battle:— "Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord. . . . Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision." The present great European conflict, with its multiplied engines of war dealing death to millions, is but a prelude to what we may expect to see in the near future. With figures as to losses in the present war variously given, the most careful calculation which we have seen is that given in the Current History magazine of the New York Times for December. The following is the general summary there given:— ### DIRECT LOSSES OF HUMAN LIFE DURING TWO YEARS OF WAR
Dead Wounded Invalids
Austria-Hungary 718,000 1,777,000 533,000
Belgium 50,000 110,000 33,000
Bulgaria 25,000 60,000 18,000
England 205,000 512,000 154,300
France 885,000 2,115,000 634,000
Germany 885,500 2,116,300 634,900
Italy 105,000 245,000 73,500
Russia 1,498,000 3,820,000 1,146,000
Serbia 110,000 140,000 42,000
Turkey 150,000 350,000 105,000
Totals 4,631,500 11,245,300 3,378,700
Universal military training, which is the system in most European nations, may also be adopted in the United States. Maj.-Gen. Hugh L. Scott, chief of staff of the army, in his report says that the volunteer military system has proved itself a failure. He advocates universal training, in words which we quote from the Washington Post of Dec. 8, 1916:— "In my judgment, the country will never be prepared for defense until we do as other great nations do that have large interests to guard, like Germany, Japan, and France, where everybody is ready and does perform military service in time of peace, as he would pay every other tax, and is willing to make sacrifices for the protection he gets and the country gets in return. There is no reason why one woman's son should go out and defend or be trained to defend another woman and her son who refuses to take training or give service. The only democratic method is for every man in his youth to become trained in order that he may render efficient service if called upon in war." Senator Chamberlain, chairman of the Senate Military Committee, introduced a universal training bill into Congress during its last session, and according to the public press has announced his intention to press vigorously for action on his bill at the present session. ### More Strikes The struggle between capital and labor still breaks out in general strikes. Fifty thousand garment workers have unanimously voted for a general strike. Everywhere throughout the United States and Canada, and even in other parts of the world, industrial workers are organizing for concerted drives for an eight-hour day and wage increases. In addition to this, we still have with us the threatened railroad strike, which may become an actuality unless some solution is found before the first of January. ### Increase of Wealth Bible students have long considered the heaping together of riches a sign of the last days. The apostle James warns the rich of the miseries which are to come upon them. He tells them, "Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days." The returns of the federal income tax just made up by the Commissioner of Internal Revenues are very interesting, showing as they do the great increase in wealth in the United States. Especially interesting is the point made in the following words of comment by the Independent of Dec. 11, 1916:— "The most significant aspect of the income tax statistics is not the great national wealth they indicate, but its rapid increase over last year, especially among the highest incomes. Those in the highest class, with annual incomes of more than half a million dollars a year, increased in a twelvemonth from 174 to 329." ### Social and Industrial Conditions At the convention of the Women's Christian Temperance Union at Indianapolis, Ind., Mrs. C. P. Lindsay referred to the alarming increase of cigarette smoking among the women, urging that some method he used to counteract it. She thought this could be done by advertising the harmfulness of it. She said: "The disgusting, demoralizing habit of smoking, the almost universal catarrh among men as a result, the violation of health laws which cause the innocent to suffer, the selfishness and the awful waste of the habit, the immoral influence of the cigarette, and its first cousins, dope in many guises, the growing habit of cigarette smoking among women,—all this and more can be told on the poster boards." According to a recent newspaper item, the declaration was made by the district attorney's office that there are two hundred thousand slaves to drugs in New York City alone. Dr. Charles F. Stokes, medical director of the Board of Inebriety, says that in the United States as a whole there are one million drug users, eighty per cent of whom are heroin addicts. Another rather striking recent occurrence is the promotion of a prize fight by prominent wealthy women, as is seen from the following note in the Herald of December 6:— "Miss Anne Morgan and numerous other prominent and wealthy women of America are said to be actively interested in the project to bring Georges Carpentier, ring champion of France, to this country. He will fight Jess Willard for the heavy-weight championship." The newspaper clipping goes on, however, to say that the proceeds from this fight are to be applied to French charities. This is a logical outcome of the usual methods of the popular churches to raise church funds. American women must promote prize fighting in order to raise money for charities! A local Washington paper reported that in the month previous to December 8, there were more than a score of house breakings, a half-dozen store robberies, and numerous hold-ups and assaults in the city of Washington. This outbreak of crime in the capital is not an isolated case, but is a part of a country-wide wave of crime which is sweeping through the land in these days. ### Statue of Liberty Lighted Up A few days ago the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor suddenly blazed with light, at a wireless signal from President Wilson. New York City has raised a fund which insures that hereafter this Statue of Liberty will be lighted every night. Not only will the torch be illuminated, but from concealed reflectors all about the great effigy beams of light will be cast over the whole figure. The Times of December 3 remarks editorially: "Liberty will hereafter typify all that she should. No more will arrivals, by land or sea, receive with disappointment the explanation that it is not possible to point out and identify the great symbol by night." As the President said in a speech that night:— "There is a great responsibility in our having adopted liberty as our ideal, because we must illustrate it in what we do. . . . All the world over, the life of the individual means the same thing to him—it means opportunity not only, but it also means his relationship to others, and he comes to his full dignity when he stands upon the same level with others, and, looking in his neighbor's eye, knows that he belongs with him to a common free community of purpose and thought and action." ### New Aviation Records Daniel was told to shut up the words of his prophecy and to seal the book "to the time of the end." "Many shall run to and fro," the angel said, "and knowledge shall be increased." One of the most recent ways of running to and fro is through the air. November 19 Miss Ruth Law established a new long-distance record, when she flew, without a stop, from Chicago to Hornell, N. Y., a distance of six hundred and sixty miles by railroad. Had it not been for a delayed start and a wind which cut down her speed and forced her to descend to replenish her gasoline, she might have reached New York City without a stop, as she had planned. Her average speed was over one hundred miles an hour. As the Washington Post of November 21 says, in its editorial comment:— "Not only is this the longest flight ever made by a woman, but Miss Law has demonstrated that to fly to New York from Chicago without stopping is wholly practicable. Her obsolete machine had equipment for only fifty-three gallons of gasoline, and it is generally agreed that if she had been able to carry one hundred gallons, as is the case with the modern machines, she would have been able to complete the trip from Chicago to New York in the light of one day." Another spectacular achievement in aviation has been performed by Representative-elect O. D. Bleakley, who has the distinction of being the first Congressman to make his entrance to the national capital by aeroplane. L. L. C.

The Very Religious Athenians

By W. A. S.

IN the works of the ancient Greek writer, Pausanias, there occurs a paragraph that supplies an interesting comment on Paul's words to the Athenians, as recorded in Acts 17. The apostle opened his speech with the words: “Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.”
The Revised Version certainly gives the preferable rendering, in harmony with our knowledge of the apostle's unvarying tactfulness and courtesy. According to this, Paul's first words to the men of Athens were: “Ye men of Athens, in all things I perceive that ye are very religious.”
About a hundred years later, Pausanias, evidently a Greek of Asia Minor, made a tour of Greece, and wrote a voluminous account of his travels. Of the distinguished religiousness of the Athenians, Pausanias wrote:—
“In the market place of Athens, amongst other objects which are not universally known, there is an altar of Mercy, to whom, though he is of all gods the most helpful in human life and in the vicissitudes of fortune, the Athenians are the only Greeks who pay honor. Humanity is not the only characteristic of the Athenians; they are also more pious than other people.”—“Description of Greece,” book 1, chap. 17.
Thus, out of the ancient secular writer, comes an echo of the story told by Inspiration.
W. A. S.

A Happy and Successful New Year

By F. M. W.

BEFORE the date of issuing another number of the REVIEW, our readers will stand within the portals of a new year. How strange it will seem to read and write 1917! How far off that period of time seemed as we looked forward to it ten, fifteen, twenty years ago! And how changed the scene! We live today in a new world. We face new conditions. The great war in Europe is revolutionizing human thought. It is sweeping away past standards and erecting new ones. In the church, the state, and the world at large we face such problems as we have never faced before.
And how strikingly have we seen prophetic predictions fulfilled before our very eyes during the last decade. On the one hand, the truth of God is gathering power and volume as it goes out into all the world in preparation for its final triumph. On the other hand, the forces of evil are combining for the last great conflict. Where we had one evidence ten years ago that the coming of the Lord was near, we have scores today. We have only to open our eyes and look out into the great world around us to see on every hand the verification of the truthfulness of the prophecies given centuries ago relating to present conditions.
The year to come promises to be a duplication of the past two years, only in increasing ratio as the world hastens on in its intensity of thought and life. What experiences it will bring to the nations of men we cannot forecast. What experience the church of God, or the individual members of that church, must pass through no one can foretell. Indeed, no one can tell what a single day will develop in his life's experience. How necessary it is, in view of the solemnity of these times and the strange and startling events that are now taking place around us, that we maintain a close and living connection with the Source of divine wisdom and power!
How greatly we need the Lord to guide us during 1917! Not for one single hour shall we be safe outside of his protection. We shall be the objects of Satan's attacks physically and spiritually. Every believer needs around him a cordon of guardian angels to protect him from these assaults. In the great world of turmoil and strife, we need to cultivate that peace of mind which can come only through rest and confidence in the Lord. This peace and rest is promised to the child of God. Declares the prophet of old: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” The worthies of old shared this peace, even when incarcerated within prison walls. It sustained them in sorrow, in pain, and in distress, as they sealed their testimony for Christ with their blood. It comforted Jeremiah in the loathsome pit into which he was cast; Paul and Silas in the prison house at Philippi; and the martyrs at the stake. Like them, we may obtain comfort and joy in all life's vicissitudes.
We wish for every one of our readers this peace in the Lord through the year to come. And we wish for every one a year of success, not as measured by the world, but according to God's measure. Worldly success means temporal prosperity, abounding health, increasing riches, growing influence, worldly plaudits and acclaim. The child of God may experience none of these temporal advantages, and yet in the sight of heaven be highly successful. He may be despised of man, but loved of God. He may be counted the offscouring of the earth, but more precious than the gold of Ophir in the courts above. Better such an experience with the fruits of righteousness, the result of right-doing, than the most coveted position which this world can afford.
We need to keep ourselves daily upon the altar of service; our plans subordinated to the will of the Master; our lives and property given to him to be spent as his providence shall indicate; our sons and daughters dedicated to the bidding of his Spirit. In this consecration, in the devotion of our lives to the cause of humanity and the salvation of souls, there will be found joy and peace and spiritual prosperity.
Let us purpose during the year to come, as never before in our lives, to make the Lord Jesus Christ our daily example, seeking in every one of life's relationships to do as he would do if he were in our place. Let us seek no union or affiliation, go to no place, nor engage in any enterprise, in which we cannot freely and confidently ask him to be our guide and companion. Let us bring every question in life to this one test: “What would Jesus do?” Taking him as our example, we shall not go astray, and 1917 will prove a happy and successful year. F. M. W.

Burden Bearing

By L. L. C.

There are few persons indeed who have no burden to bear. Sometimes persons who seem to have no burden may be carrying burdens which would crush others. There are so many different kinds of burdens,—inherited tendencies, acquired habits, pain or sorrow, disagreeable work, heavy responsibility.But perhaps your burden is something not included in what has been here mentioned. You know; and God knows. No one else may seem to care.

Another’s Burden

But will the true Christian show no concern or interest in the burdens of his fellows? We are exhorted in Gal. 6:2,—
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
Many men all about us are finding their burdens too heavy. Some are falling under the load. In some cases there is a loss of physical health; in others (and this is far more serious) there is a moral breakdown. Before this fall, there is many a stumble. This is what the apostle has in mind when he says:—
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Gal. 6:1.
If we see a man stumble, it is not right that we should say, “It is no affair of ours;” for only as we help our brother do we “fulfil the law of Christ.” While the exhortation is that those who are spiritual should restore such a one, should not every Christian be spiritual? Even the spiritual Christian must guard the spirit in which the help is offered. It must be done in a spirit of meekness, considering one’s own liability to stumble—often on the very same point. It is a fact repeatedly proved in human experience that we notice most quickly in others those very faults into which we ourselves are most prone to fall.

Our Own Burden

There is still another side to the question of burdens; for we are told, “Every man shall bear his own burden.” On every hand we see those who are refusing to do this. Through sloth and indolence some refuse to do their part of life’s labor; others seem to think that they have some special endowment which makes it right for them to direct and advise while others do the work. It is of this latter class that the apostle speaks in the following words:—
“If a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” Gal. 6:3.
On the other hand, we should not underestimate ourselves. While avoiding the error of thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought, we should not fail to think soberly of the ability which God has given us. One who depends for his own estimate of himself and his work entirely on what others may say, is surely to be pitied. The method suggested by the apostle is much better:—
“Let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” Gal. 6:4.
In God’s plan each man has been given his own work to do. This is a burden which we should ask no one to bear for us, lest perchance the reward also be given him by that great Judge who says, “Well done,” to him whose work has been well done. L. L. C.

Abiding in the Ship

By G. B. T.

“EXCEPT these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.” Acts 27:31. These words were spoken by Paul to the centurion and soldiers, who, seeing the ship being driven to land by the stress of storm, were preparing to flee from the ship by means of smaller boats. He told them their salvation depended on staying in the ship. It did not seem so. Their sense of individual safety told them there was a better way—better to break up into smaller groups, and take to the boats. But Paul knew better. The vessel in which they were was held by four anchors. Better to be all together and anchored than scattered in small groups and drifting. The counsel proved good. By remaining together, the two hundred and seventy-six persons “escaped all safe to land.”
So it is today. The church is beset by storms. The fury of the gale is increasing. A woe rests upon the inhabitants of the earth because the devil has come down with great wrath, knowing that his time to deceive souls is rapidly drawing to a close. Breakers are ahead, threatening the stately gospel ship with certain destruction. Side issues will appear, affording what seems a means of escape. Shall we leave the tried ship for some other craft? “Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.” Remain together, is the exhortation.
Here is the message for our time—this great movement which is being carried forward throughout the world. It is the fulfilment of the prophetic message of Rev. 14:6-14. This movement is in fulfilment of prophecy. This people is a prophetic people. Keep this in mind when some are trying to destroy your faith in the message. The revelator saw the movement in vision. We see before us the fulfilment of the vision of the Apocalyptic seer. If this movement with which we are connected is not a fulfilment of the prophecy of Revelation 14, where is its fulfilment? The time has come for its fulfilment, and if this movement is not the fulfilment of the prophetic word, it has no fulfilment, and the word of God is broken. But the word of God cannot be broken. The time for the message has come, and, lo, it is now doing its work in all the world. And that which is in fulfilment of prophecy can no more be stopped than can the sun in its course. God has always fulfilled his word, and he always will. Men may leave the truth on one pretext and another but the fulfilment of prophecy is sure. At such a time, it is well to remain in the ship.
This message is opposed by many. Truth has always had its opposers. Some who once believed it have given it up, and now wage war on former brethren. This has been the experience of the church throughout the ages. Blind to their own failures and mistakes, these opposers of truth seek for something which they think is wrong in the lives of those who are devoting their entire energy to the promulgation of the message. They criticize administrative plans, and hold up what they call mistakes to the ridicule of a cold, unfeeling world, that hates the truth. No great learning, piety, or depth of Scriptural exegesis is necessary to enable them to do this.
But what about the message? Men may make mistakes, but God has always carried forward his message through such fallible instruments. Even Moses erred, but what about the exodus movement? It triumphed. So it will be in our day. Even if men make mistakes, and are not able to expound every text of the Bible clearly, what about this prophetic message?
If this message is in fulfilment of the words of a prophet of God, it will triumph, and our salvation depends on our remaining in the ship,—no small boats of our own will do.
“I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, giving no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation. I was shown three steps,—the first, second, and third angels’ messages. Said my accompanying angel, ‘Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received.’ I was again brought down through these messages, and saw how dearly the people of God had purchased their experience. It had been obtained through much suffering and severe conflict. God had led them along step by step until he had placed them upon a solid, immovable platform.
“I saw individuals approach the platform and examine the foundation. Some with rejoicing immediately stepped upon it. Others commenced to find fault with the foundation. They wished improvements made, and then the platform would be more perfect, and the people much happier. Some stepped off the platform to examine it, and declared it to be laid wrong. But I saw that nearly all stood firm upon the platform, and exhorted those who had stepped off to cease their complaints; for God was the master builder, and they were fighting against him. They recounted the wonderful work of God, which had led them to the firm platform, and in union raised their eyes to heaven, and with a loud voice glorified God. This affected some of those who had complained and left the platform, and they with humble lookagain stepped upon it.”—“Early Writings,” pp. 258, 259.
We shall do well to study these words. There are those who are continually finding fault with the foundation, saying that this plank and the other were laid wrong, and making suggestions of improvement regarding the message. But the fundamental pillars of the temple of truth are all right. It is well to stand on the foundation. There is none more firm or sure. Here are some further words of counsel:—
“I was shown a platform, braced by solid timbers, the truths of the Word of God. Some one high in responsibility in the medical work was directing this man and that man to loosen the timbers supporting this platform. Then I heard a voice saying, ‘Where are the watchmen that ought to be standing on the walls of Zion? Are they asleep? How can they be silent? This foundation was built by the Master Worker, and will stand the storm and tempest. Will they permit this man to present doctrines that deny the past experience of the people of God? The time has come to take decided action.’”—“Special Testimonies,” p. 38.
Thank the Lord, the foundation will stand the storm! The message fulfilling prophecy will triumph gloriously. In this time God’s people should press together, giving no countenance to those who are seeking to destroy the faith of God’s people in the message.
“In vision I saw two armies in terrible conflict. One army was led by banners bearing the world’s insignia; the other was led by the blood-stained banner of Prince Immanuel. Standard after standard was left to trail in the dust, as company after company from the Lord’s army joined the foe, and tribe after tribe from the ranks of the enemy united with the commandment-keeping people of God. An angel flying in the midst of heaven put the standard of Immanuel into many hands, while a mighty general cried out with a loud voice: ‘Come into line. Let those who are loyal to the commandments of God and the testimony of Christ now take their position. Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters. Let all who will, come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.’
“The battle raged. Victory alternated from side to side. Now the soldiers of the cross gave way, ‘as when a standard bearer fainteth.’ Isa. 10:18. But their apparent retreat was but to gain a more advantageous position. Shouts of joy were heard. A song of praise to God went up, and angel voices united in the song, as Christ’s soldiers planted his banner on the walls of fortresses till then held by the enemy. The Captain of our salvation was ordering the battle, and sending support to his soldiers. His power was mightily displayed, encouraging them to press the battle to the gates. He taught them terrible things in righteousness as he led them on step by step, conquering and to conquer.
“At last the victory was gained. The army following the banner with the inscription, ‘The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,’ was gloriously triumphant. The soldiers of Christ were close beside the gates of the city, and with joy the city received her King. The kingdom of peace and joy and everlasting righteousness was established. . .
“This is the scene that is presented to me. But the church must and will fight against seen and unseen foes. Satan’s agencies in human form are on the ground. Men have confederated to oppose the Lord of hosts. These confederacies will continue until Christ shall leave his place of intercession before the mercy-seat, and shall put on the garments of vengeance. Satanic agencies are in every city, busily organizing into parties those opposed to the law of God. Professed saints and avowed unbelievers take their stand with these parties. This is no time for the people of God to be weaklings. We cannot afford to be off our guard for one moment.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VIII, pp. 41, 42.
This is a trumpet call to come into line. “Except these stay in the ship, ye cannot be saved.” G. B. T.

In the Far East Again

By Arthur G. Daniells

TIME never seemed to rush by so fast as in these days. It seems but yesterday since we said farewell to our dear fellow workers in Shanghai, and left for the States; yet it has been a year and a half, and here we are today running down the coast of Japan to Yokohama.
We sailed from Vancouver, British Columbia, the second of November—eleven days ago. Our voyage has not been the kind one naturally wishes. We have scarcely seen sun, moon, or stars since putting to sea. We have had cloudy, misty weather, and a cold wind from the icy regions of the North. The sea has been rather rough most of the time, yet all but one of our company have been reasonably well and happy. We are thankful for the blessings that have been ours, and especially for a safe journey across the great ocean.
There are fourteen in our party,—twelve adults and two children. Elder W. T. Knox, who, being treasurer, must deal with our foreign mission finances, has come to study this great mission field, and to counsel and encourage the workers. As he will be abroad nearly a year, he has brought Sister Knox along to join in the study of the conditions, needs, and providential openings of this vast field. They will first visit our stations in Ceylon, India, and Burma. At the close of the conference in Calcutta, they will hold a general meeting at Singapore, and visit as large a portion of the Malaysian field as possible. From Singapore they will go to Canton, where a general meeting will be held for south China. Then will be held, at Shanghai, the first session of the Asiatic Division Conference. Following this conference, they will visit central China, Manchuria, Korea, and Japan.
Our appropriations to the Asiatic Division for 1917 reach the splendid sum of $358,000. This is a large amount to be invested in a single year in this one section of our world field. It is as much as we expended in all our missions throughout the world in 1910. In the expenditure of this money, important questions are continually arising, many of which are pressed upon the attention of the treasurer. This personal inspection of our stations, and the study of the problems with the brethren on the ground, will be of great value to Brother Knox in the future. He will undoubtedly be able to save far more than the cost of the visit.
Brother Knox will be accompanied in his travels by Elder R. C. Porter, president of the Asiatic Division Conference. It has been arranged for Prof. Frederick Griggs, secretary of the Educational Department of the General Conference, and Brother C. E. Weaks, secretary of the Publishing Department of the Asiatic Division Conference, also to be in attendance at these general meetings.
Brother and Sister W. E. Gillis and their son are with us, on their way to China, after a year’s furlough in the homeland. After spending years in the Shanghai printing house, they found it necessary to leave for a time, in order to recuperate. They are glad to get back to China, and express the fervent hope that they may now remain here until the Lord comes. It makes one’s heart rejoice to hear missionaries talk that way. They have lived in the field, associated with the people, and have experienced sacrifice, privation, and failing health. Yet with this personal knowledge of what is before them, they rejoice in the privilege of returning. It would almost break their hearts if they were prevented from doing so. Surely our people in the homeland should prize such missionaries, and pray earnestly for the preservation of their health and for the success of their work.
Elder J. P. Anderson has also come back to take up his work in south China. He came out ten years ago, at the age of nineteen. The Lord has blessed him in getting command of a number of Chinese dialects, and in winning souls to the Master. He and Sister Anderson attended the last General Conference. They remained only a short time, however. They hurried back to look after their mission stations. With a growing constituency, and many lines of work to carry forward, they toiled early and late. Finally Sister Anderson’s health gave way, and a few months ago her husband was compelled to take her home to receive medical attention. She had wasted away until she weighed only seventy pounds. But she has responded so well to the treatments given that Brother Anderson could leave her in a much improvedcondition, and return to his field. If all continues well, she will soon be able to return to China and resume her work. Sister Anderson has been in China eleven years, and cannot be happy anywhere else. She longs to get back to minister to this needy, responsive people.
Brother and Sister Jesse Barrows, with their little daughter Margaret, have come to this field to join the administrative staff. Brother Barrows, as an accountant, has served in his home conference for some years as secretary and treasurer. He has come to do this line of work in these new and rapidly growing fields. He will work to develop thoroughness in the keeping of accounts and in reporting, and to build up the system of tithes and offerings in the churches, and to promote the distribution of literature throughout the conference in which he will be located. His brother, Henry W. Barrows, is treasurer and auditor of the Asiatic Division Conference. These young men received their education at South Lancaster Academy, and have had a good experience in practical work since leaving school.
After selecting two of her children for the Far East, I asked Sister Barrows, the mother of these brethren, if she felt to forbid our Mission Board drawing so heavily on her family. She replied that she had three others that she would be glad to see us take. What devotion to the cause and loyalty to the Master! This is the spirit that makes the church of Christ triumphant in the world.
Brother and Sister Nathan Brewer are young people who also have come out to devote their lives to the work in China. Brother Brewer is a graduate of South Lancaster. Sister Brewer, a daughter of Sister M. A. Wheeler, a Bible worker in the Atlantic Union Conference, was graduated from Washington Missionary College this past year. Since leaving South Lancaster Academy, Brother Brewer has been connected with the colporteur work. Proving successful in the sale of our subscription books, he was called to take charge of the work in the Maine Conference. When the call came for a young man of experience to take charge of the publishing work in the East China Union, Brother Brewer responded. He will take up language study during this first year, with the view of devoting his life to the circulation of our literature among China’s four hundred millions. Surely our cause must succeed, when our young men and women are so ready to go out to spend their lives in non-Christian lands, working for the salvation of people who sit in darkness and in the valley of the shadow of death.
Only a few weeks before we were to sail, the Mission Board asked Brother Clarence C. Crisler if he would come to the Asiatic Division to give his life to literary work. He and Sister Crisler accepted the call without any hesitation or reservation. He began at once shaping his affairs to leave, and was able to sail with us. Brother Crisler’s association with Sister White, as secretary and editor, for a period of fifteen years, gave him a large and valuable experience. Now he has come to the Asiatic Division to give, as best he can, these multiplied millions the benefits of this experience.
The large mission boards of various denominations are coming to value very highly the literary work of experienced men. They see that the press is one of the most effective, economical ways of reaching the many millions still in ignorance of the gospel, and this is leading them to make special efforts to place literary workers in these fields. We rejoice that the providence of God has placed Brother Crisler in the Far East.
Sister Minnie Crisler, who has also had a large and valuable experience in literary work, having for years acted as one of Sister White’s secretaries, will be able to render the cause valuable service by assisting in this work of preparing literature. She and their little girl will follow in a few months, probably in time to attend the Division Conference in the month of April.
We now have five printing plants in the Asiatic Division. We have demonstrated to our satisfaction and great encouragement that our literature work can be carried on just as successfully in the Far East as it has been in North America, Europe, Australasia, and South America. We have an excellent system of distribution; we have a splendid body of young people to be trained as colporteurs, and we have experienced leaders to train them. What we need now is a suitable supply of publications for the field. It is to assist in the furtherance of this particular and important line of work that Brother Crisler will devote his life.
Thus we are steadily and rapidly adding experienced and efficient workers to our staff in the Far East. What remarkable strides our cause has made in this part of the world! Only a few years ago we had entered but two widely separated sections,—India and Japan. For years, we made scarcely any headway; but during the past twelve or fifteen years the work has gone by leaps and bounds. There is surely a great harvest to be reaped in these dark lands. May I request our people everywhere to pray for great things in these lands that have dwelt so long in darkness and superstition? The Lord is demonstrating what he can do by his mighty power with those who have long seemed beyond the reach of saving grace. For this we praise his name. A. G. DANIELLS.
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