FORCING young people into the first situations they can possibly fill, regardless of aptness, is a wrong that is often irreparable. In many cases society as a whole is to blame, for poverty knows no higher law, but when parents able to do differently thus inconsiderately ruin their children’s future, no condemnation can be too strong.
I know a number of young people having marked ability in certain lines, who are probably capable of making great reputations, but who are being held back by parents who do not happen to think it wise or prudent for their children to strive to express what the Creator has locked up within them, and so they are cramped and unhappy. It is serious business, even for a parent, to stifle a God-given ambition, to dampen a divine aspiration. If a decided talent has been put into a child, a parent should think many times before taking the responsibility of countermanding the Creator’s order.
Every child comes into the world with sealed orders from the infinite hand, and even the fondest parent can not certainly read the secret message written within that bit of clay. The child has certain inalienable rights which even the parent has no right to question or to try to modify.
Selecting a life work is serious business. It should be done only after careful study and test of aptitudes, fitness and tastes, by both the person choosing and those having authority with him, unless his bent speaks so loudly in his blood, and his dominant faculties are so imperative in their expression of choice, that he can not mistake the calling for which he is fitted. It is everything to a boy or a girl to get into just the right place, where the highest and noblest faculties will find a healthy and delightful exercise, instead of the lowest and meanest. To do the kind of work for which one is fitted by nature, and to do it to the best of one’s ability, is working along the lines of one’s strength, which increases with every well-directed effort.
—Orison Swett Marden, in Success.
Good Homemade Bread
“Bread is the staff of life,” is true only of good home-made bread, not of the ordinary baker’s article. The latter, says the Union Signal, is simply a “compound with neither soul nor body.”
Experiences in Australia
By Loretta V. Robinson
MRS. LORETTA V. ROBINSON
PROBABLY all are aware of the terrible drought through which Australia has been passing during the past seven or eight years,—a drought which has been broken in some parts by only an occasional shower. In Queensland there are children of school age who have never seen a rainy day. The country is not blessed with irrigating ditches like many portions of the United States, but is dependent almost wholly upon the clouds of heaven for all its moisture. When day after day, and month after month, and even year after year passes with scarcely rain enough to fill the empty tanks connected with the houses, what can be the awful result, but sorrow, suffering, and death on every hand, of both man and beast, and even the birds of heaven? Scarcely a bird is seen now, where there were formerly multitudes in the woods.
ECHO PUBLISHING HOUSE, MELBOURNE
But to watch the failing health and strength of our own brethren and sisters, and of their little children, and to see their faithful animals, upon which they are dependent for their daily food, dying, and to know that the cause of it all is insufficient nourishment, and then to be powerless to help them, causes a heartache for which there is no cure.
One family, consisting of a father and mother and eight children, who lived about five miles from town, made their living by hauling wood to market. After a time feed became so high that they could not buy enough for their horse, and it gradually grew weaker until it died.
The older boys obtained a small amount of money by hunting wallabies, a species of kangaroo, a few pennies being paid for their skins. Soon these animals were all killed off, for many others were getting their living in the same way. The father was then taken sick, and the mother and one of the boys walked to town two or three times a week, five miles under the burning sun, to collect a little money which was due them. Sometimes they were successful in getting a few shillings, with which they bought a fifty-pound sack of flour and other necessities, which must be carried on the back that long, weary five miles home. At other times, having left home without any breakfast, because there was nothing in the house, they would walk from place to place until the middle of the afternoon, not able to collect a penny, and then call at our house for a little rest. After much questioning I would find out these facts, and divide my small store with them, or go to some neighbor, and thus get a little help in order that they might not go empty handed to their hungry family.
I was very much touched at one time; the father and mother came to town, leaving the children just enough food for their dinners. They were gone all day, but when they returned home, they found the dinner still untouched; for the children were afraid their father and mother might not get any money, and would come home tired and hungry, and find nothing to eat. The father was so moved that he sat down and wept.
Another case was a family of three. The father was an old man. He obtained his living by farming, picture framing, and hauling water for those who had to buy. After planting his garden over several times, and seeing everything which came up wither and die, and not being able to get plenty of feed for his horse, the animal became too weak to do any more work. One day I called on them just as the poor old man was leading his faithful creature to the slaughter house, where he received five shillings ($1.25) for his hide. His wife, though trusting and happy in Jesus, could not keep the tears back while she apologized for not being able to offer me any dinner. Their little girl had gone to one of the neighbors to play, and the mother had not called her to dinner; for she had none to give her. After this they had to depend on what the father could earn by framing pictures, and you can imagine how little that would be when at nearly every house the people would say, and truthfully too, “We can scarcely get bread to eat, and have no money to spend on pictures.” Others would give him work, but when the picture was finished, they could not pay him until the next week. He would walk in three miles next week, only to have a similar experience. This same brother, after the death of his horse, had to haul all his water three miles on a hand cart.
Others who were dependent on their cows for their living, would work day after day, cutting prickly pears, which had to be boiled and mixed with the little bran they were able to give, in hopes to keep the breath of life in them till rain should come, but only to see them die one after another.
Sometimes a horse would die unexpectedly, and on examination his stomach would be found filled with sand, which he had been obliged to eat in order to get at the grass roots.
A little girl came to our house one evening and asked for some bread. She said her father was out of work, and that there were six small children in the family, the youngest a few weeks old, and that they had had no food for two days. I gave her some, and told her to come in the morning and I would go with her to see her mother. I went, and found the picture only worse than she had depicted it.
And so I might relate instance after instance similar to the above, but I forbear. Sufficient has been said to show that in a place like that, means are needed to carry on the work, above what the brethren and sisters in such circumstances can possibly give.
It can be seen that the canvasser must meet with more than ordinary hardships and discouragements, and needs something more than our sympathy and prayers, as do also the other workers. Some good Bible workers receive only ten or fifteen shillings a week, and have to pay nearly half of it for room rent, while food is very expensive. There is only one minister in Queensland, and he is a young licentiate. The last we heard from there, he had gone into the canvassing work, as there was no money in the conference treasury to support him.
Brother and Sister Robie, from New Hampshire, are working in the medical work there. They have opened bath rooms, into which they put all the means they had. Though the rooms are well patronized, yet so much of the work must be done free, or people left to suffer, that it is a continual strain upon them to know how to meet their running expenses.
When we come before God, the Testimonies say, ‘Our need is our greatest plea.’ Can we bring a greater plea before you, dear brethren and sisters, than13the needs of the cause in Australia? The inhabitants of that country must have the truth brought before them before the Lord can come, and now while the hearts of many are made tender by their afflictions, is the time to present before them the last call of mercy to a dying world. And this can not be done there without more workers and more means. May God touch the hearts of those who should go, until they shall say, ‘Here am I, Lord, send me.’ And to the many who can not go may he grant a ‘willing mind,’ which shall lead them to give of their means as God has prospered them.
Boulder, Colo.
An Interesting Brahman Family
By Mrs. J. L. Shaw
MRS. J. L. SHAW
ONE day, after William Carey had been preaching to a crowd in one of the cities of India, he met a Brahman priest, carried on the shoulders of several men. Carey handed him a piece of paper with these words written upon it: “I am a sinner; Christ is my Saviour.” Up to this time no one had ever dared to tell this Brahman priest that he was a sinner. He was regarded more as a god. He repeated these words again and again: “I am a sinner; Christ is my Saviour;” and he finally said, “It is true. I am a sinner; Christ is my Saviour.” He sought Mr. Carey, and said, as a test, “If this man is really true, and thinks Christ can save us, he will eat with us.” On invitation, Mr. Carey gladly accepted and ate his rice and dahl from the same dish. The Brahman priest laid aside his priestly robe, and in simple attire presented himself for baptism. This was the first Brahman to accept Christianity.
In a garden house, in the suburbs of Calcutta, lives the grandson of this Brahman priest, a white-haired man of over seventy years of age.
In another part of Calcutta lives his son, who has eleven bright boys and girls living with him. A few years ago Brother Ellery Robinson sold him a copy of “Patriarchs and Prophets,” then a copy of “The Great Controversy,” and later one of “Daniel and the Revelation.”
Morning, noon, and night he always gathers his family together, stopping the work in the printing office to study the Word and pray. These occasions he used in studying these books through with his family. By means of these books he became acquainted with Elder D. A. Robinson, who was an instrument in the hands of God of bringing him into the full light of the third angel’s message.
This home is truly a training-school, and it is interesting to see all this family, fourteen in number,—including the son-in-law, who has lately given his heart to God and accepted present truth,—assemble for Bible study at noon. When the gun is fired in the city, giving the noonday hour, all work is dropped, and in their quiet, simple way they study the Bible, or whatever book they have chosen for that time. Just now they are studying “The Desire of Ages,” paragraph by paragraph. The oldest son of the family is a nurse at the sanitarium. It was interesting to hear him relate, the other day, how God had used him to bring Christ to a dying man who came to the sanitarium. He knew the patient must die, and he told him he could just ask forgiveness for his sins, and Jesus would accept him. As he repeated to him some precious promises, the dying man grasped his hand and said, “You have done much for me.” The young man said, “I have done nothing for you. Christ has done all.” He asked for a song, and he sang to the man, “Safe in the arms of Jesus,” and in a little while he passed away, leaving the assurance that he had found Jesus, though at the eleventh hour.
The grandfather learned the present truth from the books his son purchased from the canvasser, and accepted it, in the garden house, where so many for years have come and heard the gospel; for his home is a mission home. They now hear the gospel every Sabbath from this aged pilgrim. It is interesting to hear him tell what God has done for him, and what he has seen done here in India for missions in his time.
The light that Carey brought to this family has been handed down from father to son, father to son. Greater light has come as the years have come and gone. May the gospel live in each heart, and may they all be as quick to accept the light as it comes, and to sacrifice position, rank, and worldly possessions as was their ancestor, the Brahman priest.
It is of interest to note that the head of each of these families has received advanced light through the printed page.
Calcutta, India.
Report of European General Conference
By Guy Dail
Year Ending Dec. 31, 1902
GUY DAIL
Some time ago we gave a report of this field for the year ending June 30, 1902; but the reports of all the fields are now in hand, so that we can speak of the year 1902 as a whole. Local reports of independent fields have been given heretofore in these columns, but thus far no general summary for the five union fields (the German, Scandinavian, and British Union Conferences, and the French-Latin and Oriental Union Missions) operating in Europe, Asia Minor, Turkey, and Egypt, and composing the territory of the European General Conference.
If we compare the twelve months of 1902 with the twelve months made up of the last half year of 1901 and the first half year of 1902, there is, for the whole field, a fair and encouraging, though not a flattering showing. In some conferences there is a falling off in one or more respects; in others the growth has more than counterbalanced the loss in the less fortunate districts.
Taking the general summary, there are five items in the report for the year ending December 31 that show a deficit when compared with the report for the twelve months ending June 30, 1902; there are three less canvassers, and a falling off of $15,477 in the book sales; the First-day offerings are $330.51 less, and the annual offerings have decreased by $517.49. In explanation of the last item, we may add that this is caused by the tardiness of the returns from the week of prayer donations, for, while we have not yet heard from all our fields for the quarter ending March 31, 1903, yet that quarter shows an income from annual offerings of more than $877, which, as the reader will see, more than compensates for the shortage in this respect. The number of Sabbath-schools reporting in December was 321, against 344 for the year closing six months earlier: membership of schools in December, 6,959; whereas it was 6,856 half a year before. To give the complete figures in the instances now under consideration, as shown by the report for the year closing Dec. 31, 1902: canvassers, 323; book sales, $102,651.78; First-day offerings, $828.86; annual offerings, $2,569.96.
In the matter of members received, we notice that during the year ending June 30, 1902, 1,029 were baptized, and 236 received by vote, making a total of 1,265; while for the year 1902, taken as a whole, 1,011 were baptized, and 332 were received by vote, making a total of 1,343, so that 78 more were taken into church membership during the latter period than during the former. The membership last June was 7,940; in December, 8,274, showing a net increase of 334 for the last six months of 1902.
For the year ending June 30, the tithe was $57,352.72; Sabbath-school donations, $4,036.03; and miscellaneous gifts, $1,105.88. During the year 1902, taken as a whole, the tithe was $59,010.91; Sabbath-school donations, $4,240.96; and miscellaneous gifts, $1,524.32, showing an increase of $1,658.19 in tithe, $204.03 in Sabbath-school donations, and $418.44 in miscellaneous offerings.
As to evangelical workers, in December there were 62 ministers, 33 licentiates, 80 missionary licentiates, and 12 other laborers, or a total of 187, as against 59 ministers, 31 licentiates, 79 missionary licentiates, and 3 other workers, or a total of 172, for the year ending June 30, showing an increase of 15 laborers in this entire field during the last six months of 1902.
We submit these figures in no boastful spirit, for we feel that there is nothing about them to cause us to feel a sense of glorification. The progress shown ought to have been greater, and the loss exhibited might have been avoided, had each one connected with the Lord's work in Europe done his full duty. However, there is reason for gratitude to God that he has not forsaken us, and that he continues to give us evidences of his keeping and preserving power. We trust that the year 1903 will show more progress in every phase of Christian effort, and that the gospel may go with increased14glory and power, even the power of God, which will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.
We thank our brethren in other parts of the world for the interest they are manifesting in the European field, and trust they will continue to think of, and pray for, the work here, and that we may all labor together in love and union until the work is finished, and God's people are gathered home.
Hamburg, Germany.
Mission Notes
EVEN in the Dark Continent the world moves. For it is a scant twenty-five years since Stanley appeared on the Lower Congo, after a year's perils to reach the coast, and now there reaches our table an account of a conference of missionaries held at Leopoldville, January 19, representing four American and three European societies — two hundred of them coming from fifty stations, and able to tell of six thousand native Christians, with hundreds of schools and all that! — Northwestern Christian Advocate.
FIFTY years ago seven shoemakers in a shop in the city of Hamburg said: “By the grace of God we will help to send the gospel to our destitute fellow men.” In twenty-five years they had established fifty self-supporting churches, had gathered 10,000 converts, had distributed 400,000 Bibles and 8,000,000 tracts, and had carried the gospel to 50,000,000 of the race. It would take only one hundred and fifty such men to carry the gospel to the world in twenty-five years. — Exchange.
IN China posters have been circulated in denunciation of foot-binding. The upper part of the poster is covered with a series of illustrations intended to depict the cruelty and results of foot-binding, while the lower portion is occupied by a statement of the Anti-Foot-Binding Society. The work of this society has received a great impetus by the action of the dowager empress in issuing a decree against this ancient practice. May it soon be a custom entirely of the past! — The Baptist Missionary Magazine.
THE railroad just completed up the Congo has cost twelve million dollars and four thousand lives. More than twenty human lives have been laid down upon every mile of that wonderful road into the heart of the Dark Continent. On that one enterprise alone more lives were sacrificed than all the lives sacrificed in foreign missions from the days of the apostles to this present time. They did it for earthly riches that fade away from us and we from them; but our sacrifices are for Christ, from whom no power in the universe can separate us. They have done this to obtain the commerce, the gold, and the diamonds of that country of inexhaustible resources. But we have a world from which the richer treasure of redeemed men and women can be gathered for the enrichment of the kingdom of God. How long shall we wait to see a sacrifice on the part of the church, comparable to the blessing to be obtained in its making? — Exchange.
Wang’s Choice
By J. N. Anderson
J. N. ANDERSON
As an illustration of how God calls souls to himself, even in China, the following case is cited. A sixteen-year-old boy named Wang Ting Hsien, the son of a merchant in Kai Feng Fu, the capital city of the province of Honan, was invited by one of the native workers of our Sin Iang Cheo Mission to attend a Bible reading in the mission chapel. His interest was aroused, and he remained in the place some two or three weeks, listening to the wonderful truths of the gospel.
On reaching home he began telling his father of the vanity of idol worship, of Christ as the Saviour of mankind, and of the urgent necessity he felt of preparation for Christ’s second coming. He frankly confessed that he had no desire to succeed to the father’s business as a merchant, but rather chose to become a Christian teacher, and requested to be allowed to return to the mission. Strangely enough, the heathen father granted the earnest request, imposing the sole condition that he join himself to the foreigner, and obey implicitly his teaching.
Most gladly was the condition accepted; and clad in a suit of blue cotton garments, stitched and heavily wadded according to the custom in winter in this section, with a blanket for a bed, and a pair of new hay sandals (worth one cent), with which to replace those on his feet, rolled in a bundle on his back, and native cash to the amount of forty cents in his pockets, he set out on a journey of two hundred miles back to the mission. His journey, like Jacob’s, was without companions or escort, but he testifies that as he pursued his lone way by the narrow, crooked paths between the rice fields and vegetable gardens of the plain, God’s Spirit was present in his heart, and holy angels attended him.
No one had asked the boy to come back to the mission, much less had there been any promise given of a home or of assistance in gaining a living. On his return he was questioned as to his purpose in coming back, and as to how he expected to gain his support. He replied that he wished to learn the truth, and to become a follower of Jesus, and that as for his support, he could trust it to God.
He has now been at the mission about seven weeks, attending the classes and meetings. He is active and willing in the parts he has to perform, and diligent in study, committing to memory large portions of the Bible. His cheerful, open countenance and polite, modest conduct are a comfort to all about him. His experience is clear and bright, and his testimony full of hope and earnestness. May our God make him a polished instrument of his own choosing, a light to his people who sit in darkness.
Canton, China.
Bible Demand Grows in China
GATE OF A WALLED CITY IN CHINA
Did Christianity get a setback from the recent persecution in China? A letter from the agent of the American Bible Society in Shanghai, Dr. John R. Hykes, answers that question quite conclusively. He writes: “We issued more Mandarin Bibles in the last three months of last year than would have been considered ample stock for eight years a decade ago. The direct issues of Bibles for the year reached a total of 10,126, or just about one fourth of the entire number sent out by the American Bible Society from the time it began distributing Scriptures in China, more than forty years ago, to the end of year before last. The demand for Bibles and Testaments has not been confined to any district, but has come from all parts of the empire to which our missionaries have returned. . . . Never before have the colporteurs been so well received both in towns and villages as during the past year. Unlike past years, when we used to sell so many Scripture portions and very few Bibles or Testaments, last year they wanted the whole Bible or Testament, and very few portions, comparatively, were sold. Never before has there been anywhere in China such a spirit of inquiry and desire to purchase the Word of God; and not only to purchase, but to read it. From all quarters come tidings of men who have bought the Scriptures, and who have gathered together to read, study, and pray over them without any missionary to help or preach to them.”
France
By B. G. Wilkinson
VALENCE.—Five have accepted the truth in Paris. One is a young man from South America, who, after spending two months in the Paris school, has returned to his home in Uruguay. A well-to-do American lady, who has been a missionary in Japan for several years, has taken hold of the truth with her whole soul. She plays the organ for us, and has opened to us some wealthy homes in Paris. Three others are Parisians. There are to be four more baptized here at Valence soon. Brother Roth writes that there will be six or seven more in the south of France in a short time. There are six ready for baptism at Payema, Suisse, and four more have recently accepted the truth in Belgium. Doors are open all around us. Our work is very faulty, but God is blessing.
B. G. WILKINSON.
E. E. ANDROSS
By E. E. Andross
England
LEICESTER.—I am very thankful indeed to report that our work throughout the conference is still progressing. The outlook is encouraging for our summer work. We have three new tents for the field work. At present we are able to man these in a very satisfactory way, and we hope to see as a result of the summer’s effort three strong churches raised up in our conference. We have decided to hold a tent effort in Hull, to follow up the good interest that has been awakened in that city.
We are laboring to bring up the interests of the Sabbath-school work in our churches. Brother and Sister Castle have already held two Sabbath-school conventions—one in Liverpool and Birkenhead, and the other at Birmingham, and have planned to hold several others during the next few weeks. Brother Castle is also working up the interest with “Christ’s Object Lessons.” We hope soon to have all these books sold in this conference, and be ready to take up any other work that may seem necessary.
Although we have not succeeded in doing a large business in handling books, yet the book work has not been running down, but is rather on the increase. We expect to start several young people in the canvassing work soon.
E. E. ANDROSS
Visit to Basutoland
By W. S. Hyatt
For three years I have desired to see Basutoland, and visit our mission, which is under the supervision of Elder J. M. Freeman. Our first work for the Basutos was by Elder S. N. Haskell. He made a short visit to the country, and, needing an interpreter, secured the service of David Kalaka, who is an educated native. During the short visit of but a few days, seeds of truth were sown in his heart that brought forth fruit.
Brother Kalaka labored alone for over a year; but was continually pleading for help. Finally the South African Conference decided that help must be sent. We had several seasons of earnest prayer, in which we sought God to direct us to the right man, and place the burden upon him to go. When Brother Freeman was asked to go, we learned that the burden for that field had been resting heavily upon him for some time, and from that day forth he has never doubted his call to the work.
The Lord gave him favor with the paramount chief, and a site was chosen at the foot of Mt. Kolo. The view is a beautiful one, as it stretches across a fine strip of rolling country. The location is not far from the Orange River Colony, and during the war the columns of men moving to and fro could be seen easily by the aid of a field-glass. During the siege of Wepener, the roar of the cannon and the bursting of the shells could be distinctly heard.
From Aliwal North we traveled by cart, and passed through a portion of the old Free State, close to where Gen. De Wet operated so largely. Ruins are to be seen everywhere. The walls of houses which were made of brick or stone are usually standing; but all the lumber in them has been torn out, and used for fuel. The village of Rouxville was vacated, and when the people returned, they found everything destroyed except the walls of their houses. One reason for this, no doubt, is that there are no trees in the country except the few about the houses.
God has blessed the work of the little mission. When the work began, the people were heathen; but now there is a nice company of all ages, who have an intelligent faith in Jesus. They understand all the leading points of present truth, and it is a real pleasure to preach the word to them, and hear them sing songs of praise to our God.
Sabbath morning the building was well filled,—it will seat about a hundred,—and as the Sabbath hymn was begun, the Spirit of God filled many hearts with joy, and tears flowed freely. I enjoyed great liberty as I presented to them the power of Christ to liberate and keep free from the bondage of sin.
On Sunday the Lord came near to us. The village chief and several of the leading men were present, and as the word was spoken, the Holy Spirit carried it home to them with power. In response to our invitation, over thirty expressed a desire to become Christians. Many good testimonies were given, and we felt that the day was well spent. The last Sabbath I was with them we celebrated the Lord's supper. It was a privilege to be with them, and see the deep interest taken by all.
I was pleased to see the advancement made by the children in the school. A son of Brother Kalaka is teaching them. There are about thirty-five in attendance, and several of these are young16men. The heart of the most skeptical would be changed if they could see the great work done for these poor heathen children. In the past a few have been taught the English language, but in the future all are to be taught it; and I expect by the time I visit them again, they will be able to read and use the Sabbath-school lesson in the Little Friend. The English government encourages the teaching of English in all the schools.
In some sections schools are plentiful, while in others there are but few. For seventy years the French Protestants have been in the field, and have done a good work. They often ask us why we came to Basutoland, why we do not go farther on into the interior. Gladly would we do so if they would preach the “gospel of the kingdom” in all its fullness; but as they will not, we must go to the people with the special truth for this time. Brother Murray Kalaka is soon to start another school. Brother Kalaka takes the ponies and cart and travels about, selling our books and tracts. He does real colporteur work. The message is onward, and erelong we may be able to send educated natives to Barotseland to labor, since the same language is spoken by them. Brethren, pray for the missionaries.
W. S. HYATT.
South Africa
By G. W. Shone
BLOEMFONTEIN.—I came to this place last February, and have been at work ever since. Although I have found difficulties, yet there is much to encourage me. The Lord is blessing my efforts, and I firmly believe that this place will yield a rich harvest. I am having some precious experiences in connection with my work here, which is varied—canvassing, giving Bible readings, and preaching.
I have found that the first need was to introduce our literature, and to awaken an interest on the part of the people to hear the special truth for this time. This place is rapidly growing, and should be an important center in our work, being the capital of the Orange River Colony, and expected to become the capital of the United South Africa in the future.
My plea is for workers. I am the only worker in this colony. I hope that the Lord will move upon some who are willing to make a little sacrifice, who will stand firmly to the principles of the truth, to come to this needy field and assist me in the work. We need medical missionaries. This branch can not be neglected longer without great loss to our work. My heart aches as I think of the towns, and not one entered yet except this one; and I am the only laborer here.
Many of the people have made urgent requests for a school where the Bible will be taught the children.
There are only two Sabbath-keepers in this place. Those who can speak Dutch, as well as English, will have an advantage in this field over those speaking English only. We want help, and that soon. Who will come?
G. W. SHONE.
Porto Rico
By Mrs. B. E. Connerly
WHEN we went to hold a Bible reading with a family last week, we were forcibly impressed with the truth that the Lord hath not left himself without witness here. The family were not a little interested in the subject of the soon coming of Christ, and had asked us to come and study the subject with them. Before the lesson, however, they were telling us of a very interesting caller they had had the day before,—an old man one hundred and two years of age.
He was born and brought up in Porto Rico, and has never been off the island. He is hale and hearty, and had walked from Ponce, a distance of fifty miles, to make this visit. He possesses a remarkable memory, and among other events which he remembered he told them of the famous meteoric shower. He said, 'The stars fell everywhere, and the people all thought that the world was coming to an end.'
When, a few moments later, we told the family that the shower of which the old man had been telling them, was in truth a sign that the end of the world was near, their interest was intense, and they wanted to send word to the old man at once.
Indeed the isles are waiting for his law, they are ready for the truth of God. The time has fully come for God's people to arise and give them the message. The people are waiting to be told what these things mean, that they may obey the truth. God has done his part, the people have heard his voice, and are waiting for his law.
