p. 594 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 42, No. 38. (9/28/1915)

Signs of the Times

Sep 28, 1915

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 28, 1915

On the Malay Peninsula

By Arthur G. Daniells

Encountering a Mutiny—What Is Embraced in Malaysia—Successful Meeting Under Difficulties

By ARTHUR G. DANIELLS

HAVING closed our labors in India, we sailed from Calcutta the tenth of February, in the steamship Kut Sang, for Singapore, the headquarters of our Malaysian mission field. Our sail across the Bay of Bengal and down the Straits of Malakka, a distance of somewhat more than sixteen hundred miles, was one of the most enjoyable of all the voyages we have ever made. The weather, the steadiness of the ship, the food, and the general service, were all that could be desired. The journey was so pleasant and restful, after a strenuous work in India, that Mrs. Daniells and I wished it might be prolonged for several weeks. But this was impossible, as only a week is required for the voyage from Calcutta to Singapore.

SAILING FOR THE ORIENT, SEPTEMBER 15, 1915

On arriving at Singapore, we found the city in a serious condition. On the fifteenth a regiment of eight hundred Indian soldiers mutinied. Without the slightest warning, they left their barracks about three o’clock in the afternoon, and began shooting the Europeans in the streets. In a short time, the whole city was filled with consternation. The loyal soldiers in the city were few; but they were quickly joined by the men in the business houses, and by very prompt, heroic efforts, prevented a general massacre of the European population.

The European women were removed from their homes to steamers lying at anchor in the harbor, and the men who did not join the fighting forces were gathered into a well protected area. The wives and children of our missionaries were taken to the steamer Nile, and our men had moved from our mission building to our church, which was located in a safe part of the city.

A MEETING UNDER DIFFICULTIES

Several weeks prior to this, we had made arrangements to hold in Singapore a general meeting of our missionaries in the Malaysian Division. The mutiny broke out only a day or two before these missionaries began to arrive from the surrounding islands. The outlook for a successful conference was not very encouraging, but we determined to make the best of the situation. The mutineers who had not been shot or captured were in hiding, and were endeavoring to get out of the city into the jungle.

We visited the military authorities, and asked for permission to take up residence in our mission compound, and to hold there the conference of our workers. They gave their consent, provided we were prepared to assume all responsibility for the results. After visiting our compound, and obtaining from the soldiers who were guarding that section of the city, information as to the situation, we decided to go forward with our conference.

The men who were housed in the church returned to the mission, the women were brought back from the steamer to which they had been taken for safety, and the missionaries who were arriving from adjacent

islands were all quartered in our commodious, well ventilated mission home. All together there were twenty of us, making a large, happy family.

We had little fear of real danger, although, during the first three or four nights, we could hear shooting in different directions around us. Each night, some of the mutineers were shot, while others succeeded in making their escape from the city. Before our meeting closed, the mutiny was practically subdued. As a result of this unfortunate affair, forty-five or more Europeans were killed, two or three hundred of the mutineers were shot, and hundreds were taken prisoners. The prisoners were tried by court-martial, and the leaders were executed. It was all a sad tragedy for Singapore.

PASTOR F. A. DETAMORE AND FAMILY
He is the superintendent of our work in the Malaysian mission field. — PASTOR F. A. DETAMORE AND FAMILY He is the superintendent of our work in the Malaysian mission field.

THE MALAYSIAN MISSION TERRITORY

The Malaysian mission field embraces the Malay peninsula, the Dutch East Indies, including Dutch New Guinea, and British North Borneo. The Malay peninsula is a long, narrow strip of land lying south of Burma and Siam, between the China Sea and the Straits of Malakka. A small portion of the peninsula is British territory, called the “Straits Settlements” because it is made up of detached blocks of land along the Straits of Malakka. In the early days, these were the principal European settlements on the peninsula. These settlements are composed of —

1. The island of Singapore, at the extreme south end of the peninsula.

2. Malakka, a strip of land on the west coast of the peninsula, about 100 miles north of Singapore.

3. The Dindings, a piece of the mainland, and a number of islands 350 miles north of Singapore.

4. The island of Penang, and Province Wellesley, a strip of territory opposite Penang on the mainland, 480 miles north of Singapore.

The remaining territory of the Malay peninsula is divided into nine states, all under British protection. Four of these states have united under a federation, and are known as the Federated Malay States. By special arrangement, Great Britain administers the affairs of these states. The other five states are separate and independent. They have placed themselves under British protection; but each administers its own state affairs, with the advice of British counselors.

FIFTY MILLION AND MANY RACES

The population of this mission field is at least 50,000,000, representing many races, languages, and religions, and a great variety of conditions, from the highest degree of culture and civilization among the British and the Dutch, to the barbarism of the wild tribes of Borneo, whose achievements are reckoned by the number of human heads they can gather. While these conditions make the task of the missionary exceedingly difficult, our workers are all of good courage, and are greatly attached to their fields.

GROUP OF WORKERS AND RELIEVERS AT THE MALAYSIAN MISSION
GENERAL MEETING, 1915 — GROUP OF WORKERS AND RELIEVERS AT THE MALAYSIAN MISSION GENERAL MEETING, 1915

In the organization of the Malaysian mission field, we have created six division missions,—the Straits Settlements, the Federated Malay States, Sumatra, West Java, East Java, and British North Borneo. The remainder of the territory in the Malay peninsula and the Dutch East Indies is practically unentered, and is under the watch-care of the Malaysian general committee. This mission field is beset with many difficulties. It extends over a vast sea area, and lies along both sides of the equator. The climate is always warm, with but little change of temperature throughout the year. Yet it is not so trying as the plains of India and Burma and parts of China, farther north.

EASY OF ACCESS

As the races, the state of civilization, the resources, and the religious conditions are so different in the various divisions of this field, we shall find it more interesting and profitable to study these as we find them in each division.

The great progress that has been made in steamship and railway transportation during the last fifty years makes it comparatively easy to visit all parts of this interesting section of the world, while the work of the printing press places at the traveler’s command a large fund of information regarding everything of interest and value.

It May Be Your Own Fault

By David Paulson

By DAVID PAULSON, M. D.

HAVE you been grieved because others would not listen when you talked the gospel to them? Have you concluded that they were hard-hearted, and that their minds were not responsive to the heavenly message? Are you certain your conclusions are correct?

Suppose you earnestly desired to feed some hungry person, but instead of handing him a dainty slice of bread, you should undertake to muss it up between your hands until it was veritable chicken feed. You could hardly expect that individual to accept it, and much less to eat it. You might be surprised, and maintain that it was good bread, made according to the recipe, and that if the person were really hungry, he would be glad to eat your bread. So he would, if it had not been mussed up in your hands. Likewise, more people will accept the gospel from you if you will “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim. 2: 15.

Most people love beautiful, fragrant flowers. But suppose you take a flower, and crush it in your hands until it is almost pulverized, and then try to give it to some one. More than likely he will refuse to accept it. You may say: “I cannot understand it. He ought to love God’s flowers. How little appreciation he has for the beautiful things in this world!” while the real facts are, he does love flowers, but he does not care for them after they have been mangled in your hands.

There are more people who love the gospel than we imagine, but they will not accept it after it has been mangled in our hands. Perhaps if we would permit the Lord to have His way in our lives, so that we may “grow as the lily” (Hosea 14: 5), many more would listen to us with responsive hearts; for Christ is yet, as He has always been, the “desire of all nations.” Haggai 2: 7.

Who Can Condemn Us?

By T. E. Bowen

IF God for Christ’s sake, and because of His own goodness, forgives your sin, my sin, who has right to bring us into condemnation? Can Satan? — No. An angel? — No. Any man? — No. If none of these, then have you or I the right to bring ourselves into condemnation?

“Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth; who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God [to condemn us?], who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Rom. 8: 33-35.

Let us take courage. There are more for us than can be against us, when we turn to Jesus, love and serve Him.

T. E. BOWEN.

God’s Power in the Human Heart

By Eliza H. Morton

The power of God working in the human heart is a practical, saving energy. It is just as real as the force of electricity working through the wires from the central station. It gives man strength to overcome temptation, changes the current of his thoughts, and causes him to be a “savor of life unto life” or “of death unto death.” It is a drawing, saving power,—“the power of an endless life.” Have you felt this impelling influence? ELIZA H. MORTON.

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHAPEL IN SINGAPORE

Inspired by the Thoughts of Eternity

By Ellen G. White

Only Twilight Perceptions — The Welcome to Everlasting Joy — The Visions of the Unseen to Stimulate Us

By the late MRS. E. G. WHITE

We need constantly a fresh revelation of Christ, a daily experience that harmonizes with His teachings. High and holy attainments are within our reach. Continual progress in knowledge and virtue is God's purpose for us. His law is the echo of His own voice, giving to all the invitation: “Come up higher. Be holy, holier still.” Every day, we may advance in perfection of Christian character.

A TWILIGHT PERCEPTION

Those who are engaged in service for the Master need an experience much higher, deeper, broader, than many have thought of having. Many who are already members of God's great family know little of what it means to behold His glory, and to be changed from glory to glory. Many have a twilight perception of Christ's excellence, and their hearts thrill with joy. They long for a fuller, deeper sense of the Saviour's love. Let these cherish every desire of the soul after God.

The Holy Spirit works with those who will be worked, molds those who will be molded, fashions those who will be fashioned. Give yourselves the culture of spiritual thoughts and holy communings. You have seen but the first rays of the early dawn of His glory. As you follow on to know the Lord, you will know that “the path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Prov. 4:18, R. V., margin.

“These things have I spoken unto you,” said Christ, “that the joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11.

Ever before Him, Christ saw the result of His mission. His earthly life, full of toil and self-sacrifice, was cheered by the thought that He would not have all this travail for naught. By giving His life for the life of men, He would restore in humanity the image of God. He would lift us up from the dust, reshape the character after the pattern of His own character, and make us beautiful with His own glory.

Christ saw of the travail of His soul, and was satisfied. He viewed the expanse of eternity, and saw the happiness of those who through His humiliation should receive pardon and everlasting life. He was wounded for their transgressions, bruised for their iniquities. The chastisement of their peace was upon Him, and with His stripes they were healed. He heard the shout of the redeemed. He heard the ransomed ones singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Although the baptism of blood must first be received, although the sins of the world were to weigh upon His innocent soul, although the shadow of an unspeakable woe was upon Him; yet for the joy that was set before Him, He chose to endure the cross, and despised the shame.

ALL SHARE THE JOY

This joy all His followers are to share. However great and glorious hereafter, our reward is not all to be reserved for the time of final deliverance. Even here we are by faith to enter into the Saviour’s joy. Like Moses, we are to endure as seeing the Invisible.

Now the church is militant. Now we are confronted with a world in darkness, almost wholly given over to idolatry. But the day is coming when the battle will have been fought, the victory won. The will of God is to be done on earth, as it is done in heaven. The nations of the saved will know no other law than the law of heaven. All will be a happy, united family, clothed with the garments of praise and thanksgiving, — the robe of Christ’s righteousness. All nature, in its surpassing loveliness, will offer to God a tribute of praise and adoration. The world will be bathed in the light of heaven. The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold greater than it is now. The years will move on in gladness. Over the scene, the morning stars will sing together, and the sons of God will shout for joy, while God and Christ will unite in proclaiming, “There shall be no more sin, neither shall there be any more death.”

These visions of future glory, scenes pictured by the hand of God, should be dear to His children.

THE GRACIOUS WELCOME

Stand on the threshold of eternity, and hear the gracious welcome given to those who in this life have coöperated with Christ, regarding it as a privilege and an honor to suffer for His sake. With the angels, they cast their crowns at the feet of the Redeemer, exclaiming, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. . . . Honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” Rev. 5:12, 13.

There the redeemed ones greet those who directed them to the uplifted Saviour. They unite in praising Him who died that human beings might have the life that measures with the life of God. The conflict is over. All tribulation and strife are at an end. Songs of victory fill all heaven, as the redeemed stand around the throne of God. All take up the joyful strain, “Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain,” and hath redeemed us to God.

VICTORIOUS FOR ETERNITY

“I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” Rev. 7:9, 10.

“These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in

the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Verses 14–17. “And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev. 21:4.

THE VISION OF THE UNSEEN

We need to keep ever before us this vision of things unseen. It is thus that we shall be able to set a right value on the things of eternity and the things of time. It is this that will give us power to influence others for the higher life.

Christ bids us: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. . . . He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. . . . If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. “As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. . . . “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” John 15:4–16.

THE BANNER IS LOVE

By Worthie Harris Holden

By WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN

The banner o’er Israel ever is love, Love giving holiest, purest delight, Love that can vanquish the specters of night, Love that steals softly the sting of the tomb, Love that discovers the sun through our gloom, Love that allures us to truth and to heaven, Love that rewards every sacrifice given, Shielding us alway from sin and its blight, Urging us on to the haven of light. Love so abounding, so constantly given, Makes of our earth a sweet foretaste of heaven.

Continue reading: THE GREATEST EXPOSITION OF THE FUTURE