Review and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 46. (11/5/1914)

Review and Herald

Nov 5, 1914

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 5, 1914

THE WORK AND THE WORKERS

Elder G. F. Watson, president of the Southwestern Union Conference, writes: “I find that while traveling on the trains the Protestant Magazine is the best medium to open the way for a talk with the passengers, especially the ministry of other denominations, on religious liberty.”

The special “War” number of Liberty magazine, telling about “Lincoln on Liberty,” “Armageddon,” and “American Liberties,” is selling rapidly.

Dignitaries of Church and State Reviewing the Parade of the American Federation of Catholic Societies at Baltimore, Sept. 29, 1914

Agents are sending for 100, 500, and even 1,000 copies at one time. Is your order in? Send $1.00 for 20 or $2.00 for 50 copies today.

Mr. Peter Olsson, lecturer and organizer for the Knights of Luther, in the State of Nebraska, sends draft for $3.00 to pay for 50 copies of the October Protestant Magazine ($2.00) and a year’s subscription for a friend. He says: “I want these magazines for distribution and to use in securing subscriptions. I am sure I can with these secure the attention of some nonprotesting Protestants that I have not been able to reach with any or all of the other patriotic papers. I hereby apply for agency.”

Elder H. W. Cottrell, president of the Western Oregon Conference, writes: “Life and Health is a key that will open the hearts of various people to the reception of more definite Bible truth. We are at your service to do all we can.”

Send $1.70 for any two, $2.40 for any three, or $3.00 for any four of the following monthly magazines FOR ONE YEAR: Life and Health, Protestant Magazine, the Watchman, Signs Magazine. Regular subscription price of each, $1.00 a year. Add 25 cents to any club, for Liberty magazine for one year. New subscriptions or renewals accepted. Magazines will be sent to one address or to different addresses, as desired. Address your tract society, or Magazine Department.

Elder G. W. Reaser, of Los Angeles, Cal., writes to the editor of the Protestant Magazine: “I am very glad that your excellent article ‘The Pro-Papal Program’ appeared in Harper’s Weekly. The splendid success of the Protestant Magazine is very encouraging.”

The November Life and Health, with its artistic three-color “Dutch Windmill” cover picture, is selling rapidly. This “Optimism,” “Rest,” and “Mental Hygiene” number is just the thing for the “blues.” Try it on yourself and on your neighbors. Every mother will want that excellent series of articles on “Uncomfortable Babies,” also the “Treatment of Poisoning,” and other features.

Send $3.25 for the following five magazines for one year: Life and Health, Liberty magazine, Protestant Magazine, Signs Magazine, and the Watchman. Regular price, $4.35. New subscriptions or renewals accepted. Magazines will be sent to one address or to different addresses, as desired. Address your tract society, or Magazine Department.

Remember that until Dec. 31, 1914, all who send $1.00 for a 1915 subscription for EITHER Life and Health or the Protestant Magazine will receive, FREE OF CHARGE, the October, November, and December, 1914, issues—FIFTEEN MONTHS FOR $1.00. When these numbers are exhausted, we will send OTHER back numbers. Always mention the special offer when ordering. THIS OFFER ALSO APPLIES to Life and Health and Protestant Magazine when included in the CLUBBING OFFERS mentioned in the two other items on this page.

In a recent address to the District of Columbia Court No. 1 of the Guardians of Liberty, Admiral G. W. Baird said: “The Protestant Magazine is edited upon a high plane. It is safe, sane, reliable, and above reproach. Don’t read simply the headlines. A man should be something of a student in order to thoroughly appreciate it.” The admiral commended this magazine not once, nor twice, during his address, but many times. The burden of his theme seemed to be, “When you see it in the Protestant Magazine, you know it is true.”

The Glory of His Voice

By Worthie Harris Holden

WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN

I AM waiting just to listen To the glory of His voice, And my cup o'erflows with gladness, For it makes my heart rejoice. He is coming for his people, He shall voice their liberty, And the friends asleep shall hear it And awake in ecstasy.

I am leaning forth to hearken To the glory of his voice, And the wondrous words he utters All bestir me to rejoice. He proclaims a ransom given, He has paid my penalty, And my cause is pledged by heaven Through my Saviour's ministry.

So I strain my ear to listen, For he soon will call for me; And beholding him descending, I shall all his beauty see. But the rapture, O, the rapture,— When my soul redeemed shall sing ’Mid the heaven light effulgent, In the presence of my King!

Distributing the Printed Page

By Ellen G. White

MRS. E. G. WHITE

In the past, a large work has been accomplished in the distribution of the printed page. This is a line of service in which every church member can have some part. All cannot go out as canvassers for our larger books; but there is a field of usefulness open before many of our brethren and sisters in the placing of truth-filled publications in the homes of their neighbors and friends.

Years ago our brethren in responsibility gave much study to ways and means for the carrying forward of this line of work with increasing efficiency. As the result of carefully laid plans, patient instruction, and helpful supervision, the circulation of the printed page has come to be a mighty factor in the dissemination of the truths of the third angel’s message.

When we view the rise and progress of the publishing work from the beginning to the present time, we thank God and take courage. Yet our responsibility toward the unwarned multitudes urges us on to still greater and more systematic efforts to set in operation many agencies for the circulation of our papers, tracts, and books. Those who are acquainted with the possibilities of this branch of missionary work, and who are wise to teach, have much to do in the training of home workers.

Our numbers are constantly increasing, and the inexperienced must be patiently taught to share the burdens resting upon the entire body of believers. Many, too, of our brethren and sisters older in the faith, who have been active in the distribution of literature in the past, are still in need of systematic instruction in methods of labor. Those in responsibility should be quick to discern talent that can be used in the tract and missionary work; and they should do all in their power to develop this talent.

In earlier years, when many efforts were being put forth to induce our brethren and sisters to circulate the printed page, I bore testimony to the fact that but few among us have broad and extensive views of what can be done in reaching the people by personal, interested efforts. Many who cannot be induced to listen to the truth presented by the living preacher, will take up a tract or a paper and peruse it; many things they read meet their ideas exactly, and they become interested to learn all it contains. Impressions are thus made upon their minds which they cannot readily forget. The seed of truth has in some cases been buried for years beneath the rubbish of the world and the pleasing fables that deceived ones have enjoyed. After a time some experience—it may be some earthly sorrow or affliction—softens their hearts, and the seed that has lain dormant springs up and bears fruit to the glory of God.

Again, many who read these papers and tracts lay aside the silent messengers because of the plain truths set forth. But ideas all new to them have, although unwelcome, made their impression, and again the hand takes up the neglected paper or tract, and the eye is tracing the truthful lines. Thus point after point of truth is established, and antagonism ceases. As the convicting power of the Spirit of God works upon the heart, step by step reformations in the life are wrought, until self is merged into the will of Christ. Henceforth the despised paper or tract is honored as the means of converting the stubborn heart and subduing the perverse will, bringing it in subjection to Christ. Had the living preacher spoken as pointedly, these persons might have turned from him, refusing to entertain the new and strange ideas he advocated.

I have been instructed that but few have any correct idea of what the distribution of papers and tracts is doing. By this means doors are opening everywhere, and minds are being prepared to receive the truth from the living preacher. The success attending the efforts of ministers in the field is due in a great degree to the influence of the reading matter which has enlightened the minds of the people and removed prejudice.

The true Christian is bent on doing good to all who come within the sphere of his influence. Many ways of usefulness will open before the willing, aspiring, devoted soul, who wants to labor for the salvation of others. The more such persons do, the more they will see to do, and the more earnest will they be to have a part in every good work for the upbuilding of the kingdom of Christ.

Let this question come home to every heart: “How much owest thou unto my Lord?” Our Master became poor that we might have eternal riches; he died that we might have life. Should we not be willing to follow his example, in order to bring to others a knowledge of saving truth? In so doing, our own characters will develop, our faith will grow strong, our zeal will become more steady and earnest, our love for God and for his truth and for the souls perishing all about us will become intensified, and many will be saved as the result of our labors.

Happy are they who from the beginning of their religious life have been true to their first love, growing in grace and in the knowledge of their Lord. The sure result of such intercourse and fellowship with Christ will be an increase of piety, of purity, of holy zeal. They are receiving a divine education, and this is made manifest in a life of fervor and untiring diligence. They have a faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Theirs is a childlike devotion, and their love for their Redeemer finds expression

in deeds of kindness and loving service for their fellow men.

The Lord is calling upon his people to continue with courage and faith their work of circulating the printed page. Every church should seek for a revival of the missionary spirit. My brethren and sisters, in these times of doubt and unbelief sinners will be converted only as the result of unusual efforts to give them a knowledge of Bible truth. You will seek in vain to convince others of the preciousness of Christ, so long as you fail to make a wise and diligent use of the agencies placed within your reach for the winning of souls.

We should treat as a sacred treasure every line of printed matter that comes from our publishing houses. Even the fragments of a pamphlet or of a periodical should be regarded as of value. Who can estimate the influence that a torn page containing the truths of the third angel’s message, may have upon the heart of some seeker after truth?

In the miracle of the feeding of the multitude, the food was increased as it passed from Christ to the people. Thus it will be in the distribution of our publications. God’s truth, as it is passed out, will multiply greatly. And as Christ was careful that of the fragments that remained nothing should be lost, so we should carefully treasure every fragment of literature containing the truth for this time. Every page that comes from the press is a ray of light from heaven, to shine into the byways and the hedges, shedding light upon the pathway of truth. Let us remember that somebody would be glad to receive every page that we can spare.

When the churches become living, working agencies for the salvation of the perishing, the Holy Spirit will be given in answer to their sincere request. The truths of God’s Word will be regarded with new interest, and will be searched after as if they were fresh revelations from heaven. Envy, jealousy, evil surmising, will cease. The study of the Word will absorb the mind, and its truths will feast the soul. The promises of God that all too often in the past have been repeated as if the soul had never tasted of his love, will glow upon the altar of the heart, and fall in burning words from the lips of the messenger of truth. The members of our churches will be pleading for souls with an earnestness that cannot be repulsed. The windows of heaven will be open for the outpouring of the latter rain.

Christ's Second Advent and Gospel Blessings

By John N. Quinn

JOHN N. QUINN

THE first advent of Christ is a theme of the prophets of Old Testament times, one hundred and fifty-one definite predictions concerning the birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension, and glorifying of the Messiah having been collected, every one of which has been minutely fulfilled.

The second advent of our Lord is the topic of the New Testament, there being over three hundred references to it, fifty-eight of these occurring in the writings of the apostle Paul. Scarcely a New Testament doctrine can be preached which does not emphasize the return of the Head of the waiting church. The believer who comes to the Communion table in remembrance of Christ's self-sacrifice shows forth 'the Lord's death till he come.' 1 Cor. 11:26. Every one who intelligently partakes of the Lord's Supper confesses himself to be an Adventist, a believer in the return of his Lord. He who goes forth with God's message of repentance bases it upon the fact that God 'hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world' by that Man whom he hath raised from the dead. Acts 17:30, 31.

Conversion and the blotting out of sin are connected with the refreshing to come from the presence of the Lord just before 'he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you.' Acts 3:19-21.

The sanctification of body, soul, and spirit and the preservation of the child of God blameless are to be 'unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.' 1 Thess. 5:23.

The abounding love of one child of God for another, by which the world is to be convinced of the fact that God sent into the world his only begotten Son, is to the end that God 'may stablish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.' 1 Thess. 3:12, 13. Sinlessness is inseparable from the return of Christ. Heb. 9:27, 28.

The eternal inheritance of the saints will be ushered in at 'the coming of the day of God;' and although all things which are earthly shall be dissolved, 'nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.' 2 Peter 3:9-13.

The children of faith will receive the 'crown of righteousness,' 'at that day' of all days, 'when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him.' 2 Tim. 4:8; Matt. 25:31.

Troubled believers, in whom Paul gloried because of their 'patience and faith in all' persecutions and tribulations that they endured, found rest in the hope of the revelation of the Lord Jesus with his mighty angel, 'when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe.' 2 Thess. 1:3-10.

The man who despises 'the riches of God's goodness and forbearance and long-suffering,' who is not led to repentance by 'the goodness of God,' is faithfully warned that he is treasuring up 'wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.' Rom. 2:5.

The brother who is oppressed by those who are heaping 'treasures together for the last days,' is advised to bear it patiently 'unto the coming of the Lord.' James 5:1-8.

When the last enemy enters the home and breaks the silver cord, when the clods of the valley rattling on the coffin containing a loved one fall like lead upon the heart of the sorrowing, and human words are as icicles, then, even then, the only words that can comfort are, 'The Lord himself shall descend . . . and the dead in Christ shall rise first.'

Just now 'confusion fills the world, and a great terror is soon to come upon human beings. The end is very near. God's people should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an 'overwhelming surprise.' And it will be a surprised world which will behold Him whom they have pierced; but it will be a glad church which will look upon him who is the one altogether lovely, the joy and the rejoicing of their hearts, and which will hear the gracious words, 'Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.' 'Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.'

Man’s Ways Versus God’s Ways

By S. Brownsberger

S. BROWNSBERGER

The poet has declared, “God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform.” This statement is in harmony with Isaiah’s declaration: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” What is not in accordance with man’s way of thinking and reasoning is called mysterious by him. This unlikeness of God’s ways of doing things to man’s ways has been a stumblingstone to man in all generations, both within and without the church. The counsel of the Pharisee Gamaliel, after he had been an eyewitness of many mysterious things that had taken place in Jerusalem during the few weeks previous (see Acts 5:38), showed plainly that he was beginning to take note of God’s ways, and to the same degree cast doubts upon his own ways.

The rise and progress of every distinct work that God has carried forward for the uplifting of mankind has been vastly different from the way that man would have planned the work to accomplish the same ends. With few exceptions, the leading feature, and always the disappointing one in the initiative steps of a great work of God, is its apparently insignificant, weak, and lowly origin; it comes in the very way and under conditions and circumstances that men naturally despise. The only satisfactory reason we can assign for this is that it is the best and wisest way.

If kings in finances and men of great intellect had felt the burden of sending the third angel’s message to the world, they, like Mr. Rockefeller and Mr. Carnegie, would have poured their ready millions into the lap of boards and committees to employ the best talent in the world to carry the message with the customary pomp and splendor.

In contrast with this picture, we see a man with neither education nor fortune writing a humble tract on the claims of the Bible Sabbath while he is in possession of not so much as a penny with which to pay for its publication. Witness also Elder James White working in the harvest field or cutting cordwood to earn sufficient money to pay his fare to meet his next appointments.

The pioneers in this message have noted a gradual change from this original simplicity and poverty as the numbers, means, and workers have greatly multiplied and the work has been extended. It would be natural to expect from the history of God’s people in all generations of the past, that man’s pomp and splendor would be largely substituted for God’s simplicity as fast as conditions would render it possible. Do we not all recognize the repetition of this departure from God’s ways to an alarming degree in our day?

There is but one remedy, and that is the one prescribed by the Great Physician, who can perfectly diagnose our cases: “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

“The purification of the people of God cannot be accomplished without their suffering. He passes us from one fire to another, testing our true worth. If we cannot bear these trials, what shall we do in the time of trouble? If prosperity or adversity discover falseness, pride, or selfishness in our hearts, what shall we do when God tries every man’s work as by fire?”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IV, page 85.

Fletcher, N. C.

“First Things First!”

By Meade MacGuire

MEADE MACGUIRE

It often happens that persons fail to obey after having been instructed by a minister or a Bible worker in the different Bible doctrines and acknowledged that each point has been clearly proved from the Scriptures. Probably there are few questions which cause the worker more serious concern and anxiety than the one so often asked, “Why does he not take hold of the truth? He understands it and believes it, but I cannot get him to step over the line.”

Perhaps a suggestion on this point may be helpful to some one. In the first place, it seems that this situation may be largely due to a fundamental error in practice on the part of the worker. I say “in practice,” for in theory we all agree on this great fundamental fact that conversion is a miracle. But with some, belief apparently ends with theory.

Conversion is not education, nor is it teaching, civilization, culture, or science. It is a miracle, wrought only by the Almighty. All the men in the world, and all the education and science, with the Bible itself, cannot convert a man independently of God. Yet God can and has converted men independently of all other men, education, science, civilization, and all.

When Peter and John said to the cripple, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk,” it was not medicine, surgery, education, preaching, doctrine, or science which wrought the miracle, but the power of God working inside the man. And the miracle of conversion is like unto it. “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Jesus said, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.” Here is the natural order laid down by the Saviour: First, conviction; second, repentance and a changed will; then a man is ready to hear and eager to obey the doctrines of God’s Word. We are speaking of doctrines in a technical sense, since in order to be convicted and converted one must have at least a limited idea of the doctrine of the atonement.

From a study of the work of the great soul winners since the days of Christ one must be profoundly impressed with the fact that in all their ministry two great fundamental truths tower like mountain peaks above all the rest. They are the law and the atonement.

It is true that we are living in the last days, and have a distinctive present truth, which is to prepare the world for its end. Noah passed through a similar experience, yet surely the law and the atonement were the very essence of his message, as they also are of ours.

Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” It is the exaltation of Jesus Christ as a personal, living, loving reality which wins men. Then they will gladly listen to the doctrines and obey them.

True, it is possible to carry this thought to an unreasonable and quite illogical extreme. I have heard of ministers who, in seeking to bring men to Christ, said as little as possible about the third angel’s message. This attitude might be even more disastrous than the other. I am not suggesting less doctrine, but more of Jesus Christ and him crucified, more wrestling for the divine conviction and miracle of conversion first, and the doctrines following.

The Second Advent Movement

By John Norton Loughborough

— No. 14

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

“BELOVED, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1. From such a statement it was evident to the Adventists that the true gift of prophecy was to be in the church of God on the earth, and that there must be ample means within their reach to decide what was genuine. It had been shown to Hazen Foss, in 1844, that the Lord’s chosen messenger would be one physically “the weakest of the weak.” On seeing Ellen Harmon, in January, 1845, he declared her to be the one shown to him whom the Lord has chosen. She was then just past seventeen years of age.

Since her ninth year, from an accident and loss of blood, she had been a sufferer from heart disease and lung trouble. At the time of her first vision, about the first of January, 1845, she could not speak above a whisper. The best physicians in Portland, Maine, had told her mother that Ellen could not live more than three months on account of lung trouble, and that she need not be surprised to find the girl dead any morning from heart failure.

Those who saw Miss Harmon in her first visions witnessed physical manifestations showing a power controlling her far above her strength. In her third vision, before about sixty of the believers in Portland, she arose to her feet in the vision and took an eighteen-and-one-fourth-pound family Bible, opened it, and held it on her extended arm for half an hour, at the same time with her right hand turning from text to text, meanwhile her eyes open, but looking away from the book. Her finger was placed by the text she was quoting. The brethren and sisters looked upon the open Bible. Every time her finger was by the side of the text she was repeating. Her mother told me that after Ellen came out of the vision, she asked her to lift that Bible from the table. She, then in her normal condition, could not lift the book, “but,” said her mother, “in the vision she held that large Bible for half an hour on her extended arm apparently as easy as if it had been a pocket Testament.”

The first testing of these visions was with the visions themselves, to see if they were like the visions of the Lord’s ancient prophets, as described in the Bible. Paul, in his vision, was lost to all around him, and could not tell whether he went to heaven bodily or not. 2 Cor. 12: 1-7. In Sister Harmon’s visions she was lost to all around her. Concerning Daniel’s vision five things are mentioned: (1) Loss of strength; (2) seeing an angel; (3) being touched by the angel; (4) receiving supernatural strength; (5) talking without breath. Dan. 10: 17, 18. In Sister Harmon’s case there was complete loss of strength for a short space of time. After her loss of consciousness of earthly things, she said the first she saw was a bright, glorious angel. Next he put his hand upon her. Then followed manifestations of supernatural strength, as the holding of the great Bible. The closest tests by the most skillful physicians have led them to decide that, while the heart and pulse are all right in action, there is not a particle of breath in her body during the vision. As with the ancient prophets, the talking is done by the Holy Spirit through her vocal organs. The prophets “spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1: 21. David said, “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.” 2 Sam. 23: 2. In Acts 1: 16 we are told that the Holy Ghost spoke by the mouth of David. So also, her vision was like that of Balaam, “entranced, with eyes rolled upward.” Num. 24: 16, Spurrell’s translation,

margin. In the open visions of Sister White, she always had her eyes open, looking upward, as long as the vision continued. I have seen her in vision many times, and the manifestation was, every time, exactly like what the Bible tells us of the ancient prophets.

In writing out what is shown to her, she says, “I am just as dependent on the Spirit as in having the vision at first.” Not that she has the vision over again, but the Spirit of God brings vividly to her mind what has been shown to her. This is like the case of David in writing out instructions for Solomon concerning the construction of the temple. He wrote “with the hand of God upon him.” 1 Chron. 28: 12, 19.

In the exercise of Sister White’s gift there have been experiences similar to those of the ancient prophets. She has pointed out the devices of Satan against God’s work and told how to avoid his snares, which may be compared to Elisha’s counsel to Israel against the Syrians. 2 Kings 6: 8-12. In many cases she has pointed out persons whom she had seen in vision, but had never met personally, and has told what had been shown her concerning them, as did Elisha in the case of Hazael. 2 Kings 8: 8-13.

I first saw Sister White in vision in Rochester, N. Y., in October, 1852. There were eight of us—First-day Adventists—who had embraced the message under the labors of Elder J. N. Andrews, while Brother and Sister White were away in the Eastern States. At the time of the relating of this vision one of our number was away from the city. In speaking of what she had seen in the vision, Sister White mentioned a man—no one she had ever seen only as she had seen him in vision—and told what he was doing. None of us supposed it was any one we knew. In about six weeks our absent brother returned. As soon as Sister White saw him, she said, “That is the man I saw in the vision.” On relating the vision to him, he did exactly what Paul says such a person will do when his faults are made known to him through the gift of prophecy,—“falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.” 1 Cor. 14: 25. That is just what he did, and confessed an offense committed in Paw Paw, Mich., six hundred miles distant, the same day the vision was given in Rochester, N. Y.

At Parkville, Mich., on Jan. 12, 1861, I witnessed another striking demonstration of the gift. On that day, before a crowd of people, Sister White had a vision, and upon this occasion we were strikingly reminded of the men upon whom came a great terror and quaking so that they fled to hide themselves when Daniel was taken in vision before them. Dan. 10: 7. A spirit medium in the place had declared that if Mrs. White should have a vision before him, he would bring her out of it in two minutes. When she was in the vision, it was with much urging that he, in his terror and trembling, came forward to examine her. Then he rushed for the door. Those near the door said, “Doctor, what is it?” He replied, “God only knows; let me out of this house.” Out he went, and we saw no more of him in the meetings.

Lodi, Cal.

A Special Deliverance

By J. W. Boynton

J. W. BOYNTON

Some years ago while I was holding meetings in a little village of the Middle West, a man became deeply interested in the truth and soon began to observe the Sabbath. However, when I presented the subject of health reform, he made quite strong objections, urging that it made no difference what we ate or drank so long as our hearts were right with God. He had been a soldier of the Civil War, was about sixty-five years of age, and for more than half a century had used tobacco. When I tried to talk with him privately about this, he resented it as being none of my business.

But his conscience troubled him, and he had no peace. One morning his son, who was accustomed to ride through the country to buy stock, was preparing for one of his trips, when the old gentleman said: “Will, I believe I’ll take the shotgun and ride with you for a few miles and then walk back. Perhaps I can shoot some quails.” Getting into the cart with his son, he chatted and smoked for a little while, then slipped the pipe into his overcoat pocket, forgetting to remove the fire. He had just purchased a blue cavalry overcoat, of which he was quite proud. In a few moments his new coat was on fire, and all his garments were injured before the flames could be extinguished. As he looked at the damaged garments, he remarked, “Will, this pipe has cost me enough, and I am going to quit.” He had no sooner said this than the gun, which he was holding in his left hand with the butt on the floor of the cart, was discharged, the whole charge of bird shot tearing its way through his right arm just below the shoulder. As quickly as possible he was taken home, and surgeons amputated his arm at the shoulder.

As soon as I learned of the accident, I called on my friend. He was very weak from the shock and operation, but drew me down to him and whispered, “I am going to quit smoking as soon as I get up, but I do not dare break off now for fear lack of the stimulant would kill me.” I answered, “O my brother, if you want to quit, God is willing and able to help you just now as well as any other time.” Then I told him the story of old Sandy, the Scotchman, who was so addicted to the use of strong drink that he lost all he had, and at last was discharged from the shops where he had worked for many years. Some weeks later old Sandy attended a mission meeting one night and was converted. The next day he went to the shop and asked for work, promising not to drink again and his request was granted. His mates tried in every way to tempt him to fall. They even said his religion was a sham, but Sandy was faithful. One day his foreman said to him, “Sandy, you used to drink a good deal; how is it that you have quit?” He replied, “Sir, I ask God to keep me just for one hour as I go past the dramshops on my way to work; then I ask him to keep me hour by hour through the day, and he keeps me, just an hour at a time.” After praying with the dear old man, I left him.

When I returned to see him a week later, his face lighted up as I entered the room, and his left hand came out to greet me. Drawing me down to him, he said: “I want to tell you what God has done for me. I thought of old Sandy’s experience, and I said to myself, ‘If God can save old Sandy, he can save me.’ So I asked him if he would help me go through the day without smoking, and he did it. But I dreaded the night. It is so long when one cannot sleep. I asked God to keep me hour by hour. He answered my prayer, and I have not smoked since.”

He made a remarkable recovery, and now, although about fourscore years old, is still faithful. Perhaps there is some other poor soul longing for freedom from vile habits. The same God who could deliver old Sandy from the drink habit, and our aged brother from the tobacco habit under such trying circumstances, can deliver you. Our heavenly King still lives and reigns, and he says that “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Rom. 5: 20.

Bellingham, Wash.

The Lost Day

By J. R. Miller

WHEN the last hour of youth is gone, with its opportunities for preparation neglected and unimproved, there is nothing that can be done to repair the harm. “Some things God gives often. The seasons return again and again, and the flowers change with the months; but youth comes twice to none.” Thus each period of life has its own closing, its last hour, in which work is ended, whether well done or neglected. Indeed, we may say the same of each day: its end is the closing of a definite season through which we can never pass again.

We may think of each single day as a miniature life. It comes to us new; it goes from us finished. There are three hundred and sixty-five days in a year. The only way to have a well-finished year is to finish the tasks and duties of each day as it passes. A marred or a lost day anywhere along the years may lead to loss or even sore misfortune afterward.—J. R. Miller.

True Rest

“If thou seek rest in this life, how wilt thou then attain to the everlasting rest? Dispose not thyself for much rest, but for great patience. Seek true peace—not in earth, but in heaven; not in men, nor in any other creature, but in God.”

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