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Review and Herald, Vol. 80, No. 48.

Publishers' Page

Review and Herald

Dec 3, 1903

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Dec 3, 1903

Publishers' Page

Conducted by the Department of Circulation of the Review and Herald Publishing Company

What Others Say of Paradise Home

I HAVE read “Paradise Home,” and am much pleased with it. I thought as I read chapter after chapter, “Well, this book is filled with gems of truth.” I can gladly recommend it as a book well fitted to find a welcome in many homes where this blessed gospel of the kingdom has not yet entered. I have also shown it to one Bible worker and one canvasser, and both are much pleased with it, and will use it in their work. O. O. FARNSWORTH.
“Paradise Home” is a nicely written description of a tangible-home, the home long looked for. This home was once lost, but has been purchased, and will soon be restored. The book will have a large sale, and can not fail to do good. May God bless your efforts and crown them with abundant success. R. A. UNDERWOOD.
The new book, “Paradise Home,” seems to be meeting with considerable favor among our people and canvassers in this conference. We trust that it will have a large sale. It is brief, concisely written, and to the point. It contains many points of present truth. A. J. BOURDEAU, Secretary California T. & M. Society.

Patriarchs and Prophets

AN excellent and authentic commentary on Biblical subjects from Adam to the close of the reign of David. Especially helpful in the study of the present International Sunday-school Lessons, and also an unerring counselor in the study of the Old Testament Scriptures.
Thousands of these books have been sold to Sunday-school superintendents and teachers during the past two years, since the international lessons have been upon the Old Testament history, and the following unsolicited testimonial from a Sunday-school teacher is a fair sample of the many which are coming to the publishers of this appreciated book:— I have a copy of “Patriarchs and Prophets,” and it has been a source of wonderful information to me during the past year. It has proved to be a key that has unlocked many, many Scriptures, and unfolded them, and made them plain and comprehensive. I found it of great assistance in preparing the Sunday-school lessons all last year, when they were in the Old Testament. I am very thankful for its great help. L. D. SMITH, Biggs, Mo.
Copies of this book can be furnished in the following bindings: cloth, gilt edges, $2.75; library, $3; full morocco, $4.50.

The Bible Text-Book

BY ELDER O. A. JOHNSON
A COMPENDIUM of Bible subjects, bound in a neat and attractive form, and easy to carry in the vest or coat pocket. The book contains forty-nine tersely written Bible readings on as many different subjects.
There are five charts, explaining difficult Scripture subjects; such as, “The Weekly and Yearly Sabbath,” “The Two Laws,” “The Week,” “The Seven Seals,” “The Seven Plagues,” and “The Millennium.”
Every minister, Bible worker, and church member should procure a copy at once. This book should have a wide circulation.
It contains 208 pages, table of contents, and general index of subjects; is bound in two styles of binding.
Price, in cloth, 30 cents; in leather, 50 cents.
What Others Say of the “Bible Text-Book”
OAKLAND, CAL.
Review and Herald Publishing Company,— Bible students will find the new work, “Bible Text-Book,” a great help to them in the study of the vital topics of the Word of God. Although small in size, the work covers an extensive scope of Bible subjects, and develops present truth in a convincing manner. W. T. KNOX.
Review and Herald Publishing Company,— As a suggestive text-book for ministers, Bible workers, and Bible students, we know of none superior to “Bible Text-Book,” by O. A. Johnson. It covers a series of topics embracing nearly every doctrinal subject of the Word of God, as well as many practical lessons. It will be a great help to those who are either teaching or making a special investigation of Bible questions. Every seeker after truth should own one. I. H. EVANS.
The “Bible Text-Book” is indeed a work of rare merit. S. H. LANE.
BALTIMORE, MD.
Review and Herald Publishing Company,— I have taken pains to examine “Bible Text-Book,” and find it an up-to-date work. The readings are the most practical that I have seen in any volume of Bible readings. It is a work that will have a good sale. CHAS. D. ZIRKLE.

The Stomach

Its Disorders, and How to Cure Them
BY J. H. KELLOGG, M. D.
THIS book presents in a nutshell what every person ought to know about the stomach,—its functions in health, the symptoms produced by disease, and the best methods of cure.
The work is thoroughly practical. It contains an explanation of the new and elaborate method of investigating disorders of the stomach in use at the Battle Creek Sanitarium, and largely the result of researches undertaken there.
The following is a list of the leading sections of the book: The Organs of Digestion; Foods; The Digestive Fluids; General View of the Digestive Process; The Maladies of the Modern Stomach; Important New Discoveries Relating to Digestion; Symptoms of Dyspepsia; The Symptomatic Treatment of Indigestion; Remedies for the Home Treatment of Dyspepsia; Quacks and Nostrums; Explanation of the Author’s Graphic Mode of Representing the Results of Stomach Work, Obtainable from Examinations of Stomach Fluid by the System of Investigation employed in the Hygienic and Research Laboratories of the Sanitarium at Battle Creek, Mich., U. S. A.
The work contains over one hundred cuts, including eleven plates, several of which are colored. Price of the work, bound in fine English cloth, with embossed cover, $1.50; half buffing, marbled edges, $2, postpaid.

Bell’s Language Series

In Five Books
THIS series gives an outline study of the English language, adapted to the training of the child from the nursery till he is graduated from college. These books claim the attention of practical educators everywhere. Based upon the natural method, giving and illustrating principles rather than rules, they are particularly suited to home study. This unique series consists of—
Book One, Primary Language Lessons from Life, Nature, and Revelation. 227 pages. Cloth……$ .65 Book Two, Elementary Grammar. 224 pages. Cloth………. .65 Book Three, Complete Grammar. 281 pages. Cloth………… .80 Book Four, Rhetoric and Higher English. 375 pages. Cloth… 1.25 Book Five, Studies in English Literature. 599 pages. Cloth….. 1.75

Bell’s Series of Bible Lessons for Sabbath-Schools

Full Set Complete
THE lessons are “progressive,” not only from their progression in the order of events, but from the fact that they are graded to correspond with the usual growth and advancement of the pupils intellectually as the study proceeds.
No. 1. Adam to Moses. Adapted to the capacity of the youngest pupils. 84 pages, 18 mo.; 15 cents.
No. 2. Egypt to Canaan. A continuation of No. 1, in a style for pupils more advanced, and opening with a review of No. 1, for the benefit of pupils who have not studied that book. 120 pages; 20 cents.
No. 3. Moses to Solomon. With a series of maps, and other new and interesting features. 124 pages; 25 cents.
No. 4. From the beginning of Solomon’s reign to the rebuilding of the temple after the captivity. 159 pages; 25 cents.
No. 5. From the rebuilding of the temple by Zerubbabel to the sending out of the twelve disciples by their Lord. This number brings the student to the close of the Old Testament and the opening of the New, thus connecting the two dispensations, and showing their intimate relation. 172 pages; 25 cents.
No. 6. From the sending out of the twelve disciples to the week of our Lord’s passion. 174 pages; 25 cents.
No. 7. From our Lord’s passover to the sending out of Paul and Barnabas to the Gentiles. 101 pages; 20 cents.
No. 8. The Acts of the Apostles. This book contains 69 lessons, adapted to advanced pupils. 131 pages; 20 cents.
Order of State Tract Societies: Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich.; Review and Herald, Washington, D. C.; Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.; Kansas City, Mo.; Southern Publishing Assn., Nashville, Tenn.

Some Facts

By Editor

Editorial

Some Facts

WE are in the closing days of this world's history. Only a little remnant of time remains. In this generation the mystery of God will be finished, according to the words of the prophets. The majority of the people now living on the earth will behold the King coming on the white cloud. This great consummation is delayed only by the slow progress in giving the warning message, to prepare a people to stand in the day of God, and the end will not come until this gospel of the coming King has been preached in all the world for a witness to all the nations. This advent movement has now been in progress for threescore years and ten, in exact fulfilment of the prophecies, and there is no other movement in the earth giving a message which holds out any hope of hastening the coming of the Lord. This advent message is the true message for the world in this generation, and it is the only hope of a world in confusion and darkness. Upon the believers in this message rests the responsibility, under God, of shedding light upon the pathway of those who are stumbling and falling, of declaring God's prophetic message to every nation and kindred and tongue and people, and of bringing an end to this time of rebellion against God and his law. Those who have the light will lose the light and their own souls, if they do not let that light shine forth to those in darkness and peril. There is woe for those who neglect their privilege and duty at this time.

Some Questions

Do the fifty thousand Seventh-day Adventists in the United States really believe that it is time now to finish the work of the gospel quickly, and to bring the end? Do you believe it? Does this people seriously feel the responsibility of being the voice for the final offer of mercy and salvation before the close of probation and the judgment decree which will determine the eternal destiny of the fifteen hundred millions of their fellow beings? Do you feel it? Does this people realize that the only possible hope of doing the work committed to them lies in their being strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner man, and in having a new experience of consecration to service under the quickening power of that Spirit? Do you realize it? Is this people mightily stirred by the intensity of the conflict between the armies of Satan and Emmanuel, and do they see that the climax is just at hand? Are you stirred, and do you see what it means? Do this people appreciate the fact that the judgments of God are already in the earth, in fire and famine, in tornado and tumult, in floods and droughts, and that the hand of God has been stretched out in judgment even upon the institutions connected with this movement because of determined departure from his counsel? Do you appreciate it? Is this people clear, in this hour of God's judgment, from the terrible indictment drawn by inspiration itself of being a nation of robbers, in withholding the tithes and offerings which by divine right of ownership belong to the Possessor of heaven and earth? Are you clear? What answer will this people make to the calls of God's providence which are now urging those who have strength and ability to give them in service, and those who have means to make large deposits in the bank of heaven; that the work of this message may not be hindered? What answer will you make? Will this people disappoint their pleading Redeemer? Will you disappoint him?

Some Conclusions

It is time to wake out of sleep. It is time to break away from the fatal lethargy which is casting its influence over us. It is time to let heaven and earth know that we believe in the message of the third angel of Revelation 14, and that we are willing to risk all upon the certainty of its speedy triumph. Therefore, we will unitedly wait upon God with repentance and humiliation in view of our neglect and failure in the past. Therefore, we will during this coming week of prayer unitedly send up earnest petitions to our High Priest, that he will send us help from the sanctuary, that we may be equipped for the closing campaign. Therefore, we will prove the Lord by bringing all the tithes into the storehouse, and we will greatly increase our offerings for the extension of this message in all the world, that our Lord may see quickly of the travail of his soul and be satisfied. Therefore, we will believe with a mightier faith, we will work with a greater zeal, and we will give with a more liberal heart. Therefore, we shall see of the salvation of God, and the coming of his kingdom will be hastened. “Praise ye the Lord.”

Some Figures

THERE are at least fifty thousand Seventh-day Adventists in the United States. At least fifty thousand dollars is needed at once to relieve present embarrassment, and to provide for the immediate future of this work. Some ought to give by the thousand. Some ought to give by the hundred. All ought to give according to their ability. If this is done at this season of the annual offering, an unusual sum will be provided for enlarging the present undertakings, and for entering upon new undertakings in behalf of this message. We earnestly pray that the Lord will move upon his people to make large figures when they write down their annual offerings this year. Some of us will not have the privilege of doing it next year. None of us will have the privilege for many years. Will you do your share to make the annual offering $50,000?

The Message for This Generation

In your dealing with this message have you personally asked yourself the question, What difference does it make, practically, whether we know that in this generation our High Priest ministers in the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuaryor whether we still hold to the idea that he is a minister of the sanctuary in the general sense, without any specific reference to a special apartment or a special work? There are many who teach the work of Christ as our High Priest, and the ministry of Christ in heaven. But do they teach any difference as between the ministry in the holy place and in the most holy place? And do they see that it makes any difference to the people of this generation, to you and to me, whether we know the definite place of his ministry? Now it seems to me that right here is a very fundamental principle in this message. The time will not permit us to take up that question in our study at this time, but I would like to emphasize it enough for you to remember it, and ask yourselves about it. You understand the practical question, What difference does it make to you as an individual Christian? what difference does it make to you as a teacher of this gospel message for this generation, whether you know clearly, and whether you present clearly to the people, the definite work of our High Priest in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary? What difference does it make in the experience of this generation whether that truth is known and taught? And if it does make a difference, how should it be taught, so that it should have its effect upon those who hear?
The question of the sanctuary and its services, and the change of ministry from the holy to the most holy place, and our relation to it in this generation, constitute the true test in regard to this third angel’s message. And it is my candid belief that any one who has the personal experience of that truth, and what belongs necessarily with it, will keep anchored firmly in this third angel’s message.
We agree to that; we say that is true. Then is it not clear that we ought to make that truth very clear and prominent and strong in our teaching? Do you not think it would have saved Seventh-day Adventists from some confusion in recent years if that teaching had been before the people with its old-time power and clearness? I believe that we have been brought into much trial, difficulty, and confusion because we have not followed our old-time message. It has been spiritualized away, until with some there is no practical difference between substance and shadow.
There is a teaching, a kind of application of Scripture, that may be true, and may be valuable, entirely apart from what we may term the literal application to the actual facts of the gospel. I mean that you can take a scripture which refers to the sanctuary, and perhaps, without any reference whatever to the sanctuary and its ministry, apply it in a way to teach a valuable truth; but when you put that application in the forefront, and dispense with the literal application, you have lost the truth. There is the difficulty.
Now so long as this message is anchored firmly to the actual facts of this gospel, not simply to indefinite generalities, but to the actual, historical facts of this gospel in heaven and on earth, so long we can keep in the clear, straight line concerning this message. But when we disregard the actual, historical facts of the gospel, both in heaven and on earth, we are at sea, and we do not know whither we shall drift.
We must keep our feet on solid ground; and although we can see very many beautiful spiritual truths and lessons which may be drawn from all these facts, without specifically connecting them with the facts, yet to make these lessons prominent and valuable, without losing our bearings altogether, and having no landmarks by which to steer, we must deal with the actual facts of this gospel message.
But this message is not a thing which is always to be cast in the same mold, and which is always to be preached in just the same way. The gospel message, and above all things, the gospel message for this generation, is a living thing; if you attempt to put it into a set form, you will kill it. It must have room to live and to grow like any living thing. And when you have seen a truth, and have presented that truth to-day, that truth to-morrow in divine light may shine with an altogether different light and in a different setting; and when to-morrow we take that truth, and endeavor to put it into the same mold as before, it becomes lifeless. It is to flow out as the very river of the water of life. “If any man thirst,” said Christ, “let him come to me and drink.” That is the receiving of the truth.
Now with reference to the fourteenth chapter of the book of Revelation. There is the setting of the threefold message. What is there in that setting of the threefold message that will be any help to us in our ministry, in teaching the people, that they may see with clearness that these isms which pervade the world to-day are errors and not truth? What is there in the threefold setting of that message that will enable one to deal clearly from the standpoint of this message with such an outbreak as New York has seen recently, in that so-called religious crusade? What is there that will deal with Christian Science? or with all these other great errors that are in the land? Is this message properly dealing with these things, and answering these things as it should? How can any one view the facts that are before us in this generation, and see such a multitude of people embracing these false views, and not feel in his soul that there ought to be a voice that will call the people to the truth?
The very things we have assented to testify that if there are people in error, it is our duty to present to them a truth that, being received, will save them from that error, and present it in a way that will help them to see what is error. In this message is found that which will save the people of this generation from all the delusions of this generation. And will these delusions decrease as the time of the coming of our Lord comes nearer? — They will rather increase. And we have not seen the last of the efforts to turn aside this message right within our own denomination.
Now let me plainly remark upon the difference between warning our people against errors that have sprung up, and that will spring up in this denomination, and personal attacks upon any one. Every Seventh-day Adventist minister should be free to warn the people concerning the perils of these days that are coming upon this denomination. Of course you grant, with me, that that is, as it were, the very test of the minister’s fitness for his work; that he can do that in a way to help the people, and not to the injury of anybody; but he who rushes into it for the sake of condemning anybody or putting himself in the forefront, is not called to do that work.
And let me add further, apart—and let it be forever apart—from any idea of personal reference to any one, we have not seen the last of the effort to pervert this movement among this people; and let us be warned, and let us know that we ourselves have only one platform of safety, and that not any of us are beyond the power to be deceived, provided the true light does not shine from this message. Therefore “let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
But the truth must be made very clear, — the vital, fundamental truth of this message, with the second coming of Christ as near at hand for the keynote throughout. And these truths of the sanctuary, and this truth to which we have been referring, the work of our High Priest for this generation, should stand out with clearness, that every one who will see the light may see, as it were, right into the heavenly sanctuary, and may see with eyes anointed the very work that our High Priest is doing for us now.
In this setting of this message, which is given to us in this fourteenth chapter of Revelation, there are expressions which reach out to and involve all these truths of which we have spoken, and they should be studied from that standpoint, and taught from that standpoint; and when that experience comes to this people, which we are encouraged to believe may come soon, in the special outpouring of God’s Spirit upon his servantsand upon his people,—when that experience comes, and finds a people clear and strong concerning the fundamental principles of this heaven-sent message for this generation, we shall see such a work accomplished in a short time as we do not dream of now. This message is the greatest thing in this world at this time; despised as it is, not appreciated even by us ourselves, not having been given its place and power in our lives, yet for all that, this message is the greatest thing there is in the world to-day. There is not a worldly project that can compare with it; there is nothing so worthy of the power that God gives us, as to give ourselves to this message and its work. I earnestly ask every one,—preacher, brother, sister, young or old,—every one to bear in mind that there ought to be a clearer understanding of this message at this time, and that there is nothing that will repay prayerful, earnest study as will this third angel’s message now; and there can come into our lives and into our teaching a new light and a new power that will bring new results to this message.
May God hasten the day that shall bring that experience among this people, and that will hasten the time of our blessed Lord’s return.

Blessing for the Isolated Ones

By W. A. S.

THERE is grace to supply every need. The isolated believer, who is cut off from association with others of like faith from Sabbath to Sabbath, may know that there is provision made so that he shall not be left behind in the experiences that are coming to the earnest seekers after God to fit the church for the final work of witnessing.
The light comes from above; and heaven is as near to the isolated one as to any. The Testimony is:—
While a new life is being diffused and is springing up from beneath, and taking fast hold of all Satan’s agencies, preparatory to the last great conflict and struggle, a new light and life and power is descending from on high, and taking possession of God’s people who are not dead, as many now are, in trespasses and sins.
By his Word and Spirit we may expect to see the Lord leading the ranks of the faithful forward together throughout the wide world, keeping step with one another, even though widely separated.
“Though sundered far, by faith we meet Around one common mercy seat.”
There is a common, progressive experience in the message, from season to season, even as the church on earth is to keep pace with the progress of Christ’s work in the sanctuary above. And it is instructive, as we come together in general meetings, to see how the Lord has been giving the same experiences to that many who have had no personal contact with one another.
The Lord has ever worked thus. In the Reformation days, the reform sprang up simultaneously in parts widely distant. In the rise of the advent movement, in the days of the first angel’s message, men of God in various lands were moved upon at the same time to study and to proclaim the truth of the coming of the Lord.
So also, in 1715, when the Lord was preparing the Moravians to enter upon their missionary enterprises, “a revival breath from heaven passed simultaneously over towns wholly disconnected and remote from one another, in Moravia and Bohemia.”
Now all are to pray for the blessed experience of the latter rain, by which the ranks of believers, as ‘one mighty army, will be moved forward in the final work. Not one loyal soul will be left behind.
W. A. S.

The Needed Power

By L. A. S.

CHRISTIANITY is the religion of power. It is known by the manifestation of its power, and where power is not manifested, Christianity is absent, however fully the forms of godliness may be maintained.
The power of Christianity is the power that is most needed in the world. There is much power of various kinds in the world, and never was worldly power so displayed as at this time; yet never was there felt such a lack of power as now to cope with the evils which afflict mankind.
The world's power is the wrong kind of power. Its power of wealth, its power of combinations, is power which produces evil rather than good. Many of the darkest problems, the solution of which is earnestly sought by legislation or by the ballot, arise from the very fact that men have to-day more power than they were able to acquire in past times. It is useless to seek a remedy through any increase of worldly power; it would be better to decrease the power which men already possess.
Philanthropic organizations of men are earnestly seeking for the power to overcome the gigantic evils which have so threateningly risen up in the realms of industry, of society, and of government, but they are groping in the dark. They meet and discuss these evils, they rehearse the facts which prove these evils to exist, and state their views as to the causes of them, they analyze the steps involved in their development, and seem to think that somehow out of this mere knowledge will come the remedy that will set things right. Many believe that in some way things are bound to right themselves, without the necessity of the exercise of any extraordinary remedial power.
In the church, also, this same mistake is made,—the mistake of supposing that mere knowledge will supply power. The church has great light to-day, but in power she is sadly deficient. What is needed now in the church is not more light, but more power to walk in the light,—power to arise and shine with the light that has already come.
The power that is so sadly needed in the world is divine power, and this power is the gift of God. As soon as an individual yields himself to God, God gives him power. “As many as received him [Christ], to them gave he power to become the sons of God.” The power that is needed to cure the ills in society and in the political and industrial spheres is the same power that is needed to turn an individual from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. This power is the gift of God, but his gift of it is conditional. In the world vast power has come into the hands of men controlled by selfishness; but God will not bestow his power upon those who would turn it to a selfish use. The power of God is to be exercised only in the wisdom of God—only as the individual recipient of it is so yielded to God that he does all things according to the mind of God.
Christians have the power that the world needs, and for which it is blindly seeking,—the only power that can solve the problems which men are seeking to solve by politics and legislation. What is needed now is that the Christian church should get in touch with the power of God, that that power may be manifested, and that the world may see it. The church of God is to become a mighty object lesson for the enlightenment of the world. Clothed with power from on high, she is to stand forth “fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.” Who is seeking for power? “Ask, and ye shall receive.” L. A. S.

Church Federation Coming

By L. A. S.

CHURCH union of the leading denominations in this country being an admitted impossibility, in the view of leading representatives of those bodies, there is now a turning toward the idea of church federation. Federation is not union, but it is believed that a federation of the churches will accomplish the object of union in some important respects. Recently sixty Episcopal bishops met here in Washington, and sent out a proposition for conferences with the Methodist and Presbyterian churches to consider what might be done toward some form of reunion between these bodies. It appears that real union can be realized only by submission to the authority of one church by the others, and this, says The Independent, can never be. “To ask union by submission is an insult,”it says. And in the view of the leading Methodist organ, the New York Christian Advocate, “none of the evangelical denominations, so-called, that recognize each other’s ministry and sacraments, can possibly take a step which would take away the power of that recognition from them.” But though union is impossible, is not federation feasible? Concerning this the Advocate says:—
It would be a most glorious spectacle for Protestantism, leaving out of course those who deny the deity of Jesus Christ . . . to raise the banner of genuine Christian unity, presenting thus to the pagan world, to the Roman Catholic, the Greek, the Russo-Greek churches, and to Mohammedanism, a body thoroughly unified, representing Christianity free from what many believe to be yokes that had their origin in many elements which do not spring from the seeds planted by Jesus Christ, but from the love of power, organic and individual. It might then claim to be The Catholic Church.
The Independent says:—
This can be accomplished only by federation, and such federation is one of the crying needs of our Protestant churches. Some of our denominations in their national meetings have pronounced in favor of it. It would maintain the separate entity of denominations that are not ready to consolidate, and yet would be an evidence to the world of their essential and spiritual unity.
The Independent thinks it would be a good idea if a proposal were sent out “to the national body of every Protestant denomination in the country asking it to appoint representatives to meet in Washington in 1906,” “with a view to the establishment of a federate union of the entire body of churches.” It commends this proposition “to those of every denomination who are interested in the visible unity of the Christian church.”
Christian union being impossible, it is proposed to secure “unity” among the different Protestant bodies by a church federation. The world is federating; that is its style of union, the only kind of union which it knows. But should Christian believers adopt this plan of union? They have a “bond of unity” of which the world knows nothing, and this bond of unity — the Holy Spirit — secures real Christian union, the closest union that could exist, union which is perfect in every respect, in the Christian church. It is the union which exists between God the Father and his Son. See John 14. When God has made provision for this unity in his church, when it is his purpose that this unity should prevail among believers, for their good and for a testimony to the world, how can Christians concern themselves with any other plan of union? And what good to the cause of Christianity is a unity which is not Christian union, and which is found where Christian union is impossible?
But church federation is coming, and that federation will be like other federations; it will take in some organizations and leave out others. The big and popular denominations will be included, and the small and unpopular ones will be disregarded; and all who are unwilling to consent to the terms of admission to the combine, will of course remain on the outside. Thus will be set up a new antagonism in the religious world, just as there exists an antagonism between the “union” and the non-union workman. We shall have “non-union” churches, and they will be regarded and treated by the federated churches as foes of Christian progress,—foes of the cause for which the federation stands.
And who can not see in this movement for federation of the churches, another illustration of the church coming into line with the world? The world is federating, the church is moving for federation, and when that is realized, church and world will federate, and where will those be who refuse to come in to the federations of either the world or the church? It will be theirs to say in that day, “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us: then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us. . . . Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
L. A. S.

An Important Question to Be Decided Now

By Arthur G. Daniells

WHAT shall be the policy or program of Seventh-day Adventists regarding the missions for the year 1904? Shall we advance, stand still, or retreat? We are bound to do one of these.
To retreat means to withdraw some of our laborers, and possibly to abandon some of our missions. Shall this be our policy for 1904? No doubt every one who reads this suggestion will promptly say, No. We can not pull down our flags, surrender our forts, and abandon the field for the enemy to recapture. No true Seventh-day Adventist will consent to this.
Then why raise the question?—Because of its bearing on our present financial condition. A very essential factor in the problem of missions is money. Missions can not be opened, operated, and maintained without money. It takes cash to stay on the field, hold the forts, and keep the banners unfurled. Every man at home who shouts to his comrades to hold the forts is in duty bound to send them supplies to sustain them on the battle field. How long can our comrades hold the forts without food? It takes money to live in mission fields, the same as it does in the home land.
The only possible gain to the denomination in beating a retreat from our mission stations would be smaller gifts to missions. That is all. Do you say that that is not sufficient to compensate for the loss we would sustain by the retreat, and that you would rather give more than ever? Very well, there shall be no retreat; that is settled.
Now shall we stand still or advance? To stand still means that we shall aim at nothing more than to hold our own. It means that we shall simply work to the point of maintaining the missions we have already established. It means no further advance on the enemy’s territory, the taking of no more fortresses held by the enemy, and the lifting of no more standards of Prince Emmanuel for the people to rally around. Will this do? Is this the program this denomination wishes to adopt for 1904? This is not in harmony with the character and purpose of our message. But it has this point: it will relieve us from greatly enlarging our gifts to missions. I doubt whether a single believer who gives this question thoughtful study will feel that merely a saving of expenditure of money will justify us in adopting a “stand still” policy. No one would dare to instruct the Board to adopt this program.
We are left, then, with but one course to pursue; namely, to advance. To advance means to enter new territory, to capture new fortresses now held by the enemy, and to unfurl more banners bearing the inscription, “The Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jesus.”
But to do this means to send to the front fresh recruits. Our comrades now in the fields abroad are few and scattered. They face enormous forces and tremendous obstacles. They have very meager facilities. Many of them are working to the utmost of their strength. Some are breaking down under the strain. It is impossible to think of advancing without reckoning on sending out more laborers from the home land.
This means the raising of more money. Missionaries can not fly to distant fields. They must travel by the same facilities that other mortals do—by coaches, railroads, and steamships; and when they reach their fields, they can not live nor carry on their work without money. They must have food and clothes, the same as those who remain at home. They must pay street-car fares, hire halls, and distribute literature. All this must be done among strangers, who do not know our message, and can not be expected to contribute much toward the support of our work.
The raising or giving of money for missions is a very practical phase of our great problem regarding missions. The gifts of our people during the coming week of prayer will determine what our program for missions shall be for 1904. The field is before us to enter. Fortresses are to be taken. Our General is at the front, commanding us to advance. Consecrated workers are ready to go. But we have no money to send them. We have used all that has comefrom our people, and yet we have not supplied the fields with all that was promised last spring to keep the work going that had been already started.
Brethren, if there is to be any advance, there must be larger giving. We can scarcely hold the ground we now occupy with the contributions we are receiving. We appeal to you in the name of the God of Israel to take this matter to heart. We appeal to you in behalf of the millions of suffering men, women, and children who need this message of light, life, and hope that has come to you. We appeal to you in behalf of the glorious triumph of this great movement under the third angel’s message to make large gifts during the coming week of prayer to the cause of missions.
You are literally covered with blessings from the good hand of God. You have the light of the third angel’s message. You are in a land of great personal freedom and financial prosperity. If there is any one in the world who has reason to give liberally to missions, and who can give liberally, it is you. If there was ever a time that you could make large gifts, it is now.
A. G. DANIELLS.
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