Review and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 43. (10/27/1910)

Review and Herald

Oct 27, 1910

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 27, 1910

Christian Liberty

The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon Me; because Jehovah hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the year of Jehovah’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that He may be glorified.” Isa. 61:1-3, A. R. V.

“Meat in Due Season”

Tracts on Special Subjects

Signs of the Times

No. Words of Truth Series Per 100

12. War Between Capital and Labor $2.00

22. Is the End Near? .50

27. Important Questions on Great Events .50

37. Signs of Our Times 1.00

39. What Do These Things Mean? 1.00

Christ’s Second Coming

No. Words of Truth Series Per 100

1. Coming of the Lord $ .25

9. Reign of Righteousness 2.00

14. Come, Lord Jesus .25

36. We Would See Jesus 1.00

42. Second Coming of Christ 2.00

The Sabbath

No. Words of Truth Series Per 100

2. How the Sabbath Came to Me $3.00

7. Personal Questions and Answers Concerning the Sabbath 3.50

20. Should Not Christians Keep the Sabbath? $2.00

43. An Appeal to Clergy .50

23. The Rest Day 2.50

46. Elihu on the Sabbath 1.00

50. Rome’s Challenge 2.00

The Law and Tithing

No. Words of Truth Series Per 100

11. The Law in Christ $2.00

40. The Perpetuity of the Law 1.00

47. Court Week in Heaven .25

24. Ownership and Tithing .50

Special Delusions

No. Words of Truth Series Per 100

28. Hypnotism—What Is It? $3.00

38. Gospel Remedy for Present-Day Isms 1.00

48. False Hope of a Second Probation 2.00

51. The Emmanuel Movement 5.00

General Tract List

(Preserve for future reference, or send for tract list in circular form)

Words of Truth Series

No. Each. Cts.

4. A Challenge to Protestants ½

5. Fundamental Principles of Seventh-day Adventists 1

6. Candid Admissions ½

7. Personal Questions and Answers Concerning the Sabbath 3½

16. What to Do With Doubt ½

17. If’s and Why’s of Baptism 1¼

18. Sanctification 1

19. A Woman-Ministry 5

26. The Open Letter and Answers to the Open Letter 1

29. The Seven Last Plagues 3

32. Can We Know? ½

34. Present Truth 2

35. The Third Angel’s Message ¼

41. What and How to Answer 1

42. Second Coming of Christ 2

Religious Liberty Leaflets

No. Each. Cts.

1. Principles Too Little Understood ½

2. Sunday Laws ½

3. Logic of Sabbath Legislation ½

4. The Civil Sabbath ¾

5. Civil Government and the Church ¼

6. Religious Liberty—What Eminent Authorities Say ¾

7. The Church’s Greatest Need To-day ¼

8. Church Federation ¾

9. Limits of Civil Authority ¼

10. A Vital Question—Is the Sabbath a Civil Institution? ½

11. What Are Works of Charity and Necessity? ¼

12. “Backward States” ½

13. Alexander Campbell on Moral Societies 1½

14. William Lloyd Garrison on Sunday Laws ½

15. Sunday Mail Reports ¾

16. Why Sunday Laws Are Wrong ½

Review and Herald Publishing Association

Takoma Park - - - Washington, D. C.

The Commission

By Ellen G. White

MRS. E. G. WHITE

JUST before his ascension, Christ gave his disciples their commission, declaring: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

This commission is the great missionary charter of Christ’s kingdom. In this gift to his disciples, the Saviour made them his ambassadors, and gave them their credentials. If, afterward, they should be challenged, and asked by what authority they, unlearned fishermen, went forth as teachers and leaders, they could reply: “He whom you crucified, but who rose from the dead, appointed us to the ministry of his word, declaring, All power is given unto me.”

Christ appointed his disciples as his architects, who were to lay the foundation of his church. He opened the door of the world before them, bidding them enter and proclaim the gospel. He laid upon them, and upon all who should succeed them as his ministers, the charge of handing his gospel down from generation to generation, from age to age.

Notice this point: The disciples were not to wait for the people to come to them and ask for light. They were to go to the people, hunting for souls perishing out of Christ, as the shepherd hunts for the sheep that has strayed from the fold. His life of unselfishness and love was to be copied by them. In his name they were to give the world unselfish service. The knowledge of his suffering on Calvary and of his unchanging love for mankind was to be made known to all people. And Christ further declared, “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” “But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

Workers for God are to be constantly reaching up to him in prayer. It was after the disciples had spent ten days in supplication, after all differences had been put away, and they had united in deep heart-searching, drawing together in holy fellowship, that the Spirit came upon them, and Christ’s promise was fulfilled. Then there was a wonderful outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

The disciples did not confine themselves to any class of people or to any place. “They went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” Notwithstanding the fierce opposition that they met, in a short time the gospel of the kingdom had been sounded to all the inhabited parts of the world.

The commission given to the first disciples is given also to those who in these last days have received increased light from heaven. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” This is to be our watchword. To all nations and kindreds and tongues and peoples the message of saving grace is to sound forth. A crucified and risen Saviour is to be uplifted before those in the home field and those in far-off lands who have not heard the truth. God calls for pastors and teachers and evangelists. From door to door his servants are to proclaim the gospel message. The knowledge of present truth is not to lead those who receive it to settle down and colonize; it is to lead them into new places. Many are to work just where they are, winning men and women to the truth by a faithful presentation in the daily life of the gospel of salvation.

Not all can fill the same place; but every one who yields himself to the consecrating influence of the Holy Spirit will be under the control of Christ, and for consecrated men and women God has made full provision. He will carry on his work by a variety of ways and instruments. It is not alone the most talented, not alone those who hold high positions of trust, or are the most highly educated, that the Lord will use in his work of soul-saving. He will use many who have had few advantages. By the use of simple means he will bring those who own property and land to a belief of the truth; and these will become God’s helping hand in the advancement of his work. It is not always the brightest talent that accomplishes the most for God. The Lord can speak through any one who is consecrated to his service.

When we catch the spirit of the message that is to lead souls to choose between life and death, we shall see a work done that we do not now dream of. Once let the missionary spirit take hold of men and women, young and old, and we shall see many going into the highways and hedges, and compelling the honest in heart to come in.

Let those who labor for souls remember that they are pledged to co-operate with Christ, to obey his directions, to follow his guidance. Every day they are to ask for and receive power from on high. They are to cherish a constant sense of the Saviour’s love, his efficiency, his watchfulness, his tenderness. They are to look to him as the shepherd and bishop of their souls. Then they will have the sympathy and support of the heavenly angels. Christ will be their joy and crown of rejoicing. Their hearts will then be controlled by the Holy Spirit. They will go forth clothed with holy zeal, and their efforts will be accompanied by a power proportionate to the importance of the message they proclaim.

“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she hath received of the Lord double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

We must continue to press into regions beyond, where people are in spiritual darkness. In such places the Lord has a work to be done. “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”

Every obstacle to the redemption of sinners is to be removed by the opening of God’s Word, and by the presentation

of a plain “Thus saith the Lord.” Truth is to shine forth; for darkness has covered the earth and gross darkness the people. The time has come when the Word of the living God is to appear in contrast with error. Proclaim the glad tidings, We have a Saviour who has given his life, that all who believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Let the Word of the Lord become assurance, and obstacles will be removed that have hindered the work. To the omnipotence of the King of kings, our covenant-keeping God unites the gentleness and care of a tender shepherd. Nothing can bar his way. His power is absolute, and is to be the pledge of the sure fulfilment of his promises to his people.

A Look Upward

By John N. Quinn

JOHN N. QUINN

It was a simple act, yet how marvelous was the transformation which it effected! For seven years the once honored yet egotistical king of Babylon had made his dwelling with the beasts of the field, “and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.” When God’s time had been reached, in some manner known only to the Almighty, the monarch’s mind became stirred from its seven years of lethargy and stupidity; and under the guidance of the Spirit of truth, it was directed heavenward. The glory and pomp and pageantry of Babylon were forgotten; the mind was fixed upon the throne of Him who so persistently sought to win the king to the practise of righteousness. It was only a look, yet it must have been an expression of the heart’s yearning for peace, a look which told the Creator of a surrendered will; for it reached the heart of the Infinite, and met with immediate response. Heavenly messengers went with the rapidity of lightning, conveying Heaven’s blessing. The power of speech was restored, and with humbleness of heart Nebuchadnezzar again took the throne of Babylon, acknowledging the truth that God has the sovereignty in the kingdoms of men.

So may it be with those of earth’s sons and daughters who are groveling in life’s base things. The appearance, the condition, the experience, may be uninviting, miserable, discouraging; yet a look away from these things to Him who seeks for the heart’s affection will result in a transformation of life as marked as was that of the king of Babylon. In his boyhood Marshall Wagoner had the misfortune to come in touch with infidelity and atheism. As the years went by, he ransacked the world of literature in search of books which would establish him in his disbelief in God and the Book of God; and when he reached manhood, his library was the envy of his infidel friends. He had a fluent tongue, and because of his ready utterance he became prominent as a speaker in the so-called liberal leagues and secular leagues. His wife was a Christian, and early in her experience was forced to conclude that argument was unavailing. He loved her, and placed no obstacle in the way of her obedience to the Christ in whom she believed. Her hope for his conversion was based upon prayer and a life of consecration.

Half a century passed, and as she lay upon her death-bed, her last plea was that he might be reconciled to God. He shook his head sadly, and she fell asleep, still confident that her many prayers for his salvation would be answered. When he reached home after the funeral services, there came to him a sense of loneliness that became unbearable. He loved music, and going to the graphophone he found a record on the machine. It was a sacred song, one of his wife’s favorites, “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me.” Again and again he played the hymn, and the conviction deepened in his soul that for him happiness could be found only in the cleft Rock. The struggle was terrible; he knew the results. It meant to repudiate his life’s teaching, and suffer the sneers and scoffs of former admirers. He hated cowardice, and at last, throwing himself on his knees before God, he took a look upward, crying out after God, confessing sin, and longing for a revelation which would satisfy. He did not cry in vain; and as he entered into the Rock Christ Jesus, there came to him a marvelous peace,—a peace which in a moment shattered his idols of a lifetime.

Securing a team, he hauled his books to the basement of the church with which his wife had been connected, and aided by the sexton, consigned them to the furnace flames. He confessed Christ everywhere, among friends and foes. And although an old man, he devoted his remaining years to proclaiming the power of the Christ whom he had so long rejected. He left the dwellings of the beasts of the field, and took his place upon the throne; he was raised out of the dunghill, and sat with princes, even the princes of God’s children; he was no longer an orphan, but found lasting happiness in the comfort of the One whom his Lord and Master promised to send to all who believe.

Are you in unbelief? look outward and upward. Are you sorely tempted? does the flesh strive daily for the mastery? look up, and through the rent heavens see Jesus at the right hand of God, ready to succor you, and bring you off more than conqueror. No matter what your experience, whether of joy or sorrow, of conquest or defeat, look upward,—look “unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” He “ever liveth.” Leave the world’s quagmire, and know the joy of being raised up to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Thus may your days become days of heaven upon earth.

Takoma Park, D. C.

The Blessed Commission

By Wm. Covert

WM. COVERT

SHOULD not the old, sweet story of God's love for sinners be told now with the same decisive emphasis that Peter told it in his day? The same commission that inspired Peter and the other disciples holds good to-day,—“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” No other plan has been devised, nor has any changing of the plan been authorized. If this commission has come to mean anything less than Peter and his companions in labor understood it to mean, we do not know it. Those earnest disciples received their inspiration from the same mighty Helper who gave the commission, and who has promised to be with all who go forth in obedience to its commands, even to the end of the world. “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” What a promise for the toiling servants of the Master!

Mighty deeds were accomplished in the early days of the church, when those who went forth to preach the gospel were filled with the power of God. And the same power which made the word then spoken burn its way into men's hearts, and set them on fire with zeal in God's service, can be had to-day in the same way that it was obtained at that time. Why, then, is so much time spent, why is so little accomplished, in the winning of souls? Jesus has not lost his interest in the great commission; for he is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. The fault must be with us. We may be able to repeat the command and the promise by rote; but we must do more: we must feed upon the theme until we become vitalized with its power; then shall we see souls won to Christ and his truth through our ministry.

And God will fulfil his promise; he will be with his servants wherever they go, as long as time shall last. Through the Spirit, he can go with a thousand workers to a thousand places at the same moment. He can not be overworked, nor can he be kept too busy with soul-saving interests. It is this that he lives to do; it is soul-saving that gives him his greatest joy. And his way of doing this is through the ministry of his servants. We are to bear Jesus to the people. Through our ministry, sinners are to be won to him. There is no name given under heaven through which sinners can be saved except the name of Jesus; and the heaven-authorized way for sinners to find him is through the way of the blessed commission. It says, Go; and as you go and preach, the Spirit will say to sinners, Come. Then the Spirit's call will gather them in, and angels in heaven will rejoice with God's servants on earth.

Chicago, Ill.

The Value of Missionary Biography

No reading is so profitable as biography; and no biography is so profitable as missionary biography.— Amos R. Wells.

The Catholic Charities Conference

By Frederick Bliss

FREDERICK BLISS

From September 25-28, Washington was a place of much interest to Catholics; for during this period was held the first national conference of Catholic charities.

We are glad to do this conference the justice of saying that it had a few delegates who manifested no sort of sympathy with the nagging at Protestants which was so noticeably prevalent with the rank and file. One such was Judge O’Doherty, of Louisville, who more than once told the conference that in Kentucky at least he found Protestants everywhere possessed of a splendid spirit of fair play and consideration. Another who put ringing emphasis on the same thing was Judge DeCourcey, of Boston. Expressions like these, we noticed, received none of the applause which is so characteristic of a Catholic audience when its own speakers are before it; but when a delegate said, “We Catholics can get anything we wish if we’ll just take off our coats and do a little hustling,” the hall rang with tumultuous hand-clapping.

In one of the most important cities on this continent, it was reported by a delegate, a judge having a peculiarly vital jurisdiction, that all the public institutions are conducted in a manner “entirely to the satisfaction of Catholics.” On the other hand, another delegate, speaking of a first-class city in a different part of the country, brought sighs to the gathering by reporting almost nothing to their liking, and telling them that the superintendent of the State school for boys, when approached in the interest of Catholic services in the institution, horrified them with the remark that “all religion there was Protestant”! In another great city the internal affairs of a large public institution were reported as “turned over to the sisters of charity.” Great applause greeted the statement of a delegate that a Methodist chaplain of a very important institution was so “liberal” that he took great care that the Catholic inmates had their catechism well learned against the regular coming of the priest to say mass, hear confessions, and perform other religious functions. That all Methodists were not so “liberal,” was emphasized by a delegate from another section, who found on a State board one of this persuasion who proved an uncompromising “bigot.” Many instances were reported of cities making per-capita appropriations to Catholic institutions on account of inmates sent them by civil officials; and probably every city where this occurs is in a State whose constitution forbids the appropriation of money to sectarian institutions and purposes.

That jealous vigilance is exercised by this church lest her people who become inmates of municipal and State institutions shall be in the least inoculated with the virus of Protestantism, will be revealed by the following questions, put into the hands of all the delegates, to be answered in open conference, and then go on file in the central office of the church associated charities for future reference:— “If there is a State board of charities, are Catholics represented on it? Are the policies and methods followed fair and just to Catholics? “Are the religious and spiritual interests of Catholics in public institutions interfered with in any way? “If there is a board of children’s guardians, are its methods and policies satisfactory? “If there is a State conference of charities, are Catholic charities represented? “Does the State conference of charities aim to affect legislation and to direct public policy? “Would a State organization of Catholic charities serve any purpose? Would it be practicable? What difficulties would stand in the way?”

In reporting Catholic charity work in cities, the percentage of Romanists in the same was incidentally mentioned in the case of some of them. Chicago was reported as having one million Catholics—nearly fifty per cent; Philadelphia, fifty per cent; Boston, more than sixty per cent; Pittsburg, forty per cent; Buffalo, sixty-six per cent; Troy, thirty-three per cent. Rhode Island—the colony of religious-liberty-loving Roger Williams—was reported as half Catholic.

Takoma Park, D. C.

A. N. DURRANT

By A. N. Durrant

Feasting on God's Word—No. 1

A. N. DURRANT

During the “day of salvation,” while the gospel, “the power of God unto salvation,” is being preached, we are invited to a feast, or spiritual supper. We read in Zeph. 1:7, “The Lord hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests;” and again, in 1 Cor. 5:7, “Even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.” At the second coming of Jesus, as judge of the quick and the dead, only those who have eaten of his flesh, which “is meat indeed,” “the living bread which came down from heaven” (John 6:48-58), and have developed a character like his own, will be able to meet him in peace.

He has told us that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4), of which he himself is the embodiment, since “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), when he came to earth, as Emmanuel. His words, as given to us through prophets, patriarchs, apostles, and from his own lips, are all rich spiritual morsels for those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness.” They “are spirit, and they are life.”

Reader, are you feasting on the living Word, as God's children did in former days? Read Jer. 15:16; Job 23:12; Rev. 10:9-11. There is a great famine just ahead, when men shall seek, but shall not find, and shall faint and die of spiritual hunger. Amos 8:11-13. “Except ye eat the flesh [Word] of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” John 6:53.

Those who neglect the close study and personal application of God's Word, and feed on the vain traditions of men, on the corrupt, trashy, soul-destroying novels devised and inspired by “the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience,” will awaken, at the close of probation, only to hunger and thirst for the Word, and to wander in vain to find it. Amos 8:11-13; Jer. 8:20; Prov. 1:24-31. Having neglected to feast upon God's Word, they will become a feast to the “fowls of the air,” at the close of earth's history, when the plagues of God's wrath and the brightness of Jesus' coming will slay the unsaved. See Jer. 25:31-38; Rev. 16; 19:11-18; 2 Thess. 1:7-10.

We surely have come to the time spoken of by the Holy Spirit, when men everywhere will turn away their ears from God's Word, and will be “turned unto fables.” Read 2 Tim. 4:3, 4; Isa. 30:8-11. And surely now, just now, it is imperative that the faithful watchmen heed the following injunction as never before: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.” 2 Tim. 4:2. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Isa. 40:8. “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” Matt. 24:45, 56. “Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” John 21:17.

Trinidad, British West Indies.

Living by Faith

By Albert Weeks

ALBERT WEEKS

Several times in the Word of God it is stated that “the just shall live by faith.” It is important that we understand the means by which we live, and that we use that means. In our physical existence, food, drink, and air are means used to keep us alive; but these will not prolong life if God wills otherwise. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God,” says the Saviour. God can keep us alive without food by his Word. It is certain, then, that our spiritual existence depends upon the will of God; and that will is exercised in our behalf according to our faith.

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for.” It gives substance to the promises of God, and appropriates them to each one’s experience, so that what God has said will be fulfilled in us. Obedience, then, is a manifestation of faith. “I will show thee my faith by my works,” says James. A lack of faith results in a lack of obedience.

Many mourn a lack of faith. It is lawful to pray, “Lord, increase our faith.” Also, “Help thou mine unbelief.” But we can cultivate faith by obedience. In the case of Abraham, his faith was made perfect by doing what God told him to do. “Faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect.” James 2:22.

Feeling is not faith; neither is it an evidence of faith. Doing what God says, fully, under difficulties, is a manifestation of faith. Suffering may result, instead of a happy flight of feeling. Assurance and confidence are elements of faith, but they may exist in a heart that lacks faith. Blended with the obedience that gives a conscience void of offense toward God and man, they are a part of faith, and are pleasing to God. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward,” says the apostle to the Hebrews. God will reward the confidence of his children.

As the end draws near, faith will be lacking on the earth. The Saviour asks, “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Unbelief will indicate that the coming of Christ is near. Then, in an especial sense, will it be true that the just shall live by faith. Speaking of the time just before the coming of the Lord, we read, “Now the just shall live by faith.” Heb. 10:38.

Infidelity is popular. To stem the tide will require the exercise of a continual, living faith. “But if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him,” continues the apostle. To draw back is a manifestation of unbelief. Faith presses ahead in the discharge of duty. To draw back means perdition: to believe, the salvation of the soul. Heb. 10:38, 39. Then “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” Heb. 10:22.

Smith’s Creek, Mich.

Headache Powders

By Eulalia S. Richards

EULALIA S. RICHARDS, M. D.

The woman who is suffering from a severe headache seldom pauses to consider its cause; she thinks only of the cure. And the cure which she most often decides upon is somebody's headache powders. If asked to state her reason for the decision, she would most likely say, “O, they are so easy to take, and so prompt and effective!” What she probably does not know is that they are as dangerous as they are effective. Any medicine which can cure a severe headache in ten minutes, or in an hour for that matter, is a dangerous drug. It relieves the pain only by temporarily silencing or paralyzing the nerves which are conveying the message of pain.

The majority of advertised headache powders contain one or more of the following drugs: acetanilid, phenacetin, or caffein. The following statements concerning acetanilid are taken from a standard work on materia medica:—

“This substance depresses the heart. It is not known how it does this; but what little evidence there is appears to show that it has a directly paralyzing action on the cardiac (heart) muscle. . . . Acetanilid occasionally produces in man collapse, cyanosis, very slow respiration, a feeble pulse, vomiting, profuse sweating, and profound prostration. Death has occurred after a dose of five grains.”

Of phenacetin the same author says: “This drug sometimes produces severe vomiting, sweating, feeble and rapid pulse, and collapse.” However, as a rule, phenacetin is considered a safer drug than acetanilid, since it does not so markedly depress the heart.

The usual dose of acetanilid, as prescribed by physicians, is from two to five grains. The drug is recognized as one which sometimes produces serious results, hence it is prescribed with due caution, the patient being under observation. But the manufacturers of headache powders apparently see no need of exercising care in the distribution of these dangerous drugs.

One well-known powder consists of six grains of acetanilid, a larger dose than a qualified physician would prescribe. And yet these powders are certified to be “free from any injurious substance.” The dose is stated to be “one powder, repeated in two hours, if necessary; half a powder for children of twelve years: not adapted for children under twelve years.”

Another renowned headache remedy is “guaranteed to be an instant and absolute cure for neuralgia, headache, brain fag, nerve pains.” Analysis shows the composition of the powder to be— Acetanilid .......... 1.16 grains Phenacetin .......... 1.16 grains Caffein ............. .38 grains

The directions are to “take one powder, repeat in an hour if necessary, then every two or three hours until a cure is effected.” Yet it is guaranteed to be an instant cure.

“— Harmless Headache Powders” are described as a “simple and effective cure for all headaches.” Such a powder contains— Acetanilid .......... 5.02 grains Cocoa ............... 4.02 grains Sodium bicarbonate... 1.01 grains

A widely advertised headache wafer contains— Oritanilid .......... 3.28 grains Phenacetin .......... 3.28 grains Caffein citrate ..... 1.64 grains

Yet it is recommended as a “safe and certain cure for headache, toothache, and neuralgia.” Directions for taking the wafers are given, but it is not stated whether the dose is one or more.

That the taking of headache cures is often followed by serious results is shown by the frequency with which one sees in the daily papers such paragraphs as follow:—

“She was a sufferer from recurrent headaches, and about a year ago she began using headache powders. They allayed her suffering until the dangerous acetanilid in the powders affected her heart. She died to-day.”

“Miss —, eighteen years old, is dead after having taken two headache pills. The young woman went home suffering from a headache. She took two pills and retired. Soon she grew restless, and then became pallid. The doctor was called, but she died just before midnight. The pills were found to have caused depression of the young

woman's heart, and the heart action could not be stimulated.”

“After three hours of unconsciousness following the taking of a headache tablet, the Rev. —, pastor of the Methodist Church, died at six o'clock Saturday morning at his residence. Saturday morning he told Mrs. — that he was ill, and arose and took a headache tablet. Ten minutes later he had relapsed into unconsciousness, from which he did not rally.”

When will people learn that self-medication is an unwise and dangerous procedure? It is also quite as unwise and dangerous to follow the suggestions of every friend or neighbor who may chance to give medical advice.

In the case of headache it is far better to search for the cause of the difficulty, and, if possible, remove it. If unable to discover the cause oneself, it is best to consult some one who is qualified to do so; for only by removing the cause can the trouble be cured. The headache may be temporarily relieved by the taking of headache powders; but it comes again and again, and usually with increasing severity, if the cause is not removed.

The causes of headache are legion. They include constipation, indigestion, congestion of the brain, anemia, eye-strain, loss of sleep, impure air, and the use of tea, coffee, tobacco, and other harmful drugs. But it is not our purpose in this article to consider either the causes or the cure of headache. We merely desire to emphasize the danger of promiscuous drugging for the relief of headache. A safe rule is this: Never swallow any medicine of whose contents you are ignorant, unless that medicine be prescribed for you by a qualified physician.

Some people make the mistake of taking medicine which has been prescribed by a physician for some friend or relative. It should be remembered that medicine which is beneficial to one person may be decidedly harmful to another.

Wahroonga, New South Wales.

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