EVER since the fall of man the mark of sin has been upon this race. All have borne that mark. It is seen in man's weakening vitality, in his shortened years, in his diminishing power to resist temptation, and in his inherent proneness to choose the broad way that leads down, rather than the narrow way that leads upward to light and liberty and endless life. We see the mark of sin in constitutions unable to resist the attacks of an ever-increasing number of diseases.
But there is coming a day when the author of sin himself will place his individual mark of identification upon every soul in the world save those only who have refused to do his bidding, and whose names therefore are recorded in the "Lamb's book of life." While we may not know just what that mark will be, or how it will be made, yet it is possible for those who wish to do so to know the characteristics of that mark, so that they may be able to identify it when it comes. Against the reception of that mark the last and most solemn warning in all the Bible is directed; for those who receive that mark can have no part in the everlasting inheritance of the saints. It is the last great test over which men will decide their destiny, will decide whether they will be loyal to God or will join in the great confederacy against him.
Those who constitute that company which stands upon the sea of glass, having the harps of God, are those who have triumphed over that power which would have placed upon them that disloyal mark, identifying them as the enemies of God and of his government. Of these the apostle says: "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God." Rev. 15:2. This is the company whose destiny is everlasting life. They have listened to God's warning, and in his power have triumphed over the things against which he warned them.
Here is that warning, the most solemn that has ever been given to the world; for it is the last warning message contained in the Book of God, and it ushers in the last epoch of his work in the earth:—
"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb."
The beast, the image, and the mark,—these are the things against which God warns his people, the things over which the redeemed triumph; and they are the stones over which the great mass of humanity will finally stumble. That a mighty concourse goes down to ruin over the worship of the beast and his image and the reception of his mark, is shown by the following scripture:—
"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him [the beast], whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. . . . And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."
In the warning of God against the beast, the image, and the mark, and in the insistence of that beast power that its worship and its identifying mark shall be accepted by the world, we see the great lining up for the final conflict. There will be no neutral ground. God will know who will be loyal to him, and that company of faithful ones will be sealed, having the name of the Lamb and of the Father written on their foreheads. See Rev. 14:1.
By what sign shall we know the mark against which we are warned? In the first place, it is the mark, or badge, of authority of a power opposed to the government of God. It demands worship— a thing prohibited by the first and second commands of the decalogue. The people who are saved are spoken of as keeping "the commandments of God;" and it is this company against which the beast power is specially incensed, and whose death it decrees. Therefore the beast power which is seeking to enforce its mark upon all the people of the world, is a power opposed to the commandments of God as they stand, and opposed to those who keep them. So, when we see a power which persecutes and threatens those who keep the commandments of God, we have located a power which will have a mark to enforce. That mark will have to do with the law of God in some way. We know what power has attempted to change the law of God; we know what power has sought to abrogate and trample underfoot the Sabbath of the decalogue; and we may know that this culminating test will come through the instrumentality of that same power which has for so many centuries trampled upon the law of God.
But the world will have been warned, faithfully warned—is being warned now. It will be easier to yield to the demands of the beast power than to withstand it and triumph over it; but upon those who yield will come the judgments which God has in store for the power to which they yield. To the loyal there is trial, but after the trial, everlasting life. The giving of this last and most solemn warning to the world is the most important business in this world. It is worthy of our best endeavor, of our time, our means, our all. C. M. S.
Christ’s Kingdom Spiritual
By L. L. Caviness
The North American Review has begun in its issue for June a new serial under the title “The Man Jesus.” While we cannot approve the discrediting of the gospel account of Christ’s birth or any other of the Bible-discrediting conclusions of higher criticism, some suggestions are made in the first number of this serial concerning Christ’s temptation in the wilderness, which are in accord, we believe, with the teaching of the Bible.
Christ is represented as going into the wilderness for prayer and meditation concerning plans and methods of advancing the interests of “the kingdom of heaven.” Christ’s first victory was expressed in the words, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” The kingdom was to be established by the preaching of the word of God, not by social reform.
The second victory was Christ’s refusal of the gift of the kingship of the world at the hand of Satan, who had wrested it from Adam. The kingdom was not to be political, nor was it to15be established through political reform. Christ refused the kingship of the nations of this world.
The third victory was the refusal to perform a wonder to prove his mission. The kingdom was to be advanced by teaching men God’s will, not by spectacular demonstration. “The kingdom of God cometh not with outward show.”
While Christ gained the victory in the wilderness, so that Satan left him for a season, yet he was later again tested on these same points. Satan is well satisfied if he can get us to try to do God’s service by wrong means. Many are sincere in the present-day attempt to make Christ king through Constitutional amendment and other political means. After the feeding of the five thousand, the people wanted to make Christ king, but he refused.
Finally, when brought before Pilate, Christ plainly said that though he was a king, yet his kingdom was not of this world. It is true that “the saints . . . shall take the kingdom” of the world, but that will be in the “new earth,” after the world that now is has been destroyed by fire. Of that kingdom there shall be no end. Let us not think to alter God’s plan of making “the kingdoms of this world” “the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ,” but let us see that we are prepared to be members of that kingdom of glory.
L. L. CAVINESS.
Central America
By Isaac Baker
ISAAC BAKER
I was pleased to see Brother Town's article in the Review a few weeks ago about the work in these Spanish fields, and of course the part that interested me most was the remarks about Central America.
If there is a place in the world that needs help, it is Central America. There has been a great deal of work done in the Bay Islands. In fact, there are several churches already established. I think, including all denominations, there are about eighteen church buildings in the islands. Five of these belong to Seventh-day Adventists, one to the Roman Catholics, one to the Holiness people, two to the Baptists, and the others to the Wesleyan Methodists.
On the mainland we have one lone church building, and only one organized church. There are a few scattered members and Sabbath keepers here and there along the coast, and a few at Siguatepeque, where Brother Karl Snow has his school.
The means of transportation are very inconvenient in Spanish Honduras. There are a few short railway lines, one at La Ceiba, running along the coast through the banana plantations for a distance of about thirty or thirty-five miles, and one at Puerto Cortes, running directly into the country a distance of about fifty miles. The United Fruit Company is starting a railway at Trujillo, and I understand they are to build twenty-five miles a year until they reach the capital, Tegucigalpa. So it will be several years before one can go far on that road. There is one more railway, at Tela, which also extends along the coast, but only for a short distance. No two of the roads are united, so they are but little help in getting over the country.
The principal method of travel is by mule, which of course is a slow one; but that is the way we have to get around in the interior; and the sooner we reconcile ourselves to it, the sooner we shall reach the people of this country with the third angel's message.
The kind of workers we want in this field, and the kind we must have, are those who are willing to deprive themselves of modern conveniences, make the best of the situation, and go right at the work with a zeal and a determination to make things go. The one who is looking for a soft job would better stay away from Central America, for he will not find it here. We need workers who have the Spirit of Christ in them, who have a burden for souls, and a mind to work and stay by until something is accomplished. We want workers, we need workers, and we must have workers.
These people appreciate the truth as much as any in the world, and it causes us to rejoice to see some of them accepting it. But it also makes our hearts ache to see so many thousands who know nothing about it, and to see such little effort being made to take it to them. I pray the Lord to stir the hearts of his people, so that some may be found willing to sacrifice home and friends for the eternal benefit of the thousands who are perishing in Spanish Honduras for the lack of spiritual help.
We are glad to say that the churches and companies already raised up are taking an active part in giving the truth to the people about them. While they cannot leave their homes as those who devote all their time to the work, yet they are trying to do something.
The little church in Coxen Hole, recently organized, is taking one hundred and fifty copies of the Review Extra every month, and placing them in the hands of the people. The church at West End Ruatan is taking one hundred, and the church at La Ceiba one hundred. Bonacca has ordered twenty-five, and French Harbour twenty-five. This makes a total of four hundred of these truth-filled sheets coming to this field every month. Our prayer is that they may be the means of bringing many to the light of truth.
My wife and I have just returned home from La Ceiba, where we conducted a series of meetings for both English and Spanish. An interpreter was used in the Spanish meetings, and the services were appreciated. We had the privilege of baptizing three English-speaking persons, and of seeing three Spanish believers sign the covenant. The future looks bright for the church in La Ceiba. We pray that the Spirit of the Master may guide each member to his glory, and help him to be as a city set on a hill.
We solicit your prayers and some of your strong young men and women for the work in the Central American Conference.
General Meeting of the Inca Union Mission
By J. W. Westphal
J. W. WESTPHAL
The first general meeting of the Inca Union Mission was held at Lima, Peru, April 15-17. Brethren C. E. Knight and Henry Mangold, of Ecuador; W. R. Pohle and O. H. Schulz, of Bolivia; F. A. Stahl, of the Lake Titicaca Indian Mission; and the laborers of the Union Inca and Peruvian Missions, the Lima church members, and a few from other16places, attended. The largest number present at any one meeting was about seventy-five.
The burden of the preaching was the ministry, the need of the Spirit,—how obtained and its work,—the nearness of the end, the urgency of our work, etc., all of which seemed to be well received. Interesting reports were given of the conditions in the several fields, the difficulties and the needs.
One hundred and thirty were baptized last year, one hundred and twenty-two of whom were Indians of the Indian mission. Of the others two were in Ecuador and six in Peru. On the last Sabbath of the meeting eleven were baptized, and others in Peru and Ecuador and about forty in the Indian mission are awaiting baptism.
The foundation for the second Protestant church for the natives of Peru has been laid in the mountains, at Lauca, a short distance in the interior from Lima. This will be the first church built with native money. At the meeting, over fifty dollars was raised to aid the enterprise. The brethren in this place are nearly pure-blooded Indians, and have suffered not a little for their faith, having fled to Lima for shelter and protection several times. They have been faithful in the truth for some years, and are growing in grace. Two of our brethren fled from an interior town, the place where Brother Pohle preached the message in a Catholic church some months ago, and came to the general meeting. Their meeting was broken up, prominent citizens in the place who attended were injured, and it is not yet certain whether or not one of our brethren was killed.
Our Indian work is attracting much attention among people high and low, and of other denominations. The sentiment that is making itself manifest in behalf of religious liberty is due in a very large extent to the persecution of our Indian brethren. Articles appear in the papers from time to time recounting their experiences, until the reading public is acquainted with the situation, and with the name Seventh-day Adventists. Every effort at persecution only gives an additional occasion for bringing our people to the front, with little effort on our part.
One of the leading dailies gave a full-page account of the baptism, written by its own reporter. Of course it was not all true to fact, but it cannot but awaken inquiry. Other denominations are making inquiries about our methods of working for the Indians, and are anxious to labor with greater success. Brother Stahl wishes to open work in new places, places where the interest is already aroused.
I should add that Brother B. Rojas, former teacher of the Indians, could not attend our meeting on account of illness due to an enlarged heart, a condition produced by the high altitude. A brother in Argentina has been invited to come and assist in the work, but this is only a part of the help needed.
As clouds in one place scatter, in another they gather. Although there was a strong Catholic sentiment in Ecuador, and in many places it was perilous to preach the gospel, the government was liberal. In fact, church and state were entirely separated. Missionaries could come and go as they pleased, and were even encouraged by the government. Now, however, when we were about to purchase our passage to Ecuador, we found that it could not be secured, for the government will not permit the landing of missionaries or ministers. What this will mean for our work in that republic we cannot say, but it does show that we and other Protestants are altogether too slow in entering the doors opened before us. And is it not another of the many indications developed during the last year or two, showing that we are coming very near to the close of our work and into the final conflict?
The agent of the British Bible Society, a minister of the Methodist Church, who has charge of its work in Lima, gave us an interesting talk on the work and experience of the Bible Society in Peru. Mr. McKnight, an American, active head of the educational department of Peru and secretary of the National Temperance Society, occupied one evening.
Courage seemed to fill the hearts of the brethren as the meeting closed. Resolutions were adopted outlining various lines of work and methods, which were heartily approved. The laborers are returning to their fields, hopeful of the Lord's blessing and of success in their work.
Restrictions on Freedom of Speech
THE New York Times of July 13 published an interesting news item from Madrid to the effect that “action of the government in prohibiting the discussion of Spanish neutrality was severely criticized at a public meeting to-day [July 11] by several speakers, who declared that the prohibition was a violation of the constitution.” While a government may be justified in limiting for military reasons freedom of speech and of the press, every such restriction has an element of danger in it. It may create a tendency to adopt further restriction of this freedom, and for other than military reasons.
Danger of Press Censorship
The director of public safety in Pittsburgh has issued orders for the establishment of a bureau of censorship. While the present intent of this censorship is to bar the sale of any magazine transgressing the bounds of morality and propriety, this is certainly a dangerous step. The members of this bureau may so interpret “the bounds of morality and propriety” as to bar journals whose only offense is the advocacy of views opposed to the belief of the censors. This may not be intended; yet it is well for every belief, to be alert to the danger to our American citizen, no matter of what country in the establishment of any bureau of censorship over the press.
A. G. NELSON
By A. G. Nelson
Patagonia
A. G. NELSON
A YEAR has passed since we landed in Patagonia. Our health has been good, and the interest here is encouraging. The greater part of our time has been spent in Punta Arenas, as it is the most important place in the field. Although it is the southernmost city in the world, it is not by any means the coldest. The wind blows a great deal, the summers are cool and dry, and the winters damp and cold.
No fruit is grown, but short-season vegetables thrive. There is no grain, except oats for hay, which is cut green, as it will not ripen.
The country is owned or leased by a few large companies, who use it for grazing. The hills are covered with an excellent grass which furnishes pasture for thousands of sheep. The forests supply plenty of fuel and lumber.
There has been much prospecting for gold in Patagonia. It is said that anywhere a post hole is dug it can be found, but nowhere in very paying quantities. More has been spent searching for it than has ever been found.
Nearly half the population is foreign, a large per cent being English and Scotch. Only a very few of the Indians are left. The government did not protect them, and their land was taken away until nearly all were crowded out or killed. The few remaining are scattered here and there on the sheep farms, where they are given meat and some provisions for their work. A few have gone north into less-developed parts.
As the standard of truth is lifted, souls are drawn to it. Four thus far have taken their stand for the Sabbath. One of these, a boy twelve years old, is doing good work selling our papers. We are reading with his father now, and he seems quite favorable. We are studying with a number of good, substantial families, and we hope there will be more fruitage soon.
A short time ago I arranged with a native, who is a Methodist, for studies. When I went to meet the appointment, I found his minister present. They had been prejudiced against us, and Satan was working; but the Lord can always give victory. His Spirit led away from the study I intended to give, to just the thoughts that could touch their hearts. We studied an hour and a half with the deepest interest, and as we separated, the minister assured us he would come to the next study. I am now reading with him regularly in his own home.
Here and there on the lonely hills of these extended pastures of Patagonia the shepherds are tending their flocks. We believe there are among them, as in the days of the Star of Bethlehem, those who would be glad to hear of the coming of the Messiah. We are mailing to hundreds of them the Eastern Question and War Extras of the REVIEW. Isolated as they are, many of them will never be found by the living messenger. We hope this message-laden paper, like the angels of old, as it announces to them that Jesus is coming, may cause them to go in search of him until they find him. Remember the work in this field in your prayers.
Punta Arenas.
Twilight Thoughts
By Mrs. A. M. Avery-Harper
MRS. A. M. AVERY-HARPER
I FACE the golden sunset sky,
As evening shadows fall tonight;
The day, with all its beauty fades,
And gleaming stars seem wondrous bright.
And over ’cross the plains I see,
Beyond the hills so green and fair,
The mountains rise majestically,
In stately grandeur pictured there.
And oft I fancy I can see
The glowing radiance from afar,
The gleaming splendor of that light
Which shines from gates that stand ajar.
I hear the music of the spheres,
And long to join the angel band,—
To dwell throughout the endless years
Mid all the splendors of that land.
Though here on earth are toil and woe,
I see delightful gardens there,
And to those mansions I would go,
To Eden’s fragrance sweet and rare.
O city bright, whose unbarred gates
Shall open soon for all the blest,
What glory in thy home awaits
The wearied ones, who soon shall rest!
The Cry of the Mothers
By Lizzie Clark Hardy
My life is so narrow, so narrow, environed by four square walls; And ever across my threshold the shadow of duty falls. My eyes wander oft to the hilltops, but ever my heart stoops down In a passion of love to the babies that helplessly cling to my gown.
In the light of a new day dawning I see an evangel stand; And to fields that are ripe for the harvest, I am lured by a beckoning hand. But I have no place with the reapers, no part in the soul-stirring strife; I must hover my babes on the hearthstone, and teach them the lessons of life.
I must answer their eager questions with God-given words of truth, I must guide them in ways of wisdom through childhood and early youth; I must nourish their souls and their bodies with infinite, watchful care; Take thought of the loaves and the fishes, and the raiment that they must wear.
But at night, when the lessons are over, and I cuddle each sleepy head, When the questions are asked and answered, and the last little prayer is said, When the fruitless unrest has vanished that fretted my heart through the day, Then I kneel in the midst of my children and humbly and thankfully pray:
“Dear Lord, when I stand with the reapers before thee at set of the sun, When the sheaves of the harvest are garnered, and life and its labor are done, I shall lay at thy feet these, my children; to my heart and my garments they cling. I may not go forth with the reapers, but these are the sheaves I shall bring.”
—Lizzie Clark Hardy.
A Dream
By Julia M. Moore
JULIA M. MOORE
THE home missionary meeting of the Belleville church had opened with prayer and song. The secretary read the minutes, and the report telling of work done by the members during the previous month. “Brethren and sisters,” said the leader, “let us thank the Lord, who has put it into the hearts of our members to work, and has blessed their labors.” As the meeting proceeded, plans were laid for more and better work; magazines and papers were ordered, and much interest was manifested. All felt encouraged, and their zeal was renewed.
“Now,” said the leader, “I am going to ask for our reports today in a new way. Our secretary will call the roll, and each member will respond, giving a verbal report of work done, and telling of any especially interesting experiences. We shall begin with Brother A.”
Brother A then rose and briefly related an incident of a conversation on the train with a traveling man, to whom he had sold a copy of “The World's Crisis;” he had also taken the man's address to send him some papers.
“Sister B, it is your turn,” said the secretary.
“My report this week,” said Sister B, “is twenty-five papers sold, ten hours of Christian Help work done, and five subscriptions taken for the Signs of the Times.”
“Very good,” said the leader.
So the roll call continued, each one responding with some experience of special interest.
While all this went on, the members by their zeal and enthusiasm provoking one another to good works, one little woman sat back, quiet and timid. She heard the different reports, and thought, while grief filled her heart and tears slipped from her eyes, “What have I done for the blessed message? I have sold no papers, I have given no Bible readings, I have not had time to visit prisoners, or the sick. Alas, my blessed Lord, I must come to thee with empty hands,” and a silent sob rose from her heart.
Then her little three-year-old daughter reached up a soft hand to pat the mother's cheek, and whispered, “I love my muvver.”
Then were mine eyes opened, and new understanding was given me. Two heavenly visitors did I behold in the midst of that meeting, listening to all that was said, noting all that was done. And when they saw this woman with troubled heart, they stood beside her, and one said, “These tears are recorded in the books in heaven, each one shining like a jewel of light.”
“Yes,” said the other; “and her deeds, though not recorded on the books of this society, are known to her Heavenly Father. She has not spent her time on herself, but has given her strength for the salvation of souls; and though she knows it not now, yet shall stars shine in her crown.”
Then the other shining one spoke again, “Did she not teach her children all through the week, so that their Sabbath school lesson became to them a living picture of real, living people, and its truths became fixed in their minds? And does she not make their home so happy that never can they lose its holy influence?”
“Aye, brother,” came the answer, “these her children shall be her stars, and they shall stand beside her in that day when the Master shall say, ‘Where is thy flock, thy beautiful flock?’ Then, as she shall answer, ‘Here, Lord, are all; not one is lost,’ she will know, by the look of his face of infinite love and by the voice of his infinite mercy, that while she was faithful in her home, she was working in the harvest field of souls, and gathering rich sheaves for the Master.”
While these two heavenly watchers talked at her side, a sweet feeling of peace stole into the mother's heart, and a voice sang in her soul,—
“I'm sure my Heavenly Father knows
The balm I need to soothe my woes.”
And the heavenly watchers smiled their benediction.
Chicago, Ill.
A New Way to Can Vegetables
By M. M. Telford
ANY woman can preserve vegetables as successfully as fruits. But the process is not the same: a little more time and labor are necessary. The difficulty in former days arose because the cause of fermentation was not well known, so the remedy could not be applied with certainty.
Vegetables in general contain very little of the acids that discourage bacteria; on the other hand, they contain large amounts of protein, the food most hospitable to bacteria. Moreover, the bacteria always present in corn, beans, and other vegetables have a peculiar life history that makes them extremely resistant to heat. Under favorable conditions they live and multiply as other similar growths, but under unfavorable conditions they form thick-walled bodies called spores, which are able to retain their vitality even if boiled for hours.
The Little Spores Work Havoc
It was these spores that worked havoc in the jars of our mothers and grandmothers. Long-continued boiling of the vegetable to be canned failed to kill all present; the few or many that escaped, sooner or later developed into bacteria in the jars, and then multiplication was so rapid as to spoil all the contents.
Although the spores are able to resist the temperature of boiling water for a long time, the bacteria that develop from them cannot. Therefore the problem of recent investigators has been to devise a means of making the spores develop into bacteria at canning time, and then to kill these bacteria by boiling. Fortunately a certain means of doing this has been discovered. It was found that boiling does not kill the spores; in fact, it stimulates them so that they develop into bacteria within twenty-four or forty-eight hours. Hence the method now used with com-plete18success in canning vegetables of all kinds in the home without special apparatus is to boil the vegetable for an hour to kill all bacteria present and to stimulate the spores; then to seal the jars and let them stand for twenty-four hours so the spores may develop into easily killed bacteria; and finally to boil the vegetable again for an hour to kill the new crop. Generally the boiling is repeated on the third day to make sure that no spores escape. This method of canning can be used with certainty by any housewife who will observe ordinary cleanliness and follow directions.
The method is known by various names. Because the vegetable is put into the jars cold before cooking, it is coming to be called the “cold-pack” method. It is perhaps best illustrated with corn, so directions for canning corn are here given in detail:—
The Cold-Pack Method in Canning Corn
Use the best grade of sweet corn. Select ears that are not too hard, and do the canning as soon as possible after the ears are pulled from the stalk, the percentage of sugar is low in hard ears and in ears that have been pulled for some time. Remove the husks and silks; if this work is done carefully, it will not be necessary to wash the corn unless worms are present. Cut and scrape the corn from the cobs with a sharp knife, in order to get all the nutriment possible. Salt the corn slightly; ordinarily a teaspoonful of salt to a quart of corn is sufficient.
Have glass jars ready; these are the best, because they can be cleaned more easily than any other kind, and also more thoroughly. Pack the jars full of corn, fill them to the top with cold water, put the covers in place loosely without the rubbers, stand the jars in the wash boiler on a false bottom of cloth or shingles, surround them with a few inches of warm water, put the cover on the boiler loosely, and steam the jars and their contents for an hour by boiling the water. Then put the rubbers on the jars and seal them.
After twenty-four hours loosen the covers so they fit loosely, and again boil the water for an hour. Seal the jars, and allow them to stand for another twenty-four hours. Then unseal them, put new rubbers of good quality in place, screw on the covers loosely, and steam the jars the third time for an hour. Screw the covers on tight while the jars are still hot, and the corn will certainly keep; moreover, its flavor is excellent.
To Can Lima Beans
Shell the beans, blanch them four or five minutes, cool them, and pack them into jars. Fill the jars with cold water, and steam them for an hour on three different days, as in canning corn. It is important to hurry the process after shelling the beans, as Lima beans lose their delicate flavor if allowed to stand after shelling.—M. M. Telford, in the Delineator for August.