Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jan 28, 1904
“Seeing the Blood”
By Lucy Wade Herrick
“FATHER, I can not sleep; the Prophet’s words
Ring in my ears; they fill my heart with fear;
For am I not the firstborn, and the one
On whom the destroying angel’s shaft would fall,
Were not the token on the lintel found?
Thrice have I named the patriarchs, and once
The creatures great and small that Noah drove
Before him in the ark; but all in vain,
I can not sleep. O father, art thou sure
The blood is sprinkled as God gave command?”
“Peace, peace, my child; just as the evening fell,
The fairest lamb of all the flock was slain,
And roasted then with purifying fire;
With bitter herbs and bread devoid of leaven,
In haste we ate the Lord’s appointed feast.
Nor were the means of saving thee forgot.
Scarce was the yearling slain ere I gave word
For sprinkling of the blood upon the door.
Sleep, then, my firstborn; God’s avenging one
Will see the signal, and pass over thee.”
Thus on that dark night which God had chosen
For passing throughout all fair Egypt’s land,
To smite on every side the loved firstborn,
Sparing not e’en the firstlings of the flock,
A Hebrew father soothed his restless child;
Restless himself, as now with girded loins,
Sandals upon his feet, and staff in hand,
He waited for that solemn midnight hour,
When God’s almighty arm should break the chain
That bound his people to proud Pharaoh’s throne.
The bread unbaked was in the kneading-trough,
The scattered flocks were gathered in the fold,
And all betokened plans for hasty flight.
There was a thrilling silence in the air,
A quiet joy burned in the Rabbi’s breast,
Joy that was not mingled with regret
At leaving thus his birthplace, though it was
A house of bondage, for the promised land.
The night wore on,
And yet again the pleading voice was heard:
“Father, sleep will not come; before my eyes
I see the angel pass, and at our door
Pause sadly, as though he wept to enter,
Yet dared not hasten unavenging by.
O father, if the blood has been removed;
Or if the herd-boy heeded not thy voice,
Then never shall my weary eyes behold
The land of Canaan with its waving fields.”
“Rest, little one; faithful our Jared is.
Not only on the side-posts of the door
Should be the stain, but on the one above;
So if some hungry dog should from its place
One token lick, the others would remain.
Sleep, my sweet child, for thou hast need of rest;
The journey will be rough for little feet.”
The anxious voice was silent; for in that home
Obedience reigned supreme, though not as yet
The law had sounded forth from Sinai’s top.
With patience dutiful she sought to woo
Soft slumber to her long unclosed eyes.
Sleep came at last, but with it dreams of fright,
Wherein she tossed, and moaned, and oft cried
out.
The midnight hour drew nigh; unbroken still
The darkness’ solemn hush; the child awoke
With a loud cry, “Father, I thought I heard
The cock’s shrill crow to greet approaching morn.
My heart is beating with a sick’ning dread
Of danger near. O! take me to the door,
And let me see the red blood sprinkled there.”
Lighting a torch, the father gently took
His firstborn in his arms, and bore her forth—
Started and paled to see no paschal sign,
No warning that their door should be passed by!
With trembling hand he snatched the hyssop then,
Himself applied the blood in eager haste.
A long sigh of relief escaped the child;
Almost before he placed her on the couch
Sweet sleep had fallen on her heavy lids;
Nor when that “great cry” rose did she awake.
That agonizing wail of man and beast
Reached not her ears, with drowsy slumber sealed,
And at the dawn they bore her, sleeping still,
Away from Egypt’s darkness and despair.
Christ, our Passover, is slain for us;
The “blood of sprinkling” for our sins is shed;
Have we the atoning sacrifice applied?
Made sure our entrance to the promised land?
— Lucy Wade Herrick.
Publishers’ Page
Conducted by the Department of Circulation of the Review and Herald Publishing Company.
The Gospel Reader
A Companion Volume to the Gospel Primer
In this reader the beautiful theme of redemption and of the gospel is told in a connected and unbroken story, many of the great events of Bible history being given in chronological order. From the creation to the consummation, the history of God’s people, and the hope set before them, become familiar subjects of thought and study.
The book contains thirty-five chapters, twenty-two half-tone engravings, and 192 pages.
Cloth, with portrait of our Saviour, in gold, 75 cents; board covers, in two colors, 50 cents.
At the Door
The first edition of “At the Door” has been sold, and the second is now being printed. All those who are handling this book testify of its merits, and are well pleased with it as a seller. Prices, 15 and 25 cents.
A Few Testimonials
I have examined the booklet “At the Door.” As I viewed its illustrations, and read the text and explanatory notes in reference to His glorious appearing, I felt like saying, “He is coming! He is coming! He is even at the door.” And the facts set forth created in me, as I believe they will in every reader, an earnest, anxious desire to gain our paradise home. S. H. LANE.
F. E. Belden, so well known through the beautiful and stirring gospel and Sabbath-school songs that he has given to the world, has prepared an attractive brochure of thirty-two pages and covers, entitled “At the Door.” It is beautifully illustrated, and presents the evidences of the soon coming of Christ. It is an attractive presentation of a most important subject.—G. C. Tenney, in Medical Missionary, January, 1904.
It is beautiful and excellent. I hope it can find a place in every home. ALONZO T. JONES.
Though brief, it is full of instruction that all can understand. I. D. VAN HORN.
A million copies of it should be sold. DR. J. H. KELLOGG.
The appearance of the booklet is attractive, and it is well designed to call the attention of busy people to the great theme of the hour.—Review and Herald, Editorial.
Our Paradise Home
The fourth edition of this wonderful little book is now issued. It is remarkable how it is selling. From all sources come the most favorable expressions of appreciation of this little work. The following is a sample of the many that are reaching us at the present time:—
“I have just read ‘Our Paradise Home,’ and am much pleased to see the message of present truth made so simple and plain, and put, as it were, in a nutshell, so that even the busy people can take time to read it. It contains the pith of the Bible plan of redemption, besides taking us over to the setting up of God’s everlasting kingdom. The language is simple, yet written in such a pleasing manner as to interest all who read it. This is the class of books which should be circulated by our people, instead of books containing but little present truth. We shall take pleasure in giving it a wide circulation in our conference. I believe that it will have the largest circulation of any of the small books which have been published by our denomination. W. J. STONE.”
“‘Paradise Home’ is a neat, well-written little book. I like it very much. It will no doubt meet with a hearty welcome by all who are laboring to give this glorious gospel of the coming kingdom to all the world. May it have a wide circulation, and accomplish much good. H. H. BURKHOLDER.”
The prices of the book are 25 and 50 cents, postpaid.
A Successful Cook-Book
A Friend in the Kitchen
BY MRS. ANNA L. COLCORD
Twelve editions, aggregating 105,200 copies, already published. Sold in America, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, South Africa, and India.
What the People Say of It
One of the best cook-books ever written.—Signs of the Times.
I know of no reason why it should not go in America. MRS. E. G. WHITE.
It sells like sovereigns.—Australian Agent.
The best of its class.—Pacific Press.
No publication ever issued by the Echo Publishing Company has had such a rapid sale.—Union Conference Record.
We think it a good book. C. H. JONES, Manager Pacific Press.
We find it sells more rapidly than any other help we have. J. H. CAMP, Gen. Agt. for New Zealand.
The best ever gotten out by our people. It deserves the wide circulation it has had. MRS. V. J. FARNSWORTH.
The most practical and helpful of anything we have issued in this line. As a help for agents I am confident it has no equal. E. R. PALMER.
One of the best little books we have on this subject. The people appreciate it. H. H. HALL.
No other book like it in the world. MRS. M. J. CARPENTER.
A book that will do ten times, yes, a thousand times, more good than I can do with my tongue. DR. E. R. CARO.
If men would live in accordance with the dietetic principles advanced in it, there would be little employment for the physicians.—Herald of Health.
A very handy book, purely on vegetarian lines, and is worthy a place in any kitchen.—Sydney Sunday Times.
The recipes are clearly written, and are very practical.—Australian Committee on Examination.
The book has equaled in number of copies sold, any small book we have published so far. W. D. SALISBURY, Manager Echo Pub. Co., Melbourne.
A splendid help for agents. Ladies can handle it readily. It should be sold in every city, town, and neighborhood. It is nicely gotten up, well illustrated, and substantially bound. Oilcloth, 50 cents; limp cloth, 25 cents. Usual discount to agents.
Bible Object Lessons and Songs
For the Little Ones
On the Life of Christ
This excellent kindergarten book contains fifty-two lessons, one for each Sabbath in the year, and each lesson is accompanied by suggestions to mothers and teachers; thirty child’s songs and hymns written specially for the lessons; thirty-six full-page pictures, half-tones, with colored plates; fifty-two pen drawings, showing how to use the kindergarten material when teaching the lessons; 160 pages, quarto size, beautifully printed on enameled and supercalendered paper, bound in four styles, as follows: board covers, 7½x10 inches, $1.50; blue cloth, $2; lemon edge, royal edition, 9½x11½ inches, $2.75; gilt edge, paneled sides, 9½x11½ inches, $3.75. Special discount in quantities.
Kindergarten Supplies
We have three boxes of kindergarten material prepared so that any mother or teacher can illustrate the lessons given in “Bible Object Lessons and Songs for the Little Ones.” The price of these boxes is $1.75.
We carry a stock of tables and chairs. Our table has a round, hard-wood top, with folding legs, and inside cabinet for the material; seats eight pupils and the teacher. Price, $3.75. Our chairs, which are twelve inches in height, the average size for children of kindergarten age, sell for 50 cents apiece; teachers’ chairs, 60 cents.
When the three boxes of material are ordered with the book in any style of binding, the purchaser will receive a beautiful premium,—portfolio blackboard sketches on the Life of Christ, to aid mothers, teachers, and children in drawing.
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
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.
A Chain of Witnesses
By Editor
Editorial
A Chain of Witnesses
THOSE who really believe the truth are witnesses for the truth. In this way the message of truth is given to the world. Thus it was when the risen Saviour instructed the disciples concerning their future work: “Ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” And beginning at Jerusalem, they testified of a crucified and risen Jesus whom God had exalted “to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.” By going from city to city and from country to country as witnesses of these things, they raised up believers in all parts of the then known world in their own generation, making an unbroken chain of living witnesses to testify of the Messiah. The same experience is to be repeated in this generation. “The Angel of the covenant is empowering his servants to be his witnesses to carry the truth to all parts of the world. He has sent forth his angels with their message. But as if these angels did not speed on their way fast enough to satisfy his heart of yearning love, he gives John personally the message to be given to all: ‘The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.’ He has opened a fountain for Judah and Jerusalem, and every member of his church is to show his loyalty by inviting the thirsty to drink the water of life. A chain of living witnesses is to carry the invitation to the world. Will you act your part in this great work? Christ calls upon you to believe and live the truth, even though you have to stand alone.” A martyr is simply a witness who testifies by dying rather than by living. The words “witness” and “martyr” in the New Testament are from the same original word. And every true witness will have a martyr’s faith to sustain him in testifying, whether in life or in death. The very situation suggests that the witnesses ought not to crowd together in one place, but by going forth to the world they should become links in the chain of witnesses which will surround the whole earth. “Ye are my witnesses.” “Go ye into all the world.”
“He Careth for You”
WE are under the protection of a loving Father whose watchcare extends to each individual. He is acquainted with all our peculiar circumstances, and understands our particular and special needs. Nothing escapes his notice. “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” When we are tempted to think that our Father does not regard us, we must remember the price which he has paid for us, and surely he will not forget that which has cost him so terrible a ransom. Listen to his own words: “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” “Our God is a tender, merciful Father. His service should not be looked upon as a heart-saddening, distressing exercise. . . . The Lord desires his children to take comfort in his service, and to find more pleasure than hardship in his work. He desires that those who come to worship him shall carry away with them precious thoughts of his care and love, that they may be cheered in all the employments of daily life.” As we sometimes feel almost overwhelmed with the difficulties and perplexities of the daily struggle, we can find fresh courage in these gracious words, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
“How sweet, my Saviour, to repose
On thine almighty pow’r!
To feel thy strength upholding me,
Through ev’ry trying hour!
“It is thy will that I should cast
My ev’ry care on thee;
To thee refer each rising grief,
Each new perplexity;
“That I should trust thy loving care,
And look to thee alone,
To calm each troubled thought to rest,
In prayer before thy throne.”
The Coming of the Seed
The First Advent
It was during the captivity in Babylon that the time of the appearance of the Messiah was made known. To Daniel the angel Gabriel said, “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks.” Thus the definite time was revealed. Those who came back to the ruins of the once magnificent city after the seventy years in Babylon knew that nearly five centuries more must be added to the long time of waiting before the Redeemer would make his first appearance among men. For hundreds of years the temple service, the great prophecy of God manifested in the flesh, was conducted without the Shekinah glory, waiting for the glory to be revealed in the flesh; for centuries the remnant who had returned, according to the prophecies of Isaiah, was a nation without a king, waiting for the coming King. For nearly four hundred years after Malachi no prophet wrote comfortable words to brighten the hope of those who looked for the coming One. Nevertheless there were those who maintained their faith in the promises and predictions of the former times, and who waited “for the consolation of Israel.”
So definite was the announcement of the Messiah, as given to Daniel, that “when the time of the promise drew nigh,” “the people were in expectation.” “While few understood the nature of Christ’s mission, there was a widespread expectation of a mighty prince who should establish his kingdom in Israel, and who should come as a deliverer to4the nations. The fulness of time had come. Humanity, becoming more degraded through ages of transgression, called for the coming of the Redeemer. Satan had been working to make the gulf deep and impassable between earth and heaven. By his falsehoods he had emboldened men in sin. It was his purpose to wear out the forbearance of God, and to extinguish his love for man, so that he would abandon the world to satanic jurisdiction. Satan was seeking to shut out from men a knowledge of God, to turn their attention from the temple of God, and to establish his own kingdom. His strife for supremacy had seemed to be almost wholly successful. It is true that in every generation God had his agencies. Even among the heathen there were men through whom Christ was working to uplift the people from their sin and degradation. But these men were despised and hated. Many of them suffered a violent death. The dark shadow that Satan had cast over the world grew deeper and deeper. Sin had become a science, and vice was consecrated as a part of religion. Rebellion had struck its roots deep into the heart, and the hostility of man was most violent against heaven. It was demonstrated before the universe that, apart from God, humanity could not be uplifted. A new element of life and power must be imparted by him who made the world. . . . At the very crisis, when Satan seemed about to triumph, the Son of God came with the embassy of divine grace. Through every age, through every hour, the love of God had been exercised toward the fallen race. Notwithstanding the perversity of men, the signals of mercy had been continually exhibited. And when the fulness of time had come, the Deity was glorified by pouring upon the world a flood of healing grace that was never to be obstructed or withdrawn till the plan of salvation should be fulfilled.”
The world had waited long, and many generations had passed since the original promise had been made. The promises to Abraham had been cherished through many centuries. The promises to David had been repeated from father to son long after the diadem had been removed in the time of Zedekiah. The lesson of the captivity in Babylon was emphasized anew by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah in the time of the restoration, but the lapse of hundreds of years had lessened its force with many; and still they waited for the promised Messiah. “But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem them that were under law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” “The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.” The heavenly message was borne to the shepherds by the angel of the Lord: “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.”
“Nearly two thousand years ago, a voice of mysterious import was heard in heaven, from the throne of God, ‘Lo, I come.’ ‘Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not, but a body hast thou prepared me. . . . Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me), to do thy will, O God.’ In these words is announced the fulfilment of the purpose that had been hidden from eternal ages. Christ was about to visit our world, and to become incarnate. He says, ‘A body hast thou prepared me.’ Had he appeared with the glory that was his with the Father before the world was, we could not have endured the light of his presence. That we might behold it and not be destroyed, the manifestation of his glory was shrouded. His divinity was veiled with humanity,—the invisible glory in the visible form.”
It was the seed of the woman who should bruise the head of the serpent. “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” And when those words were heard from the cross, “It is finished,” the final doom of Satan was sealed. “Yet Satan was not then destroyed. The angels did not even then understand all that was involved in the great controversy. The principles at stake were to be more fully revealed. And for the sake of man Satan’s existence must be continued. Man as well as angels must see the contrast between the Prince of Light and the prince of darkness. He must choose whom he will serve.” And so for centuries longer the world has waited for the consummation of all that is accomplished in the coming of the Seed. But the first advent of Christ was the great focal point toward which all history had been tending since the original promise to Adam. The next step, for which we look in our day, will reveal the fulness of the promise.
The Right Side of the Cloud
By L. A. S.
THE same cloud which cast darkness over the Egyptians by the Red Sea, gave light to the camp of Israel. The mighty purposes of God were being carried into execution, and the divine power and wisdom were manifested in signs and wonders. The Israelites were fulfilling the purposes of God, the Egyptians were working against his purposes. To the Israelites, all that God did was light in the darkness, and deliverance from their troubles. To the Egyptians, all God’s working was mystery, darkness, perplexity, a source of confusion and stumbling.
To-day, in this final hour of time, many and wonderful are the manifestations of God’s working in behalf of his people. The cloud of God’s providence comes near to all, but not all are on the right side of the cloud. To some it is a cloud of darkness, a source of obscurity and perplexity, a cause of stumbling. While some see plainly the leadings of God’s providence, and rejoice in the evidence of God’s guiding hand and the omens of coming victory, others get no light from the experiences that come to the church as a whole or to themselves individually, and by that very fact are left in greater darkness than before. The providences of God are not discerned as such, but appear to them to be something else; and they wander about in uncertainty, and erelong lose their bearings entirely, and become stragglers in the rear of Christ’s army, an inviting mark for the shafts of the vigilant foe. When the very thing that should be light to an individual is darkness to him, his darkness is impenetrable.
Even Jesus Christ, the light of the world, was “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense” to the unbelieving Jews, because they would not rightly relate themselves to the wonderful providence which had come in touch with their lives.
If you are in darkness, get out of the camp of the Egyptians, and go over to the camp of Israel. Do not try to make the darkness turn to light, or to solve the mysteries of divine providence from the standpoint of the Egyptians, but betake yourself at once to the right standpoint, and the mysteries will solve themselves. For seen from the camp of Israel, the cloud which hides the presence of God is always a pillar of light, and by its guiding, the pilgrim is safely led in the pathway to the heavenly Canaan. L. A. S.
God’s Revelation of Himself
By L. A. S.
THE second precept of the decalogue, which prohibits the worship of images or of any object through them, was given to guard against the worship of false gods or false worship of the true God.
Idolatry began by perverting the worship of the true God. The perverted worship of the true God soon led to the worship of false gods. By making a likeness of the true God, and worshiping him through it, men at once perverted the worship of God because they had perverted his likeness. It is utterly impossible for the human mind to create a true likeness of the infinite God, and any attempt to do so lowers God in the mind from the plane of his divinity to the plane of things human; and as a result men are led to make of God a being like unto themselves. The way is then open for worship to become a means of the greatest degradation, instead of5an elevating and purifying influence; of this the history of heathenism gives ample testimony.
Nothing is more fatal to man’s religious welfare than a false conception of God, and because of this, God never gave to man any likeness of himself, and prohibited any attempt on man’s part to create such a likeness. God did not purpose to reveal himself to mankind in that way. But he did reveal himself in such a way that men might not be without the true knowledge of him; that they might know him as a being of infinite power and wisdom, of mercy and love, and the giver of all blessings. He spoke to mankind through his works. The heavens declared his glory, and the firmament revealed his handiwork. He left not himself without witness, “in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
God also “spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets,” through whom he gave clear revelations of the truth, so that Jesus declared that if a man would not hear Moses and the prophets, he would not believe even though one should go to him from the dead.
But in these last days God has “spoken unto us by his Son,” who gave to the world in his life a perfect revelation of his Father’s character. His Father dwelt in him, and the words that he spoke were the Father’s words, his acts the Father’s acts. “God was in Christ,” for the purpose of “reconciling the world unto himself,” by giving to the world a true revelation of himself. He could not reveal himself to the world any more perfectly than he did in Christ. “He that hath seen me,” said Jesus, “hath seen the Father.”
To know God as he is, therefore, we must study the life of Jesus. “If ye had known me,” said Jesus to Philip, “ye should have known my Father also.” And he also said: “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” God, who dwells in the high and lofty place, dwells also with him who is of a humble and contrite spirit. There is no difficulty in knowing one who dwells with us, and he with whom God dwells will know God, just as far as God sees fit to reveal himself to him, and no man can know or should know anything more of God than God reveals of himself for men to know.
We are to know God not by having some likeness of him before our eyes, or some description of him in our minds, but by companionship with him, just as we know our fellow men by their companionship, which is the only way we can know them as they are. This companionship is a real thing, and we have it by faith. Christ dwells in our hearts by faith, and God with Christ. In this way we have that knowledge of God which is unto life eternal. That is the knowledge of God that we need and must have in this life. In the future life the saints will see God’s face; but in this present world God has carefully excluded from men any visible likeness of himself, yet has given us all that knowledge of himself that is essential to salvation,—that knowledge which will open the door to all fuller knowledge of God in the world to come.
Man can not by searching find out God. He can know God by the revelation God gives of himself, when he receives Christ into his heart by faith; but when he tries to find out about God by his own researches, he makes a terrible failure. He obtains ideas and conceptions of God that are altogether wide of the truth. A god that the human mind can discover is no better than a god that human hands can make. The true God is above all human research, but he has chosen in this world to make himself known by revelation, and faith is the channel through which this revelation of God must be received. Through faith man receives true knowledge of God, and is enabled to worship God in spirit and in truth.
L. A. S.
“Scheming, Working, and Long Waiting”
In a recent number of The World's Work there appeared an article with the title “The Russian Absorption of Asia.” The writer gives a remarkably clear view of the methods used by Russia in following her long-established policy of extending the boundaries of the empire. It is worthy of study as constituting a striking example of political diplomacy in which now by advancing and now by retreating, now by bold assumption and now by injured innocence, now by explanations and excuses and now by unjust claims, the one ever-present design of accomplishing a selfish purpose is being fulfilled. Here are a few paragraphs from the article in question:—
Various are the expedients which Russia brings into requisition in carrying out her ends. Privileges are obtained for her merchants and caravans to pass into or through the coveted country for trade; to open stores and banks; to trade at ports and navigate rivers; to establish post routes, with their various stations for exchange of drivers and horses; and to install consuls at various places. Concessions are secured for cutting timber, or operating mines on certain tracts of land, and rights are procured whereby Russia and her subjects may buy land and build consulates, stores, and factories, and also dwellings for those who are connected with the various enterprises. Rights are also obtained, or taken, to protect consulates and other Russian property, and to protect the Christian subjects of an unchristian government. Army reconnoitering expeditions are sent into the country with goods, disguised as merchants, or accompanied by a detachment of Cossacks, and claiming to be purely scientific expeditions. Out of pure generosity and solicitude for the welfare of her neighbors, she engages to watch over the conduct of Russian merchants located within their gates, and “permits” the prospective victims to employ Russian officers to reorganize their armies, and lends them money.
In some cases these arrangements may be made in good faith and with honest intentions, but usually they are largely or solely for the opportunity they afford for getting the territory in her control; and, under pretext of establishing, furthering, and protecting these interests, privileges, and favors, she sends Russian subjects, supplies, and even troops into the territory. Privileges and concessions which, when asked for, are represented as unimportant, assume great significance after they are granted, and are rigorously enforced and greatly expanded. What may pose as a legitimate and perfectly harmless business arrangement is extended, as later construed by Russia, to cover privileges far beyond anything the victim ever dreamed of. The concessions which Russia exacts from others are rarely accompanied with equivalent or adequate returns, and more often nothing is granted in exchange. Frequently some small favor—or some act doubtfully construed as a favor—is made the pretext upon which a concession of great importance is demanded.
When her operations in new territory arouse the suspicions of the outside world, and she is accused of overstepping her rights and pledges, she assumes an air of injured innocence, renounces any intention of desire of acquisition, and is profuse in explanations and excuses intended to deceive the inquisitor as to her real intentions. Then, if she does not consider the time ripe for a final bold stroke, she accompanies the denials with promises and a feint of withdrawing from her position, knowing full well from past experiences that such action is sufficient to cause the busy world to discredit and soon forget the charges against her, and thus enable her at her leisure to carry the preliminary operations through another stage without molestation. If, however, Russia feels that the proper time has arrived, she takes advantage of the lull caused by her denial, to strengthen her position in the new territory, rushing in new troops and supplies and building forts and barriers. Meanwhile, the world's mind is bewildered by the conflict between Russian denials on one side and persistent rumors on the other; and when the powers finally come to their senses sufficiently to grasp the situation and demand an explanation, Russia, in feigned surprise, remonstrates and coolly informs her accusers that they are laboring under some unaccountable delusion, as the territory referred to has been “Russian sphere” for lo! these many years, and is at present so thoroughly Russianized that it is remarkable any doubt should arise at this late day as to its being Russian territory. That there may be no further question, however, Russia now politely informs the powers that she has for some time been, and expects to remain, in possession of that particular section of the earth.
While we may not approve the underhanded methods resorted to by Russia in extending her territory, we can not but admire the audacity, ability, and patience exhibited in her scheming, working6and long waiting for the consummation of her expansion project. Success may be a matter of a few years without rebuff, or it may be a matter of centuries with relapses or apparent abandonments—for Russia rarely entirely abandons a project until she has accomplished her purpose.
How marked is the contrast between this story of continued intrigue and the standards of a true Christianity! Of individuals who exhibited these same traits of character, Jesus said, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and love salutations in the market-places, and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts; who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these shall receive greater condemnation.” The scribes are not wholly extinct yet, and the Russian policy is not entirely confined to Russia.
A Special Agency in the Field for Foreign Missions
By W. A. S.
However many languages the mind may hold and use in business or social intercourse, the language of the heart and soul, generally speaking, remains the mother tongue. Many a man who talks the tongue of an adopted country freely, prefers to pray to God in the tongue which he learned at his mother’s knee. The language in which his first religious impressions were received is the one that helps him to be again a little child talking to a loving Father in heaven.
This is why many of those who well understand English for ordinary uses need to hear the message for this time in their own mother tongue. This has the power to touch the heart and awaken the spiritual nature. Religious thought means more in this than any other. There are millions of these adopted children of the New World, representing all the leading languages of Europe, scattered over America. For those who are learning English for business purposes, and for the vast multitudes who can read only in their own tongue, the new International Publishing Association, of College View, is to do a special work.
This movement has come none too soon. The message is quickly to be carried to every nation and tongue. As at Jerusalem there were gathered people from all the regions round about to hear the truth proclaimed at Pentecost, each in his own tongue, so Providence has brought these millions of other tongues to this land to hear the final message. Then as the showers of the latter rain fall, and the crisis breaks upon this land, multitudes will go out to other lands across the seas, bearing the closing message in many languages.
Many fields abroad in which little or nothing is being done for lack of workers able to speak the languages, are represented by thousands of sons and daughters who have come to the New World to seek their fortunes or a livelihood. God has brought them to our own doors so that we may tell them the truth. Among these we shall certainly find true men and women who can go back to their home people to tell what God has done for them.
The time is fully ripe for a far more definitely aimed and sustained effort for the foreign-speaking communities in our midst. The influence of the work done will react upon the vast fields over the seas. Our European publishing centers propose to co-operate with the new association in a really strong effort to place our literature in the homes of our foreign-speaking population. Europe proposes to supply a tried man to assist in an Eastern agency, so that between College View and New York every consistent provision may be made to develop the work. In the offering for the College View Association to be taken on Sabbath, February 6, we are not lifting on any merely local missionary enterprise. It is a move that is to provide a new and strong facility for hastening forward the evangelization of all the world in this generation. This is the one work before us. Let us make the offering all that it should be, and let us all carry a more thoughtful burden for the strangers within the gates of this land where God has placed us. W. A. S.