THE story of the magical growth of the world's wealth in recent years has often been told. Owing to the fact, however, that it is a living, breathing, growing story, it has not become hackneyed. Yea, rather, it grows more engrossingly thrilling as the passing months, and even days, disclose new and greater wonders in respect to the creation and piling up of riches. The very fact that it is a story which is universally talked about and written about is evidence of the supreme place it occupies in popular thought and interest.
Nearly a year ago I contributed to this journal an article on this same general subject, but owing to the marvelous strides in the evolution of wealth since that time, I shall not need to repeat any of the facts and illustrations corroborative of my thesis, which I then employed. It may be that, for the sake of cogency and clearness, I shall have to bring into requisition some of the same phenomena; but I shall not bring them to view in the same garb or marshal them from the same point of view.
Startling Economic Development since 1850, in the United States.
The Federal Census of 1850 shows that the United States then stood in wealth below England, Germany, Russia, Austro-Hungary, or France. Notwithstanding the unprecedented creation of wealth in all those countries since that date, our country has now far surpassed each of them in aggregate wealth. The total wealth and the per capita wealth of the United States were, in 1850, respectively, $7,000,000,000, and $308; in 1880, $42,000,000,000, and $850; in 1900, $94,000,000,000, and $1,236; and in 1905, it stands at $110,000,000,000, and $1,325. That our national wealth should have grown by such titanic leaps and bounds fairly staggers our powers of belief. Yet these herculean figures are the sober findings of the Federal Census Bureau. Marvelous indeed, that a nation, scarcely beyond the period of its infancy in mere age, should in just a little more than a half century increase its wealth almost sixteenfold! We have passed a trifle more than four years in the twentieth century; yet in that scrap of time we added the fabulous sum of $16,000,000,000 to our national assets. It should be remembered, too, that Alaska and Uncle Sam's island possessions are not included in this reckoning. During the same fifty years the country's population was multiplied by only three and one-half.
For a comparison of the growth of the world's wealth in the nineteenth century with that of preceding centuries, we have no exact data. After much thought and research, the late Mr. Gladstone estimated that all the wealth produced during the first eighteen centuries of the Christian era was equaled by the production of the first half of the nineteenth century, and that as much more was produced during the next twenty years. The Rev. Dr. Josiah Strong declares that it is safe to conclude that for the enrichment of the world there has been more than three times as much wealth produced during the century just closed as during the eighteen centuries preceding. The wealth of the Old World represents the accumulation of centuries, but ninety-five per cent of our wealth has been produced and accumulated since 1840.
Specific Illustrations.
During the second half of the nineteenth century, while the population was increasing three and one-half times, farm animals increased in value six times, wool five times, manufactured products twelve times, the production of pig-iron twenty-five times, railway mileage twenty-one times, and railway capital more than fifty times. In the ten years ending in 1900, the horse-power of our wealth-producing machinery increased eighty-eight per cent.
Altho our eighty millions of people equal only five per cent. of the world's population, the United States produced, in 1900, 22 per cent. of the world's wheat, 30 per cent. of its gold, 33 per cent. of its coal, 33 per cent. of its silver, 34 per cent. of its manufactures, 35 per cent. of its iron, 36 per cent. of its cattle, 38 per cent. of its steel, 50 per cent. of its petroleum, 54 per cent. of its copper, 75 per cent. of its cotton, and 84 per cent. of its corn.
In a recent issue of The World's Work, Mr. Charles M. Harvey writes that the city of New York has more wealth than was in the entire country sixty years ago. Tho the United States has only a twentieth of the world's population, it owns a fifth of the world's stock of money, and a fourth of its gold coin and bullion. Furthermore, this country possesses10two-thirds ($14,000,000,000) of the world's banking power—capital, deposits, etc. Mr. Harvey avers that our preeminence in these directions has been obtained during the past twenty years. Between 1890 and 1904 the banking strength of the United States increased 165 per cent., and that of New York City 190 per cent., while that of the entire world increased only 105 per cent.
The value of the farm products of this country, in 1904, was $6,000,000,000. This equals the entire wealth of the nation in 1845. Our railways earned $2,000,000,000 during 1904. They now have in their employ 1,300,000 persons. Our output of gold is now more than double what it was ten years ago. Uncle Sam can now boast of having more millionaire subjects than have all the other nations of the world combined.
Some Tremendous Leaps.
The New York Journal of Commerce gives figures showing the astounding growth of the business of life insurance in this country in the last thirty years, and its tendency to concentrate in a few large companies. The assets of the life-insurance companies in this country grew from $387,000,000, in 1874, to $1,056,000,000, in 1894. Now note, however, that during the next ten years, ending 1904, these assets leaped from the latter figure to the stupendous sum of $2,550,000,000. In a recent number of the Philadelphia Press, its editor says that, in 1865, Mr. J. D. Rockefeller began business with a capital of $5,000. During the next twenty years this petty sum swelled to $100,000,000; during the next five years this vast fortune doubled, being $200,000,000, in 1890. He says further that the most conservative estimate now sets down Mr. Rockefeller's fortune at $600,000,000. Financially, Mr. R. is the world's supreme potentate. His yearly income is far greater than the aggregate income of all the kings and emperors of Europe. If he lives a few years more; declares the same writer, this emperor of oil, king of steel, banking, and railroads, and prince of several dominions of less importance, will write his fortune down at one billion dollars, and will enjoy the unique distinction of being the first billionaire that the world has ever seen. This mammoth fortune is simply his absolutely personal effects. His resources are incalculably greater, as he positively controls the capitalization of various enterprises of approximately $6,000,000,000.
The conclusion of this article will deal with the marvelous growth of the Astor fortune, also of the great Tobacco Trust, and banking institution, and show how these are in direct fulfilment of prophecy.
THE GOSPEL.
By F. A. Noble
I CHALLENGE any man to show me anything better, anything more suited to man and his wants, than the Gospel of Christ. It is better than philosophy. Philosophy can only disclose, only describe and classify. It can not heal—it can not cure. It is like a physician who knows the disease, but has no remedy; while the Gospel of Christ not only lays bare the malady, but prescribes an infallible and universal cure.
Education can only call out and develop what is in fallen man; but the Gospel recreates man's heart and nature, and then lifts him up to the fulness of the stature of Christ. Education stops at the surface; the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation, penetrates the center of man's necessities.
It is better than morality. Morality is conformity to law. When perfect it is a star rolling on in its God-appointed orbit. But man has broken law—the star has swerved from its orbit. Morality can not bring it back and keep it in its course. The Gospel can. It brings man back to God—gives man a new start and keeps him safe in his heavenward course.
The Gospel is better than philanthropy. Philanthropy is the love of man as man and for man. Christianity is the love of man for God and the love of God in man. The one would better man's condition here; the other would not only save man now, but would lift him to where he belongs—to heaven and to God.—Rev. F. A. Noble.
Nahum.
By F. D. Starr
“The burden of Nineveh.” It will be remembered that, in the days of Jonah, Nineveh was saved from its impending doom, because the men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah. But that was about one hundred and fifty years before the days of Nahum, and Nineveh had relapsed into a very sinful condition. The words of Peter would apply: “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:22. Tho Nineveh so sincerely repented, yet, in the days of Nahum, it was a “bloody city, . . . all full of lies and robbery.” Chapter 3:1. This is the sad history of nations and individuals, so often repeated, of retrograding from a state of comparative righteousness and virtue to a condition of corruption and vice. Nineveh went down into oblivion, destroyed on account of its wickedness, tho it had once reformed, and been spared.
Portions of this book seem to have a double fulfilment. The description of the chariots as given in Nahum 2:3-6, while doubtless referring to the war chariots in use in those ancient times, seems to find a very apt application to the modern railway cars, as now demonstrated before our eyes. They surely run like the lightnings; and, as a careful reading will show, the description of these chariots brings vividly to mind the construction and operation of the present railway train. This was to be in the day of God’s “preparation.” A people are to be prepared for the coming of the Lord, as Noah and his family were prepared for the Flood, in the days when the ark was in preparation. 1 Peter 3:20.
Habakkuk.
This prophet seems to have been contemporary with Jeremiah. The destruction of the nations that have been oppressors of God’s people is foretold in this book, and, while it is prophetic in its nature, yet the book is full of practical instruction. The prophet is told to “write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” It is evident from this that God is pleased to have the lines of prophecy found in His Book illustrated on charts or in any manner that will help the inquirer to understand the matter. The evil of the treating habit is denounced in this striking manner: “Wo unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also.” O, that every tippler might realize the force of these startling words, and know that in the great judgment day he will have to meet them again. How quickly would the bottle or the cup fall from his hands! The prophet looks down the stream of time till he comes to the “day of trouble” (chapter 3:16), just before the coming of the Lord, and gives us these inspired words of assurance and confidence: “Altho the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” God’s people will yet know the worth of these precious words, in the day of trial.
Zephaniah.
This prophet lived about the same time as Habakkuk. He also takes in the closing scenes of this earth’s history, “the great day of the Lord” (chapter 1:14), “a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress.” “Before the decree bring forth” this exhortation is given: “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness; seek meekness; it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” This decree must be the decree found in Rev. 22:11, when the day of probation is over.
“The filthy must his filth retain,
He that is holy so remain.”
This book also closes with the glorious sunlight of God’s mercy bursting forth from behind the clouds: “At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you; for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes saith the Lord.”
Haggai.
Haggai flourished in the times of the restitution of the city and people of Israel. He is thus mentioned in Ezra 6:14: “And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo.” See, also, Eze. 5:1. While dealing with matters pertaining to his own people at that particular time, the prophet brings in the time when our earth shall be convulsed as never before. “For thus saith the Lord of hosts: Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land.” Chapter 2:6. As explained by Paul in Heb. 12:26, 27, and other scriptures, we see that this has application to the close of all earthly events. Then He who is the “Desire of all nations” shall come to rule in all His glory. Hasten on glad day! Among the practical exhortations of this book that are worthy of special consideration is the thought expressed in verse 8,—“The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, saith the Lord of hosts.” Then, to whom do the treasures of earth belong? Whose are the means and the possessions we have in our hands?—They belong to the Lord; we are only stewards of the same. Let us be faithful in that which is not our own; and may the closing assurance of the book be truly ours, “I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.”
Forest, Idaho.
THE STRONGEST BOND.
SELF-SEEKING cuts men apart like a knife. Common interest in another's need draws them together as blood kin. Watch a crowded thoroughfare, filled with men and women who for the time being are jostling each other in their self-centered purpose to accomplish their own ends; let a single human being in the crowd fall by the way or show need of assistance, and in a moment a dozen people, strangers to each other, will have drawn close together in their common effort to meet a fellow-being's need. In that turning away from thought of self to effort for another the helpers realize their common bond and let all that is best in them come to the front; and they take it for granted that those with whom they are thus working are worthy of their confidence and esteem. The image of God, who is love, flashes out for a moment from those who are made in God's image. Why not let that image shine through us all the time? Living for others will clear the way.—Anon.
Forget Life’s Disagreeables
If you would increase your happiness and prolong your life, forget your neighbors' faults. Forget the slanders you have ever heard. Forget the temptations. Forget the fault-finding, and give a little thought to the cause which provoked it. Forget the peculiarities of your friends, and only remember the good points which make you fond of them. Forget all personal quarrels or histories you may have heard by accident, and which, if repeated, would seem a thousand times worse than11they are. Blot out as far as possible all the disagreeables of life; they will come, but they will grow larger when you remember them; and the constant thought of acts of meanness, or worse still, malice, will only tend to make you more familiar with them.—Selected.
Why All the
Why all the
FIFTY REASONS FOR SABBATH OBSERVANCE.
By D. T. Bourdeau
BY D. T. BOURDEAU.
THIRTY-NINTH. We observe it because it is written: "And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently harken unto Me, saith the Lord, to bring in no burden through the gates of the city on the Sabbath day, but hallow the Sabbath day, to do no work therein; then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall remain forever." Jer. 17 : 24, 25. God adds that if they profane the Sabbath Jerusalem shall be destroyed. Verse 27.
God wanted Jerusalem to exist forever; but that this might be, the Jews must observe the Sabbath. And God fixes no limits to this observance of the Sabbath, as to the epoch during which He wanted to continue. He does not say that Jerusalem shall be inhabited forever, if the Jews observe the Sabbath for a time, and then profane it as much as they please. No; the duration of the period during which He wants them to observe the Sabbath is the same as that during which He wants Jerusalem to exist; and that period is indicated by the expression "forever." Therefore God wanted the Jews to sanctify the Sabbath "forever," and He has not changed His will on this point. He wants the Jews to sanctify the Sabbath in 1905 and hereafter. And as the Sabbath is obligatory on the Gentiles as well as on the Jews, He wants the same thing with regard to the Gentiles. Therefore we observe the Sabbath.
If the Jews had really sanctified the Sabbath day until the present time, thus manifesting their gratitude toward their Creator, giving Him their supreme affection, they would have recognized the Author of the Sabbath, our Lord Jesus Christ, as the promised Messiah, and would have received his instructions on the proper manner of observing the Sabbath. They would not have been so anxious to accuse Him falsely of profaning the Sabbath to have an excuse for putting Him to death (Luke 6 : 7, etc.); the blame of His crucifixion would never have rested upon them; and Jerusalem, formerly the renowned city of the whole earth, would exist to-day with more than its ancient glory, having been and being still the great center of evangelization for the whole world.
Fortieth. We observe it because by the grace of God we are the children of Israel, in the primitive, evangelical sense of that expression (Gen. 32 : 24-30; John 1 : 47; Rom. 9 : 6; Gal. 6 : 16), and it is written: "It [the Sabbath] is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed." Ex. 31 : 17.
Forty-first. We observe it in view of the fact that if we sanctify it as it should be sanctified,—making it a spiritual rest, and answering to its object as a memorial, consecrating it wholly unto the Lord, as such,—we shall keep all the precepts of the divine law. The Sabbath precept is eminently the precept of love and gratitude. It is the only precept of the ten that reveals to us the important truth that the God of the Decalogue is the God who created all things, that to Him we owe our existence, and that He has done more for us than all other beings in the universe. This truth involves the obligation to love God supremely, and if we love Him thus, we shall observe all the precepts of the divine law as fast as we understand them.
Forty-second. We observe it because it is a sign between God and us, that we may know that He is the Lord who sanctifies us. Ex. 31 : 13: "Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep; for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you." Here, as in other passages, the expression "the children of Israel," embraces not only the Jews who believe in Jesus Christ, but also the Gentiles who exercise salutary faith in the Lord. For such the Sabbath is not only the sign by which they can know who is the true God, but also that the true God, the Creator of heaven and earth, sanctifies them. Now this can not be said of the descendants of Israel who know not by experience what sanctification is. Therefore those referred to as children of Israel are such as believe in Jesus Christ, outside of whom there is no sanctification for sinners. Our observance of the Sabbath is a sure means of determining to what point we are advanced in sanctification. It is God who sanctifies, and it is God also who gives us His grace to sanctify or observe the day of His rest, and the progress we make in the observance of this holy day.
Topical Method of Bible Study
By William S. Sadler
HOW TO ENJOY YOUR BIBLE. No. 5.
BY W. S. SADLER.
Topical Method of Bible Study.
THE topical method of Bible study means a study of the Bible by subjects. To engage in this method you will need the following books:
(1) Either Strong's or Young's Concordance; (2) Smith's Bible Dictionary; (3) some topical text-book, Johnson's for instance.
By this method of study, you will learn how to make your own Bible readings; how to prepare truth fresh from the Bible to teach to others. Take some subject such as Faith, Grace, Truth, Life, or Death and look them up in these reference books, getting all your scriptures together, arranging them, classifying them, rearranging them, grouping them, and regrouping them, and so after a few hours' study of this kind, you will have a splendid Bible reading, prepared on the subject in hand. Save it. Some time when you are re-studying that same subject, revise it, improve it, and thus preserve the fruits of your Bible studies. They will be useful to you some day when you wish to refer to them.
Let us take for instance, the subject of Death, and associated with death, would be "die," "dead," "grave," etc. Turning to our concordance, we gather an interesting collection of scriptures; then we can arrange into a Bible-reading. I will select some on the subject of death, and while space will not permit them to be quoted here, I will give references, and the reader can group them together into a Bible-reading.
Each Sabbath afternoon, as you take up your Bible to study, instead of reading it merely in a desultory sort of fashion, take pencil and paper, and dig out truth on some special subject. Here is a list of subjects that might be studied to great profit; and you can think of many more:
Conversion, Repentance, Justification, Forgiveness, Grace, Holy Spirit, End of the World, Angels, Prayer, the Overcomer, etc.
After having studied out one of these subjects in this way, it will be impressed upon your mind, so as always to be available for use when dealing with others, and unfolding the Bible to those who are searching for truth.
To do original study along this line, do not search for texts to prove merely points you already have in mind, but get together all you can in the Bible on that subject; then, by classifying, and arranging and studying them, you will learn new truths which the Bible teaches on that topic, and new views will come to you of the old truths. In this way you will be able to find out more and more what the Bible teaches.
THE SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE.
1. How much did Christ give up to redeem man?
"Ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; but with precious blood, as of a Lamb without blemish, and without spot, even the blood of Christ." 1 Peter 1:18, 19.
"But emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross." Phil. 2:7, 8.
2. What practical lesson do we draw from this?
"Because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow His steps." 1 Peter 2:21. NOTE.—As He sacrificed all for us, so should we be willing to lay all upon the altar of service.
3. What declaration does Christ Himself make upon this point?
"Whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he can not be My disciple." Luke 14:33.
4. What illustration does the Saviour give of the sacrifice necessary to win heaven?
"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a merchant seeking goodly pearls; and having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it." 13:44-46.
5. What example is recorded of the doing of this?
"When they had brought their boats to land, they left all, and followed Him." Luke 5:11.
6. What is Christ's promise to all who follow this example?
"Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for My sake, and for the Gospel's sake, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." Mark 10:29, 30.
THE WORK IN PORTUGAL.
By C. E. Rentfro
BY C. E. RENTFRO.
AS I go from place to place in this city (Lisbon) I am reminded of the scripture, Rev. 6:12: "And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake." Many marks of the great earthquake reveal the fact that the approaching "time of the end" was near in A. D. 1755. The tidal wave immediately following left its marks great distances from the River Tagus, up in the hills where the city is built. It is all the more remarkable, because the ocean is two or three miles from the main part of the city, which shipping approaches by way of the large river.
We are slowly making friends with the Portuguese, and English as well. Of the latter there are about a thousand living here. There are missionaries representing the Episcopalian, Scotch Presbyterian, Methodist, and Plymouth Brethren. They carry on school work among the people, and have quite a following. I was told that one mission was established in 1866, but such is the character of the people that it is not self-supporting yet. The people need as much training as the very heathen. I have had quite a number of interesting talks and Bible studies with the missionaries; some did not want anything to do with our ideas, while others were willing to talk, and listen to truth.
As showing the inharmony between them all on the Sabbath question, one says he is "not under the law;" another says the Sabbath is done away; another says one-seventh of time is sufficient, and if the majority kept Friday, he would. One noble Bible student, however, the minister of the Church of England, is not inoculated with "higher criticism," but reads the Bible as literal unless symbols are used; at such a time the Bible is its own dictionary. He also understands the two laws, saying the keeping of the moral law is a proof that we are God's children. For the latter I ask all the readers of the SIGNS to pray, that he may accept present truth.
The Young Men's Christian Association in Lisbon have a nice hall, and are carrying on services. They are continually increasing in numbers.
I may mention the heavy trade between Portugal and the United States, and their friendly relations with Great Britain as well. Just now there is a great desire in many Portuguese minds to learn English, and they are glad to have assistance. Taking all these things into consideration, I am convinced that right now more workers, who may be citizens of the United States of America or England, could do good work; and, while Protestants are not allowed to proselyte from the state religion, yet the moral backing these two countries may give will forestall trouble, while native workers are often hindered.
For example, a few weeks ago a colporteur selling Bibles was arrested, and saw the inside of a prison for five days; but he was turned loose without a trial, because they did not desire prominence given to the incident. If a citizen of the United States or England were arrested, he could demand a trial; and, as they know it would bring the persecution into prominence, they would be slow about carrying the law into effect just now. Of course we know that, sooner or later, such protection will not be afforded.
I have been told that about four or five years ago the Jesuits were dismissed from this territory; and they are hated by the Portuguese in general.
Our need now, I believe, is literature on the "second coming of Christ," the "signs," etc., to be published here; because a large duty is charged on literature in the national language published outside the country.
Another thing needed is workers. About one Protestant missionary to every 50,000 or 100,000 persons leaves a large field for more; and, as there is myself and wife to 5,000,000 people, too great a task to be accomplished in this generation, I believe God has laid the burden on some strong, faithful persons to come to our help, and to the help of a poor, blind people.
Elder L. R. Conradi will be here in a few days, and we hope to plan, with his counsel, so the cause may be furthered.
As so many Portuguese are desirous of learning English, this opens a field for almost self-supporting missionary work, so we will be glad to correspond with any who are called of God to help us.
Means for publishing tracts will be acceptable, if sent through the regular channels.
May God bless the world-wide field, and hasten the coming of the King. Remember this field in your prayers.
THE VOICE OF GOD IN PRINT.
By Delavan L. Pierson
PROBABLY no means has been so widely used to voice the call of God as has the PRINTED PAGE. The "Life of Brainerd" sent Henry Martyn and Samuel Marsden to the field. William Carey was aroused to see the condition of the heathen world by the reading of Cook's "Voyages," and Fuller's Tract convinced him of the duty of Christians to give them the Gospel. Hans Egede, the Moravian, was led to Greenland by reading chronicles of the lost colony of Eric the Red, and the "Memoirs of William Burns" turned John Kenneth McKenzie toward China.
The call to Dr. John Scudder, of India, came in the form of a little tract on "The Claims of Six Hundred Millions." The facts and arguments of this tract, which he picked up casually in visiting a patient, so burned into his soul that he gave up his growing medical practise in New York, and offered himself for Ceylon. The arguments of his friends failed to move him, tho he recognized the great opportunities of a Christian physician in a large city. He was keenly conscious of the duty which he owed to his wife, whom he had married, expecting to remain at home, and to the child that had been given them, but, in contrast to other claims, he saw the cross and the dying Saviour, who seemed to say: "If I, your Lord and Master, have suffered all this to save these poor benighted ones, will you hesitate to carry to them the glad tidings by which alone they can be saved?" To him there was no escape from such Divine logic, and on his knees he responded, "Lord, I go, since Thou hast commanded to preach the Gospel to every creature."
A somewhat unusual story, but one which contains no new principles of action, is that chain of circumstances and convictions which led Bishop Tucker to leave his artist's studio for the jungles of Africa. One day he was painting a picture of a poor woman thinly clad, and pressing a babe to her bosom, wandering homeless on a stormy winter night in the dark, deserted streets. The closed and bolted doors offer no haven of rest, and the faint flickers of light only serve to reveal her misery. As the picture grew, the artist suddenly threw down his brush, exclaiming, "Instead of merely painting the lost, I will go out and save them." He entered the ministry, worked in the London slums, and finally decided to go where the darkness was thickest and the condition of the lost most hopeless. Thus he became in time the successor of Hannington, the martyred Bishop of Uganda, and the leader in one of the most remarkable transformations the world has ever known.
The peculiar circumstance which turned Robert Moffat's heart toward Africa was the sight of a placard announcing a missionary meeting. The date had already passed, but he was in a thoughtful frame of mind, and the placard recalled stories which he had heard his mother tell. He determined to devote his life to the heathen, even tho he had to go to sea and be cast away on an island in order to do it.—Delavan L. Pierson.
METLAKAHTLA.
By Mrs. Willard
WHAT is it?—Metlakahtla is an Indian village of about eight hundred population, on a beautiful island in Alaska, about one hundred miles north of Fort Simpson. Within less than fifty years these Indians have been transformed from savage cannibals to refined, devoted, intelligent Christians, having a distinct Christian community, with nice, large, well-built homes, schools, manufacturing and fish-canning plants, street lamps, brass band, pianos, and a large, fine church, seating between seven hundred and one thousand. How was this change brought about?—It was the work of the Gospel, preached and lived by an English missionary, since 1857. He is an old man now, over seventy, but is still the active pastor13of the church, preaching twice on Sunday, conducting the children's Sunday-school and the midweek prayer-meeting, the spiritual and temporal adviser and counselor of his people, by whom he is revered and beloved with almost worshipful intensity. This community is attracting the attention of the civilized world. Much has been written about it lately. The name of the missionary is William Duncan. Do missions pay?—Mrs. Willard, in Christian News.
THE NINETY AND NINE.
By Paul Laurence Dunbar
Po' lil' brack sheep that strayed away,
Done los' in de wind an' de rain,
An' de Shepherd He say, "O hirelin',
Go fin' My sheep again."
An' the hirelin' say, "O Shepherd,
Dat sheep am brack and bad."
But de Shepherd He smile, like dat lil' brack sheep
Wuz de onliest lamb He had.
An' He say, "O hirelin', hasten,
For de win' an' de rain am cold,
An' that lil' brack sheep am lonesome
Out dere, so far f'um de fol'."
But de hirelin' frown, "O Shepherd,
Dat sheep am ol' an' gray;"
But de shepherd He smile, like dat lil' brack sheep
Wuz fair as de break ob day.
An' He say, "O hirelin', hasten,
Lo, here is de ninety an' nine,
But dere way off f'um de sheepfol',
Is dat lil' brack sheep o' Mine!"
An' de hirelin' frown, "O Shepherd,
De res' ob de sheep am here!"
But de shepherd He smile, like dat lil' brack sheep
He hol' it the mostes' dear.
An' de Shepherd go out in de darkness
Where de night was col' and bleak,
An' dat lil' brack sheep He fin' it,
An' lay it agains' His cheek.
An' de hirelin' frown, "O Shepherd,
Don' bring dat sheep to me!"
But de Shepherd He smile, an' He hol' it close,
An' dat lil' brack sheep—wuz—me!
—Paul Laurence Dunbar.
A BIBLE ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
A VETERAN of the Civil War writes to the Bible Society:
"Your appeal of March 8th for funds for the distribution of Testaments and Gospels to the wounded Japanese soldiers touches a tender place in my heart. Forty-two years ago I was a wounded soldier on the banks of the Mississippi near Vicksburg, in a damp and lonely tent all summer, a large part of the time delirious with gangrene. My only companion was the little Testament the Branch Bible Society at Quincy, Iowa, gave me, among the rest, as we marched away to war. How well I remember that little Testament! When my temples were throbbing with fever, and my wound was excruciatingly sore, I could then turn to the light, and read a few verses from the little Testament, and O, how it warmed my heart to know that Jesus died for me. There is no healing salve like the assurance of the Holy Spirit in the heart. Everybody said I must die, but here I am. I send you three hundred dollars to send Testaments or Gospels the speediest way to the wounded Japs."