Earlier text: The First Number of The Protestant MagazineQuestions Regarding Tithing
By F. M. W.
SINCE the publication of our article, “The Test of Faith,” in the REVIEW of March 25, several inquiries have been received regarding the question of tithing. For the benefit of any who may be perplexed over some of the points involved, we consider them here:— 1. Should the tithe be paid on the income or on the increase? The true income and the increase are the same. It would not be expected that one would pay tithe on his gross receipts. From them would first be deducted the money expended whereby the increase became possible. All income, either in money or its equivalent in the products of business or labor, which one uses or may rightly use for himself or family in providing physical or temporal benefits, such as food, raiment, homemaking, education, pleasure, etc., constitutes the income on which the tithe should be paid. 2. On what should a canvasser pay tithe who works on a fifty-per-cent basis, on the gross receipts from his deliveries, or on the profits of his deliveries? On the gross receipts, less the amount which he pays for his books, together with freight, cartage, etc. If he paid one hundred dollars for a bill of books, five dollars for freight, two dollars for cartage, and received for the books two hundred dollars, ninety-three dollars would constitute his true income, and his tithe would be paid on this amount. 3. What amount of tithe should be paid by a manufacturer whose operating expenses, including cost of labor, material, etc., is twelve thousand dollars a year, and whose gross receipts are thirteen thousand dollars a year? One thousand dollars would be this man's true income, and on this amount tithe should be paid.7 4. What amount should be tithed by a farmer whose gross receipts are fifteen hundred dollars? He pays five hundred dollars for wages to hired help; two hundred dollars for fertilizer; fifty dollars for seed; two hundred dollars for cartage and commission to selling agents. This farmer's expense of operation amounts to nine hundred fifty dollars. This would leave five hundred fifty dollars as his net income, and on this amount he should pay tithe. In this answer the matter of house rent is left an open question. 5. Should one operating a farm or hennery pay tithe on the farm produce or eggs used on his family table? He should, most certainly. This is a part of his living, of his true income, and should be tithed at its value in money. 6. Should one who works for fifty dollars a month, including room and board, pay tithe alone on the fifty dollars, or include also the worth of his room and board? He should do the latter. Even though he does not actually pay out cash for his room and board, it is a valuable consideration, an income to him of real worth. It forms a part of his living, and as such he should compute its value at a reasonable price, and tithe the amount the same as the money he receives. 7. Should one pay tithe on his income when he is in debt? The tithe of man's income is not his own; it belongs to God. It would be manifestly wrong for him to steal from one of his fellows in order to pay an obligation to another. It could not, therefore, be right for him to take from God in order to pay therewith a debt to his fellow man. No rule can be given which will cover every detail of human experience. These questions and answers will illustrate the application of the principle involved in the subject of tithing. Each individual must apply the principle in his own affairs and to the particular circumstances of his own experience. He who is inclined to be stingy with God, will always be able to discover some subterfuge by which he may avoid the discharge of his obligations. On the other hand, when one views this question from the standpoint of privilege and blessing rather than from that of stern duty, it is surprising to see how difficult questions adjust themselves. He who considers the manifold mercies of God, and whose study is to see how much he can render God in return, will have little difficulty in correctly determining every question which may arise. God will guide him by his Spirit in this as in every other Christian duty, and teach him how to walk before the Lord with a perfect heart. Catholic Freedom of the Press
THE kind of freedom Americans may expect when the Roman Church accomplishes its purpose of making America Catholic is illustrated in the following episode: There are three Catholic papers published in Boston. One of these is the Pilot, recently purchased by the new Archbishop of Boston, Dr. O’Connell. The second is owned and edited by Jesuit priests, and the third by Catholic laymen. The new archbishop evidently purposed from the very start, to make the Pilot the leading paper in his diocese, and in furtherance of this purpose addressed his priests, in synod, as follows:— Therefore, here in synod, I desire solemnly to publish that the duty of every priest of this diocese to maintain, assist, and spread the influence, helpfulness, and support of the Pilot is one binding in conscience, and that neglect to do so after this solemn and legal warning will be accepted and interpreted as a flagrant neglect of duty. They may support other papers if they wish; but support his they must under pain of the penalty that follows “a flagrant neglect of duty.” Then speaking of the other Catholic papers that were competing with his for the patronage of the Catholic people of that diocese, he said:— There is one, and only one, official organ of the diocese. All other papers, magazines, journals, reviews, and calendars, whether for parochial or general distribution, on sale in any way, controlled, printed, or edited in this diocese by priests of this diocese, must have before further publication under penalty of suppression the written permit of the archbishop, with the added understanding that all such printed matter is subject to all the conditions imposed by the laws of the Holy Office, and that for good and sufficient reason the Ordinary may at any time call for the discontinuance and suppression of such papers and calendars. Here is a government within the government, which says who may and who shall not print a paper, and what that paper may contain and what it shall not contain. To carry out his purpose, the archbishop declares his intention of setting up the “holy office” (the Inquisition), and making amenable to its laws any who dare to exercise the freedom this nation guarantees them in the matter of carrying on a legitimate business. The government of the United States has reserved to itself the right to suppress publications of a certain class, such as publications that tend to incite incendiarism, murder, or immorality; but here is an organization that assumes to itself the right to abolish the legitimate business of individuals for no such reason; and it lays upon those suppressed the duty of yielding to the suppression as a matter of “conscience;” for each such suppression builds up the Pilot, and the duty of supporting the Pilot “is one binding in conscience.” The requirement of securing the permission of a Catholic archbishop before publishing a paper was never contemplated in the American government’s guaranty of citizen rights. THE following statement, credited to Dr. Russell, is appearing in some of the religious journals. It will do no harm for Adventists to apply the test Dr. Russell suggests:— The tithe law of the Old Testament is simply a thermometer to be put under the tongue of the New Testament Christian to see whether he be in grace or not. If the mercury does not measure up to the tithe mark, he is not in grace, but in disgrace. IN view of all that is said in the Word of God relative to the second coming of Christ, it ought not to be considered a strange thing that a company of ministers should find the topic an interesting study. However, the St. Louis Globe-Democrat of April 6, gives considerable space to a ministers' meeting in that city, at which the second coming of Christ was the theme of discussion. The report states that although the ministers held varying views, all agreed that the matter was very interesting. There were some who voiced the fear that if missionaries gave much attention to the doctrine and its teaching, there would be a slackening of missionary endeavor. It seems indeed strange that such religious teachers should not have learned from the Master's own declaration that the work of the missionary is to prepare the way for that very event. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14. There is no better business for the messengers of the King than preaching the gospel of the kingdom soon to come. It would be an anomaly indeed if it should prove that the Master had left a work for his ministers to do which would interfere with missionary work on the part of those who engage in it. A good testimony upon this point was given by Dr. Taylor during the discussion. On the request of some one, he had begun looking up matter on the subject of the second coming of Christ, with a view to preaching a sermon upon it. He confessed having found the subject so fascinating that instead of one sermon, he had preached a series of eleven sermons upon that topic. He declared it to have been a coincidence that from that time a deeper spiritual interest began in his church, which still continued. But such a development was only a natural result of such preaching. In Him Secure
By WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN
What varied feelings stir our breast
Betwixt the hours of morn and eve!
Like fickle phantoms they possess
The balm to soothe or bane to grieve. Grim doubt assails us, and we fain
Would e'en deny our hope of heaven,
While our arch-enemy again
With taunts declares such solace riven. O joy that in our Father's love
He weighed this weak humanity!
Our heart is fixed on things above
Despite all Satan's subtilty. And feelings rife, temptations sore,
Can ne'er disturb our Rock for aye.
He is my Saviour evermore,
And will be with his own alway. What though the tempter should assert,
“Thy feelings can not claim thy King!”
Christ's power will never me desert
Since I accept his offering. O Christ, thou knowest all our frame,
Thou, too, wast tempted like as we,
None else can sympathize the same,
Nor understand our moods like thee. Instruction to Ministers
By Ellen G. White
A great warfare is before God’s servants in the closing work of this earth’s history. The God of heaven is soon, very soon, to set up his kingdom,—a kingdom which shall never be destroyed. Every worker is to be an earnest, valiant soldier, fighting under the banner of Prince Emmanuel. Mighty victories are to be gained by the people who bear the banner of truth. We are slow to realize what will be the results of a faithful presentation of the message of the third angel. When they are obedient to the word, when self is hid with Christ in God, and they labor with God’s glory alone in view, ministers of Christ will accomplish a work as wonderful as it is far-reaching. Because some can readily pray and exhort, and seem to have a knowledge of the theory of the truth for this time, it has been taken for granted that these were called by God to the work of the ministry. But these are no special evidences that one has been chosen by God to teach the truth. Men may be able to pray and to preach fluently, they may have a theoretical knowledge of truth, but unless their hearts have been sanctified through obedience to the principles of the truth, they can not exert a saving influence or build up souls in the faith. I was shown two classes of men. One class thought themselves competent for the work of the gospel field, and were urging themselves forward in it; but their lives did not reveal a growing Christianity. They had not a high sense of the sacredness of eternal things, and in their lives there were no special marks of devotion. They did not reveal a depth of experience in the things of God. Then I was shown another class whom God was preparing to labor for the salvation of souls. What a contrast there was between this and the first company! These were unassuming men. They did not seek to bring themselves into notice, or to exalt self, but they exalted Christ. By their modest deportment they adorned the truth they professed. They possessed refinement, good judgment, sound minds. They had elevated ideas of sacred things, and a high sense of the sacredness of the work. The language of their heart was, Who is sufficient for these things? Some of this latter class were advanced in their preparation for the work of teaching the truth; others needed a deeper experience than they had yet obtained. These I was shown should not be urged to take upon themselves responsibilities in the work of ministry yet. God would lead them, giving them the experience they needed for successful work. Those with whom the Lord is working, and whom he has called to positions of trust in his cause, will possess wisdom and sanctified judgment. God does not lay the burden of his work upon those who do not honor him in their private lives. Some who do not know the grace of Christ may take upon themselves the responsibility of dealing with minds; but God has not laid this work upon them. I have been shown that there is danger that those who are not wise in the management of their temporal affairs, may not be wise in the management of sacred interests. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” Some there are who do not manage wisely their temporal affairs; but instead of charging their failures in this respect to unfaithfulness and slackness, they deceive themselves into believing that the Lord has not prospered them in their worldly business because he has called them to preach. They allow this idea to influence their actions, and instead of seeking to overcome their failings, accepting counsel and instruction from those who have had experience, they give up to discouragement and defeat. Men may think that they are doing an excellent work; but if their work is done to exalt self and to divert the attention of the people to the human agency, it will become a snare. We may preach the gospel, we may visit the sick, and help the poor; we may go through the entire range of Christian activities, and yet never live as in the presence of God, because our work is such as to eclipse Christ and glorify self. I would plead with our workers to watch unto prayer, lest they fall under the deceptive arts of Satan. Watch, watch, lest the enemy obtain a hold upon your souls. Satan is playing the game of life for every soul, and those who are unguarded will be caught in his snares. These may be men in official positions; they may be ministers of the gospel. They may be physicians in our sanitariums who have not a true sense of their responsibilities, and who are letting precious opportunities slip by unimproved, by which they might speak a word in season to needy souls. I speak to the men in responsible positions, warning you of the dangers of negligence. Bear in mind that Satan is playing the game of life for your souls. He is working through agencies that you little suspect. Holy and perfect trust in the Lord is your only safeguard. Ministers of the gospel, the enemy is watching for your souls. Some will fall suddenly who have long been tested and tried, but who are unprepared to close up their earthly account with joy. Let our ministering brethren keep their souls guardedly. Those who claim to be children of God should keep the heart with all diligence, guarding every point of attack, lest Satan take us unawares. Temptations will come to every soul. “Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; but Christ as a son over his own house, whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness . . .) take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To-day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.” The Lord has made some remarkable revelations regarding the experiences his people will pass through, and we have reason to wonder that we have thus far been so well protected from the plottings of the enemy, and that his schemes against us have, to such a large degree, been unsuccessful. Let us gather to our souls the sure encouragements the Lord has given, and read often the precious promises of his Word. Christ is our Mediator and our Redeemer. We are given a special message to bear in times of depression and discouragement: “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God9will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water.” I ask you to read the whole of this thirty-fifth chapter of Isaiah, with the fifty-sixth chapter. When you are disappointed because of the spiritual lack you see in the churches and in individuals, read these promising words of inspiration. They are given for the encouragement of our churches, and are to be claimed in times of emergency. When you meet with those who are not willing to be helped and strengthened, do not allow yourselves to become discouraged; when you find halting and disaffection among the believers, let your faith in God be strong. I have been shown that evil angels in the form of believers will work in our ranks to bring in a strong spirit of unbelief. Let not even this discourage you; but bring a true heart to the help of the Lord against the powers of satanic agencies. It is time now that every soul who has a knowledge of present truth come into line and renew his consecration to God. We are to come up to a much higher standard. Let us make the Word of God our strong testimony. We are to learn to lean upon his sure promise, and be ready to communicate encouragement to others. Let us take hold of the mighty assurances that God has given us in Christ and in his Word, and endeavor daily to carry on the work that the Redeemer undertook in behalf of humanity. The Image of the Beast
By George I. Butler
In our investigation of the third angel’s message, we considered briefly the prophecy of the two-horned beast of Revelation 13. Every specification concerning its rise has been met, as shown by the facts of history, in the government of the United States of America up to this point, “He shall speak as a dragon.” Its lamblike horns, symbolizing civil and ecclesiastical power, with their appearance of youth and innocency, fitly symbolized the principles of this government. Government by the people; the equality of all men before the law—all men having equal rights; the institution of governments among men to preserve those rights; the Bible, and the Bible alone, the foundation of Protestantism; all men having a right to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences—none other having the right to interfere so long as his rights were not violated; no union of church and state,—surely these doctrines are full of lamblike innocency, and excellent purity. Yet the prophecy goes on to say: “And he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast with before him [or “in his sight;” American Revised Version, that is, in his presence], and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast, saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by the sword, and did live.” Rev. 13:11-14. Surely, here is a career marked out quite different from the innocent and lamblike professions made by this government at its commencement. The American government in its earlier days of comparative purity has been the best on earth. The rights of man have been more respected; greater liberty and freedom have been enjoyed; religious liberty in larger degree has existed; multitudes from foreign lands have poured in to enjoy the liberty here permitted. The people of Oriental lands, who for ages have slept on in the darkness of heathenism, wishing to be let alone, have at last learned of the blessings of freedom, and now greatly wish to emigrate to this country and enjoy its blessings. In the memory of many, Japan isolated herself from all the world. But Commodore Perry, an American officer, opened the door, and now, lighting its lamps from his torch, Japan sends her youth to America to learn civilization and liberty, religion and human rights. The influence of America is world-wide. No nation equals its progress, growth, wealth, and blessings. It is eminently fitting that this last-day power should be noted in prophecy as a remarkable, yea, wonderful nation. The glorious principles of Protestantism have here had their greatest development. In the Old World there are, to be sure, great Protestant nations. But they have been hampered by church and state influences, which have hindered their full development. Here the consciences of men have been freer to act and develop in the principles of greater liberty. Here we have had a “church without a pope, and a state without a king.” Here the greatest, most influential religious systems of mankind had in a sense their local habitat. Earlier Rome, as a universal kingdom, was pagan; later Rome, papal; and in a higher, more fully developed sense than elsewhere, the United States was and is Protestant. Catholics, to be sure, are plentiful in the United States, and are shrewdly hiding their designs of capturing this nation, and placing it in the papal column. But as yet they have not fully succeeded. Though they are more numerous than any one Protestant church, and are making greater progress than any other one of the orthodox churches, yet in this country, Protestantism as a whole, including all its denominations, is still in the ascendant. How long this will remain so is problematical. Influences are at work, and quite fully developing, which threaten great danger to Protestantism as a living, powerful factor in elevating and influencing for good the well-being of mankind. How gratifying it would be if the facts would justify us in concluding that Protestantism as a whole is to triumph gloriously, and that the great Reformation, begun by Luther, will end in discarding every fragment of papal apostasy and meet the mind of God. But the facts will not warrant such a conclusion. They tell a very different story. They demonstrate that the great Protestant organizations are fast letting go of the principles of the Protestant Reformation, that as bodies they are making overtures to the papacy and reaching forth their hands across the gulf that separates them, and becoming more in sympathy and union with Catholicism than ever before since Luther’s time. This condition is fully manifest in the quotation made from the prophecy, “He shall speak as a dragon.” The dragon spirit is a persecuting spirit; it manifests itself in an unwillingness to grant the enjoyment of equal rights to all. That spirit originated with the fallen angel. There is nothing Christlike about it. The papacy above every other power on earth has manifested it. The state churches—the so-called Protestant churches, where secular power has been in their hands—have manifested it in a degree; the Puritans in New England persecuted the Quakers, and Baptists, and others; and in recent years the popular Protestant churches, through Sunday laws, have oppressed Seventh-day Adventists in various instances. More than one hundred instances have occurred where members of this church have been thrown into jail or worked in chain-gangs; and in several instances men have died because of such imprisonment in insanitary confinement. Determined efforts are being made to secure more and more severe Sunday laws, till they shall have power to put down by the strong hand of the law even the most conscientious people who keep the seventh day and claim the right to work six days in every week. The limits of this article forbid that we should enter into a lengthy examination of what is occurring in the religious bodies in our own country in the direction of connecting politics and religion and bringing about a condition of affairs where the churches can enforce so-called religious institutions by law. Zealous men of ability and prominence are diligently working in this direction. The change of the United States Constitution by an amendment recognizing God in that great document, thus giving a religious cast to that instrument, is one proposed plan. This is a very plausible idea with many religious people. Strenuous efforts are being made every year to get Congress to enact Sunday laws for the District of Columbia, thus securing the United States’ indorsement of the first day of the week as the national sabbath wherever the federal10government controls. The recent movement for the federation of all the so-called Protestant churches, is a striking evidence of the trend of the current in the direction indicated by the prophecy of an image to the beast power. An image is a representation or likeness of something, either in form or in character. An image to the Catholic power would be a combination to enforce religious dogmas by the power of the state. This combination is now almost completed; and how stealthily has it all been accomplished! how plausible the professions! how successful the efforts already put forth! Seventh-day Adventists are the only people who really discern what all these movements mean. They know it because they are following carefully “the sure word of prophecy,” which is a light shining in a dark place till the day dawn. This people are doing more than all other people together to hold in check these influences as far as possible. This subject will be more fully discussed later on. Two Kinds of Doubters
By C. H. DRYER
The Bible brings to view two classes of doubters. One class throw away their faith, give up all, and go to ruin; while the other accept evidence, receive correction, and come off victorious. To the first class belong such men as King Saul and Judas Iscariot, who, failing to realize their expectations, gave themselves up to the control of the enemy. There is another class of doubters who are even more numerous, and especially in these days. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, in Moses’s time; Absalom, Ahithophel, and others in David’s time; and Joab and Abiathar in Solomon’s time, all furnish examples of a class of doubters. Their history is “written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” Some of these men apostatized early in life, when the cause was young; others, as Joab and Abiathar, stayed by it even through troublous times, and then in old age turned traitors, and went to ruin. Many years ago the spirit of prophecy warned this people that a shaking, or sifting, time would come, in which many a bright light would go out in obscurity. To-day we are seeing that prophecy fulfilled. Ministers and laymen, once bright lights and teachers in Israel, are turned to the enemy, and are opposing the work and cause they formerly loved and served; and the end is not yet. A lesson may be learned from the experience of Thomas. He wanted proof. The Lord mercifully gave him the required evidence, but added, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” John the Baptist, of whom Jesus said, “Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist,” in a terrible crisis, imprisoned and forsaken, deprived of all privileges and his work cut short. Under these trials his faith trembled, and for the moment doubts came in; but notice this: he did not begin to oppose the work of Christ; he did not show a fighting spirit, and try to tear down the work; he did not circulate evil reports, and claim that all was going wrong. Only a little while before, John the Baptist had baptized Christ, and pointed him out as the Lamb of God. John had borne witness: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” He had rejoiced in seeing Christ’s work move forward even when his own work was decreasing; and yet under a terrible pressure he doubted. Notice the course he pursued: He sends disciples to Jesus, and asks, “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” This was a fair way to do business, and to settle any question. There was nothing underhanded or calculated to undermine the work in this way of doing things. Christ’s answer and manner of dealing with John’s doubts are indeed worthy of our careful attention. He did not attempt to explain all about himself, and to present arguments, as he might have done, from the Old Testament scriptures and prophecies. He simply said, “Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see.” John had already heard of Christ’s works; yet Jesus continued: Tell him how “the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached unto them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” And so far as the record goes, we have every reason to conclude that John was not offended, and that he accepted the evidence which Christ gave him of his work. Christ says, Tell John how the work is going, that the blessings of Heaven are attending it; and John had the right spirit, and was convinced. If the unsettled and doubting ones in these days would act wisely, they would go directly to God with their doubts, and, asking for light and deliverance, they would receive according to their faith and needs. But many present-day doubters write to some other unsettled soul, and shortly a regular correspondence is carried on; later visits are made, and thus the doubting one is helped into the darkness; and “how great is that darkness!” Truly we have reached the time when the love of many is waxing cold because of prevailing iniquity. But there will be a remnant company who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. This remnant church comes in contact with the powers of earth, the beast and his image, and gains the victory. They are seen on the sea of glass, and sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. This unpopular message, starting in poverty and obscurity, without friends or earthly support, has moved forward successfully, doubling in membership in nearly every decade, with all lines of work increasing, until to-day it is encircling the earth. If this unpopular message were of men, it would have long ago come to naught. But heaven is back of it, and its blessings are attending it. And when we consider the situation, compare statistics, and see the growth of the cause, we are made to realize that we can no longer fully comprehend the magnitude of the work. Our schools are nearly all full. Our publishing houses are crowded with work. The canvassing work is rapidly growing. The periodical work is greatly increasing, and the membership, tithes, and offerings in conferences and mission fields are steadily advancing, and unity and harmony prevail generally throughout our ranks. If the ones who are opposing all organization had the spirit of John the Baptist,—“He must increase, but I must decrease,”—if they were children in malice, there would be no unkind feelings harbored; for children quarrel and fall out with one another, and in a few minutes are playing again as though nothing unpleasant had happened. Let us become as little children in the exercise of forgiveness, and let not the sun go down upon our wrath; then we shall no longer hold grudges, and fall out by the way. Let us take our eyes off from men, and view the work from Heaven’s way of measuring success, and not allow the human to eclipse our view of the divine. As in Paul’s day, even so now men are arising, “speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” But “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 2 Chron. 16:9. “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” TIME for thinking out a right course is just as much needed as time for following that course. A little boy who, not unlike grown folks, had been thoughtlessly making trouble for other people, was taken to task for his doings, and was in a melting mood, having been urged to think more about what he would do. “I wonder,” said he, in the wisdom of his six years, “when I am going to get time to think about this. I guess I’ll think about what I’ll do in school at breakfast time. Then at recess I’ll think about what I’ll do at home in the afternoon.” And the boy went to bed and to sleep. In the early morning he crept into his father’s bed, saying, softly, “Father, I’ve been thinking about that,—you know!” The father did know. He was not surprised, when night came again, to find that the little boy had had a better day. And thinking-time is needed by the man and woman and little child alike.—Sunday School Times. When Mother's Gone
By George Birdseye
OUR home is in a hush profound,
Each room the shadows fill;
How can the household wheels go round
When her worn hands are still?
A happiness from life has passed
That nevermore can be;
We've lost our first friend, and the last
That e'er can love as she. Her labor was a pleasure she
In life ne'er wearied of;
And meanest, homely drudgery
Was all refined by love.
She always made the house look fair,
No murmurs marred her cheer;
She ever smiled a welcome there
When outer skies were drear. Already all around us bears
An unfamiliar guise;
For it, alas! no longer wears
The love-light of her eyes.
Our lives have changed; darkness of woe
Has dimmed its shining grace;
For no one shall we ever know
To take a mother's place. Nursing Sick Children
By Mrs. A. W. Semmens
Most children who are sick turn to mother. And she really is the one who should care for her little one. But it often happens that a serious illness comes upon a child, and the mother can not take the full responsibility. Her love for the child can not help her own bodily weakness, so some one stronger in body is called to her aid. It is to these I wish to write. First of all, never undertake to nurse a sick child if you do not love little children. Love them; have patience, gentleness, firmness, cheerfulness, an inexhaustible good temper, sympathy with their little ways, power to understand and read their wants, and good health to be able to stand a strain. No one can judge us so well as the children; they read our characters quicker than adults. Children will like or dislike us as they find out what we are. So let us develop character that can stand the test of their criticism. See that your wee patient is in a bright room, if possible. A cot or single bed is the best. If he is a nervous child, draw the bed beside yours (if you are able to rest). If necessary, take the little hand in yours till the child is soothed to sleep. Never leave anything within reach that can do the little patient harm. If he is prescribed a certain quantity to drink, never give him more in the glass than he should take. Keep him fresh and clean always. If through long illness the child has been spoiled by the mother, then she will do her child a kindness by keeping away from him all she can while he is with the nurse. This is undoubtedly a hard task to set a mother; but the greater heartbreak would be to see her child die because the nurse could not control him, and she herself was too weary. Somehow, till a child learns to know the doctor, he is always suspicious of what may be done, so the nurse must be the go-between. The doctor must examine the child, and, if he is afraid, the nurse must use tact. Get everything ready before the child knows of the examination, and let him feel that you will stand by him whatever comes. Take his clothes off and throw a sheet or blanket round him. Make the examinations seem as though the doctor were there for the child's special entertainment. Always deal with a child truthfully. If the examination or treatment is going to hurt him, tell him so. If he is to take disagreeable medicine, do not say it is nice, or that you like it. Appeal to his heroism, and nine cases out of ten it will work well. Do not force a child till every other means has been used. If you deceive a child once, he will never have perfect confidence. If a bath has been ordered, and the child shrinks from water, make it the right temperature, cover with a sheet or blanket, and let the little one down gently into the water. The bath will thus be robbed of its horror. If ordered a very hot bath, raise the temperature of the water after the child has been put into it. This can be done almost unknown to the little one by adding very hot water gently and stirring the bath all the while. Hot foments and packs, often so necessary, can be given in such a manner that the child does not mind after a little while. The skin of a child is delicate and can not bear great heat, so try it on your face first, and if you can bear it yourself, the child usually can. Often by slipping a towel over the affected part you can give the hot fomentations without the child's minding so much. While the little patient is in a critical condition, there is seldom much trouble. It is when the danger is past, and he is getting better, that he needs so much attention. He does not like to be left a minute, and all the care bestowed upon him during the severe illness is missed, for he does not like falling back into his old ways. If in her anxiety the nurse has pampered him, it will tax her to the utmost to know how to entertain him during convalescence. Most children like stories, so tell him such as will not excite him. Play with him; make yourself a child with him. If you do your duty to a child through a serious illness, and let him see how much love you have put into your work, your anxiety will be rewarded by the perfect confidence of at least one child.— Mrs. A. W. Semmens, in Australasian Good Health.