THE COST OF LIVING IN RELATION TO MISSIONARY GIVING
It is admitted that in many foreign fields the cost of living is increasing, and the mission board is confronted with the problem of raising the increased sums necessary to keep in the field the laborers already there, to say nothing of the demand for more workers. The problem is all the more difficult because the cost of living in America is also on the increase, and the tendency is to decline in donations to the missionary cause. The secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, writing on this subject in the Missionary Review, says: “Our pastors are supposed to live as the middle class of their people do, but of late years, with the great rise in prices, they are living below the middle class.”
Poverty, and sometimes temptation, is the result of such straitened circumstances, not only in India, but elsewhere. Another instance mentioned is that of a Chinese pastor who was trying to support a wife and five children on five dollars a month. He is said to have greatly injured his influence by trying to supplement his scanty income by helping in law-suits. Referring to the difficulty of increasing the society’s funds, the secretary further says:—
Moreover, the average Christian worker and laborer in America is feeling the same strain himself. The so-called “era of prosperity” has given more steady employment to the mechanic and unskilled laborer, has given better markets to the producer, and has enormously increased the wealth of many who are already rich. But the men on fixed salaries, who form the bulk of our church membership, find that “prosperity” has greatly increased the cost of living without proportionately increasing salaries. Consequently, hundreds of thousands of American church-members are worse off than they were in “hard times.” Tables presented to the arbitration committee which investigated the grievances of the employees of the Union Traction Company in Chicago in 1902, showed that the price of thirty-seven necessary articles had gone up, and fifteen had decreased, while the street-car employees had worked for the same wages for sixteen years. The average advance in the cost of living was given thirty per cent in five years. Percentages vary in different localities, but after making all reasonable allowances, the fact remains that the expense of living in America has seriously increased. In such circumstances it is clearly out of the question for the Christians of the United States to meet these enlarged demands for the support of their own families, and in addition meet them for multitudes of Christians in Asia.
If, then, the problem of the increased cost of living in Asia can not be solved by increased gifts from America, what other solutions are possible? As an experienced missionary says: “To ask for more from America seems like a step backward; but to leave matters as they are, is to see our churches seriously crippled.”
But those who really love the coming of the Lord, and know that “this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations: and then shall the end come,” will not be discouraged by the outlook. They will continue to sound “to earth’s remotest bound” the proclamation, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.”
When the Babylonian exiles returned to rebuild Jerusalem, and to re-establish the worship of the true God in Palestine, they became very much discouraged because of hard times, and because of bitter opposition from their enemies. Then the rebuke of the Lord came upon them that caused the oppression of the people; but the plea of poverty was not accepted as an excuse for not going ahead with the building. Notwithstanding the hard times, the greatest obstacle in the way was personal sin, and a lack of faith in the Lord’s work. When these matters are rectified on the part of the people, the way will be opened for the means. “If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” And the widow’s mite, being all that she had, was recognized as more than all the gifts of the rich, who contributed of their abundance.
When the hearts of the people are given to the Lord, and they have done all that they can in a real spirit of sacrifice, the Lord will make the means to increase, even as did the bread and the fishes in the hands of the Saviour. The obstacles of hard times and increased expense of living may be overcome by faith just as any other test that may come to us. “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof,” and the cause of salvation is His. The commission to His people is itself an encouraging assurance of support: “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” What more assurance could any people ask?
OUR WORK AND WORKERS.
In the latter part of April, eight candidates were baptized at Oconto, Neb., by Brother L. E. Johnson.
In the Workers’ Bulletin we note that Brother J. A. Krafts reports the organization of a church of thirteen members at Dunlap, Iowa.
THE school work in the South is to be reinforced by the labors of Professors A. E. Sutherland and P. T. Magan, late of Berrien Springs, Mich.
BROTHER GEORGE B. THOMPSON, until recently president of Ontario Conference, has accepted a call to unite with the work in Washington, D. C.
THE European General Conference will be held at Friedensau, Germany, July 15-19, to be followed by the German Union Conference, July 20-25.
In the Nebraska Reporter, Brother L. Johnson mentions the baptism of eight persons at Newman Grove, in that state. Seven of the candidates were Swedes, and one a Norwegian.
BROTHER W. A. SPICER, of the Review and Herald editorial staff, and secretary of the General Conference, has been in attendance at the Northern California conference and camp-meeting held in this city. His preaching and counsel were very acceptable to the people.
At the annual meeting of the stockholders of Pacific Press Publishing Company, held June 7, the following board of directors was elected: W. T. Knox, C. H. Jones, E. A. Chapman, M. C. Wilcox, H. H. Hall, W. B. White, A. S. Kellogg. The new board was subsequently organized as follows: W. T. Knox, president; C. H. Jones, vice-president and general manager; E. A. Chapman, secretary and treasurer; J. J. Ireland, auditor.
A COMMENDABLE daily Camp-meeting Bulletin was issued by the South Dakota Conference during the camp-meeting at Canton. From the initial number we take this expression which should be passed along: “To many, a camp-meeting is simply an outing, a place of recreation and worldly pleasure, with a religious name. But God’s idea of a camp-meeting is as much different from this as heaven is higher than the earth. The great object of a camp-meeting, as of all religious meetings, is the salvation of souls. This should never be lost sight of during any period of the meeting, by either ministers or laity.”
FOLLOWING are the officers elected by the Northern California Conference at its recent session: A. S. Kellogg, president; J. S. Osborne, secretary; Pacific Press Publishing Company, treasurer; A. J. Bordeau, missionary secretary; B. F. Richards, superintendent of young people’s work; Mrs. C. R. King, secretary of Sabbath-school and young people’s work; S. C. Osborne, state canvassing agent. The following persons comprise the executive committee: A. S. Kellogg, D. T. Fero, T. J. Evans, M. E. Cady, B. F. Richards, W. T. Knox, H. H. Hall, J. W. Bagby, C. E. Leland.
BROTHER ARTHUR CURROW, who represents the medical missionary work in Fiji, writes to the mission board that he is thinking of renting treatment rooms in Suva. So far, his work has been giving treatments at the homes of those who have called upon him. If he takes treatment rooms, he will be able to treat more patients, and do the work in a more satisfactory manner. He will be assisted by Mrs. Currow, who is also a trained nurse, and who, because of the distance they live from Suva, can not assist much at present. Brother Currow says: “We have not been really idle one day since we began. Our prospects are bright, and our hope and confidence are in God.”
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INTRODUCTORY NOTE.—The division of the kingdom of Israel came about in this wise: Because Solomon had led the people into idolatry, the Lord had declared through the prophet Ahijah that He would rend ten tribes out of the hand of Solomon, and give them to Jeroboam, one of Solomon’s servants. 1 Kings 11:26-33. One tribe was to be left to Solomon because of the Lord’s oath to David regarding his seed. 2 Sam. 7:12-16; Ps. 132:11; Acts 2:29-31. Also for David’s sake, the kingdom was allowed to remain intact until Solomon’s death. But the Lord said He would take the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon’s son, and give ten tribes to Jeroboam. 1 Kings 11:34-39. When Solomon heard of this declaration through the prophet Ahijah, he sought to kill Jeroboam; but Jeroboam fled to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Solomon. Verse 40. After the death of his father, Rehoboam went to Shechem, where the people had gathered to crown him king. Here a delegation of the northern tribes, headed by Jeroboam, requested of him a promise that he would lighten the burden of taxes and imposed labor, which had been exacted by Solomon. Rehoboam asked for three days in which to answer. He first consulted the old men who had been with his father, and they advised that he grant the people’s request. Then he sought counsel of the young men of his own set, and they advised him not to yield to the people’s demand.
(12) “So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come to me again the third day. (13) And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, (14) and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. (15) So the king hearkened not unto the people; for it was a thing brought about of Jehovah, that He might establish His word, that Jehovah spake by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
(16) “And when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel! now see to thine own house, O David. So Israel departed unto their tents. (17) But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. (18) Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the men subject to task-work; and all Israel stoned him to death with stones. And king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. (19) So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. (20) And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was returned, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel; there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.”
Golden Text.—“Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Prov. 16:18.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) Who came to the king according to appointment? Verse 12. Note 1. (2) Then how did the king answer their petition? How had he regarded the counsel of the old men? Verse 13. Note 2. (3) Whose counsel did the king heed? What did he say of the yoke that he would place upon them? And what of the chastisements? Verse 14. Note 3. (4) What is further said of the king’s refusal to hearken unto the people? Verse 15. (See editorial article, “Brought about of Jehovah,” page 7.) (5) When the people saw that the king would not regard their welfare, what did they say to him? What cry did they then raise? Verse 16. Note 4. (6) What part of the kingdom remained loyal to Rehoboam? Verse 17. (7) What means did Rehoboam adopt in order to allay excitement of the people? How did the people meet this unwise action? Then what did the king do? Verse 18. Note 5. (8) How extensive was this rebellion? Verse 19. Note 6. (9) When the people throughout the country heard that Jeroboam was returned, what did they do? What tribe was the only exception? Verse 20.
NOTES.
1. “All the people” evidently means all the representatives of the people present at the convocation. No doubt it was a very large representation, one that would express the sentiment of the masses quite generally.
2. Rehoboam had a grand opportunity before him. Even Jeroboam, who had the promise of dominion over ten tribes, offered to yield allegiance to him if he would simply relieve the people of unjust service. Had Rehoboam been so disposed, he could have thus secured sufficient influence to have led them out of their idolatry. In such case the division of the kingdom might have been averted. But the king lost his golden opportunity by disregarding the counsel of the old men, whose sympathies were with the people.
3. The chastisement by scorpions instead of whips may have been merely an illustrative comparison of the treatment that the people might expect in lieu of what they had received under Solomon; but it may have had reference to literal means of enforcing labor. The compulsory labor, such as Solomon exacted of the people in aggrandizing Jerusalem, would not be performed willingly, and, no doubt, the lash was freely used to increase the amount of work performed. Rehoboam’s threat was that instead of whips in punishment of indolence or stubbornness, he would use “scorpions”—thongs thickly set with sharp iron points, commonly used in castigating slaves.
4. “What portion have we in David?”—What have we to do with the family of David, as represented in Rehoboam, or with Judah, David’s tribe? “To your tents, O Israel!” was an expression signifying to make ready for war.
5. The poor judgment of the young king was shown in sending Adoram, or Adoniram, to induce the people to remain loyal. He was the man who had been in charge of the enforced labor, of which the people complained, and was the very last man who would be likely to have any conciliating influence. Besides, it is more than probable that Adoram attempted to use his authority as taskmaster in compelling submission to the king. With all of Solomon’s wisdom it would seem that very little of it had fallen to the lot of his only son. This, however, is easily accounted for. The young man had evidently been brought up under the influence of his mother, Naamah, who was an Ammonite princess, and a worshiper of Moloch.
6. “Unto this day” means unto the day the record was written. But, as a matter of fact, the breach never was healed as between the two people. However, the Gospel has united those individuals of the two parties who have given themselves to Christ. It is only in Him that Israel can be united, and in Him all the true Israel—the spiritual seed—will be united in the coming kingdom. “Unto Him shall the obedience [‘gathering,’ A. V.] of the people be.” Gen. 49:10. “And so all Israel shall be saved.” Rom. 11:26.
THE SABBATH SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL SERIES
LESSON I.—PROPHETIC OUTLINE OF THE CHURCH TILL THE END.
(Study for Sabbath, July 2.)
General Note.—Under the symbols of a great red dragon, a leopard beast, and a beast with lamb-like horns, are represented the powers especially engaged in warfare against God's people. Their war is carried forward till the close of time, till only a remnant are left. That we live in the time when the final struggle is to take place, and the remnant be developed, and the long-drawn-out controversy is to be finished, makes these studies of special interest. Note throughout these studies that out of the darkest hour in the history of the world, there will be a glorious deliverance of the remnant. Then before us is spread out in panoramic view Paradise restored, and the weary, worn, and faithful children of the Most High, of every age and clime, safe at home in the earth made new.
QUESTIONS.
1. What did the revelator behold in heaven? With what was the woman clothed? What was under her feet? What was upon her head? Rev. 12:1. Of what is a woman a symbol? Jer. 6:2.
8. Through the victory of Christ, what is made possible for His people? Rev. 12:11.
9. Having failed to overcome Christ, against what did Satan especially direct his hatred? Verse 13.
10. What experience came to the church? Verse 15.
11. During what period of time was the church in its wilderness experience? Rev. 12:6, 14.
12. Who helped the church? How was this done? Rev. 12:16.
13. Will Satan continue his warfare till the end? What is a remnant? How will it be distinguished? Verse 17.
14. How is the “testimony of Jesus” defined? Rev. 19:10.
15. If the last days are here, must not the remnant church be here also?
16. Does Satan know when the end is near? Rev. 12:12. Do you know that the end is near?
17. What is one way that Satan attacks the church? Rev. 12:10.
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THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES
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THE RETURN OF THE JEWS
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THE GREAT THREE-FOLD MESSAGE
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MARSHALING OF THE NATIONS
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