Your ShelfYour Projects

Review and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 6.

Publishers’ Page
Earlier text: Brethren, Pray for Us

The Better Way

By F. I. Richardson

F. I. RICHARDSON
THAT the greatest and most solemn message ever sent by God to fallen man, is going at the present time, is acknowledged by all who have investigated it. Schools, colleges, sanitariums, etc., have been established by those interested in this great work, to aid in warning the people of the world of the crisis that is upon them. To erect buildings and to maintain the workers for carrying on the various branches of the work, has required the outlay of large sums of money. In order to advance the work more rapidly, money has been borrowed. To such an extent has this borrowing policy been adopted that nearly all our institutions, and many of our conferences, are heavily in debt. Those who have them in charge are many times brought into much embarrassment, and even discouragement, because of the debts pressing upon them. Some havesaid they could hardly bring their minds to dwell upon spiritual things, so burdened and harassed were they in devising ways and means to pay the debts and keep the institutions running. To remedy these conditions, some have advocated borrowing money on long time, with the idea that Christ will come before it is due, and it would then never have to be paid.
The question has arisen in the minds of many, Is this the right policy to pursue? Does the Lord advise his people to adopt this plan to carry on his work? Let us turn to his sacred Word, and read: “Owe no man anything.” said Rom. 13:8. It seems as if this text is broad enough to settle the question forever about incurring debt; but for the sake of emphasis we will give additional evidence. “Thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow.” Deut. 15:6. All the silver and the gold is the Lord’s (Haggai 2:8); “the cattle upon a thousand hills,” “the world and the fulness thereof.” Ps. 50:10-12. This being so, is there any excuse for God’s people to borrow money to carry on his work, and, above all, to obtain money on such long credit that Christ will come before it is due? The Lord says, “the wicked borroweth, and payeth not again.” Ps. 37:21.
The borrower becomes a servant to the lender. Prov. 22:7. How many poor, debt-burdened souls can testify to the truthfulness of these words. Debt has made many an otherwise noble man a coward, by causing him to hide when his creditor was coming. And when he could not avoid the creditor, he has been driven to stretch the truth, nearly if not quite to breaking, in presenting excuses for not paying the debt, and to obtain extension of time. A still more lamentable feature is expressed in the saying that if you wish to kill a man spiritually, place him in debt. The same is true of a church, a tract society, or any other religious organization. This is not the Lord’s wish for his people. He intends they shall be the head, and not the tail. Deut. 28:13. See also Deut. 26:17-19.
So particular is the Lord that his people shall not become involved in any way, that he forbids them even to become security for the debts of others. Prov. 22:26.
Let us now turn a moment to “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 216, which says: “We should shun debt as we should shun the leprosy.” Like the text first quoted, it would seem that this statement is explicit enough to satisfy the most orthodox; for all connection with lepers is forbidden throughout the Bible.
“The very highest kind of education that could be given is to shun the incurring of debt as you would shun disease. . . . For Christ’s sake, as the chosen people of God, call yourselves to task, and inaugurate a sound financial system in our schools.” — “Id., page 211.
“If our educational work had been carried on in accordance with the instruction given for our guidance, the dark shadow of debt would not to-day be hanging over our institutions.” — Id., page 216. What are the instructions? — “Thou shalt not borrow.”
But you say, the Testimonies do teach that we may borrow. On what conditions would the Lord permit his people to borrow, after uttering such strong language against it? The writer can think of but one. It is illustrated in the case of Balaam. Balak, king of the Moabites, sent messengers with rewards to Balaam to prevail upon him to come and curse the Israelites. Balaam asked the Lord if he should go, and the Lord said he should not. Balak sent again more honorable men and greater rewards; Balaam inquired of God the second time, and God said, Go. Is it possible that God had changed his mind in those few days without any recorded reason for so doing? — We could hardly think so. Then why did the Lord tell him to go? The answer seems to be, Balaam desired to go, and the Lord let him have his wish. God will never compel any man to obey him. So in this case; some, losing sight of God’s emphatic words, desired to borrow money to hasten the message, and God through his servant, says to them, Borrow. What was Balaam’s experience? — Troubles, bruises, failures, and finally death at the hands of the enemies of God. Ever since this credit system has been adopted, trouble and losses have been the experiences of our people. If Balaam had heeded God’s first answer and remained true to it, what a different record he would have had. Let us be warned by his experience, and retrace our steps before it shall be forever too late.
In the foregoing is involved also the principle that it is not right for any man, or set of men, because of the position they may occupy in an organization, to contract debts for that organization to pay.
Some have maintained that it is a lack of faith to proceed no faster with a building or enterprise than we have the means in hand to carry it on. In conversation with a brother on this subject a few days ago, he made the following statement with regard to it, which seems very clear: “It is faith to obey God by fulfilling the conditions that attend his commands; it is presumption to attempt to obey him without fulfilling those conditions. No conditions are more firmly established in the Scriptures than that we should carry on all of God’s work without debt. When God says, ‘Arise and build,’ faith builds, but always fulfils the conditions when building. Presumption attempts to obey by borrowing and building. That requires no faith. Any sinner in the world can do that. God has given conditions and regulations, which, if obeyed, will enable his church to show to the world that they are not children of sin, but children of God, and children of faith.”
In every case mentioned in the Bible, where anything was required to carry on the Lord’s work, it was always secured without borrowing; as, for instance, when the tabernacle was to be built in the wilderness, Moses sent out an invitation to all the people to contribute. Ex. 25:1-8. The people responded cheerfully, and so liberally that they had to be restrained from giving. Ex. 36:5, 6. Think you that if the money had been borrowed and the tabernacle built, the people would have raised the money so willingly to pay off the debt? What kind of record would it be if the Lord had instructed Moses to borrow the money with which to build his sanctuary?
For the building of Solomon’s temple David gathered vast sums of gold and silver and much material. 1 Chron. 22:14-16. Later the Philistines had broken up the temple, and it had been many years in that condition; still the money must be raised before the repairs could be made. 2 Kings 12:4-15. The only apparent reason for this account is to instruct God’s people how to build. In fact, the record says, “All these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Cor. 10:11.
Undoubtedly some good has been done through the institutions raised up in debt; but where the work has been conducted on a cash basis, it appears that much more has been accomplished; as, for instance, in the island of Jamaica, in the West Indies. THE REVIEW AND HERALD of Aug. 18, 1904, reports a membership of one thousand one hundred and twenty-three; these were raised up in ten years. Twenty-two good, substantial church buildings were erected in that time; seventeen of them in five years; not one was dedicated with any debt upon it. The island was so filled with our literature that it was said, three years ago, there was scarcely a house that did not contain something on the third angel’s message.
The canvassing work was started there on the old credit system, which proved a failure, leaving the canvassers owing the depository two thousand dollars. It was then required that the money should accompany all orders for books, and a wonderful change came over the canvassers and people. Orders were readily obtained, and instead of a delivery of twenty-five per cent, eighty to one hundred was reported; and the people received the books gladly; whereas, under the old system, many objections to the books were offered, and much urging was necessary to get them to take the books they had ordered. The reason for the marked change was, the canvassers had accepted the Lord’s way, and wherever the Lord’s plans are adopted, success is bound to follow.
Much more might be added, but we trust that enough has already been said to influence all who read these lines, if they are in debt, to get out as soon as possible, and to avoid debt as they should the leprosy; and that when Christ comes, he will find his people cut loose fromevery entanglement of the world, and ready for the journey to the celestial city.

Tears for the Lost

By Henry C. McCook

'Tis well to weep when wasted time has flown, And bounteous years have left no worthy gain, To mourn that spring looked back on fields unsown, Or autumn on ungathered sheaves of grain. And passing bells are beating on the ear With only this refrain: "A lost, lost year!"
'Tis well to weep when fathers are no more; When from the prophet's lips the prayer has died; When, overcome at last, the chieftain yields, And owns him victor whom his life defied; When voiceless is the bard's enrapturing tongue, And death has hushed the inspired poet's song.
But tears are vain, save as they wash away The earthliness that doth our spirits stain, The dust that blurs our vision of to-day And duties that to-day brings in its train. If at the old low level life remain, Nor rise to loftier heights, our tears are vain!
Who mourns the fathers dead, the prophets slain, Yet lives a fruitless life, he mourns in vain.
He weepeth well who learns from grief to live As lived the saints who'll see the Saviour's face. The worthiest honors that the sons can give Their hero fathers, is to fill their place. The passing bell has ceased its mournful toll: Hark! on the throbbing air rings loud and clear A rising bell! Awaken, O my soul, And occupy for God the new-born year.
—Henry C. McCook.

—THE—

By N. A. Davis

MISSIONARY CAMPAIGN

The Canvasser

AMONG the workers in God's vineyard wide, That tell the tidings that the gospel saith, Not least important, though less known than most, The canvasser goes forth in simple faith.
Midst mighty cities' busy, bustling din, He hurries on to wage his war with sin; And in the humble hamlets of the West, To many a home he bears the message blest.
Now, where the wintry sun doth disappear For full three months of every passing year, In ice-bound lands he joyful wends his way To sell his books that tell of endless day.
In far Australia, newest land of earth, He goes to tell them of another birth This world shall know when God shall cause to cease The curse of sin, and rule in sinless peace.
In Eastern lands, where pagan temples rise, And shrill muezzins startle morning skies, He bears, to those who sit in error's night, Truth's beacon, pointing to the Source of light.
By ancient castles on the far-famed Rhine, Among the vales of Alps and Apennine, E'en where the "beast" is throned by Tiber's flow, I see him tread, and angels with him go.
Where the proud Briton in his "castle" dwells, In town and village joyfully he tells Of that great day when earthly kingdoms fall, And Christ shall rule eternal over all.
Where Western genius marks its wondrous power, And cities rise as moments in the hour, And through the Spanish main that Southern ire Has cursed with revolutions, sword, and fire,— On goes our canvasser, nor slacks his zeal Through hard or prosperous times, through woe or weal; Placing, in countless homes, books full of grace, That point earth's weary to a resting-place.
Speed on thy holy work. Let not despair Press down thy spirit; God for thee doth care. By every water sow thy seed, and he Who increase gives shall bless thee mightly.
—N. A. Davis.

Missionary Notes

By D. W. R.

(From Our Circulating Department)
“AN APPEAL TO CLERGY,” the eight-page tract containing the Open Letter recently sent to the Protestant ministers of Washington, D. C., contains a short, concise, and convincing presentation of the Sabbath; and being an appeal to the ministers of Washington at the time they were inaugurating a campaign for better Sunday observance, the people regard it worthy of their attention, and give it a careful reading.
The publishing of the Open Letter in the papers of Washington has created an excellent interest in the Sabbath question. Every week since it first appeared, the papers have contained articles on some phase of the Sabbath.
The people are responding nobly in the circulation of this appeal. A number of our large churches have ordered five thousand copies, as they say, “to begin with.” Many individuals and small churches have sent in orders for one or two thousand. Nearly all the orders received are for hundreds of copies.
Within a few days after the tract was announced, orders had been received for one hundred and fifty thousand copies; and at the present time twenty thousand of these tracts are being printed daily. This should be kept up for a long time, and hundreds of thousands of copies put in circulation, and this work followed up with our large publications.
On account of the expiration of a large number of subscriptions at the close of the year, January is usually the month when the largest number of subscriptions to the REVIEW are received; but January, 1905, records the largest number of subscriptions ever received. Yet there were a large number of expirations for which no renewals were made. It is hoped many of these will soon renew their subscription. D. W. R.

The Bible as Wrapping-Paper

THE work of sowing the Bible throughout the Turkish empire from Constantinople to Bagdad is beset with peculiar difficulties. There is, it seems, a most ridiculous censorship of the Bible. It is a curious illustration of prejudice that the “seditious” word “Macedonia” occurring in the New Testament should excite suspicion and mistrust at the sublime porte!
In Armenia, too—to give this group of Turkish vilayets its common name—the distribution of Bibles is especially difficult. And yet that it is eagerly read by the natives when it falls into their hands may be gathered from this story told by one of the Bible men. A copy of the Word of God was given to a patient in the American Hospital, and by him carried to his home in a village. Here an Armenian priest took it from the man, and having torn it in pieces, threw it into the street. A grocer, seeing it lying there, picked it up and took it to his shop, where he began to use it as wrapping-paper. So for a time olives, cheese, candles, and other things sent forth from that store were wrapped in pages upon which were printed the “words of life.” In this way one Bible was scattered about through that village, and was read by many whose interest was so far aroused that they began asking for more of the same book. The result was that when the colporteur next came that way, over one hundred Bibles or portions of the Bible were sold in that village.—Everybody’s Magazine.

The Call of the Hour

By W. W. EASTMAN

READ carefully the following extracts from the “Testimonies,” and consider whether or not the call of God has come to you to enter the work: “Some men whom God was calling to the ministry have entered the field as canvassers. I have been instructed that this is an excellent preparation, if their object is to disseminate light, to bring the truth revealed in God’s Word directly to the home circle.” “Missionary work—introducing our publications into families, conversing and praying with and for them—will educate men and women to do pastoral labor.” “In evangelistic canvassing, young men may become better prepared for ministerial labor than by spending many years in school.” “The canvassing work properly conducted is missionary work of the highest order.” “God has ordained the canvassing work as a means of presenting before the people the light contained in our books.” “This is the very work the Lord would have his people do at this time. All who consecrate themselves to work as canvassers are assisting to give the last message of warning to the world.” In view of these statements will you not cut loose from everything, and consecrate yourself to God for his service?
W. W. EASTMAN.

A Real Burden for the Cities

By H. H. HALL

One correspondent writes: “Never have I had such a burden for cities since I first heard the message as I have for —. The Presbyterian minister, who is the best Bible student and minister in the city, is preaching present truth to his congregation every Sunday. He is reading ‘Great Controversy’ and ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ and his children have ‘House We Live In.’ He and I have good missionary visits every Sunday evening at his house. He told me last night after his sermon and Bible training class that my brotherly love toward him is fully appreciated and reciprocated.
“All the praise and honor and glory belong to God, and he shall receive it now and forever.”
Are there not others who have a similar burden, and who will manifest it in a similar way? H. H. HALL.

Peace

With eager heart and will on fire I fought to win my great desire; “Peace shall be mine,” I said, but life Grew bitter in the endless strife.
My soul was weary, and my pride Was wounded deep; to heaven I cried, “God grant me peace or I must die;” The dumb stars glittered no reply.
Broken at last, I bowed my head. Forgetting all myself, and said, “Whatever comes, His will be done,” And in that moment peace was won.
— Selected.

How Much Are You Worth?

By Mary Wood-Allen, M. D.

My daughter dear, when I see you with your bright girl friends, when I look into your bright eyes, and listen to your merry laughter and your girlish chatter, I wonder if any one of you understands how much you are worth? Now you say, “I haven’t any money in the bank; I have no houses or land; I am worth nothing;” but that would only be detailing what you possess. It is not what you possess, but what you are that determines what you are worth. One may possess much wealth and be worth little.
It is not after you have grown old that you will be of value to the world; it is now, in your young days, while you are laying the foundation of character, that you are of great importance. We can not say that the foundation is of no importance until the building is erected, for upon the right placing of the foundation depends the firmness and stability of the superstructure.
We can see what men are doing when they build railroads, construct immense bridges and towering buildings, but it is more difficult to measure what is done through intellectual and spiritual forces; and women’s work in this world is not so much the using of strength as it is the using of those finer forces which go to build up men and women. With this thought in your mind, can you answer the question, How much are you worth? How much are you worth to yourself? How much are you worth to your home? How much money would your parents be willing to accept in place of yourself? How much are you worth to the community in which you live? How much are you worth to the State, the nation, the human race?
You can recognize your value in the home when you remember how you are the center of all that goes on there; how much your interest is consulted in everything that is done by father and mother. You can realize your value to the State when you realize how much money is spent for the education of young people, how cultured men and women give the best of their lives to your instruction.
You can not measure your value to the human race until you begin to think that the young of to-day are creating the condition of the world in the immediate future; that you, through your physical health, or lack of it, are to become a source of strength or weakness in future years, if you are a mother. It is all right that young women should think of marriage and motherhood, provided they think of it in the right way.
I want you to reverence yourself, to realize your own importance, to feel that you are a necessity to God’s perfect plan. When we are young, and feel that we are of no account in the world, it is difficult to realize that God’s complete plan can not be carried out without us. The smallest, tiniest rivet or bolt may be of such great importance in the construction of an engine that its loss means the incapacity of that piece of machinery to do its work. As God has placed you in the world, he has placed you here to do a specific work for him and for humanity, and your failure to do that work means the failure of his complete and perfect plan. Now, can you begin to see how much you are worth?—Mary Wood-Allen, M. D.

The Benefits of Fruit Culture

By D. NETTLETON

D. NETTLETON
THE advantages of a fruit diet are numerous. In the first place, fruit is a germ killer and disease destroyer—a medicinal food. It has been scientifically demonstrated that it is absolutely impossible for typhoid fever germs to live in lemon-juice. If people would only live on a liberal fruit diet, which would destroy fever and other disease germs, there would be far less sickness, and, consequently, less sorrow.
Fruit culturists are great benefactors and physicians of the people. The substitution of the orchard for the slaughter-house and butcher’s shop would contribute much to the public health. And since health is happiness, a fruit diet would result in much greater happiness for those who adopted it.
The moral influences of fruit culture are also obvious. Our environment has much to do with our character building, for by beholding we become changed.
What a dreary world this would be without trees! How much happier and better men are by the contemplation of trees, vines and flowers. Man’s first employment in his sinless state was to cultivate the trees and flowers that God had planted. And after the fall, he was sent forth to till the ground, and earn his bread in the sweat of his brow.
There is a refining and uplifting influence in the society of beautiful trees and plants, especially fruit-trees. Their beautiful blossoms, making the air fragrant with heavenly perfume, their rich, glowing fruits in bright clusters bending, tend to restrain in man that which is rough and cruel, and encourage him to cultivate kindness and gentleness. The cultivation of fruit-trees, vines, and flowers helps to make gentle men and lovely women.
Children who receive their first and most lasting impressions surrounded by hen-coops, cattle-yards, and pig-pens; who have to listen constantly to the bellowing of cattle and the squealing of pigs, do not have the elevating and refining influences that those do who come from sweet, clean homes surrounded with green grass and blooming trees, among whose leafy boughs happy birds build their nests and warble their sweet melodies.
That there is no employment more healthful than fruit growing, all who study the health question will admit. The pale-faced men and women of our cities pine for the green fields and groves of the country. Many of the great commercial class herded in crowded cities love to think and sing:— > “How dear to my heart are the scenes > of my childhood, > When fond recollection presents > them to view— > The orchard, the meadow, the deep, > tangled wildwood, > And every loved spot that my in- > fancy knew.”
The cities are not the best places for developing noble, strong men and sweet, loving women. Brick walls, smoking chimneys, the noise and confusion of the streets, do not refine and develop the moral qualities of men as do the fields of green and golden grain, blooming trees, and fruit-laden orchards.
Man’s new and everlasting home will be adorned with trees and flowers. “The glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon.” The glory of Lebanon was its trees; the excellency of Carmel, its flowers. We are told of one tree in the midst of the paradise of God, bearing “twelve manner of fruits,” and yielding its “fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree” are “for the healing of the nations.”

To Preserve Eggs

A CORRESPONDENT of the Inter-Ocean (Chicago) says: “Have a kettle of boiling water on the stove, and into this drop your eggs (or better, place them in a wire basket prepared for boiling eggs); let them remain as long as it takes you to count ten, counting fast, then remove. This recipe has been in use in our family for forty or fifty years. The eggs can not be told from perfectly fresh ones, as the heat cooks the fine inner skin, and no evaporation can take place. There is no taste of lime about them put up this way.”

Fijian Architecture

By C. H. Parker

C. H. PARKER
From the “Scientific American” A FIJIAN HUT
From the “Scientific American” A FIJIAN HUT
In the olden times this people were divided into distinct classes of workmen. Some were fishers, others pottery makers, other carpenters and builders, salt makers, soldiers, drudges, etc. At the present time very little is made of these different trades. Only one seems to receive very much attention, and that one is house building. In this they are very clever. Unlike our European houses, no sound of a hammer is heard upon them, for no nails are used. In their place, native rope made from the cocoanut husk is used.
There are two styles of houses built,—one with square ends and the other with round ends. The first is purely Fijian, while the second is of Tongan origin. The plan of the first is to sink two posts, large or small, according to the size of the house to be built, in the ground at the center of each end. On the top of these is placed the ridge-pole. At the four corners and along the sides are sunk shorter posts. Upon these rests the plate, which is a long, heavy pole. From the ridge-pole to the plate native rafters run, which are either hewn from the cocoanut or are slender poles of some hard wood or bamboo. At the end the rafters are perpendicular. Reeds are placed close together over the rafters, and upon these the thatch is woven. The thatch is either grass or sugar-cane leaves. The sides and ends are thatched in like manner. Sometimes they are simply reeded by crossing the reeds. The floor is raised from one foot to twelve or fourteen feet above the ground. Only the chiefs and their families enjoy the twelve and fourteen-foot floors. Over the floor is spread a thick covering of grass and leaves. A rough mat made of cocoanut leaves covers this, and over it are spread their fine mats, which give a very pleasing effect.
The second style is made like an arbor. Small posts run up from this to hold up the ridge-pole. Around the arbor, posts are sunk, upon which rests the plate. At the ends the posts are set in a semicircle, and the plate is bent to fit them. The rafters are latticed together. The thatch used for this is a leaf of a tree called e rau, which is woven onto a reed, and takes the place of a shingle, though it is five or six times as broad. These are bound to the rafters with the native rope. The sides are either reeded or consist of the leaves of the cocoanut plaited together. The floors are similar to those of the purely Fijian make. The appearance of this last style of house is somewhat like a thirty-by-fifty preaching-tent. All the houses are built with very steep roofs. There are small openings, with cocoanut leaves woven together for doors. Very little light finds its way into these houses, and one might say, These are the abodes of darkness.
Of the two styles of houses, the second is the neater and stronger. It is confined to the Lau district (eastern group), while the first is confined to the western and middle portions.

On the Tea Estates in Ceylon

By HARRY ARMSTRONG

HARRY ARMSTRONG
It may not be at all necessary to preface this descriptive article on the tea industry of Ceylon with a warning, but it will be, at least, opportune to do so. Doubtless all who read the pages of the REVIEW AND HERALD have learned to shun the tea cups, and, like Daniel, have purposed in their hearts not to defile themselves.
Those who have made a special study of tea will tell you that it is in no way a food, but, rather, a stimulant and poison. And because of this, it is just as deceptive as any of the many alcoholic beverages which are daily consumed by the unthinking masses. While it produces a feeling of “cheer,” it also inebriates. And frequently the intoxication results in complete nervous prostration.
Whatever may be said in favor of tea drinking may also be said in favor of any other intoxicant, the only difference being one of degree. Thousands of tired mothers who cherish the tea cup as a very dear friend in need, fail to realize that, though it relieves the feelings of depression temporarily, yet it causes a reaction that is most dangerous to the nervous system. We are justified in saying that it never really gives relief from any malady, except by paralyzing the tired and worn-out nerves.
The tea industry is one of the chief industries of Ceylon, and the Ceylon teas are now becoming famous throughout the world. As an advertisement it appeals very strongly to the public taste, and few are the passengers who do not, while at this port, make a small purchase of Ceylon tea.
The rapid development of the tea cultivation is causing much interest and attention. From good authority, we learn that in the year 1875 there were only 1,000 acres planted with tea. During the next ten years the acreage increased to 102,000, and ten years later to 305,000, while now it is about 385,000. We will also give figures showing the development in the export business: “The island imported its tea in the early days of tea-planting, but in 1883 the export exceeded 1,600,000 pounds; in 1887 it was 13,813,872 pounds; in 1896, 108,141,412 pounds; and in 1903 no less than 151,120,009 pounds.”
Tea gardens are called “estates,” andthese are largely owned and controlled by European planters, who reside on their estates. The average size of an estate is between two hundred and fifty and three hundred acres, but often companies are formed in this, as in other lines, and then several estates are combined and worked together. The laboring force of an estate consists of men, women, and children, and these are largely recruited from the Tamil coolie class who live in southern India. They work together in gangs, under overseers, and receive about thirty-six Ceylon cents a day, equaling twelve cents United States currency. They are well cared for in most cases, being housed and medically attended at the expense of the estate. And as their living costs them but a small fraction of their income, they are, after a few years, able to retire into private life.
There are several varieties of the tea-plant. The plants are not allowed to grow very tall, usually about three feet; and being severely pruned at regular intervals, they are caused to spread, forming a flat top, from which the young and tender leaves are easily plucked by the coolies.
“Plucking is designated as ‘fine’ when the bud at the tip of the shoot, and two young leaves just below it, are taken, ‘medium’ when the bud and three, ‘coarse’ when the bud and four leaves are taken. The coarser the plucking, the poorer the average quality of the tea produced, though the greater the quantity.”
During our stay in the Himalayas, we visited the “Happy Valley Tea Estate,” and went through the factory where tea was being made. The “aroma,” or “fragrance” (neither of these words expresses the thought), was most sickening, and reminded the writer of a visit once paid to the great tobacco factory of Wills and Company, Bristol. They both produced the same sickening feeling, and we wondered how any one could work in such a poisonous atmosphere and live.
The tea-leaves, when brought in from the field, are carried to the upper floor of the factory, and spread out in thin layers on open shelves of canvas. This is called the withering stage. It takes about eighteen hours to make it “limp,” after which it is allowed to pass through chutes into rolling-machines on the ground floor. When it leaves the rolling-machines, it is piled in drawers, to ferment, or oxidize. The leaf then assumes a coppery color, and gives out a peculiar odor. A current of hot, dry air is then passed through the damp, fermented leaf, until it is dry and brittle, after which it is sifted and made into different grades, and packed in lead-lined boxes for consumption.
Since we came to the island, we have met two of these planters, and they have become much interested in our work. One of them told me only this week that he owes all he is to the blessings he has received at our meetings. He left his estate, paralyzed, and after being brought into one of our meetings, he claimed the full salvation of Jesus Christ, and since that day has been able to walk, and has continued to progress rapidly in the restoration of his health. We hope this man and his family may see the whole truth for this time.
Last Sabbath another planter called upon us, and we found him rejoicing in the many truths we teach, with the exception of the Sabbath and the truth of the cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven. We had a good time with him, and gave him plenty of our good, solid literature, and he went away feeling that God, who had opened his eyes thus far, had more truth in store for him. He invited me to conduct meetings on his estate.
There is a great field for work here, and it is open to us to enter with all the truth that God has taught us. Our need at this time is more laborers and more means. We are greatly limited and restricted in our operations, because of our lack of men and means. Will you who read this give God an opportunity of making a response to our great need through you? He will honor all you can invest in this needy foreign land, and will give you interest in precious souls which shall be gathered to you in the harvest-time of the earth. May the Lord lead you to renew your covenant with him by sacrifice, and may he give you grace to yield your best for his cause in needy fields of the East.
Continue reading: The Work in the Latin Union