Review and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 52. (12/26/1907)

Review and Herald

Dec 26, 1907

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 26, 1907

Life and Health for January

THIS number of Life and Health is now ready, and is filled with that which practising physicians consider most essential for the public at this season of the year. It deals principally with the diseases most prevalent during the cold season, and dwells particularly upon colds and the diseases resulting from them. It will bring some very practical instruction presented by experienced writers. Something of the nature of this number may be obtained from the following outline of contents:—

“Influenza and Its Rational Treatment.” A very common disease, not of itself generally fatal, but paves the way for fatal diseases, such as pneumonia and tuberculosis.

“Health,”—man’s greatest possession, yet generally jeopardized through lack of the simple knowledge of the science of hygiene and sanitary living.

Dr. Leadsworth, in his “consulting-room experiences,” prescribes detailed treatment for persons who have a constant tendency to catch cold,—these continued colds that interfere with the normal functions of the body, and lay the foundation for pneumonia, bronchitis, typhoid fever, and a long list of other serious diseases.

Mrs. Bainbridge, in a few paragraphs, presents the power of peace in healing. Few realize the power of the mind over the body, but Christ, the Great Physician, knowing the interrelation of the mind and body, gave us his message of peace as one important factor in the restoration and preservation of man.

Mrs. Fitch, who is a recognized practical, hygienic cook, gives in this number twelve seasonable recipes, every one of which has been tested and generally liked.

“Cold Weather Hints to Mothers” may save many babies and children from chronic diseases and untimely graves.

Mrs. Wilcox favors the girls with a talk on “Thin Waists for January,”—often causing poor health and resulting in fatal diseases.

Dr. Lauretta Kress, of the Washington Sanitarium, gives the readers the benefit of the sanitarium home treatment for a cold. This one article is worth far more than the price of the journal for a full year.

The Current Comment Department is replete with good thoughts and valuable suggestions associated with the discussion of such subjects as: The Indoor Habit; Open-Air Treatment of Pneumonia; Treatment of Colds; Overcoats and Health; The Plague; The Rat and Disease; Bubonic Plague; Temperance Instruction; Intercollegiate Athletics; What Happens When You Smoke; Viavi Treatment; Cause of Alcoholism; A Laboratory Doctor; Better Days Coming, etc.

The editor has given some excellent thoughts upon The Early Treatment of a Cold; Sunlight for Consumptives; The Bubonic Plague in San Francisco; Pneumonia from Mice; Drugs and Disease, etc.

Prices

Single copy, 10 cents; 2 to 25 copies, 5 cents a copy; 25 to 500 copies, 4 cents a copy. Annual subscription, beginning January 1, 75 cents. Order of any State tract society, or direct from Life and Health, Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C.

Start the New Year Right

A Few Suggestions for the Next Year’s Reading and Study

A New Bible

Perhaps the Bible which you have been using is pretty badly worn, or is not just what you want; then let us make a practical suggestion. We have just received a new supply of the famous Oxford Bibles in pearl, minion, and brevier bold-face type, printed on India paper, and bound in the usual Oxford styles.

No. 1388X Is a Minion Bold-face bound in Sealskin, calf lined, silk sewed, etc., and sells for only...... $6.50

No. 1368X Same as the above, but bound in Alaska Seal.... 4.25

Both Bibles are printed on the well-known Oxford India paper, and have references and maps.

A Pocket Bible that Any One Can Read

The new pearl bold-face reference Bible has all the advantages of the larger Bibles, and still is easily read. The size is only 5⅛ inches by 3⅞ inches, and fits easily into the coat pocket.

Ask for—

No. 03025X Bound in French morocco, leather lined to edge, divinity circuit, round corners, red under gold edges. Price ........ $2.15

No. 03030X Bound in full Levant, calf lined, silk sewed, red under gold edges, round corners, India paper. The finest pocket Bible we have ever seen. Price, only ................ 4.00

Printed on India paper, making the Bible only 5/8 of an inch thick.

A Good Concordance

Next to a Bible a good concordance is one of the most essential parts of the equipment of every Bible student. At a reasonable price we know of nothing better than Cruden’s. It is fully up to the requirements as a handy text finder. Bound neatly in brown cloth.

Price ............................ $1.00

About the Reading Course

Fearing lest many of our young people have not yet availed themselves of the opportunity offered in the Missionary Volunteer Reading Course, we take this opportunity of again announcing these grand books.

Special Edition of “Early Writings”

To place this important book within the reach of every Seventh-day Adventist, we have just issued a paper-bound thin edition of “Early Writings.” The book will fit nicely into the coat pocket or traveling case, and is of a convenient size to carry with you.

The text of this book should be studied over and over again, for the experiences described are taking place before our eyes. Soon will come the final chapter of this world’s history—“God’s People Delivered.”

PRICES: Paper .................... $ .35 Cloth ........................ .75 Leather ...................... 1.25

The Other Books

A new supply of “PASTOR HSI,” in the combined form, at $1.25, has just been received. We are sure that our young people will appreciate the enlarged book the most, as it gives the early history of Pastor Hsi, and the experiences which led up to his conversion. Remember that in this book you really get two complete books for the price of one.

Sent, post-paid, for ................ $1.25

We still have the other style in the paper at 65 cents, and the cloth at $1, post-paid.

“INTO ALL THE WORLD” has been out of print for some time, and we have had considerable trouble filling orders. A new supply of the cloth-bound books has just come, and we expect to have the paper-bound book by the time this paper reaches you. Those who have not secured this book yet, will do well to send for it at once.

Cloth, post-paid .................... $ .57 Paper, post-paid .................... .40

“THE MAP” is meeting with a hearty reception everywhere, on account of its convenient size and clear print. It shows the prevailing religions of the world to-day in colors, and the dark heathen portions make a mute appeal to all who study it.

Price, post-paid .................... $ .50

“OUTLINE OF MISSIONS,” with the new revisions bringing it thoroughly up-to-date, sent free with order for the other supplies.

REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSN.

TAKOMA PARK STATION　　　　　　　　　WASHINGTON, D. C.

The Old-New Gospel

Believing on Christ

THE blessings of the gospel are obtained by believing. This is made clear by such statements as these: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Mark 16:16. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life.” John 5:24. “And he [the jailer] called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house.” Acts 16:29-31. Many more passages might be read, but these are sufficient to show that the one thing which we must do in order to avail ourselves of the redemption provided, is to believe on Christ.

We are further taught that to believe on Christ is to receive Christ. Thus we read: “He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:11, 12. So also we are justified by believing on him: “Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins: and by him every one that believeth is justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:38, 39. “But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified

freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God; for the showing, I say, of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus.” Rom. 3: 21-26. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ.” Gal. 2: 16.

How plain and simple is the gospel! Forgiveness of sin, righteousness, justification, salvation, are all freely offered to us through the infinite grace of God and the sacrifice of Christ, and we receive all these gifts by believing on Christ. We can not buy these things, and we can not pay even the smallest price for them, and we can receive them in no other way than by believing.

Since everything depends upon believing on Christ, it is important that we should know just what is included in such an experience. All the blessings of the gospel come through believing on Christ because all the gifts and all the promises of God are inseparably united with him, and become personality in him. We can not deal with forgiveness, or righteousness, or justification, or power, or wisdom, or sanctification as an abstract thing, but only as revealed in Christ. He is “the Lord our righteousness;” he is “the power of God, and the wisdom of God;” he “was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption;” in him “we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins.” When we receive him by believing, we receive him as power and wisdom and righteousness and forgiveness and justification—all that we need to make us complete in him. And so we should remember that we do not believe on him and then receive the blessings of the gospel apart from him, “for it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell,” and in him “are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.” When God gave Christ, he gave all; and when we receive Christ, we receive all in him.

But we believe on Christ not only for what he is, but also for what he does. The Son of God became the Son of man, in all things “made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people;” and “we have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.” “He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises,” and “he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” When we are brought into union with Christ by believing on him, we become united to him in his work for us as our high priest and mediator, and our faith lays hold upon all that he secures for us as our intercessor. It is thus that we receive the full benefit of his mediation in our behalf.

As the work of the gospel develops and the intercession of Christ takes on new phases, if we exercise an intelligent faith in him, it is necessary that we should accept him in the very work he is doing for us. This is especially true as it relates to the final work of atonement and the blotting out of sin. Just as on the day of atonement and the cleansing of the sanctuary in the olden time the people showed their faith in the redemptive work in a different way than at other times, so in this antitypical day of atonement and cleansing of the sanctuary, believing on Christ for salvation from sin involves a different attitude toward the atoning work than at any previous time. By faith we must enter in with him into the holy of holies, and stand before the ark of the covenant, in which is the unchanged and unchangeable law, and we must accept his life of complete obedience to that law to be manifested in us as a life of obedience to that law. This will set aside all creeds and all human traditions, correct all perversions of the truth, and restore the gospel in its purity and power. But this is simply the experience of believing on Christ and receiving him for all that he is to believers in this last generation.

From what has been said the conclusion is easily drawn that to believe on Christ in our day will involve the acceptance of the threefold message of preparation for the coming of Christ, and the rejection of all that human philosophy which really puts man in the place of God and treads under foot the Son of God. The message for to-day points out the Christ just as definitely as did John the Baptist when he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world,” and urges faith in him for salvation; but it directs the believer to the heavenly sanctuary, the place where the Christ actually is, and to the work which he is actually doing in the blotting out of sin. The gospel message for to-day is a message of righteousness by believing on Christ, of salvation by faith, but a faith which takes hold of realities and which transforms the life, so that we may have boldness in this hour of judgment “because as he is, even so are we in this world.”

The jailer's inquiry brings the same answer to-day as in the jail at Philippi, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved;” but the faith which accepts Christ to-day will bring a fulness of light, a fulness of knowledge, and a fulness of experience which will prepare the believer for translation. Let this message be so preached “in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.”

Looking Unto Jesus

WE are exhorted to run with stedfastness the race that is set before us, “looking unto Jesus,” but many know not where to look in order to see Jesus. Looking unto Jesus is not an aimless gazing into vacant space, not a mere rhetorical figure, but rather beholding him where he is, and in the work he is doing for us. The very scripture which urges us to look to Jesus declares that he “hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God,” and in another place we learn that he “sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.” Jesus now ministers in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, and those who look unto him now should by the eye of faith see him there accomplishing the final work of atonement in the cleansing of the sanctuary, making our worship and service acceptable to God through his own merits and righteousness. Looking unto Jesus means something definite, and those who find him where he is will receive the blessing needed for the experiences of this time. “Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!”

Political Christianity

Jesus never sought to enforce his teachings or to win subjects for his kingdom by political agencies; and when he sent his disciples to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom, he did not instruct them to seek the aid of politicians or to depend for the success of their mission upon the arm of the civil law. They depended upon the power of the Spirit to enforce the truth, and did not ask that men should be made Christians by law. As the result of such a policy those who received the gospel did so from conviction, the members of the church were converted persons, and the church itself was a power for good in the world. It was a sad day for Christianity when its professed representatives sought an alliance with the state, and began to depend upon imperial decrees and legal enactments as necessary aids to the cause of religion; and the pages of history present no more distressing record than the annals of the church when in control of the state. But in spite of all these lessons of the past, in addition to the plain principles upon which the gospel was established, nearly all the professed ministers of Christ to-day are spending their chief energy in preaching “good citizenship,” and in the effort to lift up the people through a change of circumstances and surroundings rather than through a change of heart. In return for this service the state is expected to co-operate with the church in enforcing at least the forms of Christianity, which thus becomes a mere political Christianity. The cause and kingdom of Christ suffer more from such mistaken efforts, professedly put forth in their behalf, than from the scoffs of the blatant mockers and the strongest opposition of their true bitterest enemies. Those do the greatest possible injury to genuine religion who misrepresent it to the world by misinterpreting its principles and by substituting a civic righteousness dependent upon legislative enactment for righteousness by faith wrought into the life by the power of the Holy Spirit. Political Christianity is a complete perversion of the gospel as taught by Christ.

Editorial

By Editor

The word “sabbath” is taken directly into the English language from the Hebrew, and means “rest.” To keep the Lord’s Sabbath is to enter into that rest to which Jesus referred when he said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, . . . and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” By resting upon the seventh day Jehovah placed the blessing of rest upon that particular day, and inasmuch as he has never removed it from that day nor placed the same blessing upon another day, it follows that there can be no other sabbath, or rest-day. Since the Lord is now preparing a people to enter into that rest which he has prepared for them from the foundation of the world, the gospel of the true rest-day must be proclaimed “to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” Only those who enter into his rest here will be ready for the rest that remains.

The Warfare of Life and Death

By C. M. S.

SINCE Adam sinned, there has been war on earth between Life and Death; and so far as mortal eyes can see, Death is ever victorious. Every day renews the march of the funeral train to the abode of the dead. Is the victory of Death which we see on every side an everlasting victory? Is the sleep of death an ever-enduring sleep? Is death the portal to immortality?

The Word of God has answers to all these queries. It tells us that the victory of Death is a victory of appearances only; that the sleep of death is only a sleep; and more than that, it tells us that the grave is not the portal to immortality. Let us consider its teachings.

Is Death the Real Victor?

Through John the Revelator come these words of Inspiration, answering that question: “And death and Hades [the grave] were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire.” Rev. 20: 14. That is the death of Death itself. That ends the career of that scourge of the earth. “He [Christ] must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.” 1 Cor. 15: 25, 26. Setting forth the happy condition of the triumphant righteous, the revelator says: “God himself shall be with them, and be their God: and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more.” Rev. 21: 3, 4.

To him who loves life, who loves mankind and sorrows in their sorrows, there is nothing more comforting than the assurance that the enemy of Life shall at last be laid low by the Prince of Life. Who has not followed the dead form of some loved one to the tomb, and felt the bitter thoughts that tears could not wash away? Who, in his right mind, has ever made friends with Death? The Word of God calls it an enemy, and we know from experience that such it is; and the only thing that makes the stroke of that enemy tolerable to man is the knowledge of the fact that release from that enemy’s clutches has been purchased and is assured. The victory of Death is but a transient victory, and beyond its final vanquishing lie the joys of the

eternal world, life, endless life, righteousness triumphant, and peace everlasting.

Is the Sleep of Death Eternal?

The hosts now living upon this earth are but a handful in comparison with the numberless multitudes that are sleeping in its dust. The whole world is but a charnel-house, a sepulcher, ever filling and never satisfied, whereas, in the purpose of God it was to be the home of happiness and love, the untroubled abode of joy and peace. Will God suffer his purpose to be thwarted throughout the ages to come? The answer of Inspiration is: “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.” Isa. 26: 19. In the depths of his trouble Job asks, “If a man die, shall he live again?” and the answer is: “All the days of my warfare would I wait, till my release should come. Thou wouldest call, and I would answer thee: thou wouldest have a desire to the work of thy hands.” Job 14: 14, 15. Again he says: “And though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.” Job 19: 26, 27. Glorious hope, that takes the sting from death, and spoils the grave of its victory!

But does man triumph by his own righteousness and by his own power? Inspiration holds out no such hope. The prophet Isaiah tells us of one who was to bear the iniquities of God’s people, a “righteous servant” who, by his sacrifice, should “justify many.” He was to be “cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due.” His soul was to be made “an offering for sin.” He was to pour out “his soul unto death” and be “numbered with the transgressors,” that he might “bear the sin of many” and make “intercession for the transgressors.” He was to be “bruised for our iniquities;” “the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” See Isaiah 53. This foreshadows the sacrifice of a “righteous servant,” that those to whom the stroke of judgment was due might find justification at the throne of God. It sets forth One, a righteous One, going to his death, that life might be granted to those whose past iniquities had deserved the penalty of death. The psalmist also speaks of this righteous One, and that so definitely that we can not mistake his identity. Of him he says:— “A company of evil-doers have enclosed me; they pierced my hands and my feet. . . . They part my garments among them, and upon my vesture do they cast lots.” Ps. 22: 16-18. Compare Matt. 27: 35; John 19: 24.

Jesus Christ, then, was the “man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief,” the One “bruised for our iniquities.” It “pleased the Lord to bruise him,” not because the Father delighted in the Son’s bruising, but because, through his bruising, we are healed. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him might not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16. Jesus Christ went through the tomb in order to make a way of escape out of it for us. When he broke the seal which the Roman government had stamped upon his tomb, our Saviour broke the seal on the tomb of every soul that has gone down in death believing in him. A multitude came forth with him at the time of his resurrection, as first-fruits of his finished work, and as indisputable evidence of his power to bring the rest of the dead to life again.

That our hope of eternal life is in him alone is plainly taught in these words: “And in none other [than Jesus] is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.” Acts 4: 12. “If the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Rom. 8: 11.

Is Death the Portal to Immortal Glory?

Isaiah says, “Thy dead men shall live.” Job says: “All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee.” The change for which Job was looking was the change from mortality to immortality, the resurrection “out from among the dead ones.” Concerning this event we read in 1 Cor. 15: 51-55: “We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. . . . Then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?”

This gift of immortality comes, then, not at death, but at the time of the resurrection from the dead. When is that? “This we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4: 15-17.

That locates the time of the resurrection, and the resurrection locates the time of the bestowal of immortality upon the faithful children of the Lord’s household.

So Death is not always to triumph over man; the eyes that close in death, will, through the sacrifice of Jesus, open again to look on brighter skies and a world more beautiful; and the great gift of all gifts—immortality—will be bestowed in person by him who won it for us when he comes to take us to the mansions he has gone to prepare.

C. M. S.

At the Foreign Mission Seminary

By W. A. S.

The first recruits for the mission fields from the Foreign Mission Seminary are under appointment to China. On the evening after the Sabbath, December 14, a special service was held at the Seminary. Professor Prescott presided at the meeting, and, in the introductory remarks, told of his own impressions and experiences during his recent visit to the far East, by which the vast Chinese field was made to appeal to his heart with a force that was almost overwhelming.

The class in the Chinese language then sang a hymn in Chinese. The words were explained to us, the burden of the appeal being, “What is it that you are not willing to give up for Christ?”

By the aid of a stereopticon lantern, Dr. H. W. Miller brought vividly before the audience the great Chinese field and our work in it. The photographs thrown upon the screen were taken by himself in China. He also described the route of the great Siberian railway, from Harbin across Asia to Moscow, a vast new country which Dr. Miller has been the first among us to visit.

All these great territories were made to appeal to us as mission territory lying directly before our feet, which we must plan definitely to enter and occupy.

Another Chinese song, the translation of “Until We Meet Again,” sung by the Chinese class, suggested that we were bidding Godspeed to Dr. Miller and the first recruits from the Seminary, who are preparing soon to sail for China. These were earnestly commended to God in the closing prayer.

Three, at least, who have been attending classes—the sanitarium and the school working as one in this seminary work—will sail with Dr. Miller, and possibly others. The work in the new Seminary is proving just what was expected of it—a blessing to students and a strong factor in preparing workers for the field.

A few days ago I spent a morning at

the school, and this is what I saw: First, a class of young men and women reading and reciting in the elements of Chinese, and working at the blackboard over the peculiar characters. At the chapel period following, there was a twenty-minute talk on China’s religions. The next recitation hour I visited the general history room and the advanced Spanish class. The next hour was a most interesting one with a large class in tropical diseases, their nature and treatment, taken up in a practical way to help those who are sure to be confronted with the real experience if they go to tropical lands.

This was but one passing glimpse at the work being done in a few classes. Best of all, as with all our schools, the Spirit of God is present, giving a serious and well-defined aim to the work of the students. But we have needed just this opportunity for gathering candidates for the mission fields together for special work. The Foreign Mission Seminary is already a blessed agency in our campaign for missions. W. A. S.

Constant Need of Prayer by the Young

By G. B. Thompson

How much our youth need to pray! Prayer is the life of the soul. It is the only sure refuge from the storms and chilling blasts of sin. In the closet we can hide with God, and be safe.

Satan, like a hungry lion, stalks through the land, seeking to destroy souls, and millions of fallen angels are under his control and are aiding him in his destructive work. In “Testimonies,” Vol. IV, page 421, we read: “It is Satan’s studied effort to secure the youth in sin; for then he is more sure of the man.” Think of this, dear young people. Satan is studying how he may destroy you.

This is the most perilous time young people ever faced. It is when a vessel is nearing port that hidden rocks are most apt to be struck. You must have daily help and communion with God, or fail of securing eternal life at last. And to stumble now, when the gates of the celestial city are almost in sight, is sad beyond conception. But it is a time of special danger. The sun of human probation is nearing the horizon. The shadows are lengthening. Gospel light has become almost eclipsed by sin, and the pathway of young pilgrims is growing darker and darker.

I do not say these things to discourage you, but to arouse you to the need of seeking the Lord. In him is help and strength. With him we are safe.

“I would rather walk in the dark with God Than go alone in the light; I’d rather walk by faith with him Than go alone by sight.”

The refuge for tempted, tried, storm-buffeted souls is in earnest prayer. It is this that I am writing to emphasize. You can not be a Christian and walk with God unless you pray.

Especially should the young be found often in secret prayer. In the secret place Jesus at times prayed all night. Daily should we be alone with God. In the secret place you can unbosom to God the dark passions of the heart; you can tell him about your doubts and failures, and secure a firmer grasp upon the throne, and help for the most determined assaults of the enemy. The citadel of a prayerful heart is a fortress impregnable to the fiercest assaults of the legions of darkness.

“Satan trembles when he sees The weakest saint upon his knees.”

The time especially when we should pray is in the morning. This is an excellent way to begin the day, when the mind is clear, and the busy cares of life have not come in to crowd out communion with God.

The Lord gave the Israelites manna, “angels’ food” from heaven. It fell with the dew during the night. But in order for them to have food for the day, it was necessary for them to gather it “every morning.” So we, in the morning, should, by communing with God in prayer, gather from heaven the heavenly manna for the day. The psalmist says: “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Ps. 5: 3.

As an aid in morning devotion, a Morning Watch Calendar has been prepared by the Missionary Volunteer Department. This is not a prayer-book, but a daily reminder, with some appropriate Scripture text, of our duty to meditate upon God’s Word, and to pray. It is a suggestion to spend, if possible, the first half-hour of the day alone with God in personal devotion, that we may be prepared for the conflicts of the day. The neglect of prayer is a fundamental neglect; and if we neglect it in the morning, the chances are that we shall neglect it all day. The object of this Calendar is to remind us of our duty to fix the mind on God in the morning and form an inflexible resolution to be true to the principles of right. The Calendar is a reminder for us in the morning to be still and listen to the voice of Jehovah, that he may direct us in the right way. It suggests to us a precious promise of God’s immutable Word for our meditation before we begin to study about the perishing things of this world.

As an aid to prayer, we can recommend this Calendar, and trust it may be secured by all our young people, and may prove a blessing to all.

G. B. Thompson.

Note and Comment

Unity of the Faith

ROME'S method of preserving the “unity of the faith,” and binding the faithful into one bundle, under one head, is definitely set forth in the following paragraph from the recently published Motu Proprio of Pius X:—

Wherefore, we again and most earnestly exhort the ordinaries of the dioceses and the heads of religious congregations to use the utmost vigilance over teachers, and first of all in the seminaries; and, should they find any one imbued with the errors of the modernists and eager for what is new and noxious, or lacking in docility to the prescriptions of the apostolic see, in whatsoever way published, let them absolutely forbid the teaching office to such. So, too, let them exclude from sacred orders those young men who give the very faintest reason for suspicion that they favor condemned doctrines and pernicious novelties.

Certain Protestant schools, under denominational control, have gone to the other extreme, and under the plea of liberality in belief, are paying men to teach the tenets of unbelief and skepticism to young men preparing for the ministry. The one method makes mechanical religionists, the other licenses infidelity to practise in the pulpit.

Who Inspires Sunday Laws?

SUNDAY laws are a culture, not a growth from the spontaneous demand of the people. This fact is attested by no less a personage than the Rev. W. F. Crafts in a signed article in the Northwestern Christian Advocate, of December 11. After setting forth the results of the work of his Bureau in behalf of Sunday laws, he says:—

The new Idaho Sunday law, although not a national act, has a national significance, for it brings the only State, save California, that had no Sunday law “into the union.” The Pacific Coast secretary of the International Reform Bureau combined in this bill the best elements of forty other State Sunday laws. It is especially a model to be studied and copied in that it provides that any executive officer found guilty of neglecting to enforce it is ineligible for any public office for two years. Every politician will see genius in that penalty, and will not be surprised to hear the law is well enforced.

Such a combination of religion and politics, forcing men to go through the motions of religion, and forcing them, under penalty of losing their office, to compel others to go through the same motions, debases politics, does despite to the very spirit of Christianity, and dishonors the name of Christ. No enemy of Christ can do more against the true cause of Christ than he does who compels religious observances under penalty of the law.

One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund

For Special Work at Home and Abroad

A United Effort

As we draw near the close of the year 1907, it becomes more and more evident each day that it will take a determined and united effort to raise the remainder of the $150,000 fund by that date. It seems perfectly clear that every conference and every individual, no matter what has already been done, should stand ready to help if able to do so. The Georgia Conference has passed its apportionment by nearly $100. The president writes as follows: “I well remember that when the matter was first mentioned to me, my first thought was, We can never raise here the amount that is required of us. Again I said, God is in this work, and he does not require impossibilities. And God be praised, the money that was required was raised, and more.

“At our camp-meeting —— came and made another pull. I told him, before he came, that we had already raised our share; but if he desired to come and try, I would help him all I could.

“He made a few remarks, and then I made another plea, and the money came in, with pledges, to the amount of about $75.

The president of the North Carolina Conference writes: “I will say that though a star now adorns our name in the list of States, we are not ceasing to press the work at every reasonable opportunity. I am glad to give assurance of our continued interest, energy, and attention to this, until the people shall be restrained from giving.”

Nearly Finished

By J. S. WASHBURN

THERE has been paid in cash on the $150,000 fund in the Southern Union Conference up to the present date, December 13, the sum of $6,122.81. The General Conference requested that the sum of $6,000 be raised by the Southern Union Conference as its reasonable part of the fund. We feel thankful to God, and very grateful to our brethren, that we have been able to reach and pass that mark. There are, however, a large number of pledges that have been made in the South on this fund that have not been paid. We shall certainly not stop to sing the song of jubilee at the present time, but shall continue right along in the work of helping to raise the remainder of the $150,000 fund, and then join in the grateful chorus when the whole amount is raised, and there is a large overflow added to this, the greatest fund ever raised by Seventh-day Adventists. We are certain there is a large amount of money on the road, but it goes so slowly through the “regular channels” that we should all work until everything is in, in every union conference, at least the amount suggested by the General Conference. In the language of the sailor, let us “call all hands up on deck,” and with an earnest, sharp, united effort, close up this fund immediately. The recent financial crisis demonstrates that earthly institutions are not a safe place to deposit our funds. This truth, this cause, will survive when the world goes down in wreck and ruin. This is the only place of safety for our lives and for our money.

We have hoped to see the whole amount actually on the list by Jan. 1, 1908, but if it is not there before that time, we feel certain that it will be but a few days until the many streams that are flowing toward the General Conference Treasury will have filled the $150,000 fund to the brim, and then to overflowing. J. S. WASHBURN.

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