How to prevent disease is the greatest problem that confronts the medical profession to-day. While wonderful triumphs have resulted because of the earnest and self-sacrificing efforts put forth to prevent certain diseases, much remains yet to be done.
Because of ignorance that prevailed in reference to smallpox, it is estimated that in one century, from 1700 to 1800, about fifty million people in Europe alone were carried off by that terrible disease. Now we know how to prevent the disease, so that ordinarily there is absolutely no excuse for any one's having it.
A physician discovered that the mosquito caused malaria, so we at once found out how to prevent it, and also how to cure it.
For centuries yellow fever was a scourge in many parts of the world. Then a physician, after enduring great perils, came forth with the claim that a certain mosquito was the cause of it, and he was laughed to scorn; but it was true, and so now we hear very little about this terrible disease. While the remedies for this disease failed, sanitation has nearly blotted it out. When we know how to prevent a disease, it is not necessary to look for a remedy to cure it.
Every physician knows that there is no drug nor combination of drugs that will cure tuberculosis; and every schoolboy or schoolgirl knows, or should know, the cause of this dread disease, and how to prevent its spread.
So I might tell about hookworm disease, typhoid fever, and many other diseases. No other adage is so universally accepted to-day as, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure;” and yet it is passing strange that, knowing what we do about the practical value of this truth, but few practise it.
Another saying that is given wide prominence is, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” There is much truth in this old saying, but very few actually practise it. Startling facts have been coming to light during the past year, especially during the past few months, in regard to the diseases that are transmitted because of dirty hands. How many lives have been sacrificed from this cause alone no one can ever tell; but the subject is of such great importance that each one should be informed, and join the ranks of those who are trying to prevent disease.
That clean hands were necessary from a sanitary standpoint, as well as properly to appear before the Lord, is clear to any one who will read a few chapters in Leviticus, and look up the marginal references. If any one touched a dead body, or any filth, or any unclean thing, he was unclean for some time, and had to bathe and wash his hands thoroughly. In many instances he was to bathe in running water. There is a great sanitary truth couched in these few words. Running water is always the cleanest and the purest water; and if one washes in any other water, he must rinse off the water that he has soiled from his own body. We gather from the instruction given in Leviticus that the Hebrew people were amply supplied with running water for all that great host to keep clean and free from contamination.
Because of increased prevalence of, and decreased resistance to, disease, there is more reason why people in this age of the world should keep their hands clean. When I speak of dirty hands, I have in mind more than the generally understood meaning of the word dirt. A man who works in a trench washes his hands before eating. The machinist tries to get all the oil and grime off his hands before appearing among his friends. The carpenter or the farmer has soiled hands, and usually washes before meals. But all this dirt, in the eyes of medical science, is clean dirt.
Nevertheless, people who are not careful about keeping their hands free from this kind of dirt are not likely to be particular about the real dirt; for the ordinary dirt can be seen on the hand, while the dirt that is so dangerous is not likely to be seen, and may even be on a hand that is perfectly manicured or covered by a glove.
According to Webster's Dictionary the word dirt comes from the Saxon word drit, meaning excrement. The Scriptures17give the same meaning. See Judges 3: 21, 22; Deut. 23: 13. Professor Sedgwick, speaking of this meaning of the word, says: “Dirt is dangerous, not because it is ‘of the earth, earthy,’ but because too often it is drit, or excrement.” Another writer says: “It is the unseen drit that plays the mischief with human life, because it is alive and can multiply indefinitely.”
No one knows how much mischief may be done by a few typhoid fever germs on the finger of a man who milks without washing his hands. Dr. Eyre made this experiment: By actual count he put 78 typhoid fever germs in absolutely fresh milk. In twenty-four hours there were 60,000; in forty-eight hours, 10,300,000; and in seven days, 480,000,000. Most milk is twenty-four hours old before used, and germs thrive in it. How much typhoid fever do you think would result from a few germs in a milk-can?
Reports that have been collected from Germany, England, and the United States during the past year, and from a bulletin very recently issued by the S. S. Public Department, show very conclusively that of those who have typhoid a certain percentage becomes what is known as chronic typhoid fever “carriers;” or, in other words, these persons are continually throwing off typhoid fever germs in the excreta. Only too often they are careless, and so are the direct cause of spreading the disease, not only among the members of the immediate family, but in a more extensive way.
Ten to twenty per cent of those who have typhoid fever become carriers for many weeks, and three to five per cent become permanent carriers. When we remember that there are hundreds of thousands of people all over the country that have had typhoid fever, we can appreciate the unseen danger that surrounds us.
A few months ago there was a woman in a large Eastern city known as “typhoid Mary,” because it was found out on investigation that in many families where she worked in various States several members came down with typhoid fever. She was carefully examined, and found to be a typhoid fever carrier.
The London Lancet reports the case of a woman seventy-four years of age who had typhoid fever in 1856. From 1905 to 1908 she ran a boarding-house, doing all the housework and the cooking. In a period of less than three years one hundred fifty-nine cases of typhoid fever occurred among her boarders. On examination it was found that she was throwing off typhoid fever germs in large numbers; and that after a lapse of fifty-two years. It must be obvious to every reader of this article that this woman did not wash her hands when she ought to have done so, even if she had not been a typhoid fever carrier.
A woman in Strasburg owned a bakery, which was scrupulously clean and passed the rigid German sanitary inspection. It was found that her employees were continually coming down with typhoid fever. She did the cooking for these laborers. Ten years before this she had had typhoid fever, and examination proved her to be a typhoid fever carrier. It is by means of carriers that typhoid fever makes its appearance in new regions.
There are also carriers of dysentery, plague, cholera, influenza, spinal meningitis, hookworm disease, and many other diseases. The Lord knew about these things when the hygienic directions were given to Moses for his people, and the same measures of cleanliness should be as strictly regarded to-day.
From the facts before us, it is time that there was a hand-washing reform on the part of every man, woman, and child. In this matter, however, women are more often offenders, for they have to do with the preparation of the food and drink for the household.
A writer has said: “We may prate about cleanliness being next to godliness; but unless cleanliness brings freedom from disease germs in our food, it is but as ‘sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.’ If our hands are dirty with unnamable dirt, though we may not personally be disease carriers, yet we should be deemed responsible because of the risk that we bring upon others. . . . He who, by his unspeakably disgusting habits, kills his dearest friends, sends into eternity his own children, delivers to the reaper death his own wife, sister, or parent, should be taught — forcibly, if need be — when and how to wash his hands, in order to put an end to such wholly avoidable tragedies.”
How many typhoid Marys there are among us all the time no one knows, but careful observation among even the better classes in hotels and on the palace ocean liners has shown that not half the people wash their hands at times when they should, although they have all the conveniences to do so. If this is true among the more favored classes, what must be the condition among the common people and the “great unwashed”? When dirty hands handle our food,— our bread, our milk, our fruit, our potatoes, everything we eat,— the thought is not reassuring. It is gruesome, and yet it is true. Dirty hands need more than to be dipped into the water and wiped on the common towel. Soap and water need to be used freely, and running water whenever possible.
What percentage of farmers and those who milk wash their hands in the morning before milking? If personal knowledge and observations are taken as a standard, the percentage is exceedingly small. There ought to be a great shout all over the land, and in other lands, “Wash the hands.” This is no small matter, but a very serious one.
‘Shall we continue to endure in silence this awful indignity, eating food prepared by those who have not properly washed soiled hands? Shall we permit thousands of Rachels to continue weeping for their children and refusing to be comforted, their ignorance and the ignorance of their servants having caused the slaughter? Shall we hear the groans of the suffering and the dying as we administer palliatives to lessen their misery, and not do our share toward putting a stop to such fearful results, by teaching the people what constitutes real cleanliness? Would that a modern Hosea might proclaim from our Christian pulpits, ‘My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,’ and then burn into the hearts and minds of his listeners that the one thing they all need is to know just when and how they should wash their hands.’
Special care should be exercised at our camp-meetings, as conditions are such in most camp-grounds that to have clean hands is not a very easy matter. Would it not be a great step forward if camps were so provided with sanitary arrangements that all might wash in running water at times when they should? In the majority of camps this can be easily arranged without much trouble and with very little expense. If there is any place where people should be clean, it is when they come together to worship the Lord. ‘Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart.’ The clean hands here no doubt mean more than physical cleanliness, but it includes that. In many places when the Scripture speaks of washing the hands, it means washing up to the elbows.
Some may feel that undue prominence is being given to this matter of dirty hands, but to such it can be said that the subject is only being touched upon. Others may say, ‘I have lived fifty years and nothing has happened.’ How do you know? That is what people say who use alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee, and other harmful things, but it does not prove anything.
North Yakima, Wash.
Leaving Tomorrow to God
By H. W. Webb-Poploe
WOULD it not be better to leave to-morrow with God? That is what is troubling men; to-morrow's temptations, to-morrow's difficulties, to-morrow's burdens, to-morrow's duties. Martin Luther, in his autobiography, says: “I have one preacher that I love better than any other on earth; it is my little tame robin, who preaches to me daily. I put his crumbs upon my window-sill, especially at night. He hops onto the window-sill when he wants his supply, and takes as much as he desires to satisfy his need. Thence he always hops to a little tree close by, and lifts his voice to God and sings his carol of praise and gratitude, tucks his little head under his wing and goes fast asleep, and leaves to-morrow to look after itself. He is the best preacher that I have on earth.”—H. W. Webb-Poploe.
Let Thy Words Be Few
“BE not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.”
North India
By L. J. Burgess
You have no doubt received a report of our workers' meeting, and heard our call for a man to help in the Hindustani work. As Elder S. A. Wellman is called to edit the Oriental Watchman and the Herald of Health and to do other literary work, he is practically out of the Hindustani work for some time to come. This leaves us to struggle on alone among one hundred twenty millions of native people in north India. Do you not think our call for a man is an urgent one? We can not push the work much until we have a man upon whom to depend for help, as we feel it would not be wise to open up new interests until we are able to care for them properly.
The work here in Garhwal is growing, and we hope in time to have a harvest of souls. It takes a little time, however, as we are building from the foundation. These people had never heard a word of the gospel until we came among them.
L. J. BURGESS.
Maranatha Mission, Africa
By D. Sparrow
This session of the school has been open about six weeks, with thirty-nine students in attendance, twenty-five boarders in the home, and fourteen from the neighboring farms.
At the Fish River school, carried on by Brother Taba, there are thirty-seven students, with an average attendance of about thirty. This school is partially on the self-supporting basis, as the parents meet the necessary supplies required by the students, the conference paying the teacher’s salary only.
Brother Claude Tarr is now teaching the Maranatha school. He teaches both English and Kafir, which is a great help to the students, as he explains the English words to them in their own language, and they appreciate this. Since adopting this plan, there has been a marked improvement in the school.
We have a number of natives who desire a training to fit them to labor for their own people, and they wish to make native language their chief study, getting a Bible training as well.
The evangelistic part of the work is very encouraging. The attendance at the Sabbath morning meeting usually numbers from forty to sixty, many of whom do not understand English. Strangers are continually coming into these meetings.
We have planned to have a meeting as often as possible at a native kraal about five miles from the mission. The first meeting was held to-day, with about fifty-five present. These services will be conducted in the native language.
On Sabbath our program is somewhat different. Sabbath-school is held at 11 A. M., and church service from 12:15 to 1:15. This service is usually conducted in both languages. At 3 P. M. we have a Bible study in the native language, taking up different points of present truth. This meeting is appreciated by the natives, as they have opportunity to ask questions and receive light on the truth. At the conclusion of the afternoon meeting a week ago, one young man stood up and asked what he must do to be saved. He has now accepted the Saviour, and is keeping the Sabbath. Another young man on an adjoining farm has also begun to keep the Sabbath, and takes part in the meetings.
About two months before we came here, Brother I. B. Burton and Faba went down to Fish River among the Red Kafirs. They labored there about six weeks, and when they left, about ten adults were professing to keep the Sabbath. These are still loyal to the truth as far as they know it, and the work has grown until at the present time there are twenty-eight who do not work on the Sabbath. I have had meetings there, and they are anxious to know more of the truth. The congregation usually numbers from fifty to sixty persons, many of them in their red blankets.
At the next location to this, the head man sent a message asking us to come to his place to hold some meetings, and we hope soon to do so.
Brother Tarr is studying the native language more fully, with the object of helping in the evangelistic work.
We pray the Lord to water seeds of truth sown in weakness, and we hope that some jewels may be gathered here for the soon-coming kingdom of Christ.
D. Sparrow.
The New School Year at the Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute
By M. Bessie DeGraw
The fall term of the Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute, known to many as the Madison school, opened October 18. The season in Tennessee is rather late this year, and the crops were scarcely gathered when the term began. The last days of the vacation were busy ones for the men at the school, for they filled two silos with sorghum-cane,—two hundred fifty tons of winter feed for the dairy stock.
It is interesting to see students hitherto unaccustomed to such schooling, getting their first lessons in self-supporting work in the South in the harvest-field, or in treading ensilage, or in feeding the hummer, alongside students who have had longer experience in these practical phases of education. One is reminded of Gideon’s army. The Lord told him not to start to the battle with any timid or homesick soldiers, so all who were faint-hearted were allowed to go home.
The voice of the hummer and the whistle of the engine were scarcely silenced when class work was begun. Fifty-five stalwart men and earnest, brave young women were enrolled. This is not a large company, but it is the largest in the history of the school. The school family numbers about seventy-five, and this crowds our present capacity.
The Madison school is training soldiers for active service. It has a right, therefore, to select its students, and those who prove equal to the situation here are found to have good fiber for making missionaries.
The school is a democratic body, and the government rests on the shoulders of all. Everybody has his part in the work of the institution, and practically every exercise of the school is educational along the lines of burden-bearing, independence of thought and action, ability to take the initiative, ability to endure hardships, faith in the leadings of God, self-reliance, and other traits which the Word and the Testimonies say must characterize those who have a part in the closing message.
Brother Charles Franz, who has been laboring in Cuba for the past ten months, visited Madison at the beginning of the term. Brother Franz and his wife, and Sister Burgos, the third member of this Cuban company of workers, are all former students of the Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute. They went through the training just mentioned; and in his recent visit, Brother Franz said the lessons learned here made possible the degree of success that has attended the work in Cuba. The spirit of prophecy says that such an all-round training will make the workers efficient in foreign fields. These workers find a wide space in which to work, and in spite of the fact that two of them had a language to learn, they have been self-supporting. They are about to begin a school for Cuban youth on an eighty-acre farm. The same school will offer opportunities for other teachers from the States to study the language and grow accustomed to Cuban life before starting centers themselves.
There are over twenty industrial schools now being conducted by Madison students. The frequent reports from these schools by visiting representatives, and the occasional visits of students to near-by highland schools, keep alive an active interest in this work. The sanitarium family brings the school in touch with the outside world, and there is scarcely time for one to lose sight of the mission of the Madison school, or the work ahead of its students. The family is almost invariably a happy one, because it has a well-defined purpose.
The Madison school family is looking forward to the completion of a new dining-hall. The rooms in the old plantation house, which have always served as dining-rooms, are crowded to the utmost. The new dining-room is being built by the class in carpentry, and it is hoped to have it ready to occupy by the first of the new year.
We invite friends to visit us for the sake of learning more of the great South, its need of them, and their need of it.
M. Bessie DeGraw.
Philippine Islands
By L. V. Finster
SUNDAY, September 3, was another happy day for the little church here in Manila. Early in the morning we all went to the sea, where eighteen dear souls were baptized, and we trust arose to live a new life. Some of these are aged people who have lived more than their threescore and ten years. It takes19much courage to be born again and to break away from lifelong customs, at such an age. All, men and women, use tobacco and chew betel-nut from earliest youth, and nothing but the power of God can break this custom and set them free. But the gospel is that power of God which works the same upon the Filipino as upon the American, if the heart will submit.
Our number has grown so large that we shall soon have to build a place of worship, for all can not get into our room at the mission home.
Our native helpers have proved themselves of great assistance in the work. They know the customs of the people, and can get among them much better than a foreigner.
We attended a native funeral yesterday. The relatives of the deceased all gather as soon as the death occurs, and the family must furnish a feast for two days. They spend the time in discussing the good and bad deeds of the deceased. They generally have a band playing most of the time. Just before the burial, I was asked to preach to the people. After I had done so, they began the service of taking the body from the room, and then the wailing began. I can still hear those awful groans and wails ringing in my ears. Death is a dreaded enemy to all nationalities alike; but soon the glad morning will come when there shall be no more death.
L. V. FINSTER.
The Work of Soul-Saving
By I. G. Bigelow
“CHRIST accepts, O so gladly! every human agency that is surrendered to him. He brings the human into union with the divine, that he may communicate to the world the mysteries of incarnate love. Talk it, pray it, sing it, fill the world with the message of his truth, and keep pressing on into the regions beyond.”
The preceding, taken from “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, page 30, should stimulate to activity every one who has a knowledge of present truth; and the following should be a warning and an admonition to all who profess to believe this message:—
“Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. . . . He that lacketh these things is blind, and can not see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-11.
How to Stir the World
“Heavenly intelligences are waiting to cooperate with human instrumentalities, that they may reveal to the world what human beings may become.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, page 30.
We can not all preach, but we can work in one or more of the many ways that God has provided so that all will be without excuse when Christ comes to claim his own.
The Time Is at Hand
when all should do something with our truth-filled literature. “Now is the time to sell our books, both large and small, either for cash or by taking orders, for the holidays. Thousands of books are used as presents at this time of the year, and our books rank in beauty with the best, and in quality, we know, are superior to all others. Our periodicals and tracts should be scattered like the autumn leaves. The Harvest Ingathering campaign is on in earnest, and all who know the truth and withhold their services in this great effort to send aid to those sitting in ‘gross darkness’ to-day, will be counted just that much short, when the Master comes to reward ‘every man according as his work shall be.’
Our relief work should be taken up with renewed effort, and “Ministry of Healing” should be placed in thousands of homes, so that the people may have the help, both spiritual and physical, that the book will give, and also that financial aid may be given to the needy institutions as quickly as possible.
The blood of souls will be found on the garments of those who do nothing. The admonition is sent to us: “If we are not active in the service of Christ, we are ranking with those who are in positive hostility against him; for we are in the position of stumbling-blocks.” But if we are busily engaged in seeking to know and do the will of God, we shall feel such a burden for perishing souls, such an unrest of mind, that we can not be restrained from fulfilling the commission, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” thus saving our own souls and the souls of others. I. G. BIGELOW.
Field Notes
The summer’s work among the colored people in New York City resulted in seventeen baptisms.
Eighteen persons were baptized at the close of the camp-meeting at Sanford, Fla., and ten at the close of the meeting for the colored people. The new church at Orlando was dedicated October 14.
On Sunday, October 22, five persons were baptized at Colman, S. Dak.
The new church building at Gilchrist, Minn., was dedicated October 29. Elders S. E. Jackson, H. Steen, and L. H. Christian were present to assist in the services.
A short series of meetings was recently held at Grove, Ky. The Lord blessed the workers in presenting the message, and several were added to the church at that place.
The Danish-Norwegian tent effort in Brooklyn, N. Y., under the direction of Elder N. P. Neilson, closed October 8. Six souls have united with the church, and others are deeply interested.
As a result of the summer’s tent effort in Omaha, Neb., conducted by Elder and Mrs. G. R. Hawkins and Brother P. A. Field and wife, with associate Bible workers, between twenty and twenty-five have taken a firm stand for the truth.
Seven adults in Wooster, Ohio, have signified their intention to obey the truth. At Thornport two persons openly took their stand with us at the close of the tent-meetings, and several others expressed their intention of so doing.
A Sabbath-school of forty-five members has recently been organized at Lufkin, Tex. Elder J. I. Taylor baptized three new Sabbath-keepers at Houston several weeks ago. The workers at Hale report that twenty have begun to keep the Sabbath there, and they hope to organize a church soon.
It is reported of the work in Portland, Ore., that on Sabbath, October 21, thirteen candidates went forward in baptism, making a total of forty-six added to the church in the past few weeks. Several others are waiting only for further instruction before taking this step. Brother H. W. Oliver reports that one family has taken a stand for the truth at Yoncalla.
Of the result of the tent effort in Citronelle, Ala., Elder E. G. Hayes reports: “Eleven adults signed the covenant, seven of whom united with the church, and still others have begun to observe the Sabbath. Five of those uniting with the church were baptized before the close of the tent-meetings; the other two were satisfied with their former baptism. Several others are deeply interested in the message, and will continue to study the truth.”
From Norman, Okla., comes the word that as a result of the tent effort there, two have requested baptism, and several others are interested in the truth. Concerning the progress of the German work in that State Elder A. A. Meyer writes: “It has been my joyful privilege to lead about fifty precious souls to Christ, and to baptize them. They are all now staunch Christians, and active members of some of our various German churches. I also baptized between twenty-five and thirty at our last two annual camp-meetings, and a few were baptized by other brethren. So, in all, we have gained about one hundred German members in the last year and a half.”
Federated Malay States
By Mr. R. P. Montgomery; Mrs. R. P. Montgomery
UPON coming to the Orient, we stopped at Singapore and remained there almost six months. While working for the English-speaking people, we studied the Malay language. It was a great pleasure to be associated in the work there with Brother and Sister Jones. They have had a number of years' experience working among the people of these islands, and we were much benefited by being with them.
About three months ago we came to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of the Federated Malay States. This is a nice city of about fifty thousand inhabitants, and is located up among the mountains. The population is composed mostly of Tamil Indians and Chinese, many of whom read and speak English.
There are eight Tamil men attending our Bible readings, and we hope some of them will accept the message. While many in this city are afflicted with malarial fever, we are thankful that our health is good, and that God has been so merciful to us. We are of good courage, and enjoy the work.
MR. AND MRS. R. P. MONTGOMERY.
Our Foreign Magazines
By E. R. P.
The International Publishing Association at College View, Neb., is now issuing magazines in the German, Danish-Norwegian, Swedish, and French languages. The managers are endeavoring to get in touch with all agents for the English magazines, and wish to secure orders from our agents for as many of these foreign magazines as they can dispose of to people they meet in their respective territories, many of whom prefer literature in one of those languages.
This is a very enterprising effort on the part of this publishing house. The Foreign Department of the General Conference is taking a great interest in this difficult but important work. We all appreciate this effort to provide the truth in acceptable form for the many people who have come to this country from other lands, and we trust that all colporteurs for magazines will secure samples of these papers, and use as many as they can in their territories. Our brethren and sisters in the churches, also, can sell these magazines to neighbors and friends who prefer literature in one of these languages.
Considerable success has already attended this effort. During the year 1910 all these magazines paid their way and showed a small credit balance. Brother F. F. Byington, manager of the International Publishing Association, under date of November 19, writes:—
“We are glad to report that there is a growing interest in our foreign magazines. In reference to our Swedish magazine, a correspondent recently wrote as follows: ‘I will honestly say that your paper is the very best I ever read. I can not get along without it. I have found many precious truths in that paper.’ In reference to our Danish magazine, an Eastern editor writes: ‘I will gladly put the Lys over Landet on my exchange list. It has been a welcome friend ever since the first issue I had the privilege of reading, came. I would like to know whether I could obtain all the issues published as I wish to have them bound for reference.’”
These are good words of cheer for our brethren who are struggling with these pioneer undertakings. Let us help them all we can by our prayers and cooperation.
E. R. P.
Notes
By S. B. H.
THE November-December Bulletin of American Federation of Catholic Societies contains the following boycott advice on its editorial page: “Don’t buy the Encyclopedia Britannica, and advise all your friends not to buy it. It is untrustworthy as to Catholic matters. It is malicious, bigoted, offensive, and false. Do all you can to prevent its sale.” It is presumed that in all other respects the Encyclopedia Britannica is trustworthy. This, together with other campaigns inaugurated by Rome against history, shows that she wishes to stifle the record of the past. In this, perhaps, the Roman Church can not be blamed.
“For the forty-five years that we have been editing a Catholic paper, we have made it our invariable policy to follow the lead of the holy father in politics. We never were ready to go to the length of saying that the temporal power was of divine right. We hesitated to assent to the statement of Cardinal Manning that it was an ecclesiastical question, and as near to the church’s heart as the vestments of the altar. But we always declared that if the Pope wanted the States of the Church, or any other states, we wanted him to have them, and were willing to go any lengths to secure them to him.”—Western Watchman (St. Louis, Mo.). September 21.21
THE press reports that the kaiser, in addressing a deputation of the Brandenburg Senate, said: “The clergy should let dogmatic preaching alone. They should talk less about penitence and such things, and pay more attention to the person of Christ. They should make him the center of their religious services and preaching.” This is certainly wholesome advice, especially the latter part of the kaiser’s statement, not only to the Catholic clergy, to whom this language was addressed, but to all the people who name the name of Jesus.
IN the Western Watchman of September 14, a letter from London, England, refers to the jubilee of united Italy, in which, by the way, the church took no part. The statement is made: “There is a distinct note of hope in the air, for next year will see a magnificent celebration in honor of the fifteen-hundredth anniversary of Constantine’s conversion, and the consequent Christianizing of the Roman empire, and pilgrims are expected in immense numbers from all parts of the world to do homage to the spiritual emperor of Christendom.” When one realizes that the Sunday law of Constantine in 321, promulgated after his so-called conversion, was the entering wedge which brought the union of the church and state, thus “Christianizing the Roman empire,” it ought not to be difficult to see that the success of present efforts to secure from Congress a Sunday law will bring about results similar to those attending the “Christian Roman empire.” S. B. H.
Scholarships for Mount Vernon College
By E. R. P.
FROM the Columbia Union Visitor we learn of the success of the students from Mount Vernon College in their efforts to earn scholarships during last summer's vacation. Thirty-four students joined in the undertaking. The value of book sales required for a scholarship was $275. Of the thirty-four who made a beginning in the spring, eighteen earned the full scholarship, and thirteen a one-half scholarship. One of these students, Rosella Smith, earned three and one-half scholarships. This is a good record, and speaks volumes for the scholarship plan. May we not hear from other schools?
E. R. P.
“Good News From a Far Country”
By E. R. P.
The past week we received at our office a report from Brother John L. Brown, of Spain, showing the sale of literature during the month of October. He reports nine canvassers,—five, who are selling books, and four, who are selling papers. During the month they sold 283 books, 1,576 papers, 28 helps, 441 tracts, and took 10 subscriptions for the missionary paper, the total value of which in American money is $429.68. Brother Brown says:—
“We are all of good courage, and are determined to remain in this battle until Spain is carpeted with our literature. We have our difficulties to overcome, and the enemy to face at every turn; but by God’s help, we will have complete victory over every besetment. We need the prayers of all our loved ones in the home land.”
Indeed, Brother Brown and his little band of brave workers will be remembered in our prayers. Our eyes fill with tears, and our hearts overflow with thanksgiving to God, as we study this report, and try to realize what its note of determination and victory means for the future of the work in this difficult mission field.
We speak of this field as difficult, and yet we believe that God takes delight in giving the most signal victories where the difficulties are greatest. He has plainly shown us his attitude toward our work in such difficult fields in giving the victory that has been gained in Mexico, South America, Russia, China, and in many other fields that may properly be called difficult.
The Bible, also, gives us encouragement on this point. Read Hab. 3:17-19. This scripture teaches that when outward conditions are the most forbidding, the Lord lifts his people up upon his “high places.” There is a high place of victory where we are not subject to the depressing and forbidding conditions that prevail in this wicked world. Brother Brown and his colaborers, evidently, have their feet upon one of those high places. Let us unite in praying that they may continue in this “highway” of victory prepared for the ransomed of the Lord.
E. R. P.
Christian Liberty
By K. C. Russell; S. B. Horton
Reports, notes, and comments pertaining to the current history of the rights of conscience
Conducted by the Religious Liberty Bureau
K. C. RUSSELL. — — — — Secretary
S. B. HORTON — — — — Assistant Secretary
Religious Measures Before Congress
By S. B. H.
THE next session of Congress will convene Monday, December 4. At the present time there are two measures before Congress which affect, in our judgment, the principles of our American institutions. One of these is the District Sunday bill (S. 237), known as the Johnston Sunday bill. This bill is now on the Senate Calendar, and may be called by majority vote of the Senate at any time. It is a well-known fact that the bill, in its title as well as in the section granting exemption to those who keep another day as the Sabbath, is a religious measure, and violative not only of American principles of civil government, but also of the express terms of the First Amendment to the Constitution.
The other measure is pending in the House of Representatives, and is known as A Bill for the Observance of Sunday in Post-Offices (H. R. 9433). This measure is in the hands of the Committee on the Post-Office and Post-Roads, and is likely to be reported from that committee at any time during the next session.
There is no legislation before this Congress which is of more vital concern to our country than these two measures, because of the principles involved; and on that account every American citizen should petition Congress, remonstrating against the passage of these bills.
S. B. H.
The Publishing Work
By E. R. Palmer; N. Z. Town
Conducted by the Publishing Department of the General Conference
E. R. PALMER - - - - Secretary
N. Z. TOWN - - - - Assistant Secretary
He Alone Is Great
By Sarah Bolton
I LIKE the man who faces what he must
With step triumphant and a heart of cheer;
Who fights his daily battle without fear,
Sees his hopes fall, yet keeps unfaltering trust
That God is God, and somehow true and just
His plans work out for mortals; not a tear
Is shed when fortune, which the world holds dear,
Falls from his grasp (better with love a crust
Than living in dishonor); envies not
Nor loses faith in man, but does his best;
Nor ever murmurs at his humbler lot,
But with a smile and words of hope gives zest
To every toiler. He alone is great
Who by a life heroic conquers fate.
—Sarah Bolton.