p. 13 | Review and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 19. (5/9/1912)

Nearer, My God, to Thee

Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee; E'en though it be a cross That raiseth me, Still all my song shall be, Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee.

Deep in thy sacred heart Let me abide, Thou that hast bled for me, Sorrowed and died. Sweet shall my weeping be, Grief surely leading me Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee.

Friends may depart from me, Night may come down; Clouds of adversity Darken and frown; Still through my tears I'll see Hope gently leading me Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee.

When though the shadows fall Naught shall I fear; When darkest seems the night Morning is near. Sweet shall my trusting be, Sorrow still bringing me Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee.

And when the goal is won, How like a dream, In the dim retrospect, Sorrow will seem. Sweet will my transports be, Jesus, thy face to see, When I have come at last Nearer to thee.

— Selected.

Personal Experiences in Japan

By W. L. FOSTER

A YOUNG man, Matsumoto by name, recently accepted Christ, and was compelled to leave home because of his faith. In passing through that experience of cold and hunger, he told me: “I am no more ambitious for wealth. Education and worldly honor are nothing to me now, for I am living for heaven. It matters not what I have to eat, or where I sleep. I have my Bible, and read no other book. Though I possess nothing else, I am happy, and hope my parents will learn to serve God.” Matsumoto San has since been permitted to return home, and he is not ashamed to tell of his hope. Some are already much interested on account of his earnestness.

During the winter we held a series of meetings in Kumamoto, in a store on one of the main streets. We had no way of heating the room, and it took considerable courage to go every night for a month, when the cold was intense; but this was done by at least one young man, whose name is Fuku. His home is on a small island beyond our most southern station in Japan. Although he seemed to be poor, and of a simple mind, I soon learned from others that he is no ordinary student, for he is at the head of his class, which contains more than five hundred students. In the course of a conversation, he said: “I have tried to forget these things [about Christ’s coming], but I can not. They ring in my ears day and night, and a voice tells me to accept your message.”

Steps leading up to a noted shrine, where several hundred lepers formerly were permitted to beg.

He has since decided to obey, and we hope Fuku San will become like a “tree planted by the rivers of water.”

A teacher also from one of the advanced government schools has been faithful in coming to study the Scriptures. Hearing how near we are to the end of all things earthly, he seemed much surprised, and said, “You people have known this so long; I wonder why no one came to tell us before.”

It is pleasant to think of the victories for Christ; but there are so many who, like King Agrippa, are almost persuaded. Our experience is that of the sower; much seems to fall by the wayside, among thorns, or upon stony ground; but some falls on good ground, and we claim the promise of Isa. 55:11.

The New Zealand Camp-Meeting

By J. Pallant

J. PALLANT

THE New Zealand camp-meeting was held at Grey Lynn, Auckland, from Jan. 19 to Feb. 11, 1912. The camp was situated in a natural amphitheater, and was said to be in sight of ten thousand houses. It was on a slope, the land running down into a ravine on three sides. Part of the surrounding land was a park. The situation was a very quiet and pleasant one.

The meeting opened on Tuesday evening, January 29, with a service of thanksgiving for the blessings of the year just closed. The next three days were given to the conference business proceedings, which passed off very harmoniously. The first public meeting was held on Friday night, when the subject was "The Inspiration of the Word of God." This service was largely attended by the public, and the interest continued until the close of the camp-meeting. On both Sundays the attendance was large, and at both the afternoon and evening services the tent was crowded, and as many were sitting and standing outside. These large congregations listened with rapt attention to the subjects presented, and although some of the sermons were long, on account of the matter to be presented, scarcely one left the tent at any time until the meeting closed. After leaving the meeting-tent, a number repaired to the book-tent, and provided themselves with literature, that they might further study the questions presented.

There were fifty-nine living-tents, all well filled, and some of them filled twice, as a part of some families came for the first half, and part for the second half of the meeting. In all, there were 251 in attendance, 204 on the ground, and the remainder in rooms near, the supply of tents having been exhausted before all could be accommodated.

The dining-tent was remarkably well equipped, all who took their meals there, or bought food from the kitchen, being well satisfied. It looked more like a café than a camp-meeting dining-tent. Consequently it did a good business, as also did the health-food tent, which stood beside the dining-tent.

Each day, after dinner, all the campers who could get away, and these were the large majority, went out in the neighborhood, distributing literature and inviting people to the meetings. The city and suburbs had been previously carefully districted; and bands of workers, each having a leader, were assigned to different localities, so that the entire district was well worked, which doubtless helped to increase the attendance.

The sales of literature at the book-tent were good, the cash taken being about $365, besides orders to be paid later. The people provided themselves with reading-matter to take back to their homes for future work. Some did their first personal work at the camp, but as they testified to the blessings received, it is probable it will not be their last.

Meetings were held each day for Bible study, and for instruction in methods of work. Meetings were held for the children each morning, and for the youth each afternoon. Their tent was very prettily decorated, and was adorned with some effective mottoes, which it is hoped may influence the lives of those who read them day by day.

The two Sabbaths were good days. The first service was led by Pastor J. E. Fulton, and the last by Pastor J. M. Cole. The leading thought through both was that the goodness of the Lord leads us to repentance. As the matchless love

of God was dwelt upon, hearts were touched; and when a call was made for those who had wandered from the Lord to return, and for those who had never acknowledged his claims to take their stand, many responded. A number of youth and children took their stand definitely for the Lord for the first time, and others expressed their repentance for having followed afar off, or for having drifted almost away. At the close of the second meeting, nearly the entire congregation rose to express their desire to reconsecrate their lives to the Lord.

At the early morning meeting on the last Sunday, an opportunity was given to all to express their thanksgiving to the Lord in a tangible manner, in offerings for the extension of the work in the home field, and in a short time over $2,500 was pledged. At times the amounts were called so quickly that a halt had to be made in order to get all the names, and the happy faces of all showed that they were tasting of the blessedness of giving.

At 11 A. M. on the second Sunday, a baptismal service was held in the Ponsonby church, when ten brethren and thirteen sisters were baptized by Pastor Cole.

The Monday morning praise service closed a camp-meeting which all who attended said was the best they had ever known. We trust that the blessings received will be given forth in work for the unsaved during the year which will elapse before we shall again gather for such a meeting.

Among Moslems in Persia

ONE of our missionaries in Persia gives us a little insight into the present-day situation among Moslems there, in the following:—

"They have been kept bound by the shackles of darkness for so long that it is entirely beyond man's power to free them. Their religion in many respects resembles ours. They believe in God, the creator; in all the prophets, especially Daniel; they highly regard Jesus as a prophet; and believe in good and evil angels, in the resurrection, and in the judgment; they claim to believe the Old and New Testaments, though they believe that these have been falsified; they abhor swine's flesh, reject alcoholic drinks, and some of the more conscientious discard tobacco; but they absolutely deny the Sonship of Jesus, and while regarding him as sinless, hold Mohammed as far superior, though admitting that the latter has sinned.

"A change for the better has taken place. Half a decade ago, it would have been hazardous to venture to open a Testament and preach Christ in the open market. Last summer the gospel was preached evenings to crowds on the open highway. The Mussulmans will listen with great interest to the gospel stories. At a number of villages we showed our prophetic chart, explaining the prophecies of Daniel. They showed great interest for these things, and one invited me to his home. When asked whether there were any bad people in the village, they answered, 'O, no; we are all, every one of us, good people.'"

Our Fallen Brother

By T. E. Bowen

ALTHOUGH announcement has been made in the Review of the death of Brother Esta Miller, at Shanghai, China, Feb. 19, 1912, it was not possible at that time to insert his picture, for no photograph was at hand. We are glad to present it herewith.

From the last report Brother Miller wrote, we quote the following, as sent by Brother Allum, from China: —

"We opened a street chapel in Hankow, and held meetings daily. In February five were baptized, these being our first converts in the province of Hupeh. In May another out-station was opened at Chang Djang Poo, forty miles inland from Hankow, and now there is a large company of believers in that place. Later, five others were baptized, and a church of sixteen members was organized. Our chapel in Hankow was burned when the city was destroyed. The Lord has greatly blessed in the starting of our work, for which we feel to rejoice."

Brother Allum adds: "In the death of Brother Esta Miller our mission mourns the loss of a worker who was dearly beloved by all who knew him."

Let us pray that the work so well begun by our fallen brother may be carried forward successfully by other consecrated laborers, and many be saved at harvest-time. T. E. BOWEN.

An Interesting Trip (Fiji)

By A. G. Stewart

A. G. STEWART

WHILE traveling in Fiji during the summer months, we called by boat at one place that particularly interested me. This was Labasa, a European village on the northwest coast of Vanua Levu, where the Colonial Sugar Refining Company has a very large sugar-mill, employing about six thousand Indians, or coolies as they are usually called.

I found my way to the home of the Church of England minister, which was about half a mile from the village; but a hurricane had flattened his house like a brick falling on a cardboard box, and the poor man had removed to other quarters. As he was then out visiting, I left some papers for him, and a message telling him that I was aboard the steamer, and would probably call upon him the next morning. In the evening, however, he came aboard to see me, and we had a long and interesting conversation about his work. Before leaving that night, we arranged that I should accompany him the next morning on one of his visits to an outpost where some Buddhist believers have some interest in the Christian faith.

This visit proved very interesting indeed, and I learned from our conversation that my friend has a knowledge of three Indian dialects, which he uses in his work for the coolies,—Hindi, Telegu, and Urdu. Hindi, however, seems to be the dialect chiefly spoken among the Indians of Fiji. Part of the time he acted as interpreter while a Buddhist priest and I compared the Christian religion with Buddhism. Such experiences make one long to be able to help these people let go the soulless doctrine of Buddha for the grand truths of the Christian religion. When the minister learned that we intended starting work among them, he said, "Well, there is plenty of room for us all, and anything that I can do to help you I will gladly do." He apologized for not being able to accommodate me while there, and said he hoped if ever I was around that way again, he could ask me to stay with him.

It is good to find inquirers in these out-of-the-way places, and we trust that many of them will be included among those who will sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb. We invite you all to have a part in helping them by continually praying for their conversion.

Suva Vou.

The Voice of God

By Oliver P. Wilson

GIVE ear, O Earth, amid thy strain, And rest awhile to-day, Come back and list the glad refrain, Return without delay, For 'bove thy bosom's motley host Rings out a clarion call: "Get ready now from coast to coast; Arouse thy people, all."

It is the voice that Bethle'm heard Proclaiming peace and song; Good will to men of earth, the word To turn and flee from wrong; Yea, mighty is that voice, and sweet, A tower of strength; but storm To all who would in sin retreat; To others no alarm.

Then list, O Earth, amid thy strain, And hear His voice, and see His day is near to come again, Once more thy joy to be, Return thy beauty as of old Among the worlds to win, Where all will join thee in his fold. Secure and free from sin.

Ketchum, Okla.

At the End of the Day

By Chicago Tribune

MEN hurry past him in the street, And yield him no regard at all; Where those whose pride is great compete He has a place obscure and small; He humbly serves as best he may Where giants battle for success, But at the end of every day He hurries home to happiness.

Where traffic roars and walls are high He earns the pittance he receives, And few men would be gladdened by The little triumphs he achieves. Denied the talents of the great, He hurries home when night arrives, To be a blissful potentate Among the ones for whom he strives.

Men wonder why his look is glad, Since he is poor and underpaid; Obscure, hard-pressed, and cheaply clad, He goes to duty, undismayed; With common gifts, he envies none The glories of supreme success, For when the day's hard work is done He hurries home to happiness. — Chicago Tribune.

Transient Troubles

By Selected

Most of us have had troubles all our lives, and each day has brought all the evil that we wished to endure. But if we were asked to recount the sorrows of our lives, how many could we remember? How many that are six months old should we think worthy to be remembered or mentioned? To-day's troubles look large, but a week hence they will be forgotten and buried out of sight.

If you would keep a book, and every day put down the things that worry you, and see what becomes of them, it would be a benefit to you. You allow a thing to annoy you, just as you allow a fly to settle on you and plague you; and you get angry,—or in other words, lose your temper; for when men are surcharged with temper, they are said to have lost it,—and you justify yourselves for being thrown off your balance by causes which you do not trace out. But if you would see what it was that threw you off your balance before breakfast, and put it down in a little book, and ascertain what becomes of it, you would see what a fool you were in the matter.

The art of forgetting is a blessed art, but the art of overlooking is quite as important. And if we should take time to write down the origin, the progress, and the outcome of a few of our troubles, it would make us so ashamed of the fuss we make over them that we should be glad to drop such things and bury them at once in eternal forgetfulness. Life is too short to be worn out in petty worries, frettings, hatreds, and vexations.

Let us think only on whatsoever things are pure, and lovely, and gentle, and of good report.—Selected.

Responsibility of Parents

By Mrs. Julia L. Zener

MRS. JULIA L. ZENER

IN "Testimonies for the Church" we read: "Parents are, in a great measure, responsible for the mold given to the characters of their children." Parenthood is a great privilege, and yet a great responsibility. "They [parents] should aim at symmetry and proportion." That is, as the context shows, every part of the body and mind should be properly developed. We read again: "There are few well-balanced minds, because parents are wickedly negligent of their duty to stimulate weak traits and repress wrong ones."

Our children inherit our natures to a great degree. Then, instead of teaching them our prejudices and biased habits of thought and our incorrect ways of living, we should consider them as talents loaned us by the Lord. If our worldly goods belong to him, how much more our children! If parents would remember this and act accordingly, they would be spared a great deal of anxiety while their children are young, and untold regrets in later years.

Again we read of parents: "They are under the most solemn obligation to watch the tendencies of each child; it is their duty to train their children to right habits and right ways of thinking."

I have often thought that some parents let their children grow like a wild vine, instead of training them. To train a child does not necessarily imply the use of the rod, neither does it mean to lecture and scold. When we train a vine, we do not let it alone to grow its own way for a while, and then break off the little tendrils that cling to the nearest object, and proceed to tie it up and try to make it grow some other way; but every day we see that it is inclined in the right direction, pick off the dead leaves, provide supports for the new shoots, and, if the ground is dry, give it plenty of water.

In the same way the careful mother looks after her child. She turns its mind each morning toward the God who gave it life and all the good things it enjoys. She sees that the tendrils of its faith are clinging to God's promises. As new shoots, or ideas, appear, some fitting promise or truth in God's Word is presented as a trellis upon which they can grow and expand. Her love and her prayers keep the soil of its young heart always moist and fertile.

There is a great lack of careful mothering. Men and women are often too selfish to train their children. They are too busy looking after their own worldly interests or seeking their own comfort and ease. They bring children into the world, clothe and feed them, and send them to school, and think they have done their duty.

It takes watchful, wakeful vigilance to train children. You must keep the confidence of the little ones. Never grow too old for them, nor suffer them to outgrow you. Enter heartily into whatever you allow them to become interested in. Offer them each morning, and all the time, to the Lord. Press them upon him. Keep him reminded of his promise to give you wisdom and patience to bring them up in the right way. Give them plenty of warm, tender, unselfish love. It will plant the same seed in the soil of their young hearts, and will prepare them for the early reception of the pure love of Jesus. Don't forget to pray with your children; it will strengthen their characters, and draw them to Jesus and to you.

It is not necessary to indulge their appetites and whims in order to show our love for them, nor to insure their love for us. Children very early begin to reason; and as soon as they can comprehend, we may safely begin to explain to them why it is best for them to do thus, or not best to do the other way.

If I have had any success in training children, it is largely because I trained their consciences. And this I did in spite of strong opposition. My husband and my mother continually told me I was spoiling my children, that I ought to use more authority. With my husband, No meant no, and the children learned to abide by it. My mother's ideas were of the old-school type. She considered her word authority, and tried to have her children think so, too. I think I had no well-defined ideas on the subject. I wanted to train them right, but they were quite self-willed; and I didn't enjoy punishing them, but did enjoy explaining things to them and reasoning with them; and so I naturally adopted that method as the rule, leaving the corrections for times of extremity when all else failed. I did it then, feeling it was the best I could do, and later experience and observation have shown me that it was the right thing to do. It is God's way. The way he governs his children is the best way for parents to govern theirs.

Whatever traits of character or principles we wish our children to have, must be firmly fixed in us. It will not be difficult to instil into the minds of our children those principles that have been a part of our nature. Children admire decision and firmness in their elders. If the father and mother are kind, and at the same time firm, adhering to principle, they can do almost anything they please with their children. So if we unite our weakness with God's might, looking to him continually for wisdom and strength, we shall as certainly make a success of our child-training as God's word is true.

As I look back over my life as a mother, well do I remember how my heart used to sink within me when the selfish, self-willed little mortals whom the Lord had given me to train for him would rise up, as it were, as if taken possession of by some untamed spirit, and show me just how unable I was for these things. With back, head, and heart all aching, I would be compelled to seek the Lord for help. He always answered me, and often showed me that the trouble was right in my own self. And here is where the trouble always lies. If parents take God's Word for their guide, realize the importance of training their children, and have faith, the work of bringing them up need not be uncertain in its results.

Fathers and mothers, which is easier, to train a child to be an honor to the Lord, or to remove a mountain? But you can do neither without that mustard-seed faith that Jesus tells us of. Nothing staggers faith; and although we all have made mistakes in training our children, and have much to regret, and though we may have grown-up children yet unsaved, if we now turn to the Lord with confidence in his word, and faith in his power and willingness to help, we may yet see them all saved in the kingdom of God. How I wish that parents whose children are yet of tender years would heed the instruction given in God's Word, and train their children in the way they should go, remembering that God says they shall not depart from it when they are old.

Boulder, Colo.

The Queer Little List

By Ruth Cameron

"THERE," said the little lady who is always doing original things, as she rolled up the darned stocking with the whole one in that memorial fashion of all housewives, and tossed it into the mended pile. "There, now, I can cross that off my list."

"What list?" I inquired.

"O, didn't you ever see my list?" she laughed. "Well, almost every morning I make out a little list of the things I have to do; and then as I get them done, I check them off; and you don't know how it helps."

"Here," she brought out a folded paper from under the cloth. "Here's my list for to-day. Of course I don't put down the routine things, like dishes and beds."

The list reads:— Darn the stockings. Make a batch of cookies. Mend Fred's trousers. Put Jeannette's coat in the chest. Clean the silver. Brush up the living-room and dining-room. Finish embroidering table-cover. Four of the seven items were checked off.

"Every one laughs at me," defended the lady who is always doing original things, "and some say they should think I'd rather have the time to do the things instead of writing them down; but truly it helps. In the first place, it keeps me from forgetting the most important thing I have to do, the way I used to. And in the second place, it takes the load of remembering off my mind. Really, I used to be always thinking in the back of my head, 'Now, what was I going to do next?' Now I simply attend to what I'm doing, and then when I get it done, I look at my list.

"And then I get such a satisfaction out of checking things off when they're done. It's like the way my mother used to do when I was going to have some pleasure that it seemed to me I couldn't wait for. She'd cut me out a string of paper dolls, one for each day before the day of pleasure, and I would tear one off each night, and it helped so much."

If there really was a twinkle in my eye, I think it had vanished before the end of the lady's plea for her quaint little custom.

Some great person has said something to the effect that the wise folks in this world are the folks who refuse to grow up, who play at life as if it were a game, and die still happy children.

Don't you think he would have loved the lady who is always doing original things, and her quaint little list? — Northwestern Christian Advocate.

Medical Question Corner

By P. S. Bourdieu-Sisco

Answers by Dr. P. S. Bourdieu-Sisco, head lady physician of the Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium

Intestinal Inactivity

"I AM greatly troubled with constipation. I had an operation for piles, but am more or less troubled with them yet. I use cereals, whole-wheat bread, and have tried eating prunes and apples for supper; but this does not help me much. Have been taking injections of tepid water for six years, using about two quarts, and holding it for half an hour. I also massage the abdomen, but without much effect. What can I do more than I am doing? Mrs. C. R."

TREATMENT.—For constipation one should observe a very regular program for work, repose, and eating. Any exercise that strengthens the abdominal muscles or serves to jar the abdominal contents will be helpful, such as boating, walking, bicycle riding, jumping, horseback riding, or any outdoor work. The skin must be kept active. It is a good plan to rest one hour after meals. Of course, all causes of constipation should be removed. Piles may be one cause.

There are two types of constipation, the spastic and the atonic kind. The treatment in these cases is very largely dietetic. For spastic constipation avoid foods leaving too much residue in the intestine, as, for instance, coarse vegetables or fruits with their skins; also avoid stringent foods, like raspberries, blackberries, and all fruits that are unripe. One should not eat greasy foods or foods cooked in grease. Avoid highly seasoned foods, pastries, spices, all foods leaving too much indigestible residue, and all irritating foods. Drink abundantly, but not to excess, preferably hot drinks—no tea nor coffee.

For atonic constipation the diet régime is, in general, the opposite of that for the spastic form. A certain amount of fat and fatty foods should be insisted on. Quite large quantities of fat, such as butter or olive-oil, may be taken with the meal, or, better, in a free form. The bulk of the diet should be vegetarian in nature, food that has much residue for the purpose of stimulating the bowel activity by its bulk, though all coarse and green vegetables should be chopped fine before using. Milk and milk products are of benefit. Acid fruits are excellent, except those containing tannic acid, like blackberries and raspberries. Large quantities of grapes produce excellent results in some cases. A large dish of prunes eaten just before retiring is very effective, and figs are also laxative. Any acid fruit before breakfast is recommended. Bread should be made of the whole kernel of the grain; that is, it should contain the bran, whether it is wheat, rye, or barley. Water should be taken in sufficient quantities, but it should be cold water, and in some cases it may be very cold, a glass before breakfast being found very helpful. Cold stimulates intestinal activity.

The enema is helpful when the bowel does not move freely, but it may easily become a bad habit. If warm water is used, a few ounces of cold water should be used after the movement, in order to tone up the bowel walls. A small cold enema is often better than a larger warm one. An ounce or two of olive-oil may be taken as an enema at night and retained, insuring a movement the next morning. Medicine is, of course, the last resort, and a doubtful one, for constipation, and should be used only in cases of absolute necessity. One of the best, perhaps, is cascara in some form; but when the bowels move freely, the doses should be gradually diminished. Massage, mechanical vibration, electricity, and hydrotherapy are very useful when they can be properly applied.

An Excellent Motto

"Joy and light are mine, not gloom and fear; And I will give to others love sincere, Not merely for this month, but all the year. Unceasingly I'll strive each day to be A help to every one who comes to me, Regardless of his birth, condition, creed, Yielding all I have for others' need."

The Demon of Hate in the Church

By W. F. Biederwolf

WHAT do you imagine the world thinks when it sees the demon of hate stalk forth in a church where brotherly love ought to prevail, and with drawn sword pierce the very vitals of the church until it bleeds and dies? — W. F. Biederwolf.

The Hindered Christ

By Alice J. Nichols

ALICE J. NICHOLS

The Lord Christ wanted a tongue one day To speak a message of cheer To a heart that was weary, worn, and sad, And weighed with doubt and fear. He asked me for mine, but 'twas busy quite With my own affairs from morn till night.

The Lord Christ wanted a hand one day To do a loving deed; He wanted two feet on an errand for him To run with gladsome speed. But I had need of my own that day; To his gentle beseeching I answered “Nay!”

So all that day I used my tongue, My hands, and my feet as I chose, I said some hasty, bitter words That hurt one heart, God knows. I busied my hands with worthless play, And my wilful feet went a crooked way.

And the dear Lord Christ—was his work undone For lack of a willing heart? It is through men that he speaks to men. His men must do their part. He may have used another that day, But I wish I had let him have his way. — Missionary Tidings.

Western Washington

By Daniel Nettleton

By invitation, I met with the church at Bellingham on Sabbath and Sunday, April 13, 14. It is pleasant, and I trust profitable, to leave the routine of sanitarium work for a few days and meet and worship with others of like precious faith. Our train arrived at Bellingham on Friday, at 7:50 P. M. Hastening to the church, I found a congregation awaiting my arrival. How encouraging to the minister, as he enters the house of God, to find a people ready and waiting to hear the word of the Lord, and singing the sweet songs of Zion as they wait. How blessed, as he kneels in the pulpit to ask help of God for the hour, to know that the people are also praying, "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth." Our hearts were made glad as we studied together the scripture, "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him."

Sabbath was a good day for those who sang from the heart,—

"Welcome, delightful morn, Thou day of sacred rest."

After an interesting Sabbath-school and a short sermon, we all joined in a testimony and praise service. It is good to praise the Lord, and to hear God's saints witness for him and tell of his mercy to them. "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness," for by so doing I could at least hear his saints praise him. After our praise service, the ordinance of humility and the one that shows the Lord's death till he come, were celebrated. Why should not the people of God have frequent meetings of this character? Do you remember that "they that feared the Lord spake often one to another," and how the hearts of the disciples burned within them as the risen Saviour spoke to them and opened to them the Scriptures?

I also spoke on Saturday night and twice on Sunday in our church. These meetings were well attended by our brethren, and a few others were present. Our theme was the signs of the times and the preparation necessary for our soon-coming King.

On Monday I went to Lynden to visit friends and interested ones who had been here at our sanitarium. In the afternoon we had a small meeting at the home of Mrs. A. J. Cudney, the widow of Elder A. J. Cudney, who, in Nebraska, in the early days of my ministry was my yoke-fellow in the gospel. Brother Cudney was lost at sea on his way to visit the people on Pitcairn Island, in the year 1888. I found Sister Cudney hopeful and busy in her Master's service. We should not be full of sorrow, or without hope, but with cheerful, loving hearts should go on to help finish the work of God, expecting soon to meet all our dear fellow workers and the beloved church of God where there shall be no more sad partings, tears, nor death.

DANIEL NETTLETON.

The Blessing of Personal Missionary Work

The following incident is gleaned from a letter written by Miss Frances Brockman, one of our missionary nurses in Uruguay, South America:—

"Not long ago I was called to take a case at the — hospital. The matron was particularly prejudiced against Seventh-day Adventists, and had forbidden us to mention religion to the patients or give them literature, so it was quite a struggle for me to decide to go. The call came at nine o'clock at night. A Franco-German man was to be operated on for appendicitis. The first incision showed that he was suffering from peritonitis, and past all earthly help, so it was immediately closed. By twelve o'clock he was weak and grew very restless and nervous. I never had had such a face-to-face battle with Satan as I had that night. The still, small voice said to me, 'Speak to him of his salvation,' but Satan said, 'This is no time to trouble him with such matters.' I walked the floor in agony; for I felt that my own salvation depended upon my talking with him, yet medical ethics forbade it. Finally, with a prayer for help, I asked if he was a Christian.

"He said his mother had been a Christian woman, and that she had taught him to pray, but he had wandered far from the right path, and God would never forgive one so wicked. I told him of the prodigal son, of the widow who lost the coin, and of the Good Shepherd. Each time I stopped he would say, 'Tell me more of your God.' At last he grew quiet and thoughtful, and I told him he must rest. As morning dawned and death drew near, his distress was pitiful. We talked more concerning the Father's love, and I told him of the joy in heaven over 'one sinner that repenteth.' Then I knelt by his bedside to pray, and asked him to join me. Though too weak to speak, the folded hands, upturned eyes, and moving lips told that he was communing with his Creator, into whose hands he had committed his spirit. Ten minutes later he passed away without a struggle.

"O, the condemnation had I refused to go to the hospital or delayed to obey the guiding of the Spirit! O the joy that God was willing to use even me in so sacred a work! Before I left, I had a long talk with the matron, and we parted friends."

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