Your ShelfYour Projects

Review and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 42.

A Prayer

Review and Herald

Oct 19, 1911

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 19, 1911

A Prayer

x x x
Lord, teach me to pray. I do not know How I should speak to Thee; My best desires are unexpressed in words; There comes to me the consciousness That even now Thou knowest the things For which I crave.
Lord, hold Thou my hand. The path in which I walk is dim to see; But others walk it with me in the mist, And I recall that Thou hast walked it, too, And so I ask that I may not complain; Help me to be brave.
Lord, keep me from sin. I would that men Might think great things of Thee, Because Thy power hath kept me to the end. May I so live that none be made to fall Through act of mine, or foolish word; instead, May Thine own chivalry Inspire to save.
Lord, help me to live. Give me more power, That I to men may be, Forgetting self in Thy great ministry, A source of strength, as Thou wast while on earth. Give me the love that makes men suffer long, E’en though, like Thee, it lead Me to the grave.
— Charles Stelzle.

THE NOVEMBER NUMBER OF LIFE & HEALTH

Ready October Fifteen
¶ Will help to make you a better man or woman physically, mentally, and morally.
¶ Teaches in simple language how you may apply simple home remedies that will prevent as well as cure disease.
¶ The following is a list of six articles just handed us by the editor, and is a sample of the many good things this number contains:—
HEADACHES: THEIR CAUSES, PREVENTION, AND CURE, by the author of “Preston Papers.” Who can estimate its worth to millions of sufferers from this common affliction?
HOW TWO MOTHERS CARED FOR THEIR BABIES: WHY ONE SUCCEEDED AND THE OTHER FAILED, by Lauretta Kress, M. D., of the Loma Linda (Cal.) Sanitarium staff. The first of three articles from the pen of this physician of wide experience in Europe, Australia, and America. Should be read by every mother interested in the successful care of her children.
HOME WATER TREATMENTS: THEIR RESTORATIVE EFFECTS, by G. K. Abbott, M. D., of the Loma Linda (Cal.) Sanitarium staff. Many illnesses can be alleviated and cured through these simple treatments, which may be administered in the privacy of the home.
WHY A SMALL ATTENDANCE AT CHURCH SERVICES? A STUDY ON VENTILATION, by Mary A. Laselle. Call the attention of your pastor, and of your friends’ pastor, to this valuable contribution, showing the relation between good health and good religion.
THE SCIENCE OF WATER-DRINKING, by W. W. Worster, A. B., M. D. There are many things to be learned even about the common, every-day practise of drinking. Well worth reading.
THE HARDENING OF THE ARTERIES, by J. H. Neall, M. D. A lecture recently delivered by this well-known physician. Tells us in simple language what arteriosclerosis means to the life and health of mankind.
¶ The product of the best-combined efforts of the editor, contributors, and publishers. ¶ Buy it, read it, and pass it on to others. ¶ Better still, send $2.00 for 50 copies, sell 20 to get your money back; then sell or give away the other 30 in the interests of true health and temperance reform.
¶ The National Health Magazine is the only publication which will tell you How to keep well.         How to treat disease at home. How to get well.         How to sleep, eat, and dress for health.
¶ Read by over 300,000 people every month. ¶ During the past four months 316 new agents have been added to our list.
¶ The long winter evenings are now approaching, when people have more time to read. Why not apply for a Life and Health agency to-day, through your Conference Tract Society?

PRICES

$1.00 a year, 10 cents a copy.  5 to 40 copies, 5 cents a copy.  50 or more copies, 4 cents a copy.
Send All Orders Through Your Conference Tract Society

OUR BARGAIN COUNTER

The Review and Herald Book Department has on hand a number of books that are slightly worn from handling, and some that were slightly damaged by water at the time of our fire last April, which renders them unsalable as perfect stock. On many of them the damage is so slight as to be hardly noticeable, and none are damaged otherwise than on the covers. While they last, we will furnish them at the following very low prices:—
Daniel and the Revelation, cloth        $1.50 Great Controversy, cloth            1.50 Our Paradise Home, board           .15 By Land and Sea, cloth             .75 Abiding Spirit, cloth             .25 Seer of Patmos, half cloth, plain        .60 Seer of Patmos, half cloth, marbled       .70 My Garden Neighbors, cloth           .50 Heralds of the Morning, cloth          .75 Sunbeams of Health and Temperance, cloth, plain .75 Sunbeams of Health and Temperance, gilt    1.00 Breakfast, Dinner, and Supper, cloth      .75 Drummond’s Addresses, cloth          .40 Scripture Index to Writings of Mrs. E. G. White, cloth .20 Scripture Index to Writings of Mrs. E. G. White, leather .30 The Nonsuch Professor, cloth          .50 The Glad Tidings               .35 The Federal Government of Switzerland     .50 Battle Hymn of the Kingdom, cloth       .20
REVIEW AND HERALD Publishing Association Takoma Park, Washington, D. C.
If you do not know the address of your Tract Society, inquire of the publishers of this paper.

Acquaintance With God

T. M. FRENCH
SINCE sin entered the world, it has been the studied plan of the arch-deceiver to keep man from a real acquaintance with his Maker. We may study about God, we may accept or devise new theories concerning him, but without a personal acquaintance with him no new life is brought into the soul. And so the invitation of faithful Job comes down to us: “Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.”
Many fail to discern the true character of God and to enter into fellowship with him, because selfishness—the spirit of this world—excludes the real knowledge of the true God. The one who said in his heart, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God,” has permeated the world with his spirit. The student taxes the faculties of his mind to the utmost, that he may climb above his fellows and gain renown; the man of power seeks greater and still greater power, that he may win the homage of the world; the wealthy amass greater and still greater fortunes, that human pride may be satisfied. But “thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth.”
To this acquaintance with God we are invited to-day. That we might be brought into fellowship with our Creator, the Son of God left his Father’s throne. He came to reveal God to us. And the invitation comes to the sin-burdened, who are laboring to meet the world’s standard: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” O that the perplexed, the weary, the burdened, the afflicted, might understand what this acquaintance with the Friend of sinners means!
If our youth could but enter into this experience with their Maker, their lives, instead of being darkened with selfishness, would grow bright in communion with the Source of all wisdom. They would receive that “wisdom that is from above,” which is “pure,”—free from selfishness,—and their lives would expand with a benevolence and a nobility that are sadly lacking to-day. Bearing the yoke with Christ, co-workers with the One who is ever ministering to the needs of perishing humanity, they would gain an experience that the selfish heart can not comprehend.
And if the daily toiler for the support of a home could but realize that there is ever by his side One who carried these same responsibilities, the long hours of arduous labor would be gladdened. If father and mother would but turn aside from ceaseless activity and commune with the Omnipotent, they would have an unfailing helper. Their lives would grow happy in service for loved ones.
Then, too, in this world of sorrow and suffering, there is no anchor to the soul without personal acquaintance with the tender, compassionate Saviour. When the deep waters of affliction roll over the soul, earthly wisdom, power, and wealth fail; but the one who knows God is brought into a closer companionship with his Redeemer. This experience led the apostle Paul to esteem it a privilege to suffer with Christ.
“And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the atonement [at-one-ment].” A real acquaintance with God, a constant communion with him, a sense of his saving power in the life, and a realization of his comfort in affliction, bring a joy to the heart that the pleasures of this world can never afford. “Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.”
Takoma Park, D. C.

Hard Nuts for Seventh Dayists

GEO. B. THOMPSON
Under the above heading, several journals have published recently a list of so-called “hard nuts” for those to crack who keep the Bible Sabbath. As requests have been sent in that they receive some attention, we have decided to consider them, for the benefit of those who may, with an honest and true heart, be seeking for the truth on the Sabbath question.
Ever since our existence as a people, now more than half a century, we have, on many different occasions, taken the time to crack these same nuts. But in a short time some new theologian comes to the front with these same questions which have been answered, labels them “Hard Nuts,” and parades them around as if they were a fresh lot; and this he does with a self-satisfied air, as if a number of negative assertions proved something.
In the article under review no proof is given why we should keep Sunday.Not a single text is cited to establish its claim as a day of rest. No proof is given why this heathen festival day should usurp the place of God’s holy day, which he made, and gave to man, and which the Son of God, man’s example, kept. The writer simply sits as a critic to quibble, pick flaws, ask questions, and cavil about this and that. But anybody can ask questions. A child can ask a question which may puzzle a sage. But the fact that a question is difficult to answer, proves nothing as to the erudition of the questioner, neither does it prove that the doctrine against which the question is directed is not the truth.
The business of propounding so-called ‘hard nuts’ for other people to hammer on is centuries old. Considerable business can be done in this way on a small investment. The Saviour met this in his day. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and other self-denominated learned people of his day manufactured some theological nuts about paying tribute, the resurrection, and other questions; not that they desired light, or were searching for the truth, but to entangle the Saviour, if possible, in his talk. The Master, however, was able to discern the motives which prompted them to quiz him, and he pointed out the real difficulty of his questioners by saying, ‘Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures.’ Matt. 22:29. Men still err for the same reason. Then with some of the sayings of Moses, Jesus demolished their theological quibbles at one blow. So completely did the ‘book of Moses’ rend the web by which they hoped to ‘entangle him,’ that we are told they were put to ‘silence,’ ‘left him, and went their way.’
So much by way of introduction. Now for the ‘hard nuts:’—
‘1. Where is the proof that any man ever kept the seventh day, except by special commandment, prior to the proclamation of the ten commandments at Mount Sinai? Gen. 2:2, 3; Ex. 16: 1-30; 19:25; 20:1-17.’
Just what the writer has in mind by the words ‘except by special commandment,’ is uncertain. It looks like a hole to crawl through when faced with the proof that the Sabbath was kept before the children of Israel reached Sinai. Evidently the writer believes there were some commandments given before that time concerning the Sabbath observance. This is true. God commanded its observance when he blessed and made holy the day.
The texts quoted in the query answer the question. Gen. 2:3 says that ‘God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.’ The Standard Dictionary defines sanctify as follows: ‘To set apart as holy or for holy purposes; consecrate; hallow; as, the Sabbath was sanctified by God.’ The only way God could ‘set apart’ the holy Sabbath as a day of rest was to give a command concerning its observance, which he did.
‘And sanctified it’ (Heb., Kadash). It is by this term that the positive appointment of the Sabbath as a day of rest to man is expressed. God’s sanctifying the day is equivalent to his commanding men to sanctify it.’—Notes on Gen. 2:3, by George Bush, formerly Professor of Hebrew and Oriental Literature in New York City University.
The fact that periods of seven days (the week) were known, is also further proof that the Sabbath was known and kept, as the Sabbath is the only thing which divides time into weekly periods.
Then, too, the instruction concerning the gathering of the manna was given prior to the giving of the law on Mount Sinai. See Exodus 16.
‘2. If Christians are required to keep the seventh day, why do you depart from your dwelling on that day, seeing those to whom the law was given were plainly commanded not to do so? Ex. 16:29.’
The text (Ex. 16:29) referred to reads as follows: ‘See, for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.’ The next verse explains it: ‘So the people rested on the seventh day.’ The prohibition was against going out to gather manna, against working on the Sabbath. A double portion of manna was to be gathered on the sixth day so none would need to ‘go out of his place’ on the Sabbath to engage in the work of gathering food. In harmony with this prohibition, ‘the people rested on the seventh day.’ There was no restriction against assembling for worship on the Sabbath; in fact, the Sabbath was to be a ‘holy convocation.’ Lev. 23:3.
But now that the matter of the proper observance of the Sabbath is up, we shall be glad if those who teach that Sunday should be kept holy will cite (a) a ‘Thus saith the Lord’ for its observance, and (b) the instruction given by the Lord as to just how it should be kept. We have read the Bible through many times without finding it. It is not some statute enacted by a State legislature we are asking for, but chapter and verse in the Bible which tells what things are proper and what are not on Sunday. Here is a nut we have been waiting to have cracked for several decades. How much longer must we wait? Perhaps some of the papers which have been passing around these hard nuts, evidently with the idea that they are dainty morsels on the Sabbath question, can produce chapter and verse. Where is it, please? No dodging here. Proof! It is a poor policy for those who observe a day concerning which no divine instruction can be found for its observance, to find fault with the way those observe the day that the Lord sanctified and instructed his people how to keep. See Isa. 58:12-14.
‘3. If you keep one Sabbath—the seventh day—why not keep them all, the seventh year and the year of jubilee? Who authorized you to make distinction in favor of the seventh day? Lev. 25:1-22.’
God has made a distinction; therefore we do the same. There were seven annual sabbaths; namely, the first day of unleavened bread, the seventh day of that feast, the day of Pentecost, the first day of the seventh month, the tenth day of that month, the fifteenth day of that month, and the twenty-second day of the same. These were ceremonial sabbaths, and were not commanded in the decalogue. All these were ‘beside the Sabbaths of the Lord.’ Lev. 23:38.
‘4. If Christians are required to keep the Sabbath, how are they to live in cold climates? Ex. 35:1-3.’
It is absurd to endeavor to make the prohibition against kindling fire on the Sabbath apply to lighting fires for warmth and comfort in places where, on account of cold weather, fire is an absolute necessity. This command evidently was a temporary statute which related to the Israelites. We read of one man who ‘gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day.’ Num. 15:32. He intended, perhaps, to kindle a fire, not for comfort, nor to cook necessary food, but to show his contempt of the Sabbath institution. The instruction is no part of the Sabbath law, and pertained to the special needs of the children of Israel in the wilderness. The principle underlying it, however, of abstaining from unnecessary work on the Sabbath will apply to all time.
(To be continued)
Washington, D. C.

Wealth in Jesus

N. W. VINCENT
THERE is greatness in Jehovah Like the grandeur of the sea; There is glory in his pity That stoops down to you and me; There is sweetness in the comfort That the Prince of Peace will send; Priceless treasure in the promise, “I am with you to the end.”
O what worship in redemption Now is drawn to God’s dear Son! Christ in dying for our pardon Everlasting praise has won; Acts and attributes all raise him To the height of perfect fame; May we live to love and praise him Who for us so overcame.
Sing his praise, O friend and brother; There is worth in Christ our King That is found in not another. Help the universe to ring With glad songs to him who made us; Who upholds the worlds he made; Who is with us, strong to aid us. Friend of Christ, be not afraid.
Caney, Kan.

MRS. ROXETTE RUNCK, M. D

Abiding

MRS. ROXETTE RUNCK, M. D

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
It is through daily study of the Word that Christ abides in us, and we in him. He abides in us. Blessed thought! There is only one way in which this promise is fulfilled in our lives,—by feeding daily upon the Word.
Many opportunities to do good pass unimproved because we have not this living connection with the Vine. How can the Lord trust us with such important work as feeding his lambs? Indeed, we have no food for them if we do not come daily to his heavenly storehouse for our supply. If we read the Bible prayerfully, upon our knees, it becomes a part of us, and he abides within.
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch can not bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”
When we go about our daily duties preaching Christ in every act and word,—living epistles read by all men,—then many opportunities are presented to us to feed his sheep. The power we have is not ours, but he speaks through us. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
“Strive to arouse men and women from their insensibility. Tell them how you found Jesus, and how blessed you have been since you have gained an experiencein his service. Tell them what blessings come to you as you sit at the feet of Jesus and learn precious lessons from his Word.” “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.”
Mount Vernon, Ohio.

Rome’s Methods

B. E. TEFFT
“ROMANISM IS NOW REGARDED BY PROTESTANTS WITH FAR GREATER FAVOR THAN IN FORMER YEARS. . . . It is true that there are real Christians in the Roman Catholic communion. Thousands in that church are serving God according to the best light they have. They are not allowed to read the Word, and therefore they do not discern the truth.” But God will yet “cause rays of light” to shine upon those in darkness, and will “reveal to them the truth as it is in Jesus.”
“But Romanism as a system is no more in harmony with the gospel of Christ now than at any former period in her history.” “She is employing every device to extend her influence and increase her power in preparation for a fierce and determined conflict to regain control of the world, to reestablish persecution and to undo all that Protestantism has done. Catholicism is gaining ground in our country on every side. . . . Protestants have tampered with and patronized popery; they have made compromises and concessions which papists themselves are surprised to see, and fail to understand.”
San Diego is to have a Panama-California exposition in 1915. The ground-breaking ceremonies occurred July 19. President Taft, in the presence of a distinguished company at the White House, pressed the button that sent his greetings. He also sent a special envoy to represent himself. In this initial celebration the first place was given the Catholics because of their pioneer mission work in this place.
It is estimated that between twenty and thirty thousand people were present. San Diego is not a Catholic city, those of that faith being largely in the minority. But the first white settlers were Catholic missionaries. That fact has always been used here by the Catholics to bring into favorable prominence the papal church, and in this way great advantage was gained by them at the opening ceremonies referred to. They had the first place, and were in the majority in the church parade to the park where the first military mass in San Diego was celebrated. The leading city papers gave great prominence to this. From the San Diego Union I quote:—
“A priest at the altar raised a tiny wafer high to the view of thousands who bent their knees in the dust, and with bare heads bowed, struck their breasts. A hush fell over thousands more who filled the sloping sides of the cañon, and stood along the ridge above, as a trumpet’s martial blast announced the elevation of the host.”
The “thousands more” were the Protestants, among whom were thousands of children. The Catholic bishop occupied a seat under a gorgeously decorated canopy, and at his right was the presidential envoy. The music was fine, and the decorations such as to please the most fastidious. The audience then listened to a most elegant portrayal of the sacrifice and suffering, the heroism and faith, of the early fathers who planted the mission in San Diego.
The impression left on the people was such that a discordant note, or even an adverse suggestion, would have seemed unkind and unfair to such a church. Protestant children who never before had seen a Catholic service were favorably impressed with what they saw and heard. Rome knows when she has vantage-ground, and is not slow to improve it.
Bishop Conaty in his sermon spoke of the work of Junipero Serra in establishing a mission for the Indians. The monk was represented as a saint and hero for his self-sacrificing achievement. The faith of this man, it was argued, had determined the course of history and the advance of civilization.
There have been heroes and martyrs in all causes, good and bad. Earnest and zealous men have suffered and sacrificed to establish false religions. Their motives may have been good, and they may have believed they were doing God’s will. But to clothe a system of religion antagonistic to the pure principles of the gospel with angel robes because it can boast of some who have suffered in mission fields, at the same time ignoring the great army of martyrs made by that church, is grossly misleading.
San Diego, Cal.

Prayer in the Home

GEO. O. STATES
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”
We see by these texts that under whatever circumstances we may be placed, it is our privilege to make our requests known to God. When we seek the Lord in earnest prayer, and the Spirit of God brings our faults before us, we are to confess our faults one to another, and pray one for another, that we may be healed. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” It is a blessed thought that we may come to the Lord in confidence that he will hear and answer our prayers.
My first recollection of religious influences is closely associated with a praying mother. In those days my father made no profession, but mother always had family prayers. She would pray, then my older brother, then I. Sometimes when work was not pressing, father would remain and kneel with us. One night we had our usual worship, and were about to arise, when for the first time I heard my father’s voice in prayer. There was rejoicing in our home that night; we wept for joy. As soon as mother had the opportunity, she talked to us, telling us that father was going to live the truth. A few weeks later it was our happy privilege to see Elder J. N. Loughborough lead father into the river and baptize him into the third angel’s message. Brethren and sisters, there is power in prayer, and there is power in a Christlike life in the home.
Father and mother both sleep in Jesus, and I have no doubt but that I shall meet them when the dead in Christ arise. It has been my happy privilege during my many years in the ministry to encourage many fathers and mothers and children to enter the Christian life, and to establish the family altar in their homes; and I have baptized children and parents. As I look over my past experience in the ministry, I can not but feel that the family worship in our home had much to do in causing me to givemy life to the proclamation of the message.
I want to ask you, Do you have family prayers in your home? Do business cares press in and cause you to neglect this important factor in living the Christian life? If so, I hope that as the result of reading these words you will renew the family altar.
Cedaredge, Colo.

Day Dawn

L. D. SANTEE
“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings.” Mal. 4:2.
SOFTLY o’er the earth the dawn is stealing; Already in the east is twilight gray, The heavens flush, the rosy light revealing: The dreary night of ages fades away.
The long, long night of woe and sin and sorrow, Where death has triumphed for six thousand years, Shall end at last, and bring a glorious morrow,— A reign of peace, all free from sin and tears.
The Morning Star shall come with kingly splendor,— Signs through the land proclaim his advent nigh,— Come to receive his own with love most tender, And bear them to the gardens of the sky.
And to the children, who have longed and waited, The advent brings a blessed, glad release. Long have they toiled, and by the world been hated, But now shall come a reign of love and peace.
Welcome the life, all endless in duration! No anguished partings, and no darkened tomb! Thrice welcome, Christ, the Prince of our salvation, Who shall redeem to earth its Eden bloom!
Moline, Ill.

“Unto Them That Look for Him”

CLAUDE E. ELDRIDGE
“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” “And unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
As the first advent of the Messiah was the cherished hope of all the faithful children of God among Israel of old, so, since Jesus ascended to heaven and left the promise of his second coming, God’s people have looked to the fulfilment of that promise as the consummation of all their hopes. As the promise of the first advent of the Messiah met its fulfilment when “the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not,” so the promise, “I will come again,” will be fulfilled when God’s people are looking for him.
No wonder, the apostle calls it “the blessed hope,” “for the Lord himself shall descend from heaven . . . and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” It means he is coming to take the faithful to the mansions in his Father’s house. It means that we exchange this world, with all its miseries, all its temptations, trials, and struggles, for the eternal glories of heaven, and the personal association with the blessed Saviour. “Unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” I rejoice to be among those who are “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Those unto whom Jesus shall appear the second time unto salvation—those who are truly looking for him—are those who are looking unto him daily for an experience of victory over sin,—not looking to their brethren or neighbors,—not looking to themselves and their own failures, but “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” It was in him that we began our Christian experience, and our faith will become sight and glorious realization—will be finished—when he shall appear the second time, unto our eternal salvation. He is “the author and finisher of our faith.” Are we looking unto him? or did we look, once, a long while ago, and perhaps again, once in a while? The scripture reads “looking,” denoting continued action. Let us “consider him.”
Parents, have you made the Scriptures the man of your counsel? Have you opened the Bible daily with your children, in family worship? Are its wonderful themes your meditation day and night?
Young man, young woman, are you able “to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”? Or are there times that, when in company with those not of our faith, you feel shy about our peculiar beliefs, and desire to avoid the discussion of religion? If so, dear young people, you are in danger. You need to begin anew a daily study of the Bible; and even if in a home where family worship is the rule, you can not afford to neglect the private study and devotion that are so necessary to a well-established experience.
Brethren and sisters, are we not asleep to our true condition and need? Ought we not to renew our “first love” for this truth? How many of us are as diligent in the study of the Bible as in the days when the truth first came to us? How are we going to endure the trials and difficulties Satan is ever ready to cast in our path, unless we can always fall back on a “Thus saith the Lord”?
Boulder, Colo.

Our Object

J. B. BLOSSER
As leaders in the work of scattering the literature containing God’s message for to-day, we should ever keep in mind the object to be gained. As a final result of this work, a company of 144,000 is to be seen standing on Mount Zion, in whose mouth is found no guile. In selecting and training men and women to do this important work, we should ever keep before them the fact that its ultimate object is the salvation of souls. “God has ordained the canvassing work as a means of presenting before the people the light contained in our books. . . . This is the very work the Lord desires his people to do at this time. . . . The canvassing work, properly conducted, is a missionary work of the highest order.” Like threads of gold in garments of silver, we are to weave into this work the soul-stirring idea that we are not laboring for time, but for eternity, and should ever labor in such a way that our influence may be a savor of life unto life.
All of the world’s sharp methods of salesmanship are to be avoided. The people must see in our canvassers representatives of the Master, and not the smooth-tongued sharper, who is after their money. In all our instructions, in every letter written to our canvassers, in every article published in our papers, we should ever keep uppermost the true object of this work. When a deep love for souls and this truth is abiding in the heart, full time and large reports will be the result. But these should ever be held secondary to the one great object of winning souls. The spirit of prophecy tells us that “all our service is to be done to the glory of God, to give the light of truth to those who are in darkness. Selfish principles, love of gain, dignity of position, should not be once named among us.”
Berrien Springs, Mich.

“And He Healed Them All”

MRS. E. M. PEEBLES
KIND Saviour, thou didst know the ills of men; Thy heart of pity felt for one and all; I would that thou mightest walk on earth again, And heal and free us now from sin’s sad pall.
The fever-stricken, palsied, deaf, and blind Were by thy healing touch restored, made whole; A raging maniac, one whom demons did bind, Thou didst bid reason once again control.
The weeping mother’s sorrow turned to joy When dead ones heard thy voice and lived again; The nobleman received again his boy; And Lazarus’ sisters led their brother home; Death’s Ruler spoke the mighty word, and, lo! The king of terrors loosed his victims cold; The lashing sea waves, too, were calmed, and now The storm king finds his Master, strong and bold.
The famished multitudes were fed by thee When in the wilds no food supply was found; And e’en the children stood by mother’s knee, As thou thy blessing gave to all around. O Jesus, speak again thy word, and heal Earth’s smart, and sin-sick souls to- day as when In old Judea’s hills sad souls did feel Thy loving touch to heal the sons of men.

Forgive Us as We Forgive

HANNAH J. BAKER
The servant who owed his king ten thousand talents did not forgive as he had been forgiven. He had been forgiven all the debt, but he immediately sent for a fellow servant who owed him one hundred pence, and cast him into prison until he should pay the small amount he owed. See Matt. 18: 24-35.
We find by this scripture that we are forgiven as we forgive. When we forgive small debts, the Lord forgives us our great debts; but if we bear a grudge against any one, he can not forgive us. If we do not forgive, we shall not be forgiven.
Oklahoma, Okla.
Continue reading: Set for Watchmen