Earlier text: R. S. INGERSOLL, M. DPerforming the Divine Will
By C. M. S.
God does not ask of us unreasonable things. He sets the example for what he requires of us, and opens for us a way to perform the requirement. His promise to us, no matter what the obstacle is to be overcome, is: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isa. 41:10. So no matter what the trial, or the obstacle, or how dark the way may appear, there is the promise of the mighty Friend, the pleading, compassionate Father, to give every help and comfort we can need. God knew, before ever he set his ways before man, that his ways were not the ways of the world, not the ways of the natural human heart. He knew that he was requiring of man a course diametrically opposed to the sweep of the unregenerate multitude,—a course that would require a man to stand and fortify himself in God, and resist strenuously the ways of the natural, carnal heart, on pleasure and ambition bent. He tells us this in the following words: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Nevertheless, God calls upon man to forsake the ways of man, and to adopt the ways of God. In the same declaration he says: “Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah.” And then comes the promise, “He will have mercy upon him, and . . . he will abundantly pardon.” Isa. 55:6-9. Though it may seem to man an impossible thing to forsake his line of thought, which centers in self and unrighteousness, and to think along lines that are as much higher as the heavens are higher than the earth, yet if the conditions are met, it is neither impossible nor unreasonable. It can never be justly charged against God that he has required of man a thing that he has made it impossible for him to perform. What provision has God made to enable man to perform the divine will? Let us see. We have seen that man’s nature, his spirit, was opposed to God’s will and way. Here is the way God has opened for bringing the creature into harmony with the Creator: “I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh.” Eze. 11:19. We can not serve God while still our heart is unregenerate, carnal. God himself declares it: “The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Rom. 8:7. But Christ came doing the Father’s will. The record of him is this: “Lo, I am come; in the roll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart.” Ps. 40:7, 8. That is shown also in his prayer, “Not my13will, but thine, be done.” Christ’s mind and will were in perfect harmony with the mind and will of the Father. Now the key to man’s performance of the divine will is found in this admonition: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2:5. That mind was in harmony with the mind of God the Father. That led Christ to be submissive to the divine will. That made it possible for Christ to will to do God’s will; yea, to delight in doing it. That is why he did not count it a thing to be grasped to be equal with God; that is how he found it possible to empty himself of all his glory, take upon himself the form of a servant, and humble himself even to the death upon the cross; that is how he could bless them that cursed him, love them that hated him, pray for them that despitefully used him, turn the unsmitten cheek to the hand that had already smitten him, and do unto others in all things as he would that they should do to him. All this is not in harmony with human nature, but it is in harmony with the will of Him who made us; and he has made it possible for the human to do it. He has set the example by doing it himself in human flesh. We can not do it in any other way than that which he has outlined: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” That mind will enable you to do that which is otherwise impossible; namely, to live the Christ life. Then study to know the mind of Christ; pray for its possession in place of the carnal mind; and let it lead you, as it led Christ, to do the will of him who has sent you, as he sent him, into the world to do his will. A Truly Remarkable Thing
By F. M. W.
The gains to Catholicism in so-called Protestant countries are regarded with concern and amazement by many students of the times. Says the Western Recorder (Baptist) of February 2:— It is a remarkable thing that the Catholic Church is losing so greatly in all the Catholic nations, and gaining in Protestant Germany, England, and the United States.
The Catholic nations of the Old World have learned by sad experience of the burdens and thraldom which Catholicism imposes upon them. One by one these nations have been seeking to throw off the galling yoke. Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, have all been engaged in a death-struggle with a system which, while it has promised them liberty, has only served to place upon their limbs manacles of slavery and despotism. Protestant nations have forgotten the lessons of their past history. They are reaching out to, and joining in an alliance with, a power to gain freedom from which, in the past, cost them the blood of martyrs. With the lessons of the European conflict fresh in their minds, our forefathers repudiated the principles upon which the Roman Catholic hierarchy rests; but we, their children, are prone to forget these dearly purchased lessons. The United States, the Benjamin of the nations, is affording generous support to the papal system to-day, and according to the Scriptures of truth, this nation will lead, in the last days, a large following back to the fold of the Roman Catholic Church. Remarkable indeed is it that the lessons of history should be so soon forgotten, and that men should now press to their bosom principles which will inevitably prove their undoing, as they have proved the undoing of the nations of the Old World. The Cost of War
By F. M. W.
The many improvements which have been made in naval armament during the last few years have served to make of little value many war-ships which, in their time, were considered first-class fighting-machines. Twenty years ago the cruiser “Detroit” cost the United States government $1,233,039 to construct. It was sold recently for twenty thousand dollars. The experience of this government has been duplicated many times in the history of European powers, and every year has seen a number of war-ships sold, at a ridiculously low price, which a few years previously were considered a part of their best naval equipment. According to the New York Times there are in the United States navy at the present time vessels costing in the aggregate between one hundred forty and one hundred fifty million dollars, which are either “in reserve,” dismantled in navy yards, or admittedly of no fighting value. Of the vessels that took part in the battle of Santiago in the recent Spanish-American war, not a single one is now in the Atlantic fleet. The “Texas” is a receiving-ship in Charleston, S. C., and has just lost her name, which will be given to a new dreadnaught recently contracted for. Other vessels making up the squadron at that time are doing similar service; while the “Iowa,” Captain Evans’s ship, is “in reserve.” Says the Times:— Of all the armored vessels that took part in that battle, only the “New York” is in commission, after being rebuilt at a cost of over $500,000. Like the “Texas,” the “New York” of that day has lost her name, so that the name of the Empire State can grace one of the new dreadnaughts. She is now in the Philippines, and is to be renamed the “Manhattan.” Even the battle-ships of the Atlantic fleet, which sailed out of Hampton Roads in December, 1907, on the famous around-the-world cruise,—the “Alabama,” “Illinois,” “Maine,” “Missouri,” “Ohio,” “Kearsarge,” “Kentucky,” “Wisconsin,” and “New Jersey,”—have passed from the first fighting line. To-day all of them are listed “in reserve,” and their places in the fleet have been taken by newer and more powerful ships. Of all these vessels the “New Jersey” is probably the only one that will ever again figure as a part of the Atlantic fleet. This but faintly illustrates the terrible cost of war, not alone in times of active engagement on the field, but in times of peace as well. The cost of keeping the world’s pace in the matter of war preparation is ruinously expensive. As human ingenuity invents more destructive means, and more effective models of fighting-machines, the feverish competition between the nations will continue. The end of it all will be the Armageddon of the last day. There will come a time when human nature will no longer stand the strain, when burdensome taxation will reach the limit, and when it will seem that active warfare is the only hope of escape from the intolerable burden of taxation and military service. Then will every peace truce be broken, and the nations will engage in the final deadly conflict which will mark the close of earth’s history. F. M. W. Presenting a Formidable Front
By C. M. S.
THE German emperor, as head of the state churches of Germany, is strongly advocating a confederation of these various churches. There are forty-eight such churches in that country. Although state churches, they each have their individual and independent organizations. It is thought by many, and the emperor is one such, that by uniting the Protestant organizations under one head, they could present a more solid front to the world, and thus develop and defend the common principles of Protestantism, in one numerically strong and powerful organization. This one organization could be more easily influenced and led by the one head, the emperor. As there is no indication of a separation of church and state in Germany, many believe that this will be the best possible move for strengthening the position of the Protestant church in that country; and it is quite likely that the movement will increase in strength until the object is accomplished. The same movement, virtually, is going on in this country,—the movement for the federation of Protestant denominations. The movement here has the same object in view,—a concentration of power and influence, to “present a more formidable front to the world;” or at least to be in such a condition that it can be more easily wielded by a few leaders in bringing about any desired object. It is not to make a united effort to seek God, and get upon higher spiritual ground; it is not a united seeking of power to convince the world of sin; but to present a formidable front. It is always the policy of military commanders to arrange their forces in such a way as to present a formidable front to the enemy. But Christ did not come into the world to kill and crush, and to force men into this or that. He did not come to present a formidable, forbidding, fearsome front to men. His “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me,” is a gracious invitation, not a harsh command given with glowering face. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” are the words of Jesus. There is nothing formidable about them. He who goes through this world presenting a “formidable front” is not going in the spirit or the power of Jesus Christ. “Not by might [as an army, margin], nor by power [or force], but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts.” Zech. 4:6. This is the Lord’s own instruction regarding how his work shall be carried on in this earth. He also tells his servant Zerubbabel that he is to accomplish the Lord’s work by proclaiming, “Grace, grace.” Verse 7. There is nothing formidable about such a work. “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” “The Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come; he that will, let him take the water of life freely.” This is the spirit and the characteristic of the true work of God—a winning work, not a forcing nor a formidable one. True, the spirit of confederacy among denominations is in the air at the present time. It is strongly manifest both among German Protestants and among American Protestants; and the more strongly it is manifest, the greater becomes the14dearth of real spirituality in the churches. The Lord has foreseen and foretold this, and so he warns his children not to take part in it. “Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.” Isa. 8:12. The people are now saying, A confederacy. The cry for it will be louder and more persistent and insistent until the thing is done; but they who are God’s children in deed and in truth will have no part in that faithless work. That work is done through fear and dread of the work of an opposing religious body. But the Lord says upon this point directly, “Jehovah of hosts, him shall ye sanctify; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” Verse 13. There is no need for us to fear the fears of the world; for God has promised power to overcome in every trial of our faith. To confederate on worldly lines to protect ourselves from the world, is to show a lack of faith and trust in God, and look to the human arm instead of the divine for the strength and protection which we need. In other words, In whose power shall we trust, man’s or God’s? Each must answer for himself, and there is no neutral ground. “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.” Our Biennial Council for 1911
By Arthur G. Daniells
At the General Conference session in 1905, it was decided thereafter to hold the General Conference sessions every four years instead of every two, as we had been doing. When this proposal was under discussion, the fear was expressed that four years was too long a period for our world-wide work to be looked after in the ordinary way by the members of the General Conference Committee who might be able to get together in North America. It was therefore decided to hold a full meeting of the committee midway between the sessions of the conference. This, it was thought, would take the place of a full session of the General Conference, and thus save great expense and loss of time. At the time this arrangement was agreed upon, no decision was made as to where this biennial meeting of the committee should be held. When the time came to arrange for the date and place for the first one, in 1907, our European brethren requested that it be held on their side of the Atlantic. In view of the rapid development and growth of our cause in all parts of Europe, it was thought best to hold the council over there. We met at Gland, Switzerland, where our Latin Union sanitarium and school are located. This was the first General Conference Committee Council of Seventh-day Adventists ever held outside the United States. So great was the interest of our European brethren and sisters in this meeting, that about three hundred ministers and leading church workers came to the council from all parts of the European field. All felt that we had a most profitable and encouraging meeting. It gave our American representatives new and larger views of our growing work in Europe, and united the hearts of American and European workers in closer and stronger bonds of brotherhood. The time has now come for another biennial council, and it has been decided to hold this one in Europe. It is to convene July 4, at Friedensau, Germany, where our German seminary and sanitarium are located. For several months the brethren in Europe have been making preparations for this council. They write us that the interest of our people throughout Europe is so great that more than two thousand are planning to be present. This will give our people in the States some idea of the progress our cause has made in Europe. Many can remember well when we sent our first ministers across the Atlantic. They remember, too, that for many years our cause in Europe was small, and had to be supported almost wholly by contributions from the States. But a great change has taken place. Now there are more than twenty thousand of our people in the European Division of our world-field. This is as many as there were of us in all the world in 1885. Our European brethren pay a tithe of two hundred thousand dollars a year, and contribute gifts amounting to fifty thousand dollars annually for the support of the work they are carrying on. They have a thousand laborers at work in the field. They are operating publishing-houses, schools, and sanitariums, and have their work organized exactly as it is in the States. The European Division is closely and firmly united to the North American Division, and must receive its due share of attention. It has large and varied interests, which are growing larger each year. Therefore it appears to the members of the General Conference Committee that it is best to hold the biennial council of the committee in the European Division. The time may come when it will be decided to hold a session of the General Conference in Europe. When that occurs, the biennial council of the committee will no doubt be held in the North American Division. We surely have reason to rejoice and praise God for what he has wrought in Europe. And now we should pray for his special blessing to rest upon the council. Although much has been accomplished, a great work remains to be done. We need the blessing of Pentecost to enable us to finish the work in this generation. Nearly all the ministers of the European Division will be present. These laborers will represent twenty or thirty tongues and millions of people. This council should be an occasion of great help to them especially. We believe it will. General Conference Appropriations for 1911
By W. T. Knox
BEGINNING March 22 the General Conference Committee was in council for the greater part of the remainder of the month, the principal features of its work consisting in the completion of the audit for 1910, appropriating to the mission fields abroad and at home, and giving consideration to the many calls for additional workers and increased facilities coming from every quarter. While with the scarcity of workers and our limited means, these continually increasing demands are a source of embarrassment to the committee, they are equally encouraging as an evidence of the rapid development of the work and the advancement of the message. The problem before the committee was how to meet, with a prospective income of $400,000, demands and necessities totaling $475,000, this amount including estimated needs of the Asiatic field, some portions of which field had not yet sent in their requisitions. Much careful study was given to this work; but it was evident that all requests for increase of working forces must be denied, much as the committee disliked to take such a stand. On this basis, the following appropriations were voted, covering the work in foreign fields, and such parts of North America as are dependent in part upon the Mission Board treasury:— Deficit, Jan. 1, 1911 .......... $ 9,234.72
Atlantic Union Conf. ........ 13,250.00
Australasian Union Conf.... 8,500.00
Bahama Islands ............ 240.00
Brazil Union Conf. ........ 6,000.00
Canadian Union Conf. ...... 7,250.00
China Un. Mis. (estimated) 40,000.00
Columbia Union Conf. ...... 13,300.00
Europe .................... 5,000.00
Hawaiian Mission .......... 600.00
India Mission ............. 32,000.00
Japan Mission (estimated).. 12,250.00
Korean Mission (estimated) 11,200.00
Mexican Mission ........... 8,000.00
Philippine Mission ........ 2,300.00
Singapore Mission ......... 2,300.00
South African Union Conf.. 29,000.00
South American Union Conf. 16,000.00
Southeastern Union Conf.... 6,000.00
Southern Union Conf. ...... 7,700.00
Southwestern Union Conf. .. 7,300.00
West African Mission ...... 6,500.00
West Indian Union Conf. ... 16,000.00
West. Canadian Union Conf. 2,500.00
Negro Department:—
Oakwood Industrial School 5,000.00
Southeastern Union Conf. .. 5,500.00
Southern Union Conf. ...... 11,500.0015Southwestern Union Conf. $ 3,000.00
Columbia Union Conf. ..... 2,000.00
Jewish work .............. 2,200.00
General Conference laborers
in field .................. 26,611.63
Depart. and executive expense 42,009.93
General Conf. office laborers 2,507.83
Asiatic Division .......... 2,000.00
Miscellaneous ............. 29,311.92
Emergency fund (return of
missionaries on account of
sickness, unexpected calls,
etc.) .................... 25,000.00
Total ..................... $419,066.03 By this it will be seen that the work has as it now exists, without provision for any expansion, exceeds the prospective income by $19,066.03, a condition that must at once receive the attention of our people, and have their careful consideration in their plans for gifts and offerings during the present year. We are encouraged by learning that already some conferences are planning on increasing their donations to a rate of fifteen cents a week per member instead of ten cents, as formerly; and surely every conference worker and church officer will from now on be dissatisfied with anything short of ten cents a week for each member in their conferences and churches. To encourage liberality and systematic giving, and also to avoid the confusion that has existed in the past, the following action was taken by the committee:— Voted, That inasmuch as the arrangement agreed to at the fall council of 1910, concerning the reckoning of the collections of the Negro Department as an addition to the ten-cent-a-week fund, has not proved satisfactory to all the conferences, we rescind that arrangement and understanding, subject to the approval of the biennial council in July, and that hereafter all donations intended for work for which appropriations are made by the General Conference shall be included in the ten-cent-a-week fund; and,— Further, That with the addition of the Negro Department, and the enlargement of the North American Foreign Department to include the French and Jewish work, it is evident that ten cents a week per member will not be sufficient, every effort should be made by all the conferences to exceed this amount per week per member. While this action of the committee may at first react upon our mission funds to their disadvantage, it is hoped that it will induce increased liberality from all, especially as the General Conference has, in providing for the Jewish and French work in North America, very materially increased its financial responsibilities. CHINA has been termed the sleeping giant. For long centuries she has pursued the even tenor of her way, with but little active participation in questions of international concern. Her awakening, however, seems at hand. A new spirit has entered into the Orient during the last few years. The unrest in India, with the agitation and clamor for native government, the new spirit possessing Japan, and the awakening in the mighty Chinese empire,—all these conditions have afforded food for deep thought to observing students of the times. What part these nations will play in the close of earth’s history, the wisest human philosopher can not safely predict. Dr. J. J. Spencer, president of Morgan College, Baltimore, in an address before the Baltimore annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, discusses this interesting situation. As reported in the Washington Post of March 31, he expresses the fear that the time will soon come when the Asiatics will overrun Western civilization. As a safeguard against this threatened invasion, he says we should— teach these Eastern peoples Christianity. If we do not do this, and persist in teaching them how to form armies and navies, they will sweep us off the earth one of these days. Already we can see the effects of this in the progress made by Japan in the last fifty years. Beware of the Chinese. They are a mighty people; and when aroused to a full sense of their power, they will do things, and will no doubt treat us as we are treating them at present. To get along with these people, we must treat them as equals, not as subordinates. This is a day of opportunity to do for these nations what Dr. Spencer suggests. The desire existing in so many hearts in these Eastern countries for broader education, for a knowledge of Western ways, makes these people comparatively much more susceptible than ever before to Christian influences; and now is the time that the Christian church should improve this opportunity to teach them the principles of the gospel of Christ. The “idle rich” is a term sometimes applied to some of the wealthier classes who live upon the income of their inheritance, and follow no money-making vocation. It would seem, however, from a report recently made by the London Board of Trade, that the term should be given broader application. According to this report, only 39 per cent of the people of the United States are engaged in any gainful occupation. Great Britain comes next, with only 44 per cent so engaged; then comes Hungary, with 44 per cent; Germany, 45 per cent; Belgium, 50 per cent; Italy, 50 per cent; France, 51 per cent; and Austria, 51 per cent. It would seem from general observation that this report must be erroneous; yet there are many to be found in every community who seem to have lost, if they ever possessed, a definite life-purpose, and whose lives are surrendered to no useful end. This observation, however, applies quite as well to some of the poorer classes as to the so-called rich. Sixty-First Congress Appropriations
ACCORDING to recent statements, the appropriations of the Sixty-first Congress amount to $1,025,489,662. This, it is claimed, is $100,000,000 less than President Taft's estimates. The President has received much praise for the spirit of carefulness which has characterized his administration thus far in carefully scrutinizing the estimates, and endeavoring as far as consistent to reduce the cost of the operation of the several departments of government. Booker T. Washington Calls International Conference
DR. BOOKER T. WASHINGTON has just issued a call for an international conference on the Negro, to meet at Tuskegee, April 17, 1912. The purpose of this call is to give opportunity for studying the methods employed in helping the Negro people, and also to decide to what extent the methods employed at the Tuskegee and Hampton institutions may be profitably used in meeting similar conditions in Europe and South America. “HE which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” The governments of earth have foes without and within with which to contend. Some of the secret guilds of society which these last days have brought forth in the various nations of the earth, have done much to undermine social order and bring to their governments deep perplexity if not dire calamity. One of these secret societies, the Camorrists, has recently given much concern to the Italian government, which is now engaged in a desperate effort to bring the order to justice. At the present time in the little town of Viterbo, near Rome, there is being conducted a trial of thirty-five members of this order, charged with murder and other serious crimes. A large iron cage has been constructed, in which the prisoners have been confined to prevent their rescue by the people. There are more than three hundred witnesses for the prosecution and as many for the defense. Great difficulty was experienced in obtaining a jury, for fear of the vengeance of the Camorra, or Black Hand. Large sums have been raised for the defense, showing that this order is protected in high political and social circles. Need of Homes for Our Workers in Mission Fields
By R. R. Cook
If the brethren and sisters in the home land, surrounded not only by friends and loved ones, but supplied with all the conveniences of civilization and the comforts of home, could but get a glimpse into some of the great mission fields, and see the conditions as they exist there,—could really see things as they are, and not only see them, but feel them,—I believe that some of the comforts and even what we call necessities, would gladly be given up that the work in distant lands might be advanced, and the health of our workers safeguarded. I will note a few of the things that a missionary in India must face. A large part of our workers must labor in the districts away from the cities, must spend months without seeing a white face or hearing a word in their own language. They labor under a treacherous tropical sun, where a few moments' exposure to its rays might mean death to them or their children. If homes are not provided for them, they must live in the native villages, in mud huts that many would not use for their cattle. They are surrounded by all manner of deadly diseases, such as cholera, plague, leprosy, etc. Sanitation is unknown, and the dust from the filthy streets fills the homes, bringing disease with it. They may be hundreds of miles away from medical help when disease enters their home. What do our brethren and sisters who are laboring under these conditions need? They need more than our prayers; they need of our abundance. They need homes to live in, a little piece of ground, and a comfortable house far enough removed from their filthy surroundings so that they can keep clean, and so that their children can play out-of-doors without coming in contact with some loathsome disease. A short time ago one of our most valuable workers died in India. He was laboring in one of the most unhealthful parts of the country, surrounded by low, marshy land, that for several months of the year is covered with water. The only means of conveyance during this time is by boat. About two years ago at one of our meetings in India, this brother asked for means to purchase a piece of high ground, and to erect a home for the workers in that part of the field. There was no money in the treasury, so it was denied him. A few months ago, while taking a fellow worker, who was in a very critical condition, to Calcutta for treatment, he contracted cholera and died. He had been in poor health for months, so he was an easy prey to the disease. There in that desolate country, stranger hands hewed a coffin from old railway ties, and buried him, away from wife and children. I wonder if, had those at home been more careful to bring in the tithes and offerings, this sad occurrence might not have been prevented? Another has gone to take his place; but years must elapse before he can hope to fill the gap,—years of study, of labor, and it may be of suffering, before he can take up the work where the other laid it down. Dear brethren and sisters, are we by our faithfulness in giving of the means entrusted to us hastening the work? or are we by our indifference, and by withholding our gifts, hindering it? Are we responsible in a measure for the death of any of the faithful workers in the dark heathen lands? R. R. Cook. Working for Brazilian Officials
By John Lipke
AFTER reading the Testimonies that urge us to labor among men in high positions, I decided to direct my attention to this work. One night while lying in my hammock, I felt impressed that I should see the governor with our new book, “Steps to Christ.” I thought that if he would buy a book, it would be easier for our canvassers in the city to sell the book to others. After praying earnestly for help, I went to the palace, and, lo, the Lord answered my prayer, and the governor ordered a copy of the book. I also took an order from one of his sons, and asked for permission to canvass the other men in the palace. With a glad heart, praising the Lord, I went to the other departments, where I took twelve more orders. After taking these orders, I went to the city hall and the treasury of the state. In the treasury I first took an order from one of the principal men, and after that nine orders more. In the city hall the mayor of the capital and some other prominent men gave me their orders. I also went to the penitentiary, and sold books to the director, a number of the officials, and some convicts. In about fifteen hours, I took sixty-four subscriptions, and delivered fifty books. As I had to leave the city to attend to other matters, I left fourteen orders for one of our brethren who remained there. So far, he has delivered ten of these books. I praise the Lord for his guidance and help. I believe that “Steps to Christ” is a good book to use as an entering wedge, and to break down prejudice. Barotseland, South Africa
By E. C. Silsbee
WHILE I am waiting for my dinner to cook, I will write a little of my experience. For dinner we shall have corn bread, cornmeal porridge, potatoes roasted in the ashes, peanuts, and milk. Occasionally we must do without the potatoes, porridge, and milk, and have peanuts and corn bread for a change. My house is a mud hut, and my bed is made of poles across forked posts in the ground, with coarse grass on top for a mattress. My chair is a stool cut out of a log. This is the extent of my furniture. I had a pleasant trip a few days ago to one of our schools that is not in the line of these schools I am now visiting. Some people think Central Africa is all desert, or wilderness, or jungle, but I found on this trip that we have pretty places here as well as elsewhere. The path to this station leads one directly to the hills. A few hours' ride on the mule, and I was going up hill and down dale in a way that was new to me in this country. After camping and taking lunch in a pretty little vale that sloped gently down to a small stream, we crossed the narrow valley, and started up the hill on the other side. I noticed that it was getting suddenly dark, and on looking up, I saw one of those black thunder-storms coming, which are so common here this time of year. However, I pushed on, hoping to get beyond the hardest of it, but failed; for down came the rain, like a small cloudburst. Our path was soon a racing stream, six to eight inches deep and three or four feet wide. The storm continued for about half an hour. The flashing of the lightning, and the loud peals of thunder among the hills, were certainly inspiring. I knew I was in the keeping of One who controls the storms, so I sat still on the mule under a tree, this being my only shelter. After a time the storm passed, and we had an easy rain for about an hour. My raincoat had kept me dry, so I was comfortable. After this the air was cool and clear. I could look away across a pretty valley to another range of hills. I took shelter that night in a native village that was beautifully situated on the top of a high hill, giving one a splendid view of the surrounding country. At first the chief wanted to put me in his only spare bedchamber, a hut where two calves were tied, and where they had evidently been kept for some weeks. I declined, so he gave me the veranda of his hut. This was under the eaves, so I slept sheltered from the rain that came down nearly all night. Truly the Lord is good to us. I can begin to see now why the Mission Board is particular about sending out workers17who have a good degree of health. These trips to the out-stations, sleeping wherever night overtakes one, and ofttimes going on short rations or none, besides long, hard, hot walks or rides, would be not only very fatiguing but positively dangerous to one not of robust health. We are planting the banner of the cross in new places here in the heart of the enemy's territory, and establishing those places where it has already been planted. E. C. SILSBEE. Christian Educator School in Cuba
By J. E. Anderson
VICTORIA DE LAS TUNAS.—Our school here is getting nicely started, and we are now laying plans for the erection of a schoolhouse. We have about twenty pupils, nearly all of whom come from Catholic families, but notwithstanding this they enjoy their Bible studies. The school is organized under the name of El Educador Cristiano (the Christian Educator). The people here are very slow to comprehend; hence it takes considerable time to get the truth before them. Many can not read, and many of those who are able to read can not understand what they are reading. We take a club of El Centinela de la Verdad, which we distribute. We hope to gather some sheaves for the kingdom as the result of our efforts in this place.
J. E. ANDERSON. A Visit to a Church in South Africa
By R. C. Porter
LEAVING my home at the Cape, December 16, after having traveled nearly three days by rail, a distance of over six hundred miles, I arrived at Bethlehem. Here I met Brother Louwrens, who took me to his large farm, fifteen miles out in the country. This was Friday evening, and I had now reached the Heisterbach church. Our first meeting was held that night, too, and some of the brethren and sisters were in from a distance of from seventeen to twenty-four miles. On Sabbath forenoon we had another service, and also one in the afternoon, the afternoon service being followed by a social service, in which all took part, even the small children. The ordinances of the Lord’s house were celebrated, and at eight o’clock in the evening I again spoke. The next morning at six o’clock the church quarterly meeting was held. The tract society was freed from debt, and a cash fund started for future orders. At the close of this meeting, I held a meeting with the native brethren, and we laid some plans for their work. The next day Brother John Venter took me in a cart thirty miles across the country to visit an isolated family of Sabbath-keepers. We reached the farm at noon, but were disappointed to find the house vacant. We drove to the next house, and learned there that our brother had but recently moved to another house on the same farm. As we had thirty miles farther to go, in order to reach another lonely family of Sabbath-keepers, we could not retrace our steps, but decided to visit this family on our return. We missed our way ten miles in the afternoon, where two roads seemed to go in about the same direction. This caused us ten miles’ extra traveling, and delayed us so that we outspanned within about a mile of our journey’s end, and spent the night with a prosperous Dutch farmer. He entertained us royally, and we slept that night on an old-fashioned feather bed. The next morning we went on our way, and were soon at the end of the forward journey. We traveled seventy miles the day previous, passing through fifty wire fence-gates, forty of which I opened and closed; others we found open, and left them so. We were disappointed on our arrival at Brother Kaster’s home to find him absent; but we had a good visit with his family, and arranged an appointment for a later meeting. The next morning we started on our return journey, staying the first night with the brother and his family whom we missed on the outward journey. We had traveled one hundred thirty miles by team to visit two lonely Sabbath-keeping families, but we felt well paid for the trip.