It was a saying of Rome, "The voice of the people is the voice of god." This was true as far as Rome and her gods were concerned, for her gods were simply a creation of the State, endowed with all the attributes of the carnal heart. Then, when the gods spake, it was simply the voice of man that was heard. But how did the people speak?—Whenever the mind of the people had been aroused by passion, or by the eloquence of orators, the expression of the mind was made manifest by the enactment of laws. Thus the voice of the people was heard in the laws.
The question, however, which interests us is, How did Rome speak? The holy seer of old, when on the Isle of Patmos, saw in vision her symbol, a great red dragon. Not only was John permitted in vision to behold this power, but when he was thrown into a caldron of boiling oil, he knew what the voice of the god of Rome meant. That voice8was the voice of intolerance, the voice of oppression, the voice of death. As out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, so the spirit of Rome was the spirit of antichrist. Satan was using the voice of the people, and causing them to think it was the voice of God. So it will ever be when any nation or people undertakes to settle religious questions and controversies by the voice of the people. The statement of Christ, that only the few would find the narrow way, will be true as long as the world stands.
In the new republic there is a sentiment cherished which is threatening the religious liberties of its people. Although it may not be expressed in the same words, it has the same meaning,—the voice of the people is the voice of God. The idea is that Christ is the King of the nation, and his law is the supreme law of the land, but, since Christ is not here by his visible presence, the church is his representative. With this in view, the church now steps forth, and, placing her own interpretation on his law, seeks to compel all to bow in submission to it.
The great point just now is to enthrone Sunday as the sabbath of the Decalogue, in the supreme law of the land. Not content that Congress has perjured itself by overriding the Constitution, they desire to go further, and so change the Constitution that their course shall be sanctioned, thus trying "of wrong to make right by correcting and changing laws." The Papacy also claims the same power.
In a call for a national convention, by Felix R. Brunot, published in the Christian Statesman of November 4, we find the following:—
The conflict through which we have been passing, as to the World's Fair and the sabbath, has demonstrated the overwhelming strength of the Christian sentiment of our country. It has also shown that this sentiment, left without adequate legal expression, is at a most serious disadvantage in every great practical moral issue that arises. . . . Believing that this is a most opportune time for a national gathering of the friends of the Christian sabbath and all other Christian features of our national life, with a view to securing for them abiding and authoritative expression in fundamental law, the National Reform Association invites all such friends to meet in convention, etc.
Should this purpose be accomplished, whether in just the way this association is working for it or in some other, the nation would be made to speak contrary to God's law, for that says the seventh day, and not the first, is the Sabbath of the Christian. But God's law is the truth (Ps. 119:142); hence the nation arrays itself against God and all those who obey his truth. As no man can serve two masters, it follows that those who obey the law of God must of necessity violate the law of the State. Then, as the State speaks against those, whose voice will be heard?—It is that voice of which John speaks in Rev. 13:11,—"And he spake as a dragon."
The dragon spoke persecution, not only against the people of God, but also against the Son of God. In like manner these self-styled "reformers," in trying to change the Sabbath, are destroying the sign of Christ's power and are warring against him.
That voice, then, is not the voice of God, but the voice of his enemy, finding utterance through a people who honor him with their lips, but their hearts are far from him. The command is, "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20. But the sheep will know the voice of Christ, and will follow him. The law of God was in his heart, so he always spoke in harmony with it. Then those who follow Christ will keep the Sabbath as he kept it.
EXTENT OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH.
By W. S. Chapman
BY W. S. CHAPMAN.
PAUL tells the Ephesians that in Christ "we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." Chapter 1, verse 7. To the Romans he explains that, if we will believe it, the atonement of our Lord satisfies the law for all cases for the entire past life of the sinner, until the day his name is written in the Lamb's book of life, Jesus having been "set forth to be a propitiation [satisfaction] . . . for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God" (Rom. 3:24, 25), because the spilled blood of the blessed Sacrifice atoned for all sins of ignorance (Heb. 9:25, 26). As all out of Christ sin ignorantly (Eph. 4:17, 18), redemption through the blood of Jesus suffices for all (1 John 2:2; John 1:29; 6:51). If anyone believes this, and accepts Jesus as a personal Saviour in His own appointed way, all his past sins are forgiven, and the saved one stands justified before God, through the imputed righteousness of Christ and forbearance of God—a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), rejoicing in the liberty of the gospel (Rom. 6:15-18; 8:2), cleansed from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Therefore the Saviour said through the Psalmist, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered" (Ps. 32:1), or, as the Hebrew version renders it, "Happy is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." It is one of the most difficult of all the acts of faith to grasp this, as the past will obtrude itself, and that at the most unexpected and inopportune times, generally when the spiritual condition is weak, causing doubt, our besetting sin (Heb. 12:1), and leading the mind to brood over past offenses. Paul's experience taught him this danger, which led him to ignore the past, and to strain every nerve to redeem the time, and reach the promised goal. See Phil. 3:13-15.
To many a child of God it is difficult to realize that the old man, with his failings and sins, is dead; that old things have passed away (Rom. 6:6, 7; Eph. 4:21-24; 2 Cor. 5:17); and, as sad memories of past offenses rise, a doubt of forgiveness springs up, because, perchance, those particular individual sins were never confessed. In such cases knowledge is power, for to know that all the past is forgiven creates confidence, or faith in the efficacy of the atonement, thus quenching the fiery darts of the enemy. Eph. 6:16. This knowledge is the fundamental principle, which roots and grounds one in the love of Christ; it is to know the meaning of the atonement—that Jesus died to save sinners from their sins, so that, when a sinner accepts the redemption there is in Jesus, he obtains the remission of all past sins; be they ever so many or so few, all are remitted, covered, passed over, and a new life begins. Read carefully Heb. 10:11-18. When sin mars the new life, it becomes willful sin, for which no provision was made. These sins have to be brought to the mercy-seat and specially confessed, Jesus pleading the merits of his blood specially also. Notice 1 John 2:1 with Heb. 4:14-16.
In the parable of the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:10-14), the latter simply confessed himself a sinner,—"God be merciful to me a sinner,"—yet by that confession, through faith in the spilled blood of Jesus, he became a partaker of the propitiation there is through faith in his blood, and "went down to his house justified," i. e., counted a just man, free from sin.
Then take courage, dear soul, and bury the past. God "has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thess. 5:9. God is love, and there is a wideness in his mercy like the wideness of the sea—broad enough to cover all our faults and failures, if we will only believe on Him who died that we might live, and will use the power with which He endues us, to overcome temptation and resist willful sin.
HOPE.
By Mrs. W. E. Lowry
BY MRS. W. E. LOWRY.
THERE is not a word in our language which has more pleasant associations than "hope." Wherever we turn our eyes among mankind we see the influence of hope. It begins with the first dawning of reason, and ends only with life itself. It is hope that imparts to youth half its happiness, and to the aged a blessed assurance of eternal life. The prisoner in his cell, who perhaps has to die on the morrow, has hope, and not until the fatal rope is tied, does hope forsake him.
Our Heavenly Father has given us a hope of immortality. How true, then, the sentiment of the apostle, "Hope is an anchor to the soul"! How bright is the hope that meets the future without fear even of the persecutions that are coming upon the earth! Then, by believing on our Lord and Saviour, and living in obedience to his commandments, we can lift our eyes to heaven with that blessed hope of the soon coming of our King.
The Reluctance to Relinquish One’s Will
"THERE is nothing more precious to a man than his will; there is nothing which he relinquishes with so much reluctance."
Trust the Promise
"TRUST the promise, and God will make good the performance."
REVERENCE.
By Dr. Bushnell
THERE is no virtue, no grace, in postures and attitudes. This truth we do not question. But if we refuse to express reverence, we shall soon cease to feel reverence. This also is a truth. It is not enough to be interested, in a general sense, in the services of the sanctuary. "God is greatly to be feared [reverenced] in the assembly of the saints and in the congregation." True reverence, real worship, will express itself somehow, as long as we are compounded of body and spirit. Starve expression and how long will the feeling endure? We are persuaded that it has declined in many, if not most, of our congregations. It is greatly to be wished that it might be revived. But, in order that it may become a fixed habit of our souls, we need to adopt suitable methods of expression. We would feel more like praying if we adopted some proper attitude of prayer. By kneeling, bowing the head, covering the eyes—by some bodily action or attitude expressive of reverent adoration—we shall be far more likely to cultivate the true spirit of devotion.—Dr. Bushnell.
THE RUBBISH KEEPING HABIT.
I VISITED an old house some time ago where everything wore a look of decay and ruin. Having occasion to go into the garret with a member of the family, I discovered an immense pile of rubbish, composed of broken old chairs, frames of broken mirrors, dilapidated wash-stands, ragged bedquilts, which had been carefully washed and laid away, and a rusty and useless stove. A chest in one corner was filled with torn books, which had neither beginning nor end, photographs from which the heads had been torn, a broken-backed and dog-eared album, half sheets of music, and pasteboard boxes, some without covers, and other covers without boxes.
"For what in the world are you saving all this rubbish?" I queried. "Why don't you sell the rusty stove for old iron, and the bedquilts to the ragman, and make a bonfire of the contents of this chest?"
The lady lifted her hands in protestation. "O you destructive creature!" she cried. "All these things may come handy some day. I always believe in saving everything. These pasteboard boxes, for instance, are handy in case you want to send away a photograph, and the old bedquilts would be just the thing to smother flame with in case of fire. There is nothing like economy, you know."
"But this is not economy," I insisted. "If you were to sell all this rubbish to the ragman, it would bring you money enough to buy all the photograph envelopes you desire, with ready-made pasteboard backs, and hand grenades with which to extinguish fire."
"I never heard of those things," she said. "No," I replied, "people who have a mania for accumulating old truck never do keep up with the times."
The mind which is bent on saving a lot of useless and shabby old things becomes shabby and useless itself. It becomes incapacitated from earning and procuring the new and useful.
I once heard a housekeeper of a country home complain that she had no room in the pantry to properly place her pans and dishes. I remarked to her that the two upper shelves were loaded with old medicine bottles, empty pill boxes, broken flatirons, and noseless teapots, and that she had better dig a hole in the ground and bury the whole mass, leaving room for her necessary articles. But she declared herself to be too saving to perform such an act. "Empty bottles are often handy," she said, "and I intend to have the flatirons and teapots mended some day."
"But you never will," I said. "People who get into the habit of saving broken trash never get it mended. And you will never need more than two bottles out of that score. You would be able to think more clearly, and your mind would not become so tired over your work, if you had those two shelves cleaned off. Unconsciously to yourself, this cluttered condition, and the way you are obliged to crowd things in consequence, tax your mental powers."—New England Farmer.
CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER EXPOSITION.
By Editor
CONTRARY to expectations, the Midwinter Fair was not ready for opening January 1. There were two special hindrances to the calculations of the managers: First, a week or two of rainy weather deterred progress in building somewhat; and, secondly, the vast mountains of snow piled between here and Chicago prevented the transportation of many of the exhibits which were shown at the World's Fair. Hundreds of car loads were delayed by the weather. Fortunately, but very few of them were injured by the fire which swept through the great "White City" at Chicago. For this reason the formal opening ceremonies of the Exposition did not take place on January 1. However, an informal opening did take place on that day—one of the lovely winter days for which California is noted. While it was understood that the grounds were not ready, and but few of the exhibits in place, there were about ten thousand who paid for admission to the grounds. Instead of the regular charge of fifty cents, but twenty-five cents was asked, and that will be the price of admission till the formal opening.
Among the special features of the Exposition which were ready on New Year's day was the great sea-lion exhibit of Santa Barbara, the wild animal show of Boone, the ostrich farm of Southern California, the Colorado gold mine, the Heidelberg Castle, the scenic railway, and many others. The scenic railway did a remarkable business.
The official and formal opening of the Fair has now been definitely fixed. It will take place January 27. It is thought that everything will be in readiness by that time.
There has been no imitation of the World's Fair in the matter of buildings or color, so that the Midwinter Fair will never be known as the "White City." The most popular name just now seems to be the "Sunset City." The one who will have charge of the decorations as regards color is Mr. Charles Graham, well known in artistic circles of the East on account of his experience with the Harpers, as also with the Columbian Exposition. His idea in decoration has been to let delicate tints predominate; and this, in connection with the peculiar effects of California climate, will show marvelous beauty. There will also, as appropriate to the State, be used a great deal of gold in the scheme of color. The domes of the Administration Building will be heavily gilded, upon which the sunlight will do its part in producing pleasing effects.
Probably among the most beautiful things at the Midwinter Fair will be the Grand Central Court. With the electrical fountain at one end and the allegorical fountain at the other, science, art, and nature will be used to produce the most gorgeous effects. In this court will be the great electric tower; and here also will be seen some of the most beautiful flowers and foliage which California produces. Already there may be seen a large number of bamboo plants and date palms, tastefully arranged. Around this court are several hundred Venetian masts, which are to bear the flags of all nations by day and electric arc lights by night, while between them, during the day, the sun will shine upon long lines of parti-colored streamers. The darkness of each alternate night will be relieved by long lines of incandescent lights and fancy lanterns.
In the Fair will be displayed some of the finest exhibits ever made in the fruit line in California. Fine displays of oranges and lemons will be made in the month of February. Fresno is erecting a model of her court house, to be constructed of oranges and raisins.
MECHANICAL ARTS BUILDING, 324x160 FEET.
The managers have large expectations of visitors from the East. The Review of Reviews predicts that there are thousands of people all through the East who will take advantage of the Midwinter Exposition as an opportunity to visit California.
Altogether the arrangements and progress of the Fair have been very flattering up to the present time. The managers may congratulate themselves on the fact that so few accidents have happened, and that no loss of life or loss from fire has occurred. The Fair will reveal to the East something of the great treasures with which a kind Providence has endowed the Pacific Coast; and it will prove, we hope, to be a school in which many useful lessons may be learned. Of course there will also be the evils connected with all such expositions; but one of the evils which will not be connected with it, we are thankful to say, is that of religious legislation.
AFRICA'S WONDERFUL RIVER.
ON the African shore, near the Gulf of Aden, and connecting the lake of Assal with the main ocean, may be found one of the most wonderful rivers in the world. This natural curiosity in the shape of a river does not flow to but from the ocean inland. The surface of Lake Assal is nearly 700 feet below the sea level, and it is fed altogether by this paradoxical river, the latter being about twenty-two miles in length. It is said to be a wonderful fact that this river, of immense10volume (especially at high tide), furnishes exactly enough water to counterbalance the extraordinary evaporation of the lake, and that in consequence the lake's surface remains at a uniform level year after year.—Selected.
FORBEARANCE.
By Chambers' Journal
NAY, let it pass,
'Twas but a hasty word,
Unthinking uttered as unwilling heard;
Although upon my ear it strangely jarred,
A lifelong friendship shall not thus be marred;
Nay, let it pass.
Nay, let it pass.
I will not answer so,
Lest words on words to greater diff'rence grow;
Unguarded moments come to all—to me
Oft needs the trust of loving charity;
Then let it pass.
Then let it pass,
And not a thought remain
To pain my heart or give another's pain;
Let hearts be true, and let the friendship end
That bears not with the failings of a friend.
Yes, let it pass.
THE HOMELESS MOTHER.
By Mrs. S. E. Bridgman
BY MRS. S. E. BRIDGMAN.
In a union depot of one of our large western cities the writer was compelled to tarry several hours, owing to delay in connecting trains. A cosmopolitan place it was. North and south, east and west, Occident and Orient seemed to be represented—a good place to study human nature. Each train brought crowds, coming and going, the scene constantly shifting; father and mother with their little brood anxiously running hither and thither, seeking their train; little groups settled here and there on the platform or in the waiting room, lunching from the generous baskets provided by the good house-mother. As the great door swung open, the tall, gaunt form of an evident frontiersman strode in, gray-bearded, barefooted, in his shirt sleeves, carrying his huge cowhide boots in his hand. Following him came a smart, fine-looking, self-satisfied woman with her silk and velvet. Dropping into one of the seats, she took from her pocket a well-filled clay pipe, lighted it, and comfortably crossed one foot over the other, and began to smoke, evidently not noticing the placards on the wall, "No smoking allowed here." As the smoke curled up and the fumes filled the room, the courteous station master came up and whispered a few words in her ear. With a smile and in a loud voice she exclaimed, "Is that so?" shook the tobacco from her pipe, and replaced it in her pocket.
Among the crowd in this busy place we noticed a gray-haired lady in deep mourning. So still she sat, with folded hands, evidently unconscious of her surroundings. She spoke to no one, and no one spoke to her. Alone in the throng, what was her story? Touched with a feeling of sympathy and reverence for the aged traveler, I gently approached her and asked:—
"You look so weary. Have you much farther to travel?"
The sweet, patient eyes looked into mine as she replied, "Oh, yes! I have nearly two days before I reach the end of my journey, and I cannot start from here till midnight."
Little by little, as I won her confidence, the pitiful story came out, which I repeat in her own language.
"My home was in Connecticut. A year ago my husband and I came out to see our son, who was living on a ranch on the frontier. We had a pleasant visit, and were about to return home. One day we were riding, when my husband fell from the carriage unconscious. He lingered only a few hours and left me alone, a widow. With the dead body I took the long, sad journey alone back to my old home and buried him. My son, lately married, who lived with us, persuaded me to make over the farm to him, as it would relieve me of all care and responsibility, and I should always have my home with them. This I foolishly did. For a little while everything went well, but I began soon to be conscious of a change in their manner and an evident desire on their part to have me make a visit indefinitely to John. How could I go the long, lonely way back again, and no husband with me this time, and no invitation from John or intimation that I should be welcomed at his home? The desire on the part of my son and his wife to have me go made me so uncomfortable that I have started, and am so far on my journey. Though I have two days and nights to travel, and it is a long and weary way, and I am very tired, I would not mind if I thought I should be welcomed; and if I only knew that John wanted me, it would take away this tired, desolate heartache."
Never shall I forget the bowed form, the patient folding of the hands, the sad, tender eyes which looked into mine so appealingly for sympathy. Poor, dear, broken-hearted mother! What could I say? What words of comfort could I bring to cheer her in the weary hours of travel before her? Turned out of the home of her childhood and sent alone across the continent, to find, possibly, at the end of the long journey the same treatment from her children there! Not wanted! God pity the gray-haired mother. I could only clasp her hand in loving sympathy, and utter the silent prayer that God would give the aged one a home somewhere.—The Advance.
FOO-CHOW, CHINA.
By Editor
A FEW weeks ago we published extracts from a letter from Rev. Nathan Sites, a Methodist missionary at Foo-Chow. Following are extracts from a letter from the same source:—
"Above all showing of figures is the victory we have gained throughout the entire district in winning the confidence and respect of the ruling classes—both officials and literary men, as well as the good will of the people at large.
"In the Fourteenth Township twelve years ago our rented chapel was mobbed and our preachers driven away. For ten years we had here no place of worship. But some years ago a poor, ignorant old woman came from that township to Foo-Chow for medical treatment, and heard of Jesus while at the hospital. She returned to her home fully trusting in Christ, and ever since she has constantly been telling abroad to her friends and neighbors all she knows of the way of life.
"All these years she has walked six miles every week to hear the gospel. She has plead with every preacher she has met to go to her township and open a chapel. Last year we went, rented, preached, and eight souls were converted in as many months, while many more were interested hearers.
"News has just come of twenty more turning to the Lord. From among this people three bright, earnest women are at present attending the Woman's Training School here in Foo-Chow.
"In the Fifteenth Township a man named Wong Ching Dien was for eleven years a confirmed opium smoker, and kept an opium and gambling den. Two years ago he was cured of his opium habit, and, better still, was thoroughly converted. He gave up his evil practices and began preaching Christ to his former opium patrons. His family looked on, incredulous and amazed, but, finding him true to his new faith, they all came to worship the God who had done such a work of grace in their family. His old mother, fifty-seven years of age, said, 'It is a miracle; and203any religion which can so transform my wicked son, making him kind to his wife and children and dutiful to me, must be the true doctrine.'
"Since that time she has of her own accord gone about from place to place, telling to others the wonderful grace of God. She has walked as far as ten miles in a day on her little bound feet to give others the knowledge of salvation through Christ. Foo-Chow, with all her numbers, could provide no suitable woman to superintend the care of the waifs at the orphanage, and so from Ming Chaing was brought this Mrs. Wong to mother the babes and teach them how to live Christ lives. What a contrast from her life two years ago, when the dark shadow of the opium den shut out heaven's love and light from her home and heart!"
HEALTH MAXIMS.
By Ellen G. White
NEVER eat anything between meals.
Sleeping rooms should be well ventilated.
Many die of disease wholly due to meat eating.
Grease cooked in the food renders it difficult of digestion.
Many make a mistake in drinking water with their meals.
Fine flour bread will not keep the system in the best condition.
There is more religion in a good loaf of bread than many think.
Many indulge in the pernicious habit of eating just before retiring.
Some do not feel that it is a religious duty to prepare food properly.
The children of God cannot glorify him with sickly bodies or dwarfed minds.
One of the strongest temptations that man has to meet is upon the point of appetite.
We need to practice temperance in labor as well as temperance in eating and drinking.
It is as truly a sin to violate the laws of our being as it is to break the ten commandments. To do either is to break God's laws.
If travelers would eat regularly of the simplest and most nutritious kinds of food, they would not experience so much weariness, nor suffer so much sickness.
Christ fought the battle upon the point of appetite and came off victorious. How thankful we should be that we have a living Saviour, who is ready and willing to aid us?—Excerpts from the pen of Mrs. E. G. White.
O TRAVELER OUT IN THE NIGHT.
O TRAVELER out in the night—
In dread and fear—
The dawn of the wonderful light
Is near, is near,
So near that we sometimes see—
When stars are bright—
Far over life's somber sea,
The first faint light
Of the city that needs no sun.
Oh, hush, poor heart!
Patience till night is done,
And fear depart.
Patience—each weary year
Still faster flies;
Patience—our sin and fear,
Our tears and cries
Are known to One who stands
(Our own sweet Lord)
With outstretched, wounded hands,
With gracious word,
Waiting to clasp our hands,
Waiting to bless,
To guide to the nightless lands
From this, from this.
O traveler out in the night—
In dread and fear—
The dawn of the wonderful light
Is near, is near.
—Anonymous.
LUTHER'S TABLE TALK.
VERY remarkable was the discovery of Martin Luther's "Table Talk." In the year 1826 a German gentleman named Casbarus von Sparr was engaged in building a new house. In the course of their excavations the workmen came upon a small, square package wrapped in strong linen cloth, which had been carefully plastered all over with beeswax. On opening and examining the parcel a volume was discovered. This volume was Luther's work, the only copy in existence. It had evidently been buried by Von Sparr's grandfather to escape the penalty of an edict issued by Rudolph II. at the instigation of Pope Gregory XIII., making it death for anyone to possess the work. The loss of this book would have been a great misfortune, for without it we never should have understood the character of the great reformer—never have known what he was when surrounded by his family and his friends.—Selected.
The Cigarette Pest
THE cigarette is a pest. When the habit gets hold of a boy, it is as when a field of potatoes just ready to be crowned with its white blossoms is insidiously invaded by the potato bug, presently leaving on their bare and scrawny stems neither leaf nor flower.—Advance.
HAWAII.
HAWAII embraces several islands in the Pacific Ocean, 2,100 miles west of San Francisco, and 3,440 miles east of Japan, the largest being Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Nihau, and Kahoolawe. The total area of the islands is 6,640 square miles, with a population in 1890 of 89,990, less than one-half being native. The census of 1890 showed there were 34,436 natives, 6,186 half castes, 7,495 born in Hawaii of foreign parents, 15,301 Chinese, 12,360 Japanese, 8,602 Portuguese, 1,928 Americans, 1,344 British, 1,034 Germans, 227 Norwegians, 70 French, 588 Polynesians, and 419 other foreigners. It is estimated that when Captain Cook discovered the islands in 1778 the population numbered 200,000, since which time the natives have rapidly decreased. The capital, Honolulu, is in the island of Oahu, and has about 21,000 inhabitants. The latest religious statistics reported 29,685 Protestants, 20,072 Roman Catholics, 3,576 Mormons, 72 Jews, 30,821 undesignated. In 1892 there were 168 schools and 10,712 pupils, of whom 5,353 were Hawaiian.
When the islands were first visited by Captain Cook, they were under the control of several chiefs, one for each island, but Kamehameha, the chief of the principal island, attacked and overcame the chiefs of the other islands, and about the year 1800 united them under his government. In 1820 missionaries from the United States were sent to the islands, and through their influence the natives finally gave up their idolatry, professed Christianity, and in turn have sent missionaries to the islands beyond. The government of the islands under Kamehameha I. and Kamehameha II. was that of an absolute monarchy, but Kamehameha III. in 1840 gave his subjects a constitution, and his successors reigned as constitutional monarchs. In 1887 a new constitution was granted, which vests the executive power in the sovereign and his cabinet, and the legislative power in 24 members of the House of Nobles, 24 representatives, and the 4 ministers of the cabinet.
Queen Liliuokalani, eldest sister of the late King Kalakaua, succeeded to the throne on January 20, 1891, on the death of King Kalakaua, but she was deposed on January 15, 1893; a Committee of Public Safety was formed, and a deputation sent to Washington to ask the United States Government to annex Hawaii. The provisional government has since had control of the islands, and consists of an executive council of four members, who administer the executive departments of the government, and an advisory council of fourteen, who have general legislative authority.
President Harrison was in favor of the annexation of the islands, and recommended this to the Senate, but the Senate adjourned without taking action. President Cleveland has announced that he is opposed to the annexation, and at this writing the Congress now in session has requested the President to give them all the information he has as to what has been and is being done on the islands looking to a change in the government.
—Gospel in All Lands.
HAWAII AND THE GOSPEL.
By J. K. Josefa
BY REV. J. K. JOSEPA, PASTOR AT HANA, MAUI.
BEFORE mentioning the blessings that have come to the Hawaiians through the teachings of the American missionaries, I wish to make mention of the condition of the Hawaiians previous to the year 1820.
This people were in great darkness. They did not know the living God, nor did they know his Son, Jesus Christ. They had a multitude of gods which they worshiped. They worshiped the fish in the sea, the sun, the moon, and stars, sticks and stones. They also worshiped the spirits of dead persons. These are the names of some of their gods: Pele, Hiiaka, Kapo, Kaonohiokala. These were the times of very great darkness.
On the 20th of March, 1820, Rev. Hiram Bingham and Rev. Asa Thurston, with their companions, arrived at Kailua, North Kona, Hawaii. From that date to the present time very many blessings have been poured out upon this people.
1. In the first place, when the missionaries arrived, they made a written language, published books, and gave us the word of God in our native tongue. They gave us knowledge of the true God.
2. The natives learned of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, and they turned to him in great numbers. Many of the chiefs were converted and united with their teachers and people in building up the kingdom of Christ in Hawaii. The false gods and the heathen temples were overthrown.
3. Schools for the instruction of all classes have been organized in every part of the land; the door of instruction is open to everyone. Native churches have been organized throughout the islands, and native pastors are caring for these churches.
4. Out of the work begun by the missionaries has come a civil government, which continues to maintain order among all classes of our people. The people have been greatly blessed in material affairs. The industries that have grown up have offered employment and gain to all who were willing to work.
5. The greatest blessing that ever came to the Hawaiians is the knowledge of everlasting life through faith in the name of Jesus Christ.
—Missionary Herald.
Priestly Self-Mortification in China
A MISSIONARY in China writes: "It is no uncommon sight to meet a priest in China going about begging, with four or five long skewers run through his forearm, and little ribbons hanging therefrom. Two I have met had long iron rods running through their cheeks, and they had made oath to remove them only when they had collected a certain sum of money sufficient to repair their temples. One has had the iron rod through his face for over four months, living the while on soup and tea only. Another way of raising money is for a priest to take his seat in a little brick sentry box, and let himself be walled in, leaving only a small window, through which he can see and pull a rope by which a big bell is sounded and the attention of passers-by attracted. Here he will sit for months. I have known one to remain in his box for nearly a year without being able to lie down or stand up, but apparently perfectly happy, and always ready to have a bit of gossip."
Fitting Our Spirits to Circumstances
By F. W. Robertson
It is not by change of circumstances, but by fitting our spirits to the circumstances in which God has placed us, that we can be reconciled to life and duty.
Apples of Gold
By Editor
ENVELOPE SERIES Library
Published monthly. Subscription price, 10 copies of each number for one year, postpaid, $1.00.
This Library is designed especially for use in daily, personal correspondence. Each number will contain from four to eight pages, of a size convenient to go into a number six envelope without folding. It is printed on thin super-calendered paper, and two or more numbers can be put in with an ordinary letter without increasing the postage.
The leading themes of the gospel will be presented in such a way as to arrest the attention and be helpful to all. These little leaflets should be circulated by the thousands.
The numbers now issued bear the following titles:
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No. 2.—The Christian's Privilege.
No. 3.—The Sure Promises of God.
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No. 9.—The Eleventh Hour.
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COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE YO SEMITE VALLEY,
California Tourists Should Have a Copy of the Grand Book
# IN THE HEART OF THE SIERRAS.
It Pictures the World-renowned Yo Semite Valley, the Big Tree Groves of California, the Glaciers, Gold Mines, and Caverns of this Wonderful Region. It is a
COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE YO SEMITE VALLEY,
Giving routes of travel, number of miles by rail and stage; describes points of interest en route; gives map of the Valley, and contains 160 illustrations, 28 of which are Beautiful Full-Page Artotypes, and which portray the wonderful Cataracts, Mountains, and Precipices with all the REALITY OF A PHOTOGRAPH. Bound in five styles. Copy in cloth, embossed jet and gold, gold edges, sent postpaid, where we have no agent, for $3.50.
CHEAPER EDITION.
By Editor
We have just issued a special TOURISTS' EDITION of this book, containing all the matter of the other edition, printed on thinner paper, without artotypes, bound in flexible cloth covers. Copies sent postpaid anywhere for $1.50.
Address PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO.,
Or 43 Bond St., New York. Oakland, Cal.
