Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Sep 8, 1904
Love and Rest
By L. R.
Still evermore for some great strength we pray,Seeking and yearning for it day by day—A strength whereon undoubting we may lean,And find that rest we have but dimly seen.
To lean our heart upon another heart,In love that neither life nor death can part;So seek we still to end our life-long quest,For only in true love we find true rest—
That love which makes another’s life our own,And tunes our jarring natures to one tone;The filling up of all we sought so long;For leaning on itself no strength is strong.
No love is perfect here: it leads us onTo love’s great Source--- the uncreated One;Most true is that through which we learn to seeMost of Thy strength, and most, O Lord, of Thee;---
Which sees, in all its happiness and bliss,The promise of a joy more great than this;Which seeks its perfectness forevermoreIn the love-light that gilds the happy shore.
O strength! O love and rest! the light that stealsFrom the pure sunshine of those golden fields!Faint rays we catch e’en now, upon our way,Lighting our footsteps to the land of day.
Thou art the Light, the sunshine is from Thee,And in Thy heart is strength and purity;There lean our weary hearts, there ends our quest,For there is perfect love and perfect rest.
— L. R.
Publishers’ Page
Conducted by the Department of Circulation of the Review and Herald Publishing Company
A New Book
Our Little Folks’ Bible Nature
BY ELLA KING SANDERS
The author, having had extended observation and preparation in lesson-writing for children, is thoroughly competent to produce a primary book especially adapted to the needs of the children in the home and the school.
The plan of the book is simple graded lessons on Bible nature, taking up the subjects in the order of creation, beginning with light, the first subject introduced in the Bible. The sentence method is introduced in the first lesson in script and print, and great care has been taken in the grading of the matter throughout the entire book. Each subject is thoroughly illustrated with new drawings made especially for the book, and with thirteen colored plates. It is the same size, and contains the same number of pages, as “Our Paradise Home,” and is beautifully bound in board and cloth with an appropriately colored design cover. Retail prices, 25 and 40 cents. Forty per cent discount allowed to agents.
“I have examined ‘Our Little Folks’ Bible Nature,’ quite carefully, and I am pleased with it. We have adopted it in our Northern California teachers’ institute, and it has also been adopted by the Pacific Union Educational Council held recently at South Tacoma, Wash.; so all our little folks throughout the Pacific Union Conference will have the privilege of receiving the valuable instruction contained in this little reader, which I am sure they will fully appreciate.
“I wish ‘Our Little Folks’ Bible Nature’ a wide circulation, not only among the children in our schools, but among the children still in the home under the mother’s teaching.
“M. E. CADY,
“Educational Sec. Pac. Union Conf.”
Bell’s Language Series
This series gives an outline study of the English language, adapted to the training of the child from the nursery until he is graduated from college. These five books are based upon the natural method, giving and illustrating principles rather than rules, and are particularly suited to home study. A complete set of grammars, such as this, covering all grammatical problems, should be a treasure to any student, not alone during his school-days, but more particularly in after-life, when to determine a grammatical construction there is no teacher to whom it can be referred, except the books that were studied at school.
This language series is composed of the following:—
Book 1, Primary Language Lessons from Life, Nature, and Revelation, 227 pp., cloth ........ $.65
Book 2, Elementary Grammar, 224 pp., cloth ................ .65
Book 3, Complete Grammar, 281 pp., cloth .................. .80
Book 4, Rhetoric and Higher English, 375 pp., cloth ........ 1.25
Book 5, Studies in English Literature, 599 pp., cloth ........ 1.75
Important Histories
The Empire Series
It is well to make statements that such and such kings and kingdoms ruled during certain periods, and that certain things took place during their reign; but do you have a history to which you can turn and prove your assertions? It is this that carries conviction with your statements. If you have not, you should have a set of the histories written by A. T. Jones.
Volume I—Empires of the Bible
This is a history of the time from the fall of Babylon to the captivity. Researches in Babylon and Egypt have brought to light many valuable historical records inscribed on stone. These records the author has connected with Bible statements, showing how they agree. Price, $1.50.
Volume II—The Great Empires of Prophecy
A history of the times from Babylon to the fall of Rome, with particular attention to the prophecies of the book of Daniel. The quotations from more than eighty standard histories bring the writings of these historians to your hand in one volume, so that you have their own language, and therefore a veritable cyclopedia of history. Price, $2.
Volume III—Ecclesiastical Empire
This book contains an account of all the principal events that have affected civil government and tended to the establishment of ecclesiastical authority, from the time of the fall of Rome to the present day. It contains a good history of the Reformation and compendium of the principles of true Christianity, the reason for our national apostasy, and a full treatise upon the union of church and state. 874 pages. Price, $2.50.
Dictionary
What boy or girl will not be pleased to have a dictionary, and particularly one that is so small and convenient that it will go into a vest pocket? What boy or girl should not have a dictionary in order that their reading and writing may be executed correctly and understandingly? This is important in their education.
Our Vest Pocket Dictionary, bound in cloth, 25 cts.; in Russia leather, 50 cts.; in Morocco, 60 cts. All are indexed.
New Series of Physiologies
These books constitute an entirely new and graded series for the study of physiology and hygiene in the schools.
The important questions of sanitation and temperance are thoroughly treated from a scientific and physiological standpoint. Both books contain a full treatise on the nature and effects of alcoholic drinks and other narcotics.
Not only are these the latest text-books published on the subject, but they will also be found very valuable for home study, as they treat the subject in a clear, practical manner.
First Book in Physiology, 174 pp., illustrated, 40 cts.
Second Book in Physiology, 291 pp., illustrated, 80 cts.
No other physiologies as practical as the Kellogg series.
Geographies
This important study receives attention in all schools. We know of no better books to offer than Morton’s Geographies for church-school work.
Published in two grades,—the Elementary, which sells for 65 cts.; and the Advanced, which sells for $1.30.
Making Home Happy
A book written for the purpose of making homes happy. It illustrates how an unhappy home was made happy, and cites the manner of securing this desirable condition in every home. It pictures, in pleasing narrative form, the relations that should exist in the home, and the influences that should be guarded and cultivated. Bound in cloth, 50 cts.; in paper, 25 cts.
Order of Review and Herald, Washington, D. C.; Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich.; Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.; Kansas City, Mo.; Southern Publishing Assn., Nashville, Tenn., or of your State Tract Society.
School Days Again
By Editor
The summer days are fast passing, and soon the children will be off to school again. The question of books first confronts the parent. Which books to get that are reliable, contain the best educational matter, and at the same time are not filled with present-day heterodoxy, is no small matter to decide.
We give herewith a list of books which have been in use by our church-schools and others, and which seem to give entire satisfaction.
We recommend a consideration of this list before starting the child in to study that which is to form the foundation for life's work.
Planning for Eternity
By Editor
Editorial
Planning for Eternity
It certainly is not the part of wisdom to plan as if the short span of life allotted to us in this world is all there is for us. Our days here are comparatively few, and they are often filled with troubles and disappointments. With the large majority it is a struggle to maintain themselves and their families, and the number is very limited who are able to acquire much in this world. Many build air-castles in Spain, where they plan to enjoy unalloyed happiness, but such hopes are generally disappointed, and they become sick at heart on account of hope deferred. To those who will fall down and worship him, Satan still promises the kingdoms of this world; but having secured their homage, he fails to complete the bargain. He who narrows his outlook to the horizon of this present world, and plans only with reference to the things of this world, completely fails to appreciate the possibilities which are held out to every believing soul. We should plan for eternity. All that we do here should be done in the light of eternity. This short life is but a time of preparation for the future immortal life. We should not waste it in trying to follow the fleeting phantom of pleasure, nor in seeking after those riches which take to themselves wings, nor in attempting to gratify a merely selfish ambition for place and power. There is something better than all this. Accept God's estimate of things. Remember that “the world passeth away.” Remember that “we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” Remember that “the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” We should plan according to God's eternal purpose. We should plan for an unending life in a universe free from sin and its consequences. We should plan, according to the promise to the overcomer, to sit with our Redeemer on his throne, and to enjoy the blessedness of his presence forevermore. We should plan for eternity.
No Neutral Ground
Christianity is affirmative and positive. A Christian can not regard with indifference the great controversy now drawing to its close, exerting no special influence in favor of right and truth. Every Christian has enlisted in the Lord's army to engage in a constant warfare against sin, and no true soldier spends his time on the battle-field idly watching the conflict without indicating by word or act to which army he belongs. He who attempts to do this sort of thing soon loses the respect of both sides. This has always been true, but it is especially true in this last campaign, when so much is at stake. Satan has been successful thus far in perverting to a greater or less degree every great reform movement, and in bringing confusion into the ranks of those who started out to revive the pure gospel in the hearts of men. He has attempted to do the same thing with this advent movement, and this effort has been sufficiently developed so that its true character ought to be clearly perceived. The time has now come for every loyal believer to take his stand openly and positively in favor of the original truths of this message, and against such a perversion of these fundamental doctrines as would wreck this whole movement. “A fierce conflict is raging between two powers,—the power of light and the power of darkness. This conflict has a vital interest for the people of God. The question that is asked us is, Who will stand on the Lord's side? You can not remain neutral, and yet be Christ's followers, his faithful servants.” We are not to conduct a personal warfare against any man, but we are to be uncompromising in our warfare against evil, and we should not try to shirk the responsibility of taking a positive attitude in the present crisis for fear that we should appear to be in opposition to some man. Principles are greater than men. This message is greater than any man. Any further attempt to be neutral will be most disastrous in its results. “The time has come to take decided action.”
The Triumphs of Faith
(Continued)
MOSES feared God, and not Pharaoh; Moses feared the God of heaven, the King of heaven, rather than the mighty king of earth; and because he feared the God of heaven, rather than the king of Egypt, he forsook Egypt. “He endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” Apparently a contradiction of terms,—“as seeing him who is invisible.” But faith enables one to see that which is invisible. Note this apparent contradiction, because we may here see the very essence of this experience. He endured, as seeing him who can not be seen; as seeing, by faith, him who is invisible to the ordinary sight. It is the lesson of faith to every Christian. He who does not learn to deal in his Christian life and experience as seeing him who is invisible to the ordinary sight, has not learned how to walk the Christian pathway; for only by seeing him who is invisible do we endure as did Moses. He endured by faith. He kept the passover, the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the first-born should not touch them.
Let us read this record as given to us in the twelfth chapter of the book of Exodus; for it is the record of faith:—
“Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side-posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood4upon the lintel, and on the two side-posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons forever. And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? that ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses.”
“By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the first-born should not touch them.”
Now when we read in the third chapter of the epistle to the Romans, and put the two passages together, we can see the meaning of that experience. “But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God; for the showing, I say, of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus.”
What did the blood sprinkled upon the lintel mean but the blood of Jesus, through faith in which we have forgiveness of sin? And there is a passing over of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. By faith, Moses and the children of Israel with him, sprinkled the blood, and they were protected by the sprinkled blood, not by virtue of any red liquid that might be seen upon the lintel of the door, but because they saw in that blood the blood of the Son of God, in which there is efficacy to protect from the destroyer.
And so they believed, and their faith saved them from the destroyer, and there was a passing over that night in Egypt, because of their faith, just as there may be a passing over now because of our faith; and without that faith there is no passing over of sins that are past.
And further: “By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were swallowed up. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days.”
We shall be well paid for studying these experiences. They had forsaken Egypt; they had sprinkled the door-posts; they had been delivered from the hand of the destroying angel and from their oppressors; they had been led out to the Red Sea, through a mighty deliverance. After those wonderful works of God in bringing them from the hand of the oppressor, the whole experience seemed to be a failure; for when they were in Egypt, although they were slaves, yet their lives were preserved, and they had what every slave must have in order to make him of value to his master; that is, he must have food and rest. But now these men who were led out thus through the triumphs of faith, were led to the Red Sea, and the journey brought them face to face with what was apparently a worse condition of things than when they were in Egypt; for while they had Pharaoh and the taskmasters for their helpers, their lives were preserved; but now Pharaoh and his army pursue them for destruction; on either side the mountains; behind them Pharaoh and his host; and in front of them the sea.
This is a test of their faith. But God commanded them to go forward, not to go back to fight the enemies who were pursuing them from Egypt, but to go forward toward the land to which he was leading them. And by faith they obeyed the command to go forward, even when the Red Sea was in their front. But the record says, “By faith they passed through the Red Sea as upon dry land.” The waters were congealed in the mighty sea. The full record says that the Lord caused a strong wind to blow, and the waters were piled up. The song of triumph, in the fifteenth chapter of Exodus, says that the depths were congealed. They became a solid wall. What is a solid wall of water? Water in a solid condition we call ice. And so there was a wall on either side, a wall of solid water. It was a wall of water, a wall of solid water, solid as ice. The depths were congealed. How?—It says by faith. How did faith make a solid wall out of liquid?—Because God commanded them to go through the Red Sea, and the command of God, when obeyed in faith, opened the way; that made the water, which would have been destruction in liquid form, a protection on either side, a wall, and they passed through as on dry land.
Now note the very next instance of faith. “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days.” They passed through the Red Sea; they sang their song of triumph on the shore; they passed through the wilderness; they faced Jericho, and Jericho was straitly shut up, a walled city, with gates closed against them. The command of God was that they were to form in procession, with no heavy artillery to beat down the walls. Apparently the only thing they were to take with them was the ram’s horns that the priests carried. And they were instructed, that whole army, not the mighty men merely, not the men of valor, but the whole people, to march around the city. Why?—Because men, women, and children can exercise faith. It takes skill to train those who are to use the artillery to beat down the walls; but when faith is the weapon, men, women, and children can belong to the army; they are all the hosts of the Lord. And they were all commanded to march around the city; and so they did the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth days. On the seventh day of the journeyings they were commanded to march around seven times, and then the priests were to blow, the people were to shout; and it was told them that the walls would fall down. And they did according to the word. Foolish to human reasoning, utterly foolish! But God was their leader; they did as they were commanded, and the record says that the wall fell down flat.
Now note the contrast: What stood between Israel and the promised land when they were commanded to go forward?—Water, liquid. It would be their destruction, ordinarily, to pass through it. What did faith do? Faith constructed, out of liquid, a solid, a wall, on either side, and they passed through as on dry land, protected by a wall which faith had erected.
When they go to the other side, what do they find?—A wall between them and Jericho, and this time a solid wall. What does faith do?—Faith makes that wall pour down just like liquid. Faith builds a solid wall out of liquid, and they pass through. When they need a solid wall, faith makes a solid wall; when they need the wall removed, faith makes it run down like liquid. These are the victories of faith.
Now one example further: “By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, having received the spies with peace.” Two things should be emphasized in this statement: Those who perished in Jericho, and the very reason for their perishing was because they were disobedient; those who were saved, were saved because of the obedience of faith. Rahab the harlot was saved because when the spies appeared, she accepted God’s word concerning Jericho, and she said, I know that Jehovah hath given you the city. And she believed the word5of Jehovah, and she was saved by that faith.
Rahab was a heathen; the children of Israel were God’s chosen people. We may not see that that faith would act to preserve; but this simple statement that Rahab perished not, shows that God’s mercy was toward the heathen, and that through the obedience of any to the gospel, salvation might come to other nations. The spies, coming up to Jericho, preached the gospel by their errand. And Rahab the harlot received the gospel, and believed Jehovah, and Rahab was saved, when all Jericho perished; and she was saved by faith.
When the Israelites were saved from the destroying angel before they left Egypt, they put the blood upon the lintel. Rahab put no blood upon the lintel; which shows that it was not simply the outward act of putting blood on the door-posts that saved the children of Israel; but it was because of what that meant to them,—their faith in God, and their faith in the gift of his Son, the Lamb of God to save from sin. But when Rahab believed the word, and was obedient to the word, she was preserved, saved, from perishing by that same faith, although she put no blood upon the door-posts.
(To be concluded)
The Outlook for This Republic
By L. A. S.
PROF. GOLDWIN SMITH, the well-known English writer, predicts the early downfall of the American republic. Professor Smith does not speak from the standpoint of an enemy of the United States, but from that of a friend, having now, proved his friendship for this country in England during the Civil War. He is not prejudiced against American institutions, but he sees those institutions in danger of overthrow through factional strife and the departure from republican principles of government.
“A nation which deliberately gives itself up to government by faction,” says Professor Smith, “signs its own doom. The end may be delayed, but it is sure. The party organizations have overlaid the American Constitution. For this the framers of the Constitution are not to blame. Their sagacity must have been supernatural to foresee the machine and the boss.”
The Republican and Democratic parties in the United States are now two standing machines, waging everlasting war for the presidency and an immense patronage. Platforms are made up when a presidential election impends, simply with a view to carrying that election. The parties have no fixed creed or abiding character. . . . One who had formed his idea of the Republican party half a century ago would hardly know the party again now. Lincoln, with his pure patriotism and humanitarianism, would find himself strangely out of place.
The grand aim of each party is to prevent the country from being successfully governed by its rival. Each will do anything to catch votes, and anything rather than lose them. Government, consequently, is at the mercy of any organization which has votes on a large scale to sell.
To this Professor Smith might truthfully have added the further statement that the sessions of the national legislature now consist of little more than a contest for supremacy between the two factions into which the legislative branches of the government are divided. No measure brought before Congress can be considered seriously and estimated at its true value by more than one of these factions, because, in the view of the other, it is merely a party measure. No matter how real or how serious the danger that needs to be averted, no matter how great the need of legislation upon any particular point, when legislation is urged by a speaker of one party, his political opponents lightly turn aside his words, on the ground that he is only “talking for political effect.” It almost seems to have come to the point where party loyalty demands that an opponent’s words on the floor of Congress should always be treated in this way. Thus it has come to pass that no subject of more consequence than routine pension and appropriation measures can be treated seriously, or obtain the consideration that it deserves.
“It is surely impossible,” Professor Smith believes, “that any nation should endure such a system forever.” “Even now,” he says, “the balance wavers,” and “it is a critical hour in the life of the American republic and therefore in the life of the world.” L. A. S.
Another Noble Contribution to Mission Fields
By A. G. Daniells
Another generous gift has been made to the cause of missions by one of our conferences. At its annual session just held in connection with the Marysville camp-meeting, the Ohio Conference passed the following resolution:—
Acknowledging the prospering hand of God upon our conference work and workers in the past, and recognizing his special blessing upon our missionaries sent last year into the heart of China, as the beckoning hand of God to move forward, we—
Recommend, (1) That one half of our workers, together with one half of our conference tithe, be held subject to the call of the General Conference for use in aggressive work in the destitute fields in the regions beyond; (2) that this plan of sharing our workers and means with the more needy countries of earth be adopted as a permanent policy of the Ohio Conference till the gospel work is finished.
This resolution was prepared and submitted to the conference by the committee on plans and recommendations, with clear, deep convictions that the policy enunciated is right, and that it must be followed if we as a people meet the approval of God, and give our message to the world in this generation.
That this recommendation struck a responsive chord in the hearts of the brethren and sisters, was plainly evident by the ringing “amens” that followed its reading. The president of the conference and all the laborers in the State supported the proposal with a promptness and a decision that plainly revealed their devotion to the policy expressed by the resolution. The earnest, thoughtful speeches made by the delegates showed that the subject had been given earnest thought, and that they knew what they were about. During the consideration of the question, a number stated that when they read the report of Iowa’s action in behalf of mission work a few weeks ago, their hearts were filled with joy, and that they had been praying that the Ohio Conference would stand with Iowa in this forward move in behalf of missions.
After the delegates had adopted the resolution by a unanimous vote, an opportunity was given the whole congregation to express itself. The audience arose as one man in support of the proposal.
While the resolution was under consideration, a call was made for volunteers to mission fields. Seventy persons responded by rising. Among these were nearly all the ministers and laborers of the Ohio Conference. The scene was a beautiful one to look upon, and the hallowed presence of the Great Missionary was signally present.
Who can not see from such experiences that this denomination is entering upon a new era in its missionary enterprises? The consecration of the conference tithe to missions forms a substantial basis of support for our missionaries, and makes it possible and safe to greatly increase our staff at the front. As a denomination, we have not fully awakened to the fact that the financial basis of our missions has never been right. It has not been consistent with the gospel plan of supporting the ministers of Christ. Long ago we saw that the tithe was the Lord’s for the support of his ministers.
For years this plan has been carried out in the home land, and in organized conferences in foreign lands. But in mission fields the basis of the support of God’s ministers has been the gifts of the people. As long as a minister remains in a home conference, the basis6of his support is the regular, certain, and liberal inflow of the tithe. But the moment he responds to the stirring calls from distant lands, he is cut off from the tithe, and his support is placed upon the uncertain, fluctuating contributions of the people.
For more than two years the weakness, not to say injustice, of this arrangement has haunted me day and night. I have been unable to see how we could permit this arrangement to continue. It is certainly plain to every one who will give it any thought, that this is contrary to the spirit of the gospel. If any of the Lord’s messengers are to depend for their support upon the gifts of the people, should it not be those who remain at home among their relatives, their friends, and their brethren and sisters?
Here they are acquainted with the ways, the prices, and the resources of the country. They have many advantages over those who go far away among strangers, whose ways of living, dealing, etc., they do not understand.
I have seen the personal welfare of the missionaries, and the interests of the cause they were laboring hard to build up in distant lands, greatly imperiled by the failure of sufficient contributions to meet their necessities.
Knowing the meaning of such conditions, the Mission Board naturally exercises great caution in sending families to strange lands, and of necessity is kept on a constant strain to provide support for those already in the mission fields.
But we rejoice to see that a change is taking place. The tithe, that is as regular and sure as the seasons of the year, is to be made the basis of the support of ministers in foreign lands, as well as of those at home in large, well-organized conferences. The hands on the great dial have moved forward, and they will never turn back. This will place in the destitute mission fields during the next year or so, scores of fresh, consecrated workers, and many thousands of dollars.
The yearly tithe of our North American churches is more than half a million dollars. The tithe in all lands outside of North America was only about one fourth of that, or one hundred and thirty-four thousand dollars last year.
Our contributions to missions during 1903 was about two hundred thousand dollars. Now, as our old well-to-do conferences will share their resources with the mission fields, as some are doing, we can easily double our staff of workers abroad.
And should not this be done, if we finish this work in this generation? We have reason to rejoice at the prospect before us.
A. G. DANIELLS.
A Thousand-Dollar Gift From Our London Publishing House
By Arthur G. Daniells
OUR brethren and sisters who are watching the rapidly growing list of contributions to the One Hundred Thousand Dollar Fund for the work in Washington, must be greatly encouraged by the universal interest of our people in this movement, as expressed by their offerings.
Gifts ranging from two cents from little children, up to one thousand dollars from careful business men and managing boards, are being received from all parts of the world.
In some remote part of the country an isolated believer in this cause is interested in the Washington work, prays for its success, carefully lays by what can be spared to assist in the erection of the buildings, and sends it in with a cheering message of confidence.
In some far-off mission field a little company of believers, or the board of management of a destitute mission, solicits contributions, makes up a purse of from twenty-five to one hundred dollars, and sends it across the waters to us. With it comes a letter, expressing satisfaction that our headquarters are located at this nation’s capital, and assuring us of their deep interest in the welfare of our building enterprises.
From another distant field there comes a substantial contribution from some brother who has gone from this land, but who knows the meaning of the efforts to establish the work in Washington.
From still another land there comes a splendid gift from the managing board of an institution that has, by earnest endeavor and careful economy, made some little gain in operating the business affairs of the institution during the past year.
Among these gifts is one from our dear Brother G. A. Irwin, now in Australia. Pressed on every side for means to carry forward the growing work in Australasia, Brother Irwin sent a personal gift of nearly one hundred dollars to assist at Washington. Those who are acquainted with the needs of that promising field, know something of the meaning of such a gift.
And now comes a splendid contribution from another field. The directors of the International Tract Society, Ltd., of London, have sent us one thousand dollars. The International Tract Society is our publishing house in Great Britain. For years this house has just managed to meet expenses; but recently it has enjoyed greater prosperity. Last year it was able to record a substantial gain. As the machinery and other facilities of the institution are wearing out, the company sorely needs every dollar it can produce to replace its worn-out machinery and enlarge its facilities to meet the growing demands of the British field. But so great and genuine is the interest of our British brethren in our work at Washington, that the first resolution passed by the directors after adopting the balance sheet for 1903, was to appropriate one thousand dollars of the earnings of the company to Washington.
We desire to assure our brethren that such gifts are most heartily appreciated by those in direct charge of operations in Washington. As we realize the sacrifice that attends many of the contributions to this enterprise, we feel as David did regarding the water brought to him by some of his men. As he saw the dangers those men faced, “he would not drink thereof,” but poured it out, and said, “Is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives?” If the money sent to our office by widows, ministers, mission boards, and directors of institutions hard pressed for funds to meet their own necessities, were for any individual, it would certainly be returned. But it is for the cause of God. The Spirit of our Master has put it into the hearts of his people everywhere to support this present movement, and we believe that in return for this he will open the windows of heaven, and pour out blessings upon his obedient people.
In view of all this, should not our people in America who have so long been enjoying financial prosperity, come forward with large gifts to this enterprise? A few more one-thousand-dollar contributions would help us very much.
Our hearts are set on finishing this present effort without creating one dollar of indebtedness. We believe this will be done. If so, a new experience will have come to this denomination in matters of finance. We solicit the prayers and gifts of this whole people in this matter. A. G. DANIELLS.
The World’s Greatest Gun Factory
On the occasion of a recent visit to the great steel plant at South Bethlehem, Pa., Charles M. Schwab, the steel magnate, is quoted as saying: “I shall make the Bethlehem steel plant the greatest armor plant and gun factory in the world.”
This is the time to which the words of the prophecy of Joel apply: “Prepare war, wake up the mighty men,” etc., and the purpose to establish the world’s greatest gun factory in that country which has perhaps the least occasion of any to anticipate war, shows how war-like is the world’s outlook to-day. What a mockery that such a plant should be located in a town named after the birth-place of the Prince of Peace.