How much precious time is spent by professed Christians in gossip and twaddle! How much time do you and I spend in this unprofitable way? It is so easy to fall into the habit! We spend a few moments with our friends. The latest neighborhood news is the first suggested topic of conversation. The human mind naturally loves the curious, the new, the sensational. It delights to hear of the idiosyncrasies, the peculiarities, the weaknesses of others. Without realizing the lapse of time or what may be involved to us or to others in such discussions, an hour is spent in gossip and chitchat and idle talk. Who is bettered as the result? Are we made stronger? Are our fellows helped in overcoming their weaknesses which we so glibly discuss?
How much better it would be for us to seek on every occasion to direct the conversation in helpful ways. If we cannot speak good of our fellows, it is certainly better not to speak ill of them. We can find common ground for the discussion of many topics that are helpful in their influence. The world today is confronted by great problems in every phase of its experience. Some of these we may profitably consider. The work of God has connected with it great questions which we may profitably talk over. Associated with the work of soul saving are questions of vital interest to every Christian. A little time on every occasion may profitably be spent in prayer. Let us seek to weed out of our lives the spirit of idle talk. Let us realize that we are accountable to God for the use of our time and for the employment of every talent.
God has made us capable of enjoyment. It is as appropriate for the adult as for the child to laugh at some pleasing incident which may arise in his experience, but it is quite another thing to deliberately spend time in joking and laughing, in foolishness and frivolity. The work of God today demands earnest and serious thought. Our soberness, however, should not be of that character that will lead us to moroseness. Let us avoid becoming soured or getting a grouch. As children of the great King it is our privilege to rejoice in the fact that our names are written in heaven; in the assurance of sins forgiven, and in our acceptance in the Beloved. It is for us to be happy, smiling, and joyful in God. But while in our Christian soberness we should avoid the counterfeit of bitterness and moroseness, in our joy and happiness we should also avoid the counterfeit of folly and silliness. Let us seek heaven’s ideal of Christian deportment rather than the world’s standard, which obtains in so many lives today. F. M. W.
Entering the Promised Land
By C. M. S.
WHEN God led his people out of bondage in Egypt into liberty in Canaan, he was giving the world an object lesson, on a small scale, of the deliverance of his people, in the end of this world, out of a greater bondage and into a greater liberty. The deliverance of Israel meant much to them; but the deliverance of the Christian church from the thraldom of this world and their entrance into the better Canaan mean infinitely more.
In the deliverance of Israel, God could have taken them over the sea or around it, but instead he took them through; and there is in that a striking significance. The sea in prophecy represents peoples and nations and tongues. The last message of warning to the world before spiritual Israel goes into the Promised Land is to go to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” And the Saviour declared that “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” As Israel went through the literal sea before entering the Promised Land, so must spiritual Israel, the carriers of God’s last message, go through what that sea typified—the peoples, nations, and tongues of this world.
God prepared the way for literal Israel to go through that literal sea; and in this generation he has opened ways for the bearers of his last message to go through the nations of earth—the sea of peoples—doing the work that must be done in this generation. It did not take Israel long to go through that sea, and, with God’s hand pledged to the accomplishment of a quick work, his representatives will not be a great while in going, on his last great mission, through the nations of this world. It was God’s plan to take Israel straight into the Promised Land after their passage through the sea. That he did not do so, was their fault and not his. The alteration in the type will not be reproduced in the antitype: for our Saviour declares that when the work of going through this world with the gospel message is completed, “then shall the end come.”
As God led his people out of Egypt that he might lead them into their own land, so he is leading souls today out of the clutches of the world, the flesh, and the devil so that he may lead them into the better land where rule purity and love and peace.
When Israel had finished their passage through the sea, the hosts of their oppressors were overwhelmed and destroyed. Likewise, when this last message has been heralded among all the peoples of this earth, and the end has come, they who have oppressed spiritual Israel and condemned them to death will be overwhelmed in the destruction of the last day.
We learn also that “by a prophet Jehovah brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.” Hosea 12:13. It would be a peculiar circumstance if God, having directed his people anciently in every crisis by one through whom he could reveal the right way, should, in the greatest crisis of this world’s history, leave his people without any messenger or instrument of that kind. If it was necessary that God should lead his people and preserve his people in ancient days through the ministrations of a prophet, surely the conditions of our day, in the culmination of the work of God in the earth, demand such an instrument. And as this work is thus provided, it meets the specifications of the antitype.
There is therefore no disharmony. The third angel’s message is the antitype of Israel’s deliverance from ancient Egypt; and when its work is finished, they who have been loyal to it and to him who established it will enter the Promised Land.
C. M. S.
The Prophecy Fulfilling
By William Ambrose Spicer
The prophecy of Revelation 7, giving us that last-day picture of the angels holding the winds of strife while the sealing message, the work of Sabbath reform, spreads to and fro among the nations, is plainly seen fulfilling before our eyes.
While the hand of Providence still holds the winds over the greater part of earth, we may clearly see the same hand stretched forth to save true-hearted seekers after God in every dark land. Here is a new year’s message from Chosen (Korea), bearing witness to this restraining and guiding power of God. Dr. Russell writes from the Soonan medical missionary headquarters:—
We feel that we can almost see these nations striving to break the bands that hold them. But, praise God, the angels have held the winds of strife for another year, and given us opportunity to teach God’s warning message that opens a door of hope to Chosen’s captives who are bound by Satan.
One man took this inclosed letter [a writing in Korean characters, with markings of red about it, doubtless containing mystical sentences], along with many others, and shut himself away from mankind up in the mountains for two years. There he prayed to Satan, and fasted, hoping to reach a condition of peace. But not being satisfied, he decided to become a Christian, and began reading the Bible. But he was bothered because there were so many sects. He wanted to know where he would find the right way. So he prayed to God to show him the right way, and at night he dreamed that he saw a tree, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, and near the tree a blazing Chinese character representing the number 7. The next day one of our canvassers met the man, and gave him a study on the Sabbath question. Our brother also had him read a description of the new earth, in the course of the study. When the man read Rev. 22:2, describing “the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits,” remembering the vivid representation that came to him following his prayer for guidance, he said, “This is the true church.” He has kept every Sabbath now for nearly a year.
I have had the blessed privilege of baptizing seventy-five of Korea’s sons and daughters during the past year. Their color and their environment are different from ours, but when the power attending the threefold message of Revelation 14 gets into a man’s life, it makes him one in mind and purpose and endeavor with all the members of the great family scattered over the earth but united in the one glad hope of seeing our Lord’s soon return.
Thus continually the reports come in, showing how the providence of God is watching individual souls who are groping toward the light. There is a hand
And reaching down from heaven to meet every hand stretched up in the darkness.
In these accounts that come so frequently of the providential working of God to prepare hearts for the receiving of the truth when it reaches them, we are reminded of that word in 2 Chron. 16:9:—
“The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”
And we are told that the words “run to and fro” carry really the significance of “searching to and fro.” It is the Lord who is searching for those whose hearts are leaning toward him; and continually we note his wonderful providences that lead the feet of the workers to the seekers after God just at the time when hearts have been prepared to receive the message. W. A. S.
Discussing Sex Problems
By F. M. W.
WE are pleased to see saner and more conservative views advocated with reference to the discussion of sex problems. Many are beginning to recognize that the free and easy manner in which these subjects are being discussed is tending to evil rather than to social purity.
Among the latest to raise a warning cry against these unwise discussions is ex-President Taft. Speaking in Philadelphia, January 21, of the benefits of many modern crusades, Mr. Taft added:—
The people are sufficiently aroused. Now let common sense prevail to distinguish between what is good and practical, and what is luring but deceitful, in its promises. . . . This greater social consciousness, beneficial as it is, has produced some hysterical excesses.
The former President, according to the Washington Post of January 22, dwelt at length upon the dangers of sex literature and sex plays. He declared that this kind of propaganda—
spreads lubricity, under the plea that vice may be avoided by teaching its awful consequences. By dwelling on its details, and explaining its penalties, sexual subjects are obtruded into discussion between the sexes, lectures are delivered on them, and textbooks are written, and former restraints of modesty are abandoned.
Speaking of the attempts to cure defects in education by greater democracy, the ex-President continued:—
We have had the ridiculous exhibition of school children striking because some favorite principal was transferred to another school, and we find the newspapers stimulating such movements, and weak-minded parents looking with pride upon the courage and enterprise of their offspring. In my day, and that is not so long ago, such children, if they had gone home, would have been properly treated with a spanking.
When by any course of procedure, whether it be by some of the modern9fashions of dress or by the open discussion of sex problems, the natural barriers of reserve and modesty are broken down, the cause of purity is dealt a deadly blow. We do not advocate a prudishness or modesty which prohibits the discussion of these questions in a proper manner and under proper circumstances. We do not believe, however, that mixed assemblies made up in part of boys and girls, are the proper place to deal with questions of this character.
Their discussion belongs primarily to the home. It is here particularly that warning of the terrible social evils should be imparted by considerate fathers and mothers. F. M. W.
This Is From the Lord
By Irwin Henry Evans
In one of the beautiful psalms, in speaking of the promised Messiah, this language is used: “This is the Lord’s doing [“This is from the Lord,” margin]; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
We are entering upon a new era in the Lord’s work. We need only to open our eyes, and see what God is doing, not in one place, but in many places far apart, to be convinced that the Lord is mightily at work for his people. In today’s mail several have written me concerning the work which God is doing among them. Elder S. E. Wight writes from Nashville, Tenn., saying:—
I have not heard from our men in the field since the institute, except in Mississippi and Alabama. Mississippi has caught the spirit of the meeting, and every worker is, I believe, prepared for more efficient work. Some difficulties that have existed in the field have been straightened out as a result of this meeting, and a spirit of cooperation and hard work has taken possession of the workers. We just closed a week’s meeting in Jackson, Miss., which resulted in leading to a definite decision many who had been halting between two opinions, and I feel richly repaid for my nine days’ service in that city. . . . I have great hopes for the other conferences in the union.
The president of the Atlantic Union Conference writes:—
The work in this union has been going forward with unabated interest since the close of the institute. The Lord is working with us, and there have been many genuine conversions and reformations in lives and characters. The Lord is leading us to do very thorough work, and not to lay down the burden for the different churches until they are brought up on all lines. In one congregation, near the close of an earnest meeting a call was made for all who had been withholding the tithe to express themselves as to what they intended to do about it. A score of men arose and confessed their sins, and promised to bring all the tithes into the storehouse. We had a similar experience in other meetings, not only in the matter of tithe, but in all obligations to God. We have spent nearly all the time since you were here, in and around Boston and in the eastern part of Massachusetts, with the result that the churches are now in good condition. This week we are leaving for work among the churches of the central and western parts of the union. . . . In order to get the best results, we must all give the trumpet a certain sound, and should follow our leadership closely. When I study the experiences of the people of God in past ages, it would seem not a matter so much as to the size of the army as that all act together. I have been interested lately in reading over again the account of Gideon’s warfare against the Midianites, and noting his instructions to his followers. “He said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be, that as I do, so shall ye do. When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.” It was concerted action with the blessing of God that won the victory. It was so in most of the warfares of ancient Israel. If by voice and pen we all say the same things, the people will follow when they see that the Lord is with us.
The president of the North Pacific Union Conference writes under date of January 19. He says:—
I feel the need of a new vision and a new inspiration. . . . I believe with all my heart that we are entering upon the final era in our work. There is “a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees,” and I feel sure there is to be a change in the character of the work. I tremble as I think of the situation, and the demands the work from this time on will make upon every loyal heart. Much depends upon the attitude of the leaders. I have thought much on this of late, and have felt that there must be a revival in my own heart, and I have been seeking the Lord most earnestly for his blessing, and I know he has heard me and been with me. Quite a number of us have pledged the moonday hour as a time of seeking the Lord to bless our union conference with victory, and for results in bringing the Pentecostal showers upon the laborers in the field. I have tried to impress the brethren with these things, and believe there is a disposition to respond.
Elder Watson, of the Southwestern Union Conference, bore testimony in one of our union meetings that he and another laborer had baptized one hundred and five persons since General Conference.
The president of the Northern New England Conference writes under date of January 25:—
We are expecting great things because we have reached the fullness of time. There is now a movement begun in the union that is in advance of what was begun at the union conference session. It is in fulfillment of the prophecy of the shaking in “Early Writings,” the application and reception of the Laodicean message. There is no preaching—just the simple reading of that message, and extracts from the writings of Sister White showing our spiritual satisfaction, and the Spirit works wonderfully on the hearts of the hearers. A week ago last Sabbath, at one of our churches, strong men broke down in humble confession that they were hard-hearted and had never been really converted, and we believe they made a full surrender to God. Young people asked for prayers and yielded to God. Yesterday at Brownington, in one of our oldest churches in Vermont, it was the same. During Sabbath school an aged man who knew nothing of our visit, came in bringing his daughter. The roads over which he had come were drifted so badly that he had to get out and shovel snow several times. I spoke, and presently his daughter was converted in a very clear way. There was no excitement, no human pleading, no preaching, no formal opening as usual, but just a reading of these things and a study together, and then a prayer, when we had light upon our souls. It is the work of the Spirit. He reached out after this family. All are led to realize that we cannot live and work without the Holy Spirit. I believe we are just entering the experiences brought to view in the chapter on the shaking. We have not got very far yet, not to the point of all being clothed with the armor and keeping perfect rank. Then will follow the loud cry, the gifts of the Spirit, and the speedy finishing of the work.
The president of the Eastern Canadian Union Conference writes under date of January 18:—
I feel deeply stirred over the situation, and I am fully resolved that as far as my influence goes in this field, we shall bring about a different sort of affairs, with the help of God. I plan to leave early next week to open up a series of meetings where an interest has been awakened, and where I hope to see results. The time seems to be ripe in this field for a strong movement, and our people seem inclined to fall in line with such a movement. It has been a source of great encouragement to us to swing clear on our mission offerings for 1913, and we have to remind our people to keep up these funds, and thus avoid a rush at the close of the year.
Surely we can say, “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” One thing more we can do, and that is to step in while the waters are troubled and receive this refreshing from the Lord.
I. H. EVANS.
Moral Decline in France
OF the moral decline in the French nation a recent number of the Missionary Review of the World says:—
A group of Frenchmen declare that a brutal appetite for pleasure has been intensified in France; that scandals, crimes, suicides, and madness have multiplied. They have posted statements to this effect, with reasons for the decline of their national power, on walls throughout their country. They state that in the past few years more than 350,000,000 obscene papers and pamphlets and 10,000,000 filthy postal cards and photographs have been circulated in France. Besides these, it is said that thousands and thousands of excitements to debauchery from music halls, cafés chantants, and realistic plays, have contributed to this awful condition.
If we sow the wind, we shall reap the whirlwind.
A Week in Huaheine, Society Islands
By W. R. Howse
W. R. HOWSE
IN company with Pastor Lyndon, and Urarii, our native worker, we boarded a schooner for a thirty-five-mile trip to the twin islands of Huaheine. Arriving there in the evening, we made our way to our little church building, where we lived during our stay there.
We were very much surprised on reaching the church to find that some natives had taken possession of it, and had turned it into a dwelling house, and also had their pigs tied to the banana trees at the back. Of course we could not sanction this, so explained to them the reverence we should have for the house of God. By the evening of the following day, all their belongings were out, and the place was fairly clean, and ready for Sabbath.
We visited our Sabbath keepers, and arranged for three meetings on Sabbath and one Sunday morning, and so were able to study with them along many lines pertaining to the third angel’s message. We believe that the Spirit of the Lord worked upon their hearts, and it was very encouraging to hear their testimonies as to their desires for the future.
On the following Monday, we started on our tour around the smaller island. This had to be made on foot. Part of the way we had a narrow track, and for the remainder of the journey we followed the beach. It was a new experience, but nevertheless very interesting. Finding that we should not complete our11journey that day, as night was drawing on, we were obliged to hire a canoe to reach the next settlement. Arriving there about 8 P. M., we were met by a number of natives, among whom was the governor of the settlement, who at once invited Pastor Lyndon and myself to stay in his house overnight. Urarii stayed with his relatives.
It was somewhat amusing to see their hospitality toward us. At a very early hour the old governor was up preparing some food for our breakfast; as for table knives, forks, etc., they had to be borrowed, one here and one there, and to cover the table a sheet was used. These difficulties arise as the natives do not use such things, their food being always placed upon clean leaves and eaten off the floor, their fingers taking the place of spoons and forks. Of course, they did their best, and we appreciated their kindness and offered to pay them for their trouble, but they would not hear to it; so we made them a present of the new book on Daniel, for which they seemed very pleased. They told us that their home was open to us at any time.
After bidding them all farewell, we continued our journey on foot, calling at every house. About twelve o’clock we came to another large settlement, where we found Urarii’s brother, who is the governor of that place. At his house we stayed for some time, and while talking together he roasted some fine breadfruit for us, which was very acceptable after about six hours of tramping. And, by the way, a traveler need never be thirsty in Huaheine during the orange season, as the trees grow in abundance and are laden with beautiful fruit.
Early in the afternoon we found ourselves back again at our little church building, and during the few remaining hours of that day we visited several persons in the main settlement. We also sold Chinese papers, as there are a number of Chinese who keep shops in Huaheine and other islands of this group.
While there we found two young men who seemed very anxious to know and understand the message. Pastor Lyndon had some very interesting talks with them, which we hope and pray will bring about a desire to walk in the light of the third angel’s message.
Throughout our trip we were able to sell a number of the book “Daniela,” and the little paper Tiarama was scattered freely among the people, who were very eager to receive it. The next day ended our pleasant stay on that island, as the schooner came to take us home again to Raiatea, where we arrived that evening.
We hope that you will not forget these people in your prayers, and we trust our feeble efforts are only the beginnings of better things for Huaheine.
Emmanuel Mission, Basutoland, South Africa
By H. C. Olmstead
H. C. OLMSTEAD
THE good old REVIEW just came again this noon, and I saw that when it was printed the autumn council was in session. You can never know how we who are so isolated do love that dear paper. I am sure it is because it is so full of, and represents us so fully, the message we prize so highly. And this message in its fullness, it seems to me, is simply a revelation of the love, mercy, and justice of God.
But by speaking of being isolated, I do not mean to say we are lonely. The many duties of each day, with the almost unconscious feeling that it must be so and cannot be otherwise, seem to enable us to live here, one European family alone, with little feeling of loneliness. But I am sure our kind Father gives us this contentment; since we are shielded from the great, bustling, wicked world, in a way, and about twenty minutes a week satisfies us in the reading of the world's news. Mrs. Olmstead is brave, often being obliged to stay several days and nights alone when I am away.
NATIVES AT HOME IN BASUTOLAND, AFRICA
Brother de Beer and family are now at work in the Orange Free State. They went away last week, so we are alone here again. But we hope not to be alone long. I could keep eight or ten European workers busy six months doing the work that should be done.
We recently enjoyed a profitable visit from Pastors White and Hyatt.
Yesterday, Chief Jonathan came on business a mile or so from us, and sent a man to ask a little sugar for tea and something to eat to be sent to him. We complied with his request. We are never surprised any more by his peculiar ways. Brother White and I went to see him. He is still as friendly as ever.
The industrial side of our work here is coming on nicely. Last winter we sold over $100 worth of vines, mostly blackberry and red raspberry. We shall very soon have these berries to sell. If we were not so far (ten miles) from the railway, they would be a very paying industry for us. But I am wondering how the natives will get on picking them. I fear they may eat a large portion of them. Our nine acres of potatoes are growing nicely, also the mealies, and other crops. We now get a taste of strawberries, and later shall have a few peaches, plums, apricots, figs, apples, and loganberries. Beginning with a bare sod veldt, it is interesting to see fruit now maturing. May it be even so with our spiritual seed sowing!
In the series of evening lantern meetings which we have now about concluded, one native heathen woman has taken her stand to walk in all the light of the Word.
A Holy Dream
By F. Frederick Bliss
F. FREDERICK BLISS
I dreamed that before an assembly
Of thousands that never had heard
Of the imminent coming of Jesus,
As taught in his glorious Word,
I spoke; and the tears of my gladness
Flowed freely and mingled with theirs,
As hope mounted high at the prospect
That only a few fleeting years
And he, with a touch re-creative,
Would right the dark wrongs of a
world
That back in the pitiless ages
By Satan to darkness was hurled.
I dreamed that an angel of glory,
Unseen by the weeping ones, poured
The oil of omnipotence freely
On flames that leaped up from the
Word;
That swift waves of light all supernal
Rose ever in waftings afar,
And shone on the brows of the eager,
As shineth the mightiest star,
Illuminating all the glad story
The three angels' messages tell—
Then turn to a rapturous anthem
And, swelling, swell ever—and
swell!
Ah, dream, hast thou portent prophetic
Of times that but hasten apace,
When servants of God, thus assisted
By angel, by flame, and by grace,
Shall speak to the weeping ones eager,
While waftings of light from the Star
Pierce ever the darkness of ages
And drive it to regions afar?
Be it so! Change thy mist-robes and
drapings
To gladder substantials of fact;
And lifeless reposes of dreamland
To vigorous promptings of act!
Mission Notes
ELDER R. C. PORTER recently visited Brethren Fred Lee and R. F. Cottrell, at Changsha, Hunan. Of the general meeting held there, he says: “Meetings began the next morning after we arrived, with about sixty in attendance. Each day’s program was well arranged. Different phases of the message were considered, and the brethren and sisters present took a deep interest in the various lines of work presented. The meetings closed with an ordinance service the last Sabbath, in which ninety-one participated. Sixteen were baptized during the meeting, thus making a total of 232 baptized during the year in the Central China Mission. Many gained substantial victories, and all returned home rejoicing in the saving truth.” When we think that it was only a short time ago that the message was established in this inland province, formerly a stronghold of heathenism, and then receive a report like this, surely we can appreciate that there is power connected with the third angel’s message to break down the strong barriers of heathenism and implant in the hearts of men and women the message that saves to the uttermost.
From down in Honan, at Yen-cheng, Brother J. J. Westrup tells of the work there. He says: “Everything is peaceful and quiet here, though the robbers are not far away. The city folk are afraid, and shut the gates very early. The Lord has protected us all summer. We are still praying for rain. The price of food is going up rapidly. We have about $200 worth of wheat, and as we have a mill, we shall buy a donkey and grind our own flour. This will not only be cheaper, but the flour will be much cleaner. We have sixty-four here studying the truth diligently each day. You should hear their prayers for themselves and their relatives that they may come to a full understanding of this blessed truth. I teach the life of Christ and Revelation one hour each morning, and preach on the Sabbath. I cannot tell you how happy I am in the Lord for his manifest blessing and presence. The robbers come very close to us at times, but we are confident that while we faithfully do the Lord’s work, he will keep that which is committed to him. The brethren here are also getting the spirit of love and joy and courage in their souls. We are happy in the Lord.”
Brother J. Van de Groep, writing from Singapore, tells us of some of the experiences he is having in placing the truth in the hands of seamen. He says: “Sometimes to one doing such work, it seems that the seed sowing bears no fruit. However, this is not so, as the following incident will illustrate: When I was canvassing two officers on a Dutch boat, the captain came aboard, and heard us talking. So he asked, ‘Are you an Adventist?’ to which I replied in the affirmative. I asked him if he knew us as a people. He then told me that about fifteen years ago he bought some of our books in Hamburg, Germany, and sent them home to Holland, with the result that his mother and three other relatives accepted the message four or five years ago. The man himself is not a believer, but he, along with the other officers, bought my book. Such experiences encourage one to sow the seed, leaving it, with a prayer, in the hand of the Almighty.”
From Sumatra, up in Battakland, where Brother Immanuel Serrigar, the only worker in that field, is laboring among his countrymen, Brother Detamore sends this good word: “A recent letter from Brother Immanuel Serrigar, a native of Battakland, who is the only Seventh-day Adventist in that part of Sumatra, tells of the interest among his people, and pleads that help be given to spread the truth there. Many come from far and near to hear about the truth. Quite a number are keeping the Sabbath, and have given up their bad habits in eating and drinking. We feel very much in need of several more workers.”
Interesting Experiences in Medical Missionary Work
By H. R. Judge
H. R. JUDGE
OUR hearts are filled with gratitude when we think of how the blessed Lord has taken such weak earthen vessels as we are to disseminate such an important truth as that which we hold.
About two months ago a baby boy of a former patient of mine took ill. The doctor was called in, and with words that were sad to the hearts of the father and mother, pronounced no possible hope for the life of their child. He kept on coming, but saying that there was absolutely no hope, for the child, as he said, had tubercular meningitis. The father, in despair, came to me, only to hear the same sad story. He then said, “What is to be done?” I could only refer him to the Physician of physicians.
Then we had a little talk on answer to prayer and the conditions, and I read from a chapter in “Ministry of Healing” on prayer for the sick, which had such a softening, subduing influence on their minds that they requested me to pray. I seized the opportunity and asked God to reveal his power and his pleasure in reference to the child’s condition. We all felt that God would deal justly with us; so we were content to leave the matter in his hands, while we did all we could to relieve the sufferer.
From that time on the child made rapid improvement, which not only puzzled the doctor, but was a surprise to many who visited the home, including ministers of other denominations, and army officers, who thought it impossible for the child to recover. Here we see the truth brought once more before the people who are leading lights in the churches. The English clergymen have even come and asked me to stop my work of carrying the message, and go on with my medical work, as I am doing a good work along that line.12As a result of this experience, I am holding Bible readings with the family, who have already expressed themselves favorable to the truth. Only this morning I was talking to the wife, who said they were planning to keep the Sabbath. Thus we can see how our loving Heavenly Father works to bring before the people the truth for these last days. This experience has been the means of impressing many.
Another man, who is a thorough gentleman in every sense of the word, has been stirred with the little Bible stories I have related to him from time to time, and now he is looking forward to the time when I shall be able to spend a few weeks with him, and dig further into the mines of truth.
How thankful we are for these opportunities! and how we feel our insufficiency! But still the Lord does use us for the glory of his holy name in the earth.
Hastings, New Zealand.
Learning Patience
ASSURE yourself you have accomplished no small feat if only you have learned patience.— Goethe.
