Earlier text: Publishers’ PageThe Circulation of the Southern Watchman
By George I. Butler
This periodical has recently been enlarged to double its former size, and is now a sixteen-page weekly paper, with a page about the size of that of the REVIEW AND HERALD, which has twenty-four pages. The page of The Signs of the Times is considerably larger, and it has the same number of pages that the Watchman has. So it is seen that the Watchman has not the same quantity of reading matter that our largest periodicals have. Its price is one dollar a year. The reasons for enlarging this paper are mainly these: It has been felt that our papers as published hitherto have not properly represented the importance of our great Southern field. They were two in number, but because of the small constituency, they have been quite a heavy loss to our weak publishing house. So The Southern Watchman, as now presented, will contain pioneer matter for those not of our faith, as well as some, at least, of the matters relating to the progress of the work in the South. Published as one paper, it will be more presentable and interesting, and the expense will be less. This paper will be the organ especially of the Southern work. It has been found by many other denominations that it is necessary to have a Southern department. The people of the South really look for their organs of public opinion to be published in the Southern States. Our friends, the Baptists, the Methodists, the Presbyterians, and other denominations, have their Southern headquarters to meet the feeling of devotion to their own Southern locality. We as a people are finally really driven to the same conclusion. The Testimonies have emphatically indorsed this move, have most positively recommended the establishment of a publishing house in the South, and indorsed the idea of a separate paper for that field, and the issuing of books from the Southern office. It is impossible to be in harmony with their teachings without indorsing the propriety of an office and a paper in the Southern field. This Southern field really embraces the territory of all the old slave States. If there is any need of a Southern paper in Tennessee or Louisiana, there is equal need of it in Texas, Virginia, Missouri, and other States. Some of these peculiar Southern feelings and customs have grown out of the fact that slaves once were held in all these States. Though this central office of publication is in the State of Tennessee, one of the conferences of the Southern Union Conference, the same conditions must exist also in other States which were under the same influence. This great field has a population of about twenty-six million, one third of the population of our whole nation. If this work of publishing is worth doing at all, it is worth doing well, and we are making a great effort to furnish this people with a proper periodical. Our paper will be moderately illustrated. We shall seek to make it pointed and earnest in the great principles of our common faith. We shall make a great effort to extend its circulation all through the South, not merely among our Sabbath-keepers, but largely in the various denominations and among all those not of our faith. An organized canvass will soon be begun in order to extend its circulation, and thus place the paper where it will not be a burden upon the office. All know that the cause in the South is poor, and struggling with difficulties, hence we naturally desire to get the help of our brethren as far as it can consistently be bestowed, even in fields outside the South itself. Right at this point we wish to express our convictions. We wish to say that we shall not by any means seek to get subscribers away from our good old REVIEW or the Signs. We shall carefully avoid doing so, and to show our sincerity in making this statement, we most heartily invite the managers of those two periodicals at any time to feel at liberty to obtain all the subscriptions possible for their papers in our Southern territory. We love both these periodicals, and wish them all success. While our subscription list is so meager that the paper is being published at a loss continually, it would hardly be reasonable to expect that we should devote our time especially to securing subscriptions for other periodicals, though we wish them most hearty success. We must consider our responsibilities, in our first and greatest work, the working up of a list that will make our paper self-supporting. But we will by no means hinder those who are especially placed in responsible positions in the REVIEW and Signs managements, if they desire to extend the circulation of these papers in our Southern field. Our paper is not as large as either of these; their offices have many facilities which we do not have, and many advantages in their able corps of editors of experience. They are our great representative papers. God forbid that we should try to steal away any of their supporters. We have a better business to do than that. We shall be most glad to have our people read both of these periodicals, as they may feel able to do so. As an individual, I can say I would not take a subscription for The Southern Watchman if that meant a dropping of the REVIEW or the Signs. I have loved these two papers too long to pursue such a course at this stage of our work. May they ever go forward in their great field of duty. When The Signs of the Times was established, the REVIEW held all the territory in the whole field, yet through the servant of the Lord light came to us who were at that time holding offices in the General Conference, to do our best to secure subscriptions throughout the whole Eastern field, where our largest churches were located. A large list for the Signs was thus obtained, because we believed this light was from the Lord. We know of no reason why the same principle does not hold good in reference to The Southern Watchman. Where there are persons interested in the Southern field who would like to read the writings of those who are special contributors of it, editorially or otherwise, and who are able and willing to subscribe, and thus help our office in its time of great need, is there any principle in the world which would forbid their taking The Southern Watchman? If so, we are unable to discern it. As the writer of this has been chosen editor of the Watchman, and has acquaintances in many parts of the country, we can but feel that such have the right to become interested in the Watchman if they choose to take it; and so saying, we do not feel that we have become in any sense an enemy of the dear REVIEW or our excellent pioneer paper the Signs. We have no thought of making such efforts in the Northern field to obtain subscribers as we expect to in the Southern field. This, of course, would not be reasonable; but we do ask our brethren who are interested in the South, and who wish to keep in touch with the progress of the cause there, to help us by becoming subscribers to our Southern paper. This would be helping us in a time of great need, when our list is quite small, and the paper is not paying its way. — Susan Coolidge
By Susan Coolidge
Not only Peter in the judgment hall,
Not only in the centuries gone by,
Did coward hearts deny thee, Lord of all,
But even in our time, and constantly;
For feeble wills, and the mean fear of
men,
And selfish dread are with us now as
then. To-day we vow allegiance to thy name;
To-day our souls, ourselves, we pledge
to thee,
Yet if a storm-wind of reproach or blame
Rises and beats upon us suddenly,
Faltering and fearful, we deny our Lord,
By traitorous silence or by uttered word. We close our lips when speech would
wake a sneer;
We turn aside, and shirk the rougher
path;
We gloss and blink as if we did not hear
The scoffing word which calls for
righteous wrath.
All unrebuked we let the scoffer go,
And we deny our Lord and Master so. Come thou, as once of old thou camest in
And “looked on Peter” in the judgment
hall;
Let that deep, grieved gaze rebuke our
sin,
Questioning, recalling, wakening, pardoning all,
Till we go out and weep the whole night
long,
Made strong by sorrow as he was made
strong. Ye Are the Light of the World
By Ellen G. White
Once a race of slaves amid a nation of idolaters, the Israelites were delivered from bondage, and became a light in the desert. If God's people who lived in the Old Testament dispensation were to shine out brightly upon a world of idolaters, his people who live in this age, having so many more privileges and so much greater light, should shine forth still more brightly, diffusing light everywhere. Wherever you find a Christian, you find a shining light. In word and act he reveals the Light of life. His perceptions are not crusted with selfishness. Not having followed inclination, he does not stubbornly cling to his convictions. He perceives the truth, and is blessed by its sacred influence; he sees the verity of God's Word, and its infinite superiority to everything selfish; he sees the foolishness of following plans of human devising in the place of God's plans. His ability to see these things is from God, and qualifies him to be God's representative, to bear with authority the word of truth to others. He has been converted; he loves God supremely, and his neighbor as himself. Shedding Abroad the Light of Truth
A truly converted man is one whose pen and purse and voice and influence are consecrated to Christ,—one whose affections are rich with tenderness and unselfishness,—one who desires to see the light of truth shed abroad, enlightening the whole world. My brethren and sisters, the precious light of Bible truth, like a lamp that burneth, is to beam forth from you in word and work. Strive to gain a knowledge of God's Word. Stand ready to improve every possible opportunity to do good in behalf of the souls still in the darkness of error. Act your part heartily as unto the Lord in leading the sinful to see the sin-pardoning Saviour, and to lay their burden of sin at the foot of the cross. When you see them happy in the possession of a heart cleansed from sin and renewed by the Holy Spirit, your joy in the Lord will increase, and you will know that you have not lived in vain. Try it, brethren, try it. Put your whole heart into the Lord's work. As members of Christ's church on earth, consecrate yourselves to him, planning unselfishly to help those that are nigh, and especially those that are afar off. Place yourselves in the channel of light, in order that through you light may shine to souls in darkness. Of all who do this work Christ says, “Ye are the light of the world. . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The light of truth is to shine to the ends of the world. Greater and still greater light is beaming with celestial brightness from our Redeemer's face upon his representatives, to be diffused throughout the darkness of a benighted world. As laborers together with him, we should pray for the sanctification of his Spirit, in order that we may shine more and more unto the perfect day. God has qualified his people to enlighten the world. He has entrusted men with faculties that adapt them to extend and accomplish a work that will encircle the whole world. Sanitariums, schools, printing offices, and kindred facilities are to be established in all parts of the earth. Our work has not been finished, neither at home nor abroad. In foreign countries many enterprises that require means must yet be begun and carried forward. The establishment of sanitariums for the care of the sick and suffering, is just as necessary in the “regions beyond” as in America. Let all do their best, making their boast in the Lord, and blessing others by their good works. The Result of Unselfish Service
Christ co-operates with those who engage in medical missionary work. Men and women who unselfishly do what they can to establish sanitariums and treatment rooms in many lands will be richly rewarded. Those who visit these institutions will be benefited physically, mentally, and spiritually. The weary will be refreshed, the sick will be restored to health, and the sin-burdened will be relieved. In far-off countries thanksgiving will be heard from the lips of those whose hearts have been turned from sin to righteousness. By their songs of grateful praise a testimony will be borne that will win other souls to the truth. The conversion of souls to God is the greatest work, the highest work, in which human beings can take part. In this work, God's forbearance, his unbounded love, his holiness, his power, are revealed. Every true conversion glorifies him, and causes the angels to break forth into singing. Mercy and Truth have met together; Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other. Upon every truly converted soul—every one who believes in Christ as the world's Redeemer—God has laid the obligation of co-operating with him who gave his life for a perishing world. To every one who is in ease in Zion, he says, Arise, and put your shoulder to the wheel. Bear spiritual burdens. Clear the atmosphere of your soul, in order that the Sun of Righteousness may shine forth through you to the people of other tongues, revealing to them a living, testing truth. Let your light so shine that those who are perishing in their sins may learn of God's goodness, mercy, and love. The light of the truth for this time is now shining upon the cabinets of kings. The attention of statesmen is being called to the Bible,—the statute-book of the nations,—and they are comparing their national laws with its statutes. As representatives of Christ, we have no time to lose. Our efforts are not to be confined to a few places where the light has become so abundant that it is not appreciated. With unmistakable clearness the light of truth is to be revealed to many people and nations and tongues. The publications containing present truth are to be translated into many languages. We are a spectacle to worlds unfallen, to angels, and to men. “Ye are my witnesses,” Christ says. We should know individually and be able to tell others that every promise of God is true. It is by bearing a straightforward testimony in word and work, that we are counted as true, faithful witnesses for Christ. My brethren and sisters, God now calls upon you to consecrate yourselves to him in willing obedience. He calls upon you to proclaim his law with fearlessness, with the intelligence with which those whose hearts are sanctified by the truth ever reveal this truth to others. The third angel's message is now to be proclaimed in every land. It is to be borne to English-speaking people, and to those of every other language. Let believers, as active recipients of God's blessing, diffuse the light of his truth to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, in obedience to the commission, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even9unto the end of the world.” We are not half awake to the importance of this commission. May God place the burden of the proclamation of the message upon his people now, just now, is my prayer. Owe No Man Anything
By John M. Hopkins
“Owe no man anything, but to love one another.” Rom. 13: 8. Some time ago there appeared in the REVIEW, from the pen of the editor, a short article relating to the coming of the Lord and the necessary preparation therefor, in which he three times made use of the expression, “Plan for it.” I believe that the time has fully come when God’s remnant people should “plan” not to establish themselves permanently in this sinful world, but to leave this world and go to the city of God. The time has fully come to plan to close up our worldly business beyond that which is needful for a respectable and comfortable living. We should be thinking now about our “home over there,” not about fine mansions here. The Lord is a respecter of character. All true men and women respect character. The angels of God respect character, and no one will ever be admitted as a citizen of the everlasting kingdom who is destitute of principle and holy character. Now is the time for character building. Now is the time to see most carefully to it that no defective timber enters into our character structure. Among the many materials of which characters are formed is that of honesty; and among the many honest things we should do is that of paying honest debts. No man is honest who neglects the payment of an honest debt. A man may, by reason of unavoidable misfortune or calamity, be in debt, and for a time be unable to pay his debts, or possibly may never be able to pay them, and yet be a strictly honest man. But a man who can now discharge his debts, or who, by industry and economy and prayerful management, could eventually do so, yet who through shiftlessness or indolence neglects to do it, is most certainly a dishonest man. It is not a sin to be poor. But it is a sin and a shame to be dishonest. A dishonest man, if a member of the church, is a living, standing reproach to the cause of Christ, and a disgrace to himself, his family, and the community where he resides. A dishonest Seventh-day Adventist can do more harm in a community than a score of preachers can undo. If we were going to emigrate to some distant place, we certainly would be most anxious to leave a clean record behind us. We would very much dislike to leave unpaid accounts to follow us. Now, we do expect soon to emigrate to the city of God. If we honestly and intelligently believe the truths we profess, we must expect quickly to change places of residence. Are there, then, any unpaid notes or debts of any description? Some may reason that as time will so quickly end, it will not matter if those old bills are never settled. But it seems to me that that thought is an index to a defective character. And we may all be assured that honest debts will never be outlawed in heaven. There will be no such thing as taking advantage of bankrupt laws there. There will be no such laws. Nor can there be any assignments there. The ledger of heaven must show a clean balance sheet, either because of actual liquidation of debts, or forgiveness because of actual inability to discharge them. And it seems to me that there can be no duty more incumbent upon us as a people than to walk right up to the line of strict economy, industry, integrity, honesty, and self-denial, and just as soon as possible pay every dollar we owe. Age never pays a debt. The fact that it may be outlawed in the place where we reside does not settle it in the sight of God. There is only one proper and just way to settle it, and that is to pay every cent of it, and bravely and faithfully stay right by it till it is paid, or fall in the attempt. Notice, I said fall, not fail. Stand at your post of duty like a man, like a Christian, until your obligations are all honestly met, or fall there like a man, a Christian. Resolve to die rather than desert. We are now having comparatively prosperous times. And this seems a favorable opportunity to clean up these matters. Instead of plunging more deeply into debt, will it not be the better way to curtail expenses, put forth a stronger effort and round up our financial matters before the troublous times come upon us? Surely, we shall not then desire to be harassed by unpaid bills. Certainly it will be enough to be taken off to prison, or to suffer some other affliction, because of our faith, without being annoyed with taunts because of our unpaid accounts? Then let us carefully consider this matter, and cultivate the principle of honesty, and strengthen the character by paying our honest debts. If you would like to know just how God regards the matter of paying debts, carefully read 2 Kings 4: 1-7. He even performed a miracle to show his approval of honest dealing. “If It Die”
By T. E. Bowen
As Jesus approached the end of his earthly ministry, he one day expressed to those about him a great truth in these words: “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” The death that is hardest to die, the death which means so much in results,—fruit in other people’s lives,—is that daily death-struggle with self of which Paul wrote so forcibly from experience. “I die daily,” said the heroic apostle to the Gentiles. This is the voluntary death that bears much fruitage. The unselfish life, the continual foregoing of pleasures for others’ sake, the forgetfulness of our own lives, this is the death of great value in the sight of Heaven. “If it die.” This “if” stands for much. Will self yield? Will the stubborn heart give up its life? This is the question. All may die, to spring up into new, eternal life; but, O, how many choose to live, and not die! It must “fall into” the ground, actually be lost out of sight, to increase. Otherwise, it abideth alone. Is it any wonder so little fruit appears to the glory of Christ? So many professed Christians choose to abide alone! We must die to be born again. The life Jesus had with the Father he gave up. He gave it up eternally, and then was born unto us—a Son. Thus must we give up eternally this selfish daily life in the world, and when we do, it becomes possible for us to be born again—becoming sons of God. Many choose to take their eternal death later, but the Christian chooses to die now, eternally giving up the selfish ease and pleasures of earth for the purpose of living for others. “If it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” A Successful Tent Meeting
By A. G. Haughey
How to conduct a successful tent meeting is the great question that comes to almost every Seventh-day Adventist minister, over and over again, while the warm days of spring and summer are passing. I do not claim to be able fully to answer this question, but I desire to offer a few suggestions, hoping that they may be helpful to some one. Let two workers labor together. Where one is weak in his presentation of the truth, the other may be strong. When possible, sisters should compose a part of the company, the wife or daughter of the minister being the most appropriate lady helper. All these workers should know God, and should work harmoniously together with him. The workers should have a district or territory assigned to them, and then together should ask God to lead them to the part of that territory or field which is ripe unto the harvest; then enter it in faith, and quietly secure a site for the tent, always remembering that the Lord does not begin the establishment of his work in the ill-kept portion of the town or city. In no case advertise the meetings till you are upon the ground, to remain. A medium-sized tent, say twenty-four by thirty-six feet, rectangular in shape, with a double top, is usually the most suitable. Family tents sufficient to provide quarters for all the laborers are necessary equipments. The large tents should be well lighted, and neatly seated with portable seats. An organ is also a great help when properly used. In most cases a lady from the village or city can be obtained to act as organist. Secure such help if possible. Then get all those who can sing to help with the music, but never allow yourself to think you can sing people into the truth. The message must be proclaimed. To keep the faith of Jesus is to see the fruitage of your work, a harvest of souls. Nothing but the teaching of the Word will bring this result. The Word is profitable; the Word received has power to10convict and convert. The power is not in the minister except as he has the Word; so be sure that you preach the Word. The apostle gives the order: the “doctrine,” “reproof,” “correction,” then “instruction in righteousness.” Much visiting must be done as you begin your effort. More visiting with the people is needed as the work progresses. The most visiting and praying with the interested individuals is essential as they are deciding to obey, and while they are “babes in Christ.” Never leave newly born babes in Christ till they learn to walk. Stay by your work, even if it takes all summer and winter to establish the standard of truth in your field. One soul saved is worth many who have been warned, yet left uninstructed to wander about. Thoughts on the Tithe
By F. H. Westphal
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse.” A brother from Oklahoma takes exception to my report in the REVIEW, of the dedication of the church in Oklahoma. He wishes to know if only those who have sold their homesteads should pay tithe on the increase in their value. I did not intend that my article, or report, should give that impression. In fact, the tithe ought to be paid from year to year as the property increases in value. Those who keep their land, as well as those who sell, are under obligation to bring to the Lord the tenth part of all the increase. It was on my mind that those who have taken homesteads in Oklahoma, as well as those who took homesteads in Dakota, are under obligation to bring the tithe. I was speaking on the principle of the matter, but my words may seem to apply only to those who have sold their land in Dakota. It seems to me that if all within the territory I spoke of would bring the tithe of the increase in value of the land they own or have recently owned, there would not be much lacking of the ten thousand dollars tithe I spoke of. It might go considerably above that figure, yet it might fall below it. The principle is what I want to bring before our people. There may be a shadow of an excuse for some who have not sold their land, as they may not have the ready cash; but when the land is sold for cash, then they have the money in their hands, and there is no excuse. In most cases money has been secured from the land; but instead of bringing the Lord his own, more land has been bought. The newly bought lands, with that previously owned, increased in value, and an increase in money was realized as well, yet all the tithe was not brought, but more land was bought with the money that belonged to the Lord. This applies to our American brethren as well as to the German brethren. The brother who wrote me tries to reduce the tithe to a small sum by deducting the expenses for breaking the land. Let me ask, Did they not realize a good crop of wheat generally for breaking? They reaped bread for themselves and their families, and an increase in money besides. They have built houses and bought cattle and horses. Here in North Dakota, where our people in that conference are gathered for a camp-meeting, I am told that people are looking for the privilege of breaking land and cultivating it for the crop for two years. When they have broken the land and cultivated it, furnished the seed, and harvested the crop, and hired it threshed, then they have made gain enough to support their families, and lay up money besides. They make no calculation on the land; for it belongs to some one else. I tell you, brethren, we are far behind on this tithing question. May the Lord help us to awake and bring the tithe on all our increase, not only on cattle, money, horses, and wheat, but on our lands and houses as well. Disguised Infidelity
By D. T. Bourdeau
THIS morning I attended a Christian Science meeting held in this city [Grand Rapids, Mich.], expecting, in harmony with a previous announcement, to hear a sermon against Spiritualism. But judge of my surprise when, instead of hearing such a sermon, I heard a reading executed by two persons, one of whom read passages of Scripture relating to Satan as a literal, personal being, and the other read portions of Mrs. Eddy’s writings purporting to give the sense of those passages of Holy Writ. The first thought that impressed my mind was this: Why not have a regular Bible reading, and let the Bible tell its own story on Spiritualism and on Satan, if the Bible is its own interpreter, and is a sufficient rule of faith in religious matters? This way of doing was rather objectionable to me as a firm believer in the fundamental principle of Protestantism; namely, that of the sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures as a rule of religious faith and practice, leading those who adopt it to enter their protest against all that exceeds the prescriptions of Holy Writ as binding on their consciences. It would not be objectionable to quote the sayings of one who is not a Bible writer, if those sayings agree with the Bible. But in this case, they were in antagonism with the Bible in denying the personality of Satan; in saying that “Satan” means simply “sin,” “evil,” “the sum of all errors,” etc. What is this but disguised infidelity? What is this but pretending to believe the Bible, and yet so manipulating that sacred Word as to lead many to a disbelief in and denial of a cardinal doctrine of the Bible? Is not this precisely what Spiritualists are doing at the present time? Do they not, while pretending more and more to believe in the Bible, deny that Bible doctrine of the personality of Satan? Should not, therefore, our Christian Science friends either join hands with Spiritualists on this point, or adopt the Bible doctrine of the personality of Satan? Allow me to relate an incident in confirmation of the statement that Spiritualists deny that Satan is a literal being: Once a Spiritualistic medium lectured to a crowded house near my place of residence. I thought I would go to hear her, and let in a few rays of light, if I had an opportunity of doing so. I found the woman giving an eloquent discourse. As soon as I entered the place of meeting, she at once apostrophized me in these terms: “Christ said, ‘These signs shall follow them that believe.’ Where are the signs that follow you? There is no literal, personal devil. A man’s hell is in his own bosom. You, sir, are on the wrong side,” etc. The Spirit of God urged me to speak, and I said: ‘You, madam! You have not the first sign mentioned by the Saviour: ‘In my name shall they cast out devils.’ You say there is no literal, personal devil. It is you who are on the wrong side.’ As I was uttering these words, the Spirit of God paralyzed her, and she fell on the floor, twisting like a snake, before all present. May God give us the fullness of the power from on high that he is so anxious to give us, that we may be ready to meet all the isms and machinations that the enemy has devised to turn the masses away from the soul-saving and life-giving message for these times. The Angel of the Commonplace
By Marianne Farningham
LIGHTEN the morning, fill the day
With visions from the Infinite;
Throw hope across the soddened way,
Change the soiled robes for garments white,
And let us see through winsome grace
An angel in the commonplace. And bid her touch, O Lord of life,
The gloomy corners where we work,
Calling us forth into glad strife,
To places where no shadows lurk,
And bid us love our every day,
And see in it the shining ray. Let us exalt all common things
To high endeavor and great aims,
And see the glint of angel wings
Shining across familiar names,
And understand that it is given
To earth to be the door of heaven. O, homely faces of dear friends,
And household pictures in the fires,
And humble duties with wise ends,
And faithful loves and pure desires,
Could we not better lose than these
All unfamiliar joys that please? So greet the angel who reveals
The beauty of the homely task,
Who hallows every heart that feels
Content and glad; nor great things
ask—
God gives us eyes to see the grace
Of angels in the commonplace. God Makes All Things New
By C. S. Parkhurst
God never repairs. Christ never patches. The gospel is not here to mend people. Regeneration is not a scheme of moral thinking and ethical cobbling. What God does he does new,—new heavens, new earth, new body, new heart,—“Behold, I make all things new.”— C. S. Parkhurst. Be Patient With the Children
They are such tiny feet!
They have gone such a little way to meet
The years which are required to break
Their steps to evenness, and make
Them go
More sure and slow. They are such little hands!
Be kind—things are so new, and life
but stands
A step beyond the doorway. All around
New day has found
Such tempting things to shine upon; and
so
The hands are tempted oft, you know. They are such fond, clear eyes,
That widen to surprise
At every turn! They are so often held
To sun or showers—showers soon dispelled
By looking in our face.
Love asks, for such, much grace. They are such fair, frail gifts!
Uncertain as the rifts
Of light that lie along the sky—
They may not be here by and by,
Give them, not love, but more, above
And harder—patience with the love. An Appeal
By S. E. HAMILTON
Dear brethren and sisters, do we realize the shortness of time as we should? If so, are we doing our whole duty? How is it with our own souls? are we in a saved condition? If not, why not? Is there not enough in the plan of salvation to inspire us with courage? The ark of mercy is now ready, and the Lord invites us with our children to enter in before the storm bursts. Can you not see the clouds, and hear the thunder? The Testimonies represent Jesus as reaching down over the battlements of heaven to save his people. Fathers and mothers, are you sure the blood is on the door-posts? Have you seen to it yourselves, or are you trusting that some one else will put it there? Shall we be satisfied to go into the ark, and see our dear children outside? We have but a brief period of probation left. If you are not sure that your children are in a saved condition, take them one by one, and go by yourselves, and there on your knees before God confess to them that you have not done your duty, and ask their forgiveness for any unkind or hasty words, and tell them of the beautiful home Satan is trying to rob them of; for the Lord says in Isa. 49: 25, “For I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.” Angels of God are tenderly watching over our children, and O how they long for the privilege we have of sitting down and talking to our children about the beauties of eternal truth! After the Lord gave his holy law to Israel, he charged them to teach its precepts to their children. How often? morning and evening?—No; but, “Ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Everything we do should tell them that Jesus is soon coming, and that we are preparing to meet him. Make the reading of God’s Word so attractive that they will love it more than any other book. Let the little ones all take part. I know of a brother who can not afford to take one of our papers for his family, and yet he pays five cents a copy for the morning paper, so he can keep up with the times. Dear brethren and sisters, let us keep pace with the message, and never mind the times. The Lord says, “He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; . . . that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high.” You can not continue to read the accounts of crime and bloodshed to your children, and expect them to have high and holy thoughts; and those things will increase more and more, and will take more and more of your time, until some day you will awake to find that the message has been given, the seven last plagues are falling, and you and your children are not saved. “Shall we heed the Spirit’s pleading,
While for mercy we may call,
Or delay till God’s handwriting
Seals the final doom of all?”
MR. MOODY tells how he was sent for by the mother of one of his Sunday-school pupils who had been drowned in the Chicago River. He went to the house, and talked with the woman; told her he would see that a coffin was sent up, and that he would come on the day appointed to conduct the funeral. Then, accompanied by his own daughter, who was about the age of the one drowned, he started for home. They walked in silence for a time, when the child said: “Papa, suppose we were very, very poor, and I had to go to the river every day to get wood; and suppose I should slip in and be drowned, wouldn’t you be awful sorry?” Mr. Moody says it was then and there that he awoke to the fact that he was getting “professional.” Folding his darling to his bosom with a strong embrace, as if it were indeed she who lay in death, instead of the other, and lifting his heart to God in prayer, he turned and retraced his steps to the poor woman’s door. On being admitted he grasped that weeping mother’s hand, wept as if his child, and not hers, had been snatched away by death, and got down to pray. This time professionalism was gone; now he really took a part in the “fellowship of her suffering.”—Selected.