Earlier text: Almost HomeThe Spirit of Christ
By F. M. W.
“Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Rom. 8:9. There has ever existed in connection with the church a class of professed Christians who, disregarding the plain requirements of God’s truth, claim to receive authority for such a course of action from a higher source than the Word,—to be guided directly by the Spirit of Christ. In Luther’s day this class, with Thomas Munzer at its head, came near ruining the cause of truth by its fanaticism; and had it not been for the providential return of Luther from the Wartburg, a far different mold might have been given to the work of reform. The same class exists in the world to-day. In it are men who, tired of restraint placed upon them by the truth of God, seek an easier way of Christian living than the path marked out by the lowly Man of Nazareth. To them the Word of God in its plain, literal sense has no meaning. Like Origen, they seek for its hidden, spiritual signification, revealed, they say, directly to them by the Spirit of Christ. They cry with Munzer, “The Spirit, the Spirit!” But when we see their inconsistent lives and actions, and witness their ruthless rejection of truth simply because it condemns their wrong course, we feel to exclaim, as did Luther: “Most assuredly we will not follow where their spirit leads them.” “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:6. Here is the test of man’s relationship to God. It is not his lofty professions nor the piety accorded him by his brethren, but the fact that he walks in the ways of the Lord, which marks him as the child of God. He who has the Spirit of Christ will be Christlike. He will do as Christ did, and walk as he walked. Let us note a few of the many characteristics of the life and walk of Jesus, and determine, if possible, what fruits will appear in the life of him who is led by the Spirit. Christ kept the law of the Lord. He says, through his Spirit: “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” Ps. 40:8. This delight in the commands of God led him to regard each of the ten great precepts of equal importance and obligation. If the Spirit that was in Jesus led him to keep the law, and that same Spirit is in us, will not the principles of the law dwell in our hearts and govern our lives likewise? Christ was “meek and lowly in heart.” Matt. 11:29. Meek means to be “submissive to the divine will, gentle, yielding, unswerving, and humble.” He who has the Spirit of Christ will manifest the fruit of meekness in his life. Gal. 5:23. He will not be proud and boastful, holding his own opinions in opposition to the plain “Thus saith the Lord,” exalting self and his own righteousness, but will be “submissive to the divine will,” “humble,” and “yielding,” even though the truth of God may cut across his way and condemn his course. He will not compromise with evil, but will be “unswerving” for God and right, anxious to know the way of the Lord, and delighting to walk therein. He who has the Spirit of Christ will manifest a forgiving disposition. When wronged by others, spit upon, and reviled, he will be enabled to say, as did Jesus when suffering at the hands of cruel men, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” He will not hold for years some old grudge against a brother in the church, but will forgive even as he expects Christ to forgive him. Mark 11:25. He will go even farther than this. If he knows that his brother has aught against him, he will go to that brother and try to effect a reconciliation. Matt. 5:23, 24. It is only by complying with these conditions that God has promised to hear the prayer of the suppliant. The Spirit of Christ will be shown in his followers through their missionary efforts. Christ “went about doing good,” and all who are actuated by his Spirit will do as he did. It may not be to preach the gospel in foreign lands, nor to contribute thousands of dollars to the support of missions; but every man who has the love of Jesus burning in his soul, will, according to his several ability, help swell the tide of missionary effort. Christ has given to every man his work. Mark 13:34. Each should determine where his place is in the work of God. Nor is it alone to strangers that the missionary spirit will be shown, but in the home and among friends as well. Helping the weary wife or mother in her duties, making the home pleasant for the tired husband or father, reclaiming with gentle words the backslidden son or daughter, are only a few of the many ways in which the Spirit of Christ will manifest itself in him who is guided thereby. As the artist can produce a better picture by closely studying the scene before him, so may the Christian better model his character after the divine image by carefully studying the great Example. We become like that about which we think. As a man thinketh, so is he. Like begets like. The man whose mind continually runs in a low channel of thought will become low in nature. But he who is endeavoring by a right course of action to climb upward toward God, will almost unconsciously to himself approach so near to the Source of light that, permeated and transformed by the divine rays, his life will become like the life of God, and on his heart will be painted the living image of Christ our Lord. Do you wish to become like Jesus? Study his life and character. Meditate upon his wondrous words of instruction. Treasure up his teachings in your heart; live them out in your life. Think of Jesus, talk of Jesus, act like Jesus. Do in all things just as Jesus would do under similar circumstances. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31. Do this, and his Spirit will come into your heart in unstinted measure; and in your life will be manifest that love of God, that loyalty to every principle of right, which is in him who is the way, and the truth, and the life. F. M. W. Aiming Straight
By W. A. S.
The story of missionary effort shows that oftentimes the unusual method of approach is used of the Lord to start an honest soul into serious thinking concerning the truth. While I was visiting the work and workers in Montevideo, Uruguay, a few months ago, Miss Colley, one of our sisters from England, who is working in South America, told me how the truth came to her. She was ill in a hospital in one of the cities of England. One of our sisters of that west of England town, evidently with a direct, hearty way, was also a patient for a few days in the hospital. One day she said to Miss Colley, “Do you keep the ten commandments?” “I hope I do,” Miss Colley replied. “You keep nine, but not ten,” her kindly pursuer said. “Which one am I not keeping?” “The fourth. You don’t keep the fourth commandment.”176 “Yes, I do; I have always kept the Sunday.” “But Sunday is not the Sabbath. Sunday is the first day. The commandment says, ‘The seventh day is the Sabbath;’ and you don’t keep it. Seventh-day Adventists keep the Sabbath, and you ought to keep it.” This was the first lesson in the hospital ward; and the young patient felt in her soul the challenge of ideas and truth altogether new. Then from day to day our sister kept “rubbing it in,” as Miss Colley said, and explaining the real bearing of the fourth commandment. “You keep only nine of the commandments,” the sister said, “but Seventh-day Adventists keep ten.” This unstudied and natural and vigorous effort, just because it came from a heart of love that was aiming straight for the mark, was effective. It was an abruptness that had in it no mere spirit of the argumentative or the controversial, but only of kindly yet insistent interest. On recovering from her illness, Miss Colley went to our meetings with her new-found friend, and fully accepted the truth and is rejoicing in it, now being a representative of the truth in far Montevideo. What a pity it would have been had our sister with the straight aim let those few days at the hospital pass with no effort to send the arrow of truth into some waiting heart. The Work at Loma Linda, Cal.
By F. M. W.
It was our privilege to visit the College of Medical Evangelists at Loma Linda, Cal., in the month of April last year. At that time we told the readers of the REVIEW of the good impressions which we received of the work carried forward in that important center. It was our privilege to again visit the institution at the time of the board and constituency meetings, held during the first few days of the present month. We were pleased to note the many evidences of growth and progress that had taken place since our former visit. This center forms a little world by itself. Our people operate a sanitarium, a nurses’ training-school, and a medical school for the training of physicians. Accessory equipments have been provided. A general store is kept. A steam laundry is in operation. The institution owns a plant for the manufacture of health food products. A large tract of land has been purchased and is devoted to farming. These institutions and enterprises have brought together some three or four hundred Seventh-day Adventists. A large majority of these are in training, either as nurses and physicians, or are taking the preparatory school work for these professions. It was truly inspiring to look into the faces of these earnest young people and realize that they have devoted the strength and energy of their young manhood and womanhood to the work of this movement. A faithful and devoted company of physicians and teachers have been assembled at this place. Dr. W. A. Ruble, for some years secretary of the General Conference Medical Department, is in charge of the school work. Dr. T. J. Evans is the medical superintendent of the sanitarium. The institution has availed itself of the efficient business management of Brother W. D. Salisbury, who brings to his work a long and successful experience in the management of other denominational institutions. Brother J. A. Burden and his faithful wife, who have been connected with the enterprise from its inception, and who have so earnestly and sacrificingly labored for its promotion and upbuilding, have the direct oversight of the sanitarium, Sister Burden as matron and Brother Burden as business superintendent and chaplain, and also as treasurer of the general association. As chairman of the general board, and as a father to the enterprise, Elder G. A. Irwin has located at this place. His fostering care and able counsel have been much appreciated. The meetings of the constituency and board were employed in dealing with some of the pressing needs of the work, particularly the demand which exists in connection with the medical school for a clinical hospital. This additional equipment is required by medical standards, and unless the school provides such facilities for its senior medical students, they will not be permitted to take State board examinations. The first medical class graduates from the college one year from next June, hence all will see there is no time to be lost in providing the required hospital building. As announced by Elder A. G. Daniells in the REVIEW of last week, this question was taken under consideration, and provision was made by the members of the General Conference Committee who were present, for a general collection to be taken in all our churches March 15, in order to provide funds for this enterprise. It was confidently believed that our people everywhere would esteem it a privilege to make liberal offerings to this important general denominational institution. As we took time during our visit to review the leadings of God in connection with the starting of the Loma Linda work; as we heard recounted to us many incidents in the history of the enterprise where God has particularly interposed to send help and deliverance in times of distress and perplexity; and particularly as we read the many messages of encouragement which the servant of the Lord has borne regarding the development of this training-school, we felt more deeply impressed than ever before that the guiding hand of God is with his people; that he has not left them to walk in darkness, but that he is still moving before them. We believe that in obedience to that leading there is light and liberty for us in the future. It was gratifying indeed to see this view of the question taken by all the visiting brethren. Those from the local field and the members of the General Conference Committee entered heartily into the plans which were laid for the furtherance of the work, and assured the workers in Loma Linda of their hearty sympathy and cooperation in their labors. These brethren are not there by their own appointment. By others they have been placed in their positions; and must carry heavy burdens. They have labored earnestly and untiringly. Their fellows should count it not only a duty but a privilege to sustain them by their prayers, their sympathy, and their donations. Loma Linda Hospital day, March 15, will afford an excellent opportunity for the exercise of this spirit of helpfulness. We hope that our brethren and sisters everywhere will give as God has prospered them, in order that the work in Loma Linda may be placed upon that basis where it will be enabled to accomplish what God designs in the preparation of men and women to go out as efficient workers in the carrying forward of this last-day movement. Plan for the Loma Linda hospital offering, March 15. A Bishop Made President
By C. M. S.
LITTLE notice has been taken of the action of our government in making a Roman Catholic bishop president of Santo Domingo, and keeping him in the presidential chair by force of American arms without regard to the wishes of the people of either republic concerned. As soon as the American marines left Santo Domingo the inhabitants of the little republic began to manifest their dissatisfaction, the bishop-president signified his intention to resign, and then the United States battle-ship “New Hampshire” was immediately despatched to Santo Domingo to maintain the statu quo. The papers of Santo Domingo published the following letter from President Taft to the bishop-president:— I am greatly distressed in knowing that the duties you assumed as provisional president have become so onerous. I can9not but believe that all the good elements will unite in supporting the provisional government, thus fulfilling their patriotic duty toward the republic in whose welfare the United States has a vital interest. Meanwhile I sincerely hope that in the service of humanity and peace you will continue in the provisional presidency during the time provided, and you have the assurance that your efforts in favor of the Dominican people will receive the most sincere and decided support of this government. This act violates the political principles upon which the nation was founded, and the principle of the separation of church and state as well. The president of one republic sets up a president over another republic and promises to keep him in place for a definite period, no matter how the people may feel or what their wishes may be, or even what the wishes of the individual may be who is thus elevated to the presidency. But in addition to this violation of all the principles of republicanism, there is also the violation of a principle which Americans have prided themselves in since the nation was founded,—the principle of the separation of church and state. The military forces of the United States have been used to establish one of the dignitaries of the Roman Church as the ruler of a sister republic. Such a divergence from fundamental principles should help Americans to see the fact that they are not so strongly anchored to the fundamental principles of the nation as they had fondly supposed. And such a divergence as this in the interest of a great ecclesiastical organization shows how easily other and greater divergences may come, until our boasted religious liberty is taken away and bitter persecution comes again; and all in the interest of the same great ecclesiastical organization. C. M. S. Removing the Financial Burdens From Our Institutions
By Arthur G. Daniells
LAST week we gave the readers of the REVIEW the full text of the recommendations the General Conference Committee will request the General Conference at its coming session to adopt for the payment of the present indebtedness of our schools and sanitariums. These recommendations, with their various provisions, were not hastily adopted by the General Conference Committee. About a year ago the main features of the arrangement were placed before our committee by the Atlantic Union Conference Committee. At first they were not favorably received. It was feared that the plan would injure our foreign mission enterprises. But after giving the problem months of study, we came to the conclusion that will enable us to accomplish what all so greatly desire—the payment of the liabilities of our institutions. And we believe that the provisions incorporated in the arrangement will safeguard the interests of our foreign missions. Indeed, if rightly managed, the plan will, in the end, prove a great blessing to our mission fields in all parts of the world. It may be helpful to review the main features of this proposal:— 1. It aims to bring all our people into close, intelligent, sympathetic touch with our institutions. There is danger of holding a false notion regarding our institutions. “The last dollar for missions, but not a dollar for our institutions,” is a statement that one occasionally hears. But in this age, how could missions be established and maintained without institutions? They are vitally and inseparably connected. An institution is more than ground, buildings, furniture, and equipment. A very important part of an educational institution is its staff of teachers and its student body. And still more, the efficient, patient labor of teachers, and the steady, intellectual, and moral development of young men and women, under the ceaseless care of the teachers,—this is part of an educational institution. It is the teacher, the lesson, the new ideal formed, the ambition awakened, the associations of student life that are of greatest value and that are dearest to the memory. And who can estimate their value? It is more than a third of a century since the writer left Battle Creek College, and the blessings of those student days seem of greater value with each passing year. Among fellow students of those days were O. A. Olsen, E. H. Gates, O. A. Johnson, I. J. Hankins, L. T. Nicola, L. A. Smith, D. W. Reavis, Mrs. G. W. Caviness, and others who have given their whole lives to this cause. And these first students to leave that institution have been followed by a host of others who are to-day carrying great responsibilities in all branches of this work. Who of all these would speak lightly of dear old Battle Creek College? or consent to have it and all it did for them blotted out? And what is true of this institution is true to a large extent of our other schools. The inestimable service these institutions have rendered in bygone days, are still rendering to a larger degree than ever, and will continue to render until our work is done, is a mighty appeal for the love and hearty support of all our people. 2. This plan places the weight of this financial burden upon the shoulders of all our people in the home land. This is right, for all are debtors, either directly or indirectly, to the benefits of these institutions. The thousands of young people who have been connected with them are their debtors. Every parent whose son or daughter has been in them is a debtor. Every believer who has been won to this cause by those who received in them their training for service is a debtor. Every conference whose efficient laborers have come from these institutions is a debtor. In short, all who believe this message and long for the coming of the Lord are debtors to these institutions for their part in the finishing of this work. We believe our people will recognize this great debt, and cheerfully join in this general effort to remove the handicap under which these institutions are struggling while trying to do their great and necessary part of this work. 3. While this plan recognizes the inseparable connection between the institutions in the home land and the missionary stations in foreign lands, it safeguards the foreign mission funds. For the present the total of fifteen cents a week per capita from all our people seems a reasonable amount to provide for our missionary undertakings, and one of the provisions prevents this from being drawn upon for home institutions. 4. The provisions of this plan require that the entire amount turned over to these institutions shall be applied on their present indebtedness. No part shall be used to erect new buildings, purchase additional equipment, nor to make up losses on operating expenses. Funds for all or any one of these items must be raised in donations by the direct efforts of the management. 5. This plan restrains all institutions receiving the benefits of this fund from increasing their liabilities. This is necessary in order ever to get free. It is necessary in order to deal justly with each institution and with the donors to this fund. 6. Finally, this plan provides a commission, composed of three men of experience in managing institutions, who shall investigate the working of our schools and sanitariums, with the purpose of helping the management so to adjust their affairs as to operate without loss. We have launched so many institutions during the last decade that we have been obliged to call to their management a great many persons who had never had any previous experience in managing such enterprises. Many accepted the call to these places of responsibility with great misgiving and at great personal loss financially. In this they have been governed by conscientious scruples, the same as our men who are called to the ministry. They have endeavored to do their best. But full success could not reasonably be expected of them. We believe that a year's work by this commission will effect economies178totaling tens of thousands of dollars in the operating of our institutions. These are the main features of our plan to free our institutions from their indebtedness. It is comprehensive, yet simple and workable. Four years from now we shall probably see that we planned better than we now realize. Operating Institutions
By William T. Knox
As all our institutions are so closely allied to our evangelical work, being in fact a part of it, they can not be expected to be operated on a purely commercial basis, and yet they must of necessity be so conducted that they will not become a financial hindrance to our missionary effort. This makes it imperative that great care be exercised in the methods and policies pursued in their establishment and maintenance. It would seem unnecessary, therefore, to state that in the founding of these institutions, but very few of which can be expected to possess a money-making power, they should be placed in at least as favorable a financial condition as similar institutions conducted on a purely commercial basis; that they should not be heavily burdened with debt, which can only result in draining their vitality and greatly hindering their usefulness, too many times seriously reacting upon the entire denomination. They should neither be established on borrowed capital nor allowed to be operated year after year in such a manner that an indebtedness will be created, as either course would mean an ever-increasing tax upon the institution, and too many times upon the people of God. Let us further consider our educational institutions. With the examples before us of the public schools, with buildings and ample equipment furnished by the state, with all operating expenses met from the same source; with almost all the colleges and seminaries of the land not only placed in possession of their complete equipments and plants without any indebtedness, but also heavily endowed in order that they may successfully conduct a work of high standard, how worse than foolish for us to launch our schools, too many times with the most meager facilities, and with the fatal incubus of a heavy debt calling each six or twelve months for its regular toll of interest, when all educational experience has demonstrated that it will require exceptional business management to make an unendowed school entirely free from debt meet its operating expenses from its legitimate income. The same can be said of our sanitariums. With very few exceptions found in some favorable localities, with the educational work conducted by most of them and the charitable and benevolent work performed, their earning capacity can not be expected greatly to exceed their expenses. In most instances, their limitations from the standpoint of capacity render a more sanguine expectation useless. Therefore, to create a sanitarium with a heavy indebtedness upon it, expecting it to meet the charges upon the same from its legitimate income and to fulfil its financial contracts, is almost invariably to invite disaster to the institution, disappointment to its creditors, and embarrassment to the cause. Where such a policy becomes general in our institutional work, we may look for most serious results to our entire work, evangelical as well as institutional. The time and effort that should be entirely given to the evangelical work by the ministry, will be largely demanded for financial problems and difficulties. Money, in the gifts and offerings of the people, which should be devoted to sending the gospel to the world, will be required for the assistance of the embarrassed institution. The fact that the indebtedness may all be held by our own people would in no sense modify this. Every note that is issued by us contains a promise to pay, and unless there is a known way by which the promise can be fulfilled, the note should not be issued. This is true, even though the one loaning the money thinks he may never call for its payment. The promise to pay—the issuing of the note—makes future payment possible, in fact, very probable, for unforeseen emergencies may arise, sickness may come, change of plans, that will make a demand for payment seem necessary. When such comes, we must be prepared to fulfil our promises. The denomination has been remarkably free from financial crises. We have had in our history, however, such experiences of this character as should have placed us forever on our guard against a policy that would make a financial crisis possible. It should not be necessary to repeat such an experience as we had in Christiania, or more recently in Philadelphia, to cause us to heed the instruction so frequently given to shun debt. In the first instance cited, in order to save the publishing house in Christiania from going to ruin and the cause from suffering reproach, the entire denomination was obliged to come to the rescue. In the second case, the sanitarium was so heavily burdened with debt that no course seemed left but to close the doors, and call upon ministers, whose time should be wholly given to the gospel, to take up the task of raising money to liquidate the indebtedness. In addition, thousands of dollars that should have been used in proclaiming the gospel in heathen lands, had to be used to relieve the situation. Why?—Because some board or committee, in establishing the institution, thought they were warranted in ignoring not only plain and well-recognized business principles, but also even plainer divine principles given us by the spirit of prophecy. The raising of a certain amount of money in gifts for the establishing of a school or sanitarium can be accomplished much more readily than the raising of a like sum to pay off debts. In the meantime, the heavy strain of interest, which of itself is enough to ruin most of our institutions, would be avoided, to say nothing of the great advantage gained by leaving physicians, teachers, and helpers free to give their whole thought and energy to the real work of the institution, rather than to the continual harassment caused by financial obligations. A debt-ridden school, sanitarium, or publishing house can not render the efficient service called for in our work, and it will only be with great and continual watchfulness that such an institution can maintain that missionary spirit upon which all our institutions must be established. Indebtedness is evidently one of Satan’s most effective agencies to cripple the work of God in the earth. Can we wonder, then, that we are instructed to “shun debt as we would the leprosy”? This does not mean that we shall not be progressive; it does not mean that nothing is to be done, but directly the opposite,—that we shall do something, but in the doing of it shun debt, shun it as we would the leprosy. This statement from the spirit of prophecy is a most forceful one. The individual who endeavors to shun the leprosy keeps away from it; does not tamper with it; does not plan to contract it temporarily, with the expectation of getting rid of it later. He shuns the evil thing and keeps away from it. If he should become infected with the dread disease, all his thought and effort would be devoted to ridding himself of it. Now, it requires no argument to demonstrate that when the providence of God calls for the establishment of some institution, or the material enlargement of one already established, if we are to shun debt as we would the leprosy, we shall first provide the necessary money before launching out upon the contemplated work. We shall not cripple and befoul the denominational body with this leprous and deadly disease of debt, with the thought that later on we may perhaps find some way to heal ourselves. The Danger of Never Failing
“THE man who has never made a failure is in great danger of it on his next undertaking.” Political Situation in Turkey
ONE of our missionaries in Turkey, in reporting the situation there, writes as follows:— “Turkey is a land of Islam, ruled by the khalifates of Mohammed. In such a land, governed by the law of Islamic faith, only Mohammedans can live without trouble, because they are the only lawful citizens. Other nationalities have been tolerated only on condition that they accommodate their conversation so as not to create trouble in the minds of faithful Moslems. This has been the policy toward non-Moslems since the beginning of the government. It is impossible for them to have a voice in governmental affairs. Their testimony in the courts is not accepted, since they are regarded as Kafirs (blasphemers). “They could not appear in the streets dressed neatly, nor walk in an erect position before the Moslems. By their dress, by their movements, and by all their manners of living they were made to show that they were a subject people. “When I was a little boy, my father related to me how one day he was out in the street with a new belt girded around his breast, when, lo, there came a Moslem who hit him with a sharp slap on the face, saying, ‘Kafir, why do you gird yourself with a new girdle?’ and my father ran into the house weeping. I well remember that in the days of my youth non-Moslems always gave way to Moslems when they met each other. Moslems would continue on their way without bending to the right or to the left. Such was the haughty spirit of Islam manifested toward the non-Moslem nations. One Moslem was of much more value than all the non-Moslems in the world taken together. You can well understand that under such a régime there could be no patriotism in the hearts of non-Moslems. They could but regard themselves as humiliated servants without a home, even in their native land. The wars were regarded as holy to the Moslems, therefore non-Moslems could not take part in them. I relate these things to let you know the secret of the political condition of this land. “The proclamation of the constitution has not at all changed the relation of the Moslems toward the non-Moslems. It says: ‘The religion of the Ottoman government is Islam.’ This means that the Ottoman government will be governed by the principles of the religion of Moslems, and that this religion will be defended by the government. This at once cuts the Moslem element far above all non-Moslem elements. “According to the constitution, the Young Turks took the reins of the government into their hands, and followed a strict Moslem policy. Non-Moslem elements found themselves sorely deceived, seeing that Turkey is no more a home to them than it was before. Their hearts were not warmed up with patriotism. They saw that they would not be able to enjoy their natural rights under this policy, and began to long for a country for themselves, under their own rule. “Armenians were taking the first step. Their political societies were creating a warm patriotism in the hearts of this nation, under the garb of rejoicing for the Ottoman constitution. The Committee of Union and Progress of the Young Turk party understood this, and planned the awful massacre of Cilicia. In fact, they had planned it for all Turkey, and all Armenians would have been massacred, but for the intrigue of Sultan Hamid’s reactionary movement. The committee was engaged in war against Abdul Hamid, and the Armenian nation was saved, losing only 30,000 people in Cilicia. This was a heavy blow to the Armenians, from which they will not be able to recover for a long time. “In order to suppress the Armenian patriotism, the committee let loose upon them the tribes of Kurds, the ancient enemy of the Armenian nation. The committee felt sure that as long as the Kurds were in Armenia, the Armenians would not be able to gain Armenia. By this step they thought they had settled the Armenian question. Indeed, the Armenians lost their political strength, but the Ottoman government lost more, in that the Armenians will never stick to the Turkish soil as their own country. This modern war with the Balkans proves this undeniable fact. Ears are open every day to hear of the downfall of the Ottoman government. Is it not very strange? When I ask the reason for this anxious waiting, they say that they have so long been oppressed under Moslem rule that they desire to see the country in the hands of the foreigners. And what is true of Armenians is true also of other non-Moslem nations. More than that, there are many Turks who were not content with this Pan-Islamic policy, and they are working always for the fall of this Committee of Union and Progress of the Young Turk party. Now they promise more liberties and privileges; but the non-Moslem nations have no confidence as long as this is not a general government, but is Moslem rule according to the constitution. It is true that in the modern war these nations also gave their sons as soldiers, but this was rather by force and not with a willing heart. They fight, but at the same time desire the fall of the government. Think of this! What political strength can you expect in the army under this condition? This is the secret of the weakness of the Ottoman power. If the non-Moslem nations in European Turkey were tied to the central government, it would be impossible for the small governments of the Balkans to fight against Turkey. “Albania has now proclaimed independence, and if the Pan-Islamic policy, or even the Moslem rule, is continued, the world will soon see the end of this government. The only remedy is in a change of the constitution. Turkey must not be for Turks only, but must belong to all nations who dwell in the country. The religion of the Ottoman government must not be the faith of Islam, but there must be a neutral position, giving an equal place to all and defending all. Would that their eyes were open to see this truth!” Twenty Thousand Patients in a Twenty-Dollar Building
By Riley Russell, M. D.
A LITTLE over four years ago we came from the United States to Soonan, Korea, where we are now located. We have a small Korean house that cost twenty dollars gold, or forty yen; also one small house, where women and children may wait. In the four years we have been here we have seen over twenty thousand patients. This may seem incredible to the people in the home land, but in these old densely populated countries it is different. The people know nothing of infection, but in the old heathen mind all disease is wind in the bones or some other part of the anatomy, and it must be let out. This is generally accomplished by means of needles of various sizes and all possible degrees of uncleanliness. One woman whom we found to have been stuck nearly three hundred times in the face to let out the bad blood and wind, sent for us, and it was only by diligent effort on our part that her life was saved, so severe was the infection. We are constantly struck with the similarity between these conditions and those prevailing at the time of Christ’s ministry on earth. Leprosy is common in the south. Cholera is present every summer. And the pest, Asiatic plague, is always in hearing distance. The Great Physician gave to the world the example of spending much of his time in relieving the distress of the people and diffusing life and peace. Satan’s object is to cause misery, woe, and, at last, death. So it is no wonder that here where the arch-rebel is feared and worshiped the degradation is so apparent. The infant mortality is so high that the population is hardly holding its own. The medical work gives prestige to,12and makes openings for, the gospel; for the rankest devil-worshiper, who hates Christianity and all that goes with it, will call the Christian physician when the grim monster Death faces him or his family. Only two weeks ago, while returning home from a one-hundred-mile horseback ride, I was called to see a woman about nineteen years old who could not possibly have lived more than a few hours, but the diagnosis was easy and the treatment simple, and from my saddle-bags I was able to give her almost instant relief. She and her mother walked twenty miles to see me last week, and the old woman said no one but a missionary could have known what to do, and “thus our daughter who was the same as dead is alive and with us well.” There are things in such work as this that shake heathenism to its foundations. One woman who had a felon which left the finger bone protruding, came to the dispensary after suffering for three months. A little cocain and ten minutes fixed it up, so that in ten days she was well. Her hold on devil-worship was so badly shaken that she listened intently to the old, old story. The schools are now changing these sorrowful conditions. The Union Medical School in Seoul and the Japanese medical schools are training young men in better methods. The change in government has also brought in many much-needed hygienic reforms, but Korea’s great need is yet only touched on the extreme edges.