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Review and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 46.

A Message From Our One Minister in the Philippines

Review and Herald

Nov 17, 1910

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 17, 1910

A Message From Our One Minister in the Philippines

By E. N. Hunter

E. N. Hunter
Greetings at this week-of-prayer season from the “Pearl of the Orient,” Nine million precious jewels still in the rough are waiting for the polishing of the last message. They are scattered in more than forty islands, with a score of different languages. But the last message is due them as well as to other people, since God is no respecter of nations. The enlightenment brought by the American government in its liberal education of the rising generation is causing them to lose faith in the old religion. Now is the time to work for these people. We are years behind in starting our work here, so we must redouble our efforts now. We need doctors, ministers, and canvassers to start the work in all these different languages. May the Lord help us to see his jewels while in the rough, and labor by faith, that we may see them in the kingdom, polished to shine throughout eternity.
Manila

NOVEMBER is the month of decision

NOVEMBER is the greatest month of them all for “Life and Health” campaigners. It is the month when men and women get out into the snappy, health-giving outdoor air—or else shut themselves up in stuffy houses to hibernate all winter long like bears.
NOVEMBER is a timely month to extend the health message. And the November “Life and Health”—now ready for agents—is one of the best numbers ever sent out from the Review and Herald Office. The cover alone—a magnificent color picture of a harvest-field—will sell the magazine; and the gist of good things on the inside—a report of the big public health meeting at Milwaukee, and a bundle of articles by competent writers on health subjects—will make it well worth the buyer’s money.
Every reader of the Review should be a subscriber to “Life and Health.” It gives a big dollar’s worth every year. Agents should get their supplies at once from their State tract societies. New agents will find this an excellent time to begin selling this magazine.
Ten Cents a Copy - - One Dollar a Year
LIFE AND HEALTH
THE NATIONAL HEALTH MAGAZINE
WASHINGTON, D. C.

One of You

By Anne Porter Johnson

One shall eat bread with Me, even he Who was my friend. On him who walked with me I could rely. Not so; for after all of this, He shall betray his Master with a kiss. “Lord, is it I?”
One shall desert me, while all round about My foes press thick and fast, with taunting shout— “Him crucify!” Alone, forsaken in my hour of pain, I look for human friend in vain. “Lord, is it I?”
One shall be idle, and shall stand All day within the market-place, to my command Make no reply. The noonday sun, with beams so bright, Looks down on harvest-fields so white. “Lord, is it I?”
One shall be thoughtless, and shall take no heed Of those who faint and starve, their need To satisfy. One shall forget that all along the road Are those bowed down beneath their heavy load. “Lord, is it I?”
— Anne Porter Johnson.

Christ in You

By Oliver Eaton

OLIVER EATON
THE word Christian is broad in meaning, including everything that the true child of God should be. To be Christlike, a Christian, is not an easy mark to attain. The ladder of perfection must be ascended step by step. “Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” Each round of the ladder must be taken as it comes. Effort is required to reach the top, but Christ says, “My grace is sufficient.” Aim high, aim at the mark of perfection,—Christlikeness. Never will any one reach a higher standard than he himself has set.
Those who expect to have eternal life must have the perfect character of Him who lived on this earth a sinless life. Being called a Christian is not being a Christian. Christ described the class who wish to hide their own evil ways under the name Christian. “Ye are like unto whitened sepulchers,” he said, “which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” Paul says that not all that are of Israel are Israel. “If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Partaking of the divine character, obtained only through perfect submission to the Father’s will, is the only way to obtain the crown of life laid up for the faithful, Christlike child of God.
Having partaken of his likeness, we become soldiers of the cross, ambassadors of the government of heaven, representatives of Jesus. Paul sums it up thus: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” When Christ is taken into partnership, self must die; Christ must live in us, his life must shine through us. Partaking of his divine nature, we live a perfect life, becoming an object-lesson to the world.
The world is saying to you and to me, “Sirs, we would see Jesus.” But whom do they see? Is Christ seen, or self? Does the world see the Master in you? By our profession we say: “I am a representative of Christ, an ambassador of heaven. In me abides the Spirit of Christ. The old man of sin is dead, and in my life only the character of the Saviour is seen.” It is a solemn thing to be living in this time of trial. Christ is saying: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. . . . And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” We are to be living epistles, known and read of all men. Therefore it behooves us that they read in us the divine life of the Saviour.
“We would see Jesus,” is still heard from those who are longing to see him. But “what have they seen in thine house?” How sad is the answer: “All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among all my treasures that I have not showed them.” But have they seen Jesus? Those friends who came to see you from afar were sent by God to see Jesus. You showed them all that was in your house, but Christ was not there. They did not see in you the life of the Saviour.In the theater, in the ballroom, in the home, they saw not Jesus. He did not visit the places you visited. Your guardian angel left you at the door, or turned and wept at your conduct; the heart of Christ was pierced afresh by your indifference and neglect. Those who came to see Jesus went away still longing to see him.
“We would see Jesus,” comes the call from your own hearthstone. Your children, your brothers and sisters, perhaps your father and mother, long to see Christ in you. They might be led to the fold if they could see something in you that they themselves do not possess. Or that father and mother may be praying that you may lay hold of the strong arm of the Almighty. Choose you this day whose character shall be reflected in you. Now is the day of salvation.
“We would see Jesus,” is the cry from far and near. “What have they seen in thine house?” Make sure that those who come see Jesus in your life, and that the Life-giver has taken up his abode with you. “Choose you this day.”
Madison, Tenn.

With What Judgment

By Elihu, Jr.

ELIHU, JR.
Our future destiny depends on how we make decisions concerning our fellow men while we are passing through this life. If we refuse to forgive, we can not obtain divine forgiveness. If we fling our brother's faults in his face, God will cause ours to face us when it is too late to make amends. If we turn the cold shoulder to the sinner, or sneer at him, God will not allow us to enter his kingdom of love. If we publish the faults of our brother before an already corrupted world, God will cause ours to be proclaimed from the house-tops. There is no escaping the results of our own decisions. To use epithets shows that we have in our hearts the animus of hate, which, unless eradicated, will put us in danger of the Judgment. Sometimes the professed minister of Christ discharges his impatience in a volley of epithets. “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” And “angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.”
“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned.” “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” “Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.”
“Whosoever [minister or layman] shall say unto his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”
Let us go out of this dangerous business, and get into the place where God can bless us and make us a blessing.

Good Night

By Sarah A. Massie

WHEN the wearisome day, with its toil and fret, Draws near to its close, when the sun has set, And fades the lingering light, We sleep with a touch like a fond caress, That bids us forget the day's distress, And softly sink to our promised rest, ‘With a fond “good night.”’
Ah, well for us after the toil and strife, When the sunset has closed on our weary life, Ere we enter the morning light, That God touches the hearts that toil and weep, And giveth to his beloved sleep, Calm and dreamless, silent and deep,— ’Tis his “good night”!​
— Sarah A. Massie.

Teach Children to Give

THERE are many Christian people who greatly neglect one thing in the education of their children. Parents who themselves may be reasonably generous, and disposed to give their substance to the needy and for the gospel of Christ, never teach their children this lesson. Whatever is given, is given by the father, and no one else has anything to give. The result is that when the father ceases to give, all benevolence is likely to end. Worse than this, children are trained in selfishness and worldliness, and sometimes the sad spectacle is exhibited of children living for themselves, wasting their substance, perhaps ruining their health, and sometimes quarreling over the graves of their parents for possession of the little that is left.
Much of this evil might, probably, be prevented, if parents would train their children to be prudent and generous, to earn money, and to save and take care of it, and to count themselves, young as they may be, as stewards of the Lord.
Children are imitative; it is easy to teach them to be kind and generous and loving, to count all which they have as given by the good hand of God, and to remember that they are also responsible to him for the use they make of his gifts.
Parents, take your children into your confidence; make them understand the sin of robbing God in tithes and offerings, and the importance of doing good to all as they have opportunity, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Then you may expect the blessing of God upon your children as well as upon yourself; and when advancing years shall leave you unable to bear the burdens and responsibilities of life, your place may be filled by your children, who will live to bless the world, and honor your memory.—Selected.

The Sacredness of a Promise

THERE are persons who make promises right and left without consideration, and break them without compunction; they promise anything, and perform nothing. It is not needful to say much about the character of such men, for they are soon known and read; they are persons whose word is worthless, and whose character is as worthless as their word.
If a man is to be worth anything, we must be able to rely upon his word; and the men who keep their word are the men of moral strength in this world, and the men who will abide in eternal strength in the world to come.
We honor the man who keeps his word; for he partakes somewhat of the character of the God of truth and righteousness. What comfort there is in the assurance that it is “impossible for God to lie.” His word is immutable, his oath is unchangeable, and “by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie,” he gives strong consolation to those who have “fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope” set before them. God will not disappoint his people. His covenant he will never break; for he has magnified his word above all his name. The grass may wither, and the flower fade, “but the word of our God shall stand forever;” and though heaven and earth pass away, that word shall never pass away.
As we draw nigh to God, and become partakers of his character, we turn from falsehood and deceit, and walk in the truth. And let those who believe and trust in the God who keeps his word, seek to walk worthy of God, hating falsehood, loving truth, and being steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.—The Christian.

Pulling Together

THERE is a story of a bridegroom who requested his bride to accompany him into their garden a day or two after their wedding. He then threw a line over the roof of the cottage. Giving his wife one end of it, he retreated to the other side, and exclaimed, “Pull the line!” She pulled as hard as she could.
He cried, “Pull it over!”
“I can’t,” she replied.
“Pull with all your might!” shouted the husband.
But in vain were all the efforts of the bride to pull the line over, so long as the husband held the opposite end. But when he came round, and they both pulled at one end, it came over with great ease.
“There,” said he, as the line fell from the roof, “you see how hard and ineffectual was our labor when we pulled in opposition to each other, but how easy and pleasant it is when we both pull together. It will be so, my dear, through life. If we oppose each other, it will be hard work; if we act together, it will be pleasant to live. Let us, therefore, always pull together.”—Morning Star.

Seizing Opportunities

A LADY once writing to a young man in the navy, who was almost a stranger, thought, “Shall I close this as anybody would, or shall I say a word for my Master?” and, lifting up her heart for a moment, she wrote, telling him that his constant change of scene and place was an apt illustration of the words, “Here we have no continuing city,” and asked if he could say, “I seek one to come.” Tremblingly she folded it, and sent it off. Back came the answer, “Thank you so much for those kind words. I am an orphan, and no one has spoken to me like that since my mother died, long years ago.” The arrow, shot at venture, hit home, and the young man shortly after rejoiced in the fulness of the gospel of peace. How often do we as Christians close a letter to those who have no hope, “as anybody would,” when we might say a word for Jesus! Shall we not improve each such opportunity in the future?—The Word of Life.

Clearing the King's Highway

By Editor

Editorial

Clearing the King's Highway

Another week of prayer, another special season of seeking God! What will this occasion accomplish for the church in this year 1910? Will the Israel of God be strengthened and purified, and the blessed cause of truth they represent advanced? Or will there come a spirit of retrogression? This question is for each believer to answer.
This occasion may be made one of spiritual strength and power to all who will resolutely set their faces Zionward, and humble their hearts to seek God. To those who fail to do this, the opposite will inevitably result.
What is the primary purpose of this occasion? Those who see in it only a round of service for the week, a concert of formal prayer and supplication, with a collection for missions at the close, fail to comprehend its significance.
The purpose of the week of prayer is to bring about a closer relationship between God and his children. It is a time when God is especially invited into the heart and home and assembly, when he is recognized as the honored Guest, whose presence, in a larger measure than ever before, is eagerly welcomed by the disciple. It is the time for heart searching, for putting away sin, for clearing away the rubbish from the door of the heart, so the Holy Spirit may come in in rich and full measure. It is the time for removing out of the highway the stones of stumbling, the sins and wrongs, over which the weaker might fall, and, falling, never rise again. It is the time to labor for the unconverted, for the discouraged and back-slidden. It is, in short, the time when every heart and every home and every church, by removal of sin and consecration of life, will open the way for the gracious inflowing of the Holy Spirit.
Will the week of prayer accomplish this in your life? Will it accomplish this in your home? Will it accomplish this in your church? You who read these lines, in a large measure, will determine the answer to each one of these questions. It is a personal work. There will be a spirit-filled church in just the proportion that there is a spirit-filled membership; and O, it is this spirit filling that we need as a people to-day! We do not need a new gospel, but a new application of the old; we do not need a new interpretation of scripture, but a revival of simple faith in the first principles.
The church to-day needs a new consecration of heart and life and possessions to the service of the Master. Too greatly is the spirit of worldliness prevailing among us; too largely has the spirit of worldly commercialism taken possession of the hearts of men. Too many of our brethren, yea, and of our own workers also, have permitted the spirit of speculation and worldly business to come in and sap spiritual energy. The result has been leanness of soul to individuals, and a lessening of spiritual power in the church of God.
To-day the call of God is for the return of his people. He bids them seek for the old ways of consecration and faith and humble service. God calls the sinners in Zion to repent, to humble themselves under his mighty hand. He calls upon the discouraged and back-slidden to renew their vows of consecration, and take hold of his strength. Clear the King's highway, that he may enter in. The weak he will make strong, the blind he will cause to see, the defiled he will cleanse by his grace. This is the time of his power; he is waiting to be gracious, but he can not pour out that power on the impure in heart, upon the world-loving, upon the time-serving. He will give it only to those whose hearts are perfect toward him, whose minds are resolutely set to do his bidding.
Who to-day will make a covenant with God? Who in this season of prayer, will give himself and his all with new consecration to the service of his King? Those who do, those who, with a new meaning in their consecration, enter into a deeper and fuller covenantship with their Master, will receive in the days to come of his Spirit filling. Let those whom God has especially called to his work set an example in this work of humiliation; let ministers and church officers be examples to the flock. Let there be much prayer, in the church service, at the family altar, and especially when alone with God. He will be found of every sincere seeker.
When this spirit of earnestness takes possession of God's people, we shall see of his mighty movings. Workers will go forth with their faces lighted up with his glory, to proclaim the gospel of his soon coming. There will shine forth from every face the light of heaven, and from every life will go out an influence which will tell mightily for God and his truth. All may be among this number; all may have a part in this refreshing.
When this experience is reached, there will be no lack of men for needy fields. There will be no lack of means to carry forward the work. Every heart will respond, “Here am I; send me.” Every dollar of which God has made us stewards will be devoted to his service, to be used as his providence shall indicate; so that instead of the mission offering being considered the object for which the occasion is appointed, it will be only a blessed expression of a new consecration to God and to his service. What will be the fruit of the week of prayer in your life, your home, your church?
F. M. W.

No Human Substitute

By F. M. W.

The Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions faces a great crisis in its missionary operations. In an appeal recently addressed to the Presbyterian Church by James D. Rankin, D. D., Moderator, the following rallying cry is sounded:— The United Presbyterian Church faces an almost incredible condition. The opportunities and demands of her mission fields at home and abroad are without parallel in her history, and yet she is embarrassed in every field through lack of funds. We face a crisis that is startling. Unless we measure up to this condition, a reaction is inevitable. The need is a revival and an enduement with spiritual power. For this power there is no substitute. Human instrumentalities are but machinery, and await the inflowing power ere they can become effective. However perfect our preparation, however zealous our effort, the desired result will await this prime necessity. The crisis is too great for man; we must fix our eyes on God. Prayer is the hand that grasps the gift. The promises of God are definite and unlimited, and so sure as we take our stand thereon, will we prevail. The power of prayer is the abiding miracle of the ages. Upon no other agency do the Scriptures lay so much emphasis, and to no other are results so marvelously promised and attributed. In this hour, we must transfer our appeal from men to God; from trust in organization to struggle in supplication. Behind all lack of enthusiasm, behind all poverty of spiritual power, behind all inactivity, behind all dearth of missionary interest, behind all lack of funds, is one lack more essential, more far-reaching—lack of believing prayer.
No plans or devisings can take the place of the Holy Spirit in the church of God. Only by the guidance of that Spirit can wise plans be devised, and only by the power he imparts can plans of Christian work become effective. The need of the church and of every believer is for more of the Spirit’s power. There is no substitute. F. M. W.

The Call to Prayer

By Worthie Harris Holden

WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN
“In every difficulty we are to see a call to prayer.”—“Desire of Ages.”
As when from Moslem tower the call to prayer Bids each believer unto Allah seek, So to the Christian from the watchman’s tower Is borne a message to the pure and meek.
In every difficulty see a call To bring thee quickly to the throne of grace,— An angelus it rings unto thy soul, To pause a moment in thy fevered race.
If all our paths were smooth, with flowers o’erspread, Then should we fail our angelus to hear, Nor should we sense our danger or our need If to our sight no barrier uprear.
Pray oft; for God is yearning to bestow More aid than mortal vision e’er can see; The mount of danger swiftly he surrounds With horse and chariots of fire for thee.
Pray not, and thou shalt, losing, cease to fight; The enemy shall conquer ere thou know O, barter not thy soul for strifeless ease, But, armed by heaven, vanquish every foe!
Portland, Ore.

Suggestions to Church Elders and Leaders for the Week of Prayer

By General Conference Committee

FOR many years the week-of-prayer season has been observed by us, and the reports from all parts of the field show that each year this time of special seeking of God becomes a more blessed season. We pray that this year a still greater measure of blessing may fall upon every church and isolated believer. “Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.” Zech. 10:1.
Above all, let us make it a week of prayer, and encourage the brethren and sisters to pray much at home between the meetings. Where conditions do not absolutely prohibit, let each company gather each evening for the reading, and for prayer and earnest effort in behalf of others. Where even but two or three gather to unite in their petitions, the Saviour promises to be present by his Holy Spirit to give the answer. Let us pray for a revival in our own hearts, in our own church, in the home land, and in foreign fields. Thousands will be united day by day this week in sending petitions to the throne of grace; and every year’s experience shows that this special season is blessed of God in bringing persons, young and old, to decide for the truth, and backsliding souls are reclaimed.
Arrangements for the presentation of the readings need to be made sufficiently in advance so that the one selected on each occasion shall have time to prepare prayerfully to present the reading, to be followed by a prayer and testimony service.
Some person or well-selected committee should have charge of the children’s meetings. God will guide each leader or church committee in planning to make the most of the opportunity.
The first Sabbath, December 10, the regular church offering envelope should be passed to all, care being taken to send also to absent members, so that all may be prepared the next Sabbath with the annual offering for the support of the work in the needy mission fields at home and abroad. This year’s need is particularly great, and calls for the largest offering we have ever made. Pray for it and work for it. Let the offering be sent on to the conference treasury at once, so that it may not be delayed in reaching the Mission Board and the fields that are waiting and praying for help.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, to the reviving and the salvation of many souls.
GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
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