The readers of the Review will be interested in a portion, at least, of Brother Davis’s diary kept on his trip up the river from Georgetown into the interior, which proved to be his last work for God. The record begins with April 21. Each day he jotted down some of the most important events connected with his journey, but these notes tell only of their river journey, night campings, and experience in keeping up with or passing another boat crew, not steamboats, but boats rowed by men and carried around falls and rapids. Beginning with his leaving the river to go to the home of Brother Dinklage, his missionary tour commences among the Indians.
AN INDIAN QUEEN (IN VEILED MOHAMMEDAN COSTUME AT THE RIGHT)
We will begin at this point just one month later:—
“Sunday, May 21.—We camped below Arawi two days’ pulling. I was feeling very poorly, but as the day drew on, I began to feel better, and rested quite well; also did much reading.
“Monday, 22d.—We did not start till 7:10 a. m., and reached Murinari Creek at 4 p. m. Just before coming to the creek, we met two boats going down. I improved in health as the day passed on. We camped on the Spanish shores. Great trouble with the men [in rowing].
“Tuesday, 23d.—We camped very late the previous evening, so we did not get off until late. We reached Arawi Landing at 6 p. m.
“Wednesday, 24th.—I made arrangements to go back to Brother Dinklage’s, but as I could not find a drogher, I had to carry my own things in the prospecting-bag. I reached the camp on the mountains at about 6 p. m., and camped for the night.
“Thursday, 25th.—At an early hour I had a cup of warm drink, and resumed my journey, reaching Brother Dinklage’s camp at 1 p. m.
“Friday, 26th.—I was rather sore and lame from my walk, and my feet were very sore. I rested during the day, feeling some better as the day passed on.
“Sabbath, 27th.—As my feet were very sore, also my lips, I did not hold any services, but had a Bible study with Brother Dinklage, and some other talks.
“Sunday, 28th.—My feet were still sore, my mouth was improved a little. Brother Dinklage went to the waterside, and I attended to matters for him. I had a Bible study with an Indian by the name of Matthew, also a talk with another Indian, Theophilis [who acted as interpreter and helper from this place into the interior. We have a Sabbath-keeping company at this place].
“Monday, 29th.—I studied most of the day, and prepared my boots for further use, etc.
“Tuesday, 30th.—I was still suffering with sore feet and sore mouth, therefore I spent most of the time in study. Brother Dinklage returned from the landing at 9 a. m. One Bible reading.
“Wednesday, 31st.—I had a long Bible reading with Brother Dinklage on tithing and on Sabbath-keeping. Most of the forenoon was spent in study. Some advice was given respecting the work, etc. Captain Jacobs came in.16Brother Dinklage and I conversed about his business, etc.
“Thursday, June 1.—Brother Dinklage went to Arawi, and I looked after matters for him, and did some studying. My feet were now much better.
“Friday, 2d.—Brother Dinklage returned, bringing me a letter from Carrie [Brother Davis’s wife].
“Sabbath, 3d.—I went over to an Indian town and held meeting. After returning, I studied the Sabbath-school lesson with Brother and Sister Dinklage.
“Sunday, 4th.—Many Indians came to Brother Dinklage’s place, and I had meeting with them, after which we considered the mission question. All expressed an earnest desire to have a mission, and declared their belief in the true Sabbath.
“Monday, 5th.—I had some fever.
“Tuesday, 6th.—Some fever.
“Wednesday, 7th.—Brother Dinklage and I went to Carabobo-head, and I made ready for the Kamarang.
“Thursday, 8th.—I left Brother Dinklage’s camp at 7:30 a. m. for the Kamarang, with a company of Indians. We stopped near the foot of the high mountains. A young Indian who met us had shot a bush-cow.
“Friday, 9th.—We journeyed on, and camped for the Sabbath just across the savannah (prairie).
“Sabbath, 10th.—Camped for the day on the bank of a branch of the Shria Creek. It rained much of the day.
“Sunday, 11th.—We pursued our journey, though it rained much of the time. We camped again at 3:30 p. m.
“Monday, 12th.—We came to the Paruima River, and had much difficulty in crossing, having to fell a tree without an ax. We reached the Indian village at about 4:30 p. m., and were saluted in the following manner: When we were coming down the mountain, while a great way from the village, the Indians with me gave their usual salute, by firing several guns, which were quickly answered by the report of guns from the Indian village, welcoming us. On arriving, we were saluted by nearly a dozen naked Indians coming out of the enclosed hut, in quick succession, and firing their guns one after the other, and all coming around to shake hands, from the oldest to the small children. One sad feature was, we found, that many Indians had gathered here, and were having their usual cascerie dance, which continued all night, accompanied by a gun-shot every little while.
“Tuesday, 13th.—The Indians were not very active after debauching till about noon. At 2 p. m. I gathered them, and talked about the creation of the earth, and our future home. Had another talk at 7 p. m.
“Wednesday, 14th.—The morning was bright and clear. I was feeling quite rested. One Indian, Henry (Peiman) started off early to call other Indians. He returned at evening with the news that more Indians were coming on the morrow.
“Thursday, 15th.—Several Indians came from a neighboring village, and I held two services with them. They arranged to take me through to Mt. Roraima.
“Friday, 16th.—At an early hour we were off for the next Indian town, which we reached at about 1:30 p. m. Here I found about forty people of fine physique, all dressed in the Indian costume,—bead aprons and waist cloth. I spoke to them at evening.
“Sabbath, 17th.—About forty Indians came together for services, which were held at 10 a. m. and at 4 p. m. All were pleased to hear more about Jesus.
“Sunday, 18th.—Services at 10 a. m.; also at 3 p. m. a meeting was called, and the time was spent till evening in naming the people, of which a record was made. [This naming of the people means that on their accepting the gospel, so far as understood by them, a new name was given each Indian,—a vow or covenant of obedience to God.]
“Monday, 19th.—I started for Mt. Roraima, but on reaching the Kamarang River, after three hours of very moderate walking, the Indians refused to go any farther, and I was obliged to camp. I spent the rest of the day in study.
“Tuesday, 20th.—We continued our journey, and came to an old camp, where we took breakfast, just after crossing a large branch of the Kamarang, only a short distance from the top of the mountain opening on the savannah. Soon the Indians sighted a deer, which they spent much time in getting, and we camped just across the Kamarang for the night. The company had increased to forty souls. Several Indians had come and overtaken us on the savannahs.
“Wednesday, 21st.—We pursued our journey across a very open and fertile savannah, and reached another Indian village just at the edge of a small belt of timber. Here there was the usual salute, etc. I decided to stay here over the Sabbath, as I was having fever. The Indians got another deer.
“Thursday, 22d.—As a messenger had gone out on Wednesday to call the Indians from other towns, and I was not well, the day was spent in study. Here at the edge of a very large savannah one can see for miles around over a very fertile country, hemmed in by high mountains on every side.
“Friday, 23d.—I was expecting the Indians to come in; but only a few arrived till late in the day. About sixty assembled by night. I had some fever.
“Sabbath, 24th.—I held meeting at 9 a. m., and after a short intermission, called them together again and continued my talk on the subject of salvation. At the close of the service at 11 a. m., I was greatly surprised as I looked up over the hill and saw a large company of Indians in single file, as is their custom, coming to the missionary, about fifty-seven in all. I decided, after consulting with them, to remain over Sunday. We now had over 120 souls present.
“Sunday, 25th.—I held meeting at 8:30 a. m., after which we went to look at a spot for a mission building. A mission was established and named the Mountain View Mission of Seventh-day Adventists. The latter part of the day was spent in naming the people.
“Monday, 26th.—With a fresh set of Indians I made ready to continue my journey to Mt. Roraima. After a farewell meeting, we set out on our way. We made a good distance, and put up at a vacated Indian hut for the night. We had come in sight of the mountain just in front of Roraima.
“Tuesday, 27th.—At an early hour we were on our way again, which continued across the savannah along a high range of mountains, which form a boundary between British Guiana and Venezuela. We reached an Indian village, Jeremiah’s place, at 4 p. m. A royal treat was given us.
“Wednesday, 28th.—I sent out a messenger to meet Jeremiah, with the understanding that if he should meet Jeremiah coming, he should set fire to the grass, but should we not see smoke in that direction, we were to go on to the mission.
“Thursday, 29th.—Not having seen any smoke as a signal that my messenger had met Jeremiah, after much difficulty I got the Indians started for the mission. We camped at Gold Creek at the foot of Mt. Roraima.
“Friday, 30th.—I reached Mt. Roraima on this day at 1 p. m. Came through the borders of Venezuela, and found a large mission of Indians of the Accawai nation situated at the foot of the mountain on the south. I had expected the chief, Jeremiah, but he had not yet arrived, though my messenger had found him, and he had returned word that he would come on the morrow. I sent out more messengers to call other Indians, and spent the rest of the day in resting and studying. I was disappointed because the Indian chief did not come. The weather is very heavy, raining most of the time. The full size of the mountains is not visible at one time, owing to the clouds.
“Sabbath, July 1.—It rained hard nearly all day, and only a few Indians came till the close of the day. About fifteen arrived, and said others were expecting to come. I studied the Sabbath-school lesson, and taught several Indian women the first line of “No, Not One,” “Sweet By and By.”
“Sunday, 2d.—It rained nearly all the previous night, and late in the afternoon, and no more people came; so I deferred meeting till Jeremiah should come.
“Monday, 3d.—I was still waiting for the people. My Indians from Mt. View returned—no, they did not get away.
“Tuesday, 4th.—The Indians returned to-day. In the afternoon a messenger came with the report that many people were coming and would arrive to-morrow. Theophilis went to get some parrots.
“Wednesday, 5th.—The morning was clear and bright. I was looking for many people to-day, but they did not come, as the day turned out very rainy. I spent the time in Bible study.
“Thursday, 6th.—I again sent out17messengers for the people to come. At about 10 a. m. two Indians came from a town a distance of three days’ walking, to inquire if I was here, as their town did not believe the Roman priests on the other side of them. On finding me, they at once returned for their people. Later in the day about twelve more came from another town, saying that they did not believe the priests.
“Friday, 7th.—It rained much of the time. A few people came and brought a message that others were on the way, but prevented by the rise of the river.
“Sabbath, 8th.—I held the first meeting at Roraima, with about seventy-five present.
“Sunday, 9th.—I held another service at 2 p. m., and shortly after it about fifty more Indians came, bringing much fruit and vegetables as a present. Some of these had walked two days. There were now about 140 assembled.
“Monday, 10th.—Fair morning. I took the picture of Mt. Enkemana. I fully expected Jeremiah to come, but he did not, so I sent other messengers for him.
“Tuesday, 11th.—Other messengers went for Jeremiah, while others went to gather the people there. Song service at 9 a. m., preaching at 2 p. m.
“Wednesday, 12th.—A very fair morning. Song service at 9 a. m. At an early hour Theophilis went out and did not return till 4 p. m., notwithstanding I reminded him of the meeting. Some strange Indians came, but I was prevented from having any meeting. Theophilis not attending to his duty. I had another song service in the evening.
“Thursday, 13th.—Fair morning. I took a picture of two monkeys. I held the service at the usual hour, with about 100 present.
“Friday, 14th.—I fully expected the messenger to return to-day, but he did not come. I held two services.
“Sabbath, 15th.—I held two meetings, with 120 Indians present. I had light fever. The messenger returned with Jeremiah.
“Sunday, 16th.—Jeremiah gave me a piece of dried venison. Jeremiah present. Two meetings. All declared their faith in the teachings, and promised to keep the Sabbath, and asked me to establish a mission for them, as no minister had ever called on them before. I agreed to do so.
“Monday, 17th.—The day was spent in further instruction and naming the people. [This is Elder Davis’s last writing. From now on it is written by his interpreter, Theophilis Bagot.] I expected to leave Roraima to-day, but I was taken worse, and in the afternoon I was attacked with fever and chills, which lasted all night.
“Tuesday, 18th.—Fever and chills still continuing. After a little time the chills quit, and fever continued all the time.
“Wednesday, 19th.—No better, rather worse. Skin color of lime or banana; urine like blood, and turns black when dropped on the ground; passage from bowels heavily laden with bile, . . . like water, which all became black after passing.
“Thursday, 20th.—Conditions are worse. Stomach not retaining the lightest nourishment. Urine still high bloody color. Am so weak that I can not walk without assistance.
“Friday, 21st.—Fever no higher, but I am much weaker. In the afternoon I went to take a hot sponge bath, and as two men were carrying me a few feet in the same building to the place they had prepared, I fainted.
“Sabbath, 22d.—I was taken worse and could not move from my hammock. Had to call three men to assist me down. Theophilis held the meeting in the morning and afternoon.
“Sunday, 23d.—Chills and fever seem to leave me. This makes me weaker than ever. I can scarcely raise my hand over my head or hammock. My temperature and pulse much below normal. I believe my whole trouble a serious attack of jaundice with biliousness. I can say this, that there has been no trace or shadow of any Kanaima or peijman work in my whole trip. God has especially blessed in the trip. I had a complete mission at Paruima River, and another near Mt. Tulameng,—it is called the Mt. View Mission,—and then we came to Mt. Roraima. Just finished establishing a mission, and was expecting to leave the next day, but I was taken sick that evening, and I had Theophilis keep the record for the last few days. [Elder Davis tries to write, but Brother Boger could not make it out.]”
According to the guide, he died on the thirty-first of July, 1911, and was buried by the Indians. His casket was a wood-skin (a canoe, made from a single tree bark), and Chief Jeremiah read the funeral service. They erected a building over his grave.
Sunday Diversions
THAT Sunday diversions in various parts of the country are seriously affecting church attendance is apparent. The pastors in Newport have been much exercised over this situation for some time. Recently from every Episcopal pulpit in that city, a pastoral letter was read appealing to the people to resist the inclination to absent themselves from the church service, and to uphold the hands of their ministers. Washington Gladden, in a letter of resignation addressed to the First Congregational Church of Columbus, Ohio, refers to the same tendency. According to the Buffalo Express of September 5, he says:—
I do not attribute the absence of church-members in many cases to disaffection; in most cases I believe it is simply lack of interest. For some reason they have formed the habit of church neglect. Some of them devote their Sunday to pleasure; the ways of Sunday diversion have been multiplying of late. All this means that the interests of recreation have taken precedence, in the minds of many church-members, of the interests of the higher life. The fact that this is taking place everywhere does not comfort me. This is the alarming thing.
The alarming thing, as Dr. Gladden observes, is that this condition is not apparent alone in Columbus, Ohio, but that it is taking place everywhere. It indicates a lessening of the spiritual tone that once pervaded the religious life of the community. The church to-day has many competitive interests, the world is bidding high for the following of the multitude, and too many of the professed children of Christ are heeding the call. We need to-day a revival of the old-time spirit of faith and faithfulness which once characterized the professed church of Christ.
A Sunday’s Work in Batavia
By R. W. Munson
R. W. MUNSON
BEFORE Brother Philip Brouwer left here to canvass in Semarang, he requested me to look after his Bible readers. Accordingly, at seven o’clock Sunday morning I set out on my bicycle across the city some two miles to the next-door neighbors of Brother and Sister Brouwer. “Coming King” had been sold to them, a neighborly acquaintance formed, and Bible readings begun.
This gentleman is a Eurasian, who speaks English well, and is employed at the Weather Bureau, receiving a large salary. He and his wife are intelligent people. A few weeks before, Mrs. Munson and I had visited her one Sabbath morning, and we had a study on the sanctuary question. So this Sunday I continued the topic, reviewing in order that her husband might get a good understanding of the subject.
The Dutch people are inheritors of Calvin’s theology, which always breeds antinomianism (hostility to the law), and when the fact was brought out that the moral law formed the very foundation of God’s throne, a deep impression was made. As I proceeded to show how love is the fulfilling of the law, and that true love to God involves obedience to his holy will as it is expressed in his holy law, a still deeper impression was made. They readily assented to the immutability of God’s law, and consequently to its binding force upon all men. The Saviour by his Spirit was present to help, and a good time was experienced.
I returned home by ten o’clock, where two gentlemen from Ceylon were waiting. While they were natives of that island, they were educated in English. Both of them were Christians and members of the Church of England.
Soon afterward two unmarried Dutch ladies who have been much interested in the truth came, and we all sat down for a Bible study. The eldest of the Cingalese gentlemen, who had not expected such a study, as it was impromptu, expressed his pleasure at being present.
These two men are employed by a tea house, or firm, that handles Ceylon tea. When they were coming to Batavia three months ago, they were on the ship that brought one of our sisters from Singapore. Through her they learned of us and something of the truth. They were very glad to find English people who were Christians, and so they eagerly responded when we invited them to call at any time. They called at the close of the Sabbath and again on Sunday.
In my Bible study with the persons first mentioned, I had to use Malay in giving the study, as the lady knew no English and I knew no Dutch, but all three of us knew Malay. This illustrates the statement often made that Malay is the lingua franca of this region; that is, the language that every one knows and can use.
At this home Bible study I used English, as four out of the five persons understood that language, and the two gentlemen from Ceylon knew no Malay.
I took up the subject of the fifth, or stone kingdom, the kingdom of Jesus Christ. To the two strangers it was not only interesting but novel, for they never had heard that the new earth, the glorious home of the saved, will be material and tangible. It came like a revelation to them. Two Cingalese youth called with these men the evening after the Sabbath, and the mother and sister of one of them are expected soon. We hope to plan for more work among these people.
The Spirit of God especially helped me, and the blessing of God rested upon us. All hearts rejoiced in the glorious hope of the saints. At one o’clock we had to stop, although we were not through, as there is an inexhaustible mine of truth in the Word. All our hearts burned within us, for had we not talked with Jesus by the way? One of our number suggested that perhaps there were others who would be glad to attend a Sunday service and hear the Word expounded: so it was agreed that we would meet again next Sunday, and18bring any of our friends who might like to join us. Indeed, it was thought that a regular Sunday service could be safely planned for. There is also a large community of Eurasian people who are respectable, and honored by being given places of responsibility in the government service.
At five o’clock I proceeded to the home of Mrs. —, an old and highly respected resident of Batavia, and of pure Dutch blood. I have for several months been holding a Bible study in her home. The topic was “The Great Day of Atonement.” Five elderly ladies and two children were present. Again Malay had to be the medium of communication. All were very attentive and deeply interested, so much so that when I had concluded they did not want to stop, but began to ask me questions. One question was, “Can one person work injury to another by means of the native black art, so much practised here by the Javanese?”
I replied that if a man were a true child of God, and had faith in his Word, the devil could do nothing to harm him. Then I gave a short Bible study on the ministration of angels. From this we were led to speak of Spiritualism and its true character. When I explained the origin of Spiritualism and its real nature, they all assented that it was quite true, for they knew a young woman who had been led away by it, and had found it very difficult to get away from the devil when she wanted to give up Spiritualism.
This was one of the most encouraging experiences I have had in Java. I am sure the Lord will water the seed sown and cause it to bear fruit in changed lives and faith. Most of the company had never heard of the ministration of angels, and it was a comforting assurance to them that “the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”
I began the study at 5:20 and closed it at 7:30. Mr. —, who is deaf and can not hear a word of what is said, went for a walk with some of the little children from next door. He returned before we had finished, and could “feel” that we were having a very interesting study. I carried on a short conversation with him by writing on his slate, while he spoke what he desired to say. He had read “Thoughts on Daniel,” by Uriah Smith, and “Coming King,” both in Dutch. He ordered about a dozen tracts on a wide range of topics, and also a copy of “Thoughts on Revelation.”
These books and tracts are read in both these homes, and I hope that some of the young people, of whom there are many, may yet be brought to a saving knowledge of the truth, even though none of the older ones are influenced. So closed the day. Pray for these families.
“Inasmuch”
By Joel Swartz, D. D.
This “inasmuch” we may not know
Of service done for Christ,
Until the final day shall show,
Amid expiring nature’s glow,
What Love hath sacrificed.
That “century flower,” fold on fold,
Wrapt in the widow’s mite,
The ages since have never told
How large it was as it unrolled
In Christ’s omniscient sight.
How great, from Mary’s broken vase
Wherein the nard was stored,
Was Love’s forever-spreading grace,
When it came from its hiding-place
To touch her dearest Lord!
What fountains in the cooling cup,
Borne by a loving hand,
From which Christ’s thirsty saints may
sup,
When he shall sum its treasures up,
We then shall understand.
But no one now can tell the store
Of Love’s unseen supply
To hungry, helpless, friendless, poor,
Sought out through many a lowly door,
Where these in darkness lie!
Until his glory shall display,
Beyond these shadows dim,
How Love walked with him by the way.
And, all-surprised, shall hear him say,
Her deeds were done to him.
—Joel Swartz, D. D., in New York Observer.
The Crown of Virtue
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.—Solomon.
The Best Thing in the Home
By Carrie S. Welty
CARRIE S. WELTY
IN some languages there is no word synonymous with our word home. Home is defined as “a place where one resides.” Webster necessarily deals with cold definitions without sentiment; but were this all home meant to us, how drear the word! Dryden comes more nearly to our ideal when he says, “Home is the sacred refuge of our lives.”
There are millions of such homes as the former, but they are only a travesty upon the word so dear to our hearts. Many a home is elegantly furnished; the family well dressed; the table bountifully spread; guests come and go; compliments are freely exchanged, and “all goes merry as a marriage bell;” host and hostess appear happy; children for the time being are interested and interesting. Guests depart, and silence, or something worse, settles down upon the household, and husband or wife, or both, take no comfort in their surroundings, and feel the lack of something that was supposed to be in their possession. The husband is interested in something down-town, and quietly takes his hat and departs. The wife is worried, irritated, and impatient with the little ones, or perhaps silent and sorrowful.
Manly man, womanly woman, beautiful children,—these afford good material for home building. What is lacking, to some extent at least?—’Tis that “best thing.” One of our poets has said, “O glorious, O happy day when a new household finds its way among the myriad homes of earth!” Can it be truthfully said of this home? A great deal of love and a little selfishness may abide together in a home without very serious conflict; but let that best thing be the19predominating influence, and home is a heaven below.
We find, then, that there are homes of all grades, from the mansion to the hovel. “Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home.” When John Howard Payne wrote that grand old song, he did not have reference to the house where we reside, but to home in its larger sense. It was his recognition of the great difference between a house and a home that caused him to pen those immortal words. Even were it true that luxuries bring contentment, their absence could not cause misery and bring discontent to the humble home; for the best thing in the home can not be monopolized by the wealthy, even though they have their coveted luxuries. Enthrone love in the home, debar selfishness, and you have a home akin to that deathless home which we are all striving to gain.
I once knew two sisters who were left motherless in the hills of West Virginia. What must have been the comfort of their father, to see his daughters trying constantly to save each other the hardest tasks! This reminds me of an old legend, with reference to a harvest-field upon the supposed site of the temple at Jerusalem, the field being owned by two brothers, one married and the other single. One night after harvest, when the wheat was in shock, the married brother and his wife began at one end of the field to rearrange the shocks so as to allow the bachelor brother a larger share of sheaves, because he was alone in the world. The single brother, for the same generous reason, began to divide the shocks of grain at the other end, because his brother had a wife to care for.
Is it not often just the reverse, even in those homes where love is not a stranger? To illustrate: I once knew a little girl who was very fastidious, and who was considered somewhat selfish, because when the mother brought home clothes for all the children, the hose without a flaw, or the most perfect garment was certainly meant for her. An older sister once said to her, “Sister, you always look out for No. 1.” “Well,” she replied, without understanding the criticism, “I’ll look out for No. 1, and you look out for No. 2.” I am glad to say that love conquered, self was dethroned, and her character became noted for its depth of love and lack of selfishness. Would that we older Christians might look out for No. 2, and give No. 2 a chance to look out for us.
Paul says: “Look not every man upon his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Homes, as well as nations, are composed of individuals, of as many dispositions as there are persons. We may call this disposition his individuality. Two or more of these individualities coming in contact, are likely to conflict. Selfishness often causes argument, and even strife of a more pronounced character. Love partly regulates all this, even if, with unsanctified natures, the members of a household clash, as we sometimes express it.
The home is the cradle of the nation. If all homes were Christian, in the best sense, we might be called what we are not now—“a Christian nation.” This can never be, because selfishness predominates in the majority of homes, and rules the nation.
How beautifully Paul discusses our subject in 1 Corinthians 13! He speaks eloquently of the gifts which we might possess, gifts which we all covet, and yet, without love, we are nothing, literally not one thing. When we bring into our homes this crowning virtue, love, we have something as enduring as God himself. “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.” Speak no hasty, bitter words, dear mother. “Love . . . is not provoked, . . . endureth all things.”
The subject expands before us. If we have read 1 Corinthians too carelessly, let us ask God to impress its truths upon us by his Holy Spirit. Then by bringing love to bear upon our home life, our children will be prepared to “speak with the enemies in the gate,” as the psalmist says. Facing, as we are, a great crisis, how necessary to be on a solid foundation; for only love in action will triumph.
Boulder, Colo.
The Danger of Hardening One’s Neck
“He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”
The Spirit of the Press
By F. M. W.
It is indeed unfortunate that a power capable of so much good, should be so many times subordinated to influences of evil. Columns are filled with the presentation of the latest scandal, of the dark, devious, and wicked devisings of the murderer, and the many scandalous incidents in his life that led him to the perpetration of his crime. The lesser crimes are noted in their order.
With the sporting section of the Sunday newspaper is given the comic picture page, one of the most effective educators of evil ever placed before the boys and girls of this generation. The papers containing this evil record are found in nearly every home where they are perused by young and old. The Bible is forgotten, good books are laid aside, and day after day the reporter’s vivid account of the murder trial or divorce suit, is followed with eagerness. This sort of reading in the home can be only evil in its influence.
Says America of September 9, in speaking of this condition:—
“We ask in amazement whether the reporters who gathered this vile stuff, and the editors who sent it to the printer, have wives and mothers and sisters and daughters? Will they be gratified when they see them absorbing this deadly poison? The papers that contain this horrible interview are piled up on every breakfast table in the land and are devoured on the cars by old men and old women and by girls and boys with an avidity that, for any one who gives it a thought, is full of menace for all the decencies of life. We try to stop the cholera at Swinburn Island; we spend millions on sweeping and flushing the streets to keep off disease; we have gone stark mad about disinfectants in everything we use; but here we are bringing into the sacred precincts of every home in the land, or, rather, into every heart of the land, the most deadly kind of moral infection.”
We are not speaking against the newspaper men. Many of the editors of the papers and reporters connected with them are true, noble men. It is to be regretted, however, that many feel they must cater to the depraved public taste which demands this sort of reading. It is for every Christian, for every Seventh-day Adventist, to look well to the reading that he places before his family. No paper nor book nor journal should be allowed a place in the home until the father or mother has first determined its character, and its fitness to be placed before their children. Parents should not lightly regard their responsibility in this matter. F. M. W.
Show Your Love
By R. T. Cross
WHEN a man chooses from all the women in the world one woman to be his companion for life, he solemnly promises before God and man to love her with an affectionate love. And that love should be as real and genuine after they have been married twenty-five or fifty years as it is on the morning of the wedding day. It need not be so demonstrative. We hardly expect the same outward expressions of love in an aged couple as in a newly married couple. But the love should exist just the same—less demonstrative because age is less demonstrative than youth, but real and genuine, and manifesting itself in a thoughtful courtesy, a true politeness, and a loving gentleness toward her who has walked by his side for many years, and with him borne the burdens of life.
You may give your wife costly Christmas or birthday or wedding anniversary presents; you may furnish her with fine dresses, a beautiful home, costly carriages, and send or take her to fashionable watering-places, but her heart hungers for something more, even the free, hearty, continued, daily affection of your heart. Nothing else can take its place. The other things are valuable only as they are tokens of such affection.
And do not always assume that she knows of your love. God knows that we love him,—if thus we do,—but he wants us to tell him of it every day. You know that your child loves you, but you never tire of having that child put its little arm around your neck and say: “Papa, I love you ever so much.” It will give your wife immeasurable pleasure if you occasionally tell her, with a kiss, that she is dearer to you than ever.
—R. T. Cross.
The Seven Things the Lord Hates
“THESE six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
