WHY do Seventh-day Adventists stand apart, denominationally, from other people in the religious world? What is it that justifies them in maintaining this religious separation? A definite and weighty reason is demanded in explanation of their peculiarity in this respect. And in every Seventh-day Adventist mind this reason should be clearly defined.
It is not because it is, naturally, either pleasant or advantageous for them to be peculiar, that they have separated themselves from other churches. It is only for a reason which in their view amounts to a positive necessity for such action, that they occupy this position. Anything short of such a reason would not justify them in it. And that reason is, that they are Protestants. They protest against every manifestation of the papacy, and they cannot remain in any church which is dominated by the principles of the papacy.
It is the manifestation of the papal spirit which has driven Seventh-day Adventists out of all other churches in the world. All Seventh-day Adventists should therefore know what the characteristics of the papacy are, and what are the principles of Protestantism to which as a denomination they are committed.
The essence of the papacy consists in the exaltation of man into the place of God. In the Vatican at Rome sits one who openly proclaims himself the vicegerent of God on earth, invested with authority to command all men in matters of religious faith and morals. Those who admit his claims do not go beyond his word for the foundation of their faith. They believe, nominally, in God, but their ideas of the will of God are supplied wholly by the teaching of pope and prelates. Thus they look to man instead of God for a knowledge of the way of salvation; and thus it is that a man, mortal, fallible, sinful, like unto his fellow beings of earth, “as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thess. 2:4.
This is the papacy in its full flower; here is seen the fullest development of which the papal system is capable. But the papal spirit has budded and blossomed elsewhere in our world than at the Vatican. The popes are not the only men who have been exalted into the place of God. The papal church is not the only one in which the Word of God has been supplanted by the word of man. The history of the Protestant churches shows the workings of the same antichristian influence. The rule of Protestantism is that God’s Word, and that only, is the true foundation of faith, and that the only sure guide into religious truth is the Holy Spirit. But the spirit of self, which leads an individual to cling to his own opinions and practices in opposition to light from God, has prevailed in the Protestant churches, so that, as new light has come to them from the inspired Word,—some new message marking a forward movement in the work of God, and calling for a reform in religious life,—they have rejected it, and fallen back upon the word of man for their justification. Thus when the Sabbath message came, pointing out that God’s Word declares the Sabbath to be the seventh day and not the first, they persisted in observing the first-day institution, and for justification in so doing appealed to the writings of the church “fathers.” Finding no authority in the Word of God for the first-day sabbath, they turned for authority to the word of man. Against the Scripture for the seventh day they set up the sophistry and speculations of human minds in behalf of the first day, claiming that Christ and the apostles changed the Sabbath day, though there is nothing to support this claim save the historical fact that a change of the day was made in the early centuries under the authority of “the church.” This is Catholic church history, and agrees with the papal claim that the church had authority to change the Sabbath, and did change the day as a sign of that authority. But he who goes over to this position can no longer consistently claim to be a Protestant.
The Protestant churches one after the other, have become dominated by a spirit which sets up human ideas, arguments, and traditions against the message of truth from the Word of God.
He who would be guided by that Word alone must of necessity seek a place of worship where “the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified.” 2 Thess. 3:1. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty,” and that Spirit will not remain in any company where the Word of God is bound by human traditions. In the plan of salvation that Word is supreme, as being the sole foundation of faith, without which salvation is impossible. Therefore, as one church fell away from allegiance to the Word of God, and turned to tradition and human authority for support in its system of worship, God called out a new company in whose midst the Word of God could be free, and intrusted to them the message of salvation to the world for their time. It is thus that Seventh-day Adventists have been called out from the churches of this day, and intrusted with the proclamation of the great message announcing the hour of God’s judgment, and warning men against the worship of the “beast” and his “image.”
For a knowledge of Christian truth and duty, do you look to man? or do you look to God? Your answer to these questions tells in what company you belong, whether in that one in which the spirit of Christian liberty prevails, or in that one dominated by the spirit of the papacy. Is it the Word of God, or the word of the pastor, that settles in your mind the question of Christian duty that has been raised? In the pathway of your religious experience, are your eyes fixed upon some human leader? or do you see “no man, save Jesus only”? Some people think that a religious movement must come to naught unless it can point to some visible leader—some man who directs every action, and whose word in all matters is supreme. We thank God there is no such leader in the work of the third angel’s message. There is no one, and we want no one, to draw the attention of the people away from God to himself. If our leader be not Jesus Christ, and if his Word, and that alone, be not sufficient for our faith in all points, then the message we bear is not of God. But by these very tokens we know that it is of God, and that it is moving forward under his guidance to a glorious triumph.
Let us study more and more to be true to the Protestant rule of life,—Jesus Christ, and him only, our leader; the Word of God, and that only, our rule of faith. L. A. S.
Twenty Years of Labor Strikes in America
The report of Carroll D. Wright, commissioner of labor for the United States, shows, says the Christian Endeavor World, that in the last twenty years this country has had more than twenty-two thousand labor strikes. The largest number in any one year was 1,799, in the year 1900. The loss from strikes in twenty years is estimated at $257,000,000 for wages, and $122,000,000 for employers.
Presenting the Truth in Love
By Ellen G. White
MRS. E. G. WHITE.
The Lord is soon to come. The angels are holding the four winds, in order that God’s people may do their long-neglected work. We are not half awake to what might be done in our world. The work moves slowly because the truth has not yet taken full possession of the men engaged in the ministry. Our ministers need to arouse and set in operation lines of work that will give the warning message to those who have never heard the truth. Let them plan and study as to the best way of removing prejudice and reaching the hearts of the people. Present truth has almost lost its power because of the way in which it has been handled.
House-to-house work is one very successful way of reaching souls. But it is not the only way that God has provided for the advancement of his work. Decided proclamations of truth are to be made. But in regard to this work, I am instructed to say to our people, “Be guarded. In bearing the message, make no personal thrusts at other churches. Speak the truth in tones and words of love. Let Christ be exalted. Keep to the affirmative of truth. Never leave the straight path God has marked out, for the purpose of giving some one a thrust. That thrust may do much harm, and no good. It may quench conviction in many minds. Let the truth tell the story of the inconsistency of error.”
People cannot be expected to see at once the advantage of the truth over the error they have cherished. The best way to expose the fallacy of error is to present truth. This is the greatest rebuke that can be given to error. Dispel the cloud of darkness resting on minds by reflecting the bright light of the Sun of righteousness.
You may have opportunity to speak in other churches. In improving these opportunities, remember the words of the Saviour, “Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Make no denunciatory speeches. Clear-cut messages are to be borne; but restrain all harsh expressions. There are many souls to be saved. In word and deed be wise unto salvation, representing Christ to all with whom you come in contact. Let all see that your feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace and good-will to men. Wonderful are the results we shall see if we enter the work imbued with the Spirit of Christ. If we carry forward the work in righteousness, mercy, and love, help will come in our necessity. Truth will bear away the victory.
The truth is to be presented with divine tact, tenderness, and gentleness. It is to come from a heart that has been softened and made sympathetic. We need to have close communion with God, lest self rise up, as it did in Jehu, and we pour forth a torrent of words that are unbefitting, that are not as dew, nor as the still showers, which revive the withering plants. Let our words be gentle as we seek to win souls. God will be wisdom to him who seeks for wisdom from a divine source. We are to seek opportunities on every hand. We are to watch unto prayer, and be ready always to give an answer to every one who asks a reason for the hope that is in us. Lest we shall impress unfavorably one soul for whom Christ has died, we should keep our hearts uplifted to God, so that when the opportunity presents itself, we may have the right word to speak at the right time. If you thus undertake to work for God, the Spirit of God will be your helper. The Holy Spirit will apply the truth spoken in love for the soul. The truth will have quickening power when spoken under the influence of the grace of Christ.
Evangelistic Canvassers
Canvassing for our publications is an important and most profitable line of evangelistic work. Our publications can go to places where meetings cannot be held. In such places the faithful evangelistic canvasser takes the place of the living preacher. By the canvassing work the truth is presented to thousands who otherwise would never hear it.
I feel very sorry to know that so many of the books which should be finding ready sale are lying on the office shelves. These books contain the light that people need. May the Lord move upon many of our young people to enter his service as evangelistic canvassers. Our time for work is short. Many, very many, need the promptitude of the “quickly” in them, to lead them to arouse and go to work. The Lord calls for workers just now.
We need to feel the vivifying influence of the Holy Spirit as the disciples felt it on the day of Pentecost. Of their experience at that time we read: “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own.” Selfishness was expelled from the heart. “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.”
Why is there not now a more diligent seeking of the Lord, that hundreds may be filled with the Holy Spirit, and may go forth quickly to proclaim the truth, “the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following”? Our commission is to let the light shine forth everywhere from the press. By the printed page the light reaches the isolated ones, who have no opportunity to hear the living preacher. This is most blessed missionary work. Canvassers can be the Lord’s helping hand, opening doors for the entrance of truth.
Let Christian youth be selected to circulate the books containing present truth. Youth who have no religious experience should not be accepted as canvassers for our books, because they cannot properly represent the precious truth to be presented. To send such youth into the canvassing field is unjust to them and to the Lord’s work. This is a sacred work, and those who enter it should be able to bear witness for Christ.
In this work the youth should be connected with those older in experience, who, if they are devoted to God, can be a great blessing to them, teaching them in the things of God, and showing them how best to work for him. If the youth will work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, they will know by experience that God is working with them, to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Not only men, but women, can enter the canvassing field. And canvassers are to go out two by two. This is the Lord’s plan.
As long as probation continues, there will be opportunity for the canvasser to work. When the religious denominations unite with the papacy to oppress God’s people, places where there is religious freedom will be opened by evangelistic canvassing. If in one place the persecution becomes severe, let the workers do as Christ directed: “When they persecute you in one city, flee ye into another.” If persecution comes there, go to still another place. God will lead his people, making them a blessing in many places. Were it not for persecution, they would not be so widely scattered abroad to proclaim the truth. And Christ declares, “Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.” Until in heaven is spoken9the word, “It is finished,” there will be places for labor, and hearts to receive the message.
Young men, your help is called for. Make a covenant with God by sacrifice. Take hold of his work. He is your efficiency. “Be strong, yea, be strong.”
Is All Well?
By Marianne Farningham
Goes the watchman through the night:
Hark the bell!
Are the people safely dwelling?
Are the angels good news telling?
Are the hymns of gladness swelling?
Is there any foe in sight?
Is all well?
Ah! the moon and stars above,
What see they?
Do the workers who are weary
Lose in sleep their troubles dreary,
And awake to hopes more cheery?
Do they know the power of love
For each day?
Watchman, what of this late night?
Hear the knell!
Do you know men tired of trying?
Can you hear prayer end in sighing?
Do you see the people dying?
Is the haven yet in sight?
Is all well?
And the watchman smiled, and said,
Will you tell?
All the sad hearts in the city
Are quite safe in God's great pity;
And the sorrow and the sadness
Shall with morning change to gladness;
God, and love, are overhead:
All is well.
We do not know how many requests have come in during the last two years for an explanation of the above-named scripture. In response to these requests we present the thoughts that follow.
Here is the text, quoted from the American Standard Revised Version:—
“But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. Through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.”
1. The text has no special reference to the last days. It relates to later times than apostolic, to the great apostasy which had in Paul’s day already begun. Acts 20: 29, 30; 2 Thess. 2: 7.
2. It does not necessarily refer to one special class which does all these things, but to “some,” among whom all these things should be done. It predicts apostasy in general, with particular characteristics or evidences of its manifestations.
3. All the things herein condemned are primarily the result of departing “from the faith.” The only true faith there is, is living, personal faith, that which makes life connection with God, that which dwelt in our blessed Lord—“the faith of Jesus.” “The faith” does not relate to “body of doctrine.” That idea is a fruit of the apostasy, a justification of lifeless formality.
4. The doctrines, or teachings, of demons are teachings that are contrary to the Word of God. Primary among these is that old word of the serpent, “Ye shall not surely die: . . . ye shall be as God.” Gen. 3: 4, 5. Out of that has grown the doctrine of natural inherent immortality, eternal torment, universal salvation, ultra Calvinism, purgatory, intercession of saints, prayers for the dead, works of supererogation. The system of human merit has been built up on just such a foundation,—that Christ’s offering and work and . . . and life are not sufficient, but that these must be supplemented by man.
5. And all these are the fruits of hypocrisy. One of the fearful denunciations which fell again and again from the lips of Him who “knew what was in man” was that of “hypocrites,” applied to the leaders of the Jewish nation. Yet they boasted of their good works, and laid upon others heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, in ceremonial exactions and numerous fastings and ablutions. The same hypocrisy was even more evident in the apostasy. Departing from God’s plan and substituting the human, covering inward sins and selfishness with a cloak of hypocrisy, became ever more manifest as the centuries of apostasy rolled by. Under such influences conscience soon becomes hard and speechless.
6. “Forbidding to marry” would not involve the prohibition of all marriage. Neither would it include advice against hasty and unwise marriages. We can see the fulfillment of the Spirit’s prediction in the enforced celibacy of the priesthood in the Roman Church and in those organizations which, under the pretense of holiness, forbid all marriage of its members as fornication.
7. The word translated “meats” is broma, meaning food of any kind. See John 4: 34; Matt. 14: 15. In the latter text it is rendered victuals, its literal meaning. “Commanding to abstain from foods” does not mean instruction or advice as to what foods are good, proper, or injurious. It does not say commanding to abstain from flesh meats or cereals or fruit; but from food in general. It would not apply to a physician who should forbid grains and enjoin flesh, nor to a vegetarian who should denounce flesh meats as injurious, and advise with all the ardor of his soul a diet of fruit and grains. The prophecy relates to enjoined and stated fasts as meritorious in themselves, even as the forbidding to marry. These can be seen in plenty in the enjoined fasts in the Roman Church. Fasts are often beneficial if voluntary and reasonable; they are good for the spiritual, mental, and physical man; but they should be voluntary. “If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world,” says Paul to Christians, “do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, Handle not, nor taste, nor touch, . . . after the precepts and doctrines of men?” Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity of the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.” Col. 2: 20-23. Fast if need be, but be sure it is not will-worship, self-righteousness, or from mere commandments of men.
8. God has created all that man needs for food, of every variety. Let the Christian select from that abundance, as he is able, what will glorify God.
9. “Every creature,” meaning a created thing, whether animal, mineral, or vegetable, would in common sense include only the things that God gave for food. Because “every creature” is used, we would not gather that it meant that men were bound to eat everything that God had created. Nothing that God has created for man’s good and God’s glory is to be rejected at the command of men. Let every child of God know the truth of this, and so eat with thanksgiving.
10. “Sanctified through the word of God and prayer” would certainly seem to limit the food to be used to that which God had himself given and set apart for man’s use, and upon which man could with assurance pray for God’s blessing.
This much for I Tim. 4: 1-5. The food set apart for his children by the all-wise Father is another matter which each one must find out for himself. There will be articles in this paper, there are articles continually in health magazines, which tell us what the best foods are. But the final decision must rest with the individual soul. Let him choose for God. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10: 31. Let his Spirit guide. Bring all appetites into subjection to him, and be guided, not by man-made rules and ordinances, but by the Word of God and sanctified common sense.—Signs of the Times.
Preparing a People
By Jennie Owen Mc Clelland
JENNIE OWEN MC CLELLAND
“In my Father's house are many mansions: . . . I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself.” John 14: 2, 3. While he is preparing a place, he is also preparing a people for that place. This work may be spoken of in two phases: his work in their behalf in heaven, and his work in their behalf on earth. This includes the whole gospel.
Christ once lived a life on earth exactly similar to ours, except that it was free from sin. He lived as a humble, obedient child; he worked as a faithful, painstaking tradesman; he became an active laborer in giving the gospel of salvation to all who would hear him, and he was the great physician for all bodily ills, and the comforter for all kinds of sorrow. He bore our sicknesses and carried our sorrows, and finally gave up his life on Calvary, just outside of Jerusalem on earth, that we might have eternal life inside the New Jerusalem in heaven, and finally on the new earth. Then he ascended to the right hand of the Father, there to do a work for man in heaven, and to continue to work through the Holy Spirit on earth.
In Heb. 4: 14 we read, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.”
Christ's earthly experience is spoken of as in a special manner fitting him for this priestly work. “Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” Heb. 5: 8-10.
“Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor those that are tempted.” Heb. 2: 17, 18. Christ is not only a merciful10and faithful high priest, but he is one who is touched by every feeling of weakness in those who come to him. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4: 15. He knows the feeling of our infirmities, for he has felt the power of temptation in every point; so we can never come into a difficulty that he does not understand, or in which he cannot feel for us. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Verse 16.
His work as priest is to make reconciliation for the sins of the people, and to dispense mercy and grace and help in every time of need. Is the priesthood of Christ such a living reality to you that you can go to him to receive all this? He is able to do all this for you. There are thousands who need the salvation and help and comfort of just such a high priest, but they do not know where to find it.
Anciently the heavenly priesthood of Christ was shadowed forth to man through an earthly priesthood, which represented it. The death of Christ was represented by the death of lambs and various animals, and the priest ministered their blood in behalf of the repentant sinner. This blood of animals did not take away the sin, for “it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Heb. 10: 4. It was simply a figure for the time then present.
Christ as high priest is spoken of in Heb. 8: 1, 2, thus: “We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” Christ is now a minister of the heavenly sanctuary, of which the earthly one was a figure. But while it was a figure, it was not the “very image.” It had truly many lessons to teach, and yet it fell short in many ways. So while many lessons in regard to the priesthood of Christ are taught by comparison with it, we find in Heb. 7: 23-25 a very encouraging one taught by contrast. Speaking of the earthly priesthood, it says, “And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: but this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood, wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
The marginal readings add force to these verses. The priesthood does not “pass from one to another” as did the earthly priesthood, because of the death of the priests, but Christ continueth forever. Each time we go, we shall find the same dear, loving Priest awaiting us, able not only to save to the uttermost, but to save “evermore” (margin) those who come unto God by him.
Promise Versus Practice
By George D. Gelwick
THE church is full of people who are willing to do something for the Master to-morrow. Only give them an opportunity and they will promise to do almost anything that we may suggest, if we allow them to wait until to-morrow.
Procrastination is one of the devil’s most effective devices. As long as people limit their service to promise of aid at some future time, he does not fear the result. What the world needs, what the church must have if she would carry out her great commission, is men and women who are ready for work to-day.
It is an old maxim that there is no time like the present. Do all you can to-day, and you will have more time for rest to-morrow. Have you been promising to attend to some duty, to call upon some suffering one, or aid some worthy cause with your money? Then do it to-day. Shame upon any intelligent man or woman who can rest content by simply promising to do their duty at some time in the future, while to-day, with all its grand possibilities and all its weight of responsibility, is allowed to pass away unimproved.
In the face of the fact that the present hour is the only time that we can call our own, is it not folly, yes, is it not a crime against our Lord, when we put off the duties that are pressing us on every hand to-day, with mere promises to do our duty in the future?
Friend, think over the absurdity of your position if you have been paying the debt that you owe your Lord with promises—George D. Gelwick, in New York Observer.
THE storm-clouds are rolling across the horizon,
And peal upon peal of the thunder is heard;
The flashes of lightning are vivid and awful,
Yet never a fear in this bosom is stirred;
For is it not written, and everywhere shown,
“The Lord knoweth how to deliver his own”?
The foe we contend with is artful and cunning,
And many, indeed, are the snares he has laid:
We are not unmindful of Satan’s devices,
Though of his temptations we are not afraid;
For is it not written, and everywhere shown,
“The Lord knoweth how to deliver his own”?
“The Lord knoweth how,” though we often are puzzled,
And to our conceptions no pathway is clear;
But since we are guided by Infinite Wisdom,
The word he hath spoken forbids every fear;
For is it not written, and everywhere shown,
“The Lord knoweth how to deliver his own”?
“The Lord knoweth how,” is our strength in our weakness,
The promise of sunshine, though storm-clouds appear;
A peaceful assurance amid every battle,
The way of escape from each trial and fear;
For is it not written, and everywhere shown,
“The Lord knoweth how to deliver his own”?
—Selected.
A Brief Note of Warning
By J. W. H. GEISS
J. W. H. GEISS
DOUBTLESS the reading of the Twentieth Century New Testament may be made both profitable and interesting, or, if there is not constant caution in its study, it may be hurtful and misleading. This may be seen from the following:—
The translators have set themselves not only to put the words of God into the current language of to-day, but also their aim is to leave no ambiguity as to the meaning of the text. An example is found in Rom. 10:4. The Authorized Version reads, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” The Twentieth Century has it, “For Christ has brought law to an end for all who believe in him, that they may attain to righteousness.” The Authorized Version gives a literal rendering, and it may be that the translator had no very clear notion as to what the word “end” meant, and so left the interpretation open. But the modern translator is quite sure that Christ abolished the law, and so he states that the law is brought to an end. It is seen by this example that the theological opinions of the modern translators are, and must be, strongly impressed on the translation, and this fact the reader will do well ever to keep in mind while studying the book.
It may be remarked as regards the text quoted above that the translator does violence to the original words used by Paul. The word “end” is not used in the Greek language with any thought of abolition, but to convey the idea of finishing, perfecting, consummating. Christ is the “perfection of the law.” That is the simple rendering of the Greek words written by Paul. Using the same root-word on the cross, Christ said, “It is finished,” not meaning that anything was abolished, but that it was perfected.
It will be seen from this example that the translator in this work cannot avoid giving the impress of his doctrine to the sacred text. The doctrine taught by the Twentieth Century Version is likely to be the ordinary theological views current among the denominations. In a careless reading of the book it would be quite likely that the reader might be imbued with just that teaching which we desire to avoid. How deep is our need of divine guidance amid the concealed pitfalls which are everywhere around us in the world to-day! Surely, before taking up any book and putting the writer’s thoughts into our mind, we need to plead with the loving Father that our reading may be for edification and not for destruction.
Food for Infants
By Lauretta Kress
LAURETTA KRESS, M. D.
IMPROPER feeding is the most active cause of infantile disease. A great deal of suffering and many premature deaths result from digestive derangements.
How many puny children, with shrunken, wasted frames, would quickly become happy, healthy, and well-nourished, if fed according to their requirements. There is rarely any lack of food, for mothers are only too willing to provide for their little ones; it is for want of food which they can digest and assimilate that so many suffer.
The pernicious habit of cramming something into the child’s mouth every time it is opened is responsible for endless mischief. Regularity is a necessity in infant-feeding, and the frequency of the meals must be determined by the physical condition of the child.
Few children cry from hunger; pain resulting from overfeeding is a much more likely cause, and a little warm water internally, or a warm application externally, will usually give speedy relief. Whatever is done, more food must not be crowded into the stomach merely to hush the child’s voice. Many a voice has been forever hushed in this way.
Milk obtained from the purveyors, dairymen, or milkmen, should not be relied upon, as it is often a carrier of various diseases, and is always adulterated with preservatives which are injurious, and especially dangerous to the structures of the feeble infants. As high as eleven grains of boracic acid have been discovered to the pint of milk. It has been acknowledged that the milk trade would have to be abandoned if the preservatives were not used, as the milk would spoil before it could be delivered at the homes of our cities.
The best food for babies is undoubtedly mother’s milk. Whenever possible, infants should be nursed for eight or ten months, but not longer. Children who have inherited good constitutions do not require more than five meals—four in the daytime and one at night—in each twenty-four hours, except during the first two months of infant life. Between the fourth and eighth months the interval should be prolonged to five hours, and at the end of the first year only three meals a day need be provided, the child being allowed to sleep soundly all night.
To break a child of night nursing, a little warm water may be administered in the bottle in place of the customary milk; the baby will drink freely, and then drop off to sleep again.
Feeble or premature children must be fed rather more frequently than those of sounder constitutions, and they require extra care.
Never allow an infant to sleep at the breast or with a feeding-bottle in its mouth; let it stop eating as soon as its hunger is appeased. Science rightly condemns the baby “comforters,” so commonly employed, because they cause a waste of saliva, and are conducive to the acquirement of bad habits. This constant suction is responsible for the frequency of posterior nasal growths and enlarged, inflamed tonsils. Nor is it advisable to give sugar teats, or sweets to soothe a crying child. Some mothers administer sugar and water the first few days of life, but this practice causes spasms and similar disturbances. Herb teas are unnecessary and often harmful. Plain water is by far the best drink for young children.
When the mother is unable to suckle her child, so that artificial feeding becomes a necessity, cow’s milk, properly sterilized and diluted, is the best substitute. Since it is hard to keep the nipples and tubes of feeding-bottles clean and free from germs, it is much better to teach the baby to eat from a spoon. Although more of the mother’s time is taken up by this method, the results justify its expenditure.
At the third or fourth month, sanitarium infant food, zwieback (twice baked bread), finely grated or powdered, or pulverized granose flakes, may be added to the milk. These products are much more easily digested than the majority of so-called “infant foods,” and are certain to be pure and unadulterated.
The present is an age of commercial fraud. Notwithstanding the stringent laws against food adulteration, this nefarious practice is on the increase. During the summer months milk is very subject to the addition of flavoring matter and preservatives. Hand-fed infants, dependent as they are upon milk and milk preparations for subsistence, are the chief sufferers. Milk unsterilized is quite unsafe, and should never be used.
The proper time for weaning is from the tenth to the twelfth months, the change of diet being made gradually. When the child reaches the age of nine months, begin to feed it on nicely toasted granose flakes, a small dish at the beginning of each meal. Occasionally simple soups, and ripe or stewed fruits, for the regular meal, may be substituted. Adopting this plan, when the infant is twelve months old, nursing may altogether cease without being missed greatly by the child.
Very gradually additional articles may be introduced into the daily bill of fare; but meats, cheese, coarse vegetables, tea, coffee, condiments, spices, pastry, rich puddings, and all other substances difficult of digestion must be studiously avoided.
Nearly all children crave fruit, and this is perfectly natural. Ripe fruit and all kinds of fruit juices may be provided abundantly, for they are well adapted to the digestive organs of the young. The scraped pulp of raw apples or pears, ripe peaches, and in fact any of the semi-tropical fruit products may be freely eaten at the regular mealtime; for the fruit pulp furnishes just the material needed for the plump little bodies so characteristic of early childhood.
The craving for sweets by the child is also a natural one, and should be satisfied with wholesome sweet fruits, as the fig, the date, the well-ripened banana, etc.
The free use of cane sugar and candies by children is undoubtedly largely responsible for the prevalence of decayed teeth among the young.—Australasian Good Health.
What Does It Mean?
By Mrs. A. C. A.
MRS. A. C. A.
Not long ago there appeared in one of our State papers a notice of a “home wanted for a bright, pretty little boy four years old.” After some correspondence with the author of the notice, she said that mine was the only response she had received to the notice. The query at once presented to my mind was this, What does it mean? Surely among hundreds of our people there is more than one home. I wonder, if Christ should come to these homes, asking for a place to lay his weary head, if there would be just one home open to him. Yet he said, “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” Matt. 25:45.
Some say to me, “I do not see how you can tie yourself up with a lot of somebody else’s babies.” I answer, I do not see how you can dare think of12sharing the home Christ is preparing, when you refuse to shelter him in the form of homeless, friendless children. Others say, “It is such a great responsibility to raise children.” True! but did you ever think that perhaps God will hold you responsible for allowing them to grow up after Satan’s own mind instead of training them for the Lord yourself? These are God-given opportunities to be co-workers with him.
There are many homes which might be opened to the friendless, but alas! the heart is locked up tight. Will the Saviour force an entrance?—No, never! Will you open your heart and home to him? “Whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.” Matt. 18: 5.
A Deed and a Word
A LITTLE spring had lost its way
Amid the grass and fern;
A passing stranger scooped a well,
Where weary men might turn;
He walled it in, and hung with care
A ladle at the brink;
He thought not of the deed he did,
But judged that toil might drink.
He passed again, and lo! the well
By summer never dried,
Had cooled ten thousand parching tongues,
And saved a life beside.
A nameless man, amid a crowd
That thronged the daily mart,
Let fall a word of hope and love,
Unstudied from the heart;
A whisper on the tumult thrown,
A transitory breath—
It raised a brother from the dust,
It saved a soul from death.
O germ! O fount! O word of love!
O thought at random cast!
Ye were but little at the first,
But mighty at the last!