Tibet is still known to many throughout Christendom as the Forbidden Land. How truly applicable this is, only those know who are waiting and watching around its doors.
Reproduced from the Bible in the World
SNOW RANGE IN ANTERIOR TIBET, 23,000 FEET HIGH
Why Tibet remains in seclusion, the haunt of the recluse, may, I think, be fully explained by the one word darkness. Its inhabitants shun civilization. Their minds and hearts are darkened; they are following a false ideal; they are trying to be and do good without divine strength. As a result, they are groping in dense night and searching in vain for the very light which is shining on the borders of their land.
Mission work on the Tibetan border is very difficult, but not discouraging. The missionary does not here meet raw heathen, uncivilized pagans, or wild cannibals. He meets something harder than any of these; he sets his face and life against a well-organized system of “enlightened darkness.” The Tibetans as a people are ultrareligious, and yet they live in as gross ignorance as the most pagan nation on earth.
On our recent journey through Anterior Tibet we were away two months, covering twelve hundred English miles, and riding thirty-eight different horses. The country through which we traveled lies to the northwest and west of Tatsien-lu, and has been ruled until recently by native princes, who pay tribute to China. Through the kindness of Mr. Fergusson, the Bible Society’s subagent at Chang-tu, we took with us a yak-load of Tibetan Scriptures.
The Tibetan Gospels that we carried were neatly bound, and printed in clear type, making a striking contrast to the Tibetans’ own books, many of which are blurred and indistinct. Our books were well received in many important temples and lamaseries, and in many of the larger towns and villages. Several of the lamaseries in Anterior Tibet are very large and influential; some of them contain as many as two thousand, three thousand, and four thousand lamas. Into these strongholds of Lamaism we were privileged to carry the living Word of God.
Our reception by the lamas was not always warm and friendly. During our short stay at Drang-gu we visited the large and opulent lamasery which stands some little distance outside that place. The temple buildings look very picturesque when seen from the top of the pass just before entering the city. We followed our usual custom of first asking permission from the Chinese official before visiting the lamasery; on doing this, we were accompanied by an official guide, who saw that no harm came to us. Within the lamasery we visited the chief places of interest, including the main buildings and shrines. We then waited for an opportunity to distribute our books, expecting the lamas to gather round us as they had done in other temples; but no opportunity presented itself, as the lamas left us severely alone. This lamasery has always been very conservative, and although there are nearly two thousand lamas resident in the buildings, we were unable to distribute more than one or two books.
How different was our warm reception by the lamas at Litang! Here we were received in a very friendly manner, and shown through the various places of interest. This lamasery is one of the largest in Anterior Tibet, and contains about four thousand lamas and priests. Much work has already been done in this place, and thousands of Tibetan Scriptures have been circulated.
We took advantage of a recent fair in Litang, and distributed the Scriptures among thousands of lamas who had gathered there. God is blessing this work, and much prejudice is being broken down. With every visit we make, the lamas become more and more friendly to us.
The present opportunity in Eastern Tibet is certainly a glorious one for the circulation of the Scriptures. Regions until recently fast closed against the missionary are now open wide. Minds once fiercely prejudiced are now willing to listen to the gospel. Lamaseries that12a few years ago closed their doors at the approach of the missionary, are now left open to bid him welcome. The change is truly marvelous, and we thank God for it. The precarious condition of Lamaism, combined with the willing attitude of the people, presents a unique opportunity for spreading the gospel message.
And who can say that the message will stop there? Without doubt, many of the Gospels we distributed were carried away into the very heart of Tibet. Numbers of lamas returning to and from Lhasa take many portions with them into places where no missionary can penetrate.
During our long journey we ourselves conveyed the Bible Society’s little Gospels into many strange and interesting places—to prince’s palace and hermit’s cell, to head man’s house and mountain cottage, to nomad’s tent and wealthy temple; to all these we carried the message of God’s love to man.
On one occasion we halted about midday to change our Ula animals. [Under the Chinese government, the local Tibetan chiefs are required to maintain a system called Ula, which provides transport animals at regular stations along the chief routes, for the use of official and other travelers; these animals are generally mules, horses, oxen, and yak.] In the village near by, a lama was living who evidently knew our purpose and mission to his country, for he soon inquired if we carried books with us. On our informing him that we had books, he showed great eagerness to obtain one, and remained close by us till the loaded animals arrived. When our boxes came up, we found ourselves surrounded by a great crowd of villagers, all eager for books. Many of them would not be satisfied till they had secured copies of all four Gospels. When all had been supplied, we tied up our boxes, remounted our horses, and continued our journey.
During our short visit at Derge, we were invited to stay in the prince’s palace, a commodious and stately building. We feared that our stay in this magnificent residence might to some extent hinder our intercourse with the people. But our whereabouts was soon discovered, and we were besieged from morning till night for copies of the Tibetan Scriptures. Lamas, Drabas, Yobos, nomads, head men, and all kinds of people soon found out our rooms, and kept our door on the swing the whole day. When we went out into the street, the Tibetans gathered round us in large numbers, and in a few minutes all the books we had with us were distributed. This happened in most of the towns and villages we visited. The people in the streets were much more willing to take our books than the lamas.
Derge was the terminus of our journey westward. We had the privilege of going thus far, but no farther. From beginning to end the expedition was full of interest; the roads and experiences were all new; during the whole two months the weather was delightful, and we were very fortunate in getting back before the rainy season commenced. Amid many dangers we were very conscious of God’s guiding and protecting hand. He led us by a way we knew not, and brought us back home in safety.—Robert Cunningham, in the Bible in the World.
The Blessedness of Giving
By W. T. Knox
THE General Conference treasury has been very materially assisted, and our brethren in Korea and China will be caused to rejoice greatly, by the liberal action on the part of the board and family of the St. Helena Sanitarium, who have placed in our hands $5,000 to be used as follows:—
For the betterment of the medical mission work of Korea, $1,200.
For the equipment of medical mission work in China, $1,500.
For the support of Brother and Sister S. C. Harris for the current year ending Dec. 31, 1911, $500.
For the support of Dr. A. G. Larson for the current year ending Dec. 31, 1911, $500.
For providing homes for medical missionaries, $1,300.
It is difficult for us to appreciate what the gift of $1,200 to Korea will mean to Dr. Riley Russell, who has been carrying on a great work among the Koreans with but the most meager facilities; nor yet what the $1,500 for medical facilities in China will mean to that disease-afflicted race.
We are thankful, not only on account of the General Conference treasury and the mission fields benefited, but also that our sanitarium at St. Helena is able to render such substantial assistance to the needy cause of God.
W. T. KNOX.
Greetings from Argentina Camp-Meeting Baptisms
Writing from Argentina, Elder C. E. Knight sends these cheering words of greeting:—
“We joyfully send greetings to the brethren in every place wheresoever these words may come,— joyful, because we are now in our annual camp-meeting, and fourteen precious souls have just been baptized, the most of whom have been rescued from Catholicism. Although the harvest of grain this year has been almost a total failure, the harvest of souls has been regular, more than forty having been baptized, exclusive of those just mentioned. Some fifteen or more are waiting at home for the same privilege.”
General Meetings in Switzerland and Great Britain
By L. R. Conradi
L. R. CONRADI
As God's work rapidly extends throughout the European Division, one is so busy that he can hardly keep up with the reports. After our blessed meeting in Friedensau, I went immediately to Aubonne, French Switzerland, near Lake Geneva. About twenty-eight years have passed since the first conference in Switzerland was organized. We now have two conferences there, a French, or Roman-Swiss, and a German-Swiss, each having nearly 600 members. Our French brethren had secured a good camp-ground, and forty-five delegates were present. A good spirit was felt throughout the meeting. Brother E. R. Palmer's work among the canvassers was much appreciated.
When we considered the needs of our mission work in the fields beyond, and mentioned the fact that our brethren in the States were trying to raise their mission gifts from ten cents to fifteen cents a week, the brethren asked how much was missing to raise theirs for last year to ten cents a week. Upon its being ascertained that about 4,000 francs ($772) were still lacking, 4,225 francs ($815.43) were subscribed in a little while. It must be remembered that our brethren in Europe do not obtain such high wages as are paid in the States. The Swiss watch-making trade has also suffered more or less of late years through the great foreign competition.
The conference expressed its thanks to Brother J. Vuilleumier for the service which he has rendered. Elder P. Steiner, who had been educated in our school in London, and who had gained a good experience in various parts of the French field, was placed in charge of the Latin Union school. All were happy to learn that the sanitarium, since the addition of the new building, is well filled. The Sabbath was an especially good day, and Brother C. Guenin was ordained to the ministry. Elder H. H. Dexter was unanimously reelected president, and we have every reason to hope that the present year will witness still greater growth in the field.
From August 1 until September 4 I attended five meetings in the British Union. Throughout these meetings the Lord came near to his people by his blessings, and everywhere the work showed advancement and spiritual growth. Though these meetings came right in the time when there were occurring the greatest struggles between capital and labor that England ever witnessed, yet the Lord seemed in an especially manner to guide in the arrangements. We began in North England, and by the time the strikes became more serious there, we were either in Scotland or in Ireland. When we reached Wales and London again, the strike had just abated in these quarters.
In Dublin, however, we were eye-witnesses of some of the riots. By the Lord's grace a little company of faithful believers has been raised up in this stronghold of Catholicism, and on our way from Belfast to Wales we arranged for a meeting with this company. When we reached the city, we found some of the large shop-windows already broken, and the police and the special constables massed in the principal quarters of the city. On the way to our lodgings, only a few blocks from the very center of the city, we had to pass through a great mob, a strike of the newsboys being on. As we were going by, the mob burst into the shops on either side of the street, and women and children rushed into the broken windows, and secured everything they could lay their hands on. By the time the police came, the shop-windows were cleaned out. Until a long time after midnight we could hear the rioting going on in the streets, and the next day many broken and empty shop-windows testified to the fierceness of the riot. Passing Llanelly in Wales, we saw the burned and wrecked cars, and the soldiers in tents guarding the place.
As to the help for all these meetings, Elders Palmer, and W. J. Fitzgerald, Prof. H. C. Lacey, and the writer were present. The North England Conference was held in Derby. The attendance was good, nearly seventy delegates being present. Last year they had an addition of 120 members, bringing their total membership to 714. As Elder S. G. Haughey had labored faithfully so many years in the northern field, he, with Elder W. A. Shafer of this conference, was transferred to the South England Conference. Elder W. H. Meredith, of the South England Conference, was chosen unanimously as president, and Elder J. J. Nethery, who had been associated with him in the south, was transferred to the north. The fifty pounds needed for a gospel tent were quickly raised. This conference also readily adopted the five-per-cent sustentation plan, for the support of the aged.
The Scotch meeting was held in a hall at Kirkcaldy. This was the largest meeting we ever held in Scotland. This conference had for some time been without a local president, and Elder A. E. Bacon was unanimously chosen to that office. About $140 was raised for a new gospel tent. All our people took a deep interest in our mission work, and four dear souls were buried with their Lord in baptism during the meeting.
From here we proceeded to Belfast, Ireland. Though this was not the annual meeting, yet we had a very good representation for our people, who seemed to enjoy the services held with them. While the work is advancing in all these fields, yet the great crying need is more13successful laborers, to reach the millions who have not heard the message.
The Welsh Conference meeting was held in the fine city of Swansea. In spite of the labor crisis, some 170 of our people had gathered from different parts of Wales. An excellent spirit prevailed. In view of the financial difficulties, we questioned whether we should call for more than $250 for a tent fund. But in a short time more than $300 was raised. Elder H. E. Armstrong was again unanimously chosen president for the coming year.
The last conference of the union was held in Balham, S. W., London. Especially during the Sabbath we had a large attendance. This conference reported 56 members net gain during the past year, also an increase in tithes and offerings. The Sabbath-school collection amounted to over $45 for missions. The South England Conference unanimously elected Elder Haughey as president for the coming year.
Important changes also took place with regard to the field. In order to facilitate the work in the South England Conference, which heretofore had nearly half the population of England, it ceded five counties to the North England Conference, and the counties of Middlesex, Essex, Hereford, and London north of the Thames, to the British Union Conference to form a union district. The new union district will include the larger portion of London, and Watford where our chief institutions are, having altogether a population of 5,000,000. The South England Conference will still retain something like 9,000,000 people.
By these additions, the North England Conference will have a population of nearly 20,000,000, and the idea is that in the near future this conference will also be divided, to form a Middle England and a North England Conference. As Wales is the smallest of the British Union fields in population, and adjoining English counties supply the railway facilities between northern and southern Wales, these counties, Hereford and Shropshire, were ceded by North England to the Welsh Conference. Brother J. D. Gillatt, who had labored very successfully during the last few years, was ordained to the gospel ministry.
The British Union, with a population of over 45,000,000, has only fifty gospel workers, or one to a million. During the first six months of this year they have taken in 197 members, and the membership has increased to 2,034; while the tithe for the two quarters was $14,200, or an average of about $14 a member per annum. Its Sabbath-school and first-day offerings during the same period were about $1,500. From the very fact that in general mission work Great Britain as a nation does as much as the United States, though it has only half the population, we can readily see the importance not only of developing all the native workers we possibly can here, but also of supplying from elsewhere some bright young men for work in this union.
Woman, Her Nature and Her Mission
By Iza E. Clement
IZA E. CLEMENT
The text that contains the foundation principle of woman’s work, that presents, as it were, the first glimpse of her nature and mission as purposed by the Creator himself, is found in Gen. 2:18, and reads thus: “And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” The word “meet” is here used in a sense now almost obsolete; that is, so far as common usage is concerned. Webster says that it means “prepared, or adapted to a purpose; qualified; fit; suitable.” Reading the word suitable in the place of meet makes the statement clearer and easier to grasp, — I will make him a help suitable for him.
A help suitable for him; that is, a help for her husband, in matters spiritual, material, mental, moral, and last but not least, financial. In the home, at the office, wherever a man may be called, the gentleness and tenderness of a true wife’s influence is helpful and beneficial to him.
She is as much the daughter of God as man is the son of God. She was14created to walk the pathway of life with him. It is hers as well as his to bear the burden of sin. It is her privilege as well as his to rejoice in the blessings of salvation. History demonstrates that it has been her lot to share with him the fate of martyrdom; and she has met it as bravely, as unflinchingly as he.
However, it is usually the tender, the quiet, the home side of life that falls to her. Her husband is out in the maddening swirl of this world, where the very atmosphere is one of commercialism; where the din of competition and the strife for gain have to a greater or less extent dulled his sense of perception for hearing the still, small voice which says, “This is the way, walk ye in it.”
So God made woman a help suitable for him, and in order for her to be a suitable help for him, she must abound where he lacks. This is why her devotional nature is so much more susceptible than his. This is why her senses are so much keener, her heart tenderer, her love stronger. This is why God has endowed her with what is sometimes called the sixth sense, commonly known as intuition, but which is in reality only the ability to hear and accept the whispers of the angels.
This ability is due mainly to her nature, but is strengthened by her environments. Alone in her home with the innocent babe whom she lulls to rest, she watches the drowsy flutter of the slumber-laden lids, she looks at the tiny, helpless hands, and her thoughts involuntarily rise heavenward to the Giver of all good gifts. She senses, in a measure at least, the great privileges and responsibilities that have fallen to her as the protector and light-bearer of the little life, the tiny spark of humanity that must some day buffet this dark world of sin; and she longs to have the Father of all love and life for the guardian of her child. The angels of God draw near, a silent, heartfelt prayer ascends to the throne of heaven, and she listens for the voice of the Comforter. Her spirit is subdued and softened, her heart is tender and sympathetic, readily responding to the heavenly chord. The strife and commotion of the world is shut out from her, and she is shut in with God.
One night over eighteen hundred years ago, in a far Eastern city, when a murderous, howling mob was crying, “Crucify him! crucify him!” when men thronged the streets shouting themselves hoarse with clamorings for the life-blood of the Son of God, when a man had sold his Saviour for a mere pittance, when a man had condemned him to death, it was to a woman (Pilate’s wife) that the angels whispered a message in a last attempt to save the world from that awful sin, the crucifixion of its Redeemer.
A wife’s intuitive sense, a woman’s keen perceptions caught the whispers of the heavenly messengers, and a suitable and timely message was despatched in haste to Pilate, “Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.” She presented no argument, she gave no reason, only a woman’s reason, but it came from the throne of the universe. And her voice, a woman’s voice, was all there was raised in defense of the Saviour that awful night.
Up to Calvary woman followed him weeping. Not as Peter followed, afar off. She pushed her way through that murderous throng to the very foot of the cross. Woman strove to anoint his precious body, and woman was the first to greet him when he burst the fetters of the tomb. He honored her by commissioning her to bear to the disciples the first tidings of his resurrection.
He has honored her in all ages of the world, and has placed her as a beacon-light in every avenue of life. He has chosen her, a pure, true woman, as the symbol by which to represent his church. What higher distinction could he bestow upon her merits, her virtue, her influence, and her divine calling?
The church is represented as the wise virgin who went forth to meet her lord. She is represented as the bride, the Lamb’s wife. She is represented as the woman giving birth to the Son of God. She is represented as triumphant over every foe, and entering into glory with her husband, Christ, who gave his life for her.
The Bible teems with the good works of woman, from Dorcas, who, in her own home, made coats for the poor and needy, to Deborah, who led the hosts of God in war, and courageous Jael, into whose hands was delivered the captain of the Midianitish bands.
However, it is not on the field of worldly strife that the Deborahs and Jaels are needed to-day. It is in that limited, but mighty province, the home, where the greatest battle of the universe, the war against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places, is being waged.
Home is woman’s natural and most favorable environment for the accomplishment of her work. It is there, in the exalted position of wife and mother, that her influence is most keenly and effectively felt.
There never was a time in the history of this world when there was such a need of mothers, those who are mothers indeed, as there is now, when the closing struggle between the forces of good and evil, the mightiest conflict the world has ever known, is drawing speedily on in this sin-darkened earth.
There is need of mothers who realize their individual accountability to God, and have the firmness, the decision, the determination of Deborah, to lead, if necessary, in the warfare against the hosts of evil. There is need of mothers who have the fearlessness and the courage of Jael, to strike the death-blow to sin in the home. There is need of mothers who have the tact, the diplomacy, the intercession and the faith of Esther, to deal with perplexing questions and prevail with the King, not of Persia, but of the whole universe. There is need of mothers who, like faithful Eunice, will cling to the promises of God, and train their sons and daughters for Christ, in spite of the influence of unbelieving husbands and relatives; mothers who have abandoned that old ivy-to-the-oak idea of casting the whole responsibility of home religion upon their husbands, or of depending upon the ministers for the salvation of their children.
Home is mother’s realm. It is here that she, whether conscious of it or not, is by her influence, by every word, look, thought, and action, molding and shaping for eternity the very natures and characters of her children.
When mothers realize their privileges and responsibilities, when they sense the extent and power of their influence, when they become really a suitable help for their husbands in the home, and fill the place originally intended for them by their Creator, then he will look upon the home, the finished work of redemption, as he looked upon that Edenic home, the finished work of creation, and say, “It is very good.”
College View, Nebr.
Prevention of Cold in the Head
By G. H. Heald, M. D.
G. H. HEALD, M. D.
THE vexed question as to the cause of colds is not yet satisfactorily settled. Some say all colds are due to germs, and that the old idea of drafts causing colds is mere superstition. It would probably be nearer the truth to recognize that in the causation of every cold are several factors, and that no one of them alone is sufficient to cause a cold.
First there is “predisposition,” which may be inborn or acquired. Some all through life are more susceptible than others. Then this susceptibility may be increased or diminished by general habits. For instance, excessive clothing or overheated rooms, by causing an unnatural moistness of the skin and a weak reaction, may produce colds. On the other hand, the habit of cold bathing will render one less susceptible to colds.
Our houses in winter are kept about as warm as is comfortable in summer. Not infrequently the room temperature is above 70°. For one to wear heavy underclothing in such an atmosphere is to produce a condition of susceptibility to colds. It would be much better for those who live most of the time indoors in a modern-heated house to dress very much as in summer while indoors, and to have abundant wraps for outdoors.
Another cause of colds is unequal dressing of the body. Place the “chest protector” on the feet, in the shape of warm stockings, and not over the lungs. If the feet perspire easily, the stockings should be changed often enough to insure dry feet; for it is impossible to keep the feet warm if they are damp.
One cause of frequent cold in the head is chronic nasal trouble, which should have the attention of a specialist.
Another cause of cold in the head is germs, or bacteria. It may be that these cold germs are in the air all the time. At any rate, they seem at certain times to be more virulent than at others, and then we have an epidemic of colds. One of the important measures of prevention is to avoid exposure to those who are coughing and sneezing. Any room in which a person has taken a cold, doubtless has floating around in the air minute droplets of saliva or mucus on which there may be infectious germs. Do not allow yourself to remain long in a room where there is coughing and sneezing; and if you have a cold, do not expose others.
By heeding the above precautions one may prevent many colds, thus avoiding not only annoyance and indisposition, but also the danger of worse troubles; for colds not only increase the tendency to future colds, but they are apt to leave a chronic weakness of the mucous membrane, which may invite other disorders.
The next article will consider the treatment of a cold in the head.
Not in Vain
By Frank A. Breck
If I may help some burdened heart
His heavy load to bear;
If any little song of mine
May cheer a soul somewhere;
If I may lead some grieving one
To know that loss is gain,
Or bring some shadowed soul to light,
I shall not live in vain.
If I may help bewildered ones
To find life’s grandest clue;
If I may steady faltering feet,
Or help some heart be true;
If I may bring a tender touch
To some lone couch of pain,
Or whisper words of love and strength,
I shall not live in vain.
If I may give disheartened ones
The impetus they need;
Or rescue the oppressed from hands
Of cruelty and greed;
If I may bring concord and love
Where strife and hatred reign,
Or be a friend to friendless ones,
I shall not live in vain.
— Frank A. Breck, in Ram’s Horn.
The Helping Finger
THE car was not crowded, but the tired little woman who scrambled on at a busy corner had difficulty in finding room for both herself and the unwieldy paper parcel she carried, as more active passengers took possession of the empty seats. As she finally wedged herself into a space at the extreme edge, the string, none too securely tied about the parcel, slipped off, and for the next few minutes the stiff fingers were busy trying to retie the knot that seemed so unwilling to stay in place. The smile that ran along the seat did not make the task any easier.
Just as the string had slipped out of the trembling hands for the third time, a firm, neatly gloved finger was placed on the center of the refractory knot, and in a moment it was securely tied, and a bright-faced girl nodded cheerfully in acknowledgment of the awkward words of thanks, as the owner of the parcel hurriedly left the car to transfer to another line.
“Member of some Helping Hand Society, I see,” remarked an acquaintance, as the car slowed up at the next block, and the girl made ready to step off.
“No, only a Helping Finger Society, with a membership of one,” the girl laughed back. “Some cases don’t require the whole hand, and ——”
The remaining words were lost; but into more than one heart the little sermon had crept, and more than one resolve was unconsciously made to give, if not the whole, surely at least one finger, of a helping hand to make the way a little smoother for some fellow traveler.—East and West.
Cast Thy Bread Upon the Waters
“CAST thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.”
Faithful Service
By Rosette Runck
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” All around us are the hungry, the naked, the thirsty, and the sick. Are we feeding and clothing them? or do we let their cries go unnoticed until our hearing is so dull we hear not and, having eyes, see not? “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.”
People are not only hungry for physical food, but spiritual food as well. Our nurses in Madison, Wis., have been doing house-to-house work in the city. Some canvass for “Ministry of Healing,” and some sell Life and Health and other magazines. Others give demonstrations in cooking and simple treatments. They have started an interest in three different places, with demonstrations of hygienic cooking and the simple treatments given every two weeks. Those who are interested invite their friends and neighbors to these meetings.
We believe this work will do much to break down prejudice and to prepare the way for the whole truth, as well as to interest the people in sanitarium work. They find the people eager to learn how to take care of their bodies.
The Macedonian cry is coming from the cities. There ought to be more of our nurses working in them. This entering wedge will open the way whereby many souls may be gathered into the kingdom.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
