Review and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 29. (6/10/1915)

Review and Herald

Jun 10, 1915

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 10, 1915

“Thou Shalt Not Be Afraid”

By C. M. Snow

C. M. Snow

Cease doubting, O soul, though the sea be aroar With the billows of strife, and though legions of war Are treading to dust the green of the lea, And red’ning the rivers that run to the sea! There’s a bow in the sky, and its jewel-wrought rim Is the pledge of our hope, and that hope is in Him Who holdeth the world in the cup of His hand, And bindeth the sea with a shackle of sand.

What need that I cherish the tremor of dread While the bow of His word bends bright overhead? Though the sea may be red with the blood of the slain, And the dead be piled high on the slippery plain; Though the arrows of death fly on every hand, And the specter of pestilence stalk through the land, I will trust in Him still; for my anchor will hold And my soul be at peace in His heavenly fold.

I’ll fear not the gloom of that terrible day When the hopes of the heedless are smitten away; When the face of the sinner is blackened with dread, And the angels of wrath on their mission have sped; For swift o’er the shuddering, tremulous sod Come the chariot wheels of my Saviour and God, And bright in the heart that is trusting in Him Glows the lamp of His word, which no terror can dim.

Missionary Literature

Berean Library

PRICE EACH

Steps to Christ .................................. $ .25
Thoughts on Daniel .............................. .25
Thoughts on Revelation .......................... .35
His Glorious Appearing .......................... .15
Sabbath in the Scriptures ....................... .25
Sabbath in History .............................. .50
Capital and Labor ............................... .25
Here and Hereafter ............................. .25
Bible Footlights ................................ .35
Our Paradise Home .............................. .15
Religious Liberty in America .................... .35
The Coming King ................................ .50

Temperance Leaflets

PRICE EACH Alcohol and Disease ................................. $ .00½ Liquor and Poverty .................................. .00½ Counting the Cost of Alcohol ........................ .00½ Is Alcohol a Food? .................................. .00½ The Cure for National Intemperance .................. .00½ Some Effects of Tobacco Using ........................ .00½ Pointed Facts About Tobacco .......................... .00¼ Wine Industry ....................................... .01 The Tobacco Habit .................................... .05 Tobacco Using ........................................ .01½ Medical Use of Alcohol ............................... .00¾ My Tobacco-Loving Brother ............................ .00½

Signs of the Times Leaflets

The Sure Word of Prophecy.
Prophetic History of the World.
Second Coming of Christ.
Signs of Our Times.
The Sanctuary.
The 2300 Days.
The Law of God.
The Sabbath of the Bible.
The First Day of the Bible.
Who Changed the Sabbath?
The Great Threefold Message.
The Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast.
Church and State.
Life and Immortality.
The Great Judgment Day.
The Home of the Saved.

Per 100 ............................................. $ .10 1 pound (about 18 of each) .......................... .40

Missionary Volunteer Post Cards

(TWO COLOR)

Stand.
God Give Us Men
Just Where You Stand.
Work for All.
If.
Where’er the Path May Lead.
How Much Shall I Give This Year to Missions?
God Cares! / Do We?
Blest Be the Tongue That Speaks No Ill.
Do Today’s Work Today.
Others.
Seven Rules for Christian Growth.
She Did Her Best.
Take Life as You Find It.
Power to Serve God Never Fails.
Harsh Words Can’t Be Killed.

Per 100 of one kind ................................. $ .70 Per set of 16 ....................................... .15

Religious Liberty Leaflets

PER 100

Principles Too Little Understood .................. $ .50
Sunday Laws ....................................... .50
Logic of Sabbath Legislation ...................... .50
The Civil Sabbath ................................ .75
Civil Government and the Church ................... .25
Religious Liberty ................................ .75
The Church’s Greatest Need Today .................. .25
Church Federation ................................ .75
Limits of Civil Authority ........................ .25
Is the Sabbath a Civil Institution? .............. .50
What Are Works of Charity and Necessity? .......... .25
“Backward States” ................................ .50
Campbell on Moral Societies ...................... 1.50
Garrison on Sunday Laws .......................... .50
Sunday Mail Reports .............................. .50
Why Sunday Laws Are Wrong ........................ .50
Religion in the Public Schools ................... .75

Words of Truth Selections

The Coming of the Lord ........................... $ .00¼
A Challenge to Protestants ........................ .00½
Is the End Near? ................................ .00½
The Rest Day ..................................... .02½
Ownership and Tithing ............................ .00½
Important Questions on Great Events .............. .00½
Can We Know? ..................................... .00½
Present Truth .................................... .02
The Third Angel’s Message ........................ .00¼
We Would See Jesus ............................... .01
Signs of Our Times ................................ .01
What Do These Things Mean? ........................ .01
Christ’s Second Coming ........................... .02
An Appeal to Clergy ................................ .00½
Court Week in Heaven .............................. .00¼
Rome’s Challenge .................................. .02
Spiritualism ...................................... .00½

Where numbers are given, order by number from your tract society.

ORDER OF YOUR TRACT SOCIETY

The Sabbath

By Janette Bidwell

JANETTE BIDWELL

O’er the hills the morning sunlight Comes with warm and gentle ray, Like the smile of God’s approval Resting on this Sabbath day.

Let us gather to the temple Where the High and Holy One Comes to bless his earth’s children When the six days’ work is done.

Let us come with reverence, kneeling With bowed head and prayerful heart; Worshiping our great Redeemer, Gathered from the world apart.

As we leave the sacred portals, As we go upon our way, Let this quiet, reverent spirit Hover o’er us all the day.

And when evening’s deepening twilight Tells us that the day is gone, Let us thank God for his blessing Till th’ eternal Sabbath dawn.

Adventist Music

By J. S. WASHBURN

J. S. WASHBURN

In every great movement connected with his work of creation and redemption God has always had special music exactly appropriate for the time and the occasion. At creation’s dawn there was no note of sadness in the anthem of praise when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy over the finished work, when the Supreme Judge himself had declared that all was very good. But when redemption is finished, in the song of praise there is added a minor strain sweeter than any chord in creation’s song, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” This sweetest song of all will have in it a pathetic touch of sadness, a memory of sorrow and pain, then forever ended. The song at redemption’s consummation is wondrously fitting for the glorious victory over death and sin.

When God had brought Israel through the Red Sea while their enemies, the Egyptians, were drowned, “then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.” Ex. 15: 1.

Jesus sang with his disciples, and the inspired command by the apostle Paul is, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Eph. 5: 19. Music, suitable for the time, has always played a most important part in all the history of the church and the Reformation. Luther was not only a great preacher, but a musician, a composer, and a sweet singer. In the darkest hours, when it seemed that only ruin and death were before him, he called his friends and sang with them songs of faith and trust appropriate for the great struggle through which they were passing.

With John Wesley was intimately associated his brother, Charles Wesley, the singer and song writer, who probably wrote more hymns than any other man. Among these is that immortal song that never will grow old, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul.” The music of Charles Wesley and the preaching of John Wesley were a combination of great power.

Coming down to modern times: with D. L. Moody, one of the sincerest and truest of all modern evangelists, was closely associated Ira D. Sankey, who performed the wonderful and before unheard-of feat of composing and singing at the same time, in the presence of a great meeting, the music of the song “The Ninety and Nine.” His earnest heart singing probably helped equally with Mr. Moody’s preaching, to accomplish a great work. Their names go down together in history, “Moody and Sankey,” the preacher and the singer.

In the early advent movement the hymns on the subject of the coming of the Lord, sung with intense earnestness and solemnity, had a wonderful effect on the hearers. James White, one of the great leaders in the great second advent movement of 1844, was very musical, a powerful and an excellent singer. And there were many others who sang with heart and soul and voice, and with telling effect, the message of the coming of the Lord. Many of us have heard one of the oldest living pioneers tell of his first acquaintance with the first angel’s message, and of the mighty converting power of the first advent song he heard, which brought him to acknowledge at once the truth of that message. At one time an Adventist company was arrested for disturbing the people with their singing. At the command of the judge before whom they were tried, they sang three of the thrilling advent hymns, and were set free at once, with the statement that “if people are disturbed with that kind of singing they ought to be disturbed.”

Think you that the close of this work will come and find us using any music inappropriate for our great message? Every great religious movement has had music of its own appropriate for the time and the occasion and for the special message. This message in its closing power will have such music. We do not need to imitate the music of Babylon, any more than we need to imitate the preaching of Babylon. Thank God that we have still some real advent music, but we shall have a far greater revival of distinctive advent singing appropriate for the most solemn and awful crisis the world has ever known. The old advent hymns when sung with the advent spirit, bring into the meetings the presence and power of God, whose Spirit is so effectively banished by much of the modern light music many have been accustomed to hear and to sing in the popular churches.

There was never before such a flood of cheap music, dance music, “ragtime,” as today. The Satanic, Sodomic dances of today are a sign that the end is just upon us. Many of the cheap, sensational, sentimental hymns of today, come from the same school of music. In speaking of modern revivals, “The Great Controversy,” that wonderful book, which should be studied today more than ever before, says on page 464, “There is an emotional excitement, a mingling of the true with the false, that is well adapted to mislead.”

It is true there are many grand old hymns, such as, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” “Rock of Ages,” that will always be appropriate. Some modern hymns are good, but very many are of little real worth, and detract from an earnest prayer or sermon.

Let us sing of the coming of Christ, of the heavenly home, and of the great truths of our distinctive message. And let us select true, substantial music. God will no doubt have some music written expressly for the closing work, but many

of the old hymns, if sung with the spirit, would bring a mighty blessing to God’s people. It is sad to see that, to many, some of the sweetest, most spiritual of the old advent hymns are entirely new. May God give us a revival of true advent singing that will shake the world, and hasten the time when we shall join in the great victory song of Moses and the Lamb at the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Philadelphia, Pa.

Reverence in the House of God

By M. G. CONGER

M. G. CONGER

From the holiness of God’s presence, as revealed in the Bible, we may learn how sacred is the place of worship where he meets with his people. All things connected with his service—the gospel songs, the earnest prayers, and the words of the minister—are God’s appointed agencies to direct his children to the church above, and to prepare them to take part in the face-to-face worship of the Lord of lords.

Today, we are worshiping the same God that the Israelites worshiped. The reverence which was shown when they met in service is an example that we may well emulate. There was a sacredness about the sanctuary service which we rarely see manifested in our meetings nowadays. A laxness has crept in which has tended to destroy the fine sense of decorum, propriety, and reverence that should prevail.

Nothing that is holy should be treated with carelessness or indifference. We should conduct ourselves in God’s house as we would were he visible to our natural eyes; for reverence belongeth unto God. Seraphim adore him, and angels veil their faces before him; yet puny man dares approach the omnipotent God as if he were an equal. While we are bidden to draw near to the throne of grace with boldness, yet we must not have the boldness of presumption, nor regard our Creator as one who is on our level.

We should enter his presence with humility and godly fear, and wait reverently before him: “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.” Isa. 57:15. When we fully realize this, we shall not fail to assume the proper attitude when we approach God.

The stiff manner that many have of sitting upright while prayer is offered does not bespeak humbleness. We cannot imagine Jesus, or Daniel the prophet, or David the sweet singer of Israel, assuming that attitude during prayer. The psalmist says, “O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before Jehovah our Maker.”

Paul said that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. The Master left for us an example, he “kneeled down, and prayed.” Luke 22:41. The same record is borne of the martyr Stephen and of the apostle Peter. Acts 7:60; 9:40. Adverse surroundings were no excuse for the sitting posture in the days of the early church; for Paul tells us that the disciples with their wives and children went “out of the city: and kneeling down on the beach, we prayed.” Acts 21:5, R. V. When such come together for worship, the Lord comes with them.

We cannot conceive of a band of earnest followers of Jesus whispering while prayer is being offered; manifesting the meek and quiet spirit of Christ, they listen attentively and responsively. They regard the house of God as a sacred, holy place, where they meet with him to receive the blessing of his special presence, and when they are seated they involuntarily bow their heads and ask for the fulfillment of his promise that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I.” Matt. 18:20.

At the close of the service the true worshipers do not exhibit a spirit of hurry, but wait calmly until the “Amen” of the benediction is pronounced; and then they give a word of cheer to their brethren and sisters. They can truly say, “But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.” Ps. 5:7.

A Prayerful Attitude

By FLORENCE CHRISMAN

FLORENCE CHRISMAN

THE place which has been dedicated to the worship of God is the most sacred place on earth. It is God’s sanctuary, where he meets with his people. It may be very humble, but it is no less holy; for God’s presence makes holy. When the Lord appeared to Moses in the burning bush, Moses was told to put off his shoes, for the place whereon he stood was holy ground. The place was holy because God was there, and his presence is ever the same—it makes holy.

Every religious service should be regarded with the greatest solemnity and reverence; it is a serious thing to enter into the presence of God unprepared. No thought, word, or action should be brought into his sanctuary that he cannot bless. We are told that “we do not obtain one hundredth part of the blessing we should from assembling together to worship God.” This is not because God withholds his blessing from us, but because we are not in a receptive condition. Our minds and hearts are so full of worldly cares that the precious truths of his Holy Word make but little impression upon us. We fail to sense our great need, and many times we leave the house of God in no better condition than when we entered. Evil angels are present at every service to rob us of the blessing which God has for us; and unless we are ready to receive it, we will go away empty.

Before going to the house of worship, we should pray that all evil be removed from our hearts, that we may come before the Lord “in the beauty of holiness.” As we take our places, would it not be well for us to bow our heads in a word of silent prayer? When the minister enters the pulpit and bows before the Lord, solemnity and awe should rest upon each one in divine presence. He is committing himself to God before he dares to stand before the people to break unto them the bread of life. Every worshiper should send up an earnest petition in his behalf.

Prayer is the most important part of divine worship. It should characterize every service. The minister may be earnest, well educated, and interesting, but without prayer, his message will fail to impress hearts. The worshipers may be intelligent, and sincere in their desire for truth, but without prayer, they will fail to comprehend the message of God; for “the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” 1 Cor. 2:11. Before the things of God can be understood, we must seek for the Spirit of God, who alone can give us wisdom to understand the things of God.

When prayer is being offered, we should remember that God, the Creator of the universe, is being addressed, and our hearts should join in each petition for divine blessing. Angels of God come very near at such times, and they are ready to help every soul who cries out after God. The Lord will richly bless all those who thus prepare themselves to hear the preaching of his Word. But sometimes we lose much of this blessing just before we leave the house of worship. While the benediction is being pronounced, instead of lifting our hearts to God in thanksgiving and praise, we often begin to put on our wraps or to gather up our books. This grieves the Holy Spirit from us, and thus we lose much of the blessing which we might have carried with us. Christ said, “Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.” Isa. 56:7.

Punctuality and Regularity

By FLORENCE WHALEY

FLORENCE WHALEY

IN a certain little church which has a membership of about one hundred, every member is in his place before the appointed hour for service. For five minutes before the service begins, only the low strains of the organ break the silence. This brief period is a time for meditation and heart preparation. At its close the minister stands, signals his audience to arise, and for a moment every head is bowed in silent prayer, after which God's servant offers an earnest petition of only a few short sentences.

Why should not this custom be established in more churches? The attitude of waiting before the Lord, creates a reverence that lingers throughout the meeting; and surely we desire to have our services characterized by the reverence which is due the One whom we have assembled to worship. Also we ought not to come to God's house late. Imagine that we have an appointment with an earthly king: would we consider it unimportant to meet that appointment promptly? On the contrary, every effort

would be made to be punctual. How much more binding should be our obligations to him whose throne is in the heavens, and whose dominion embraces the entire universe!

Looking at the matter of punctuality from a human standpoint, are we rightly regarding the privileges of our fellow worshipers when we arrive three, four, or five minutes after the meeting has begun? Could we not be there when the hymn is announced, and be ready to join with our hearts, if not with our voices, in the first note of praise to God? Our influence upon the children should incite punctuality. They are guided by what we do, as well as by what we say; and by our punctuality we can help them to form right habits.

Of equal importance with punctuality is regularity in attendance. Of course there are circumstances which might make it impossible to attend, but ordinarily we have no good excuse for absenting ourselves from the house of worship. Little indispositions or conditions of the weather that would not interfere with personal pleasures, surely ought not to hinder our performance of obligations to God. Religious duties should have first place in the Christian's heart. The apostle has admonished us not to forsake “the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is,” but to exhort one another; “and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” We are almost home; but before we gain our heavenly mansion, we are to pass through great tribulations. We shall be deprived of many of the blessings we now enjoy, and among them will be the privilege of meeting in the house of God for worship. Should we not prize more highly our present opportunities, and by our punctuality and regularity at church demonstrate our appreciation of these blessings? God takes account of our faithfulness, and no effort to render acceptable service unto him will be unrewarded.

Worship in Sacred Song

By MELVIN MUNSON

MELVIN MUNSON

The singing of Christian hymns is as truly the worship of God as is prayer or the reading of the Bible.

During the song service which was being held in a college chapel, a student was busily occupied working his problems in algebra. When asked by his seat mate to join in the worship of praise, he said, “Singing is not worship;” but when the Scripture reading began, he at once closed his books and listened attentively. This is the way many Christians look upon sacred singing, although many of the songs we sing are the psalms of David set to music. It does not seem right that these inspired psalms should lose their sacredness by being sung. And if we understood how the Lord by his Spirit has directed in the composition of many of our gospel hymns, we no doubt would sing them with greater reverence than we do. The following story is told of the circumstances that gave birth to How that popular song, “When the Roll Is Called up Yonder:” —

Mr. J. M. Black, the composer of both the words and music, was leading in a consecration meeting of a young people’s society. The members were responding to the roll call by repeating a text of scripture. One name was called to which there was no response, and the leader said, “What a sad thing it would be to be absent when our names are called from the Lamb’s book of life.” He looked for something suitable to sing on the subject. Failing to find anything, the thought occurred to him to write a song. Upon reaching home, the first stanza came to him in full. In fifteen minutes he had composed the other two stanzas. “Going to the piano,” he says, “I played the music just as it is found today in the hymn books, note for note, and I have never dared to change a single word or a note of the piece since.”

It is a singular fact that wicked men recognize Christian songs as an expression of worship; and, realizing their lost condition, they sometimes refuse to sing certain songs. A young sailor was summoned to his mother’s deathbed. “Willie,” said the mother, looking up at him with tearful eyes, “sing to me once more, ‘Safe in the Arms of Jesus.’” “Mother,” he replied, “I can’t sing that song. It would be a lie; I am not safe, and I can’t sing a lie.”

Is it possible that professed Christians ever sing a lie? From the careless attitude and indifferent manner which they often assume, it would seem that they often regard but lightly the songs that sinners dare not sing.

The singing of hymns has always graced Christian worship. No other form of service can be shared by the congregation more unitedly than the service of song. All the sacred books of the world’s many religions tell of a heaven beyond, but the Bible is the only book that describes the redeemed as playing on harps and singing the songs of Zion.

Those who look for Christ’s soon return hope to have the privilege of joining that select choir of one hundred and forty-four thousand sweet-voiced singers who will sing the new song. No choir upon earth ever renders its anthems without first practicing them; and just so truly must God’s people join in the sacred songs of the gospel here, if they hope to enjoy and share in the songs of heaven. The same reverence must enter into the singing of our earthly songs as will hallow the anthems of heaven.

Reverence in Deportment and Dress

By MAY WHEELER

MAY WHEELER

“To the humble, believing soul, the house of God on earth is the gate and door of heaven.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V. We should realize, when we come to the place of worship, that we are coming into the presence of God. It is here that he comes to meet with his people.

The sacredness attached to the services of the tabernacle and the temple, in olden times, should be an object lesson to us. God would have his people manifest the same reverence in his worship now as then. Yet what a lack of respect is seen today in many of our churches! They seem to be regarded by some as a place to meet friends, and to talk over the occurrences and the business of the past week. This is displeasing to God. “Common talking, whispering, and laughing should not be permitted in the house of God, either before or after the service.”

But Satan is ready by every means possible to divert the mind from the words of truth which are being spoken. By sleeping some may lose the very words that would have helped them the most; for “Satan and his angels are busy creating a paralyzed condition of the senses so that cautions, warnings, and reproofs shall not be heard.” Sometimes he causes young men and women to have so little reverence for the house and worship of God “that they keep up a continual communication with each other during the sermon. Could these see the angels of God looking upon them, and marking their doings, they would be filled with shame, and with abhorrence of themselves.”

Another means which Satan uses to draw attention from the worship of God, is display of dress. Some new style or attractive ornament will often take the mind from the sermon. While the dress should always be neat and clean, it should not be of a character to attract attention. The house of God is not the place for display. We may, however, be adorned with “the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

At the close of the service there should be no hurrying or loud talking; but each one should pass quietly from the church, keeping in mind the truths to which he has just listened. Surely, we who are looking for the soon coming of Christ desire to live up to all the light which has been given us, that when he comes we may not be found wanting in reverence for the sacred and holy things of God.

The Effects of External Conditions Upon Worship

By HENRY F. BROWN

HENRY F. BROWN

The Christian religion is a purifying power to body, mind, and spirit. Neatness and cleanliness are imperative at all times, but we “should have special care to appear before God upon the Sabbath in a manner which would show that we respect the Creator, who has sanctified and placed special honors upon that day. All should be cleanly in person, neat and orderly in dress, for they are to appear before a jealous God, who is offended at uncleanness and disorder, and who marks every token of disrespect.”

Those who are careless about their personal appearance are almost certain to be equally careless about small sins and imperfections of character. But when the soul has been purified of its defilement, the believer immediately sets about to cleanse the body. He is impressed that the temple of God must be made a fit dwelling for the Holy Spirit. Filthy habits are discarded, and the once careless in dress becomes clean, neat, and orderly in appearance.

The church, to properly represent the worship of God, must also be neat and clean. It may be an inexpensive and unassuming house, but it should be well cared for. It would be better to reduce expenses in other ways than to let the house of God go without a fresh coat of paint. The inside of the house, however, should receive even greater care, for those who assemble to worship cannot properly do so if the floor is so dirty that they cannot kneel before God without soiling their garments.

The decorum in the church depends largely upon the conditions found within. The janitor should be as conscientious about his duties as the minister is about his. Probably no other one person can do more to assist in making the worship of God what it should be than the one who has been chosen to care for his house. In addition to keeping the church clean and neat and orderly, he should also see that it is properly ventilated. When we remember that one person renders unfit for use a barrel of air at each breath, it is evident that there must be a constant supply of fresh air in order to keep the minds of the worshipers clear and perceptive. The earnest appeals of the minister to arouse God’s people and to warn sinners are in vain as long as the minds of the hearers are benumbed by the effects of impure air.

The Children Among Us

By JANETTE BIDWELL

JANETTE BIDWELL

IN many churches today children are seldom seen. The habits established in childhood have a strong tendency to remain unchanged throughout life, and we do not wish the youth to form the habit of remaining away from the services. It is not best for parents to leave the children at home, or with some neighbor, or on the streets, while they attend church, lest the children forget that it is the Sabbath. If the mother or some other member of the family remains at home with them, it deprives that one of the blessing which awaits the congregation of God’s people, an unnecessary deprivation under ordinary conditions. Children ought to go with their parents to the service, and sit with them. If permitted to sit in the rear of the church, they often get no good from what is being said, and sometimes disturb others who would like to give attention.

Children can be taught to be quiet and attentive in the house of God, and the parents’ example does much to emphasize their teaching. “Let parents in their words and deportment give to their children an example of what they desire them to be.” “Notice how you conduct yourselves in the house of God, and what efforts you are making by precept and example to cultivate reverence in your children.”

The going in and out during the service is often annoying. Rarely is it necessary for children who are old enough to leave the room without their parents, to do so; but there are times when it cannot be avoided, and then they should go on tiptoe, and as quickly and quietly as possible.

Many children are too young to understand what is being said. These little ones are usually very active; it is hard for them to remain quiet for a long time, and they should not be kept in meeting for hours at a time. But for a reasonable length of time they can be kept quiet. I have in mind two mothers whom I have observed. One has a boy about two years of age. If he attempts to turn and look behind him, he is roughly seized by the shoulder and jerked about. He hardly dares to move, and almost every week he is punished for some imagined misdemeanor. In a few years this child may not be willing to enter a church, and his memories are likely to be those of extreme aversion for the worship of God.

The other mother has a very restless little girl. This mother does not oblige her to remain constantly in the same position; she is free to move in her chair as long as she makes no sound. When she grows weary of looking about, her mother takes some small object from her hand bag; and when the child is tired of that, another is quietly produced, and the other is slipped back into its place. Several objects suffice to occupy the little one until she falls asleep. From week to week the articles are varied. Among them are a clothespin, a few large beads on a string, and a bright-colored post card. When the sermon is over this mother is not tired out, neither is the child fretful. She is perfectly contented, and she has disturbed no one. As she grows older she will have no unpleasant remembrances; and with her growing understanding, she will learn to listen to what is being said, as her older brother has done.

The Importance of Brevity

By C. H. LEWIS

C. H. LEWIS

PERHAPS reverence is an inborn faculty to some extent, but it is nevertheless improved in both old and young by agreeable and favorable conditions; and there is no other factor so important in the fostering of influences favorable to reverence as that of the attitude of those assuming the greater part of the responsibility in conducting religious services. Inattention of the people is sometimes due in part to a lack of preparation on the part of the speaker, and this lack is not always seen in the barrenness of expression and in the want of words, but more often in the fullness of words. A thorough preparation will lead to the exclusion of many unimportant thoughts, words, and phrases, and hence shorten the discourse.

Ex-President Eliot of Harvard University once said, “If you wish me to speak for one hour, give me one day to prepare; if I am to speak for half an hour, give me one week’s notice, and if you would have me talk for fifteen minutes, I want at least one month for preparation.” If Dr. Eliot’s opinion be true that the amount of time necessary to prepare a speech or sermon is in inverse ratio to the time for its delivery, we fear for the audience next addressed by the well-known man who says he has “had no time to prepare.”

Of all forms of public utterance, surely the sermons from our pulpits deserve the most careful attention in the matter of preparation and delivery. The message of the Lord as given through his appointed ambassadors ought not to be marred by a single word thoughtlessly spoken. Anciently the Lord spoke face to face with his people; and the records of his conversations with Adam, Moses, Elijah, and others of his servants, are models of brevity—direct, simple, and forceful. The spoken words of Christ while on this earth are few, well chosen, and pregnant with meaning. The Bible is the most concise and comprehensive work in the realm of literature. Its lessons are driven home to the reader in a pointed and never-to-be-forgotten way, and have appealed to the hearts of men from the very beginning. The most spiritual lessons which it contains are stated within the bounds of a few verses.

Taking into consideration these enduring epigrams of inspiration, we cannot conceive of God’s truth being presented in a more effective way. “A word spoken in due season, how good is it!” Prov. 15:23. But “I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Matt. 12:36.

To a Friend in Affliction

By BLANCHE DAVIS

BLANCHE DAVIS

God has not promised all the way Without a cloud or grief, A garden that shall always bloom, And ne’er a withered leaf; A melody of joy and bliss, A gentle, sweet refrain; A harmony that’s always true, And ne’er a minor strain.

God has not promised morning skies Shall flood the world with light, Where happy birds shall ever sing, And never gloom of night; For many days have come with song, While love enthroned the years; Yet in the shadow God is near To bless us in our tears.

A little while the skies are dark, A little while the gloom; And then again, when it is best, The flowers once more shall bloom.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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