VOL. 14, NO. 1-12
OCT. 1 898 - SEPT. 1899
1
‘‘Other foundation can no man l ay than that is [aid, which is Christ ” .
Vol. XIV. No. 1.
Satisfied.
IlV MISS I.. I'. HOl’KNK.
I tin
rti wuuik-rini VVOI'Itl ln-lttUl
solitary aiul \\ ii hout u mil tin1 morning slurs
il lias I ■ t-wr siiu'i' tin ' lirr Ii ir ji ij
The < » ] >t* n i 11 jj, (lower in stonily nook I plifts its head with ea^er look.
And day by day its clip anew Craves thirstily the morning dew, That nourishes all earth beside ;
Tis never fully satisfied.
No more am I,
When heavenly dews upon my heart Distilling soon in air depart.
And leave me dry 1
II Kit.
l'he sea, with heaven reflecting face. For ever clasps in its embrace The brooklet and broad river's flow, As from the mountain side they grow. Its wealth of waters is its pride, lint never is it satisfied.
No more am I ,
When heavenly dews upon my heart Distilling, soon in air depart,
And leave me dry '
The lowly shrub and forest tree —
The sturdier they grow — we see,
Crave more and more of dew and air, bife-giving showers and sunlight fair, ■Receiving with their arms spread wide , but never are they satisfied.
No more am I,
When heavenly dews upon my heart Distilling, soon in air depart,
Auct leave, me uiy i> i
Oil, soul of mortal — “ 1 Vhy dost ask ?
hook up ' Heaven’s giving is no task.
As light, and dew, and air are free,
So every grace is tendered thee.
'T is only and God’s sweet will
Thy yearning soul with peace shall dll. And “by and by” —
When heavenward sets life’s flowing tide- Tliere, there shalt thou be satisfied For aye ' for ave '
The Child and Nature.
lh\ foseph S. Taylor , principal Public School 19, New York City.
When I was a boy 1 attended country school.
I :ere was n ) nature study then. It was an open i.icstion with parents whether even geography and -dory had not been invented to waste the time ot ‘■he children. After 1 began to teach in country schools, 1 found parents who refused absolutely to show their children to study geography. If you ■id attempted to introduce the study of nature in '’te sense in which we now understand that term, Were certainly would have been a riot.
but those children were not ignorant of nature.
* 1 the contrary, they knew more about it than any < 'y child now knows with all his “ologies.” They i'.cyed in the woods. They built houses with 'tones and carpeted them with mosses. They knew ■il the animals on the farm, domestic and wild ; soew their habits and haunts. It was not neces- ■sty to make a formal study of that which occu- , ed all their waking moments out of school.
but conditions have changed. More than half • ;e population of our country live in cities now. '1 he environment of nature has disappeared and
* be artificial surroundings of the city have been substituted. Generally speaking, it is the function
nature study to repair the deficiencies of urban
Quakertown, Pa., October, 1898.
life by bringing the child in contact, so far as may ' he, with natural phenomena. This can be done in two ways; either by taking the chbd out into ’ nature, or by bringing nature into the school room.
The educational world has been divided, in modern times, into two camps, — the realists and the humanists, 'l’he realists champion science- Modern civilization, they say, is the restilt chiefly of the natural sciences. The application of steam and electricity to the arts and commerce of life, ’ have transformed the world, and consequently the only way for a child to understand the kind of world he is in, is to study science.
The humanist thinks literature' and history are of the greatest importance. The only way to know civilization and to become ethical is to know man as he has been at his best in Greece and Rome and Palestine. Science is gross, practical, materialistic; and fhe only liberal education is humanism.
It is taken for granted here that' both these views are extreme and partial ; and that nature study in the schools is not to be 'justified on the grounds of utility, in the vulgar sense, 'nor to be despised as having no ethical content. It can be shown that nature love is the soil out of which have sprung an scteftc?, «Jf HSlfe Ml) r religion. Nature, in other words, is a psychology ’ cal need of the child, and is to be justified on that ground'. We may not oppose nature study an'd art, ' or nature study and literature, as if these were antagonistic and could not exist side by side. But we are to look upon art and literature, as well as upon science and religion, as having their roots * deep down in the love of nature. A hen therefore we nourish nature love in the child we are nourish- ing the roots of science, art, literature, ami re- ligion.
For obvious reasons 1 shall here pass over the relation of nature love to science, art, and litera- ture, and pass at once to a consideration of religion as related to nature.
Anthropology shows us that the deities of man- kind are personifications of the powers and phen- omena of nature. To ihe primitive man, as to the child, all nature seems alive. He has the ani- mistic conception of the universe. Ihe sky, clouds, thunder, sun. moon, ocean, earthquake, whirldwind, are animate beings. Streams flow on,
■ not through the action of the law of gravity, but because the river god wills that they shall flow. Kvery form of polytheism has sprung from nature warship. Even the conception of our own God, Jawoeh of the Jews, can be traced directly to the ancient storm god on the Sinaitic peninsula. It is not a mere accident that Elijah, when he Wanted to see God face to face, went to Sinai, and there recognized Jehovah, not in the thunder nor in the earthquake but in the still small voice.
When men object to science because it is raa- terialistte>4hey are thinking of adult scientists and their theories. The study of nature by the child is anything but materialistic. He, too, like the primitive man, regards nature as alive. You have M V fy**r- * •
Whole No. 1.57.
hearif children talk* TO the moon and the stars. My little boy was 5ft$e desperately afraid of Jack Frost, whom he regarded ak a real person. Even as nieri at first ddnnected natural phenomena with supernatural power, so the normal way to direct a child’s thought and ehiotion fdward God is through the study arid love bf 'nature This is thevery es-.. sen eof'iue kindergarten teaching. The stories and the songs conrtetft nature and God as naturally as <ve do father arid child. 1
It is a good thing to know thoroughly any living . tiling.'1 The shepherd knows his sheep, not by dis- section, but by daily intercourse with the living
animals,— khows their habits, modes of. life, dan- gers, and the means for their protectiqi>k, 'This relation of the living, intelligent, protecting shep- herd to His dependent flock has filled all literature with images of moral' beauty and has served as a perpetual illustration of God’s providence to man.
“The Lord is "my 'shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in q*reen pastures; He lekdeth me beside the still w'aters; He restoreth my'lotil ; He leadeth me in ^.the paths of righteous; . ness, for His name’s sake. Yea, though 1 walk through the valley of The shadow
Thy staff they comfort me.”
This wi§ written by a poet ; but what made him a poet ? ’ Was it’ not the contemplation of nature and the God of nature? On the hills of Judea, this shepherd poet, gazing into the starry firma- ment, watching his flocks, roaming amid the green valleys and cooling streams, filled his soul with poetic images and feelings. Without this contact with living nature the psalms 6f David' would never have been possible. Take nature out of the Gospel and what is left ? You would lose nearly all the parables, for a parable is a short allegory designed to teach rtligious truth through natural agencies Christ was a lover of natuVe. If he wanted rest, he escaped from the press of the multi- tude into a mountain, where he prayed in solitude. He roamed Over the beautiful hills of Galilee, and in order to show the ’people what' the kiflgdom of heaven is HUH, he kpOke of the Sower, the tares, the fig tree, -the ‘rtfustard seed, the pearl, the lost sheep, the lilies of the field.
The reverent study pf nature^ therefore, is a ‘rhetHoTof ^stimulating the religious feelings of the child. We must saturate the thoughts of children with the idea that the works of nature are the works of God. God created the heavens and the earth, arid behold, everything was good. I am an optimist.
I thoroughly believe in the beneficent organization of the universe. Though the course of nature does involve peril, and pain and fear, and death, yet somehow all things work together for good to them that love God. ’Penetrated with this faith, the child will no longer regard the humble creatures of field and forest and stream as his enemies. Biolo- gy shows him as religion teaches, that the majority
of animals and insects Whom he has been dispis-
1 ...
( Continued on page 4.)
4
2
THE MENNONITE
Octotx
JSr (to
Sc itttct -
By Obsbbvbiil
When we. copwdflho yealj*}varnaa — df (Sor- ing the pmenl centner id; tttenalm of tffs Mtml •dance*, and notl' hoiT greatly scientists have con Abated to human knowledge, we cannot bat feel reepect for men who have added so much to the teaming of mankind. And yet in cornparieon with what ia atill to learn, acientiata know but *fMU > A . lifetime spent in the study of a single one of the natural adcncea would be far too short to enable a person to master the subject or indeed to know more than an extremely small percentage of the facta that belong to any one of the various branch- es into which the different sciences arc divided.
The following, by H. L. Hastings, of Boston, in “Atheism and Arithmetic,” well illustrates the fact that the realm of scientific knowledge ia too great for men ever to solve all its mysteries :
“Dr. Robinson, Astronomer Royal of Armagh College, Ireland, related in a lecture, that when a student in Trinity College, Dublin, he and a fellow student, a lover of nature, cut a foot square of sward from the College Park and agreed to study and examine it together. To their amaxement, it took no leas than six weeks to separate its various contents, vegetable, animal and mineral ; Sfcdrfrom . the press of other pursuits they were obliged to abandon the undertaking, leaving unsettled a mul- titude of questions which arose from the examina- tion of those materials and their history and rela- tion to each other. Those men were investigators. But many who know nothing whatever of auch sub jects are ready to give credence to the wild guess work of some scientific prophet, whose *a«rrt:cmi broaden in proportion to the nuTownew of hn field of view. * * * * lr ail departments
of scientific investigation, men are confronted by thousand mysteries which mortal life if too brief to solve, ana wnicn necv Aiiit the researches of the countless ages of eternity to lead us to ex- claim, ‘Oh the depths, both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God ! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding outw' - c <A
The Stundixt*.
Of this interesting and sorely prosecuted body of Protestants in Southern Russia, now nearly 300,- 000 strong, Rev. George D. Matthews, D. D., gives some very interesting facts gathered by him on a recent tour of inspection which he made at the request of the Presbyterian Council in Glas- gow, Scotland. Dr. Matthews says :
“The word, ‘Stundiat! aoias* from the German, Stand e, i. houi>— ‘Am hour,' or ‘Ttler Hour: erf
Frames.’ Such an ewnras* war frequently observed by the pious German settlers in Southern Russia, among whom the Bonnekempers, father and son, labored so earnestly and so long. As Protestant mission work among the people of Russia is fpc- bidden by their government, neither ffiif Bonne- kempers nor the settlers sought, except indirectly, to deal with the people around them in respect of New Testament light or life. Spiritual influences cannot, however, be kept in check by the reserve of men, and gospel truth did reach and gladden the hearts of some of the peasants laboring on the farms of the settlers. These soon gave the New Testament teachings, respecting salvation by the grace of God, to their neighboring Russian coun- trymen, and were thus the means of bringing about a. great spiritual awakening, of which the inevitable results was a breaking away from the services and customs of the dead Russian Church. Stundism was thus in its origin sad essence a movement on behalf of spiritual life, gospel truth and simplicity
of worship, as against spiritual death end formal superstitious observance*. At first the Greek priests troubled themselves bat little on the subject, but sbsat 1 88s, when they found their incomes dimin- ish end their adherents disappear, as the inhabitants of village after village absented themselves en mame from the Greek services, disowning the cikoos, end disregarding the holidays, substituting for these the devotional exercises of the ‘Stunde,’ then they forced .the jGovernpenl to engage, in. its persecu- tions of the following twelve years. No accusations " were brought against the Stundists effecting their general conduct or their loyalty to the Cxar. They had aimply refused to attend the Greek church, of which the Cxar is chief, and such conduct was held by their persecutor* to be constructively high treason. Fines, imprisonment, scourging*, out- rages of the vilest kind on men and women, ban- ishment to remote localities under conditions of indescribable cruelties, leading not (infrequently to death, were therefore the agencies employed by the Russian authorities to lead the Stundists back to their connection with the Greek church. Their efforts were almost wholly futile, and the authori- ties found themselves confronted with the problem : How to crush and extinguish by force a conscience that has become spiritually awakened ; a problem
ting, if not planning, mch atrocities. Aamredly, in her teutte wiD be found much of the blood <rf the aainte, end God will on* day rwjniif N at hue hands”
Nine Hundred and Seventy-Four,
i tUrj of a tiooton iooqoot.
ST LOUIS* X. HOPE.
. - ‘ VSamethijag white. t and something - bright, and something sweet,’ Nellie, that is our rule. You for- got it thie time, didn’t you f" From a number of oth ere Mrs. Ellis had selected a bouquet which she held up aa she spoke.
Nellie Conly smiled. “No," said she, “I did not forget It tu so perfect without the bit of bright- ness that I had not the heart to add any red or pink. However, it was but a fancy ; shall I re- arrange it?”
“No,” with a dubious glance at the clock, “it will not do to be over particular when we are so hurried. I wish more of the ladies had come in to help u». I am beginning to fear we shall not have the thou- sand bouquets ready. You see, it is eleven now, and only three hundred made up.”
“Oh, we shall be in time,” responded another lady. “It is always this way. There are too few of
for-
which had baflied- Russian officials on many *.,pijrT;.... uv we have to. huiTy,.>nd. think we shall not get
through but when the hour comes we are always ready.”
It was Flower Mission Day. At the Woman's Christian Temperance Union rooms the half doren workers were almost smothered in sweetness. Since early morning flowers had been arriving in baskets, in boxes, by armfuls. Huge bunches of roses, sheaves of mock orange, piles of honeysuckle, lay on table, chairs and floor. Daisies, clover blossoms and ferns were in evidence. F.very seasonable flower of field or garden was present in profusion.
Amid Uiis sbundWrtce of beauty the ladies were* swiftly arranging bouquets after the one idea — “something white, something bright, and something sweet” This for years had been the thought, the prayer sent with the flowers: that something of
ious occasion, and which is destined to do so ever.
“The persecutions of the Russian Government, and the spiritual triumphs of the Stundists during this period are far leu known to our church his- torians than are the days of Nero or of Diocletian, yet it would not be unworthy of the most eminent of our Christian scholars to make enquiries respect- ing them, and to publish to the world the story of that ‘killing time' of the Russian asints of God.
“If a line be drawn from Warsaw down to ths r* ••plut. the Stundist* will Dcfowi.it, .uughly speak- ing, west of that line. An immense number of Stundists having, however, been banished into the region of the Caucasus, they are also found in the southern portion* of that country along the borders
ofdPeriia and Turkey. "This territory includes/' wigH-fap*!?* to A* -Wl!8. of the convicts
large number of the penal settlements of the ‘first’ and ‘second’ grade, while those of the ‘third’ grade will be found north and east of a line drawn from the Caspian to northern Siberia.
“As I was in the land of police supervision, 1 was able on only one occasion, and then at mid- night, to visit one of these ‘first grade’ settlements, and was then horrified by what went on before my eyes. Men with their families had been placed on patches of ground without food, or huts, or tools, or ruancy- Under. BQJicc. supervision they were re- quired to support tlte*i»»«ilr«*t y** fothriklen tp arose- thw boundaries of - their prison house, even in-search of work ; so that, though not a blow had been struck, nor a lash been used, the result was ever the same — starvation, sickness, death. And yet, banishment for their first original offense to a ‘first grade' penal settlement, where the community is under the supervision of Russian police, is a mer- ciful punishment compared to what may follow. Religious meetings, of course, are strictly forbid- den ; but if the prisoners are discovered in holding such, or if they pass over their prison limits, they are deported to a ‘second grade’ settlement. Here the climate and the conditions of life are immeas- urably harsher, while the supervision of disciplined Russian officials is supplemented by that of savage Moslem Tartars, to whose control the Stundists and their families are practically given over. Over the sufferings and heart agonies of a Stundiat father
for whom these flowers were destined ; that some thing of brightness might shine athwart their dreary dayi ; that something of the sweetness of human sympathy and of the Father’s love might steal into their unloving hearts.
It was three o’clock. At the rooms swift hands moved more hurriedly, busy tongues were some what silenced, the confused piles of brightness had been reduced to orderly array. A few moments and all would be ready to go down to the prison.
In that forbidding building, the men were being marshalled . to receive the ftowcra. To look down, the long; line* wee- pitiful, A thousand* roarr- who had broken laws were there. Some were old, hare and there a white head gleaming ; more were in middle life, but most were young, young men with life before them. Sons who should have been a joy and blessing to their parents were in the soul crushing shadow of those stem walls, the shadow that, alas ! would ever fall upon them and upon all who loved them.
Along came the bearers of the baskets contain - ing the “something white, something bright, and something sweet” that was possible to lift somewhat the terrible shadow. Many of the men, accustomed to these yearly visits, looked with pleasure for this break in the monotony ; some were grateful, speak- ing the permitted word of thanks ; others receiving the gift stolidly or even sullenly. None, however, refused the kindly offer until they came to “Nine
and mother under such circumstances one can only 'hundred and seventy- four.”
draw a veil, and stand ailent at the spectacle ofr a ‘‘I don’t want any of your flowers,” he growled,
so-called Christian nation — 'Holy Russia’— sperosH- "Well, young roan, you are not obliged to take
THE MENNONITE
m ■. responded Mrs. KUi% "but wont 7<*»
* of S cards? They each contain a Bible ^ were given us by one of the churches „I don’t want anything to do with any of the
churches,” said h« vindictively.
I coking at him, Mrs. Ellis saw a pair of wrathful blue eyes, a square, resolute chin which showed no evidence of the weakness so evident in many of the faces around him, a hard, defiant expression that
An nulled her. ^
■ •My poor boy,” she said, suddenly, layiny her
hand on his arm.
He shook it off, but as his eyes rested on her basket of flowers, she saw a start of surprise and then an almost wistful look pass over his face.
-Have one, after all,” she said, selecting a choice bouquet, an arrangement of white and red. But his eyes strayed past it to one that still lay in the
basket-
■ If you would give me that, madam, pointing,
“the one with the white rose.”
Jt t)ecame his, and as Mrs. Ellis passed on, the deeper said, “He is a hardened character, no one can get near him, chaplain or any one. He has been here nearly a year, and when he goes out next week he will go straight to destruction.”
Mrs. Ellis sighed, and wearied out though she was. offered that night a pleading leading prayer in behalf of the son who longed for his mother s rose.
Left with the flower he coveted, Nine hundred an l seventy four strove to appear as defiant as be- fore. but the hand that held the roses trembled. It was but a simple cluster, a fringe of fern, a spray or ,wo of honeysuckle, and in the centre a wide open • hue rose, with two half blown buds and abunfl- ..1 . e of its own dark green, glossy foliage— the , . net Nellie Conly -had arranged.
As, in his cell, Nine hundred and seventy-four ^aml upon the flowers, his face lost its hardness,
. s eyes grew /dim with wistful longing. A hundred 'rvr1t>s and-thor^ away TiS' saw -the Wood's and or- r hards, the brilliant sunlit meadows that clustered round his early home; over his head curved the soft - skv ; fanning his cheek was the warm south , ,on with just .1 spice of saltiness; he seemed .i-e more the white, level stretching ioaA5 . _H'oti either si-G by banks red with Uu w:'rl straw! terry. More 1
■ brown house, wifl A. >v . ■ .
. . along it, the ii.it t. .ph) lla or.
1; was his mother’s favorite rose, “i! oniy 1 iu*d t uiicrophylla rose !” she used to pause long enough - her over worked life to say.
When but a lad, he had saved his pennies, that • re few enough, to buy the rose bush. It was a .1 1 moment when he brought it home and under r lirection carefully set it out on the southern side : the piazza. “I shall always think of my boy en 1 smell one of these roses,” she had said.
■ • ;..r by year the rosebush grew. It clambered to e top of the pillar, than it crept along the entire i: >nt, and around the corner the other way, till w.;h its dark, glossy leaves, its creamy blossoms, it became the pride of the family, the wonder of the neighborhood.
The boy, also, grew, but grew in the wrong direc- tion. Instead of clinging to the home, and beautify- ing it like the rose, he grew estranged and away. First, it was the love of having “a good time” and a questionable way of obtaining it ; then, disobedi- ence, wild company, one step after another down- ward.
It was fifteen years since he had planted the rose, and for five of those years he had not seen home or mother. _
Two week* later, on the piazxa of a little country home, the mother was bu*Uy engaged 'training the rose-bush. Carefully, with loving hand*, she gohE
od the young shoots, picking now and then a dead leaf or withered rose, every little while pausing to inhale the spicy fragrance of the great greenish- white flowers that hung thickly about her.
“Poor Joe,” she thought, “he loved this rose, and he loved me. Some day he will come back to us.
I know he must be living, and shall not be surpris- ed to see him any day. He might be coming now, glancing up the road, where a foot passenger, half a mile away, appeared.
■*- ' Nearer and^rteSrer* he-caroe.^ It could not be., Joe, and yet — She knew him now ; the must not give up to this awful feeling of suffocation, nor even weep, it would make it so hard for her boy who had come home to her. So aa he came in the yard and by the holly tree, she stood, with pulses stilled and hands clasped tightly. Straight to his mother he came, and with the kiss and warm em- brace there were no words
That evening, close by her side, with the micro- phylla roses shining whitetly about them, he told her the story of his misdeeds, a story sad because of its sinning.
“I hated the woman who brought the flowers, ’ he said “I wished they would keep themselves and their pity away. I didn’t want to be any better, nor to be preached at. lhen came the rose with its message from you, and I could hold out no longer. For the first in all these years, I wanted to go home and begin over again. But when I thought of the temptations that lay in wait, of the saloon across the street that would entice me the minute I was free, I was in despair. I knew If I escaped one pitfall there would be endless others. It seem- ed impossible for me to get back to you. Just then, I saw upon a card that was tied to the flowers: ‘My grace is sufficient for thee.’ I hat and the rose, dear mother, brought me to you. The rose was your loving voice, calling to me over all those miles of separation, and the text, I like to think, was t Vftjce of God, telling pfc strength not - m ^ ojvp that would carry me beyond th e temptation to you and to him.” — American Messenger
Th< Christie Authority.
V' ,, - u u.t- •' !•> find in religion some
... 1 , 1 , ornc to us a source of as-
K .ority in the confidence of
, Air daily lives. Where shall we find
alKi, an authority? Some say, in the Bible ; others, in the church. But these authorities are still ques- tioned. Back we go, behind the Bible and the Church, to the Lord Jesus Christ. There we find the supreme spiritual Master, who shall teach us in religion as the scientific masters teach us in science, yes, and with far higher authority, far greater wis- dom.
Think of it. Consider Him at the least and low- est. Here is One who lived almost nineteen hun- dred years ago, in an obscure Syrian province, since whose time the world has gone on passing through revolution after revolution, dismissing its old teach- ers and inviting new ones over and over again, dis- carding discredited philosophies, abandoning dis proved conclusions, discharging its old guides, de- throning its former kings; and yet no word of this Master has ever been found to be mistaken; but, on the contrary, the men who to-day are thinking the deepest and the longest thoughts, and looking ahead with clearest vision into the coming century, de- clare that the only solution of our immediate and impending problem* lies in the acceptance and the use of his teaching*.
There Is no scientific or philosophical authority to compare- with thia. Above . ail other teacher* <rf
the racramwfr thie fupnme eginto^
we not take-htrW&rcT? T* it not a reasonable act,
worthy of a reasonable max ? We ale perplexed and distressed over some hard problem hi religion; and w# get no answer to our questions ; we are ready to give up our faith. But the trouble is that we are attempting to attain truth along a phth which we are not strong enough t6 climb; the other is the way for us — the way of authority, the way of the words of Jesus Christ May we not Uke it and be satisfied. May we not put aside all our tangled and inconclusive disputations and say, “I do not , un4*c*tand, but He said thus and thus about it, and I am content with that ; I accept it and am sure of it on his blessed and satisfying authority?"
And this is true when we consider Jesus only at the least and loweit. Think of Him then, at the most and best— God manifest in man, God with us, the Eternal speaking to ui, that ho may dispel our doubts and tell ui what we want to know. Put it away; put the weary sum away and take this
answer.
Thus at last we come to Him with the Apostles, taking His hand, and saying their words after them: “Lord, to whom shall we go ? Thou hast the words of eternal life." In Him we find the ground of Christian certainty and belief in Heaven. George Hodges.
*
The Real Winner.
BV J. K. NUTTER.
A little story poem tells of an eager throng of youth setting out in a race. One among them ex- celled all others in courage, strength, arid grace. The way was long and hard, and the goal far away, but still this favorite held his place in the lead :
"But, ah! what folly? see, he stops To raise a (alien child,
To place It out of danger’s way,
With kiss and warning mild!
A fainting comrade claims his care once more he turn” aside:
Then stays hi” strong ? wing steps to be A leeldo woman'” guide.
And so, wherever duly calls, ^ 5.
Or sorrow or distress.
Su, A last, when the race is over and'the vic|B| crowned— some with fame’s laurels, soirie ' igifo love’s flowers, some with golden circlets on tffetr brows — all unknown, unheeded, with empty hands and uncrowned head, stands this, the real winner of the race. Earth has no erown for him, but on his face shines heaven’s serene and holy light.
This tells the story of thousands of earth’s failures. Those who might have won the highest honors among men, turn aside from their ambitions to do God’s work in the world. 'Ihey stop to bless others, to comfort sorrows, to cheer loneliness, to lift up the fallen ones, to help the weak. In thi race with the world’s men they lose, but in God, s sight they are the real winners. Angels applaud them and Christ will reward and crown them.
The world has honor enough for those who suc- ceed. There are plenty of books about men and women who become famous. I here is glory for those who began among the ranks of the poor and climbed upward to the highest places. 1 here are poets enough to sing the story of those who win in the battle. But the Bible wreathes its laurel chap- lets for the unsuccessful. It sings the song of those who fail. Its hand of help is under the falleH. Its brightest crowns are for those whom earth passes by. When the end comes and life’s revelations are all made, then it will appear that many who in this world have been thrust aside or trampled down in the dust, or even burned at the stake, or nailed on crosses, have been exalted to highest honor in the life beyond earth.
We had better, therefore, learn to measure life by true standards. No one has really failed who has lived for God, who haa lived aocording to fipd’s law, who has wrought on the temple of truth in tho cause of righteousness.
4
October
THE MENNONITE
Che flbennonite.
‘ ' ’ ' ’ ..,7. > • i
A religious monthly journal, devoted to the Interest of the. WenBonlte Church, and the'cfJuBe of ChHst at' large, published1 by the Eastern Mennonlte Conferenoe. >
A. B. SHKI. S. M. ROSE A. 8. SHKI.
EI.I.Y, . )
IF.KKKRGER; V SI.I.Y. )
PnhHmtinn
Committee.
six
Terms o/ Subscription : One copy one year, 50 cents ; months 25 cents.
Money may he sent by bant checks, or Postal Money Orders made payable at the Quajcertown jiostofllqe. -
All business communf cations, subscriptions, and articles foi Mission Department to be sent to A. 1!. Shelly, Milford Square Bucks county, I’a. * '
.Send articles for Sunday School and Young People’s Depart ment to S. M. Hoses merger, Quakertown, Bucks county, Pa.
All other articles lor publication, Church News, Notices, etc lire to be sent to A: S. SiiKlii.Y, Bally, Berks county, I’a.
XT •
QUAKER 1'OWN,: l’A., OCTOBER 1898.
. The annual Stftte C. J£. Convention of Pennsyl- vania will b.t held in Harrisburg, October 4-6. No doubt many of our societies will be represented in this gathering.
Bro. Christian ImhofT has been called to the min- istry in the •congregation at Washington, 111. He was ordained by Elder Michael Kinsinger, assisted by Bro. Geo. Lambert, of Indiana.
The fifth German institute held by the teachers of the schools in our congregations in Kansas, was held at Hillsboro in August, beginning on the 8th. Twenty eight teachers attended the institute.
c*
The school in Gretna, Manitoba, of which Bro. H. H. Evert is principal, and which heretofore bore the name of “Gretna Normal School,” has recently been incorporated under the name “Men-
nomte Educational Institute.”
The corner stone of a new Schwenkfelder church was recently laid in Philadelphia. Quite a number of members of Schwenkfelder church are living in the city and have been carrying on a mission Sun- day school there for some time. When the new building will be completed the work will no doubt be extended.
The brethren at Germantown have mended tem- porarily the break in their organization caused by the death of Bro. Daniel K. Kassel, by electing Bro. Joseph B. Bechtel of the Philadelphia congre- gation as acting deacon. They have also called Bro. Silas M. Grubb as their regular pastor. The prospect for the future of the work there is bright- ening. The membership is on the increase again.
The prominent Philadelphia brewer who recently ended his life by deliberately jumping into the Niagara above the falls, was a man of the world from first to last. A sketch of his life which ap- peared in the papers enumerated nineteen different worldly organizations, beginning with the Masonic, Odd Bellows and other secret lodges, as only a partial list of the societies to which he belonged. But with the church of Jesus Christ he seems to have had nothing to do. If this is correct, he was at least consistent, in that he did not ptofess to serve God and Mammon as so many nominal church members, and even professed ministers of the Gospel do. He allied himself with' the powers of darkness and both in his 'life and his death teal tzed that there can be no communion of that ele- ment with light, that Christ has no concord wfth
The officers of the General Conference have fixed on the date for the next meeting which will be held in October 1899, in the Hereford church at Bally, Pa. Thursday, the 12th of October, is the day fixed upon for the Conference to begin. The decision has been made thus early so that the district conferences at their fall meetings this fall can appoint the time for their next year’s meetings accordingly.
Ground has been broken for the erection of a mission chapel on N. Seventh street, Philadelphia, ’t'he enterprise is being pushed by the members of the First Mennonite congregation of that city who have been conducting a mission ifi that part of the city for several years. O. W. Shelly, architect and builder, has the contract, amJJne building which is to be of brick, will b<^ -'a commodious structure, conveniently arranged for the intended use.
Bro. Harvey G. Allebach, who has recently re- turned from Oklahoma to his old home, is now serving the congregations at Boyertown and Potts- town as their regular pastor. He expects to be- come resident in one of these places, probably the former. Mrs. Allebach, who evidently possesses many good qualities for a pastor’s wife, is a daugh- ter of our deceased brother Benj Eicher, of Noble, Iowa. May the Lord richly bless them in their labors and the congregations with them.
The local Sunday school convention held in the Germantown church, as announced in last issue, on Monday and Tuesday evenings, Sept. 19th and 20th, was well attended by the workers of the three schools represented. The exercises were of an in- teresting and practical nature, and the meetings have no doubt been the means of stimulating in- terest in the good work and drawing the workers together into closer fellowship. It was decided to have more conventions of a similar nature to fol- low. Preaching services were continued during the rest of the week, followed by a communion service on Sunday the 25th.
The Mennonite Year Book and Almanac for 1899 will be ready sometime during this month (October.) The contents will again be of special interest to all members of the church and those interested in our church history. It will again con- tain a number of shoit sketches of congregations and pictures of church buildings. From cover to cover it will be replete with useful information and matters of interest. It is not too early to send your orders now. The price is the same as last year, viz: 10 cents for single copies; $1.00 per doz.; $6.00 per hundred. Send your orders to A. B. Shelly, Milford Square, Bucks Co., Pa.
Conference Notice.— The tall meeting of the Eastern District Conference will be held in the First Mennonite church, Philadelphia, beginning its business sessions on Tuesday, October 4, at 9.30 a. m. The conference service will be held on Monday evening and will be led by W. S. Gott- shall, H. G. Allebach and A. S. Shelly. All the congregations belonging to conference are especially urged to be fully represented at this meeting. Among the important measures coming lip for consideration is the report of the committee
tn ligni, mai nas uu v-uuwici ™ — ---- - ; ... r . , . •
Belial. Oh, be not deceived, God is not modc6d^oi^hur'cb regulations JttRplenienfafy to the cofisti whatsoever a man soweth that shall be also reap. tution adopted in May.
‘ t ii . . a j> . .
The Child and Nature.— Continued.
ing and persecuting are his best friends. Who now has any respect for the toad, “ugly and ven- omous,” as Shakespeare calls her ? Ugly she may be, venomous she certainly is not; and in the course of her life history she eats many thousands of insects which, if allowed to live, would defoliate our trees. All the domestic birds,: which are only so many targets for a boy’s gun, are the farmer’s best friend, because they eat the insects that would otherwise eat his crops.
You know very well that we see in this world what we look for. The eye is essentially the same in all men ; but the eye does not see ; it is only the optical instrument of the soul behind it. The soul sees what the soul is. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
“Do uot look for wrong and evil,
You will find them if you do ;
As you measure to your neighbor,
He will measure baek to you.
Look for goodness, look for gladness,
You will find them all the while ;
If you bring a smiling visage To the glass, you meet a smile.”
Do you wish to see a smile? Smile yourself and look into the glass. Do you wish to see nature smile ? Smile yourself and look at her. Would you see God in nature? Have God in your soul, and you will see God in every flower, and tree, and shrub. If you come home at night, foot sore and weary, and find a table spread with a bountiful meal, find warmth and comfort at every hand, you know that one who loves you has provided all things for you. So let us look upon nature as the expression of God's love for his children. Thus shall we be humble, sympathetic, kind to all living creatures; kill reluctantly and only in self-defence; foster and care for things that are beneficient ; and at least let live the creatures that are indifferent.
If I find time I shall at a future time, point out some practical consequences of these principals in our training of children in church and home.
True Use of Money.
When the founder of Methodism was one day preaching his great sermon on the use and abuse of money, an old farmer, who had come a long distance to hear him, became greatly wrought up. He was a man who cared little about religion ; yet, on the other hand, he was not what we call a “bad” man. His attention was soon excited and riveted. The preacher said he would take up three topics of thought ; he was talking chiefly about money.
His first head was, “Get all you can.” The farmer nudged his neighbor and said : ‘This is strange preaching. I never heard the like before ; this is very good. That man has got something in. him ; it is admirable preaching.”
Wesley discoursed on industry, activity, living to a purpose, and reached his second division, “Save all you can.” The farmer became quite excited. “Was there ever anything like this ?” he said.
The preacher denounced thriftlessness and waste ; he satirized the wilful wickedness which reveled in luxury, and the farmer rubbed his hands as he thought, “All this have I been taught from my youth up.” And what with getting and hoarding, it seemed to him that “salvation” had come to his house. But Wesley advanced to his third head which was, “Give all you can.” “Oh, dear 1 oh, dear !” said the farmer, “he has gone and spoiled it all.” — The Kingdom.
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The constant duty of every man to his fellow is to ascertain his own powers and special gifts; and to strengthen them for the help- of others. 1
THE M ENN O N IT E
Can We See Visions? - Pl
H. G AU.EbA.CH. . .
M
There was a time when I would have answered ot an uncompromising “No I" to this important ques- a( tion. But I was then in that critical period of a(
youth when one begins to think for the first time, si
and fondly believes his first conclusions must be Ul final for him and all men. Thanks to the gold jj yielded by the mine of experience since that time, q I have been constrained to regard this question of p greater weight from time to time, until I am now1 s, quite ready to answer “Yes !” Following are some / 0f my reasons* g
It would be quite a presumption for us to hold tl that the only individuals that ever saw true heaven ly visions were those recorded in the Bible, — the j prophets, apostles and others. While the Word of t God, as it has been handed down to us, is quite t
sufficient in its contents to reveal to us all we need (
to know, to enjoin all we need to do, we need not , infer that no otherdivinely inspired writings exist- t e(l. Reading the history of the collection of the t New Testament books into our present Canon, we j are impressed with the fact that some books once , though, inspired and thus included in the Sacred j Collection as it then existed, were later on dropped, , and now are pronounced decidedly inferior to the canonical books ; while, on the other hand, several of the richest epistles in the New Testament lay under protracted discredit, and were finally added to the New Testament amidst considerable protest. Now, who can tell what writings of devout old Christians favored by revelations and visions may not have perished in the centuries past that might be spiritually beneficial if discovered and read?
Ii is about proved that not an apostle wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews, so it is not necessary to suppose that inspired writings are solely of apos- toiic origin. Inspiration^ krm'scen:1 uPon men °* lower rank than apostles.
We may well believe that individuals have from time to time, for their own betterment, been visited, like Cornelius, by divine messengers in the guise of visions. First of all, let us consider great men, men that represented or introduced epochs in the historical growth of God’s kingdom. It is but just to say that as great things have been accomplished since the apostolic age as were then accomplished. The evangelization of the diverse peoples of Europe and elsewhere, the evolution Christianity has effected in thousands of communities, the reformation of many local and universal evils were all largely brought about by men and women who were moral heroes, standing like Luther or daring like Savonarola. With all their tremendous will- power, they were but weak, trembling human be- ings, and needed divine aid from Him who alone can bring such wonderful things to pass. 1 hen again there are men in the pulpit and out of it, whose spirituality is so thorough going, so impress- ive, so compelling, that all lesser men regard them as special instruments in God’s hands to work out the world’s salvation. Among such men are 1’hillips Brooks, George W. Childs, C. H. Spur- geon. Like Enoch, they walked with God, and had their ecstatic periods of communion with him. How else can we account for their heart- searching utterances and beneficent lives ?
The same is true when we consider the rank and file. There are lowly individuals, even down to the lowliest grades, unknown to the world at large,
I who have been transformed suddenly from useless and self- destructive to useful careers. 1 hey may have sat for years under the divine teaching with- out being aroused; but all at once they awoke from their lethargy, and thenceforth Seemed possessed *ifh a rieW faculty, a- receptive reservoir of divine
power of energetically communicating,, the power >.;4 of this truth to others. Whence tfle change? 1 Many of them declare that through dreams or y other divine intimations they derive their authority 1 and are called to their work. Impostors often a adopt this excuse ; but still there are many whose t sincerity and ability is unquestionable. Ultentimes s unchristian men have started on a new tack, stead j
ily ordering their life on higher principles. When <
questioned, they attribute the change of some j paramount influence they knew not what, to some 1 superior spirit-wind they know not whence. And we are convinced that the author of every good and perfect gift has been the motive power at the root of all. 1
But some one may say, “True enough ! God did it. But have these persons seen visions? Did it take visions to effect the change ?” Yes ; it always takes visions. Visions are the commonest of all God selected mediums for converting men. A vision is something seen, or something seeable by the eye or the mind, or something as plain and dis- tinct as though the eye had seen it. Dream-images, for instance, are apparently objects, seen in sleep, some of them so vivid that they effect us like real- ities. The natural eye did not see them, but no difference.
A vision must thus contain a sense-impression, whether in the eje or in the memory or in the im- agination But it must also contain a spiritual element, else it is not a vision. Just as there must be a mind back of the natural eye to understand whatever enters the eye, so behind these sense-im- pressions there must be the spiritual faculty which must interpret the objects in a spiritual sense. When the ordinary intellect is the interpreter, the inner exp* rience is simply a perfection ; when the spirit interprets, the experience is a vision. In- hitch your mind from the e>e, and hitch your spirit on to the visual machinery, and you have A.¥;siQJi- But it takes a spiritually minded man to see a vision. He must be a seeker after eternal truth and righteousness. He must be a Socrates, an Abraham, a Job, in search of the unseen God behind all natural phenomena, behind the perplexi- ties and paradoxes of human experience. A mole- blind, grovelling worldling never sees visions. Who 1 were the Bible characters favored by visions ? The . prophets, the apostles, Moses, David, Joseph, Cor- [ nelius— all devout men, whom God could use for r His special ends because they were spiritually fitted- ; Paul was a specially devout Jew. His contact with ; Stephen and with other Stephens dispatched during j his persecution, refined and sublimid and corrected y his piety ; and thus the Lord met hi j, convinced - that Paul was spiritual enough to be entrusted with some of the most weighty matters of revelation, e If Paul, the Pharisee had not been an intensely n spiritual man, living close to God, Paul the apostle, t, the revelator, would have been impossible. i Now if it is true that a spiritually-minded man may n see visions, does any one, young or old, in or out it of the Church, have the right to find fault with
e God that He vouchsafed visions to the “holy men
r- of old,” but withholds them from his children in d these days? Let him go pray and fast and com- 3. mune with God, like John in the wilderness or ig Jesus many nights alone with the Father, or let him wrestle like indefatigable Jacob, with the Divine, id until truth descends upon him from above. Then to vision alter vision will visit him. e, But such visions will not necessarily be limited ss to the closet of prayer. The spiritually minded ay will see visions while engaged in his daily occupa. h- tions. Whatever he sees or reads or handles can
!rUrd’s and the fulness' thereof." Visions taught him to say, “He makelh.nie (o lie down in greep pastures; he leadeth me beside the • still waters.. He looked at the oil in toilet use ar^d priestly use, and said, “T hou anoinlest my head ‘ with oil”; at the oriental lamp or the golden candlestick, and said, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.” The girdle that secured the ordinary Jewish apparel be- came to Jeremiah (chap. 13) a spiritual thing, and introduced a vision. Zechariah was a priest, and the furniture of the temple and the temple courts became mediums of visions. He saw visions in “four horns,” “a mitre,” “a stone with seven eyes," “a candlestick of gold,” “seven lamps," "a flying roll," etc.
Visions may be very aptly regarded as lorerun- ' ners of conversion, as the first messenger of God to the sinner who has come in contact with His Word and His people. After he has begun to walk and talk with God, everything in nature is capable of suggesting God to him, and familiariz- ing him with His mind and will. He is in God’s school, and every object is a leaf, a scroll, a tablet, a Bible, to be read by his spiritual eyes. The Christian life is a life of visions.
be elevated in their function to teachers of divine truth. David had a vision every time he observed nature, prompting him to say, “The earth is the
They that Love His Appearing:.
The Herald of the Coming One says: “As a specimen of the opinion of many English ministers regarding the near proximity of the Lord’s returr^ we give the following paragraph from the preface of a new woik on ‘Daniel and the Revelation, by Rev. Hubert Brooke. He says : ‘On all sides, and in almost all schools of interpretation there is to- day a » :d '?pr:’ad expectation of the nearness of the Lord’s return. Five great signs are evident in the world, calling for attention from every Christian soul. 'The tempoial-powfit of the Popyhas jtK and the dominion of Mohammedan rule in the East is going fast; two great signs to which histori- cal interpreters have for years been looking as tokens of the end of the dispensation. Joined to the latter sign is, further, the over growing stream of Jewish immigration into Palestine, making ready the way of the Lord’s return. Whilst in the living Church of Christ are two other tokens: The in-
creasing zeal f )r missionary effort throughout the wrrld, side by side with earnest pursuit after growth in holiness; both of them marks that the Bride of Christ is being gathered out 'of all nations, and is making Herself ready for His coming.”
Seizing Opportunities.
A woman once, writing to a young man in the navy, who was almost a stranger, thought : “Shall I close this as anybody would? or shall I say a word for my Master?” and lifting up her heart for a moment, she wrote telling him that his constant change of scene and place was an apt illustration cf the words, “Here have we no continuing city,” and asked if he could say, “I seek one to come." Tremb- lingly she folded it and sent it off. Back came the answer : “Thank you so much for those kind woids.
I am an orphan, and no one has spoken to me like that since my mother died, long years ago.” The word, like an arrow shot at venture, reached its mark, and the young man shortly after rejoiced in the fulness of gospel peace. How often do we as Christians close a letter to those we know h^ve no hope “as anybody would,” when we might say a word for Jesus !
How often in sending a letter we might be con- cerned to enclose some little missive, a tract, a card, a text, and with it a gentle, loving word, that might be the means of saving a soul from death ! Shall we not weigh such opportunities wherever they present themselves ? — Selected.
THE MENNOSilTE
October lS9t
-^XTbe Sunfca^ School,
*»s ^oung people’s department. <* **
EDITED BY S. M. ROSENBERGER.
Amid the many requirements which are held to be necessary for good and effectual work by the sun- day-school teacher, one is often well-nigh bewilder- ed. It may thus happen that a convention or similar occasion may serve to discourage some rather than eneourage. At such times ideals are set up which to some seem and oft times are impossible of reali- zation. These persons will be apt to feel that they fall so far short of the ideal as to make them unfit to fill their position. Yet these may be doing their very best, and may be the most capable persons available at their particular posts of duty. Such should be made to see, if possible, that, while mod- ern requirements are all very well in their way, there are certain essentials, and that if they possess these ’heir work can not be altogether in vain. These essentials can be reduced to a comparatively few.
1 would mention as a first essential, complete con- secration to God’s service. That conversion is a positive necessity should go without saying, for why should one desire to take up work for a Lord in whom he does not believe, or how can one teach con- cerning those things which can only be really under- stood by actually experiencing them, without having been awakened Hnto 'the new life. But something more is heeded, and That fs genuine consecration— a complete surrender of self to the Master so that He tiwv use i- .Whatever way seems best to Him ^ ^
: A'loVe of God’s Wotd is another essential. This is the great text-book from which we teach exclusive: Tv. In order to be used successfully it must be read, studied, prayed over. It fnust be studied as any other text book used in teaching would have to be, but it must also be studied in such a manner that it becomes to the teacher a fountain of living water, making his life richer, fuller, better. By it that life of the teacher which, when it comes in contact with youthful hearts, kindles and arouses them, is fed.
ciples while themselves receiving instruction or through the agencies of conventions or institutes where model lessons may be especially helpful to them.
Lastly, I will mention together as essentials, patience and a striving for improvement. Without the former no one can hope to succeed in a work which shows many difficulties and discouragements, while the latter virtually puts upon the teacher the stamp of his best efforts. Only he who is constantly seeking to learn to improve can be actually said to be doing his best.
Save One Lost One.
Condensed from one of Spurgeon' s sermons, by a Contributor.
"How think ye? if a man have a hundred sheep and one ol them has gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine and goeth into the mountains and seeketh that which has gone astray ? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, be re- joiceth more ot that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Matt. 18: 12,-13.
We are all to be missionaries for Christ. What then shall we do to imitate our Lord ? Let us go after one soul. There is some kind of a knack in speaking to individuals — everybody does not acquire it. It is easier to-speak to a company of people than to. one individual, but it' is often much more suc- cessfgl to -spjijik to. individual, spuls^. All workers together with God should go after the ofles. Let that some one be somebody who has gone quite out of the way. Perhaps you wouid desire to try a case that was hopeful, but follow God’s example and seek the one that is lost, and seems hopeless. Think carefully of that one soul, . and reflect upon its sin and danger. But, the Sunday-school worker says, “I have a class and a work.” Leave the ninety and nine for a little and go after one depraved per- son or neglected child. Keep up your ninety and nine class, if you possibly can, but at all hazards, go after the one.
it, and thou shalt restore it to him again. ” If yos
— . i— A the soul te Christ, do what -you can to
cheer the poor heart tjll Christ cojnes af ter it. Can you go through this world and always have a blinj eye to the care of lost sinners? Can yon come is contact with them every day in business and never speak to them ? Will you let them go to hell un- warned and uninstructed? Can you hide yourselves from them ? How dare you call yourselves Chris, tians ? How will you answer for it at last ? Brother,
- sisteftTlet ursfrefcwofl-tbia hnmaiirimiiffrrrnce^ and _ deny ourselves rest, ease, credit, that we may save' poor sinking souls. Overboard with all yotar vast cargo of selfy -cheerfully, that you may, in the power of the Holy Ghost, save souls from death. I
Printed Questions-
Printed questions may prove of great value. Not all teachers or pupils are prepared by previous gen- eral taining to study a lesson to the best possible advantage, They need assistance in study. There are few teachers who do not need it. The printed question should be looked upon and used as a help in the study and preparation of a lesson. The ex- tent of its helpfulness will depend upon two things, —the skill of the questioner, the interest and en- thusiasm of the student. , .
The questions as given in the lesson helps should be used previous to the lesson hour, in the study of the lesson, — this upon the part of both teacher and pupil. Then teacher and pupil (above the primary grade) should appear in the class with the open Bible, there to study together under the direction of the presumably prepared teacher. The object of the class work is not simply to ascertain how much the pupil knows about the facts of the lesson, but, along with this, to assist the pupil to a fuller knowledge, comprehension, and acceptance of the facts and the truths of the lesson. The purpose of, class work is hot simply recitation, but investiga- tion as well. This investigation can be best accom- plished in the study of the Bibie, as in the study r ♦ science and history, riot by following a prescribed list of questions, but by personal contact witli thd living teacher, who, prepared by previous stduv , atitiWfifrctft ?H6 tigtu of-nst' fififet4
of original or’iridependerit thought.
■Iff 'doing this the teacher, assisted by "previous knowledge both of the subject and of the cl&ss, must formulate his own questions, adapting -them, to his class. From a scientific or theologic stand- point they may be somewhat defective, but, viewed in the presence of the class and of the teacher, they may be vastly better than any question prepared by one who knows neither teacher nor class.'— C. J. Kephart. ,
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Study pure and simple will noFaccomplisli this. It must be accompanied by a love for the Word which makes us exclaim: “How sweet are Thy words to
my lriouth ; yea sweeter than honey and the lioney- conb.”
§
Then follows a love for those who are put under our charge. Those who may not be in the least at- tractive to us yet who have an immortal soul to be saved. How hard this lesson for some to learn ! It goes against one’s nature to love such as these. But our new nature must incline our hearts to do this, and we must learn to say with Paul, “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.”
§
Communion with the Master, or prayer, is an- other essential. He is the great Captain in whose service we are enlisted. What army officer would think of going ahead without frequently communi- cating with his superiors ? This becomes more evi- dently necessary when we recall that our Captain has said: “Without Me ye can do nothing.”
*
Some knowledge of teaching principles is neces- sary. This is Hot saying that one must take a course in psychology and pedagogy though that would be valuable, but that one must follow to some extent either consciously "'or unconsciously ■ the principles upon which the imparting of instruction is based. Teachers frequently learn something of these priff*
Make^an unusual effort, go out of the way, let or-, dinary service be placed second for the time being. When you go after the lost one go and seek. Follow up the straying one. Don’t wait until they come around to see you, that is not the way to seek lost sheep. I do not suppose the Shepherd had any great- er love for mountain tracks than you have, but up the rough tracks He climbed for the sheep s sake. Go after sinners in their poverty and wretchedness until you find them.
Here is one thing to cneer you. If you should win such a soul as that, you will have more joy, a great deal, than in saving those for whom you regularly labor — more joy over that lost one than over ninety and nine hopeful ones. Such converts are our crown of rejoicing.
May I especially recommend you to make a trial of this extra sheep-seeking. If you do not succeed you will have done no harm, for you will have copied your Lord and Master. But you will succeed, for He is with you, and His Spirit works by you. Even under the old law you would be found to do this thing. Turn to the a and of Deuteronomy, first to fourth verses, and there you will find, “Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ox or his sheep go astray and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother.” Oh, will you not bring the stray sheep of your greater Brother, “the first-born among many brethren”? “And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after
Be Careful.
There is a quaint old Arab maxim that it would be well for young people to take to heart. It is this: “Never tell all you may know, for he who tells everything he knows often tells more then lie knows.” And the same wise writer says: “Never believe all you may hear, for he who believes every- thing he hears often believes more than he hears.' This is good advice. A great deal of trouble would be avoided if one never told more than one knew, and if one divided by two all that one hears, parti- cularly all of ill-report.
Stories do “grow” so in the telling and the ima- gination sometimes makes the false seem real. So don’t tell all that you know nor believe all that you hear. — [Sel. .
Lead Me Aright.
I do not ask, O Lord ! that life may be A pleasant road ;
I do not aak that thou wouldat take from me Aught of ita load ;
I do not ask that flower* should always spring Beneath my feet :
I know too well the poison and the sting Of things too sweet.
For one thing only, Lord, dear Lord, I plead:
Lead me aright—
Though strength should falter, and though hear should bleed— 1 r
Through peace to light. . ,
—\AdeUide A. Prod#
l
. . . In * village threw hawa* dlataa*
4 Utantiy , ^ »iKpfi.Chi»e> a •uAihiet ts*>
pie, fta idols, and laud and gardens attached, have WvtoiolUntarily aaill gM* »y deed e f gift to the -FW* MethoMeS Biteieif,. ntdMah, the Rev>W. Hey WOad i* lB <‘hert*,‘tfT UBe as a Chris- tian mission station. The head meli of the three villages surreffndibg thd temple hate given theil’ written consent to the establishment of the mission
thf missionaries, providing the needed, fsudswill be
available. A* the Lord has this far kindly provid- ed all the necessary means for carrying on oui’Work the writer believes that He will in this ease make provision again so that we will not be obliged to na- ture admission to such chi id tan: as are- wilting, add
ieston Department
Sixteenth Annnsl Mohook Conference of • of tbs Indian will be held At Mobonk Lake, ork, on Wednesday, Thursday end Friday, r isth, 13th end 14th.
Tbs sixteen German Mieeion- ... —The Friends Foreign Mission Asso-
sry Societies (of which the , ~ cietion of fenglaud reports receipts M^ravian,©*^. Betfln.Rhrn- ^ o# #34, too,” the Za-
ire the five largest) have work dependent says. ”In India it has doa* rnsch work (stations, with 751 European among the orphans end in connection with the fam- sined natives, about 110,000 jBc, the number of member# end inquirers having in the schools, and an income increased considerably. In Madagascar the mission
has suffered to some degree, ee the London mission. Churches have bean reduced; but this has not been ® without advantage from the feet that those who
he end of the third century the were merely nomiual Christians have to a great de. iber of Chrietian# in the world gree yielded to the heathen persecution# and the iven ss 5,000,000; 10,000,000 at Jesuits' threats or cajoleries, and left the missjon 50,000,000 at the end of the churches. The situation, however, on the whole, is the end of the fifteenth, end encouraging, as is also that in Syria, Chins and
The Frienda’ Mission in India has ", «0|5i85C.qfpha5f under jts care, of whom the greater proportion are annum will
famine waifs. Four pound sterling per support one of these little ones until they can earn ia .till in England for further education. The
their own living, and funds are urgently needed for Siamese Scriptures printed daring the year include
thia object. At Seoni Malwa 37 of the older boya re- 3i,ioo copies and 66a, 000 pages. There are now in
cently made their public confession of faith in Bangkok a Japanese minister resident and a Japan-
Christ. esc consul, with a few Japanese people. Japanese
Scriptnres are to be imported for their benefit. The Bible Society has employed in this field two the civil euthoritieaof Siamese end one Chinamen. The correspondents are the miaeionarice. The missions supplement the Bible Society’s work in gathering the fruit into th* _ _ _ churches. Some of the workers have curried (Sir
refused entrance into the country through Bible into the provinces of Siam and Laos. They
have viaited Buddhist temples, homes, towns and cities. The new railway opened ss far ss Kaang Khoi, about half-way to ita proposed terminus at hindrance circulates the Word of Korat, facilitates missionary and Bible work; Bibles the president ha* bought a Bible. have been placed in Buddhist temples where priests
and their pupils have much leisure time to read, * > +« •*}* places where the people
The Missionary Herald states the sell and buy their provisions.
9 American Baptist Missionary Union makes an excellent showing iu the matter of self-supporting among its missions.
The number of its churches in heathen lands is 853, of which no less than 5*4 att self-supporting, while of its 1,935 mission schools 383 receive no help what- ever from America. A partial report of benevolent contributions of its churches in pagan lands gives $51,462; but it is believed that, taking into account the gifts that are not reported, the amount would be
Bishop Whipple, who has known the red man in- timately for many year#, aaya: “The North Ameri-
can Indian is the noblest type of wild man in the world. He recognizes a Great Spirit, has an abiding faith in a future life, passionately loves his family, and will lay down his life for his tribe. If hi# bitter- est enemy came to him he would be treated with as touch courtesy as if he were ki* friend. The Indians are also s truthful race, unless dominated by drink. I have never known an Indian to tell me a lie. Last year 1 heard an officer in the army aay: ‘I have lived twenty-ffne years with the most warlike Indian* on this continent ; half the time I have been hunting them, and the other half they have been hunting me, and 1 have never known an Indian to tell a lie.’ And every officer in the army will endorse this. They are also very honest and have a dry humor. Many years ago I was holding a service near an Indian "camp: rMy ffiiigi’#eem4ter«ahb«Mlt iff a lodge, and when I was going out, I asked the chief if it was safe to leave them there while I went to the village to hold a service. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘perfectly safe. There is not a white man within a hundred miles.’ ”
ThaMibh Sixty years ago • e . Equador baniahed the agent of the m equador. Amtric>n Bible Society at the request
of the Biehop of Quito. Eleven years ago a cargo of Bibles was refused entrance into the country through the same influence. Now, however, aince the recent revolution, which has brought religious liberty, the American Bible Society haa again been able to enter,
and without let or 1
God, and even
Migiana W* and TbeZuluaworshiptbespirit.
4rf.es. of Ms of tbt,r ««•“>'■’ “d
_ . very superstitious. They be-
lieve in a God, the Creator of all things (Unkulunkulu, “The Great Great’’); but they do not worship Him, because they think that there is no direct way of communicating with Him. They think that tb* Creator, disgusted with the in- bwtriURitwof tfawcwrtfc tor bringing so manor raaew of differences to Him- to settles and- bemoan they had’ mnitipUMlna grnadyv withdrew into the heavens, and thers* established a peaceful kingdom. Know- ing no way of approaching Him, as an object of wor- ship, they have given themselves to the worship of the departed spirits of their ancestors, who, they be- lieve, often manifest themselves to them in the form of snakes, that they may be recognized and honor- ed by the sacrifice of an ox or cow- The witch-doc- tors and the medicine-men have a strong hold on the superstitions of the people. The former profess to hold converse with ancestral spirits, and to be able to reveal the past and predict the future. The latter claim to have medicines which will cure dis- eases and control births. The witch-doctors tell the people that sickness comes only on those who have been bewitched by some fellow-man, and that the guilty party can only be found by consulting them. For a consideration they will accuse a neighbor of haviqg caused the disease by the use of magic or charms. Then they send the sick person to the medi- cine-men, who administers one' of hit terrible con- coctions, or otherwise ehrewedly plays upon the su- perstitions of his pgrient (which he has aroused) end into the hends of hi* friend, the witch-doctor.
Our Mission School At Cantonment.
Brother S. K. Moeiman, the superintendent of our Mission School at Cantonment, writes, “We have now seventy children in school. Yesterday again therw wwaiiw*nslio*BtafM admission: that- L had. to tnm.assay; How-mauy-hasra aateedHpbertnhac.in- I do nob know, but we coulfl have many- more than * hundred if we had room for them. Yeaterday the Government physician was here. He said that he would report that we had too many children and that 50 would be all that we should have.” From the above we see how necessary it is that additional room be provided for this, our school. It is greatly encouraging to ate the willingness of the Indians to Mod their children to our school, but it is equally »* sad to be obliged to turn those away who apply for admission. It is comparatively but a short time •go when the great difficulty waa to have our schools filled with children. Now the greatest difficulty •wins to be to provide room for those who are will* ing to come and to obtain teachers to instruct them. Ai the missionaries Petter and Funk are, with their families, living in the school building, more room might easily be made for a greater number of school children by procuring other dwellings for one or both of these missionaries. There are other reasons, beside* the pros n ring of more room for the school, »hy thia would be desirable. The miaaionboard haa tbit subject under advisement and will most pro- **bly decide to erect a dwelling for at least one of
. . Tho Indian Witness soys:
Ulf-oupport.nl *00 .on „w# repeat what
we have
for India. substantially urged on a
previous occasion, that all new missionary enter- prise* to be hereafter commenced in India, should be conducted on the general principles indicated t>y Dr. Ashmore. Let no foreign money be expended for any object or for any purpose except to support the missionary evangali.t and to maintain the nattve evangelists until native churches are organized which shall become responsible for them. Such a plan will most probably involve alower progress in every direction ; but the tremendous advantage of having the whole work on a •elf-nouriahing, »ell-
Heimer, i basket tomatoes ; M. M. Kregier, i famyr^ cake, ■ i. can pickles, i can chow-chow; Kr $ Smoyer, I ham, 2 fancy g*«pes ;
J *R Allebach, i ham, 2 lbs. coffee, 4 lbs. sugar,
■i cake,' I' cup
cash #6roo, Rfr amrivwrBsry.,
Bertolet, Cong.— Jorf&Fhan Gilbert, 3 doz. eggs, t can pickles 2 bu. oats ', fsfifcc Hunsberger, 2 doz. cinna. mon buns, 3 loaves »»rt<Het,
1 pot pickles, 1 pot beets ; Mrs. H. Updegrove, 2 qtq/J milk 1 pot pickled cabbage, 1 layer cake ; Lizzie
Eberly.— On September 13, 1898, near Stevens- viUe,;Ontario, -Frank LfsUs* °f Peter and Mary. Ap|i.^herly, <ff bfa(n feve'f, agjd 14 yrt.> 5 mos.apd 8 davs. On the 15th fhe -Wmaina were ln}er|'e^ . ‘ n ^ - r. -'-Sery-jcts Were c^nduCWd by
Text, John 14:: Fvjfirst part. W- • -v
898; nfear- El um stead- widow of
■ Ja*
Allen
ttteral Cftnnh Jttklligtnce
, . •• r fT3« *,•!■**••* : •
John K. Brubajtar, ;oue 'of - the most' pronfftrent
Mennonite mjniiters of Lancaster county; PS*.; re- cently died at his .home in Rohrerstown, agfed 54 years, 5 months ^nd 14 days, of congestion of the brain, superinduced, .by .nervous prostration of fire weeks’ duration. Lt .ia -.estimated . that upward of three thousand .persons' attended his funeral, "and services were held at three different places at the same time.
the Hahn cemetery Jacob Krehbiel. . Z
Fry. — On September 13, 1 . ville, Pav Anna Fry, nee Leathenman,
Jonas Fry, aged 96 yrs., 10 mos. and ii^aays. -In- terment bn the 17th at Deep Run. Services by .M. Fretz, assisted by John Gross and John Leather- man.-. Text, Isa. 57, 2.
Wagner.— On September, *4, ,,I89& hearty ij^iams;^ ville, Erie county, N. Y.; Daisy Belle, 6nly anil be- loved daughter of. Joseph and Laqra .YjTs^ner, aged,
7 months and 14 days. On the 16th the remains were_iuterred in the Harris Hill cemetery. Services tvere conducted by Jacob Krehbiel, assisted by Peter Rhodes. Text, 2 Kings *4: 26. v
Latshaw.— On September 16, 1898, near Congo,
Pa., from the effects of the heat and bowed com- plaint, Maria Latshaw, widow of the late John Lat- shaw, aged 61 yrs., 2 mos. and 5 days. Deceased was the daughter of David and Catharine Hiestand, and the mother of 8 children, of whom, 4 sons and one daughter survive her. She was a faithful member of the Hereford Mennonite church. Her remains .w.ere laid. to rest in the cemetery' there by the side of her husband. Funeral services on the 20th', con- dhcted by W. S, Gottshall and A. S. Shelly, the former speaking at the house from Gen. 24: 56, and the latter at the church from Heb. 11: 13.
Roth.— On September 16, 1898, in Milford, Bucks county, Pa., Samuel Roth, aged 84 yrs., 9 mos. and
3 days. On Wednesday, Sept. 21st his remains were r dried currants, buried upon the West Swamp burial grounds. Fun- - ' • 11
eral services were conducted by A. B. Shelly, who Spoke from 1 Sam. 25: 1.
Fretz. — On September 16, 1898, at Sommerville,
New Jersey, Reea Fretz, resulting from his being violently thrown from his vehicle by his 'horse be- coming unmanageable, aged 48 yrs., 5 mos. and 26 days. Interment on the 19th at Deep Run, from the residence of his brother Amos at Pipersville, Pa.
Services at the house by Rev. Brown, of Carvers- ville, at the church by Rev. Allen M. Fretz. Text,
Psalm 23: 4.
Stauffer. — On September 17, 1898, in Milford,
Bucks county, Pa., Martha, nee Shelly, widow of the late Henry Stauffer, aged 84 yrs., 8 mos. and 25 days. On Thursday, Sept. 22d her remains were laid to rest within the East Swamp graveyard. Fun- eral services were conducted by O. H. Melqhpr and A. B. Shelly, the former speaking at the house on 2 Cot. 5. 1, and the latter at the church on G'eh. 48:21.
milk, 1 , — r
Updegrove, 2 lbs.. sugar j^Mrs. LW. S cakes, 16 lbs'. b€etf * ^Jsrbtekm, 3 d(S coffee, 2 lbs. sugar, ! basalt, l 1 pot red beets-, . r-pot .heansi .1 «v ?pot . &■ doz. eggs, 4 cups jelly 0 Bechtel, 31 fCdke ; I.!
tomatoes ; ... -. — - - -
Wile, fbu. potatoes,- 1, caw peaches,- 2 e*Uws,>2 d m. eggs, 1 pot cabbage, ij.bu. oat^ ;, ynk99wnrRhaui«,.,
2 “oz..eggs, 2 1.u\ pats, 2 buv corn v/. Philadelphia,. Cong— Benjamin 'B'erfolef, 2- cake^, 1 lb. coffee, 4_ lbs! sugar, 1 pot 'pot atoeS; 1 t,agSaH,”'U pot pifckles ; Gottshall Bergey, 1 quilt, *5 bp. oats..- Souderton • Cong.— Mrs. H. D. Detwiler, 1 box peaches, 1 cake; Springfield Cong.— Mrs. H. S. Landis, 2 pillow cases,
1 sheet, 1 towel. Friends at Frederick, , Pa.— Mr* Herbst, beef tongue ; Mrs. HilVebeitel, 3 heads cab- bage, i' jar apple -sauce ; M-ts-v Fftfist,- * 1 can- milk, ?
' ’ ’es, 2 lbs. butter;., M.rs,- Neirhood, 1 pot 1 Mrs* Leister, 1 qt. milk ; Qreea, Tree , 2 lbs. butter; Miss Alice Steltz, 4 lbs.
s ; Dr. G. A: Weider,
£ gal. canned pickles. ' al for April. — 2 lbs. tea, • ruit,,i lb., .dried elder., i: jar apgle butter, 1
tember.— A'. T. B. Staiif- ; D. E. Stoudt, lot of iy, 1 beef sausage ; Wm.
; M. C. Gottshall, 1000 ;~Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Gottshall, 2 white Mrs. Ed. Smith, can lard, 1 jar currants, s, 1 lb. rice, 1 lb. coffee. ■ u ,* U
2: lbs, _Tapes', . . T»d«e, 2 r. Boyertown :Cong>— -J, B. '3 cans ‘cabbage ; Mrs. T. J. Renninger, Mrs. Frank Gottshall, 1 pot cabbage, 1 peck A. T. B. Stauffer, 1 barrel pears ; J, B.
QtHer foundation can no man
Whole No. 158,
Quakertown, Pa., November, J 898
The committee appointed to make arrangements for a General Mknnonite Conference (Old' School) have appointed Wednesday,' November 2d, and the Holdeman meetinghohse hear Wakarusa, Ind., as the time and place of a' meeting of said conference. In the call for th’e'conferente, ft says : each confer- ence district is earnestly requested to send her dele- gates, and where this cannot he done, the ministers and bishops are cordially invited to meet with us'on their own accord. A’ll -bishops are delegates to this conference by virtue df fheir office.
a part of Sec i, Art. V. factorily to all, along w.th his work at Boyertown,
in order to be admitted under the therefore it was agreed that W. S. Gottshall resign
i section without paying an entrance .. „nnojntment as pastor of the PottStOWn church ,1 have heen a member of the Menno- nls appoiuiuicui r . .
,t least five years immediately prior to and Bro. H. G. Allebach was appointed to ta e itlon. charge of the congregation. On October 2, 1898,
ted these propositions to be ^ congregation unanimously decided in favor of nutes of the Conference and the action by the committee and Bro. Allebach be- ence notice. carne their pastor for one year,
n and Church Extension Com- While the congregations of Boyertown and Potts- following report : There was town are thus well supplied and the support from a member of this committee tbese small congregations is not sufficient for the t as the work of the committee nee(js Qf the pastor and his family, the committee difficulties increase, we begin recommends that Conference render such support
work is very important. The ^ jt may deem necessary to carry on the work
thout encouragements as well properly.
In some of our expectations jn looking over the field and into the condition ppointed, in others agreeably Df gome of our congregations we feel that there
Take comfort from that thought in lonely hours, When naught seems set aside for you by fate To do ; while others have far richer dowers,
With days brim full of hope and work and love ;
Full to the brim, and haply, running o’er.
The angels, watching from their homes above,
Can see bow sad the waiting is ; how sore.
But if the waiting is not all in vain,
If those who wait are serving truly, too :
Oh, then they need not mind the nameless pain,
But think it is the part they are to do.
And peace and rest will fill the lonely days [woe. That once were filled with naught but pain and
A second Zionist Congress of Jews was held in the city of Basel, Switzerland, Aug. 28th to Aug. 31st. The object of the Zionists is the restoration of the Jewish people to their native country Palestine. Powerful and able addresses were made on thjs -oc- casion by Dr. Herzl and t)r. Max Nordau,, in which it was shown that according to the Bible the Jews would eventually be brought back to Palestine and how the signs of the time showed that the time for this event was at hand.’ ' Both speakers, however, greatly lamented the fact that so mauy of their oyyn people either opposed the movement or were gross- ly indifferent about it..
Eastern District Conference.
Proceedings of the 100, session of the Eastern District Conference, held in the First Mennonite church, Philadelphia, Pa., on Monday and Tues- day, Oct 4th and 5th, 1898.
The Conference services were held on Monday evening and were conducted by the Brethren H. G* Allebach and A. S. Shelly, each preaching a short but practical and thoughtful sermon, the former speaking from Eph. 5: 27, and the latter from a Cor. 6: 1.
TUESDAY 9.30 A. M.
Singing from Pentecostal Hymns, Nos. 260, 259 and 237, an English prayer by A. M. Fretz; Scrip- ture lesson, 2 Cor. 3, and a part of the 4th chap- ter, and German prayer by the President.
The following members of Conference were present. Ministers : A. B. Shelly, Solomon Ott, L. O. Schimmel, J. S. Moyer, N. B. Grubb, A. M. Fretz, “ WTS. Gottshall, A. S. Shelly and S. H. Longaker. Evangelist, Silas M. Grubb. Deacons : Aaron Landis, I^wis Schleifer, Gerson Bowman, James Funk, Aaron Rickert, John O. Schimmel, Moses C. Gottshall, Peter R. Klein, Joseph B. Bechtel, William G. Moyer, Reuben Strunk, and Christian Musselman. Delegate, William M.
•• * Der “Kindefbote ” i
The Kinderbote is a semi-monthly publication, in the German lamruaee, tor Children and Sunday-schools It is published by t.ie Publication Board of the General Coutercuce The contents are specially adapted for children.' Send for sample copies.
TERMS. OF SUBSCRIPTION :
1 copy one yew....;.
10 copies or more to one address.
MENNONITE BOOK CONCERN,
Berne, Adams Go., Indiana.
Dr. John Hall, pastor of -the, Fifth Avenue Pres- byterian church, N. Y., and for many years one of the most prominent ministers of our country, died September 17th, ip.bis native country, Ireland. Dr. Hall wfts born at Armagh, Ireland, July 31st, 1829. -Skrlil the year 1867 he was the pastor of different churches in his native country. - In that year he was calj.ed.by the wealthy Fifth Avenue Church to be- come its pastor with » salary of |6,ooo in gold when gold was worth 130^x40. Later his salary was raised to #15,000 a year. Some time ago Dr, Hall resigned
.30 cents.
Contributions. a’
Pot Heathen Mission, received during August. From Berne, Ind., #20.10; Stevensville cong., On- ario, #1:16 ; Loretto, S. D. cong., #20.00; Salem png.; Dalton, Ohio, #8.88; North Alexauderwohl lission Circle, Kan., #6.00; Cong, at Aurora, Neb., 5.00; Cong, at Berne, Ind., #63.52 ; North Lehigh, Lan., #8.67 ; Cong, of South Germany, #17.00 ; A. A. ,ommer, Cal., #1.50; Eden cong., Schwenksville, >n *12.00: a friend of missions, Wisner, Neb..
COLUMBIA
BAR- LOCK TYPEWRITER
Received of former Treasurer the balance of. <• from Conference Appropriation
Paid incidental expenses to A. 8. Shelly J 4 28
i. « “to N. B. Grubb - 10 50
<• •• « to W. 8. Gottshall 83
" Rent in Allentown 24 00
Cash in Hand - 3101
870 62 870 82
Respectfully submitted, N B Qeubb
The Committee -< W. 8. Gottshall, See.,
[A. 8. Bhilly, Treas.
The report was taken up for discussion.
Resolved that the committee find out between
Heaths
Nonamaker. — On August 4, 1898, in Bedminster, Pa., by drowning, Claudius Howard, sou of Dr. N. S. Nonamaker, of Bedminsterville, aged 11 yrs., 8 trios, aud 7 days. Interment-at Sellersville on Aug. 8tb. Services by Rev. J. H. Waidelich and A. M, Fretz.
Oberhoetzer. — On August 26, 1898, at his home near Congo, Pa., Henry H. Oberholtzer, aged 67 yrs., 5 mos. aui 23 days. Deceased was for many years an active membef ol the Mennonite church in Hereford, Philadelphia, and Wadsworth, Ohio. During the latter years of his life he was-couueeted with the Retoruie),cUarqh., H^y* s»rPiMd>y ,4ws
if™ E'l.-.o T. (tin/? A M 4 / \ find omi nut a f a fa m 1 I \7
P'pr General Conference Home Mission Work . Re- ceived from May to August.
From B. F. Welly, Newton, Kan., #5.00; Cong, at Whitewater, Kan., #5.65; Bethel College cong., Newton, Kan., #11.16; West Zion cong., Mound- ridge, Kan., #18.17; Bowmansville cong., Pa., #5.18; Cong, at Bluffton, Ohio, #50.85 ; Part of conf. collec- . ■tioh.aLDaUas, Ore., #27.50; Euger cong., Oregon, ‘ Ben tier, -Ora.iJfe.ocL; Cong, at Irving, Ore.,
W%**'^^^sat PasoH,Eobbles, 'Cal., #20.00; Coug. U ^ Callffirhlk, #12.60 ; Cong, at Colfax,
Wash., #33.30 ; A. A. Sommer, Cal., #1.00.
The following contributions received during last ! March were through an oversight not acknowledged in the “Mennonite” at the time: . From Souderton cong., Pa., #4.00; Wadsworth, Ohio, cong., #3 00;
Cong, at Bowmansville, Pa., #5.10; Springfield cong.
Pa. #2.05 ; the Stobbe brethren, Greenpoint, N. Y., #5.00; Harleysville, Pa., Union S. S., $6.20; First Mennonite cong., Phila., Pa., #13.80 ; Saucon cong.,
and next Conference what the congregations
now
that have been under their care desire in respect to the relations between them and the committee.
Resolved to adjourn until 1.30 p. m.
Bro. Solomon Ott led in prayer.
TUESDAY I.30 P. M.
Hymn 292 was sung and Bro. J. S. Moyer led in prayer.
Home Mission work continued.
Resolved that Conference allow $ra per month for services at Pottstown until next Conference.
Resolved to allow $50 for the workjat German- town until next Conference.
Bro. A. B. Shelly explained the situation at Quakertown and gave satisfactory reasons^for their delay in organization.
The report of the Home Mission Committee was accepted.
The following proposed amendment to the Con- stitution of the Conference was readj and ordered to be published in the minutes andjwith*the notice of the next Conference.
writes Every Letter in Sight of the Operator.
Does most of the work in writing Automatically, and yields in the time thus saved additional work.
IT ACTS AS IF IT STUDIED the convenience of the operator at every turn, and thereby lightens his labor and renders him capable of doing more.
IT HAS A KNACK
of keeping well, and is always ready at critical or other times. These are some of the reaso»s why it Is so different from an other writing machines.
The catalogue tells you all about it. Sent free.
THE COLUMBIA TYPEWRITER MFG. CO.,
37, 39, 41 & 43 West 116th Street,
NEW YORK CITY.
Is entered! In the Quakertown Postoffice a*
Continued on Page\t2,
The Mknnonitk second-class mall matter.
10
THE MENNONITE
For " The McnnonUe".
Wh*t !?■■•<•««* Gin a Christian Brine for Not Laboring in the Cause of Christ?
[Read before the Chrlrttan Endeavor Convention at Danvers,
111., by J. A. Baer, Sum-Jierfleld, 111.]
This important topic is well worth our time for consideration. It would hardly be necessary to mention the duties of a Christian, though I be- lieve it would be good practice if we would oftener think over what it really means to be a Christian ; however, not to leave it at that but to act, and live accordingly. How many evils could be avoided ! And things that may have the tendency to bring us farther away from Christ, our ideal of life, we would dispense with.
To become a Christian means to become the property of Christ. Now if we are the property of Christ, should it not be our highest aim in life to become like him and serve him. Yet to do this requires unceasing labor and self sacrifice. A es we must become humbled down to the bottom of our beings. The command Christ gave his disciples in Matt. 28: 18 is, ‘ Go ye therefore and teach all na- tions, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you.” In John 3:
16 we read, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believ eth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." Our duty is to win and save souls beginning at home cleansing our own hearts. The motive of that duty is to be the love toward God our Heavenly Father and our fellow men.
Friends, the Christian has the grandest work or duty to fulfil of all humanity. It is a soul-winning business. This world may have and has its attrac- tions. See the rush in every day life for wealth, fame and honor. Yet in the face of all that this world can offer, it can not give what the Omnipo- tent has given, a Christ, a Redeemer, a Savior of r Souls. We should be cleariy and vividly impressed with the great truth that each in his own sphere should live as Christ lived for the redemption and exaltation of his race. What the Christian has to cheer him on his journey, is the blessed assurance that his labors shall not be in vain and shall not remain unrewarded. We may ask what is fame> honor, the treasures of this world to be compared with the treasures of the true Christian that lie in store for him in yonder home, the crown of eternal life. Yet the cross that we must bear, when it bur- dens us we become weary, indolen: and come with the excuse “I can’t.” However that cross it right- ly borne shall be no burden, but support you. How often has that very word served as an excuse before men, when we would rather not labor, or when we really have thought we mere not capable of under- taking an untried task to us. Yet how easi'y may we overcome it if we will only try. Shall we come with the excuse that the work we aie doing is not appieciated by our fellow men ? Have we not yet learned that ingratitute is the wages of this world. The poet says —
For God hath marked each sorrowing day And numbered every secret tear,
And Heaven’s long age of bliss shall pay For all his children here.
Or can we come with the excuse that our health will not permit us to labor in the cause of Christ ? This is perheps the most critical excuse we can give, however let us see whether it holds its own. The missionary or pastor of the church spreading the Gospel in an extensive form, may through loss of voice or some other derangement, become dis- abled to fulfil his actual position, yet can he not through his actions do good, write his name in kindness in the hearts of all he may come in con- _ tact with thereby serving his Master. And in how many other ways, too numerous to mention can w
serve our Master 1 How many have upon their dy- ing bed done much good, exerted great influence. How many a youth’s life has been changed through the words coming from the dying lips of parents, a brother or sister, and how many a young man’s life has been saved from the drunkards den or the path that leads to eternal destruction, that could per- haps not be influenced by other words than those rendered by the dying lips of a true Christian friend. If we can not labor in the good cause in the way we may be accustomed to, we can labor in another.
If you cannot in the harvest Garner up the richest sheaves,
Many a grain both ripe and golden Will the careless reaper leave.
Go and glean among the briars,
Growing rank against the wall ;
For it may be that their shadow Hides the heaviest wheat of all.
These excuses referred to may do to well before men ; he knoweth not the heart. But before the scrutinizing eye of God our Heavenly Father they will fade as a dim mist before the sun of eternity.
In my estimation there is no excuse which we may feel justified to tender before God or man for not laboring in the cause of Christ. The great trouble my Christian friends, is, that we would have others to know that we would be followers of Christ, but we ourselves would rather fold our arms and look on. Or when our Christianity is put to a thorough trial before man we would carry a little water on both shoulders or pull always with the largest crowd. More than that, we would like to be that shining light way up yonder where man would bow before us, not willing to climb the ladder gradually, and be secure as we go. How much more good could be accomplished if we did not seek our own honor as much, and leave all honors to him to whom they justly belong Yes, the striving for honor has done as much as anything to prevent the usefulness of man. But all this must be overcome if we would be faithful followers of Christ. God wants willing workers without a thought of fame. Let us lay aside and cover those leaves we have sullied over, turn a new leaf in the book of life, the errors we have made let them be forgotten, improve the pres- ent moment, and may each leaf thereafter be lived well in accord with what the poet says —
He liveth long, who liveth well,
All else is life but flung away ;
He liveth longest who can tell Of true things truly done each day.
Then fill each hour with what will last,
Buy up the moments as they go ;
The life above when this is past Is the ripe fruit of life below.
For the " Mcnnonite .”
What is Man?
BY D. G. OBERHOLTZER.
In order to look with profit into this subject we must commeiice in the beginning. When God created man we find that He created man in his own image. What does that want to teach us? That we should be like Him in mind. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Phil. 2: 5. When we speak of man we mean the whole human race. When God had created man he was pleased with him and gave man dominion over every living thing on earth. Man was next to the angels, as David says in Psalm 8: 5. “For thou hast made him a little lower than the Angels and hast crowned him with glory and honor.” If we consider the happy state of our first parents when God set them in the garden of Eden, before they ate of the forbidden fruit, they were without sin in the world, but since they ate of the forbidden fruit sin entered into the world, so that we are all sinners
November
from nature and cannot deny it, as the Apostle Paul says in Rom. 3: *3, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Since God loved his people he offered His only begotten Son. our Lord, to be crucified for the salvation of our sins, and says in His holy word, “Whosoever b. lieveth on Him shall not perish but have everlasting li:e.” Be. lieveth on Him. Nearly all people confess to be- lieve on Him. Is that enough to save us from our sins? No 1 He says in his word, “He that believeth on me, let him take up his cross and follow me." This requires more than a mere historical faith. It requires a living and actual faith. There is a cross to be carried, a burden to be borne, persecutions to be endured, many trials and tribulations to be undergone, as spoken of in John 16: 33- These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace, in the world, ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
So Christ comforted his disciples. Dear reader, God also says, if you want to follow me keep my commandments. But how little are His command- ments heeded by so many who pr ifess to be Chris- tians. We call them nominal Christian, but they are no converts. Man is endowed with a free will. He can serve God or mammon, but not God and mammon He will forsake one or the other.
Want of reverence for God and the institutions of true religion is the cause of national decay at present, as well as in the days of the kingdom of Israel. “Be not deceived for God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.” Let us pray to our God in the words of a noted hymn writer :
My faith looks up to thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Saviour divine ;
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away ;
O, let me from this day,
, * 1 Be wholly thine. *
The Bible tells us that sin can not enter Heaven, therefore in order to enter into that Heavenly king- dom we must be free from sin. But can we come in that state? Surely ! His holy word says, “His blood cleanses from all sin.” “If we contess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John, 1: 9. Considering that God created man with body and soul it is also his duty to nourish both with food. It is his duty to work for his living. God’s word says, “In the sweat of thy brow thou shalt eat thy bread.” But what about the spiritual life ? “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and all these things shall be added, says the word. Niw which is the most important ? The apostle Paul says in Gal. 6: 4, “Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” By this we learn that it is the duty of all parents to bring up their children in the fear of the Lord. Man, a sinner in his natural state, must like Naaman accept salvation in God’s way and in an humble, believing and submissive spirit. The penitent who exercises faith in Jesus finds his old nature taken away and a new creature taking its place. God’s spirit gives witness to our spirit that we are born anew. Dear reader, if you have obtained that blessed assurance let me advise you t > do what an apostle says, “Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation.” We still have the promise that God will not leave nor forsake his people.
The horse, no sooner is its head turned home- ward than it trots and goeth cheerfully. And shall not we, who deem ourselves wiser than the horse, go to our home cheerfully ? — Ivan Parrin.
THE MENNONITE
\\
What is it that is to be obtained through the Ladies' Aid Society.
JENNIE B. BAER.
(For The M innonit 1. By request of the L. M. B. Convention at Danvers, 111.
It is not such a long while since, when the work of women in the church was looked upon with dis favor, and especially was organized work of Chris- tian women discouraged in many ways. Yet under all the disparagements. Providence has been indi- cating more clearly that there were unoccupied fields of Christian activity, and has also on the other hand, created a willingness for service in these neglected spheres. All this applies to the organized work before us for our consideration.
While our Societies have nothing to boast of in our past record, — save of our neglect of duty, of zeal, and of devotion and many short comings, — yet we have great reasons for devout thankfulness for the blessings which have crowned our efforts to this time. And when we ask ourselves, what is it that is to be attained through our organized and united efforts, we would say in answer to the mani- fold demands, accomplish that which God indi- cates to us in the greatest fields of Home and Foreign Missions.
Woman’s first mission too, is beginning at Jeru- salem, that is, at home. Here she is queen, and some one has well said, that in this sphere she rules the world. With such a vast dominion laid at her feet, woman exerts a far reaching influence ; for who can tell what vast possibilities may be de- veloped in the young boys and girls who will occupy future places of high trust and responsibility at pre- sent under our care.
Then comes the Sunday school with its thou- sands of Christian women who help to sustain and carry on this good work. Here woman comes in personal contact with the rising generation, to ex- ert over them an elevating and ennobling influence. Here she has the opportunity to sow the good seed which will spring up and bear fruit for eternity. Oh, if the Christian women of our land would put forth more earnest effort to consecrate their own children like Hannah of old, how many more Samuels would we have, and how many less prodi- gal sons 1 How many men occupying responsible positions might rise up to day and acknowledge their indebtedness to the influence of their noble Christian mothers.
Then think of the part Christian women take in church work in general. Have we not innumerable instances where churches at the point of dissolu- tion were held and revived through the prayers of women ? Often where men have despaired and given up the struggle, women have still hoped and persevered in the face of severest opposition and contention. Yes, and in how many instances does she not hope against hope, and in untiring, unflagging interest inspire others to new activity.
Therefore we would say let her pray and prophesy like the holy women of old for the edifi- cation of the church. We would not advo- cate that she should appear before public assem blies as her brother man, since we know there are innumerable other avenues open for usefulness. Let her therefore with her peculiar graces and gifts wield her influence that will often outstrip that of others who occupy conspicuous and exalted posi- tions in public life.
Again we would call attention to the pastoral work which women can do. Is she not especially endowed with the gifts of tongue, of sympathy and of endurance in service, and therefore also especial- ly adapted to work among the sick, the poor and the afflicted ? Who can number the wounded, the broken hearted, the fallen and outcast who have ken cheered, comforted and encouraged to take
new heart. While the Christian church may often f be charged with neglect in this direction, and that 1 outside agencies, such as orders, lodges and the like, 1 are to step in and fill out this grap as some would g say, yet we candidly, without an apology, ask where S is there a more unselfish service rendered than from l consecrated Christian women ? Therefore we say 1
Christian women are especially called of God to <
sympathize with the less fortunate, to lift up the I fallen, visit the sick, clothe the naked, and thus s lead many into the kingdom of God. Let us rouse < ourselves to every opportunity and employ our tal- i ents to the glory of God, that at last it may be said, < “She hath done what she could.” 1
And yet you may ask what need is there of or- | ganized Women’s Mission work? And do you say ] for a pretext and excuse, that individual women, , single handed, can just as well undertake and carry ( on this work assigned to us ? I say verily not. Does , not experience and a thousand facts prove the very , opposite? For consider the inspiration and en- couragement and helpfulness that comes to us through our monthly meetings, and these our annu- al gatherings. Do we not often leave these places with new resolu’ions to be more faithful in our work at home, in the Sunday school, the church and in our various callings in life ? And is it not by co operation and 'mutual work that we become better acquainted with our own needs and the wants of others i In passing on to the great field of Foreign Missions, have we not unlimited oppor- tunities and boundless territories to engage our activities ? Think of the millions there steeped in sin and degradation of the most appalling kind. Again and again statistics have been arranged be- fore us, telling of the countless multitude that can only be reached through woman’s work. Think of that Oriental Caste and the iron barred Zenannas, whose doors were closed for long years against Christian work. Think of the millions of young widows and girls whose lives have been doomed to perpetual misery, without a ray of hope to brighten their gloomy and pitiful existence.
Did you hear how God has used women to pene- trate into that darkness, and open the doors for a better day to dawn upon those poor creatures ? In deed, the members of our society need not be ashamed of their needle and thimble as stitch by stitch they finish the garment to go forth on its errand and mission. For was it not the deft needle of a missionary’s wife that was used to unlock the doois? While working on a simple piece of em- broidery, she attracted the attention of the inmates of those secluded prisons. They were led to reason that if Christian women could do such work they also might learn the art. And by the cordial con- sent of the Master of the Zer.anna, a Christian woman was welcomed within the veiled chamber to give instruction to its inmates. Thus while skill fully with thread and needle she wrought those beautiful patterns, she seized the opportunity with love and mercy, to prepare the way for the glorious Gospel to the benighted millions. And to day the doors are wide open for Christian women the world
over. _..
Do we not see this, whether we turn to China or
India, to Africa or the Isles of the Sea, or the downtrodden and abused heathen within our own borders ? And is it not the latter, the poor Indian, who has especially attracted our attention and en- gaged the service of our Societies? And many undeniable facts give proof that our work there has not been in vain. But it is not only service, offered . through manual labor, that we are to render For I if it were that alone, then we would fall far short of
: acco nplishing that which is the true object of our • calling. While we know that presents and garments i and acts of charity often cheer the laborer in the
field, and touch the heart of the receiver, yet these acts and deeds should not be an end in themselves — Does not ever so much depend on the spirit of the giver, and upon the spiritual atmosphere of our Societies?— Think of the innumerable obstacles to be overcome by the laborer in the field 1 Here at home we have our regular church services, our different societies meet at their stated times, we can hold Christian fellowship, and what numberless re- straining Christian influences are cast about us in our daily walk and life. But think of those who are out in the field, laboring under so many adverse circumstances. The laborers themselves are they not “of like passions with other men?" Are they therefore not liable to be influenced by the.ir sur- roundings, and often, too, yield to their own in- clinations ? Think of the daily sights and sounds to which they are exposed, and the corrupting at- mosphere which they must often breathe ! Does not their lot appeal to us? Do they not need the prayers and sympathy and co operation of our Mis- sionary Societies ?
Therefore we say, our Societies should aim to attain a deeper spirituality among themselves Cul- tivate the spirit of prayer. Kindle a sense of grati- tude for what God has done for us. Then there will be a stronger manifestation to cheer and en- courage the workers, at home and abroad, in vari- ous ways, and by those means which Providence has placed within our reach. And as a reflex influence of such services, we shall also see the grace of giving more largely developed, more cheer- ful, willing activity, and the Spirit of unity will be more real. And we will consider it a privilege and a joy to be permitted to serve our Lord and Master. And while we persevere in this service, we will ex- perience it more and more that our labor is not in vain in the Lord, and those of us so often sowing in tears, have the precious promise, at last, we may reap in joy.
— Bluffton, Ohio.
A Meek and Quiet Spirit.
The apostle tells us that a meek and quiet spirit is, in the sight of God, a great prize. It is also a great comfort and value to one who possesses it. The duties and incidents of this life are often very perplexing. Notice that mother with several small children to look after and the cares of the house- hold pressing upon her. Or notice that father with his farm to manage, or his shop to direct, or his- business affairs pressing upon him. How are they to escape worry and perplexity ? There is one never failing remedy. It is this: In the morning,
before taking up the work of the day, spend a few minutes in a quiet nook, seeking the blesring of a meek and quiet spirit God has often, in answer to prayer, quieted the chafed and worried spirit, and He stands ready to do so for every one who devoutedly seeks that great blessing. This is not a mere guess ; it is only a bit of actual, personal ex- perience. Try the plan for yourselves. — Religious Telescope.
God’s guarantee to the world is God Himself. That He is, and that he is what He is, is an assur- ance more solid than the pillars of the world. If we trust Him at all, it is on this ground ; and on this ground alone we do trust Him wholly. He is absolute security to the mind and heart of man. — Horatio Stebbins.
“Let no sorrow escape from you without leaving its blessing."
12
THE MEN.NONITE
November
Ube fl&ennonfte.
a tellKloun monthly Journal, devoted to the Inter*.! ot the Heononlte church, and the cause of Christ at large, published by the Eastern Mennonlte Conference.
A. B. SHELLY,
8. M. KOHENBERGEB, A. 8. SHELLY.
PvMcaUon
QmmiUee.
TVttm of Subscription : One copy one year, 60 cento; six months 25 cents.
Money may be sent by bank checks, or Postal Money Orders made payable at the Quakertown postofflce.
All business communications, subscriptions, and articles fox Mission Department to be sent to A. B. Shelly, Milford Square Bucks county, Pa.
Send articles for Sunday School and Young People’s Depart ment to 8. M. Rosknbebger, Quakertown, Bucks county, Pa.
AH other articles lor publication, Church News, Notices, etc are to be sent to A. S. Shelly. Bally, Berks county, Pa.
QUAKERTOWN, PA., NOVEMBER 1898.
The Conference and Sunday school Convention of the Northern District was held in the Bethel church, Mountain Lake, Minn., on Oct 24th to 26th. The report has not reached us as we go to press. The programs contained many interesting subjects for presentation and discussion.
J-
Eastern District Conference.— Continued.
In case a congregation needs the help of the Home Mission and Church Extension Committee and does not make the proper request to the com- mittee, the committee shall make recommendations to the Conference accordingly, and Conference shall authorize the committee to do for the congre- gation what seems best to the welfare of the con- gregation. ^
Resolved that all standing committees shall be
continued until next Conference.
The Publication committee presented their re- port and it was accepted.
CONFERENCE TREASURER’S REPORE.
Dr.
Balance In hand October 6 1897 3321 3n
Received rent from Germantown church 111 M
<* from First Mennonlte church, Phila 32 94
•• •• Deep Run congregation 206
« Souderton “ 699
■< " West Swamp “ 2816
«• « Flatland “ 548
•• Bertolets “
» " Pottstown " 28 99
'< « Hereford “ 6023
•< Schwenksvllle “ 8 01
“ « Upper Milford “ 27 07
„ *i >' “ Sunday School 21 2®
•* “ Interest on a note 7 99
“ Catechisms sold 2 18
After some weeks of comparative rest at his home in Bluffton, Ohio, and of preparation for a new campaign of work, Bro. J. B. Baer is now on a tour through Texas to follow up our scattered members in those new settlements. From Texas he will probably go to Oklahoma. 1 he field is growing in various directions and the work is be- coming more urgent all the while.
Since the above was written the sad intelligence has been received that Bro. Baer has been taken ill at his home before starling on his trip, and is now lying in a critical condition with fever. Let us re- member the dear brother before the throne of grace.
j*
— The work at Frederick, Pa., (Bertolet Church) has been widened out by the establishing or rather reestablishing of a Sunday-school. Years ago there had been a school here, the first of its kind in the neighborhood, but for many years of late the work had suffered neglect. The school was opened on Oct. 9, with forty members. The sec- ond Sunday the number increased to fifty six. The C. E. society which has a history of several years’ active work, has good material for a supply of teachers for the school.
The interesting minutes of the Middle District conference make it evident that the gathering at Danvers was a notable one. Perhaps no confer- ence ever held in any part of our church was look- ed forward to with keener anticipations, arranged for with more intelligent forethought, and produc- tive of more far-reaching results than this one. We rejoice at the evidence of wide-awake and energetic activity in the Lord’s work, and we shall watch with keen interest the further developments es- pecially along certain lines, among them the im- portant question of the proposed educational in- stitution. There was, moreover, a full measure, “pressed down and running over," of good things. Besides the conference with its papers and address- es on live topics of the day including an address by President Blanchard of Wheaton College, and its nightly evangelistic meetings at various points in the surrounding community, there was also the Sunday school convention, the Young People’s convention, and the convention of Ladies’ Mission Societies. We are glad that much of this feast can be shared by the Mennonite readers. We shall aerve that put at our disposal in successive courses as space will permit.
Or,
Paid to W. S. Gotti! hall for services at Potts’ own $ 96 00
to Silas M. Grubb <■ at Germantown 100 00
•• to A. S. Shelly for Home Mission Committee... 50 00
“ Interest on Pottstown church 66 u0
Balance in hand 36591
$667 91 866791 A. S. MOYER, Treasuier.
The report was accepted.
Resolved that the Treasurer be supplied with printed postal cards to acknowledge the receipt of contributions.
On recommendation of the West Swamp con- gregation, Bro. S. M. Musselman was licensed as an Evangelist.
The Committee on the By laws to the Constitu- tion of the Conference laid their work before Con- ference but as it was not completed Conference di- rected that the committee be continued to finish their work and put it in print and circulate among the congregations at least 30 days prior to the next session of Conference.
The Secretary read the resignation of Bro. S. M. Rosenberger, a member of the Publication com. mittee, but it was decided to lay it on the table.
W. S. Gottshall spoke on the need of becoming better acquainted with the history and doctrine of our church and urged all to a more diligent study thereof and suggested that more such subjects be discussed at our Conference meetings.
It was decided to hold the next Conference in the Upper Milford Mennonite church in accord- ance with the provisions of the Constitution.
Bro. L. O. Schimmel offered prayer and the chairman pronounced the benediction.
A. B. Shelly, Pres.
W. S. Gottshall, Sec.
J*
Middle District Conference.
Eleventh session of the Middle District Confer- ence, held at Danvers, 111, Sept. 28 and 29, 1898.
By Tuesday evening, Sept 27, upwards of 200 delegates and visitors had arrived at Danvers and Carlock. All found hospitable friends who wel- comed them to their homes. The kind people of Illinois had made all necessary arrangements to entertain the visitors. One could not help being favorably impressed with the systematic arrange- ment made for all the meetings and the entertain- ment of the visitors. An incidental lesson might be learned from this by many a one. Perhaps no conference in our district was so well planned for before this one.
The conference sessions were held in a tent of a seating capacity of about 2000, on the f ir ground five miles north' of Danvers. This place was chosen because there was no church large enough in the community to accommodate all the people. There are a number of Mennonite churches within driving distance of this place. I his naturally swelled the number of visitors for the conference.
The first day perhaps 1500 people were assembled, and the second day there were by actual count upwards of 2000 people present.
The conference sessions were held in daytime only. There being 35 Mennonite ministers in at- tendance, evening services were held in Danvers, North Danvers, Carlock, and Congerville through- out the week.
Conference was opened Sept. 28, at 9 30 A. M., with singing of “Praise God, from whom all bless- ings flow.” After the reading of Psalm 33, S F. Sprunger delivered the opening address. J. H. King followed with an address of welcome, to which ]. B. Baer made a response.
All the churches of the conference were repre- sented by delegates, numbering in all 112 votes. Seventeen visiting ministers were given one vote each, making a total of 129 votes To all present was extended an inv tation to take part in the deliberations.
The Silver Street Mennonite church near Goshen, Ind., aDplied for admission into the conference, and by a unanimous vote was received. Formal greetings were read from P. S. Lehman, Berne, ind., and John Moser, Bluffton, O , to which the secretary was instructed to make reply in behalf of the conference.
The time for the different sessions was announc- ed for the forenoon, 9 to 12, afternoon, 1.30 to 4, and evening, 7. The chairman appointed as com- mittee on resolutions M. S. Moyer, J. C. Mehl, and N. C. Hirschy, and as reporter to The Menno- nite, N. C. Hirschy.
The minutes of the last conference were read, and the reports from the different congregations presented. These reports gave evidence of in- creased activity in the various branches of church and conference work.
Following these reports came the report of the evangelization committee. This committee report- ed that they were unable to secure a traveling min- ister for our work, but that they succeeded so to divide the district among several pastors that all the churches could be officially visited. This work is believed to have been productive of much good. .
The committee presented recommendations for further work, which were discussed and then adopt- ed as resolutions:
1. Resolved, That the conference and the com- mittee on evangelization continue their efforts to secure a traveling minister, who, under direction of the committee shall devote his w hole time to the work of Home Missions in our district.
2. Resolved, That it be the desire of the confer- ence that from the church at Berne, Ind., and from other churches, ministers should go to Woodburn, Ind., to labor there with the aim of establishing a self-supporting church there. The traveling ex- penses shall for the time being be paid from the evangelization treasury.
3. Resolved, That Valentine Strubhar be requested to inform the conference or the evangelization com- mittee in regard to the conditions at Cisley Park, 111., and to suggest a way in which to labor there.
4. Resolved, To thank the congregation at Sum- merfield and C. v. d. Smissen for the love which they showed the brethren in St. Louis; that at the same time it be the object of the conference to con- tinue to do all in their power to encourage these brethren through ministerial visits and financial support.
5. Resolved, That the conference instruct the evangelization committee to secure J. C. Mehl, of Goshen, Ind., next winter to visit the churches at Clarence Center, N. Y., and Stevensville, Can., and to labor there for a month or more.
THE MENNONITE
The treasurer of this committee gave the follow ■ a report, which was approved and adopted:
? in treasury from previous year . . . 1182.36 581 -ved from the various churches .... 107.55 Interest due Jan. 5, 1899 4'4°
$294-3* . 104.42
Expenditures during the year 104 ~42 t
nolance in treasury -.-••• $: i89,89 I
in addition to this the congregation at Summer- (
field IH-. Paid their Pastor f2S for travehDS ex'
Lenses to St. Louis. 1
The educational committee presented its report, stating the work the committee endeavored to do j during the year. The report emphasized the en- couraging outlook for this new enterprise of estab- lishing a school in our district.
The plan for further work was presented by the committee, under four different heads, together with an appeal to th; conference for action*on this question. This plan was discussed at length and in a few minor points amended, and then adopted as conference resolutions:
x. OBJECT and aim of the school.
Resolved, That it be the object of our school to offer our young people an opportunity to secure a thorough Christian education at a reasonable ex- pense to prepare them for the various callings of life. The school shall above all be a preparatory school with an academic course of study. Special opportunities shall be offered to train teachers. The German language shall be upheld. Bible instruc- tion shall have a prominent part. The aim shall be to meet the existing demands of our churches.
The school shall be decidedly a Christian institu- tion. The principles to be upheld shall be those laid clown in the constitution of the General Confer- ence of Mennonites of North America.
2. MANAGEMENT OF THE SCHOOL.
Resolved, That for the management of the school nine trustees be elected by the conference, for a period of three years, the terms of the various trus- tees to be so arranged that each year the term of only three trustees expires. At the first election the three receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected for three years, the three receiving the next highest number for two years, and the three receiving the third highest number for one year.
In case of any vacancy by death or for other rea- sons, the conference at its next session shall fill such vacancy. The election of trustees shall be by ballot. Any trustee may be re-elected.
It shall be the duty of the trustees a To erect and furnish all necessary buildings, and to exercise due care over all property belonging to the school.
b To collect necessary funds, and to meet all financial obliga- tions of the school.
c To have in safe keeping all papers and legal documents be- longing to the sch 10I. . . _
d. To secure and appoint all teachers and other necessary offi- cers of the school.
e. To present an annual written report to the conference.
3. location of the school.
Resolved, That the location where the school is to he established shall be determined by the Confer- ence. A two-thirds vote shall be necessary for a choice, The location shall be determined by this conference.
The final offer of the place where the school is to be located, shall be definite and in writing.
4. support of the school.
Resolved, That to meet the current expenses of the school the money shall be raised through pri- vate subscriptions, after the plan that each sub- scriber agrees to pay a definite sum for a definite number of years.
At the same time an endowment fund shall be
raised.
The institution shall limit itself to its resources. After the adoption of this report the conference proceeded to ballot upon the location of the school. Four churches expressed a desire to have the school located in their midst. Each in turn mentioned the advantages they possess. These churches were Goshen, Ind., Bluffton, O., Berne, Ind., and Wadsworth, O. Only one ballot was cast at this session. Conference closed for the first day with a song, and prayer by J. C. Mehl. SECOND day’s SESSION, SEPT. 29.
The session was opened by singing and the read- ing of Psalm 149 followed by prayer by Valentine Strubhar. The chairman announced that the fore" noon session would be devoted entirely to dis- cussions of topics, and that all business transactions would be postponed for the afternoon session.
1 Addresses were delivered on the following topics: First, a paper by H. J. Krehbiel, Trenton, O., on
“Why do we carry on mission work at home and abroad, and how can we promote it ? ’ There are three reasons why we carry on mission work: a. Christ commands; b. The wretchedness and degra- dation of the heathen require it. c. It pays both for those who do the work and for those for whom the work is done. There are also three ways for promoting the work: a. To go; b. To help others so they can go; c. To ; ray to God to send laborers into his vineyard.
Folljwing this came i>n address by Valentine Strubhar on “Family Worship, forms of, power of, and blessings of."
After this the large gathering of people was especially favored, in that President C. A. Blau- chard, of Wheaton College, was introduced by the chairman. He addressed the conference on “Chnstianity and the Lodge.” The f illowing is a brief outline of what he said:
I. What is the use to address an audience of this sort, on such a subject ? For -this is an audience composed of anti secret society people. There is need for agitation among you to keep yourselves free from the lodge. Again, parents don’t know where their children are going. Start your chil- dren right and they will go right. Finally, the world needs your help. You l ave a precious pound. Don’t wrap it in a napkin. You, your children, the world, need to be informed on this subject.
II. What do you know about them? This com-
mon objection on the part of lodge members he an- swered by saying: . ' ,
a. There are books and papers printed both for and against these orders.
b. Some things are open, such as their ceremonies on funeral occasions, their self-praising announce- ments in papers, and finally, their public meetings, parades, banquets, etc.
c. Conscientious people who once were ensnared and afterward were enlightened, and, like men, like children of God, stepped out.
d. By the character of the man. One may not know what is in a pitcher, but if upon placing one’s hand into it, the hand becomes black, there is some indication as to the contents of the pitcher. Ih pro- portion as the lodge gets into a heart, a church, a town, Christianity goes out.
III. What can we find out in these lodges?
a. They are just objects for suspicion. Virtue and goodness are always open.
b. They are not like the example and command- ment of Jesus Christ. Christ lived an open life; Christian people do so. Christ said, “What I tell you in daikness, that speak ye in light; and what
ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the house- tops.” (Matt. 10: 26.) Not a lodge membei in the world can do that.
c. The members are unequally yoked together.
d Reports show that they are a waste of money and of time. Odd Fellows get on an average 33J cents for every dollar they pay. Tne machinery > swallows up the other 66* cents of every dollar.
Mr St John, like many other good men, used to go 1 to the lodge. Mrs. St. John got tired of staying i alone with the baby. So she said to him one even- ing “I’m going along with you to the lodge to-night ) and we’ll take the baby along.” "You can’t, dear, they won’t let you in.” “Well, I’ll go as far as I can If they won’t let me to the inner door, I’ll go . as far as the outer door. And if they won’t let tne
' go as far as that, I’ll go as far as the foot of the
' ftairs and wait there for you. I’ll go just as far as I ' can ” St. John knew that she meant it. He did s not go to the lodge that night. Seventeen years afterwards he said that he never entered a lodge
In the afternoon session the school question was again resumed. The result of the first ballot waa Bluffton, 49; Berne, 31; Goshen, 16; Wadsworth,
9. A second ballot resulted in an increase for Berne, namely 43; Bluffton, 53; Goshen, 5. The third ballot gave Bluffton 71; Berne, 33; and Goshen, 1. On motion of J. F. Lehman, of Berne, Ind., this vote was made unanimous, by a rising vote of 33 to 6. In this decision it was un- derstood that the school shall be located at Bluff- ton, only in case Bluffton will make a satisfactory offer for the school.
The trustees were then instructed as to what they should do during the coming year: 1. Receive the offer of Bluffton, and if satisfactory accept it; a. Secure a definite plan for the building; 3 Collect funds for the support of the school; 4- Prepare a complete plan for the further work in regard to the school, and then report to the next conference.
The co nference treasurer reported as follows:
In the treasury October, 1897 $69 34
Expended during the year 77-3r
Deficit, October, 1898 • • ■ $ 7-97
C. AuERNHEiMER, Treasurer.
The election of officers resulted as follows: Chairman, N. C. Hirschy; secreUry, I. A. Sommer; treasurer, J. H. Tschantz; programme committee,
P. C. Sutter, C. v. d. Smissen, and Joel Lehman; evangelization committee, M. S. Moyer J. C. Mehl,
S. F. Sprunger; school trustees, three years, J. H. Tschantz, J. A. Amstutz, J. F. Lehman; two years,
J. C. Mehl, Gerhard Vogt, Peter Stucky; one year, H. J. Krehbiel, J. W. Leatherman, H. P. Krehbiel.
It was decided to hold the next conference at Berne, Indiana.
It was further resolved that the officers elect have the constitution translated into English and have 1000 copies printed in pamphlet form.
Resolved, That a vote of thanks be extended to J. F. Lehman for bis services in securing reduced r rates for the delegates.
Resolved, That the papers prepared for this con- ference be published in our church papers, the Ger- man in the Bundes. Bote, and the English in The Mennonite.
The resolution committee presented resolutions sanctioning the drift of the papers and discussions of the conference, and expressing gratitude to the churches at Danvers, and to Almighty God for favors and blessings bestowed.
These resolutions were adopted, and conference -closed. §- F. Sprunger^ Chairman.
N. C. Hirschy, Eng. Sec.
again, and never will. . . ...
e. They encourage men to commit crime, in that
they help men in crime. ..
f. They cultivate carelessness, and expressly dis- courage economy. .
g. They break down a man’s self-respect and man-
k'li^They ruin the home and the church.
IV. What can we do?
a. Keep out.
b. Testify against them.
c. Wait, as in days of slavery. As certain as intemperance must go, so certain the lodge must go.
This address was enthusiastically received. President Blanchard understands his subject, and impresses on: strongly of the fact that he is a man,
a free man, a child of God.
Immediately afterwards a conference collection was received which amounted to $62.40.
Two other addresses followed on this subject “Secret Societies— Their Detriment to the Church,” by J. C. Mehl, and “How can a church purify itself and keep clean from them,” by N. C. Hirschy. This closed the work of the forenoon.
God- Given Power to Love.
Loving as we are loved is delightfully human. Loving whether we are loved or not is not easy, but i t is Godlike. In the full-heartedness of youth our love goes out in return for kindness and love received. Loving those who love us seems as nat- ural as breathing; and so, indeed, it is. But as we advance in life the Master sets us harder lessons and puts our loving power to test. It seems a hard doctrine that loving fallible and unlovely men should be as the test of our love for a pure and holy and all-loving God. Yet any love worthy of the name, or the only one which will bear testing, is God derived. Only when we look to Him for power to love men do we gain that affection for and sympathy with our fellows which enable us to love others with no thought of their attitude to- ward us. — Rev. Dr. Chas. Roades.
“The best evidence of piety is submission to the will of God. *Ye are my friends if ye do whatso- ever I command you,’ says Christ”
THE MENNONITE
November
The importance of “spare moments” can hardly be overestimated. Indeed, it seems to me that in the great work of building character thev are of greater significance than the time occupied by us in the pursuit of our various occupations. Their im- port dawns upon us when we read the old saying, “The devil finds some mischief still, for idle hands to do.” It reminds us of the possibilities for evil that lurk in hours not devoted to our accustomed round of duties. Again, when we call to mind the saying, “A minute lost is lost forever,” we are re- minded of the fact that spare minutes misspent are minutes which, to say the least, are time lost for- ever. Or again, when we recall that it is after all the little things that count for the most, we are re- minded that in our so-called spare moments if right- ly improved, we may accomplish much that will help to make our lives nobler, and the life of others better.
§
The subject is one wnich should receive much at- tention on the part of young people because of its great importance to them. It is of the utmost im- portance to them because, first, youth is the time when the habits of life are formed, and, second, because the foundations of our character structures are then laid. It has been said that in no one thing are Americans so much lacking as in the matter of improving spare time. This is found to be true to a large extent among the older people, who have retired from the active duties of lije. It may readi- ly be conjectured that the reason for this is that the habit of employing spare time usefully was not formed in youth. Then also many young people have made miserable foundations for their character structures because, while they builded well enough w hen in their active duties, when off duty they built poorly if. indeed, they were not engaged in pulling
down.
i
For right beginnings in this matter, parents are largely responsible. While they should encourage healthful recreation fortheir children, they should bv all means strive to discourage idleness, and make an effort to train their children into habits of em- ploying the mind with things pure and healthful at all times. With the arrival of the time of responsi- bility for the youne people the question may be solved by the exercise of a little more thoughtful- ness than is generally found. Where there are regu- lar fixed intervals of spare time a course of systema- tic improvement should be followed. In these days there are many opportunities for systematic reading or study both of a secular and of a religious nature. The lack of Bible study is so often lamented, and how sad it is that with so much opportunity for study and reading these golden means of spiritual growth are not employed by more of our young people.
§
In cases w here leisure time does not appear so regularly there is still chance fqr improvement, even if no system can be followed. There is some kind of reading very useful that is especially adapted for such moments. To be very practical, with a church paper near at hand, we may by snatching these bits of time acquaint ourselves to a large degree with the activities in our church, or may store our minds with some of the valuable gems of thought often to be found there. But there are also opportunities of study. Recognizing a need in this direction, pub- lishers of Sunday school literature and -of young people’s society literature are issuing little hand-
books with suggestion for thought and study on the lessons or prayer meeting topics. These will be found by those who try them to be just the thing for profitable thought at odd moments. At all events whatever our opportunities or our lack of them let us not forget that time is a trust for which we are responsible. Our Master is honored by a proper use of the moments ; dishonored by their misuse.
J’
Christian Endeavor News.
Talk about the iron-clad pledge ! What do you think of these armor-clad rules that follow ? They are the regulations of the Floating society of Chris- tian Endeavor on board the battle-ship Olympia, Admiral Dewey’s flag-ship. Some of the members were growing careless, and the adoption of these rules was a sort of re-organization arrangement got up by themselves. They fire pretty straight, don’t they ?
I. Every member shall diligently attend the meet- ings the society will ln-hi on board.
II. No member shall use tobacco under any cir- cumstances. •
III. Every member shall abstain from all intoxi- cating drinks.
IV. No member shall borrow money on interest,
or lend out money on interest. »
V. Every member shall abstain from sucn com- pany, on board or on shore, as will hurt the progress of his Christian life.
VI. Every member shall always wear his pin when in uniform.
VII. Any member \ iolating the regulations of the society shall be warned three times ; if he does not comply to the requirements, his name shall be drop- ped from the membership roll.
VIII. Every one becoming a member of this Float- ing society of Christian Endeavor shall read these regulations, and after good consideration, shall sign his name earnestly and faithfully.
§
Returning from duty at Cuba, one of the Endeav- orers of the navy expresses his delight that the close of the war has put an end to extra Sunday work ; for, while he likes his position, he would not have re-enlisted if compelled to work Sunday. An- other has promised to give from his prize money toward the memorial room for Carlton Jencks at the Seamen’s home at Nagasaki, Japan.
§
The following outline of work done by a Durban, Natal, Christian Endeavor society is enough to drive listlessness away : open-air meeting every Sunday, a visit to the hospital with flowers and texts, meet- ings in the prison regularly, help in the South Afri- can general mission meeting at Tow'n Hall Gardens, visits to sailors, offering for support of native mis- sionary in Pinetown.
§
One of the most glorious fruits of the recent Nash- ville Christian Endeavor Convention is the organi- zation of three Christian Endeavor societies in the Tennessee State Prison, one for white men, one for colored, and one in the women’s ward.
§
The following is the latest statistical report furn- ished by Secretary Baer, of the Christian Endeavor Society : —
United States. Canada.
Young People's Societies 28,235 Young^ People’s Societies 2,930
Intermediate " ^’Sjo " l\
hpra' 11 70 xMBDiB *
sSSST ’’ 2? Mothers’ » 1
Parents' “ 1
Foreign Lands.
Young People’s Societies 8,320 Junior “ 1,045
Senior 11 19
Intermediate 6
Mothers' ” *
Floating Societies 119 Total Societies 54,476
K Total Membership 3,268,560
A Right and a Wrong U*« 1
Ruth and Margaret go to a Sunday-school that V has a large library of carefully-chosen books, which are free to all the members of the school. Both of R the girls like to read, and at their home you will al- IK ways find two books from the library. But they use K their books in very different ways. ■
Ruth reads nothing but stories ; Margaret consults H with the librarian, and has in that way discovered I some very interesting works of travel and biography, H which have led her to other good reading. Ruth H takes a book almost every week, and reads very fast. I If you ask her about a story that she read some time I ago, she cannot tell you anything about it, for she H has forgotten most of it. She laughs at Margaret H for spending such a long time on one book, but H Margaret remembers a great deal of what she has I read, and can talk about it in an interesting way. H The books are distributed at the close of the les- |fl son hour, and Ruth is always so impatient to know I what book she is to have, and whether it is the one 1 she wanted most, that for the last five minutes of 1 the lesson time she pays very poor attention. Mar- | garet is always interested, too, but she does not let 1 her attention wander.
At home Ruth sits down at once to read her book, Until it is finished, she seizes every possible minute to read. She slights the little duties that form part of her work to get to reading as soon as possible, and she puts down her book with bad grace when her mother calls on her for help about the house. Sometimes, when she is in school, she sits down to read before she has studied her lessons for the next day, and the result is that she has poor lessons, and her library book is a hindrance to her, instead of a help. •**
With Margaret it is different. She does not let her book interfere with her small duties about the eouse, though she is no less fond of reading than Ruth. She responds cheerfully if her mother asks her help, even though she may be in the middle of a chapter, and she waits till her lessons are learned before she takes up the library book. And very of- ten the book is a great help to her in her lessons, for it gives her a more vivid idea of the places where great events have taken place, or tells her in- teresting incidents of famous men, about whom she is studying in her history.
Even so good a thing as a libfary book may be wrongly used, and so prove a hindrance to us, in- stead of a help. Here are two ways of using such books. Which way shall we choose for ourselves ?
— Esther Merifield in Magnet.
“Give Up Tobacco.’’
The late James McLaughlin, before he became “a changed man,” was subject to several debasing ha- bits. Among these was smoking. His evil habits, except this, were mostly left off before he was call- ed to be a minister.
One day, as he was walking from his house to his shop, he was suddenly stopped and heard a voice distinctly say, “ Thou must give up the use of tobac- co." Although he believed it was a Divine com- mand, he was such a slave to the nabit he did not think he would be able to obey.
Again the command came : “Thou must give up the use ot tobacco now,” and that his example was counteracting what he did by preaching. The Power so came over him that he shook like an aspen leaf, but still he hesitated to obey.
Then the voice came a third time as distinct as any outward voice : “Thou must give up the use of tabacco, or else never gain admittance to the kingj dom of heaven.” He threw his pipe over the fence and prayed to God for deliverance from the chains of his appetite, and uever used tobacco again. — The Friend.
To shape a child’s life is the sweetest earthly task. If you are a mother, you will need to ask God daily for patience and wisdom. Remember that child- ren, if told of Christ, quickly learn to love him, and only as they love him and keep his command- ments are they safe.
1
THE MENNONITE
isston Department.
Edited by A. B. Shelly.
0or Indian Mission —Its Present Needs.
When Christ said to his disciples, “The harvest tmly is great but the laborers are few,” his words had a-special reference to the wants of that time.
But his words apply with equal force to the require- ts upon the missionfield in our time, and with “ enain amount of force to our own work among •he Indians. The want of a greater number of able, devoted and consecrated men and women, who are willing to enter and remain permanently in our mission has all along been sorely felt. On account of the brief stay of many of our former workers out work had in the past to experience many and frequent change of workers, and not unfrequently a want of a sufficient number of capable and efficient workers. As it always requires a certain length of time before persons, even if they are ever so de- voted are so fully acquainted with the nature of their work as to be able to perform their part with anV amount of proficiency, these frequent changes in the working personnel must necessarily prove deleterious to the work itself. What we need is therefore worKers who are willing to remain in the work for a longer period of time. Yea, such as re- gard this work as the calling of their life. We re- joice to know that our mission has a number of such workers, both as missionaries and as school workers, who have entered upon their field of labor with the intention of remaining there permanently as long as the Lord permits them to do so. And we most earnestly desire that all who are engaged in the work now, and all those who hereafter may engage in it, might view the work in which they are en- gaged as a divine calling to which the Lord has called them for a longei period of time, and that thus changes among our workers may in the future occur less frequently then they have in the past.
Not unfrequently the Missionboard has been ham- pered in its work on account of an insufficient num- ber of workers. It was on this account mainly that the Board felt itself obliged to discontinue the school at Darlington. And although the Board has decided to retain the station as a mission station, by station- ing a missionary there, it has thus far been unable to find the proper person for that position. Should our efforts in this direction prove as unavailing in the future as they have in the past, the Beard will no doubt be obliged, against its will, to relingui‘-li this station entirely. At Cantonment, where our school is filled with children to overflowing, we are in want of another teacher. Our continued efforts to procure one have also proved unsuccessful. And although the position is now temporarily filled, yet we are in need of one who is qualified and willing to take charge of the schoel as a permanent teacher.
At Cantonment there is also a want o: room to accommodate all the children who are willing to come to school. Our present room is sufficient only to accommodate about 6o pupils. The number en- rolled, however, is 74- Besides these quite a num- ber, who had applied for admission, had to be turn- ed away on account of the scarcity of room. The
Indians are not able to comprehend why it is that
we do not take all their children who are willing to come to school. They imagine it is because we do not love them, and thus it has a tendency to create in them a coldness toward our mission. The Mis- sionboard realizing this and being desirous to make room for more children at school, has decided to build a house for missionary Fetter and his family, who are now living and occupying several rooms in the school building. The rooms thus vacated are then to be used for school purposes. Besides this the Board fully realizes that it is better, both for brother Petter’s family as well as for his work, if they have a home by themselves away from the school. For similar reasons it would be well if a seperate home could be procured for missionary John A. Funk, who with his family is likewise liv- ing in the school building at present. The latter seems still more desirable as brother Funk is at
present too far removed from his Indians (the Ara- pahoes) among whom he is working.
The erection of brother Petter’s house will be commenced at once, and I doubt not, as soon as the necessary funds are available the Board will be wil- ling to furnish a separate home for brother Funk also, and thus create additional room in the school- building.
A house is also needed for brother H. J. Kliewer, our missionary among the Red Moon Indians at Hammon, Ok la. Ter. Brother Kliewer has been living in a tent with the Indians in their camp, dur- ing the past summer. During the winter he will have his abode in an old sod- house, erected on the piece of land which the Mission Board purchased for a mission station. But as neither the tent nor the sod-house will serve as a permanent dwelling, a suitable house will have to be built, for which pre- parations are now being made.
But the erection of these buildings occasions an- other want — the want of money to pay for them. The buildings must not necessarily be expensive, and yet they will cost something. Our mission treasury does not now contain the necessary amount to pay for them. The Missionboard believes, how- ever, that our mission friends, realizing the neces- sity of thus procuring room both for our school and our missionaries, will not fail to provide the neces- sary means to do so. Or rather, the Board believes that God, to whom the work belongs and in whose name and service we labor, will provide the neces- sary means by making those, who are able to do so, willing to contribute liberally for this object.
A. B. Shelly,
Sec. Mennonite Mission Board.
Home Life and Morality of the Zulus-
The native house of the Zulu is the small round hut, about fifteen feet in diameter and eight feet in height. It is made of poles stuck in the ground in a circle, bent and tied together at the top, and cov- ered with long grass. There is no chimney and no window I the dooi is but two and one-half feet high, so that one must enter on all fours. In this dark hole the people live— often large families in the one room. A saucer-like hole is made in the centre for a fireplace, and the earth floor around it is pounded hard. Mats serve for carpets by day and for beds by night, with blocks of wood six inches thick as pillows. The sides of the huts are usually pretty well covered with ox-hide shields, once carried in war, and handed down as heirlooms. The remain- der of the furnishings consist of calal ashes, or wa- ter-pitchers, cooking utensils, and the two stones for crushing the corn.
A Zulu woman takes great pride in her house, it being the one thing she can call her own. No one has the right to enter except with her permission, and this gives her some authority. If she mani- fests executive or nt Titary ability, she receives the same honors as a man. Some of them have become queens for the prominent part which they took in war or in the affairs of state. The proper way to address the good ’ady of the hut, in the absence of her husband, is “h, Nkosikazi” “Honored Queen.” According to Zulu custom she is one of many wives. In many cases one wife seems to enjoy the entire attention of her husband, and she will not be al- lowed in the hut of a jealous rival. The children are taught to obey their parents, and are very re- spectful. They sleep in their mother’s hut until old enough to go to the general hut, where the grown sons and daughters live.
When he marries, the Zulu pays from five to ten cows for each wife, and it is lawful for him to have as many as he can purchase.
Before they came in contact with evil traders, the Zulus as a rule were moral; and the masses of them, who live in their kraals (villages) are moral now- according to their standard of morality. Stealing is very rare, and so is adultery. Before corrupting traders entered our country, a house of prostitution was unknown. Now, sad to say, the evil example has degraded many of oar people, for the simple- minded natives think that all the wise white man says and does must be right. Instead, therefore, of “profiting by the virtues of civilization, they are, in too many instances, sunk in its vices. There are some noble traders who have been an inspiration to the natives, but the wicked ones hinder missionary work and degrade the people.
The Progress of Christianity.
8- -- REV. R. II. PATTERSON, D. D.
In the year iooo the number of nominal Christians in the world was computed at about only 50,000,000; in 1500, 100,000,000; in 1700, J55>coo,ooo; in 1800,
250.000. 000 ; and now, in a world population of about
1.430.000. 000.477.000.000.
As to the different governments of the world and the people whom they rule, nearly 800,000,000 of the 1,430,000,000 inhabitants of the world are under Christian governments. The progress, at first slow, has been with an ever-increasing ratio.
As to the different forms of Christianity. In the year 1700 there were 90,000,000 of the inhabitants of the world under Roman Catholic governments ; 33,- 000,000 under Greek, and 32,000,000 under Prote- stant; and now the number under Protestant is about 450,000,000 of the 800,000,000 who are under Christian governments.
As to the United States, the latest reports (of 1896) give 25,424.333 as the number of communicant mem- bers in all the churches of all kinds, and about 10,- 000,000 children in all the Sunday-schools, which figures seem to leave a large proportion of the popu- lation beyond all direct ecclesiastical connection, not connected in any way with any of the churches or schools, though, of course, many of those who are not membeis of any church may be in families some of whose members are in the churches and schools and attendants upon the services, and, in some measure, under their influence.
The contrast between the little Ante-Pentecostal Church in Jerusalem of 120 members and the mil- lions upon millions among almost all nations now is great in the arithmetical figures, but the Omnis- cient One alone knows the number of the saved for eternity— the multitude of true and obedient be- lievers in the crucified Jesus, and the incomparably greater multitude still of all the infant dead, who have been taken to the glory of heaven during the terrestial strife and progress. And as to the intel- lectual, moral, social, restraining, elevating influence which Christianity has had upon society at large in the nations it has reached, and not merely upon those who have been eternally saved through it, what human pen can describe it all? — Conden«*d from Treasury of Religious Thought. „
A Missionary Bible Reading.
Four “ Howl ” of Rom. 10: 14, IS.
I. “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard ?”
The deepest needs of the heathen Gentiles are : —
(a) To know God as the Father of our Lord Jesus!
John 3: 16, 17.
(b ) To know Jesus as the only begotten of the
Father. John 1: 14; Heb. 1: 2, 3.
(c) To know the Holy Spirit as the revealer of all
truth. John 16: 13.
(d) They already know that they are are sinners.
Rom. 1: 32.
(e) They need to know the Saviour. John 12: 32.
II. “How shall they hear without a preacher?”
(a) God has ordained that man should bear the
message of salvation. Rom. 10: 17.
(b) He thus manifests His Word. Titus 1: 3.
(c) It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching
to save men. 1 Cor. 1: 21.
(d) For this Jesus ordained men. Mark 3: 14.
(e) He commands them to witness. Acts 1: 8.
III. “How shall they preach except they be sent?” (a) Every believer is sent. John 17: 18.
(i) Commanded to go. Mark 16: 15.
(c) Has committed to him the ministry of recon- ciliation. 1 Cor. 5: 19.
(rf) They need also to be sent by the brethren. Acts 13: 3.
( e ) They need the gifts of God’s people. 1 Cor. 9: 14.
(/) They also need the prayers. 1 Thess. 5: 25.
IV. “How beautiful the feet of those who preach the gospel.” (See Isa. 52: 7.)
(a) They are angels (messengers) of God. Psa. 104: 4.
(£) They follow in the steps of Jesus. Isa. 61: I.
Luke 4: 18, 19, S. of S. 7: 1, Eph. 6: 15.
(c) Nothing more beautiful in the sight of God than the bearer of good tidings to lost souls.
Sou.h American Messenger.
November 189J
■S Mission Society*- Election of officers, which resulted as follows
President, Barbara Sprunger,
le societies of the Middle pre8jdent, Bertha S. Augspnrger,
Id at Danvers, 111., Octo- Secretary) Lovina Stucky, Noble, Iowa ; il opening was made with Anna Aug9purger, Trenton, Ohio, Lydia Wittricb,
:te, the reading of Luke Nobje lowa, and Sarah C. Sprunger, Berne, Indiana.
the President. Resolved —
ociety at Pulaski, Iowa, . q>be next annuai meeting of the L. M. S. tied, “The Missionary’s societies to be held in connection with the confer- •d by the program to the ence and S. S. convention at Berne, Indiana.
Ud. "Calvary," was sung °'t^“ ,o gi« a
ipurger, of Trenton, Ohio, meeting8 in both papers, T”E M_ i letter written by Bertha Bundesbote.
►n at Cantonment. The meeting closed with prayer,
he Wadswoith, Ohio, so- Qur Ladies Mission Societies have great reasons “Why should Christian to be encouraged in the work, as we see more and
ty Work?” was then read more tbe need of them as a source of blessing in
our mission derived through them.
lerfield, 111., read an ori- Bertha S. Augspurger, Pres,
n the German language, Sarah C. Sprunger, Sec.
this occasion. This was it la the flfth of a series of arnuats, -the publication or which
a male quartet from Berne, was starte(j arKi js continued with a view to bringing befon
read a German paper writ' . . ... , , , members oi our church and others, Information ol interest con.
“Observations made A Mennonite colony is about being establisnea at cernIng the past history and present progress of our church. The
„ Lithia Springs, Ga. Bro. J. S. Lehman, manager present number is again replete with matters of historical value,
zona • . _ „ af the Mennonite Publication House at Elkhart, and the almanac pages again bring a complete list of the Inter
he society at Donnellson, . .. r ; Coloniza- national Sunday School Lessons and dally Bible readings, it
tiara Hirschler of that so- Ind., who is also manager t g you have not seen any of the previous issues, a copy of the lw
Soruneer The essay tion Company, has lately returned from a trip to lg8Ue (1898) wiu be gent you free on application If made in time
. . P. . , X 0 this southern country where he has made the neces- whlle the supply lasts. Then let us know how many of thene.
mold A d hoc eties co sary arrangements for colonizing. A tract of land Issue you may want tor yourself and others at the following rate;
'ne/ was written in German. ha* been bought and options have been taken on Single copies, lO coots ; f 1.00 per dozen ; i declamation that follow- some of the most desirable farms in the neighbor- *6.00 por hundred.
T inu hood. A large boardinghouse has been purchased we want some one in every neighborhood to sell them lor m,
Berne, ind., society, - neaf the d t hich ia conducted by an Elkhart Send orders to
,g discouraged and g andPseveral car.load8 of household goods, U. S. Stauffer, Quakertown, Pa.
•ere to have Miss Barbara farming implements, and some live-stock will be Rev. J|. B. Shelly, Milford Square, Pa.
Berne, Ind.; Vice pof Heathen Misstoi Trenton, Ohio; Frotn the chjidren Committee, field, 111., $3-5° 1 Wes West Swamp S. S., $S East Swamp S. S.
Saucon cong., P»-i
fit. 20 ; Dauit, — »*— — — . u,
{5.00 ; C. Andres, Marienburg, West Prussia, fj.oo First Mennonite cong., "
Leisy, $2.00;
Hereford cong.,
Pa., 126.92- r
they see it most necessary. cong.,
, . 1 report of these 1
The Mennonite and the fl8.-74
mp, cong., Pa., $23.60. 1st Swamp cong. {13.^
, Flatland cong., $8.6.'.
15-96; Springfield cong., p,'
Daniel and Eva Schultz, Loretta, S. D.,
— - — o» •• *
Newton, Kan., {65.13 ; Huldi
Salem cong., Dalton, Ohio, {6.70; Pa., {33.08; Upper Milford cong.’ 6.92; Bethal cong., Mo., {21.90; West Zioi
, Moundridge, Kan., {9 69 ; Prof. B. F. Welty,
Bethel college, {10.00 ; Garden Township S. S., Kan.
Deep Run Y. P. Society, Pa., for Phillip Rabbit, {5.00 ; Hillsboro, Kan., Sewing Society, for church building at Havenaum, Okla., {5.00; John Suckau, Newton, Kan., for Mission in India, $15.00, Gratefully acknowledged,
Brainerd, Kan. G. Harder, Treas,
Der “Kinderbote.”
The Kinderbote is a semi-monthly publication, In the Germu lani'uage, for Children and Sunday-schools. It is published bj tne Publication Board of the General Conterence The contend are ^specially adapted for children. Send for sample copies.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION :
1 copv one year 80 cents.
10 copies or more to one address 20
MENNONITE BOOK CONCERN,
Berne, Adams Co., Indians.
The sect of the Nazarenis in Hungary is increas- ing so rapidly that its growth threatens the Austro- Hungarian government with an additional burning question. These people, whose tenets with regard to military service and swearing allegiance closely resemble those of the English Friends and the Russian Mennonites, refuse to perform the military duties imposed on them. — Literary Digest.
COLUMBIA
BAR- LOCK TYPEWRITER
Oberholtzer. — Bauman. — At the home of tne bride, on September 26, 1898, by A. S. Shelly, John Oberholtzer, of Philadelphia, and Martha Bauman, of Pottstown, Pa.
Ziegler — SteiGner. — On October 15, 1898, at Schwenksville, Pa., by W. S. Gottshall, Harvey H. Ziegler and Miss Lena Steigner, both of Creamery, Montg. Co., Pa.
We now were favored by some remarks of the Rev. M. S. Moyer and Rev. S. F. Sprunger, mem- bers of our mission board. The latter also answer- ed a number of questions that were put to him in regard to the Indians and the work among them, aud also in regard to the work on the Islands of Sumatra and Java.
The following resolutions were then adopted:
a) Resolved that the essays and poems which were rendered at this meeting should be published iu our church papers, viz : The Mennonite and the Bundesbrte
(This Is the rcasonavhy no remarks or points are Riven ot the different subjects here la the report, as everybody is ex- pected to read the productions In the papers.— sec.
b) Rev. C. H. A. van der Smissen made known to the societies, that if it was possible and they wish to do so, they could send some things as presents for the coming Christmas to Rev. Kliewer to be dis- tributed among the Indians at his place.
The meeting was brought to a close with a song by a double quartette, and prayer and blessing by Rev. J. King.
BUSINESS MEETING.
The annual business meeting of said societies was held on Thursday, Sept. 29th. The following are the minutes of the meeting :
Opening— Scripture reading and prayer by the president.
Reading of the minutes of the last business meet- ing, held at Trenton, Ohio.
Seaths.
TrEMER— On October 12, 1898, near Pawling, Chester county, Pa., Irwin Tremer, aged 28 yrs.,
. , , 2 mos. and 2 days. The deceased enlisted in the
The Mennonite and the late war wjtb Spain and was stationed at Porto Kico,
he came home sick with a complication of diseases and died as above mentioned. Funeral services were held in the cemetery at Schwenksville on Oc- tober 16th. W. S. Gottshall conducted the services while around the grave stood the family and friends of the deceased, the Phoenixville Battery of which he was a member and a large concourse of people.
Snyder— On October 21, 1898, at North Wales, pa Dr. Harvey L. Snyder, aged 30 yrs., 8 mos. and 20 days On October 29th his remains were buried at the Zionsville Lutheran church Funeral ser- vices were conducted by A. B. Shelly and J. B. Rit- terf assisted by Eli Keller and A S. Shelly The deceased was killed by a railroad train while out unending to his patients on a dark stormy night.
HiESTAND. — On October 23, 1898, near Spinners- town, Pa., Emma, daughter of Charles C. and Mary Hiestand, aged 23 yrs., 1 mo. and 7 days. Interment was made at the Hereford Mennonite church on Oct. 28th. Funeral services were conducted by A. B.
CSjj
ennoiutc
'‘Other foundation can no man fay tfian tfiat is [aid, wfiicfi is (fesus Christ.
Vol. XIV. No. 3.
Divine Peace.
Peace upon peace, like wave on wave,
This is the portion that I crave ;
The peace of God which passeth thought,
The peace of Christ that changeth not.
Peace like the river’s gentle flow,
Peace like the morning’s silent glow.
From day to day in love supplied,
An endless and unebbing tide.
Peace flowing on, without decrease,
From Him who is our joy and peace,
Who, by his reconciling blood
Hath made the sinner’s peace with God.
Peace through the night and through the day, Peace through all windings of our way,
In pain and toil and weariness,
A deep and everlasting peace.
Oh, King of peace, this peace bestow Upon a stranger here below ;
Oh, God of peace, the peace impart To every troubled, trembling heart.
Peace from the Father and the Son,
Peace from the Spirit, all his own ;
Peace that shall nevermore be lost,
Of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Horatius Bonar.
r - -sm d|aLi * k
How can a Church Purify Itself from Secret Societies and keep clean from them.
Paper read at the Middle District Conference, at Danvers, 111., Sept. .9 1898, by N. C. Hirschy, Wadsworth, Ohio.
The topic as stated constitutes two separate questions, each of which requires to be treated by itself, neither of which is easily solved. Much has been said about bath questions, more may be said; but to say such things as will be of real help to counteract the evil now under discussion, and of help to build up the Christian Church is quite a different task. Most of this paper is the result of the writer’s personal observation and experience; some of it is purely theoretical. The paper is not intended to solve the questions, but rather to pre- pare the way for subsequent discussion ; and if possible to prove helpful to some one who sincerely desires help.
r. How can a church purify itself from Secret Societies? This question presupposes that lodge members have in some way or other crept into the church, and also that they do not belong there. That the church and the lodge are two irreconcil able institutions, is here to be assumed not to be proved.
The solution of the problem depends largely up- on the nature of the church, its environment and its system of government. A city church must adopt different methods from those of the country church. The hardest field probably is the town and the smaller city. If the system of government of the church is strictly congregational the work is of necessity different from that in a church with representative or Episcopalian government. Methods of work must be adapted to the particular church in which the work is to be done.
There are two ways at least of approaching the
Quakertown, Pa., December* J 898.
subject : Persuasion following upon conviction,
and compulsion without conviction. The first is always slow and difficult, the second is easy. The one wins the wanderer back, the other sends him on in his error. Conviction should be the aim. C< no pulsion may in some instances lead to conviction, Because of the weakness and perversion of the human heart, law is a good thing In this way the position of our General Conference, if firmly ad- heied to, as I hope it will be, may be helpful to churches needing help. Let a church feel that un- less it rids itself of lodge members it will be ex- cluded from conference fellowship, and that al- though it be a low motive, may lead it to action in the right direction Fellowship may be denied, and rightly so, but if we can njt convince a willing mind that be is in the wrong, what right have we to ask him to leave that which he can not see to be wrong? That tjroulJ be compulsion which can benefit no one.
More in particular it might be said that the work must begin with the minister. Unless he is a man of deep conviction, firm and decided, the attempt is useless. 'Hie first thing to do in such a case is to get rid of or convert the minister. Let the minister be a man of strong personal conviction, and let him speak intelligently and in unmistakable terms the truth of the word of God from a well in- formed and sincere heart, and the first step is taken. Then let the congregation as such so live that the lodge members feel out of place with them in the church. Let earnest church members pay more into the church than lodge members pay into the lodge ; let church members attend church services tryofe regularly than lodge members attend the foage meetings; let church members be more de. voted to the church than lodge members are to the lodge; then a second step is taken These two things alone, I believe, will rid any church of all attachments to secret societies of any sort ; namely, intelligent strength, fairness, and firmness in the pulpit, and devotion and faithfulness in the pew. But unless we are willing to stand by the church, as they do by the lodge, unless we can show them that we have something better than they, we shall fail in our effort.
To the above mentioned methods might be added definite personal work. Any or all members of the church may have a share in this Let the minister and deacons meet together tor counsel. Let them agree upon principles and methods. Let them warm their hearts through earnest prayers to God. Then let them gather around themselves such members as are able and willing to work. Let them send out the right ones to speak with some lodge member. Some good may be done in this way if rightly managed. To speak effectively with any one we must first of all have the right spirit in our own hearts. We must know what we are talking about. We must meet our man at a suitable leisure hour. Arguing usually fails. Truth rightly pre- sented will work iu own way. We must show the lodge members intelligently and with all fairness
Whole No. 159.
the inconsistency of their action. To do this we must be reasonable tnd know what we talk about.
To all this we may add that addresses by able men on this subject, and literature carefully select- ed may be helpful.
The compulsory method is easy enough to follow.
It is not hard to throw a member out of church. But what have we accomplished then ? Have we done him or any one else any good ? The work of the church is to seek and to save. Is not a man in the church worth saving as well as a man outside ? Of course, if he will not be saved no one can help him. But how much better is it to save a man than to drive him away farther and farther into error and darkness.
II. How can a church keep clean from Secret Societies? This is a two fold task. First to keep lodge members from joining the church. Second* to keep church members from joining the lodge. The first is comparatively easy. A rule of the church and a careful examination of candidates for admission will settle all that. To keep church members from entering the lodge after they are once in the church is not so easy. As long as lodges exist, and continue to use every imaginable means to ensnare young men, we must expect to face this danger. Every generation anew must battle with this question.
Wholesome teaching is needed continually. An antidote for the poison must be used. But an overdose of the antidote loses all its effect.
Many a young man has been driven to the lodge because he was unreasonably urged not to do so. Whenever we exaggerate the facts of the lodge system and deal unfairly with lodge members we help the lodge rather than hinder it. Good litera- ture, public addresses, constant agitation of the subject, will certainly not be without good results. And yet, care should be exercised, lest the attention is drawn away from Christ, tne center, and is fixed upon a negative work If the Christian people succeed to show the lodge world the inconsistency of the two systems and that Christianity is infinitely superior, then in time the church will fully conquer the lodge.
“Let this our motto be,
More love O, Christ to thee,
More love to thee.”
The revival which we need is a revival of the religion which keeps God’s commandments ; which tells the truth and sticks to its promises ; which pays twenty shillings to the pound ; which cares more for a good character than a fine coat ; which votes at the ballot box in the same direction that it prays ; which denies ungodly lusts, and which can be trusted in every stress of temptation. A revival which will sweeten our homes, and chasten our press, and purify our politics, and cleanse our busi- ness and commerce from roguery and rottenness, would be a boon from Heaven, t. l. cuylkr, d. d.
THE MENNONITE
A Middle District Convention Paper. ^
Review of Quarter of July, August and September, by Jonas A. Amstutz, Bluffton, Ohio.
wc
Subject : "No Good Thing will he with- hold from them that walk uprightly. — sa' Psalm 84: 11.
i ra
The committee wish us to show points ot en- gtj
couragements to leachers and pupils through the al
different characters that appear in the lessons of >n this quarter who have followed their Master in im- plicit faith, steadfastness and love, and how our ^
blessed Master upheld them and blessed them ^
through trials and dark days, to a blessed and sue* j. cessful outcome ; thiough which we know that he w will also give us strength and wisdom and faithi ^ reward us for our faithful efforts for good and ^ crown us with glory. t(
Lesson i st, The Kingdom Divided. After the t, children of Israel refused to give obedience to p Rehoboam’s tyrannical rule, he assembled the House y of Judah and the remnant of Benjamin at Jerusalem p with four score thousand chosen men to fight g
against Israel to bring the Kingdom again to Reho- g boam, the son of Solomon, but the word of God f
came unto Shemaiah, the man of God, saying, g
speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, King g
of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the (
people, saying, thus saith the Lord, ye shall not go (
up, nor fight against your brethren, the children of ^
Israel ; return every man to his house ; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to ( the word of the Lord, and returned to depart, ac- j cording to the word of the Lord.
Separation and peace are better than forced , unity and division of heart. In time of trial the Lord is the “Wonderful Counselor,” God brings good out of the evil ways of the two young Kings of this lesson God has brought peace , blessed peace, which we as a Nation can appreciate at the present time.
’ Lesson 2nd, Elijah the Prophet. The fruits of Jeroboam’s sin are now visible all over Israel, the worshippers of the living Jehovah are few indeed, everywhere Baal is the idol ot the people. At this crisis God raises up Elijah— first among the proph. et8. Strong, self sacrificing and true, he comes suddenly before us, as he afterwards passes sudden- ly from us into glory ; but his pathway is marked by prompt aggressive deeds, and we wish to hold him up before all young men and women, as a model Christian athlete.
Elijah’s life at the brook Cherith is a beautiful illustration of God’s untailing care, but it must be remembered that we cannot select our own abiding place and expect God to give us all needed supplies, it is only then when we walk before him uprightly that he will withold no good thing from us ; it is only when we go in obedience to his command that we can confidently look for help, he always seemed to realize that his life was in God’s especial care. Such should be our trust in God, who represents himself as having taken his people by the hand to lead them. How much comfort there is in the thought that God takes our hand leading and up- holding us in our efforts to do good. “Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidcn, and dwell there : tehold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.” Elijah obeyed ; the result was “ Fhe barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord,” which he spake by Elijah. The unfail- ing meal and oil is a miracle, familiar to us all but we must not overlook the widow’s faith in using her all as Elijah commanded. It is when we put our all into the hands of Jesus that we receive his un- failing strength. ... „
Lesson $rd, Elijah on Carmel. “And when al the people saw it, they fell on their faces : and they
said, The Lord, he is the God ; the Lord he is the ha
God.” de
“And it came to pass after many days that the st< word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year er
saying, go, show thyself unto Ahab: and I will send w< rain upon the earth.” Elijah obeyed. His first E step was to repair the altar of the Lord, he did not Is
attempt to build a new one. He desired in this, as vi
in all else that he did, to restore the former worship it. of Jehovah. We need to day restoration of the old th
ways and return to th: old paths, the altars in our bl
homes and hearts need repairing. In regard to th Elijah’s prayer, it has been beautifully said. “Prayer was the forerunner of Elijah’s every action,” whai- s ever was his object to seal or to open the fountain * ot Heaven, to evoke the obedient fire on Carmel, to shed joy over the bereft household of the Sarep- r) tan widow, there is always the solemn and earnest ^ prayer. Elijah is here a marked example of the value of what is commonly termed being on praying ^ terms with God, in this lesson we can especially see how God upheld Elijah in putting to rout Baal and his adherents, young peope are disposed to ^ follow crowds, but the developments of this lesson ^ show, that it is infinitely better to attend even a small Sabbath school than to follow the big crowd of Sabbath desecrators and to come to grief in the end, no good thing will he withold from them that walk uprightly. ,
Lesson 4th, Elijah's Flight and Encouragement. \ Golden Text. — Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him.
In introducing this lesson I would call attention to the fact that he who honestly fulfils life’s mission, must expect persecution. No good man has ever been free from it. We cannot excuse Elijah’s cowardice notwithstanding the well known fury and determination and influence of Jezebel. 1 he God who had just given him such power on Carmel still lived. We turn . from Elijah, the bold conquerer, to Elijah, the fugitive and outcast. How weak and cowardly is human nature ! With God one can chase a thousand, but without God one flies from a shadow as Elijah did on the threat upon his life by Jezebel for executing the Baal Priests. We imitate Elijah when we run away from danger, when we doubt God’s power to carry us through difficulties,
1 when we are influenced to deny our religion by the l threats and boasting words of Godless people.
1 God’s pprotecting care is clearly brought out in verses 5 to 8. God’s angels are always near his 1 children. The manner in which we are protected ; is very beautifully stated in his word— “The Lord ? shall cover him all day long” more securely than i, our roofs cover us from the storm. God’s question
y “What doest thou here Elijah 7’ after he had run s away, is suggestive ; it is a question that a Sunday .t School woiker may often pertinently put to himself, d But the kindly encouragement that God gave to :. Elijah, shows that he witholds no good thing from ;s his children. Verses 15 to 16 show God’s care for o despondency. He gave Elijah earnest work to do ie and in doing this, gloom and despondency depart- > ed. There are many despondent Christians to day :t because there are many idle Christians. Joy and d work are inseparable. In the spiritual world, as we w try to «ift the burden trom other shoulders the bur-
ie den falls from ours. As he starts on this mission,
cr God gives him a word of cheer and encouragement of telling him of the seven thousand still faithful, il- Nothing was more needed than honest encourage - ut ment.
er Lesson 5th, Naboth's Vineyard. Golden Text.— ar “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house.” But in- Ahab did covet Naboth’s Vineyard, and on not be- ing able to purchase or trade for same (as Naboth all had inherited t,) his behavior as described in verse icy v four, is at once amusing and childish ; it is the be-
December ]
havior of a stubborn little child who has been ' denied candy or cake. But the wicked Jezebel steps in and secures the vineyard by having its own- | er murdered in a so called lawful way. What , was the result ? “The word of the Loid came to | Elijah saying, go down to meet Ahab King of Israel which is in Samaria ; behold he is in the vineyard of Naboth whither he has gone to possess it.” And this was his commission : “Thus saith
the Lord, in the place where the dogs licked the blood of Naboth, shall dogs lick thy blood, even
th Arid of Jezebel also spake the Lord, “The degs . shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.” Such is the visitation upon those that do not walk uprightly
before God. 1
Lesson 6th, Elijah's Spirit on Elisha. Golden |
Text.— How much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?"
This is one of the most impressive lessons of Old Testament history. At the very beginning we are reminded that in the purpose of God there is a day of triumph as well as a day of trial. Elijah was bitterly persecuted, but now glorious his reward.
We often shonld remind ourselves, while suffering with our Lord here, that we shall reign with him above. Elisha knowing, as he did, the departure I of the one who was to him as much a Father as Teacher, clung to him persistently until Elijah said unto Elisha ask what I shall do for thee, and Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me, which he also then received. Jesus at twelve years was found in the temple be- cause he felt it his duty to be there. Elish persist ently stayed with Elijah, and thereby became the beneficiary. We also shall receive God’s blessing ar.d Spirit by walking in his light, whether it is in the capacity of teacher or scholar.
Lesson jth, The Shunamite's Son. Golden Text. — “Cast thy burden upon the Lord^and he shall sustain thee.” On the way from Samaria to Carmel Elisha passed through a village called Shunem. He was kindly received into a family who took especial care of him. Elisha finding the family childless promises them a son. It is this child of promise that dies for them. The Shuna- mite in the face of her remonstrating husband gees to Elisha on Carmel. None but such of us who have gone to the gate of the valley of sadness and ’ death of a beloved boy or girl, can in a measure 3 feel with this woman, as she laid her dead and only
1 son upon the prophet's bed. Elisha, willing to
1 help, brings the boy, through God’s help, to life , again. In noticing this great miracle a little closer, we find it began with prayer. It is folly to attempt n any enterprise without first seeking God’s light and y help, having earnestly sought God’s aid. We may
f begin our work with confidence. Jesus left the
0 garden prepared to meet the terrible trials before n Him. The strongest weapon that a little child ,r possesses is the voice with which it cries “Mamma.’’
0 As the servant of God becomes as a lit le child, he
t. sees how much of victoiy is associated with prayer.
iy Too much of our teaching and pleaching is done
d at long range, and our words fall short of the
,e heart; the human soul cannot be reached by
r. preaching at it from a distance, Sunday school
n teachers and workers must realize that the more
nt closely they identify themselves with the daily
trials of the se whom they seek to save, the more e. potent will become their influence. The touch of a sympathetic hand and the sound of a tendeq — loving voice, made so by the consciousness of it’ lut mission, accomplish more than the gifts of distant >e- philanthropists or the words of formal orders. Gu<- >th will bless all sincere efforts in behalf of His cause ■se Lesson 8 th, Naaman Healed. Golden Text. >e- “Heal me, O Ixird, and I shall be healed; save
THE MENNONITE
19
e and I shall be saved.” Of all Elisha’s mira- W f Xs this is the only one wrought on a heathen, but hoi fittingly) for it conveys rich moral lessons for all wh ations'and ages. Naaman’s cure typifies salvation wil Lm £in by the Gospel. He himself prefigures the Gentiles who eagerly receive God’s salvation ev (rom which many Jews are cut off by unbelief, wi according to Luke. The action of the little cap- th. tive girl shows us that even little children can re, bring souls to Christ. Naaman’s manifestation of hi wrath when he came to Elisha is a perfect pic- se ture of the sinner coming to Christ— clad in all h’s C best purposes, moral resolutions, and good deeds; kr but the lesson that was taught him was one of ce humility. All our earthly glory can in no way cap- le tivate God; we must all come to Him as beggars, hi in obedience. But Naaman was wroth. He did st not wish to follow the prophet’s advice. And his le servants came to him saying, “If the prophet had p bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not tl have done it ? How much rather, then, when he c saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?” Naaman obeyed by bathing seven times in Jordan and was P healed, showed his thankfulness in wishing to give w presents to the prophet, and received God’s bless- F ing by walking obediently and uprightly as was j required of him.
Lesson qth, Elisha at Dothan. Golden lext. ^ “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about ^ them that fear him, and delivereth them.” When people take counsel with each other against God ( or against his servants, they are blinded and delud- ( ed by the Devil. Our God sees and knows every- thing and has all power and can do everything. In this lesson we find the king of Syria in war against Israel ; but the prophet Elisha always notified the king of Israel, w.iere Syria intended to strike him. The king of Syria upon information finding that the prophet is the informer against his devices, tries to take him captive at the city of Dothan, and in this instance we can especially see that no good thing will be withheld from them that walk upright- ly. The servant said, “Alas my master, how shall we do ?” The answer came, “Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” Upon the eyes of the servant being opened, the mountain was full of horses and chariots. God not only protected Elisha but also delivered his enemies into his hands. It is not enough that we are protected from sin but that we overcome sin. One other thought to this lesson. The expression in verse 9, “Beware that thou pass not such a place,” is an excellent one to illustrate to the young. God’s word is full of danger signals, he who reads God’s word never meets a temptation or danger unwarned. Let us ever rejoice in his presence and power and in the ministry of angels and gladly serve him without care or fear.
Lesson 10 th, The Death of Elisha. Golden Text. — “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Though Elisha had a double pcrtion of the spirit, yet he was permitted to die, while Elijah was taken without dying. Either way it is a gain. They d j rest from their labors and their works follow them. The bow and arrow in- cident between the king and Elisha suggests that limitations in the service of God come from us rather than from God. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him and wept over his face> and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof ; acknowledging thus that Elisha was more to him than all his army. After the death of his mother a young man said, ,“I feel as if the tie that bound me to good- ness and to God had been broken. My own life is not a godly one, but I always felt as if mother held me with one hand, and God with the other. >
We may not have the privilege of an Elishi in our sw homes, but we have an elder brother, even Jesus, srr who holds us with one hand and God the Father an with the other. on
Elisha’s greatness, and indeed the greatness of 1°' every man of God, had its origin in its communion mi with his Father. God reveals wondrous things to lo those who talk with Him. Note the expression in dr regard to Samuel, the prophet, “Now the Lord be had told Samuel in his ear;” and again, “lhe )c secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him.” y< Children all understand that many things are made m known to intimate friends that are carefully con- cealed from comparative strangers. The practical lesson to me is, if we live in touch with God, His d hand of guidance and deliverance is always out- I stretched to help us. Cuba was practically help- a' less to deliver herself from persecution and op- s<
pression, but the hand of Cuba with the hand of b
the United States upon it becomes powerful for tl deliverance.
The two sentences in Verse 20 are very im- 8 pressive when we commit them. A Sunday-school ii worker relates: “I know a home from which every h person came regularly to church and Sunday school- Prosperity and happiness seemed to reign there. ,- But the wife and mother died. Within six months t not a child came to Sunday school and the home f
was soon deserted and the family scattered. We ,
find in this lesson, first, that God wanted his peo- , pie to trust and obey him; 2d, that unbelief lessens \ the blessing; and 3d, that we receive according to , our faith. \
Lesson nth, Sinful Lndulgence. Golden Text. ( —“They also have error through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way.” Ease and self- indulgence ar<? not becoming in a child of God, for “even Christ pleased not himself.” It is our privi- : lege to have quietness and peace and lest, but
! these only in order to serve him who said, “My 1 Father worketh hitherto and I work,” and “I must 1 be about my Father’s business.” We are soldiers ' and chosen to please him, who hath called us to
I be his soldiers. After a period of decline there V came under Jeroboam II , the successor of Joash h (in whose reign Elisha died), a period of great ', prosperity. But with the prosperity came wealth,
II luxury, and vice. The very first expression in this s lesson, “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion,” e and again, Verse 6, “that drink wine in bowls and 1. anoint themselves with the chief ointments, but n they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph,” a is a rebuke to a great many who claim to be God’s ie children, but never identify themselves with any ie real service for the Master. One idle or ease- or loving person often stops a great enterprise. Not is only on account of leaving undone his own share :1s of the work, but also by the bad example he sets.
Ask another to help forward the temperance re- :n form, to drink no intoxicating liquors, and to he pledge his influence to put an end to the evils »le arising therefrom. “Oh,” says he, “I can govern ie, myself,” not thinking for the time being that he is ay steadily going down on the path of destruction nd an-1 dragging others along by his influence. In in- connection with verse four I would impress upon lat the young the fact that the boys who like their us beds better than their lessons or their work, and of who live to eat and drink, never make a success in ce, hfe. The closing verses of our lesson reveal the of truth that God has no respect for the beautiful ing palace that is the home of selfish indulgence and his vice, and which has been built with money taken lan from the mouths of hungry mothers and starving od- children. Admiral Farragut tells this story of his life boyhood: When I was ten years old I was with my her father on board a man-of-war. I had some quali ii.’i ties that I thought made a man of me. I could
swear, could drink a stiff glass of grog, and could smoke