1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

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Volume 47
Warburton, Monday, February 8, 1943
4
caned
Number 6
"In the Bible the inheritance
of the saved is called a country. . . . There are ever
flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving
trees cast their shadows upon
the paths prepared for the
ransomed of the Lord. . . .
On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God's
people, so long pilgrims and
wanderers, shall find a home."
—"Great Controversy," p. 675.
Be there wars and rumours
of wars, persecution and problems such as have never confronted us
before, let this hope buoy our spirits up:
"We are homeward bound! He who loved
us so much as to die for us, hath 'builded
for us a city. The New Jerusalem is our
place of rest. There will be no sadness in
the city of God. No wail of sorrow, no
dirge of crushed hopes and buried affections, will evermore be heard. . . .
"It will not be long till we shall see Him
in whom our hopes of eternal life are
centred. And in His presence, all the
trials and sufferings of this life will be as
nothingness. 'Cast not away therefore your
confidence, which hath great recompense
of reward. For ye have need of patience,
that, after ye have done the will of God,
ye might receive the promise. For yet a
little while, and He that shall come will
come, and will not tarry.' Heb. 10: 35-37.
Look up, look up, and let your faith continually increase. Let this faith guide you
along the narrow path that leads through
the gates of the city of God into the great
beyond, the wide, unbounded future of
glory that is for the redeemed."—"Testimonies," Vol. IX, pages 287, 288.
Child of God, look beyond the tinsel of
worldly pleasure and the vanity of worldly
possession. Servants of God, speed on with
singleness of purpose to your all-important
task—the finishing of God's work—and
Homeward c3ound!
A. G. JACOBSON
OMEWARD BOUND! Oh, what a
thrill to leave the cares and worries
of this life behind and enter the rest
of our eternal home! To the weary traveller in a bandit-infested country, who is
obliged to travel by foot over the rough
and dangerous trails, enduring the heat
and the cold, how sweet is the rest and
security of home! To the mariner tossed
on the wild and restless waves of the
mighty ocean, what joy to be homeward
bound! With what keen anticipation these
all await the happy moment when they
can say, "Home at last!"
The Apostle Paul, speaking to the children of God amidst the shallow pleasures
and many disappointments of earth, says
that "here we have no continuing city, but
we seek one to come." Yet how often we
plan for the temporary things of this old
world rather than for our eternal home!
Abraham left the prosperous and busy
cities of the Euphrates valley with all
the commodities and conveniences there,
in obedience to the call of God, and wandered over the hills of Canaan. He looked
not for an earthly inheritance upon this
old world, but by faith he only "sojourned
in the land of promise as in a strange
country," dwelling in tents with his family.
"For he looked for a city which hath
foundations, whose builder and maker is
God." He and his family died in faith,
"not having received the promises, but
having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and
confessed that they were strangers and
pilgrims on the earth. For they that say
such things declare plainly that they seek
a country. And truly, if they had been
mindful of that country from whence they
came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire
a better country, that is, an heavenly:
H
wherefore God is not ashamed to be called
their God: for He hath prepared for them
a city."
If that faithful patriarch some four millenniums ago was buoyed up by the
"blessed hope" to endure the trials of this
old world, in anticipation of the eternal
home, how much more should our hearts
thrill as we contemplate the glories of that
home so soon to be realized! He who
promised, "I go to prepare a place for you.
. . . I will come again, and receive you
unto Myself; that where I am, there ye
may be also," has also given signs that we
may know when that joyous day is near.
He added: "When these things begin to
come to pass, then look up and lift up your
heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."
Surely, then, with the many positive signs
that have been fulfilled in 1942 alone, and
as we witness the destructive forces that
wreck all that the genius of man has
built up, we realize that this is not our
home; but as pilgrims and strangers we
await the Saviour's "coming back to this
earth again," when "the weary pilgrims
will to glory go."
We know not what trials await us this
year, but even though the shadows darken,
let us remember, "There are homes for the
pilgrims of earth. . . . In the home of the
redeemed, there will be no tears, no funeral
trains, no badges of mourning. . . We
are still amidst the shadows and turmoil of
earthly activities. Let us consider most
earnestly the blessed hereafter. Let our
faith pierce through every cloud of darkness, and behold Him who died for the sins
of the world. He has opened the gates of
Paradise to all who receive and believe on
Him. . . . Let this hope gladden our
hearts. 'Yet a little while, and He that
shall come will come, and will not tarry.' "
—"Testimonies," Vol. IX, pages 286, 287.
I
•
"Let us sing a song that will cheer us by
the way;
In a little while we're going home.
For the night will end in the everlasting
day;
In a little while we're going home."
..........
[Registered at the G.P.O., Sydney, for transmission by post as a newspaper.]
2
AUSTRALASIAN RECORD
The Alpha and the Omega of
the Christian's Hope
NETA WELSH GOODING
When our Saviour was on earth He lived
in the power of discernment of the time
and season in which He was. He counted
the twelve hours which were in the day.
John 11:9. He had a work to do which
must be done then, or could not be done
at all.
To the student of prophetic history, the
signs of the times in evidence so plainly
today are recognized beyond a doubt as
the predicted accomplishments of God's
unfailing truth. These predictions when
Scripturally accepted annihilate self-reliance; it gives to man's wisdom the place
that God has assigned it; it delivers us
from the ensnaring thraldom of all human
confidences. It lays bare the true consequences of sin and restores God's truth to
its supremacy, making our Redeemer the
Alpha and Omega of the sinner's hope and
rejoicing. A close study of the "Great
Controversy between Christ and Satan"
opens the mind to trace with greater accuracy the ineffaceable line that separates
the carnal from the spiritual in man; or
that which is of human origin and that
which is divine. No one who accepts the
Bible as his standard of right can fail to
see that unless the truth be planted in
the heart (in the language of James) "it
is vain." "Give Me thine heart," is the
constant demand of God, and unless the
heart be given, all is worthless. In the
wondrous history of God's chosen people
are unfolded many striking illustrations of
how His power and influence were exerted
on their behalf, and will be until the end
of the world. There never was a time in
the history of the world when wilder
speculations were indulged in, when the
vital doctrines of Christianity and the supremacy of God's Word were more insidiously attacked; and where the controversy
between Christ and Satan was so energetically manifested as the present.
"Ye shall be as gods, knowing good and
evil," was the arch-deceiver's enticing and
successful lure to our first parents, and in
all ages and under every conceivable guise
can the actings out of this principle be
discerned. At the present period in the
history of mankind it has assumed its
greatest and most systematic development.
Men have arisen elaborately to fabricate
system upon system of which the fountainhead is the human heart. They acknowledge no standard but their own feelings,
and are feeding multitudes on the bread
of their own fancies, who appear to think
they have arrived at truth in its highest
form. All who understand the truth as
revealed in God's Word will readily see
that man's natural aversion to God's
simple truth lies at the foundation of spiritual error in every form. Wherever men
substitute their own fervours, their own
natural affections, their own fancies, for
the teachings of the Spirit of God, they
supersede the truth of God by the speculation of men. They are thoroughly selfdeceived. It is not the least instructive
aspect of this subject that it explains to us
the spirit that founded and upheld the
Inquisition. Beyond all controversy, many
of the perpetrators of those atrocities deceived themselves into the belief that they
were employed in the service of God.
Wherever the thoughts or opinions, the
fervours or fancies of men are made equivalent to revelation there follow confusion
and every evil work. Love for Jesus will
lead self a hard life; it will meet it at
every turn. It will open our eyes to see
how entirely the things pertaining to salvation are mistaken by the world. How
foolish it is for the people of God to be
led by that world's opinion! How it requires the closest sympathy with the mind
of Jesus to detect, to repel, the advances
of the mind of the world! Indeed, that
sympathy is our surest safeguard; being so
fine and subtle in itself, it will expose the
subtlety of spiritual errors and put us on
our guard against them.
.eauefittem
Complete
GWENDOLINE SMART
Strewn amid the care and wear of life
Lies much of beauty and of happiness;
These would I softly gather to my heart,
And hold them there in joyous tenderness.
I would be glad that He who fashioned all
Wrapped in soft mist the distant purple
hills,
Gave to the midnight sky the silver stars,
And fragrant incense that each flower
distils.
He who gave this to all, gave much besides,
Breathed into each frail, finite life below
The breath of understanding, tender love,
That generous, simple kindness we may
show.
I would that nothing mean or small of
mine
May take from other hearts one lovely
thing;
But grant that I may add where'er I go
Some touch of beauty, and some kindness
bring.
The Call to Praise
J. R. MILLER, D.D.
The praising spirit is essential in him
who would do his best work in any line of
life. It is said that Leonardo da Vinci
held a lyre in his hand while he painted.
Music inspired his art. This was one of the
secrets of his superb work as an artist—
his heart was glad and praising. No one
can do good work with a sad heart. You
need not go with a grieving spirit to comfort one who is in trouble, for you can help
him only with cheer. If you are in sorrow, another's grief will not comfort you.
He who would come to you as an uplifter
must have joy to bring to you. "The joy of
the Lord is your strength," said Nehemiah
to his people when he found them weeping, and exhorted them to a better life.
They must dry their tears if they would
attain anything noble and beautiful.
It is always so. No life ever reached
its best possiblities in sadness. The men
who have done the noblest and worthiest
things, who have achieved the most, whose
work shines as beautiful and radiant in
the world, carried a harp in their hands.
They sang at their work. Pessimism has
never done any lovely things; only he who
works with a song adds to the brightness
8/ 2 / 43
and beauty of the world. Gloomy people
are perverting their powers, growing thorns
instead of roses. The joyless man is
a misanthrope. He makes it harder for
other people to live, makes them less strong
to bear their burdens. He chills the ardour
he ought to kindle to a redder glow. He
is a discourager of every man he meets.
"Wondrous is the strength of cheerfulness; altogether past calculation are its
powers of endurance. Efforts to be permanently useful must be uniformly joyous
—a spirit all sunshine—graceful from
very gladness—beautiful because bright."
The emblem of Christian life is light,
and light means joy, praise. There used to
be people who thought that solemnity was
an essential quality of religion. The man
who smiled on the Sabbath desecrated the
holy day. He who was glad-hearted in
worship lacked reverence. There are some
persons who would banish flowers from
churches. But there is really no piety in
long-facedness. Indeed, one of the first
things required in Christian life is joy.
It is named as second among the fruits
of the Spirit. Jesus said He would have
His joy fulfilled in His followers. If you
would become a beautiful Christian, you
must be a joyous Christian. Joy is always
lovely. It shines. It is fragrant. It makes
the air brighter and sweeter. It is a
wondrous inspirer of life. You can do
twice as much work when you are glad
and praising as when you are gloomy and
downcast; and you can do it twice as well.
The other day a Christian woman told
of starting out sad and heavy-hearted in
the morning, with no song, no praise, not
a thought of gladness in her heart. Everything dragged. There seemed nothing
worth living for. Circumstances were
distressing. There appeared only blackness before her eyes. Then suddenly, unexpectedly, something happened which
changed all the outlook. Light broke in
upon the gloom. The friend said that if
an angel of God had come into the dreadful tangle with light and song the effect
could not have been more marvellous.
It was joy that came, and the joy changed
everything. The life was saved from
despair. The clouds and shadows rolled
away and the blue sky hung everywhere.
A writer tells of a boy who was sunny
and brave. He met the ills of life, which
too many people regard as almost tragedies, with courage. Nothing ever daunted
him. Where most boys are afraid or break
into tears, he was undismayed and untroubled. But one day something serious
happened. He and a playmate climbed a
tree. Just when our little philosopher had
reached the top, his foot slipped and he
fell to the ground. He lay there, evidently
hurt, but uttered no cry. It was the playmate that screamed. The doctor found
the leg badly broken. The boy bore the
setting patiently without a whimper. The
mother slipped out of the room to hide her
own tears—she couldn't stand it as well
as her boy did. Outside the door she heard
a faint sound and hurried back, almost
hoping to find him crying.
"My boy!" she said, "do you want something? I thought I heard you call."
"Oh, no, mother," he said, "I didn't call.
I just thought I'd try singing a bit." And
he went on with the song.
When you have pain, or struggle, or
a heavy load, or a great anguish, don't
complain, don't cry out, don't sink down
in despair, don't be afraid—try singing
a bit. Trust God and praise.
8/2/43
AUSTRALASIAN RECORD
PROVIDENCES OF gOD
Torpedoed
R. H. ADAIR, Treasurer, A. U. Conference
In relating this experience which befell
Brother Stan Gillis and me, I do so to
express the gratitude we feel to God for
His protection and care. Brother Gillis,
a son of Pastor W. Gillis of the North
N.S.W. Conference, was under appointment to North New Zealand for church
school teaching.
While attending to the calls of the
work, we have found it very difficult to
obtain transport 'on steamers, but we
recently received word that on one of the
small cargo boats travelling to New Zealand there were two berths available in
the hospital of the ship. As we had
waited some considerable time for passages, and felt sure there would be reasonable protection in making this crossing,
we accepted the passages in this ship early
in January. We left our home port at
midday, and about one o'clock the following morning we were awakened by a terrific explosion, which proved to be caused
by a torpedo from an enemy submarine
striking our ship. We soon came to the
realization of the fact that it would be
necessary for us to take to the lifeboats.
So gathering our overcoats and one or two
small articles we made our way on deck,
to find the crew already launching the
only remaining lifeboat; for the one on the
side where the torpedo struck the ship
had been completely destroyed. Immediately the ship was hit, the engine stopped
and she heeled over and rolled in the
troughs of the waves; and it became necessary for us in the heavy swell to launch
our boat on the weather side. After the
boat was safely launched, we counted
heads, and found that two members of
the crew were missing. On making brief
inquiry from the officers present it was
ascertained that these two men had apparently lost their lives as a result of the
explosion when on duty in the engine
room.
There were thirty-two of us in a twentyfive-foot lifeboat, and while there was a
heavy swell there was very little surface
wash, for which we were very thankful.
We had some difficulty in drawing away
from the sinking ship, but our main concern was that the submarine might search
for us in an attempt to destroy any evidence of their presence. We heard the
engines of the enemy ship and saw lights
here and there, which seemed to indicate
that they were endeavouring to locate us.
Here we felt we had the positive care of
God in that when about two hundred yards
away from our ship, and it was a clear
moonlight night, a heavy rain squall came
up suddenly, affording us adequate cover
to make our departure and escape the
probability of being picked up by the
enemy. A little further on another rain
squall enveloped us, and this again we felt
came to us in the providence of God, just
as in some other circumstances ships have
been similarly protected. While we were
soaked through with the rain storms, we
did thank the Lord for His keeping power
at such a critical time.
After a short time the captain decided
that we should endeavour to make the
hundred odd miles back to our home port.
For the first four hours we rowed as
quietly and carefully as possible, to avoid
attracting attention; and when daylight
came erected a small sail. Fortunately, we
had a good south-westerly breeze, which
enabled us to head toward the coast.
There was a very heavy swell running,
and practically every man in the boat was
violently ill for a number of hours. We
were in very cramped conditions, and the
sea-sickness certainly did not add to our
comfort.
Not knowing how long it would be necessary for us to remain at sea in the open
boat, we decided not to partake of any
of the rations for the first fifteen hours,
nor to use our small supply of water.
Our first ration was a small beaker of
condensed milk and water which we had
at four o'clock in the afternoon after the
ship was sunk. About an hour later one of
the patrol planes located us some distance
from port; but for some unknown reason,
the help we expected would come after the
plane sighted us, did not arrive. As the
sun set we found ourselves some ten to
twenty miles off the coast, but well out of
our course. We could not understand
why we had not been picked up, and had
to spend the next night at sea; but from
information which came to • us later it
appeared that the hand of Providence
had directed even in this experience, for
dangers were lurking in our pathway of
which we had no knowledge. It is not
possible to write all the details of our
Brother R. H. Adair
3
experience; but this part of our adventure,
while not being understood by any of us,
revealed later that we were very fortunate
in not approaching our home city at the
time we contemplated.
After being afloat in the coastal currents throughout the night, we lost sight
of land, but next morning, after sailing for
some distance, we picked up a portion of
the coast that seemed familiar to us.
Studyink this section of the coast carefully, we decided that if we made in a
certain direction we should reach our
goal. Unfortunately, about six o'clock
that morning the breeze dropped, and it
was necessary to row the last sixteen or
twenty miles. As we entered our home
port, we found a fisherman who was very
willing to tow us into the harbour, and
manifested a kindly interest in us.
Arriving in port we met the authorities,
who had not previously been advised of
our mishap. We were treated very kindly
by the port officials, and were especially
grateful to those in charge of the Home for Seamen, who did all they possibly
could to provide clothes and shelter for
those who needed it. Brother Gillis and
I arrived in our pyjamas and overcoats,
all our other effects having been lost with
the ship.
As the days have gone by, the whole
experience has seemed much like a dream;
but we do feel that God positively protected and kept us, for there were many
elements which could have brought fatal
results to the thirty-two of us who occupied the small lifeboat. To some extent
we suffered from lack of food and exposure, but these were minor circumstances taking into account that our lives
were spared.
Former Providences
H. STOCKTON
Brother A. H. E. Miller's heartening article in the "Record" lately (Jan. 11, 1943),
entitled "Providence Provides," brings vividly to the mind of the writer many like
experiences in the great war a quarter
century back.
In those days we were almost completely
dependent upon overseas supplies, some
special materials coming from Germany.
There was no paper mill at Burnie from
which to draw supplies, most of our paper
being shipped from Glasgow to Liverpool.
On one occasion a cabled order was sent
for a large edition of one of our subscription books. The boat was chased by a
submarine near Portugal, but speeded up
and escaped. That paper arrived in Warburton in eight weeks, and books were
available for delivery on the day promised many months before. Paper merchants in Melbourne would not believe our
story, for they said there were over twenty
miles of railway trucks at Liverpool containing goods awaiting shipment. Providentially, our paper was shipped from
Glasgow.
We landed a large shipment of fine paper
at pre-war cost, less than twopence halfpenny per pound, a price which seems
fantastic in these days. We had a huge consignment of paper delivered in one shipment, when the order was for a third
to be shipped promptly and the balance at
intervals of three and six months. Naturally, the financial situation was acute,
4
AUSTRALASIAN RECORD
and many times we were within ten shillings of our limit with the bankers.
At one time we had well over a trainload
of paper in stock. When the war was over
we still had a small quantity left, but
meanwhile the market price had soared
to double our cost.
We used a lot of gold leaf in those days.
Holders would offer "ten books"— fifty
leaves of gold. "If you want more, see the
manager." The manager two or three
times let us have five hundred leaves.
Brother W. H. B. Miller, then manager of
the Signs Company, an uncle of Brother
A. H. E. Miller, scoured the city one day
and obtained two thousand. A few days
later the writer, when in the city visiting
our bankers, most unexpectedly was offered
a parcel of ten thousand, and promptly
said, "Yes!" Gold was needed for sovereigns to back the note issue, but we had
a few hundred leaves of gold when the war
was over.
Cotton was needed in Great Britain for
°high explosives,-but the necessary bookbinder's cloth came through providentially
at intervals. One shipment was very late
through a fire on the ship at Durban, South
Africa. The contents of one of the three
holds of the ship were totally destroyed,
but our cloth was unharmed.
Rather to our dismay at the time, the
Pacific Press on one occasion missed a
cargo steamer, and consigned a large lot
of books by mail steamer at much higher
freight; but the cargo boat was sunk by a
German raider, while the mail boat came
safely to port.
The same story could be told regarding
overseas book supplies and our sundry requirements such as strawboard, headbands,
writing and wrapping paper, some lines of
printing ink, etc. The goods that formerly
came from Germany were produced in
England, France, Italy, America, Holland,
and Norway, and came through to us when
needed. Some were prohibited exports
from the countries of origin. We once purchased a ton of a special line of paper,
"cash in seven days," but before it was paid
for the supplier offered to buy it back at
25 per cent increase.
Of all the supplies vital to our production we still had a small remnant in hand
when new stocks again began to come
through; and during the whole four-year
period of hostilities we did not lose even
one sheet of paper through misadventure!
axaund the eanieyencea
The Pioneers Honoured
By ONE WHO REMEMBERS
A special feature of the Youth Congress
in Melbourne was the reference made to
the beginning of the Missionary Volunteer
movement. As far back as 1892-1893, the
Lord's messenger spoke in the Albert Hall,
Clifton Hill, Victoria, where the North
Fitzroy church held its Sabbath services.
During her address, Mrs. White emphasized the fact that it was time to organize
the young people of the church, for in the
closing days of this world's history the
youth would be called upon to carry forward the third angel's message.
With a view to helping the young people,
Pastor A. G. Daniells took the matter in
hand. At that time there was a tin shed
at the rear of the Echo office which was
used as a stock-room for paper. Willing
hands set to work and cleaned the place
and made it a comfortable room. Sister
F. Bolton, who was one of Sister White's
attendants, called the young people together, and this was the first meeting of
youth ever held by our church in Victoria.
Later Sister Anna Ingles (afterwards Mrs.
Hindson) and Sister Graham assisted in
the meetings. Brother and Sister Hindson
were well known to the members of the
Union Conference Committee.
The grey hairs of many of the young
people of those days speak of the passing
years; others have passed away, and are
waiting the Master's call. Those who are
still living remember the gatherings in the
tin shed.
We moved from there to a hall in Rae
Street, North Fitzroy, and a little later
to our own church in Alfred Crescent.
Each Sabbath old and young met together
for a half-hour song service. Then the
young people retired to the rooms at the
rear of the church while the older members
had a Bible study, led by one of the min-
isters. Another minister assisted in the
M.V. meeting. Among those who helped
were Pastors Daniells, Starr, and Colcord,
and Brethren Anderson and Michaels. The
meetings, both for the seniors and the
youth, were well attended, and all received
helpful instruction in the message.
In those early days a quarterly syllabus
was compiled and printed, setting out the
various subjects to be studied for the quarter. Special attention was given to missionary activity. A Sunshine committee
and a Tract committee were formed. The
former was responsible for visiting the
sick and afflicted, while the latter band
directed the distribution of tracts each
week, and the "Bible Echo," the paper
which was published at that time.
Many of the workers and church leaders
of later years can trace their first experience to their having part in a public meeting, in the giving out of a hymn number
or the reading of an article in those M.V.
meetings.
As the writer looks back he can see how
wonderfully accurate Sister E. G. White
was in all she said about the future of the
denomination and our young people. God
has wonderfully blessed this people. I have
met many who remember those days and
who say it was the instruction given at
those gatherings which laid the foundation for their experience.
Year-End Celebrations at
W. A.M.C.
A. F. J. KRANZ
The last Sabbath evening of the 1942
College year brought a restful peace to
the hearts_of teachers and students at the
end of a busy year of work and study.
Examinations were over, text-books laid
aside, and there was no assignment of
8/2/43
study for the week ahead; the mind was
able to relax and enjoy the inspirational
meetings and pleasant associations of the
week-end.
The College chapel was crowded for the
Friday evening meeting. One could feel
the presence of the Spirit of God as the
hymns of Zion were sung and prayer was
offered. The speaker led the minds of
the congregation to the call of God to
choose either to walk on the road to Moab
with Orpah or on the road to Canaan with
Ruth. When the call was made, there was
a ready response on the part of students
and visitors to choose the strait and narrow pathway.
The baccalaureate service was taken by
Pastor L. C. Naden. His touching appeal
to yield all to Christ and enthrone Him
in the heart reached, we believe, the hearts
of all, and inspired them with a new resolve to live the motto of the graduates,
"Thee in me."
On Sabbath afternoon the writer had
the joyous privilege of baptizing ten young
people in the swimming-pool. All were
College students. May God bless and use
them as they continue their preparation
for His service.
Following the baptism, a very enjoyable
and inspirational hour was spent in the
chapel listening to the graduates present
a programme entitled "Altogether Lovely."
Surely they could not have selected a
better theme, and we trust that Jesus will
be to the class of 1942 the One Altogether
Lovely at all times.
When the cooling evening shadows crept
over the College and across the beautiful
Carmel valley and brought the last Sabbath of the College year to a close, it was
the feeling of our hearts that that Sabbath
had been a high day, a day abundant in
spiritual blessing.
The happy company that gathered for
recreation to the concert on Saturday evening were not disappointed. The items on
the programme were all of a high standard, and it was the general testimony that
they were well rendered.
Sunday afternoon brought the outstanding event — graduation. The graduates
were at work early, arranging the chapel
for the occasion. The decorations were
marked with a beautiful simplicity that
was admired by all. The selection of
flowers, artistically arranged, harmonized
with the class colours — emerald, ivory,
lavender, and salmon pink. Over the platform was the motto, "Thee in me," reminding us all that it is the indwelling
Christ who brings success in Christian life
and service. Pastor D. A. Speck delivered
the address. His well-chosen words emphasized the glorious privilege and solemn
obligation of Christ's abiding presence.
The principal presented diplomas to Miss
Jessie P. King and Miss Margaret E. Wiseman, graduates from the Business Course.
Both young women are under appointment
to the organization—Miss King to the W.A.
Conference office, and Miss Wiseman to the
S.H.F. Company's office in Perth. Certificates were presented as follows: Ministerial
Course: Jack K. Aitken, Russell M. Kranz,
E. Mayo Logue, Kenneth C. Mitchell, F.
Raymond Stanley, Alec C. Thomson, Mervyn Tonkin; Teachers' Course: Alfred G.
Chapman, Ormond L. Speck. All except
one of those receiving certificates expect to
continue their studies at the W.A.M. College during 1943. We wish them God's
blessing.
8/2/43
AUSTRALASIAN RECORD
Mr. Sampson, M.L.A., was in attendance,
and in a brief address spoke words of encouragement to the graduates, and expressed his pleasure at the high ideals and
principles of the College.
Graduation over, students, teachers, and
friends congregated on the lawn in greeting and friendly conversation. Then, as
good-byes were said, the crowd dwindled
away, leaving the few who remained with
a certain feeling of loneliness as they faced
the vacation that is to prepare them, God
willing, for the new College year of 1943.
We pray that as we face it we may keep in
our hearts the following words of the class
song, written by Russell Kranz:—
"Thee in me,"
Thee in me, Lord Jesus,
Fill this soul of mine;
Take my heart,
Ev'ry part, Lord Jesus,
Make it only Thine.
Take my life, my being,
Use it as Thou wilt;
Thou didst pay the price, Lord,
When Thy blood was spilt.
Now Is the Time
A. J. CAMPBELL
I am writing at once to show our appreciation for hundreds of papers and tracts
that have arrived in response to our appeal.
We have a special box in the Bundaberg
church to receive contributions for our
free literature work, and a lot is being
done by our church in this direction; but
the demand is quite beyond our power to
supply, for which reason we sent out our
recent plea. We thank you sincerely, dear
friends, for the literature that is being
sent along. We are also saving the stamps
from the parcels, proceeds from which will
be used to augment foreign mission funds.
Each week in excess of 500 pieces of
literature are being taken from the apparently very-much-appreciated rack on the
railway station. We should like to have
available 1,000 pieces a week. We have
every item rubber stamped with a local
postal address and the words, "Please pass
this on." Two of our church members
made a very neat rack, which will hold
about 350 pieces of literature.
One day we had just placed 250 books,
leaflets, and 1942 Appeal magazines in the
rack, when a long train drawn by two
engines steamed into the station. It was .
not long before crowds were gathered about
the rack, trying to obtain something, while
many could not get near. Same handed
magazines to others in the train. The rack
was soon emptied. It was filled again the
following day, only to be emptied by those
travelling in the other direction.
With spiritual seed-sowing we cannot tell
which will prosper, this or that, but we
are advised that if our bread is cast upon
the waters it will be found "after many
days." There was an encouraging note in
a letter received from Pastor Branster
lately, in which he stated, "This morning
while walking along the platform of the
interstate station, I conversed with a man
who mentioned your literature rack. He
is a lay preacher in another church and is
connected with the Allied Works Council.
He has studied our truth, and stated that
he often takes his sermons from the 'Signs
of the Times.' He has just returned from
5
The Hospital Appeal
Xattoing cad
A Chinese preacher, speaking of robbing God, used this illustration: "It came
to pass that a man went to market with
a string of seven coins. Seeing a beggar
who asked for alms, he gave the poor man
six of the coins and kept one for himself.
The beggar, instead of being thankful,
followed the good man and, stole the seventh coin also. What an abominable
wretch! Yes, and would you, to whom
God has given six days, steal the seventh
also?"—"The Presbyterian."
the North, and said how much he appreciated the work being done by our churches
in placing literature in the reading-racks.
He rarely goes through without taking a
paper to read."
Recently we supplied a number of books
for the W.A.A.A.F. Reading Room at a
certain station. I delivered these books
to the adjutant, and also some for the
airmen. I expected to hear no more about
it, but a few days ago the officer in charge,
W.A.A.A.F., wrote as follows: "On behalf
of the W.A.A.A.F. on this station I wish
to express the appreciation and thanks for
the books and papers you have so kindly
donated to our Reading Room. I can
assure you that we welcome all gifts of
books, and the airwomen derive much
pleasure and benefit from them."
God has promised, "My Word shall not
return unto Me void." We shall fully appreciate continued support in this enterprise, while the opportunity lasts.
Address any literature to me at 66 Walker
Street, South Bundaberg, Queensland.
Victorian Conference H&me
Missions Department
Under the vigorous leadership of Pastor
C. Head, the ministerial staff and the
laity of the Victorian Conference have
achieved outstanding service for the Home
Missions department during 1942. Let us
analyse the report presented at the recent
Session and see what they have accomplished.
Big Week
The aim for this campaign was £314, but
consecrated enthusiasm brought in £348.
The church offerings amounted to £148
6s. 8d., whilst literature subscriptions produced £200 profit for the funds.
The secretary observes that previous to
the year 1932 the Big Week enterprise provided assistance for our denomination in
various countries of the world; but since
then the funds have been absorbed by our
own mission field. During this period the
Victorian Conference has raised £2,690, an
average of £269 per year.
Appeal for Missions
In this, the main crusade of the year, the
Victorians broke all their own previous
records in reaching the total of £2,884,
which was £734 in excess of their aim. And
all that is entailed in gathering this grand
sum they did in a short period of time.
The exploits of our people on behalf of
the public hospitals have already been
published in the "Record," so we shall pass
on to the
Interpreter Effort
There were 80,000 copies of the "Interpreter" enthusiastically circulated, the report states; and were followed by 16,000
special leaflets, which were purchased and
distributed by the home missionary workers. A number of subscriptions were obtained for the "Signs," one suburban elder
and his wife securing twenty-five.
"Signs" Circulation
Cheering on his helpers with the announcement that the Victorian Conference
distributes more copies of the "Signs"
than any other conference in the Union,
the Home Missions secretary forestalls any
spirit of self - satisfaction by declaring,
"Nevertheless, we should be attempting
more effective work with this excellent
preacher of the message." The "Signs"
circulation has increased from 2,651 copies
weekly in 1934 to 8,206 at December, 1942.
Lay Evangelism
Two laymen's evangelical missions were
held during the year, and one is still continuing, with at least seven interested
people. Thirteen persons have been added
to the church through the work of the
lay members.
Other Services
Comforts made and supplied to the Fund
elicited a grateful letter from the Receiving
Commissioner. At Warburton, Matron
D'Ray and her group fashioned 1,495 garments and contributed £59 to the Red
Cross organization. Surely a commendable achievement! Some members rendered service as V.A.D. and ambulance
workers.
Units of work for the year were 307,729,
in comparison with 263,672 for 1941.
Mackay, North Queensland
GRACE TILL
On Sabbath morning, January 16, on the
bank of the cool and refreshing Cattle
Creek, many members gathered to witness
the baptism of three of our young people.
Pastor A. R. Barrett gave an appropriate
talk, with texts from the Bible, and then
led the candidates into the watery grave,
while the congregation sang—
"Christ, who came my soul to save,
Entered Jordan's yielding wave."
Having been baptized as Christ was, they
rose from the water as the singing continued : —
"I with Christ would buried be
In this rite required of me—
Rising from the mystic flood,
Living hence anew to God."
After lunch the three new members were
welcomed into church fellowship by Pastor
Barrett, the elders, and other brethren.
We trust and know that by God's strength
they will fight the good fight of faith.
8/2/43
AUSTRALASIAN RECORD
6
Clothes for Monamona_,
When Pastor T. A. Mitchell was visiting
South Australia some months ago, he
arranged with some of our church Dorcas
societies there to send garments to our
Monamona Mission. Pastor Mitchell has
now received a letter from Pastor L. A.
Borgas, superintendent of the Mission, in
which he says:—
"I thank you for promoting enthusiasm
among our good church folk to send some
second-hand clothing and hats, etc., to
Monamona. It is some time since we felt
the need of making such a call as we shall
make this year. The clothes rationing has
deprived us of the freedom to purchase
materials in bales, as it was our custom
to do in normal times. Then the garments
were made in our sewing-room. Now,
armed with nearly three hundred ration
books, we are obliged to go off to the city
and buy our requirements in individual
garments as we can. Besides this, the
cost is often 50 per cent more, and some
articles are unprocurable. Some of our
folk are getting into a sorry state regarding their clothes. I wrote to the Director
of Native Affairs, to see if he could procure cast-off military clothes for our men,
and after a few months he sent along
fifty pairs of trousers and tunics re-dyed.
"So, Brother Mitchell, anything you can
do towards encouraging our church folk to
make gifts of clothing and hats to this
institution will be greatly appreciated, and
acknowledged if we know the senders."
Those wishing to send used clothing to
the Mission may arrange with the railway
officials for free transport. New materials
or garments may not be sent free,
A Letter from New Guinea
Pastor A. J. Campbell has given us for
publication extracts from letters written
from New Guinea. Brother Rod Fowler
says :—
"I'm still O.K. and keeping out of mischief. I was surprised to see ten of our
boys arrive here (at the place where Brethren Gander and Brennan had their operations). They were surprised to see me, too.
I have given the boys some 'Signs' and
`Good News' to read on Sabbath. They
have the Sabbath off and eagerly work on
Sunday. They are a happy lot, and it is
good to see them again. I should like to
return with them later, but I guess I can't
yet. All the boys are well. They did the
trip in seven days. Today I made a pair
of pyjamas out of some white lap lap
(cloth). The pair of yours I have are
nearly worn out (I hope you don't mind).
I found a 'Singer' not far away from here,
and made up the new ones. Enclosed is a
letter from Golia."
Golia is the native teacher who lost his
wife and child in Central New Guinea two
years ago. He is a fine Christian lad. He
writes:—
"Today I want to write a pass [letter]
to you to tell you something about your
station. The gardens are growing well, and
some of the boys have been cutting timber
with pit-saws. [They have lately cut timber for church seating.] We were all made
very sad by the deaths, two at Ramu and
(Concluded on page 8)
swf,
gieeda afe"
"In My Name . . . Cast Out
Devils"
ALWYN K. DAVIS
Devil possession in China is a very real
and common occurrence. In the United
States we never hear of anyone's being
devil possessed. Such an affliction is always classed as insanity and the victim
is placed in an insane asylum, but in China
it is different.
Next door to a Seventh-day Adventist
chapel in Hinghwa lived an ordinary heathen family. Mr. and Mrs. Ging were
sincere and earnest idol worshippers; they
went to the temple regularly to offer incense before the large image of Buddha.
One day while Mrs. Ging was at the temple,
the idol spoke to her.
"I want your daughter," said the devil,
"to be my wife."
"Oh, that cannot be," fearfully responded
the woman. "My daughter is only three
years old, and it would be very bad custom
to marry her until she is sixteen years
of age."
"All right," said the evil spirit in the
idol, "I shall wait. And when your daughter becomes sixteen I shall take her for
mine."
Mrs. Ging was terrified and hurried
home. Whatever would become of her
beautiful, happy baby when she grew up?
The years rolled past, as years do, and
Lin Ching's parents lived in constant dread
of their daughter's sixteenth birthday.
Finally they decided that they would frustrate the will of the old idol; accordingly,
when the girl was fifteen they married her
to a rich farmer living about forty-five
li (fifteen miles) out in the country. Surely
the god in the temple would never find
their daughter now!
It was in the spring that Ging Lin Ching
and Wang Tjen Meng were married, and
Mr. Wang took his bride out to his farm.
The trip to the country was a new adventure for the girl, who had spent all her
life in the city. She loved the fresh mountain air and listened with appreciation to
the songs of the birds and the cicadas in
the banyan trees and bamboo thickets by
the road. As the sun slowly sank behind
the mountains, the coolies carrying the
bride's sedan chair brought her around a
bend, and she saw her new home. She was
delighted.
Lin Ching and Tjen Meng were very
happy on their farm. They worked hard,
and were well rewarded for their labours.
Then one day bad tidings came from the
north. China was again at war with Japan.
But in spite of the distressing news which
they heard constantly, life for the Wangs
went on much the same.
Then late in August of 1939 something
happened which changed everything. Mr.
Wang had risen early and had gone to
work in his rice fields. The day was unusually hot; not a breath of air was
stirring in the little valley. And as the
sun climbed higher in the heavens, the
heat became more intense until the two
little Wang children began to cry. Their
mother finished her work as quickly as
she could and took her babies to the shade
of a large banyan tree on top of the hill
behind their home. It was cooler here,
and before long the little ones fell asleep.
Mrs. Wang was enjoying the fresh breeze
to the full when suddenly she heard aeroplanes. She looked up, and saw three of
them coming straight for her home, flying
low. She tried to crouch out of sight as
the planes flew directly over her. She
sighed in relief as they passed the farmhouse. They were gone—but, no! One of
them broke formation and flew back. Mrs.
Wang's heart beat wildly. She could see
the "Rising Sun" insignia painted on the
wings. One bomb dropped. There was a
terrible explosion, and Lin Ching saw her
home blown out of existence. Pieces of
dirt and shrapnel landed all about her,
and above the din arose the roar of the
enemy planes fast disappearing in the blue
of the sky. With a cry she ran down the
hill and stood near the smoking pile of
ruins that used to shelter her. Her husband hurried in from the fields, where he
had been hiding in some bushes; and soon
there was the usual crowd which always
collects in China when something unusual
OMITS.
It was a terrible disaster. They questioned why they should lose everything at
once. What had they done to provoke the
wrath of the gods?
There was only one course to pursue.
The little family woefully gathered up the
few things that had not been completely
destroyed by the bomb, tied them in a
bundle, and started the long, weary walk
back to Hinghwa, to live with Mrs. Wang's
parents.
As soon as Lin Ching had moved into her
old home again, which was next door to the
Seventh-day Adventist church, she heard
a voice say to her, "I have searched for you
for eight years, but I could never find you.
Now I have found you, and you can never
leave me. I am going to take you to be
my wife. Your mother promised you to
me when you should become sixteen, and
now you are mine."
At that instant the devil entered into
her, and she became demon possessed. At
times Lir). Ching would be perfectly normal,
while at other times she would become a
raving demoniac. While she was under
this satanic influence, she was very skilful with an embroidery needle. She would
do exceptionally fine work in the middle
of the night without any sort of light. She
was also able to carry heavy loads and lift
enormous weights without the least sign
of effort.
As time went on, these attacks became
more frequent and much more severe. The
devil would talk of taking her away to be
with him. At times he would try to choke
her, or kill her in other ways. This greatly
frightened Mr. Wang, and he sought everywhere for help. His search led him to the
Adventist evangelist.
"Honourable teacher," he begged, "won't
you please come and do something for my
wife? Can you not help us?"
8/2/43
AUSTRALASIAN RECORD
"Yes, my God is able to cast the devil
out of your wife if we pray to Him; but
He cannot do anything for you unless you
will first go home and take down all the
idols in your house, and promise Him that
you will never worship them again. You
must also accept the God of heaven and
His teachings as given in the Bible."
The promise was made; the idols were
taken down; and now came the supreme
test. Pastor Tang went into the Gings'
home, where Lin Ching was in one of her
fits. There he knelt down and prayed for
her healing, then arose from his knees and
commanded the devil to be gone.
Instantly Lin Ching became calm and
composed. After all those who were present had thanked God for His mercy and
for the wonderful miracle He had performed, the family made arrangements for
Bible studies, and the Seventh-day Adventist pastor went home.
All went well for some time, but then
Mr. Wang found that it is hard to be a
Christian. He was ostracized by his usual
social group, and was looked down upon
by many of his friends. He lost his job.
This led him to decide that it would be
enough for Lin Ching to be a Christian,
but that he would go back to his old way
of life. So he broke his covenant with
God. Almost immediately the evil spirit
came back into Lin Ching.
Again the evangelist was called. This
time the devil would not leave. Furthermore it threatened the life of Pastor Tang,
as well as that of his baby. To these
threats Tang replied: "I am a servant of
the true and living God, and I am not
afraid of you. God will protect me and
my family." Again he prayed, and again
the evil spirit left Lin Ching. Quietly she
followed Pastor Tang out of her old home.
A great peace settled upon her as she
entered the mission compound.
The devil is still waiting for her at her
old home, but as he cannot enter the
Seventh-day Adventist church or the compound, she is safe there.
We do not often hear of devil possession
in this form, but in China it is a very real
thing. God's people must have a firm faith
in Him in order to contend with such a
grave danger; but our heavenly Father is
"the same yesterday, and today, and for
ever."
AUSTRALASIAN RECORD
to Letter from
Pastor W. G. Turner
Pastor C. H. Watson has kindly shared
with us these excerpts from a letter written
to him by Pastor Turner from Washington,
on November 4 last:—
"While at the Autumn Council we had
a cable from Pastor A. V. Olson telling us
that in one of the south-eastern countries
of Europe all our churches had been closed,
900 of our members were in prison, and
much difficulty was being experienced. He
finished the cable with these words, 'Grace
abounding, courage good.' We greatly appreciate the calm confidence that so many
of our people possess where the work is
the most difficult, and where the suffering
is likely to be the most intense.
"It has given Mrs. Turner and me a certain measure of satisfaction to find that
the brethren have called Ray and his wife
for medical work in Ethiopia. While we
should like them to be nearer home, we
find a great deal of joy in feeling that
Official Organ of the
7
WEDDING BELLS
AUSTRALASIAN UNION CONFERENCE
OF SEVENTH-DAY AD VENTISTS
Editor:
-
S. V. Stratford
Single Subscription, per year. post paid - 5/Order through your conference office, or
send direct to the Signs Publishing Co.,
Warburton, Victoria.
All copy for the paper should be sent to The
Editor, Record, "Mizpah," Wahroonga, N.S.W.
Advertisements approved by the Editor
will be inserted at a charge of 2/6 each.
Printed weekly for the Conference by the
Signs Publishing Co., Warburton, Victoria
they are likely to go to a field where the
need is so great and the opportunity so
rare. Both Ray and his wife are very
anxious to take up this kind of work, and
we trust that should the way open for
them to reach their appointed field, the
Lord will greatly bless them. Ray will not
complete his internship until early in the
new year, and will probably not be leaving
for Ethiopia until toward the middle of
1943, as I understand the brethren desire
him to do a little post work in surgery
when he finishes his present hospital
training.
"Our radio work has been greatly blessed
for the first nine months of the year, and
we now have about 200 stations from coast
to coast, besides giving the message by
transcription from Ecuador, Hawaii, Panama, Alaska, and Canada. In a few weeks
we shall be covering the whole of Central
and South America, arrangements having
been entered into that will enable us to
send the message over the air in the Spanish and Portuguese languages each Sunday
night, throughout these two large and
populous areas. We are receiving most encouraging results following our venture
early in the year, and the Lord has certainly blessed both financially and spiritually. It has been quite a problem from
many angles, and some of us have had
some rather perplexing hours; but the
Lord has brought us through, and today
there is a growing interest in the Voice
of Prophecy.
"At the present time we have upwards
of 80,000 people enrolled in our Bible
School of the Air, and almost every mail
brings letters from people who are commencing to keep the Sabbath or inquiring
for studies on this important question.
Some of the leading men of the nation are
now enrolled in this course, and its possibilities are practically limitless. Within a
few weeks we shall be starting a junior
Bible course for the children. We believe
this will be a great blessing to the young
folk as well as to the adults. Brother
Richards, our broadcaster, is a splendid
man, and has an intense burden for souls.
"After some months' absence on sick
leave, Brother McElhany has returned to
his work."
BIRKETT-LYALL.—The East Prahran
church, Victoria, was very tastefully decorated in the evening of December 17, 1942,
for the marriage of Phyllis Anne, only
child of Mr. and Mrs. A. Lyall of Windsor,
to Laurence Spencer Birkett, only child of
Mr. and Mrs. Birkett of Thornbury. Many
relatives and friends gathered to congratulate the young couple and to express their
good wishes for the future. As they establish their Christian home we feel confident
that they will radiate an influence that
will bless those who pass their way. We
wish them happiness and joy.
H. W. Hollingsworth.
ROBB-TURNER.--Dorothy Louise Turner of Walliston, W.A., exchanged vows
with William Malcolm Robb of Mildura,
Victoria, in a beautiful setting at the
Auburn church, Melbourne, in the evening
of December 21, 1942. The bride, after finishing her course at W.A.M.C., was called
to the Victorian Conference office, where
she gave seven years of most efficient service in the M.V. and other departments.
The bridegroom is a teacher at the Hawthorn Central School. As these two
esteemed workers establish their home we
wish them every happiness in the sunshine
of God's eternal love.
H. W. Hollingsworth.
DUNNE-HARRINGTON. — On the last
day of the old year, 1942, Alan Tyson
Dunne and Myrtle A. May Harrington were
united in marriage in the Preston church,
Victoria. A large number of relatives and
friends gathered at the church, which was
most daintily decorated, and later at the
reception, to wish the happy young couple
every joy and prosperity as they set out
to travel life's highway together. Brother
Dunne is engaged in one of the most
sacred of duties ever entrusted to mankind
—the moulding of the minds of the little
children who come under his care as a
church school teacher in Queensland, where
Brother and Sister Dunne will make their
home.
P. G. Foster.
MILLER-HOLMAN.—Brother Henry G.
Miller and Sister Roma Holman, both so
well known to our young people of Melbourne because of the keen interest they,
and particularly Brother Miller, have taken
in certain missionary efforts, were joined
together in marriage in the Coburg church
on December 10, 1942. The very high
esteem in which they are held was shown
by the many kindly acts performed by
friends to make the occasion of their marriage one to be happily remembered by the
couple. The guests afterwards assembled
at the home of the bride's parents to wish
the bride and the bridegroom health, happiness, and prosperity, and above all the
richest blessings of God.
P. G. Foster.
Notice
"A kind voice is a joy, like a lark's
song to a home. It is a light that sings
as well as shines. Train it to sweet tones
now, and it will keep in tune through
life."
WANTED, Middle-aged woman for light
domestic duties in Adventist home. Apply
1222 Pacific Highway, Pymble, Sydney.
Phone JX 1668.
8
AUSTRALASIAN RECORD
Is This True ?
BREVITIES
After some delay, we were glad to learn
of the safe arrival in New Zealand of
Brethren A. Cook and D. Hokin. These
two young men are 1942 graduates from
the Ministerial course at Avondale, and
will engage in evangelical work in the
Dominion, Brother Cook in the North, and
Brother Hokin in the South.
The Wahroonga church was favoured on
Sabbath morning, January 23, when the
speaker at divine service was Mr. Bingham,
deputation secretary for the British and
Foreign Bible Society in New South Wales.
The congregation was surprised to learn
the facts concerning the number of Bibles
being sold in various ocuntries, and of the
longing of people in most unexpected
places for the Word of God. Mr. Bingham
indicated that he is an observer of the
Sabbath with us. In the afternoon Brother
R. H. Adair related the experience of
Brother Stan Gillis and himself in being
torpedoed on their way to New Zealand.
The story is printed elsewhere in this issue.
"I Believe in You"
"In one of his books, Dr. J. T. Faris tells
of a broken and disappointed man who
came to a pastor for succour, but was
so helpless that there seemed no way to
lift and help him. Finally the pastor in
desperation said, `If you don't believe in
anything, there doesn't seem to be a
starting point.' The poor fellow replied,
`But I do believe in something. I believe
in you--that's why I'm here.' That did
give a start, and with it the pastor led the
man to see Christ as a real and personal
Saviour."
c_.41 Letter from New Guinea
(Concluded from page 6)
two at Omarua, two dying on one day. We
were sorry plenty.
"If you receive this pass from me, please
reply soon, so that we can hear from you
before returning inland. We came down
with Master
, and we think it will
not be long before we will be going back
again, after we have finished this building
of the native hospital. [The 'Mussau natives are renowned for their neatness and
speed in building.] We have travelled
about much, and have been in charge of a
number of masters, but we have not forgotten the Sabbath, for God tells us to
`Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it
holy.' Please pray that God will bless us
and make us faithful in keeping His law."
Pastor Campbell adds these comments:—
"It is this faithfulness that has given
them the power to overthrow the idols of
smoking, betel-nut chewing, etc. - These
boys are licensed native missionaries. They
are willing, clean, and trustworthy, and
although many Europeans are opposed to
Adventist teachings, they are not averse
to using the product for reasons obvious.
The boys will be gaining experience of
value to them."
ERNEST LLOYD
In my recent reading I came across
this complimentary yet challenging statement: "Seventh-day Adventists, the world
around, are gripped by one all-absorbing
conviction—that God has divinely commissioned, them to carry to all the world
in this present generation, the sublime
announcement that our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ is about to come to the world
the second time. They bend every energy
to accomplish this gigantic task. They
are firmly persuaded that when this task
is completed, when all the world has heard
this majestic message regarding the return of our Lord, He will then come to
complete the great plan of redemption.
They look upon no sacrifice as too great,
that results in hastening this work to its
conclusion."
I wonder. Is it a true picture of us?
"Gripped by one all-absorbing conviction." True, many of our people are so
gripped. On the other hand, too many of
them are gripped by "the things of this
world" that absorb more than their rightful share of time and thought and energy.
And too often they come in weariness and
hesitation to the business of the Lord
which should have their best.
"They bend every energy." Not yet.
When that day comes we shall see a mighty
movement pulsating with divine enthusiasm. And then our people will be seen
going out from home to home talking
and praying with the people, and leaving
papers and books for them to read. Every
Adventist motor-car will also be a carrier of good news in print.
"No sacrifice too great." Seventh-day
Adventists know something about sacrifice. Perhaps no other people give more
money per capita to extend gospel work.
But many of us in these modern times
have yet much to learn about true sacrifice. With better planning of our time we
could give more personal attention to witnessing work and with our message-filled
literature. Economic changes are rapidly
taking place, and who can tell when our
publishing houses will be affected by the
coming changes? Restrictions and curtailments are certainly on their way. It
behooves us as His witnesses in this work
to be awake to the meaning of these eventful times and to redouble our efforts in
literature service.
Why not Fight It Out ?
MARY ELIZABETH BOUCK
"Mother," Teddy's voice and his eyes
were worried, "Eldon Pierce says he's going
to beat me up after school because I tripped
him during recess."
"Did you?" I asked.
"No; he just thinks I did."
"Tell him so
"
"I did," interrupted Teddy, "but it didn't
do any good. When he gets me off the
school grounds
"
I knew the rest, and I knew that my
little boy was afraid, that he was possessed
by the fear that only a little child can
know when threatened by one older and
stronger than himself. I had to help him
conquer that fear without either forbidding a fight or urging him to the certain
defeat of one. So as we sat down to lunch
I said: "Suppose you invite Eldon to come
8/2/43
over and play with you this afternoon.
Tell him about your nice big truck and
the sand-pile. He'll like to play there."
At that Teddy brightened and began to
eat.
When school was out, to my great satisfaction, Teddy and Eldon arrived at our
house together. All afternoon they played
happily, beginning an acquaintanceship
that later developed into friendship.
Eldon was just an average child, no
better and no worse than thousands of
others. His parents were young and very
busy. Perhaps they didn't realize that
whether children are quarrelsome or peacemaking is chiefly a matter of environment
and habit.
I was a member of a peace-loving family
that included four children. We were never
allowed to quarrel. If we couldn't settle
our own disagreements amicably, we could
always lay them before mother and be sure
of a just decision. But if we quarrelled we
were likely to be punished. It did no good
to try to shift the blame and say, "I didn't
start it." Mother's answer to that invariably was, "It takes two to quarrel." And
sometimes she added: "You know 'A soft
answer turneth away wrath, but grievous
words stir up anger.' "
Sometimes people seeing us together and
observing our differences, were surprised
that we kept from quarrelling. I remember once when we were on our vacation, a
woman who was boarding at the same
house said to mother, "I don't see how you
keep those children from fighting. My two
are at it all the time." And she kept one
on the front porch and the other on the
back most of the time she was there.
I know two little girls whose constant
bickering was becoming a source of considerable anxiety to their parents. Then
somebody suggested, "Get them to doing
little things for each other." Their mother
seized the idea gladly, and it has worked.
All the petty jealousy and envy is being
forgotten, and they are working together
beautifully.
There are better ways for children to
settle their difficulties than by fighting.
God's Thought for Us
God's thoughts for our life may not
always be our thoughts, but they are
always good thoughts. There is a word
in Isaiah which says, "My thoughts are
not your thoughts, neither are your ways
My ways, saith the Lord. For as the
heavens are higher than the earth, so
are My thoughts higher than your
thoughts." It is God's thought we want
for our life, rather than our own. God's
thought for us is higher than ours, that
is, wiser, better, safer, than ours. We will
all assent to this as a theory of life. But
when we come to the acceptance of God's
thought, His way, His plan, instead of our
own, sometimes we fail. We are not willing to accept His thought for us.
When we say, "How precious also are
Thy thoughts unto me, 0 God!" we should
be ready to accept them, to yield ourselves to them. Have you ever thought
what a glorious thing it is to have God
plan for your life, to know that He thought
about you before you were made, and
then made you according to His thought?
No possible human plan for your life
could be half so high, so noble, so beautiful, as God's thought for you.—J. R.
Miller.