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Gospel Herald
"In the defense and confirmation of the Gospel." "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace."
VOL. I
SCOTTDALE, PA., SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1908
No. 1
EDITORIAL
Salutatory. — First, a greeting of love to all in the name of Jesus. In sending forth the first number of the Gospel Herald we do so with the prayer that God may own and bless the work to His glory. Long may it live as a witness of the truth, a de- fender of the faith, a servant of the church, and a messenger of good-will to all people.
It shall be the aim of the Gospel Herald to defend and promulgate the doctrines of the Bible and of the Mennonite Church; to labor for the promotion of love, unity, peace, piety and purity in the home and in the church; to encourage the spreading of the Gospel by means of pure litera- ture, mission work, and evangelistic efforts; to serve as a medium through which the whole brotherhood may keep informed as to the condition, work and progress of the church; to stand by and encourage all efforts put forth for the upbuilding of the cause and the salvation of the lost, whether such efforts are by individuals or institutions.
The Gospel Herald being devoted exclusively to the cause of Christ, no paid advertisements will be admitted to its columns. With the good-will and loyal support of our brethren we hope soon to see the paper self-sus- taining.
We invite your careful considera- tion of the contents and scope of the paper. If you are in harmony with the principles for which it stands, we will appreciate your hearty co-opera- tion.
Wishing you the choicest blessings of God, and with a fervent prayer for divine guidance, we send forth, in the name of Christ and the church, this first issue of the Gospel Herald.
If you would learn to love the Bible make it your daily and bosom com- panion.
It will be noticed that the paper is dated on Saturday. After this issue the Gospel Herald will be mailed on Wednesday so that it may reach most of our readers by Saturday.
Have you been reading Bro. Hos- tetler's articles on conditions and problems of the South? They are among the articles which are instruc- tive as well as interesting.
That which is first and last upon our minds is that which makes the most vivid and lasting impressions. Therefore let our first wakeful mom- ents in the morning and our last thoughts in the evening be devoted to and fixed upon our Creator.
In many stores there are two un- necessary things which Christian peo- ple should leave severely alone. We refer to the style books and prize lot- tery tickets. Both of them are an attack upon Christian character. One is a breeder of vanity, the other a bid for gambling. One develops a lust for display, the other a greed for unlawful gain. Both are corrupting, and neither should be found in the Christian home.
No man can live in the spirit of the Gospel without making a conscien- tious effort to obey its precepts.
Not long since, we listened to an old preacher, telling us of what Diet- rich Philips, a fellow-worker with Menno Simon, had to say about some of the Bible doctrines which we hold dear. It is needless to say that we were confirmed and strengthened in the faith. Our old white-headed preachers are performing a valuable service in keeping us in touch with the doctrines and trials of our forefa- thers. May God spare them to us until the younger generation is fully indoctrinated.
Publishing Interests Merged. — A long step was taken in the direction of merging our church publishing in- terests when an agreement was reached between representatives of the Mennonite Publishing Co. and the Mennonite Publication Board. The English periodicals heretofore published by the Mennonite Publish- ing Co. are to be turned over im- mediately, and the German periodi- cals, books, etc., will be turned over assoon as arrangements can be made, the final transfer to be made on or be- fore July i. Full particulars will be published next week. See statement on page 8.
The Eighth Annual Report of the American Mennonite Mission at Dham- tari, India, has been received at this office, and undoubtedly at many other places in the United States and Cana- da. It is interesting from beginning to end and gives the reader a fair conception of the history, work, work- ers, people, conditions, needs, future outlook, etc., of our mission in India. The illustrations and maps convey a still more definite and striking idea of the country and conditions of the people. Bro. Kaufman's article, found on the Mission page of this issue of the Gospel Herald, serves as a key to the first map. No one who is inter- ested in the mission at Dhamtari can read this report without being moved with a desire to help the work along. May these desires find response in practical assistance.
Here is a question which has puz- zled many people: How can they who profess to have given tbrir all to the Lord and renounced the vorld with all its pomp and show continue to change the style of their hats, col- lars, coats, and other articles of ap- parel as the fashions of the world change? How is it possible to re- nounce the world and still follow the leadership of the world?
GOSPEL H ERALD
Apr. 4
Doctrinal
But speak thou the tilings which become nimiiiiI doctrine. — Titus 2:1.
lu doctriue shewing- uncorruntness, grav- ity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot he condemned. — Titus 2:7, 8.
Take heed unto thyself and unto the doc- trine; continue in them. — I Tim. 4:16.
If ye love me keep my commandments. — John 14:15.
DOCTRINAL TEACHING
The texts standing at the head of this column call our attention to a subject .which needs constant, careful and in- telligent consideration. This is apparent when we remember —
1. That people are so liable to forget. The world is not slow in pressing its claims upon the people. The greater part of our wakeful hours are devotee! to the material things of life, and unless we constantly refresh . our minds with things spiritual, they are liable to pass from our memories.
2. There is a mistaken idea as to what constitutes church doctrine. Some wouid confine it to a few theories concerning outward forms. It is true that doctrine includes theories, outward forms and ceremonies (provided such theories are scriptural), but it also includes much more. Every principle and truth taught m the Scripture should be considered as a Bible doctrine ,
3. The cry has gone out, "More of Christ and less of doctrine." Where is the foundation for 'such a demand? Aiore of Christ? By all means, let us have more of Christ. Paul's determina- tion was to know nothing but Christ, and Him crucified. Let this also be our motto. But hoiwi can we preach Christ without accepting and proclaiming the things which 'He taught? What is that but doctrine? Christ says, 'Why call ye me Lord ! Lord ! and do not the things which I s-ay ?" It is these very doctrines which tell of the better way. The more we know of them, and the more fully they become part of our being, the more satisfactory will be our Christian experi- ence, the greater will be our power for service, and the more steadfast will we be in service and faith and doctrine.
These two pages will be devoted to the promulgation of Christian doctrine. God grant that we may all be both "hearers" and "doers" of the Word.
FUTURE PUNISHMENT
By A. D. Wenger.
For the Gospel Herald
Disbelief in punishment hereafter for the ivvicked h widespread and stiil grow- ing. Not half the Protestant preachers in all Christendom speak on the subject and many do not believe in it at all. Paul prophesied of this time. "For the time
will come when they will not endure sound doctrine ; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears" (II Tim. 4:3.)
This modern heresy now flourishes to such an extent that several religious de- nominations have embodied the "No Future Punishment" theory as a part of their creed. This encourages sin. Were the whole world sure of no hell of pun- ishment it would grow worse rapidly. It takes both the fear of future punishment and the desire for future happiness to move men to do the right.
Foremost and boldest among the advo cates that the wicked shall not be pun- ished forever, are the Millennial Dawn- its with headquarters at Allegheny. Pennsylvania. They believe that the wicked as well as all others slumber in the grave until a resurrection, after which the ungodly will all have the pri- vilege of turning to God and being saved; and that all (who- will not, after a second opportunity, will be blotted out of existence forever. The leader and founder of this modern sect is very bus;/ writing books and tracts and traveling about over the country to tell the world that if men live in sin they will never sink lower than the grave, that hell al- ways means the grave and nothing else. Our attention has been called to his work because some of our own brethren are being deceived. "But evil men and seducers 'shall wax worse and worse, de- ceiving, and being deceived" (II Tim. 3:13.) "Beware of false prophets, w inch come to you in sheep's clothing-, but in- wardly they arc ravening wolves" (Matt 7 : T 5 . ) It is commonly reported that this deceiver does not live with his wife. Recently the writer wrote him to know ;f the report is true, but received no an- swer as to that, although ever)- other question was answered. Domestic af- fairs count much in a man's religion.
This same prophet of Baal believes that we have just entered a period of seven years great tribulation and that in 1915 the Lord is coming in the clouds with all His angels. Here are a few quota- tions from his church paper, "Zion's Watch Tower." "Yet seven years the threshold of what we believe to be the last seven years of this Gospel dispensa- tion." "It is selfishness that will be to blame for the final collapse which the Scriptures predict and which we expect in 1915." "The final spasm, which we look for in 1915, will give birth to the new dispensation of peace and blessing, the Millennial reign of Messiah." "Some have queried whether or not a little farm would be profitable in the time of trouble. We reply that wherever the Lord's keep- ing power is there is safety ; that so far as human judgment could go there would be as little safety on a farm as anywhere, for in the time we anticipate tramps and thieves will infest the country districts and beset the wayfaring man as much if
not more than the city dweller. If at- tempting to locate a family of small chil- dren our inclination would be to prefer a town of: moderate size... If in the small town suggested a lot could be had ■sufficiently large for a back kitchen gar- den," etc. etc. etc.
Many people are willing to listen to these foolish predictions of this blind leader of the blind. Jesus says, "And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceivemany" (Matt. 24:11.) Perhaps foremost among these prophets in this age are Russell, Dowie, and the Mormon prophets. According to the Scriptures we know that the signs of the times in- dicate that the end is near, but when a man goes against the Scriptures and pre- dicts the year and many other things he knows nothing about, he takes his place among the false prophets. Religious fanaticism has always had its followers.
Can we wonder if a sect so steeped in error and blindness tries to explain that there is no future punishment? Hell sometimes does mean the grave, we ad- mit, but not alKvays. So does heaven oft-times mean the space above us in which the birds fly, the clouds float and the stars shine, but it does not always mean that. We might just as well say that heaven always means this space above us as to say that hell always means the grave. We are certainly very nar- row if we narrow the 'word hell down to one meaning only.
Hell is not mentioned before the flood. The word is not found in the Scriptures before Deut. 32 -.22. But the Hebrew word sheol, which is sometimes trans- lated hell; appears already in Genesis. Sheol occurs in the original Hebrew Old Testament sixty-five times, and is trans- lated hell thirty-one times, grave thirty- one times and pit three times. In the Revised Version, sheol "has often been brought over into the English without translation.
Jacob introduces us to the subject of sheol more than two thousand years af- ter Adam and Eve were driven from the garden of. Eden, When Joseph was sold into Eygpt and the coat of many colors, dipped in blood, was carried to Jacob, he said, "An evil beast hath devoured him ; Joseph is without doubt tern in pieces. ... I will go down to the grave (Heb. sheol) unto my son mourning" (Gen. 37:33.35.) God had talked with Jacob and others before him, and how much he hath learned of the abode of de- parted spirits we do not know. In this iiu4ai.ee he reveals his belief in the com- panionship of disembodied spirits beyond the grave. Believing that Joseph's body was torn to pieces by a wild beast and having no knowledge of the where- abouts of his body, he could not go to him except in the spirit world. In Gen. 42:38; 44:29,31, Jacob speaks of sheol again, but doe.s not, apparently mean the intermediate state, but death and the
1908
GOSPEL H ERALD
grave, the gatejwiay to it. "Then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sor- row to the grave" (sheol).
Samuel says, "The Lord kil'leth, and maketh alive ; he bringeth down to the grave (sheol J and bringeth up" (I Sam. 2:6.)' Some other scriptures where sheol clearly means the grave are, I Kings 2:6,9; Job 17:13; Psa. 6:5; 31:- 17; 49:14,15 ; Eccl. 9:10.
Hell, translated from sheol, some- times means the grave. David says, if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there" (Psa. 139:8.) He certainly did not believe God would be with him in eternai punishment, but in the grave where he ivvould lie. "Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord 'his God, out of the fish's belly, and said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly, of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice" (Jon. 2:- 1,2.) He was alive for three days in this living grave and no one believes that hell here meant eternal torment or eternal happiness.
The word hell had a number of mean- ings in 161 1 when the Bible was trans- lated, as we find in the Scriptures. We will consider here the meaning in com- mon usage, for hell is seldom used now except to denote the place of endless tor- ment.
Hell, translated from sheol, means the abode of lost spirits. "The iwicked shall be turned into hell, and the nations that forget God" (Psa. 9:17.) If hell here meant only the grave, why , would the wicked be mentioned as going there when everyone knows that the righteous go to the grave as iwel-1 as the wicked? No one iwho really wants to know the truth can we'll doubt that this is a place of punishment for the ungodly only. "The way of life is above to the wise, thta he may depart from hell beneath" (Prov. 15:24.) How can a man depart from the grave beneath ? Some turn away from eternal punishment, but all face the grave. "Thou shaft beat him with tire rod, and deliver his soul from hell" (Prov. 23:14.) We would con- sider the father insane who would heal his child to deliver it from the grave, for death lias passed upon all ; but if corrected it may be delivered from a hell of torment. Other passages in which the word hell is not found also prove the future punishment of the wicked. Isa. 30:33; 33:U-
Hell, translated from sheol also means the place of righteous spirits. David prophesying of Christ said, "Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell (sheol) neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption" (Psa. 16:10.) This means Christ's body in the tomb and Iris soul in the paradise department of disembodied spirits. We know that Jesus and the converted thief went to paradise tin same day they were crucified (Lu. 23:- 43) Jacob, a child of God, expected to meet Joseph in sheol.
We have now noticed that sheol means the grave, the intermediate stale of the wicked and the intermediate state of the righteous. The slate of disembodied spirits is revealed Id us more clearly in the New Testament as we hope to show in our next article, but we have by no means exhausted the ( )ld Testament on the subject. Other scriptures can be given to strengthen the points presented and other meanings of sheol and hell can be found.
iMillersville, Pa.
IS INDIVIDUAL JUDGMENT A SAFE GUIDE?
By J. E. Hartzler.
For the Gospel Herald
The fundamental principles of die teaching of Jesus are not questioned, a- a rule, by Christian professors to-day. The church has no difficulty in convinc- ing her 'people that faith, repentance, conversion, etc., are essential to salva tion. But there are things concerning which Jesus did not speak directly. There are things, and 'sinful things m which many Christian professors claim right to indulge, simply because Jesus said nothing about them directly. On these points, where men rightfully claim "persuasion of their oiwn mind" or "in- dividual judgment," is where the church finds its difficulty.
The great pitfalls along the way Jesus has guarded. And with these guarded and the light of His glorious Gospel He rightfully expects every believer to see a few thing's of which He may not have spoken directly. The boy who grows into manhood is expected of his mother to know a few things, to know a few sins though she never spoke of them in so many words. No true Christian will uphold the modern theatre, dance, bro thel, and gambling on the grounds thai Jesus never spoke against them full) and directly. And so with many popular sins which we might mention.
I hit, "Let every man lie fully per- suaded in his own mind," says Paul lo the Romans. And following this advice, hcwi can we know that we are right? We have two guide pbsts which will an- swer this question conclusively.
1. When my judgment leads me con- trary to the Word and Spirit of God, then I may know without one moments doubt that I am wrong. If my indiv- idual judgment leads me to patronize the saloon, horse-racing, county and state fairs, secret orders, foolish and fashion- able attire, then i need seriously revisi my judgment by comparing it with, Psa. 1:1. "Blessed is the man that walkclh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sit- telh in the seat of the scornful." Rom. [2:2. "and be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the re-
newing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
II Cor. 6:14.' '*I!e ye not unequal!) yoked together with unbelievers." Col. 3:17. "and whatsoever ye do in won! or deed, do all in the name of the Lord jesus." I Jno. 2:15. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." When my judgment conflicts with these and other scriptures, I may be assured that I am wrong and I will do well to make a speedy revisauce.
2. When my judgment leads me to act contrary to the church, the divine appointed institution of Go 1. a multi- tude of wise- counsellors, when 1 have evidence that 1 am wrong, for, "In the multitude of counsellors there 1-, safety."' (Prov. 11:14.) There are times when Martin Luthers appear and must stand alone against a multitude of counsel m a corrupted Roman Catholic Church, but we have no reasons to look for such a man in the Christian Church to reform the principles of Jesus Christ. When a man's judgment leads him against God's divine organization ; against the congre- gation or conference which has His Word back of them, you may know at once that there is something wrong with tiiat man's judgment. We do not say that the individuals of the church are infallible, but w e do say tiiat God can and does make known His will through the church. We mean that the church has authority to decide upon sin and righteousness, and he who stands against the divine proceedings of the church is placing himself upon dangerous grounds.
In the apostolic age God spoke and accomplished his will through the church. I pop, one special occasion be spoke through the Jerusalem conference (see Acts 15.) At that conference at least four definite questions were decided and as many resolutions drawn up and .sent to the Gentile believers. They advised them to abstain from pollutions of idols. To abstain from fornication. To abstain from things strangled. To abstain from blood. Four definite things were de- cided upon.
From the day of its beginning — the day of Pentecost — the church has held au- thority as an organization. God lias giv- en to her power, mu\ the individual with- in the Church who demands right of in- dividual judgment, above and against the Word of God and the authority of the church, should expect nothing K --s than tin execution oi the command oi [esiii in Matt. 1 S : 17.
In all of our judgments may we be certain that the Word oi God i> our foundation. Alav We lie certain that our judgments are in harmony with the di- vine plan of I lis church, and then only are we safe in the execution of the same.
Chicago, HI.
^
Family Circle
he should go.
Train up a child iu Hi — Proy. 22:«.
Husbands, love jour wives, even as Christ also loved the Church. — Eph. 5:25.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. — Eph. 5:22.
As for ine and my house, we will serve the Lord .Josh. 24:15.
THE FAMILY CIRCLE
GOSPEL HERALD
us not be disappointed if what we may have to say is not, always printed as soon as it is sent in. God bless you all, is our prayer.
This page will be devoted to the inter- ests of the Christian home. This is where parentis., children and "the stranger within the gates';' are expected to feel at home. Any subject which has to do with the well-being of home, the en- lightenment, happiness, and moral and spiritual uplift of all who diwiell therein, '.will be appropriate for consideration at this place.
The importance of home is becoming more and more recognized. As a shelter for the weary, a training school for children, a hospital for the sick, a retreat from the burdens, perplexities and wick- edness of the world, and a center of reli- gious influence, the Christian home stands foremost among the institutions of earth. Destroy the home, and you strike at the foundation of society, church and state. Build up the home, and you elevate the human race. All home-keep- ers should avail themselves of every op- portunity to study the problems' con- nected with home. Every lover of the cause is interested in two things: (l.J to make the Christian home worthy of the name: (2.) to convert as many Christless homes into Christian homes as it is possible to do.
Many things crowd into our minds as we meditate upon the opportunities and possibilities of home. Home, iwhat it is, what it should be and what it might be, is a theme which merits the attention of us all. The relation between husband and wife, the relation between parents and children, the relation between the family and the outside world ; conversa- tion, hospitality, literature, 'worship, as- sociations:' how spend long evenings? how spend Sunday mornings or Sunday afternoons? how interest children in right things? how maintain good health, physically, morally and spiritually? the development of mind and character; the siting of poverty and the deceitfulness of riches, hard problems and keen disap- pointments, love and its triumphs — these and many other questions may profitably be considered in our family circle talks.
Let all who are interested in making this page as helpful as it can be made, send us< the best products of their minds and hearts. Only remember this : Since our family circle is very large, and there are many who have something valuable to bring before us, let us present what we have to say in as brief a way as we know how, and since our space is limited, let
THE SANCTITY OF THE HOME
By Abram Metzler.
For the Gospel Herald
The home is an institution intended and ordained by God to be unto the. human family a loving retreat from the outer cares and vexations of life ; a isiac- red dwelling-place, a center of love and affection, occasioned or 'brought about by the plighting of hearts and hands (un- der the approval of God) of one man and one woman. Thus being one in purpose, one in loving' endeavor to live to the glory of God, and the good of humanity, and the humble submission to God's will in being fruitful and multiplying' the earth.
May God help us to consider. this great question seriously in the light of His revealed Word. Are we in our home life striving to be faithful and maintain the great purpose of God in the institution of the home.
We sometimes fear that one of the great evils that exist at the present time is the very low standard of home life, a sinful disregard of the two cardinal prin- ciples or elements that characterize the home as ordained of God, namely a center or nucleus of love and sanctified social relationship, and the bearing and bringing up of children in the fear of God.
It should be the purpose of each indi- vidual in every home to do all they can, by God's help, to make their respective homes' what God has intended that they shall be. The home life may, and should be, one of the great essential means to a glorious end, and a happy eternity. But if 'we allow this ideal to become second to any material consideration, we are sure to suffer an untold loss. The sad condition that seems to prevail in many homes, of giving first place to ma- terial things, having no higher aim or purpose than dollars or cents, eat and drink, being more concerned about a few acres of ground and a few horses and cattle than about the immortal souls of parents and children. This is one of die many ways of perverting the right- ways of the Lord.
We need, perhaps, in the makeup of our homes a few feet of God's earth, a house to protect Us from the cold and storm, food to cat, and clothes to wear, etc., but these are only husks (and how many poor souls have nothing more), the kernel which is of real value, that which meets the approval of God and really sanctifies the souls of men and women, is the spirit-life of the place we call home, the loving, practical working out of great ideals.
A home measuring up to God's staii-
Apr. 4
dard is a sanctified place indeed, a cen- •ter of intents, united interest, meaning more than the accumulation of dollars and cents, and to eat and drink. A place of protection indeed, but infinitely more than simply to be .protected from rain and storm; an inner circle of loVe, not of the perishable things of time and fleshly lusts, but a sacred place in God's kingdom here below, where a few hearts in the economy of God's wonderful grace beat in unison and sweet accord with* the great heart of God, in His expression by Word and Spirit in maintaining the sanctity of the home.
Under the heavenly influences the home is a place where a few sanctified individuals are expending their energies in one common effort in things temporal and spiritual to promote God's glory and the good of -humanity. The home is a place of activity and interest, but more especially in those things that tend to arouse the deepest impulses of the soul, a concerted longing and endeavor for the sanctity of the home and the advance- ment of the kingdom of God. A place of protection it is most assuredly, but above all we thank God for the protection our homes afford us against the fiery darts of temptation, shielding us from the storms of persecution, and as we are brought to face the discouraging scenes of active life, how often we would sink in despair if it were not for the kindly providence of God as He appeals to us through mediums of those who are most dear to us. — our life companions, our children, our homes on earth.
We long and pray and labor for pur- ity, simplicity and power in the church body. Would we suggest a laxness along these lines? No, indeed. Rather more consecrated effort with fear and trembling. But we do pray God for a great awakening and revival in true god- liness and sanctity in our homes. We are inspired with the blessed hope of a home far better over there. May the sanctity of our homes be the means of this heavenly, eternal reality, is my pra) er. .
Martin'sburg, Pa.
LITTLE WORDS
Words are things of little cost, Quickly spoken, quickly lost — We forget them, but they stand Witnesses at God's right hand, And their testimony bear For us or against us there.
Oh: how often ours have been Idle words and words of sin; Words of anger, scorn and pride, Or desire our faults to hide, Envious tales or strife unkind, Leaving bitter thoughts behind.
Grant us, Lord, from, day to day Strength to watch and grace to pray; May our lips, from sin set free, Love to speak and sing to thee; Till in heaven we learn to raise Hymns of everlasting praise.
— Selected.
1908
GOSPEL HERALD
CHILDREN'S DUTY TO THEIR PARENTS
J 1 v Lizzie Z. Smoker.
For the Gospel Herald
While it is the duty of the parentis to teach the children, God makes it the duty of the children to heed the parents' teaching-. "A iwise son heareth his fath- er's instruction" ( Prov. 13:1).
Children are commanded to obey their parents. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord ; for this is right. Honor thy father and thy mother ; which is the first commandment with promise" (Eph. 6:1, 2). Obedience to parents is well pleasing to God. "Children obey your parents in all things : for this is well, pleasing unto the Lord" (Col. 3:20).
Many boys and girls at the present day are found to utterly disregard their parents' commands and wishes. Such children have not yet experienced the power of regeneration, no matter how many leagues and societies they hold membership in.
Children, God holds you to love, honor and obey your parents. Parents are commanded to train their children for God and heaven. Now, those of us who arc parents, let us take heed how we train our children. And furthermore, those of us who are children, let us be- ware that we do not grieve our parents by disobeying them.
Norfolk, Va.
"MUCH JOY AND HAPPINESS"
By P. Hostetler.
For the Gospel Herald
Many have again entered into the holy bonds of matrimony this winter, and the friends are wishing them "much joy and happiness." This is a good wish to give them, and yet I have wondered if this alone will help them very much to- ward having a happy life together. There are certain conditions and prin- ciples that, ais a rule, lead to happiness1, and we need to learn what they are and comply with them.
The Lord asks us to rejoice always, and has made many provisions for our good and happiness in the world, and the marriage relation is one of them. We may, and even should desire to en- joy ourselves, but we should never let that desire be a leading factor in our life. Those who make this their supreme object in life generally have little to en- joy, .are always wanting more than they have, more money ov possessions, more honor, more pleasure, etc. But those whose main object is to live for God and His glory, regardless of 'sacrifices and hardships, generally can enjoy them- selves.
To have this happiness in the home we need above all else, love. And to have
this we must have peace. A lack of peace causes a lack of love, and to have peace we need a right treatment of each other. When we mistreat any one and refuse to pay them their duels they be- come dissatisfied with us and our peace is marred, our love chilled, and our hap- piness distui bed.
Husbands owe their 'wives support, protection, assistance, love, honor, re- spect, courtesy, kindness, etc. Wives owe tiie husbands assistance, reverence, respect, due benevolence, subjection, courtesy, kindness, etc. When each pay these, their dues, there will be perfect peace, fervent love, and much joy. It is to be feared that we in our thought- lessness or negligence sometimes treat neighbors and friejids with more re- spect, courtesy and kindness than our own companions, who should be the nearer and dearer Lo us.
East Lynne, iMo.
CHRIST IN THE HOME
First, last and all the time, have Christ in your home. Julius Caesar calmed the fears of an affrighted boat- man, who was rowing him in a stream by .saying: "So long as Caesar is in the same boat, no harm can happen." And whatsoever storm of adversity or be- reavement or poverty may strike your home, all is jwiell as long as you have Christ the King on board. Make your home so far-reaching in its influence- that down to the last moment of your children's life you may holel them with a heavenly charm. At seventy-six years of age the Demosthenes: of the American Senate lay dying at Washington — I mean Henry Clay, of Kentucky. His pastor sat at his bed-iside, and '"the old man eloquently," after a long and exacting public life, trans-Atlantic and cis-Atlan- tic, was back again in the scenes of his boyhood, and he kept saying in his dream, over and over again: "My Mo- ther! Mother! Mother!" May the par- ental influence we exert be not only po- tential, but holy, and so the home on earth be the vestibule of our home in heaven, in which place we may all meet — father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, grand- child and the entire group of precious ones, of whom we must say. in words of transporting Charles Wesley:
"One family we dwell in Him,
One church above, beneath; Though now divided by the stream —
The narrow stream of death. One army of the living God,
To His command we bow; Part of the host have crossed the flood,
And part are crossing now.
— Talmage.
Question Drawer
If ye will inquire, Inquire ye. — Inn. 21 :12.
Mill avoid foolish quentlonn and genetilo- Klen, niid contention)!, and striving* about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. — Tit. —3:1*.
IllCtef
Daniel Kauffmai
Distinguish, between ordinances and scriptural traditions. Is the latter as binding as the forma ?
An ordinance is "an established rite or ceremony." A scriptural ordinance is a religious ceremony established by divine authority. That part of our Sav- ior's teachings widen was not immediate- ly put to writing was known as "tradi- tions." When these traditions referred to religious ceremonies they were the saane as ordinances. Thus Paul's teach- ing on the devotional covering ( i Cor. 11:2,16) was both an ordinance and a tradition — ordinance, because it is a re- ligious ceremony established by divine authority; tradition, because it is not found in any of the gospels, yet deiivere 1 by God's chosen vessels to bear His name before kings, governors, and tir.- Gentile races. These traditions could be delivered either orally or in writing ( i i Thes. 2:15), and nothing in the gos- pels can be more binding: ( 1 1 Thes < - 6.)
// Christ knew what was to be ac- complished through His death, rj,y did He yet pray, "Let this cup pass from me?"
Christ was human, as well as divine*. As a man, it was but natural that lie should pray that this terrible cup of suf- fering which was now before Him might pass from Him. Even in this dark hour His bright example is worthy of our consideration and patterning after. A- a man He shrank from pain. As a child of God, He was willing to suffer the most excruciating pains if it was the will of His Father that lie should do so.
f.et us teach our children by examp when it comes to obeying God's Won — /. H. Hcrshcy.
Is the oft-repealed statement that "preachers have the zvorst children," true: If so, ho;e do you account for it?
Human goodness is something which is hard to measure, for the reason that the standard of measurement is not uni- form. As a rule', however, there is a larger percentage of preachers' children in the church and a smaller percentage in jail than any cl i.-s of people we know of. Still, there is great room for im- prove, neu t on the part 1 t' preachers' chil- dren, for the following reasons: (l) They are the children oi imperfect par- ents. ( .?) They are the comrades oi imperfect people. (3) The great bur- dens resting upon preachers causes many of them to give less attention to their children than thev otherwise /would.
GOSPEL H ERALD
Apr. 4
Our Young People
Remember now tliy Creator in tlie days «>f Iliy YoiiUi. — Eeel. 12:1.
Children, wl>ey your imrciils in the Lord; for this is right Enh. 6:1.
Honor thy father and thy mother, which is the lirst commandment with promise. — Enh— 6:2.
Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, :u conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity 1 Tim. 4:12.
THE END WILL TELL
Sel. by Phares C. Miller.
What if you'vo made mistakes in life, Doiv' I hang your head in sorrow,
But profit by the lesson learned, And better make tomorrow.
There's no one who can boast of none —
Philosopher or prophet — All you can do is do your best;
When you see your wrong, then stop it.
Jf you should find you're in a fault And the devil keeps' a grinding,
Just shake him off and fix it up, And thank God for the finding.
When others think they see your faults,
Vex soul enough to sink it, And you are sure you're in the right,
Keep still and let them think it.
Keep close to Jesus; let him break
Each selfish band asunder: Some day the battle you will win,
While they look on with wonder.
The battle is the Lord's, not yours,
Then give Him all the glory; Stand firm as steel and do not fear,
He'll win it; don't you worry.
So trudge along, though none may know, Your worth or give you glory;
To start out brisk don't win the race— The end will tell the story.
Bainbridge, Pa.
POWER IN SIMPLICITY
By A. Metzler,
For the Gospel Herald
While we do not claim any saving- virtue in simplicity of attire, yet no one can truthfully deny its power. A wolf may appear in sheep's clothing', hut that is the exception, not the rule. Recent- ly a sister in one of our city mission- said she is more than ever grateful for the doctrine of nonconformity as upheld by the church. "People in general," she said, ''and especially officials and even city authorities, show respect towards us. My right to pass through the gates at our depots has never once been ques- tioned, even though I had no ticket. I enjoy greater freedom and privileges for my 'simplicity of attire than I otherwise would. Thanks to the church for en- joining plain and simple attire."
The next day after the sister had given this testimony a brother was walk- ing along the streets of the city. While passing by a saloonkeeper he suddenly accosted him with these words : "Want
a drink? Come in here, have a drink!" Noticing that the invitation wais ignored, a bystander quickly retorted while pointing at the brother : "He don't drink, he is a minister !" While the brother was grateful for the truth ex- pressed by this stranger in his first as- sertion lie could not help but smile at the mistaken compliment of the latter assertion.
Speeding my way homeward on the train, the newsboy passed through the coach with an armful of "current liter- ature" and deposited on each passenger's seat a novel or magazine, but, for some reason, he dropped, instead, a religious book on my seat for inspection.
•My observation for years has been that, as a rule, the world will recognize and respect the children of Christ's king- dom who are "not of the world," and "not ashamed of the gospel of Christ," but have the courage to manifest it in their walk and conduct. Let us dare to stand as firmly as did Daniel against the powers of darkness, and the light will burst forth along our way.
West Liberty, O.
SOMETHING WORTH WHILE
By H. Groin.
For the Gospel Herald
There is scarcely any person, who has devoted himself or herself to scene defi- nite work in life, whether it be on the farm or in the shop, in the school or in the pulpit, in fulfilling the obligation - of humble domestic life or in shaping the destinies of a nation ; but feels that with the most faithful effort there is much that remains undone. Because of the limitations to each one's capacity for work, golden opportunities are continu- ally passing by and forever out of reach : or when seized can be only inadequately improved.
To many such it seems almost an im- pertinence to suggest that there are other things besides the immediate duties of their calling, to wihich they might rea- sonably give a share of attention. These things may be worth while — in theory, or for someone whose time will permit of indulgence in them, but not for us. Well, let us see. I firmly believe that there are some things, commonly crowded out of busy lives, which could be readily incorporated in them, and which would actually expedite the ac- complishment of their purposes, while saving them from the sordid treadmill type of existence, so liable to grow out of self-centered lives. The busiest of us find time for a very fair number of the things which we think worth while. Then is it not a fair inference to make, that our neglect or dismissal of others indicates not so much lack of time to devote to them, as lack of appreciation of them?
The famous missionary cry, "We can do it, if we will," might well be con- tinued, "We would do it, if we wanted to, badly enough."
One of the ways in which most of us could invest a larger portion of our precious time to excellent advantage, is in providing the means for a deeper devotional life. As much almost be- cause of its prevailing poverty of it, as because of the inestimable blessing which it is capable of conferring. So little do we test the power which prayer and Bible study can have over our lives, and through us upon the men around us, that we are at times almost skeptical as to its reality. We do not withdraw long enoug'h and exclusively enough from the engrossing interests and dis- tractions of our busy lives to feel the quiet peace or catch the inspiration, or receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit, which come to him who meets with God alone in quiet communion.
So long as we continue to snatch from other duties just time enoug'h for this one, of "saying" our prayers, we may expect to find in such a perform- ance of it, little satisfaction for the soul longings which come to us in our bet- ter moments ; and so long it will be pre- sumption on our part to doubt or be- little the value to us of true devotion. Unless we can come before the Al- mighty Father in such a spirit of de- votion, we will probably be conscious of having" received but little blessing'. Hence the importance of claiming time enough to bring the mind, by devotional Bible study and meditation, to the atti- tude in which we can worship God "in spirit and in truth."
Is it worth our while? Many noble men of God have answered by their strenuous and fruitful lives, that they could not afford to dispense with it. Some of them have also testified with their lips that they most felt that they could afford the time apart, 'when the duties ahead were the most pressing and arduous. The necessity for making the most of their time only drove them the more eagerly to the retirement of their closets. Surely for them there was something to be gained by it ; and as- suredly as God is no respecter of per- sons He will bless us also with the full measure of blessing which we seek.
Then, if our lives, too, may be thus en- riched, is the inducement to rise out of their barrenness not enough for lis? So long as there are human hearts around us and beyond our present reach, who need the help of a friend, so long" as God's almighty goodness, truth and love are trodden underfoot by men, just so long 'will all who cherish that which they have gained from Christ, feel need for the equipment of prayer.
"No man liveth unto himself ;" but for each one, whatever his work, is pro- vided the means to be of service to all,
1908
GOSPEL H ERALD
in sonic capacity or other. If there re- mained to ns nothing but the power of friendship, this, consecrated by a life of communion with God, might yet be the medium of incalculable good.
We underestimate the influence which becomes ours, by virtue of our interest in our fellows. In our daily walk, by the courtesies of genuine friendliness, we can so awaken a response in the heart of another that he becomes ours, to whom we may speak the message, which from anyone less than a friend would lie shorn of its power.
If men are to be attracted by the love of Christ, they must sec it manifested in His messengers to them. Such mes- sengers it is our privilege to be. Can wlc say that there is nothing in it for us, that our lives are too full to be of use to the Master, that the price of power is greater than we can afford to pay ? "For- whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it."
Preston. Out.
WHAT SHALL OUR CHAR- ACTER BE?
By Anna L. Schertz.
For the Gospel Herald
Our character should be pure and spot- less before the world, and we should be willing to let our light shine wherever we go. ''Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heav- en" (Matt. 5 :i6.)
The world has a sharp eye and is quick to discover the inconsistencies in the Christian.
We should so live that others may see our godly life and when they inquire iwe may say we have been with Jesus.
We are to be the salt of the earth and if the salt have lost its savor wherewith shall it be salted?
Tt is often the case that people have lost the Christian calling and instead of be- ing a means of saving others are a means of their destruction. The Savior says, ''Have salt in yourselves and have peace with one another."
We are placed in this world and each, one has a mission to fulfill. It is not enough to love righteousness' but we must also hate sin. If we follow the character of Christ we have a good pat- tern. The holiness of Christ manifested itself in making a great sacrifice in His work to save others from sin.
Christ was desirous to have the world know that He loved the Father.
If we love God our daily life will speak for itself. At the judgment day we all must give an account of our character here on this earth, he it good or bad.
Metamora, 111.
Sunday School
Lesson for Al'k. 5, 1908 — J no. 10:1,18
JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Golden Text, — The good shepherd giveih his life for the sheep. — Jno. 10:1 i
Introductory. — Before us is one of the most beautiful parables recorded in the Bible. Of all the titles given to Christ— the Physician, the Light, the Truth, the Way, the Door, the Shepher' — the one applied 'to Him in this lesson calls forth more tender emotions than any yet named. Lovingly and tenderly He cares for His flock, adding to His numbers those who care to enter the fold, until in the end the whole herd will be ushered into the presence of the great King, there to feed on the evergreen pas- tures of heaven.
The Door. — There arc many doors proposed as an entrance into the everlast- ing sheep-fold of Christ, but only one door is acceptable to God. Christ says, ''Lie that entereth not by the door into the sheep-fold, but climfoeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." Some seek to climb in by the way of universialism : others, by the way of ig- norance : others, by the way of intelli- gence ; others by the way of good works ; others, by the way of wealth or fame ; others, by hoping that God's mercy is so great that He will make His word of none effect : but all to no purpose. They arc all "thieves and robbers." Christ says, 'T am the way no man Com- eth unto the Father but by me." Notice that while there is but one "door," there arc* many who iseek to go in by "some other wav." But since there is but one door, there is hut one ivvay of getting in.
Tin; Shepherd. — Christ is not only the door (or means of entrance) into the sheep-fold, but He is also the Shep- herd of the Heck. No true shepherd of a natural flock has ever cared for his own so tenderly and effectively as Christ cares for His own. "He gocth before them, and. his sheep folow him: for they know iiis voice." "Lo I am with you al- ways, even unto the end of the world," is the loving way in iwhich He assures His disciples of His care over them. Hi? watchful love is equalled only by His "ail power," which renders II 1111 a Shep- herd who is perfect in love and in power.
Tine SllEEP. — Not only have we a description of the Shepherd, hut also of the sheep. "The sheep follow him," is one of the distinguishing marks of the disciples of Christ. "A stranger will they not follow," is the negative way of saying the same thing. We have this same test before us to-day. There is no- thing which Christ teaches but what the world has something exactly the oppo- site to present. This is true of non-
resistance, love of enemies, humility, self-denial, simplicity, the spirit of sacri- fice, non-secrecy, non-sweuring, joy in tribulation, and everything else which He taught. Are wc I lis sheep? Are we following linn or following strang- ers? Do we hear Hi- voice or the voice, of strangers? A prayerful study of this parable might put many upon their guard againist following the voice of false prophets.
Another comparison. Notice the con- fiding trust in and meek submission to the voice and will of the shepherd which a well trained flock of sheep always manifest. After we have studied the exact attitude of the sheep toward then- shepherd, let us study our own attitude to "the Shepherd and lhshops of oir souls," and by this means we may deter- mine whether we are the true sheep of our heavenly Shepherd.
Tin-; Hireling. — Now notice the com- parison between the true and the false shepherd. Christ save His life for the sheep and giveih life to the sheep. His true followers who are set as watchmen over the fiock of God, imitate Him in His devotion to the cause. But the hire- ling manifests a different attitude. He is in the Christian service for what he can get out of it. When he can get more money, ease or honor by preaching than by doing something else, he preaches. When he finds it to his advantage to do something else, he forgets his heaven- ly(?) calling. The Lord;?) calls him lo the place where he gets the most mo- ney or has the easiest or best time, and lie hesitates not to desert his flock when the entrance of grievous wolves makes it an undesirable place to stay. Woe to the Hock which has an hireling for its minister.
The Yoi.oxtary Sacrifice. — Our Savior closes the parable (14:18) by telling us tlie kind of sacrifice He made. It was of His own accord. Of His life He said, "I lay it down myself." So may all our sacrifices be, not of necessity, but willingly. As Christ gave Himself freely for our sakes, let us freely give Him our service and our all.
THE UNDERGROUND RIVER
As there are vast Underground rivers in many parts of the world, broader and deeper and of more majestic sweep than any Mississippi or Amazon streams which men may often tap and bring to the surface in ever-flowing artesian wells, so there is an undercurrent of happiness in this universe, and if we connect our lives with it, our joy is perennial; there shall be within us then a well of water, springing up not only unto everlasting life, but to everlasting happiness. This undercurrent of happi- ness, or. rather — let us give it its nobler name — of blessedness, is God. — Francis E. Clark.
GOSPEL HERALD
Apr. 4
Gospel Herald
A religious weekly published in the interests of the Mennonite Church by
MENNONITE PUBLICATION BOARD
Scottdale, Pa. Aaron Loucks, General Manager
Subscription. — One Dollar a 5rear in advance Sample copies sent free on application
EDITORS
Daniel Kauffman, Versailles, Mo.
John F. Funk, Elkhart. Ind.
D. H. Bender, Office Editor
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
D. D. Miller, Middlebury, Ind. A. D. Wenger, Millersville, Pa. Oliver H. Zook, Belleville. Pa.
Address all communications intended for
publication
GOSPEL HERALD, Scottdale, Pa.
Communications relating to the business of the House, such as subscriptions, changes of address, etc., should be addressed
MENNONITE PUBLISHING HOUSE, Scottdale, Pa.
MENNONITE PUBLICATION BOARD
J. S. Shoemaker, Pres., Freeport, Ills.
Jonathan Kurtz, Vice Pres., Ligonier, Ind.
S. H. Miller, Sec, Shanesville, Ohio.
Abram Metzler, Treas., Martinsburg, Pa.
Christian Good, Dayton, Va.
I. J. Buchwalter, Dalton, Ohio.
N. S. Hoover, Goshen, Ind.
Samuel Gerber, Tremont, Ills.
S. G. Lapp, South English, Iowa.
David Garber, La Junta, Colo.
Emanuel Stanley, Corning, Calif.
E. S. Hallman, Cressman, Sask.
COMMITTEES
Executive Committee. — J. S. Shoemaker, Jonathan Kurtz, S. H. Miller, Abram Metzler, Aaron Loucks.
Managing' Committee. — Aaron Loucks, Genera Manager. A. D. Martin, Secretary- Treasurer, E. S. Hallman, C. Z. Yoder, E. L. Frey.
Publishing Committee. — Daniel Kauffman, Chairman, D. H. Bender, Secretary, D. J. Johns, L. J. Heatwole. S. G. Shetler, I. R. Detweiler, Geo. R. Brunk.
Finance Committee Abram Metzler
Aaron Loucks, M. S. Steiner, S. E. Allgyer, Jacob S. Loucks, M. C. Cressman, A. D. Wenger.
A milling Committee. — D. S. Yoder, Jonas Cullar, D. N. Gish.
SATURDAY, APR. 4, 1908J
iiiHiiiiiiiiiiniiiin
OUR MOTTO
iiiniiiniiiih
The whole Gospel as our rule in 1 ■ faith and life.
Scriptural activity in all lines of g Christian work.
9 Love, unity, purity and piety § home and church.
,.i
Our Publication Interests It will be a matter of much interest, no doubt, for the readers of the new church paper to know that the Herald of Truth and the Gospel Witness have both passed into the hands of the Mennonite Publication Board, and the new paper, as this issue shows, now appears under the name of Gospel Herald. Our publications have been united by a mutually satisfactory arrangement of the previous pub- lishers, and both parties join with a hearty co-operation in the work. The last issue of the Herald of Truth will appear on April g.
John F. Funk.
J. S. Shoemaker.
Field Notes
A Bible Conference is to beheld at the Sycamore Grove Church, Cass Co., Mo,, some time in September.
Bro. S. G. Shetler was engaged to begin a series of meetings at the Stauffer Church, Washington Co., Md. on Mar. 25.
One of the earliest congregations to report a communion service was the Cullom, 111., congregation, which held communion on Sunday, March 8.
The meetings conducted by Bro. J. H. Mosemann of Lancaster, Pa., at the Dohner church, Lebanon Co., Pa., closed on Mar. 24, with three confessions.
Bro. J. H. Hershey of Lititz, Pa., conducted a series of meetings at East Petersburg, Lancaster Co., Pa., which resulted in eleven confessions. Meetings closed on Mar. 22.
An interesting program for the Sunday School Conference of the Indiana and Michigan Conference district, has been arranged. It will likely be held at Goshen, Ind.
Bro. C. Z. Yoder of Wooster, Ohio, writes us under date of Mar. 9, that there were six converts at the Oak Grove Church. We trust that others may join these on the heavenly way.
The Dinuba, Cal., congregation has organized a Sunday school for the first time in its history. We are glad that our new congregations are active in the service. May God bless the efforts.
The meetings conducted at the OakGrove Church near West Liberty, Ohio, by Bro. S. G. Shetler, closed on Mar. 20, with fifteen confessions and the congregation much en- couraged.
Bishop Ordained. — In the Fulton Co., O., congregation a communion service was held on Sunday, March 22. At this meeting the lot was cast for bishop, which fell on Bro, Eli L, Frey. May God's choicest blessings rest upon our brother in his responsi- ble calling.
The following dates have been an- nounced for communion services in Bish. I. J. Buchwalter's district; Can- ton Mission, April 12; Bethel Cong., Medina Co., May 3; Martin Cong., Wayne Co., May 10; Longenecker Cong., Holmes Co., May 17, Old Peo- ple's Home, Wayne Co., June 14; Union Hill, June 21.
"Gems of Thought for Memory's Casket" is the name of a little volume from the pen of Bro. R. J. Heatwole of Windom, Kans., that is waiting publication. Its contents represent a collection of gems gathered by Bro. Heatwole during the past twenty years or more from sermons, papers, books and other sources. It will ap- pear soon.
Bro. J. C. Springer of White Cloud, Mich., conducted evangelistic meet- ings at Chief, Manistee Co., Mich., during the latter part of March and the Lord blest the work. When our informant wrote, sixteen had alread}' come out on the side of the Lord and the meetings were still in progress. The Lord bless the small congrega- tion at this place.
Bro. W. C. Hershberger of Johns- town, Pa., has completed the manu- scripts for his book, "The Happy Life," and the same is now in the hands of the Publishing Committee. We have not yet had time to examine the manuscripts closely, but what we have read leads us to believe that an instructive and helpful volume is waiting those who have a desire to live happily here and carry with them the assurance of eternal happiness yonder. If the committee approves of the work it will be published in due time.
Bro. J. N. Kaufman writes us from Igatpuri, India, under date of Feb. 25, stating that he was then busily engaged in putting up a temporary summer house at that place on the land held by the Mission at Dham- tari. The hot season was then al- ready rapidly approaching and by the time this reaches our readers Bro. and Sister Ressler will likely be occupying the new house. Bro. Kaufman also sends some interesting notes concern- ing the work of the American Men- nonite Mission at Dhamtari. Read them in the Mission Department.
The Mennonite Gospel Mission in Chicago has been moved from Emer- ald Avenue and 26th St., to 2930 Union Avenue. All communications intended for this mission should be addressed to the latter number.
We understand that the workers have moved to this latter place be- cause the place they formerly oc- cupied has been rented to other parties, but no permanent arrange- ments for a hall have as yet been made. We are sorry that the change was necessary, as it always requires some time to work up an interest in a new community, but we trust that the Lord will abundantly bless the work at the new place, and we hope soon to hear of blessings enjoyed by the work- ers at 2930 Union Ave., Chicago, Ills.
1908
GOSPEL H ERAL D
During the past week a number of brethren from abroad, who came to Scottdale to assist in the work of merg- ing the publishing interests and launch- ing the church publishing house, filled appointments at our church. Among those who took part in the services are S. H. Miller, M. S. Steiner, J. S. Shoemaker, J. F. Funk, Jonathan Kurtz and Daniel Kauffman. Bro. Kauffman is continuing the meetings.
Sister Josephine Hubka of the Orphan's Home, West Liberty, Ohio, has gone to Nampa, Idaho, to assist in the home of Bro. David Hilty. Sis- ter Hilty's health has failed so much that it was considered necessary that her daughter, Sister Tena Burkhard of the Home, should go to her assist- ance, but as Sister Burkhard could not well be spared from the Home, Sister Hubka went in her stead. She took with her an eighteen-month-old baby girl.
Bro. Jacob B. Erb of Newton, Kans., orders the Gospel Herald sent to his daughter, Susie Horst, Rag- hunathpur, India. She is the widow of the late Amos G. Horst, one of the four missionaries who died at that place recently of small-pox. The husband was a son of Pre. Michael Horst of Newton, Kans., an account of his death having appeared in the Gospel Witness some time ago. We trust the paper will reach its destina- tion regularly and be a means of com- fort and cheer to the bereft sister and helpful to others at the mission sta- tion.
Bro. Robert L. Smith of Rich Mountain, W. Va., reports that the snow was deep and the winter severe in the mountains, so much so that he was unable for some time to reach the appointments at the various points, but the snow is gone and regular preaching services will be resumed. Bro. Smith is the only minister in that part of the state during the win- ter and he looks after the work nobly, often traveling from fifteen to thirty miles over rough mountain roads, and swollen streams to preach the Gospel to an eager congregation. Our breth- ren, from the Shenandoah Valley, Va., will again send workers into the West Virginia field.
Correspondence
Plainview, Tex.
Our little flock is still increasing in number. We have not yet organized, but twenty members have located and the average attendance at Sunday school is 33. Two ministers have located, the third lias bought, and the fourth is prospect- ing. Those coming without previous
notice should enquire for M. D. Hendei son, Plainview, Tex.
Henry E. Landis. Mar. 13, 1908.
West Liberty, O.
S. G. Shetler came into our midst on Mar. io, and conducted meeting's at the Oak Grove Church, until Mar. 25. The weather was especially favorable and the meetingswell attended and full of interest. The Word of God was ex- pounded in its purity and with power, and as a result believers were estab- lished and 15 precious souls confessed Christ. Two have come since the meet- ings closed. May God be praised for the rich blessings received. Cor.
Rexmont, Pa.
Church services were held at Krali's M. H. on Sunday morning, followed by council meeting. The services were opened by Bro. Martin Risser, who spoke on the privilege of our time, and the contentment of the Christian life. Matt. 18 was read as an opening chap- ter by Bro. Jacob Horst, after which the sermon was preached' by Bro. David Westenberger. He spoke very strongly on humility.
Mar. 22, 1908. J. G. G.
High River, Alberta.
Bro. Isaac Miller and wife, accompa- nied by Bro. A. Barkey and wife, re- turned to their home from Markham, Out., on Mar. 12. They also attended the Bible Conference held at Berlin, Jan. 20-24, and report it as having been a source of much blessing to theni. Bro. Barker's expect to make their future home here. May God bless them in their efforts in building a home for them- selves and may the church uvork grow in strength as the little band increases in numbers at this place.
Mar. 18, 1908. Cor.
Johnstown, Pa.
The Stahi Sunday school was reor- ganized Mar. 15. The following officers were elected : Supt., John Thomas , Asst., John S'tahl ; secretaries, Mary C. Blough, Luella M. Shetler; trca.s., John S'aJa.
We feel to ask an interest in the prayers of all Sunday school workers that we may go hand in hand in the work of the Lord, that the children, young and old, may be taught to love God and to love one another. May we as a band of workers become more spiritually minded that wc may have more power in His work. Pray for us.
Alar. 23. "1908. M. C. B.
Harper, Kan.
Dear Readers of the Gospel Herald, Greeting ^Bro. T. M. Erb came here on Saturday, Mar. 21. While here he
preached three sermons for us which were much appreciated by ail. On Sun- day baptismal services were held. Two sisters were received into church fellow- ship. While we rejoice that some have become willing to live for Christ wc are sad to see others about us who are not willing to forsake all and follow Him. Our prayer is that these two may ever be bright and shining lights to the world and God grant us all grace so to live that by our influence others may be drawn to Him.
Mar. 23, 1908. Cor.
Chief, Mich.
We were permitted to enjoy a spiritual feast while Bro. J. C Spring- er labored so earnestly with us, Mar. 10-19. Twenty-one precious souls made the good confession. Among these were some children for which we were made to rejoice, but sorry to say that some parents compelled their children to stay away from the meet- ings and discouraged them. Oh, may we as Christian workers pray for such that they may receive light. We are glad to say that some of these con- verts are very much interested in the good work. We also expect to re- ceive some by letter soon.
Mar. 25, 1908. Ira C. Yoder.
Metamora, 111.
Greeting to all Readers in the Master's name: — Last Sunday an- other precious soul was received into the church, a father whose wife and three oldest children have been mem- bers for some time and have happily looked forward to the time when their father would also be a child of God. Let us not forget to pray for him.
The Metamora Bible Meeting elect- ed leaders for thecoming three months which resulted in the election of Bro. E. H. Oyer as superintendent; Bro. Henry Schertz, primary superintend- ent; Bro. Peter Schertz, Jr., chorister. The brethren Andrew Springer, Ar- thur Garber and Chris Camp were named as the program committee.
May the Lord bless all efforts put forth to the furtherance of His cause everywhere.
Mar. 23, 1908. Cor.
Port Trevorton, Pa.
Susquchannah Church. Dear Readers. Greeting: — The breth- ren Bislt. Wm. Graybill and Dea. Fred Fisher, of Richfield. Pa., were with us on Saturday evening and Sunday morn- ing holding instruction meeting and preaching. On Sunday afternoon the brotherhood came together and organ- ized our Sunday school with the elec- tion of the following officers: Supt.. Wm. A. Shaffer: assist.. John A. Swineford: sec. K. S. Hcrrold : assist., Ottilia S. Herrold; treas., Benj. S. Her-
10
GOSPEL H ERALD
Apr. 4
rold ; librarian, Roger Shaffer ; assist., M. M. Brti'baker. May the Lord abund- antly bless them in their several offices is my prayer.
Yours in Christian love, Mar. 23, 1908. A. B. Reamer.
Doylestown, Pa. Dear Readers of the Gospel Herald, Greeting: — We reorganized our Sunday school on Sunday, Mar. 22. All the old officers were again elected and different subjects discussed as to the best advan- tage and interest of the Sunday school. We are holding a collection for India on the last church Sunday of every quarter. We are having fairly good col- lections. Hope we may all realize that the Lord loves a cheerful giver, espe- cially to the worthy cause of India, and Wherever else needed. Bro. Histand iwtill conduct services ' in the Bucks County Jail on Sunday, Mar. 29. The brethren have also been requested to hold services at the county home. Let us not neglect the poor nor the criminal, as their souls are very precious in the sight of God. W. S. H.
McVeytown, Pa.
Dear Readers of the Gospel Herald, Greeting in Jesus' name : — Since we have passed through another winter and while many were blessed with good health, there are those who have been seriously ill and have recovered again, while others have passed to their reward ; but one of the most striking things to our mind is the case of Sister Sophia French, wife of J. A. French, who is afflicted with nervous palsy and has been an invalid for three years and for two years has not been able to feed herself and for some time has been entirely help- less. May our prayers ascend to the throne of grace in behalf of those upon Whom God has laid His hand to afflict them and we know not why. May we cry out as did Moses, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
Mar. 24, 1908. J. H. B.
Kulpsville, Pa.
On Mar. 15, Bro. Christian Allebach and wife and A. K. Clemmer and wife attended the Philadelphia Mission. They were greatly impressed with the work done there. Tiwio young sisters were baptized and recived into the church. On Mar. 19 Henry the young son of Bro. Herman Metz and wife was interred at our meeting house. The loss is deeply felt.
On April 5, the Lord willing, eleven persons will be 'baptized and received into the church. May the Lord give them power and grace to remain stead- fast in the Christian faith as long as they live.
On. Mar. 25, Sister Benjamin Ruth of Morwood, Pa., was interred at our
meeting house. She had a stroke of paralysis ami was helpless for many Weeks. A son and a daughter survive. Her husband preceded her in death many years ago. She was aged 58 years.
Communion will be held May 3. Our membership is about 200.
God's blessing to all the readers.
Mar. 25, 1908. Cor.
Missions
Goshen, Ind.
Dear Readers:— The spring term of Goshen College opened on March 24. The day following, the registration stood at 136, which is about 20 per cent, better than the same date last year. This shows an increase, which has been constant in the last years. Quite a number of our winter term students left for home, but the in- crease kept up, nevertheless. Bro. Wm. Brenneman of Iowa returned for more school work. He was with us two years ago. We welcome him back. Sister Nancy B. Kulp, our in- structor in the short-hand and type- writing department, is again able to take her place after several weeks of sickness. Bro. B. D. Smucker has returned from a three weeks trip to Pennsylvania, where he was giving some special instruction in his sub- ject, Oratory. He has charge of the Oratory and Elocution department of the College.
Bro. M. S. Steiner spent a little time with us on a business trip last week. He called on several of the brethren and relatives.
Sister Mary Burkhard was here sev- eral days. She was making arrang- ments for the building of a "house for her mother, Sister Erie Yoder. They expect to build and make their home with us. Bro. S. E. Weaver of Ship- shewana, Ind., moved here this week to attend College. While we are welcoming brethren and sisters to lo- cate with us, it is also our lot to bid farewell to others. Bro. S. B. Wen- ger and family returned to their form- er home at South English, Iowa, about two weeks ago.
At present the work of hiring the instructors for the College is in pro- gress and they are beginning the big task of getting out the annual cata- logue for this year. It will be pub- lished about the first of May. There will be some marked changes in it, such as changes in the faculty and courses of studjr. But we cannot re- port anything definite at present. The special line of work for the spring and summer terms will be the training of teachers for their work in the pub- lic schools. This work will be aug- mented by the requirement of the new Indiana school law which re- quires some extra preparation of its teachers. More students will arrive after the public schools close.
Mar. 26, 1908. Rudy Senger.
Name and Address.
Work- Mcm- crs. bers. Foreign India — (*1S99) American Mennon- ite Mission, Dhamtari, C. P., In- dia, J. A. Ressler, Supt. 14 414 Stations. — Sundarganj, Rudri, Lep- er Asylum, Bolodgahan.
Home
Chicago. — (*1S93) Home Mission, 145 W. 18th St., Chicago, 111., A. H. Leaman, Supt. 4 65
Mennonite Gospel Mission, Emer- ald Ave. and 26th St., A. M. Eash, Supt. 4
Hoyne Avenue Mission, 3301 S. Hoyne Ave., A. F. Wiens, Supt. 4
Lancaster. — (*1896) 462 Rockland St., Lancaster, Pa., B. F. Herr, Supt. 2
Welsh Mt. Industrial Mission. — (*1898) New Holland, Pa., N. H. Mack, Supt. 4
Philadelphia — (*1899) Mennonite Home Mission, 2151 N. Howard St., Philadelphia, Pa., Jos. Bech- tel, Supt. 2 50
Ft. Wayne (*1903) 1209 St. Ma- ry's Ave., Fort Wayne, Ind., J. M. Hartzler, Supt. 3 32
Canton — (*1904) 1934 E. 8th St.,
Canton, O., P. R. Lantz, Supt. 4 26
Kansas City (*1905) 200 S. 7 th
St., Kansas City, Kans., J. D.
Charles, Supt. 5 20
Argentine, Kans., C. A. Hartzler, Supt. 3
Toronto. — (*1907) 461 King- St. E. Toronto, Ont., Samuel Honder- ich, Supt. 3 10
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS
Name and Address. t
(*1896) Orphans' Home, West Liberty, O., A. Metzler, Supt.
Old People's Home, Marshallville,
C, J. D. Mininger, Supt.
(*1903) Mennonite Home, Lancaster, Pa.,
A. K. Diener, Steward.
(*1907) Mennonite Sanitarium, La Junta,
Colo., D. S. Weaver, Supt. *Date of organization.
PHILADELPHIA MISSION
To the Readers of the Gospel Herald, Greeting: — The building ivvihich the mis- sion has had for its home has been sold, and we have been obliged to get another place. The new home will be at 21 51 North Howard Street, second door south of Susquehanna Ave. We are glad that the Lord has so led that the new mission station will be near enough so that our children will be able to fol- low, us, as well as opening up a new field.
For the benefit of those who wish to come to the mission in the future,- we give the following directions : Those coming in at Broad Street Station, Penna. R. R., can take car on Market St. going east to Fifth St., and on Fifth St. take car marked "Frankford via Berks" going north and get off at Front St. and Susquehanna Avenue, walk west a hailf block to Howard St., second door south of Susquehanna Ave. is the mis- sion.
Those coming on the Phila. & Read- ing R. R. from Doylestown, Lansdale and other points along that line, get off at Columbia Avenue Station, take car
1908
going cast on Columbia Ave. marked "Jefferson & Master St.," which will bring you right to the mission door.
Those coming from Doylestown and Lausdale by trolley, get off at German- town Ave. and Susquehanna Ave. and take car going east marked "Otiss St. Wharf" ami get off at Howard St.
We ask an interest in your prayers, that God may bless the work, that the light of Jesus may shine farther out into the darkness of sin and cause men and women who have been wandering aiway from God to return.
In the (Master's name,
Milton L. Neff.
Mar. 25, 1908.
GOSPEL H ERALD
NOTES FROM INDIA
FREE GOSPEL MISSION
Sweet are the promises, kind is the word, Dearer far than any message man ever
heard ; Pure was the mind of Christ, sinless I see; He the great example is, and pattern for me.
Sweet is the tender love by Jesus shown, Sweeter far than any love that mortals
have known; Kind to the erring one, faithful is He; He the great example is, and pattern for
me.
List to His loving words, "Come unto me," Weary, heavy-laden, there is sweet rest tor
thee ; Trust in His promises, faithful and sure; Lean upon the Savior and thy soul is
secure.
Where He leads I'll follow, follow all the
way; Where He leads I'll follow, follow Jesus
every day.
Dear readers, can we realize the happy condition of a soul that can express itself in this way? Can we realize the tender love of Jesus? Are we so filled with His dove and have 'wie enough confidence in Him to follow Him all the way ?
We arc rejoicing at this place in the blessings of obedience. The woik is not prospering as we would like to see it, but we are not discouraged ; we sow the seed and the Lord gives the in- crease. We keenly feel the need of more workers, indeed everywhere there is need of consecrated workers, as the har- vest of the Lord is a large one. Around us on every side we find peoplt living in the depth of sin and arc not in the least concerned about eternity. Chris- tian people, do you not hear the Spirit say, "Lo, the Master is come and call -. eth for thee."
Sister Sarah Good has gone home. May the Lord bless her in her home field of labor. As I have not been here long I am not yet thoroughly acquainted with the work, but I find there is much to be done, and we need the prayers of Chris- tian people that we may be efficient workers. Yours in the service of the Master.
Martha L. Buckwalter.
Argentine, Kans.
For llic Gospel Herald
If you take a look at the map of Dhamtari and vicinity in the annual re- port of 1907 you will notice the rela- tive position of Kanker and Sihawa.
Leaving Dhamtari the beginning of January with the colporteurs and several other workers, we proposed to spend several weeks in the villages and bazars along the way, preaching the Gospel and distributing religious literature. Our first objective point was Kanker, and we arrived there the fifth day out.
After a brief interview with the king and his prime minister, we left the town for Sihawa, but not until some of us had climbed to the top of the rocky mount overhanging Kanker. We enjoyed a very pleasant chat with a number of young men of the town who came to where we put up for the night.
One young man seemed to show spe- cial interest and regard for the Bible. A copy of the Bible was in his posses- sion, which he showed us. Some years ago a boy of the orphanage ran away and among the things he took was his Bible. Unrestrained and away from Christian influences, he soon parted with the sacred Word and made his living by following a bad life.
The young man above referred to, a Brahmin, got hold of the Bible and read it through, with the exception of a few- chapters that were torn out. The ques- tions he asked showed plainly the extent he was influenced by this same precious Book. We can not say what will be wrought in that man's heart, but we do know that the Bible says, "Cast 'thy bread upon the waters, for it shall re- turn to you after many days."
From Kanker we took several days getting to Sihiwa, preaching and selling books along the way. At Sihawa I saw- frost for the first time in India. It was real cold. From here I 'went with one of the men, who fell sick, and two others returned straight to Dhamtari and the rest of the party followed in a few days. During this trip we sold over seven hundred scripture portions and other books. We indeed had a pleasant and profitable time, ddiis is certainly a very hopeful field. Were one or two mission- aries so situated as to give ail their time to this important work, it would be won- derful what could be accomplished among the people of these villages by way of teaching them the truth.
With the exception of the stations of the American Mennonite Mission and the occasional visits among the villages as herein described there is no work done in all the villages shown on the map above referred to, lo say nothing of the immense tract of unoccupied ter- ritory stretching to the south and east of us.
While we lament the fact that we are
M
unable to do more village preaching, yet we rejoice that we have the privilege of scattering God's word. May Gad hies? the sowing of the seed.
Thefe arc a number of ways of en- larging the borders of the kingdom, which have their places in successful evangelization. We are much pleased with I'alodgahan as an evangelistic cen- ter. The people are very friendly and some of them have already been bap- tized. Other villages could be pur- chased with profit and great advantage for the spreading of the Gospel, provid- ed the money were forthcoming and the proper men to take charge of them. It makes this work more permanent and the people wili realize if they want to object to the Christian religion they must combat a permanent thing.
Where large villages can not be pur- chased, small patches of ground with good buildings on them for the mission- aries would be excellent. But, before more stations can be opened more work- ers are 'needed. Yea, they are needed even now to properly take care of the iwiork which is in hand.
Oh, for more consecrated men and women who are willing to say, "Here am I ; send me." Did you ever say, 'd am willing to follow ail the way?" Did you mean it? Flas the Lord ever spoken to you about India? What did you an- swer Him? What are you going to do about it? Please remember that if you are a consecrated man or woman you (will not, von can not make your own limitations". May the Holy Spirit burn this into your hearts.
Look again at the map of Dhamtari and vicinity in the 1907 Report. Look at yourself, think of the thousands of souls at stake, take an honest look into the face of Jesus Christ and act accord- ingly, Your humble brother,
Feb. 25, 1908. J. N. Kaufman.
A BLESSED SECRET
Sel. by Carrie Figsti.
It is a blessed secret, this of living by the day.. Anyone can carry his burden, however heavy, till nightfall. Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day. Anyone can live sweetly, patiently, lovingly, and purely till the sun goes down. ' And this is all that life ever really means to us — just one little day.
Do to-day's duty, fight to-day '>s temp- tations ami do not weaken and distract vourself by looking forward to things you cannot see, and could not understand if you saw them. God gives nights to .shut down t'ne curtain of darkness on our little days. We cannot see beyond. Short horizons make life easier, and give us one of the blessed secrets of brave, true, holy living.
Buda, Ills.
12
GOSPEL HERALD
Apr. 4
Miscellaneous
THE NEGRO PROBLEM
By C. K. Hostetler.
For the Gospel Herald
This article is not intended to pose as a solution of the negro question. It will he found to contain very few sug- gestions to that end. It is rather a state- ment of a feiwi facts just as they appear to an unprejudiced Observer from the North. History tells of numerous ways by Which this problem has beendealt with in the past.
They beguiled them on board ship along the coasts of Africa in the seventeenth century, shut up the hatches and said them like cattle to planters in Virginia and the Carolinas. They were forced to hard labor, beaten with many stripes, bought and sold as chattels, their lives miade miserable on the large plantations and finally liberated at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of lives. Ink, gunpowder, and blood were used to solve the problem of the liberation of a race, and after they were free the hardest part of the problem remained to be solved.
To get a fair conception of the real progress that has been made, we must compare the condition of the negro when he landed here from the shores of Africa with his condition to-day, intellectually, morally, socially and spiritually. To give such a comparison with unbiased judgment gives cause for congratulation. When v;e visit the schools for negroes in the South, the academies, colleges and theological seminaries, see the pro- gress that is being- made among them and get into contact with the strong in- tellects and noble manhood and woman- hood that is found among the better class of negroes, we must surely say, "God's hand is in it all"
A 'southern man would stamp the above as visionary, unreal and not in accordance with facts: Let us look at it a moment from a southern viewpoint. I asked a member of a Protestant Church in Sylacauga, Ala., tkis morning, '"What would you do if a "darkey" wouid come to your church some Sunday morning, .walk in and sit down?" and he promptly replied, "Get a club and kill him and drag him out." I laughed at him and told him he was not in earnest but he . held firmly and seriously to the state- ment and declared over and over that •that is just what would happen, and i believe he meant it. I have not seen one "darkey" in any meeting for whites of. any kind whatsoever since I am in the South, and I am told that I will not see any if I stay here forty years. Some Ohio people were visiting relatives here not long ago and an old negro "mammy" who was helping in the kitchen was
asked by the northern lady to sit up and eat with them ; she firmly but respect- fully refused. I asked the head of that family what would have happened if that colored woman had accepted the invita- tion, and he said ">she would have been horse-wlhipped for it and she knew it. '
This same man was judge of the elec- tion in his county and he told me that there are not over ten negro voters in the county. He said, "They know better than to try to vote." The negroes in that county number many thousands. Of course, the hatred is not all of the ex- treme kind that the above incidents would indicate. There are different degrees of it, but it all comes under one general head. All railroad trains have special compartments for colored people. Ail depots have separate .waiting rooms. In street cars we see notices asking whites to sit in the front end of the car and blacks in the rear. At a public fountain to-day I saw two cups ; the placard above the one said "white;" that above the other said, "colored." The amusing part to me was that the "white' cup was colored blue and the "colored" cup was white. I soon discovered that the pla- cards referred to the color of the people who used them and not to the color of the cups.
Such instances could be miltuplied to show how the people of the South have solved the problem.
For a negro to commit murder, arson or rape means .that he will be hung or burned at a stake without trial. There art exceptions to this rule, but the rule, as it stands, is generally accepted as the proper standard by which they deal with "niggers."
A man in Macon Co., Ala., said to me. "What can you do iwdth a nigger : He is no better than a brute. He has no future and nothing else that is worth while." This man was a planter, his father had been a slaveholder, and as 1 read the man's face I could see there a century of hatred, oppression and pre- judice that was handed down to him by his ancestors.
When Booker T. Washington travels and wants to get a meal in a dining car in the South, he waits till all the whites are through eating and then eats ivvith the porters. A committee of five bishops of the M. E. Church, colored, waited on the officials of the Inter-state Commerce Commission recently and registered a vigorous protest against the inconven- iences and unsanitary conditions exist- ing on the cars in which all colored peo- ple in the South are compelled to travel. As a rule dining cans are closed to the colored race and sleeping car companies will not sell berths to them, no matter who they are. Nothing provokes the southern people more than to see north ef-n people come South and spend lot-? of money trying to educate, civilize and Christianize the negro. A common ex-
pression is, "When you eductae a nigger you spoil a good field hand." For a negro to presume to enter a profession and meet white men on a level in any way or to any degree is an insult to southern customs and institutions. Booker T. Washington's school stands higher in the estimation of the southern people than any of the academies or colleges founded by northern people for the rea- son that he teaches them to learn trades and ivvork with their hands and respect the customs of the whites of the south. All the academic education offered at Tuskegee would hardly do more than is usually accomplished in the first eighi grades of the public schools of the north. That is regarded by southern whites as plenty of education for any negro, and in fact much more than the average negro should be allowed to have.
To me all this means that there are still many people in the South who would be satisfied with nothing less than a re- turn to slavery, such as existed before the Civil War. One of the conditions that helped to. bring about the closing of saloons in this section was the ur- gent need of keeping negroes from get- ting whiskey. The race line helped to close the saloon. They tell me that after 1 have been here for a feiw years and have learned more of the dishonesty an I immorality of the negro, that I will look at these questions from a different stand- point. Perhaps there is some truth in that, but when I read my Bible and see there that some clay there will be gath- ered an innumerable throng of all "kind- reds and nations and tribes," and when I see the fervency of the negro in his public worship and his apparent sincerity and honesty in his effort to be a true and humble follower of the Lamb of God, and iwhen I see how slightingly and with what haughtiness and scorn this effort is regarded by the aristocracy of the South, I can not do otherwise but con- clude that there are still some weighty problems to be solved as regards the re- lation of the two races in the South.
I have been especially impressed with the fact that the negro appreciates very much what has been done for his libera- tion and education by northern whites. A week ago I attended a Sunday service in a negro church in Calhoun Co., Ala., I v\as not inside the door two minutes until the pastor was after me, and when 1 told him I was from the North, noth- ing else would do but I must talk to his congregation. In introducing me he re- ferred to how much his people owe to their northern friends. After the ser- vice a young colored woman approached me and introduced herself, and in a tone of voice and an accent that showed cul- ture and refinement said, "I want to tell you how much we appreciate what our white friends of the North have done for our race." I did not at that time recognize the full force of hervremark, but after visiting the Barber Female
1908
GOSPEL H ERALD
13
Seminary near that place and seeing what has been done for the young women of that locality and how much the girls who attend there appreciate their op portunities, I began to understand more clearly just what she meant.
No doubt some of the money spent for the education of the negro has been misapplied, but conceding that point, we still have evidence enough left to settle it as a definite conviction in our minds that, as a whole it has been a pay- ing investment, as has, all in all, been one of the most powerful agencies in helping a race onto higher ground and together with the saving and quickening influences of the religion of Jesus Christ has effectually begun the solution of the negro question. The closing of the sa- loon has done much already for the negro and has been a most practical way to unite the religious, educational, and secular forces, that are beckoning him to a manhood, a citizenship and a son- ship that will some day in and of itself effectually solve the negro problem. Talledega, Ala., Mar. 16, 1908.
PROFESSION AND POSSESSION
NO CONDEMNATION
BY W. S. Miller. For the Gospel Herald
No condemnation resting on my soul, Through the blood of Christ made fully
whole; He pardoned all my guilt and sin, His peaceful presence abides: within.
Offered to all is full salvation, Who are under sin and condemnation; To all who will repent and believe, Into His fold He will receive.
All under sin, the Word doth say, All mankind on the downward way; The mercy of God still does extend To every sinner a welcome hand.
No peace for the wicked, we read in the
Word, All have offended our precious Lord; On Calvary's cross He died for thee, From the burden of sin to set you free.
Condemned for our sin, forsaken He died; In His dying moments He loudly cried, "It is finished," for the whole human racs, We are seated with Christ in a heavenly place.
Condemned to death the sinless One, Enabling us the race to run, To that fair land where I shall see, The One who was condemned for me.
Expression of love we here can see, God's innocent Son nailed to a tree1; Sin was the cause, Christ is the cure, No condemnation we need endure.
No condemnation! Oh what a treasure, Not to compare with worldly pleasure; He is our peace, in this world below. With heavenly peace through life we go.
No condemnation, far better than gold, Than riches or honor or wealth untold; When to God all our sins we confess, No condemnation, God never gives less.
Aurora, Or eg. :
By D. D. Miller.
For the Gospel Herald
A shell without a kernel; a form of godliness without power; a well with- out water; a profession without posses- sion are all deceptive.
In this age of the world, when there seemingly is no end to the making of books, the printing of papers, the scat- tering of tracts, the teaching in and out of schools, the preaching and lecturing in churches, halls and streets ; and since the masses of humanity are- thus fed with theories, beliefs and unbeliefs, ranging from the pure, unadulterated Word of God to higher criticism, universalism. agnosticism, infidelity, atheism, and a mixture of different isms and theories, it is very necessary that we examine our- selves and sec whether what we possess is in harmony with what we profess.
"'Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the king- dom of heaven." There are many who profess that they have accepted Christ as their Savior and the Gospel of Christ as their rule of life, and that they have renounced the works of darkness and be- come a '"'peculiar people zealous of good works ;" Yet upon examination it is found that their affections are set upon Babylonish garments, gold wedges, or shekels of silver instead of "on things . above," and instead of spiritual growth and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost and victory, and an encouragement to others, there is leanness of soul, bitterness, re- morse, defeat, and they themselves a stumbling block to others — an Achan in the camp.
Many profess nonresistance as a Bible doctrine — as it truly is — and would at least refuse to take up arms and go to war, yet make use of that unruly member, the tongue, in abusing or in- juring their fellow man, which at once indicates that the profession and the pos- session do not harmonize.
Some profess to be ambassadors for Christ, who said, "My kingdom is not of this world," and yet are entangled with the political machinery of this world, especially during campaign year, that while their memory fails them so that they can not remember the golden text in the Sunday school lesson, or name the books of the New Testament, they can name all the candidates for of- fices and give their biography, and lei! what the platform is upon which they stand. Does the profession and posses- sion agree?
Some preachers who are to "preach the Word" will yield to popular opinion and discuss the issues, of the day rather than the pure Word of God. Are they true shepherds or are they "dumb dogs that can not bark ?"
Dear friends, I do not wish to be pes- simistic nor optimistic, but I do desire
that the old Guspcl wells to which we are invited to come and drink of the water of life freely, and from which many have been drinking, might be kept open, or reopened so that the soul- thirsting world may receive pure, sparkling, life-giving water instead of filth, and mud, and mire.
As in the days of Isaac, the Philis- tines were filling up the old wells which his father Abraham had dug. So the modern Philistines are filling up the old gospel wells. They are throwing in their skepticisms and their philosophies, their theories and imaginings, until many are discouraged and there seems to be no water for them to drink.
They say that Jno. 13:1-17 must be spiritualized and that I Cor. 11 : 1-16 was all right at the time it was written, but we have outlived it. They have changed "We ought to obey God rather than man," to read (in their minds) "We ought to obey man rather than God." And when a warcry like "Remember the Maine!" is heard, it is urged in so-called religiouspapersand from pulpits, OBEY MAN.
They have substituted trust in man for trust in the Lord, until property in- surance, life insurance, unions, trusts, secret societies, etc., have all been dumped into the well which is to con- tain only pure life-giving water.
Almost every day some one comes along and drops a pebble, or a brick bac, or a large stone, or even a carcass into the well until it is so filled up that many individuals and even whole communities are unable to find any water there any more.
Some say that what the world wants today is development, to be permitted to evolute, forgetting that without the Gos- pel of Christ the development of the world is always downward, and in sev- eral generations it would develop into barbarism.
No, my brother, what the world needs is the simple, unvarnished Gospel of Jesus Christ, who save His life to re- deem us ail from the power of sin. Friends, there is an urgent call today for workers who have an experimental knowledge of Jesus Christ and His Word in their life, who are living epistles known and read of all men, who are a light to the world and a salt to the earth, whose profession and possession agree.
Whal [saac did in the physical do- main in reopening the old wells for the good of himself, his children and the country in general, we must do in the spiritual. I f many of our fellow men are not to perish from spiritual thirst, there must be a summoning of every brother and sister to earnest, honest, well-directed labor, to dig away the filthy infilling of human inventions, and in every way possible show a lost world the solid foundation of the well and the pure water it contains. Oh, that we who profess to be His children may all
14
GOSPEL H ERALD
Apr. 4
drink deep from the Gospel well and find our thirst slaked by Him who said,, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of (water springing up into everlasting life." May we go on in our mission as God directs, never ceasing to give the invitation, "Whosoever will let him take of the water of life freely."
Reader, does your profession and your possession harmonize? If so, do you pro- fess the right thing?
Middlebury, Ind.
NORMAL LIFE OF WOMAN
By N. E. Byers.
For the Gospel Herald
There are two classes of girls that arc in danger of missing much of what is best in life because of wrong views that are too prevalent among- us at present.
There is a large number of young women who think that since they expect to be nothing more than married wo- men, keeping house, they need to know only how to cook a meal, bake bread, darn stockings and clean house. They see no advantage in being well informed in a wide range of subjects, in having a well trained mind, in appreciating the beautiful in nature, poetry and music, in being able to express themselves in writing or in conversation, or in being- able to meet all classes of people and feeling at home with them.
On the other hand, there is a smaller n umber iwho think that since they are getting a little higher education, a little knowledge and culture, some special skill or accomplishment, that all this would be lost if they would go to house- keeping. They look with longing" eyes to the office, school room, mission field or some other one of the many profes- sions or callings that are now being en- tered by these ambitious women. There they think they will find work where they can use all their education and per- haps gain further culture whilepursuing their work.
Both classes are influenced by the same erroneous notion in regard to the work in the home. We think of house- work as being- a mere daily routine of tasks to be performed as mother taught them ; mere manual labor requiring no intelligence or thought, stirring up no interest or appreciation, making no de- mands upon the distinctively human characteristics that raise us above the life of the dumb brute that also works and gets weary, eats- and sleeps and lives on in the same stupid fashion from day to day and from year to year.
Now I wish, to say that I believe that all this is wrong. While we will always need a small percentage of women to serve mankind as teachers, nurses, mis- sionaries and perhaps in a few other callings, yet I believe that the nor-
mal life of woman is that of intelli- gent and skillful home-making and af- fectionate and self-sacrificing mother- hood. By normal life I mean that which calls forth and exercises all that is best and truest in perfect womanhood, and which a large majority should live, and as God expects every plant to come into full blossom, and bear perfect fruit, so I believe He wishes all persons to live and work so that they shall develop the perfection of their natures.
In the daily work in the kitchen, laun- dry, garden and nursery, there is more application of the knowledge (if natural science than in almost any other voca- tion, and if the housewife but under- stands these principles, not oni_\ will she do her work better, but, what is more important, she will exercise her mind while working with her hands and thus humanize her work and make it edu- cative rather than slavish and stupefy- ing.
That which lifts the man with a trade above the common laborer is the fact that he is a skilled workman. Much of the enjoyment of good housekeeping, ii seems to me, must come from the skill- ful performance of the many kinds of house work. A shoemaker, when asked how he could be so happy always driv- ing shoe pegs, replied, "Well, I try to drive each peg a little slicker than the one before, and that keeps up my spir- its." If we can set up an ideal and work toward it, then it is not mere drudgery.
Some would like to become women of affairs and superintend some institution, but the woman who will manage well and economically all the details of the home — the meals, the laundry, the cloth- ing and furniture, the children and hired help — will need all the' executive ability that she desires to cultivate and use. It takes a masterful woman to meet all emergencies and keep all the depart- ments well in hand, and at the same time keep a cool head and steady nerves. More strength of character is needed here than by the average school teacher or manager of a small business concern.
But perhaps the essentially feminine has more interest in the beauty of things than any of the other features men- tioned. And here again she has come to her very own, for if there is any rea- son for a beautiful heaven then surely home should be the most beautiful place on earth. Cleanliness, order, artistic ar- rangement, harmony of colors, are al- ways a source of enjoyment. Every act is exalted and filled with a charm that is performed with reference to a genuine and simple standard of the beautiful. To wash and wipe well a good piece of china and place it properly in a well ar- ranged cupboard iis no mean task when properly appreciated.
The more personal characteristics are called forth in the true relationship that should exist between the members of the family. The woman who has never
known the bliss of conjugal and parental love has missed much attained by the complete womanhood. Womanhood comes in full bloom only in wifehood and motherhood. And she who sweet- ens, purifies and ennobles the family life has performed the highest and rich- est service that can be offered by any of her kind. She who is useful elsewhere makes the greatest sacrifice of woman- kind and must look for her reward in other and less precious coin.
Since a mother must spend most of her time at home, some have thought her life must be narrow in intelligence and interest, but if she has been well educated she has many opportunities of keeping in touch with the best thought of the day. Books, magazines, papers, correspondence, telephones, the conver- sation around the family table, where each contributes from his own resource, all give opportunity in abundance for the intelligent and interested woman. As each of the children passes up through our improved school systems she reviews with them all her early training and keeps in touch with educational progress as well.
Socially the hostess who entertains strangers, that come to visit with the different members of the ' family, finds larger privileges than can come to most professional women. If the family be intelligent and of good character and so- cially inclined many good people will pass that way and add interest and pleas- ure to a life that can not become lonely and self centered.
And for the religious life, the high- est of all duties and privileges, the home circle and family altar give large oppor- tunities. As the pastor who does good work among a hundred may be more useful than an evangelist who preaches to thousands, so a mother in her smaller circle may be doing as much good as any minister. Not how many do we meet but how closely do we touch the lives of those we would help ; and here mother becomes very high priest in the oldest and most fundamental religious institution.
But who is able for all these things? Very sure I am that but few meet the requirements and live up to their privi- leges. In the first place, there is re- quired intelligence and a well trained mind. Otherwise the mental life will have very little opportunity. She who finds it difficult to understand things will make very little effort when tired out to listen, or read or think. Ability must have been developed and interest stimulated earlier so that these things come as second nature.
Good health and steady nerves are also an essential to start with. To rear a family is a heavy drain on the nervou: system, and 'when this gives way she- loses her grip on things in general. It also takes considerable money to live well these days, and a small bank ac-
1908
GOSPEL HERALD
IS
count with economical habits will net civ: no amiss. If this be supplemented' by a husband who has learned how to earn a good income and take good care of it, prospects will be favorable in this respect.
But above all, dependence upon a higher power and a faith that can be-' lieve that "all things work together for good to them that love God," are the qualifications that will carry her through all trials and add a strength., sweetness- and cheer to her life, that will make it a divine benediction upon all who come within the radius of her influence.
My best wish for any young woman is that she may be privileged to enter into the large opportunitiesof mother- hood and home-making, but my advice is that she regard no preparation or ability too good for snob a high calling, and if she faithfully does her part, I am sure God will richly bless her and make her a blessing.
Goshen, Ind.
TAKING A STAND
By S. B. Wenger.
For the Gospel Herald
Comparatively 'few people realize what power there is in taking a firm stand for things that are right. One? talking with a business man concerning the profanity and smoking he allowed in his place of: business, he held up the idea that his business would suffer if he did not allow his customers that privi- lege. I told him he would get more patronage and make more money if he would keep his store clean from profane language and tobacco smoke ; as he in- dulged in these habits himself, he, of course, defended his position. A by- standing professed Christian agreed with the merchant that my position was to the extreme and unreasonable. I tried bo maintain it but seemingly to no avail.
In meditating over our conversation my mind was carried back to the time when I was a boy and my father used to stand against the evils of the day. I very distinctly remember how firmly he stood for the things he thought were right. Like many others, I then thought my father wes too particular. When hiring hands to work on the farm he used to tell them he did not want them to use profane language in the presence of ins children. When I became a man and was similarly situated I saiw that my father was right, and I took the same stand, except that I was perhaps a little more rigid in carrying out my purposes. When hiring a man to work he was given to understand that if he used pro- fane language, became intoxicated or was rough to the houses his time, so far as working for me, had expired upon
so doing. I am happy to say that I had no trouble in carrying out these rules. My requests were respected and some ■who were very much accustomed to swearing were not heard to utter an oath while with me.
If ah people who arc opposed to these things would take a stand against them a great deal of good could be accom- plished and the standard of morality raised. The farmer, the mechanic, and the business man would all get along better. It would pay even from a busi- ness standpoint and it would go far to- ward establishing better morals among all classes of people. People would be respected for such a stand and it would draw custom for them. It is encourag- ing to note that many of the large busi- ness corporations are taking a stand against these evils, and are issuing posi- tive rules against them, and that their employes shall be of good moral char- acter. Why should not smaller business institutions do the siame ?
A firm stand for the right, with a true purpose of heart, is often rewarded in this life, and if Christians, we. will reap greater rewards beyond.
Before the War of the Rebellion there was an election held throughout the southern states to determine whether the South should secede and maintain her slavery. Hard threats were made against those voting for union and opposing slavery. My father and tjwo other men in our precinct had courage to stand for their convictions and voted for union. Others would have voted with them but were afraid to take the stand. My father obtained a certificate from the judges of election certifying that he had voted for union. Several years after, when Sheri- dan's army passed through the Shenan- doah valley of Va., and set fire to the buildings on every band, my father met the numerous scpiads of soldiers who came in all directions to burn our build- ings, and presented to them the certifi- cate. With words of applause they de- parted leaving our buildings unmolested. Did it pay ? 1 was but a small boy, but I never forgot the lesson, and 1 shall
not soon forget the awful day of the burn- ing in the Shenandoah valley. With fear and trembling I clung close to my father and saw what was gained by standing firmly for the right, even though com- paratively alone. My father was op- posed to war and when forced to go in- to the army and shoulder the musket against his convictions, he told the au- thorities he would be obedient thus far, but assured thorn that he would do vio- lence to no man. He was punished for this, but stood true to his convictions and was finally sent home to his family. Again it paid. He would stand for the right, regardless of cost or opposition.
There is power in standing for the principles of truth and right. What the world needs to-day are men and women
with the courage to stand for morality, sobrietv, truth, virtue and true religion. If the young ladies of our country would take such a stand they would have more power than the governments of nations. The young lady deserves credit who will not keep company 'with a young man who swears, smokes, drinks chews, plays cards, belongs to secret societies, dance >. or who is immoral in any way. If all ladies would take this stand we would experience such an improvement in the morals of our young men as the world has never known. There is no power on earth that could accomplish so great a work. Many a young lady is sadly and wofully disappointed who expects to re- form her companion after marriage. If a man is not a gentleman before he is married he will likely not be one after- ward. Beware of promises to reform. A lady or a gentleman in the true sense of the term 'will find company of their character, for such company is indemand and sought by soberminded people. If yon stand firmly for the right you will almost invariably win in the end. If on- iy all professed Christians would take a firm stand against the immoral practices of the world we would accomplish won- ders and our children would not be ex- posed to so many demoralizing influences.
"Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone; Dare to have a purpose true,
And dare to make it known."
Of such is what true manhood and womanhood consists. The greatest men and women the world has ever known were those who purposed in their hearts to do good and stood true to their pur- poses. Many people have good inten tions, but are not firm enough to stand for their convictions. Some will scoff at you but in reality they will give you credit if they see that you are strong enough to stand.
A young man once offered me a drink of whiskey and I told him, "No. I don't drink." He then offered me a cigar, and 1 said, "No, I don't smoke.'' For a moment he was insulted and swore at me, then patting me on the shoulder said, "You are a man, sir; you are a man!" People will give you credit if you stand firmly for the right, but they will mock at you if you yield to them.
We pass through this world but once and all that is left of us in it, is the in- fluence we exerted while here. That in- fluence, whether good or bad, will live in the lives of others after we are for- gotten ami will land our followers in heaven or in hell. For the sake of your well-being and for that of your fellow- men, and for the sake of Him who gave His life for you, be a gentleman or a lady with a true purpose of heart and stand true to your convictions, though comparatively alone, for "if God be for us, who can lie against us?"
South English, Iowa.
16
GOSPEL H ERALD
Apr. 4, 1908
Items and Comments
Obituary
CONFERENCES
Comtesse De Loynes left her entire for- tune of 4,000,000 francs to charity, the bulk going to the society that furnishes night shelter to homeless persons. — Telescope.
The fourth Pan-American congress is to meet in Buenos Ayres, Argentine, May 25, 1910. Argentine celebrates the centennial of her independence during that year.
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company has taken the initiative in issuing positive or- ders against the use of profane language by its employes. In many states of the union there is a. statute law against this sinful practice, but the law is very lightly re- garded. It is not only a sin against God and a transgression of His command, but it is a flagrant indecency to all morality. We trust the habit will be wiped out. -
The civilized tribes of Indians in Okla- homa show evidences of thrift and inde- pendence, and the hope is that the remnant, of the tribe may be saved to civilization and enlightenment under the modern method of treatment. The United States evidently made at least two mistakes in the former treatment of the red man. 1. Robbing him of his lands. 2. Teaching him dependence by supplying his living by the bounties dis- pensed at the various Indian agencies.
Anarchists made special havoc with unsuspected victims in places during the month of February. King Carlos of Portugal and his son, the crown prince, are both dead because of the anarchist's bul let; the second victim was that of Priest Heinricks of Denver, Colo. Since then at- tempts were made on the lives of the shah of Persia and the president of Argentine Republic. These lawless men have no re- gard for the life of a human being, in fact they exist, as they claim, to break up all forms of law and order, and their method to accomplish this end is by destroying the lives of those in authority.
Kentucky has been the scene of what ia called a "tobacco war" for some time, growing out of the efforts of the tobacco union to force all other growers of the weed to join them. Recently Governor Wilson in a special message to the General As- sembly declared that one-third of the state is in a condition of anarchy. He calls for special measures and an appropriation of $25,000 to prosecute the night riders and put an end to this lawlessness. The gov- ernor also repeats his recommendation for a uniform local option law throughout the state. Whiskey always was a source of trouble and in this state it would seem that tobacco was becoming a close second. The world would be better if both these prod- ucts were discarded by man.
One of the saddest accounts of great loss of Jife that has come to the eyes of the public recently was the holocaust at Col Ihigswood, Cleveland, on March 5, when 170 children lost their lives in the burning school building at that place. This was largely due to the fact that one of the en- trance doors was locked, and as it opened inwardly, it was impossible to get it open and sare the children. This sad affair has aroused school officials all over the land and hundreds of school houses have since been arranged with means of easy exit and fire escapes; fire-drills have also been in- troduced in the schools whereby childrer are drilled to do certain things when an alarm is given. In this way they may be kept under control in time of catastrophe and many lives saved thereby.
MAST. -Delsa Marie, infant daughter of Am- nion and Katy Mast, died near Emma, Lag- range Co., Ind., aged 11 d. Funeral services at the house, Mar. 11, by D. D. Miller.
YODER. — Oles Amelia, daughter of Jacob A. and Floretta Yoder, was born near Ber- lin, Ohip, August 27, 1906; died Mar. 8, 1908; aged 1 y. 3m. 11 d.
On Sunday Mar. 1. she was suddenly taken ill with lung fever and on the follow- ing Sunday she fell asleep in Jesus. She leaves a father and mother, three sisters and one brother and many friends to mourn her early departure in the dawn of life.
The funeral service was held at the house by C. P. Smith. Interment in the ceme- tery at Friburg. The little form seemed as a flower that was laid to rest to bloom in eternity. The family have the sympathy of the community in their bereavement. Although shv; is missed here we know that she is at rest in Jesus.
Weep not for me, my sisters dear, In heaven I hope you all to see,
Where we can then together be, ■ Forever in eternity.
EBY.— John W. Eby suddenly departed this life at his home nptt.r Markha-m Qjvfc on March 21, 1908, at the age of 4a y. 6 m. 9 d. Bro. Eby left his home in the morning and went with Bro. AlhPTj^Widpmari tr> a near by voods to fell a tree. The tree lodged and as it was lowered with a team a part of the top struck Bro. Eby on his head. The skull was badly fractured and he never gained consciousness. He was immediately taken to his home and the spirit departed about two hours after the "accident. This again is a loud call to all who are out of the fold of God. Deceased leaves a sorrowing widow and two step sons. He was for a number of years a faithful member of the Mennonite Church. Burial took place at the Wideman Church the 23, in the presence of many neighbors and friends. Services were conducted by L1_JLBurkholder assisted by S^R^Hoover andSlWgaein^r. Text, "There is but TaTsTiep between me aiid death" (I Sam. 20:3).
WADLE.— Sister Barbara Wadle died st her home near Pinola, Franklin Co., Pa.. Feb. 29, 1908; aged 54 y. 5 m. 2 d.
Sister Wadle has been suffering from par- alysis for about four months, being almost entirely helpless for the last six weeks of her life and her suffering was so great that it was hard for those who had the care cf her, but we believe she was thinking of the glory that was awaiting her. When the writer visited her the last time she de- sired to hear some of God's Word read, al- though she could not speak so that we could understand her. She was a consist- ent member of the Mennonite Church, hav- ing given her heart to God in her youth and remained faithful till death. Just be- fore she passed over she said she could hear the angels singing. We have reason to believe they were singing her welcomo home. She leaves a sorrowing husband and two sons and three daughters to mourn her departure. The husband, Samuel Wadle, loses a loving companion, the children a kind mother, the church a sister who was always present when circumstances would permit; but we believe our loss is her eter- nal gain.
Funeral services were conducted by the brethren Henry Bricker of this district and Henry Bare, of Washington Co., GVId., at the Row M. H. Interment in the Horst burying ground near by. Text, Rev. 14:12, 13.
|
Nil mo. |
'Meets. Member*. |
|
|
Franconia |
1st Thurs. in May 1st Thurs. in Oct. |
3900 |
|
Lancaster Franklin Co. Pa. Washington Co. Md. |
Fri before Good Fri. 1st Fri. in Oct. 2d Fri. in Oct. |
8150 725 |
|
Virginia |
2d Fri. in May 2d Fri. in Oct. |
1150 |
|
Ontario |
4th Thurs. in May |
1600 |
|
Southwestern Fa. |
4th Thurs. in Aug. |
1250 |
|
Eastern A. M. |
Last of May |
3725 |
|
Ohio |
3d Thurs. in May |
1300 |
|
Indiana-Michigan |
2d Fri. in Oct. |
1225 |
|
Ind.-Mich. A. M. |
1st Thurs. in June |
1200 |
|
Illinois |
1st Fri. in June |
380 |
|
Western A. M. |
Last of Sept. |
3000 |
|
Missouri-Iowa |
4th Thurs. in Sept. |
550 |
|
Kansas-Nebraska |
3d Thurs. in Oct. |
675 |
|
Nebraska-Minn. |
3d Thurs. in Oct. |
550 |
|
Pacific Coast |
4th Thurs. in Oct. |
180 |
|
Alberta-Sask. |
Last week in June |
150 |
|
CONFERENCE |
ANNOUNCEMENT |
The Eastern A. M. Conference will be held, the Lord willing, near Archbold, Ful- ton Co., Ohio, June 4, 5, 1908. The execu- tive committee and other members inter- ested should meet the day preceding to ar- range the conference work. All questions for consideration should be previously sent to either the moderator or the secretary.
Those coming from the East, either on the Lake Shore or the Wabash, should leave the train at Wauseon; inform E. L. Frey, Wauseon, Ohio. Those coming from the West over the Lake Shore, stop at Arch- bold, Ohio. Any futher information may be obtained by writing to one of the above named brethren.
Moderator, John E. Kauffman, Mattawana, Pa.
Secretary, C. Z. Yoder, Wooster, Ohio.
"There's so much bad in the best of us, And so much good in the woi-st of us, That it scarcely behooves the most of us To talk about the rest of us."
Table of Contents
Page
1 — Editorial 2 — Doctrinal Teaching Future Punishment 3 — Is Individual Judgment a Safe Guide? 4— The Family Circle
The Sanctity of the Home Little Words (Poetry) 5— Children's Duty to Their Parents "Much Joy and Happiness" Christ In the Home Question Drawer 6— The End Will Tell (Poetry) Power In Simplicity Something Worth While 7— What Shall Our Character Be? The Sunday School The Underground River 8— Field Notes 9 — Correspondence 10 — Philadelphia Mission 11 — Free Gospel Mission Notes From India A Blessed Secret 12— The Negro Problem 13 — No Condemnation (Poetry) Profession and Possession 14 — Normal Life of Woman 15— Taking a Stand 16 — Items and Comments Obituary Announcements
Gospel Herald
"In the defense and confirmation of the Gospel." "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the flospel of Peace."
VOL. I
SCOTTDALE, PA., SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1908
No. 2
EDITORIAL
"Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors."
Speaking of opportunity, the grand, golden opportunity of time is to pre- pare for eternity. This preparation should include ourselves and all whom we may be able to influence.
A solid church upon a solid Gospel foundation; each congregation alive, active, well supported and hardwork- ing; every member loyal to God and the church, doing what he can to build up his congregation and advance the cause of Christ — such isthemodel which we should ever hold before us, and do our best to reach.
Bro. M. C. Lapp and wife are at present sojourning with Sister Lapp's parents near Denbigh, Va. Last Wednesday Bro. L. came to Scott- dale to discuss the affairs at the India Mission with the brethren, M. S. Steiner and J. S. Shoemaker, and re- mained with us over Sunday. He gave us some interesting talks on the work in India. After a month or more of much needed rest, it is the in- tention of Bro. and Sister Lapp to start on their work of visiting our congregations.
Papers Discontinued. — W'c have been asked what we do when the time of subscription expires. When so re- quested, we discontinue at once. When we have reasons to believe that the subscriber wishes to continue his sub- scription, we send the paper on for a time, hoping for a renewal ; but no one is expected to pay for a paper for which he does not subscribe or renew. The same policy will be pursued with all our publications. We would con- sider it a favor if each subscriber would watch the label on his or her paper, and let us hear from them about the time the subscription becomes due.
A brother writes wishing to know whether the book catalogues former- ly used by the Mennonite Book and Tract Society are still in use. In an- swer to such inquiries we will say that it will be all right to order from such catalogues until a. new catalogue will be issued from the house. Ad- dress your orders, Mennonite Publish- ing House, Scottdale, Pa.
Two prominent Russian generals re- cently engaged in a deadly duel. The incident grew out of a quarrel arising from the surrender of Port Arthur to Japan. They had called each other cowards, and were too cowardly to bear the insults. Evidently, they failed to kill as many Japs as they had hoped to kill, and concluded to try it on each other.
The world is practically a unit in pronouncing them foolish in the ex- treme. Duels may decide as to who is the abler fighter, but they can never settle any questions of right and wrong. But really, if you call their duel the height of folly, what do you call regular war, in which thousands of soldiers are engaged in the same business? War is murder — red-hand- ed murder — waged on a gigantic scale. Let their criticisms against individual fighting stand as they are. But if duel- ing is a crime, war is an outrage which no human pen nor tongue can ade- quately define.
On another page in this number will be found a report of what was done in the way of merging the publishing in- terests of the church. W'c are glad for the happy end of a situation which gave some people grave concern. The prayers of God's people have been an- swered, and the new institution starts with a united and hearty support for which many people had not dared to hope. The financial burden assumed in consolidating these publications is not a light one; but if the general ex- pression in favor of unity, even at
great financial sacrifice, is followed by a united and heart}- support in har- mony with these expressions, it will only be a matter of time when we will have an efficient institution, free of debt, vigorously pressing on in the distributing of good, solid, orthodox Gospel literature. With our backs to the past and our facts to the future, may we stand together as one heart and soul in the cause we love.
Have nothing to do with worldly parties conducted under the guise of religion or charity. Their real aim is the gratification of worldly lusts. The argument that they help to brighten Christian experience and create an interest in the cause of Christ is a make-believe subterfuge to justify this worldliness. Festivals, socials, pover- ty parties, church fairs, razzle dazzles, and other like gatherings where world- lings are invited to come in and "have a good time," are the same foolish, vain, worldly, unscriptural, anti-spirit- ual parties, whether conducted by re- ligious societies or by those who make no pretensions of Christianity. They not only fail to interest the unsaved in real salvation, but develop the spirit of worldliness in Christian pro- fessors. Some are persuaded to be- lieve that it is by such means that many are interested in the cause of Christ, but be not deceived. Men are not brought to Christ through the channels of worldliness. They who are attracted by loaves and fishes desert the cause when they hear a real Bread of Life sermon. There are no substitutes for the Gospel or Gos- pel methods in bringing people to Christ. Hold up "Christ and him crucified," preach "repentance and remission of sins," back up your pro- fessions by an earnest, faithful, de- voted consistent life, and when by this means you bring people to a realization of their condition, you will see conversions which are genuine and lasting.
18
GOSPEL H ERALD
Apr. 11
Doctrinal
But speak thou the things whieli become sound doctrine. — Titus 2:1.
In dot-trine shewing uiicorruj.tuess, grav- ity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot he condemned. — Titus 2:7, 8.
Take heed unto thyself and unto the doc- trine; continue in them. — I Tim. 4:16.
If ye love me keep my commandments. — John 14:15.
FUTURE PUNISHMENT II
By A. D. Wenger.
For the Gospel Herald
It is interesting to note how much more light is thrown on the future life in the New Testament than in the Old. Our first knowledge of the scriptures of future existence in the world of de- parted ones is not so clear, but as time rolls on God reveals the future more and more until the climax is reached in the last chapters of Revelation, where heaven is portrayed as a won- derful golden city and hell as a terrible lake of fire, burning with brimstone. Even then, with all that God has un- folded to us in His Word, "the half has never vet been told."
The spirit v\ orld is so different and separate from the material world that we are not capable of comprehending much of it yet it is our duty to search the scriptures and find out all we can about the woe of the wicked and the weal of the righteous beyond death.
Christ was in hell, we are taught, and came out again. "To Hell and Back," is the subject of a sermon preached all over the country by a false prophet from Allegheny, Penn- sylvania. It is preached mostly in towns and' cities because people in the country have too much faith in the Word of God to receive it so well. Tlr> text is in harmony with the scriptures, "His soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption" (Acts 2: 27, 31; Psa. 16:10), but the wrong in- terpretation of it, Ave believe, has led thousands astray. We have abundant proof that hell in these instances means more than the grave. In the Greek New Testament this passage in Acts says hades, instead of hell, and the same scripture in the Psalms says sheol in the original Hebrew. So sheol and hades mean exactly the same. (See texts m Revised Version:) Now we know that while Jesus' body was in the grave where it did not see corruption. His soul was in paradise. "Today shalt thou be with me in para- dise" (Lu. 23:43). Therefore Christ's soul was in sheol, hades, hell, para- dise, and came back.
Hades has two departments, one for the righteous, the other for the wicked. Christ and the converted thief were in hades and so was the rich man, Dives. Ali were in hell or hades, Christ in the
paradise division, the rich man in tar- tarus division ; a great gulf fixed be- tween. These divisions are not named in the Old Testament but they are in ihe New.
Tartarus, Is that a strange word to you ? To the readers of the New Tes- tament who read it in Greek, fresh from the hands of the inspired writers, it is not much more strange than para- dise, for paradise is mentioned only three times and tartarus once. In the Bible, heaven is mentioned more than ten times as often as hell, so we need not wonder that we have paradis; thrice to tartarus once. . "For God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast ihem down to hell (tartarus, see margin of Revised Version and the Greek), and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judg- ment" (II Pet. 2:4). Tartarus here undoubtedly means the intermediate waiting piace of departed lost spirits. The fallen angels and the wicked of Sodom and Gornorrha and, we believe, all the unsaved are suffering the ven- geance of eternal fire while being re- served under chains of darkness until the judgment (Jude 6:7; Lu. 16:241. The blood of die saints will not be- fully avenged on the wicked until the judgment (Rev. 6:10; II Cor. 5:10) The rich man was only in hades and not in the more terrible punishment that shall belall the wicked at the judgment day. Lazarus must have been in hades also but in the paradise part of it They both died and were in the intermediate state. They will both have to appear yet at the judgment to receive their reward, Lazarus resting now for a "little season" (Rev. 6:11) and the rich man having no rest. In the spirit land to which they went, there is a great gulf separating them, so that none can pass either . way. Those who try to explain away future punishment have great trouble with all the details of the account of the rich man and Lazarus. Russell says, "The five brethren represent the ten tribes." Surely a vague, far-fetched, unharmonious application, but that is about the way with the rest of his teaching.
John foresaw at the great while throne judgment day all the dead rais- ed and judged. "Death and hell (hades) delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works" (Rev. 20:12, 13). God will surely not call the wicked and the righteous from tartarus and paradise in hades, out to judgment and send them back again to the same place. Ah, no! the right- eous shall be given a glorified body that shall shine in heaven as the stars iorever and ever. The wicked shall be resurrected, given a body and cast into the lake of fire. "Fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body
in hell"— gehenna, (Matt. 10:28). Here we are introduced to the subject of gehenna.
Gehenna is the abode of the wicked after the resurrection and the judg- ment. Only the soul goes to hades but the resurrected bodies and souls of the unsaved go to gehenna. The same place is sometimes meant where the word gehenna is not used, as for in stance, "the lake of fire," which is mentioned five times in Revelation. If the tartarus portion of hades was so terrible for the rich man how unspeak- ably severe will be the final and eternal abode of the wicked in gehenna! The word gehenna is mentioned twelve times in the New Testament. See Re- vised Version and Greek (Matt. 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28, 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mar. 9:45,47; Lu. 12:5; James 3:6). Eleven times oi the twelve it is mentioned by our Lord, and the same number of times fire is mentioned in connection with it. Light times it speaks of the body going there. From that horrible place no one will ever be called or helped, their destiny is fixed, their doom is sealed. Only the wicked are there (Rev. 22:15).
Hades has contained the soul of Christ, the rich man, the spirits of the righteous and the wicked. Hades is found eleven times in the Greek New Testament. It is translated hell ten times and grave once. From this place- shall yet come forth, all the righteous and the good. The disembodied spirits of the righteous shali be brought from paradise in hades by God himself (I Thess. 4:14). The converted thief must still be there, at least some of the Old Testament saints also, and all who have fallen asleep in Jesus since He was on the earth. All in hades, both righteous and wicked, shall be brought forth, given- bodies and given full re- ward in heaven or the lake of fire. "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell (hades) delivered up the dead which were in ihem : and thev were judged every man according- to their works And death and hell (hades J were cast into the lake of fire, This' is the second death. And whosoever was not found in the nook of life was cast into the lake of fire" ( Rev. 20:13-15).
The exact location of hades with its two divisions, paradise and tartarus, gehenna and heaven, none of the liv- ing know. John saw heaven while on Patmos, Stephen from Jerusalem and others ironi other parts of the world. Ali these places beyond our mortal ex- istence are entirely separate from the material world. It does not matter where thev are, it does, matter to us how thev are, or God would not have told us a few things about them, it matters everything to which place we go. Jceaders, beware! There is a hell of torment as well as a heaven of bliss.
1908
GOSPEL H ERALD
19
Hades sometimes means the future punishnient of spirits before resurrec- tion. Gehenna is always translated hell and means every time the awful torment of the soul and body oi the wicked after their resurrection. "The smoke of their torment aseendeth for ever and ever and the}- have no rest day or night." "'the worm diet li net and the fire is -not-quenched.'" "Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'' "Who shall be punished with everlast- ing destruction from the presence or the Lord." There are things in the Bible that are. mentioned only once or twice and many are trying to explain them away, but it seems astonishing that any one will try to explain away future punishment when it is. mention- ed hundreds of limes.
Millersville, Pa.
SIN
By Elfie M. Voder.
Fm- the Gospel Herald
Sin is of the devil, as it was in the be- ginning, when God created man and by his disobedience sin was brought into the world, and is still in the world. But if we as children of God are born again, sin has no more dominion over us. Christ was born into this world to save us from our sins.
We mi/ lit ask, What is sin? We all know that it is doing those things which we know are displeasing" to God. Even the thought of foolishness is sin (I John 3:9). "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin."
Sin is a transgression of divine law, or neglect and omission of duty. We should be sorry for our past sins in such a way that we will try to do much good for our Master and confess our evils be-
for
too late.
Today is th ised us. T onion Therefore to him t 1 and doeth it not
onl
1 w
knoweth to do good ; him it is sin."
Win is it that we are all so inclined to sin? It is all our weakness and because we do not put full trust in Him who rules and reigns above. When wc are once fully consecrated to God we have no pleasure in sin. God does not want anyone to sin. For this reason He sent His only begotten Son into the world to prepare a 'way that all might be saved, if they only will. I John 2:1-3, "My children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not ; and if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the pro- pitiation for our sins; and not ours only, but also the sins of the whole world: and hereby do we know him. if we keep his commandments." Even though we have committed many sins, when we ©pee fully consecrate ourselves to God, Christ will bear them all. Let us ever try to
walk on the narrow way which leads to life everlasting instead of indulging in sin. God has prepared a place for all llis people, but let us examine ourselves .md see if we arc'cntircly free from ail sin.
Hubbard, Oreg.
THE THREE SOURCES OF EVIL
By David BUrkholder.
For the Gospel Herald
"For all that is in the world, the
lust of the flesh, and the lust of 'the
eyes, and the pride of life, is not of
the Father, but of the world." — 1
John 2:16.
1 am fully persuaded in my mind that the origin of every sin in the world's catalogue of crimes can be traced to one or the other of the above three sources. It seems to me that the "all that are in the world" implies that the world contains these three and no more. And that "world" here means man and- man's world in his and its state as fallen from God. A certain commentator illustrates the sources of evil thus : Love of pleas- ure m matters of corporeal enjoyments,' love of money in matters of gain, love of glory in points of pre-eminence over our equals or companions, and this might be changed into a shorter and more simple form and make it lust, covetousness and ambition.
"Lust of the flesh," that is the lust which has its source in our lower ani- mal nature. Satan tried tins temptation first on Christ when he said "Command that this stone lie made bread," which agree- exactly with the temptation which he tried on Eve when she saw "that the tree was good for food." The lust of th.e ewe co-operates, is in sympathy with, or in other words, is a tool of the lust of the Mesh, and might properly be termed the avenue through which out- ward tilings of the world, riches, pomp, and beauty inflame us. Satan tried this temptation on Christ when lie showed ilim tiie kingdoms of the world in a mo- ment of time, which also answers to the temptation of hive, "pleasant to the eye."
"Pride of life" might be defined as ar- rogant assumption or vain-glorious dis- play. I 'ride was Satan's sin when he fell and he tried this temptation on Christ when he set Dim on the pinnacle of the temple, that in spiritual pride and pre- sumption on the ground of llis Father's care He should east Himself down. ThL corresponds with the temptation of Eve when she saw the "tree to he desired to make one w ise."
Seemingly the same three foes appear in the three classes of soil upon which the divine seed fell. The wayside hear- ers, the devil : the thorns, the world, and the rocky under-soil, the flesh. We notice Xchcmiah also had to contend with three foes who did all in their power to hinder the work of building the wall.
San'ballat, Tobiah and Geshem, who may l\pif\ the atheist, infidel, and skeptic as tlie present day foes of God's people These foes were crafty; when they found out they could not scare X'ehenuaii witii threats they pr< posed a business meet- ing, a conference in one of the villages of the plains of Ono, in order 10 make a compromise, but Xehemiah's wis isu trded against that and from this we may learn a profitable lesson that we may never compromise with the world, because Satan's agents when kept out- side of the church can not do half the harm that they can if they get into it. Now, then, James says. "When lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin." The hist of the flesh is of course what con- ceives, but the lust of the eyes is in- strumental in bringing about the concep- tion, or at least the kind of sin 'which ;l brings forth. "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery wdth her already in his heart" (Matt. 5:28). We have reason to be- lieve that Lot was of an avaricious dis- position, having- an inward desire for worldly, gain, and when he saw the rich pastures of the Jordan valley 'well sup- plied with good, fresh water, the lust of the eyes became the avenue through which these outward things of the work! inflamed and excited the inward hist 1 . the flesh so that it conceived and brought forth sin, drunkenness, incest and shame. What a contrast between him and his uncle. Both of the same stock and pedi- gree, both favored with the same possi^ bilities and blessed with the same oppor- tunities. The name of Abraham is handed down through the ages as the father of the fatihful and ancestor of God's hoi}' nation, innumerable as the stars of heaven and the sands of the sea- shore, through Whose seed the promise..! world's Redeemer came and all the fam- ilies of the earth were blessed : while Lot's name has gone clown with disgrace. almost lost in oblivion, save that he got die honor of becoming the head of two idolatrous nations, and the fact is they were both free agents.
David "saw." llis eyes were instru- mental in exciting the inward lust of the flesh and the result was. ii conceived and brought forth adultery and murder, and we find that Achari's ease is of a simi- lar nature.
Solomon's warning. "Look not on the wine when it is red," is a word fill;. spoken. It is indeed like "apples of gold in pictures of silver," and if every poor soul that has lust, or an inward desire For strong drink, would give more earnest heed to this precept and put ii up as a motto in his home for himself and his children to look upon daily, it might be tin means oi preventing the conception and bringing forth o\ much sin. If the man who has naturally such an uncon- trollable appetite for intoxicating liquor, and then with his eyes looks upon the beautiful, red wane Sparkling in the cup
20
GOSPEL H ERALD
Apr. 11
and sees it move itself aright down the throat of his fellow-drunkard it aggra- vates and intensifies that inward lust of the llcsh, impregnates the heart and causes it to bring forth that exceeding sinfulness of sin, destruction of both body and soul, untold misery to the hu- man family, bringing forth inmates for the poor-house, orphans' home, prison, penitentiary and insane asylum. Think of it, drinking up annually $900,000,000 of the Lord's money in intoxicants and turning 100,000 souls into a drunkard's hell.
When sin is finished it bringeth forth death, which is the wages of sin. David, after his bitter experience of sin, prayed fervently to His God to "turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity and quicken thou me in thy way" (I'sa. 119:37). Oh, if every individual professor of Christ would continue to 'wrestle with his God until he had the blessed assurance in his heart that God had answered his peti- tion as prayed by the sweet singer of Israel. What a change this would bring about in the religious world.
Is it not lamentable to think for a mo- ment how corrupt and denraved the hu- man heart can be made through indul- gence in fleshly lust and the gratification of the carnal passions, especially when we consider briefly the enormous extent to which lewdness has been carried and practiced in different ways and forms in all ages of the world? For instance, that abominable crime of "sodomy" of which the Bible is full. It is called sod- omy because it was practiced by the Sodomites, and its penalty under the law- was death. And it is a question in my mind whether one out of every fifty oi the Gospel Herald Readers, or Bible readers, for that matter, would be able to tell what the nature of this shameful crime is. Decency would not permit to explain it publicly, as Paul says, "It is a shame to speak of those things which are done of them in secret" (Eph. 5:12). The following references speak of this sin: Gen. 19:5, 8; Ex. 22:19: Lev. 18: 22, 23; 20-13-16; Dent. 23:17: 27-21; Judg. 19-22-24; I Kings 14:24; 15:12; 22-46; II Kings 22:7; Rom. 1:24-27; I Cor. 6 S) ; I Tim. 1 :g, 10. Have we any reason to wonder why God was moved to rain fire and brimstone from heaven and destroy those wicked people? But the question presents itself, Are the people any better now? The Sodomites are not all dead, and we fail to sec that the world is getting any better.
But we have not touched on the "pride of life" yet, 'which means arrogant as- sumption or vain-glorious display, of which Peter's sin is an example, when he made the bold assertion, "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee." "I am ready to go with thee both into prison and into death." The sin which this brought forth was that 01 falsehood, the oath, and apostate. Pride of life is what caused the confusion of
languages at Babel. It caused Absalom not to live out half his days. It de- throned the powerful monarch, Nebu- chadnezzar. It ended the early career of the notorious Napoleon Bonaparte. In- deed, it is a mighty source of evil. Nappanee, Ind.
THE ANSWER
By S. B. Wenger.
For the Gospel Herald
In answer to the questions, What are the doctrines of the Mennonite Church ? In what do they differ from other churches? Or, What are the faith and practicesof your church? I fear we of- ten fail to convey to the inquirer the in- telligence we should. No doubt every member of the church has been asked similar questions. These questions often come to the writer, and after being neai - ly thirty years a member of the church, I frankly admit that I am not always as ready to respond as I ought to be 'with an intelligent answer. I dare say, that others have the same experience as my- self.
1 once received a letter from a party in Kansas, asking. "Where could I pro- cure a copy of the declarations of the principles of the Mennonite Church?" 1 would have been glad to mail a well written tract briefly setting forth the doctrines and pi inciples of the church but had nothing at my command. We have tracts on the various lines of doc- trine, each by itself, but to my know- ledge we have nothing with which to satisfactorily answer these questions. We need a tract, well written, brief, and pointed, on the origin, history and doc- trines of the church, that may be handed out freely. In this tract mention could be made of larger works along particula" lines of doctrine. There are those who ask these questions out of pure motives and every civil question deserves an in- telligent answer. For about ten years I have urged a tract in pamphlet form on the above subject, but no one who is able seems impressed to write it.
The thought occurred to me to-day af -ter the question was asked me, "What does the Mennonite Church beiieve?" that if these questions' were asked in our church paper and a number of answerr given briefly that it would help many of us who are dull in answers. It may seem simple to very mam", but there are those of us iwho are not able to give the answer as intelligently as we would like.
If a number of answers were written and our editors would publish those best fitted it 'would be a help to many of us who are not so ready with answers. Mush depends upon being well-informed along with the life and activities of the church. Don't wait for others to an- swer, but if you have a good answer, write it out and send it to the editor.
South English, Iowa.
Family Circle
Train up a child in the way lie should go. — Prov. 22:6.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church Eph. 5:25.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord Eph. 5:22.
As for ine and my house, we will serve the Lord. — Josh. 24:15.
THE CITY OF GOD
Sel. by Matilda Snyder.
I have heard of the beautiful City of God,
With streets all made of gold, The walls are of jasper, the gates are of pearl,
And death enters not, I am told.
Throughout that beautiful City of God Bloom flowers that never will fade;
And when we cross o'er the dark river of Death, We may rest in the trees' cool shade.
O City of God, 'tis oft in my dreams Your pearly gates open for me,
And I hear white-robed angels around the great throne Join in a chorus of sweet melody.
Star of our night, golden City of God, I see your white light dawning nigh;
Oh, will I be numbered with that angel throng, While eternity's years roll by?
And, oh, is it true, tell me, is it true,
In that golden City so fair, Wiil earth's unfortunate, wearied ones
Be meted a recompense there?
Make it true, oh I pray, make it true, For all those who miss a glad heritage here, When they cross o'er the river, the deep, dark river, May it wash away sorrow's last tear.
Gagetown, Mich.
FAMILY WORSHIP
By S. D. Guengerich.
For the Gospel Herald
The above subject is submitted to the readers of the Gospel Herald in a way for each one to answer for himself.
We might state the question in other words and say, Have we, or have you family worship? That is, do we gather with our families around the family al- tar, morning or evening, or both, and read a portion of the living Word with meditation, and then bow and thank the Father of all good gifts for His mercy and protection ; and pray and plead for grace and further protection in all our ways and duties?
If we have such a family altar and family worship, I say, Praise the Lord, and be it well with us ; but if not, 1 say, One of the most important things in a family circle is deplorably lacking. If we as heads of families are neglecting this important duty, haw! can we expect our children to become pious and pray- ing people, if they seldom, or never, see their parents upon their knees praying
1908
GOSPEL H ERALD
21
and pleading- God for His grace and mercy ?
By self-observation and the general condition that seems to exist among a large number of our people, it seems that family 'worship is deplorably neglect- ed. Why is it? Is it not that we are too timid, lacking" courage to come down upon our knees before the Lord with our family and all who may happen to be with us ? The writer well remembers the time when in early family life, how Satan tried to discourage the practice of family worship by picturing before our minds our awkwardness and uniworthi- ness for such a sacred duty; people will ridicule you, and say you want to show off piety and that secret prayer where no one will see you (will be sufficient. Yes, it is true, secret prayer has a prom- ise and each person should.be alone with God for a season daily.
Christ Himself prayed and admon- ished His disciples to pray. In Luke 187 he sa\s, "Ye ought always to pray, and not to faint." Paul and the other apostles admonished men to pray ; near- ly all preachers also advise us to pray that we may not fall into temptation. Why is it, then, that this duty, or grand privilege is so much neglected? Look at the Scripture examples, and their vic- tories won, such as Abraham, Daniel, Jacob, Isaac, Joseph and David. Is it not our weak faith and timidity that keeps us from this important duty and practice?
I once heard a preacher who was con- ducting a Bible school say, when the topic of family- worship was discussed, "When we commenced housc-keeping we decided to have family worship in our home, iwhether we were alone, or whether we had company ; even when the threshers are there, we invite them to take part with us and read a portion of the Word and then pray the Lord to protect and bless each one in the duties assigned them." Half an hour spent in family 'worship is no time lost, even if a lot of threshers are on hand. How is it with you, dear reader? Have you a family altar? If not, don't rest until you have one established, and keep it in habitual use ; you will not regret it.
Wcllman, Iowa.
HOME HINTS
Good health is an important factor. See that the house is kept clean and neat, thereby insuring freedom from the germs of infectious diseases. This refers to spiritual as well as natural conditions.
Did you ever notice how a little sun- shine and fresh air brighten up things? It is not always possible to let the nat- ural sunlight into the home, as it is night half the time and cloudy part of the rest of the time ; but it is possible at all times to infuse some sunshine through bright, cheerful conversation.
How: much earlier do you rise on Sun- day mornings than other mornings dur- ing the week ? — What ! surprised at the question? Docs not the Lord give us six days in which to do our secular work, and only one day in .which we are commanded to lay aside our daily cares? Why, then, should we not mak': Sunday the busiest day of the week ?
"What have they seen in thine house?'' was the question which Isaiah put to Hezekiah after he had been visited by the prince of Babylon. Unfortunately, Hezekiah had shown him such things which tempted the king of Babylon to re- turn and plunder his house. When worldlings come into our houses, what do they see? Do they see things which have the effect of influencing them for the Lord, or things which tempt then: to come back to capture the place for the world ?
Mot the least in importance among the things to be seen in the home are the wall hangings. Most of the know- ledge and impressions which come to the mind reach it through the avenue of tin- eye. Lew people realize the extent to ■which the mind is impressed by the pic- tures, mottoes, etc., found upon die walls, and which meet our eyes ever) time we enter the room. Look at the wails of your home, and if you find any- thing hanging there which teaches the wrong- lessons, take it down.
"Be not forgetful to entertain strang- ers." This does not say, however, thai all strangers should be entertained alike. Hospitality is one of the marks of every Christian home, and all who come with- in reach feel its warmth. But it would be wrong to receive the professional tramp in the same way that you would one of a more honorable occupation, or a moral reprobate on an equal with one of upright life. Hospitable, but just, should be the rule. Only let there be no haste in pronouncing uncharitable judgments upon strangers.
Parlor games are recommended by some to keep children contented at home. But the fact is that they educate chil- dren for tiie very kind of associations from which we pray that they may be delivered. A game of cards has the same kind of blighting influence, whe- ther it is played in the parlor, in the Y. !U. C. A. room, or in the back part of some saloon. The same is true of any other game. One of the best ways of educating our children for the gaming table is to encourage parlor games. One of the surest ways of encouraging our children to take up the 'ways of a fast life, is to encourage them to learn sonic cheap imitation of fast society ways in the hemic. — K.
Question Drawer
If ye will in ij 11 in-, inquire ye. — Inn. 21:12.
Hut avoid foolldh questions and geaeiilv- KleN, and contention*!, and »f rivlni;* ubout the law; lor they are unprofitable und vain. — Tit.
Conducted b
mffman.
What is meant by the seven Spirits mentioned in Rev. 5:6?
We will repeat the entire verse: "And 1 beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth."
The Lamb here mentioned is Christ. "In him dwelletli all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." The figure seven being the emblem of perfection : this is another way of saying that in Christ dwelletli and out of Mini proceedeth the Holy Spirit in all His fulness and perfection.
"Don't do anything before your children that you would uot have them imitate."
Why did Christ choose Judas as one of His disciples when He knew he would betray Him?
The best that we can do with this question is simply to express an opinion. Christ never told His real reason, and we can only guess at why lie did it.
Yet we can see how He could choose Judas and be consistent with the di- vinely appointed plan of salvation. Peter tells us that Christ was deliver- ed "by the determinate counsel and fore-knowledge of God." It was a part of the divine plan that Chrisi should be offered up for the sins of the world. Christ knew the plan, and selected characters whom lie knew would perpetrate the deeds. We are not to infer from this that Judas was predestinated to accomplish this work, and had to do it even if he had willed to do otherwise, but that ( iod Fore- knew all things, knew the character of Judas, and fore-knew what he would do.
Judas had the same chance that the rest of the disciples did. lie did what he did of his own choice, and, like all other rational beings, was responsible for his deeds. Pharaoh, Xchuchadnez- zai, Judas and a number of other wicked men mentioned in tin' Bible wire chosen by the Lord to "accom- plish a certain work, not because they were bound by a fore-ordained decree to i\o what they did in spite oi them- selves, but because (iod. fore-knowing all thfngs and knowing what kind of characters they would be. SO overruled that lie "made the wrath of men to praise Him."
22
GOSPEL HERALD
Apr. 11
Our Young' People
Remember now thy Creator in tlie days of tliy Youth Ecol. 12:1.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. — Enli. 6:1.
Honor thy father and thy mother, which is the first commandment with promise. — iOph 6:2.
Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, iu purity. — I Tim. 4:12.
SPEECH
Talk Happiness. The world is sad enough Without your woes. No palh is wholly
rough. Look for the places that are smooth and
clear, And talk of them to rest the weary ear Of earth, so hurt by one's continuous' strain Of human discontent and grief and pain.
Talk Faith. The world is better off without Your uttered ignorance and morbid doubt, if you have faith in God, or man, or self, Say so — if not, push back upon the shelf Of silence all your thoughts, till Faith shall
come. No one will giieve because your lips are
dumb.
Talk Health. The dreary neyer-ending tale Of mortal maladies is worn and stale. You cannot charm, or interest, or please, By harping on that minor chord, disease. Say you are -well, or all is well with you, And God shall hear your words and make them true.
—Ella Wheeler Wilcox.
SOME OF SATAN'S DEVICES TO HINDER SPIRITUAL GROWTH
By Siddie King.
For the Gospel Herald
From the very beginning the evil one lias had numerous devices to draw men and women from God.
Satan is always present to deceive God's children ; for examples notice job j :6, and Zach. 3:1.
Since he is always present we should become acquainted with some of his methods of attack.
His devices are so cunning that one is scarcely aware of his traps until drawn into them. Paul speaks of him as be- ing transformed into an angel of light. Peter speaks of him as a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour.
Perhaps the greatest and most suc- cessful trap he sets to catch men and wo- men to drag them downward is the sa- loon. It ruins its thousands ever}- year ; and among these thousands there are those who at one time were children of God. A man or woman does not become a drunkard in a day, but gradually drift., into the habit.
When the first drink is taken there is no thought of ever falling as low as the man in the gutter; but when once overcome the devil is almost sure of victory in the next temptation.
fallowing the -saloon is the filthy to- bacco habit.
No man can be the man God want;-; him to be, who is a slave to it.' Satan comes to the boy and tells him that in order to be a man he must chew or smoke, and the boy not realizing the awful mistake, not knowing the effect upon his own body, yields to the temp- tation and is soon bound by a habit that is very hard to break.
Fathers, you do not want your sons to be slaves to this habit. Then set them a good example by not using it your- selves, and this evil will soon be over- come. It is said that in the United States alone $100,000,000 worth of tobacco is used every year. AVorse than wasted.
Another device that is destroying the spiritual life of many is fashion. Men and women choose to humbly bow to the goddess of 'fashion, who is a servant of Satan, and subject to her dictates, rather than obey the Supreme Being, God, when lie says to the women, "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel ;But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" (I Pet. 3:3,4.)
God forbids the wearing of gold, pearls or costly array.
The goddess of fashion says, "You ma} wear them." "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve."
An other hindrance is slander or back- biting. "Speak not evil one of another, brethren, he that speaketh evil of his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law." "Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile." "Wherefore putting awav lying speak every man truth with his neigh- bor: for we are members one of an- other." "Hut I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, the;, shall give account thereof in the day 01 judgment."
The spirit of selfishness is hindering the spiritual growth of many people; because of it many sutler.. We think first of the heathen or those who know not God. Then we think" of the mission- aries who are sent to carry the Gospel to those who know it not. And last, of the Christians who have plenty and to spare, but are too selfish to give to those who arc in heed. Who suffers most? The heathen must die without hope. The missionaries are deprived of many necessities and comforts. The selfish Christians (if we may call them thus) are robbed of many blessings and may lose their own souls, for John says "Whoso hath this world's goods and seeth his brother have need, and shuttetii up his bowels of compassion from him, how dlwelleth the love of God in him?" (I John 3:17.)
In this day of literature, we cannot be too careful in the selection of good read- ing matter. Some one has said where
one good, honest, healthful book is read in the present day, there are one hundred read, which arc made up of injurious trash.
A book may be very attractive and ap- parently good, and yet have in it a thread of evil that may lead one to ruin. Satan has such power, that when once the "for- bidden fruit" is looked upon, in most cases the victim will taste of it and then nothing short of the power of God can deliver from his clutches. Reading cor- rupt literature will always have its evil effects. No doubt everyone can recall some bad literature that was read at some time which became so firmly stamped on the mind that it seemed im- possible to erase it.
Think of the thousands of young peo- ple who have been led to some great evil through corrupt literature.
An officer of the British government who made the matter a study, declares that nearly all the boys brought before criminal courts, may largely ascribe their downfall to impure reading.
It is said that Voltaire, when young, committed an infidel poem to memory. and the sentiment coloied his whole life David Hume, when a boy, was a believer in the Scriptures, but in studying "the works of infidels to prepare for a debate, the 'seed of doubt was sown which rip- ened into infidelity. Goldsmith, himself a novel writer, said : "Above all, never let your. son touch a novel or romance.'
Our associates have a great influence over us either to promote or hinder our spiritual growth. Dale, in writing upon the subject of the Choice of Compan- ions, says, that John Wesley, when a student at Oxford made a resolution that he would have no companions by- chance but by choice, and that he would only choose such as "would help him on his way to heaven." This resolution he carried out and a life of honor and use- fulness followed, while on the other hand, Charles Lamb, naturally one of the most brilliant of men, when young, be- gan to frequent the company of the boisterous, intemperate and dissipated, who thought themselves witty, and what was the result. A dozen years after, a miserable wreck of manhood, he said: "Behold me now at the robust period of life, reduced to imbecility and decay.
"Life itself, my working life, has much of the confusion, the trouble, and the perplexity of an ill dream."
Notice Solomon in his old age for saking God and serving" idols, because of his heathen wives. Since we become to a great extent like those with whom we associate, how necessary that our associates be of the purest and nofolesl of God's creation.
Amusements are another means oi hindering spiritual growth. Some of the most popular ones, such as fairs, shows. Sundav excursions, parties, etc., if at- tended cannot help but have an evil effect upon those who attend.
1908
GOSPEL HERALD
2)
Has anyone ever heard of these am- taserneiats being Opened with prayer? Has anyone ever received any good, from having 'been there, that they could not havereceived elsewhere? Think of the influence of professing Christians who attend ffhese places?
The world points a finger of scorn and says, "they are no better than we," which is true.
"Finally brethren, 'whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be anv praise, think on these things." (Phil. 4:8.) •West Liberty. O.
HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE
By Mamie Plank.
Eternal means having no beginning nor end, an appellation of God. This is a subject that wc should all be more con- cerned about, and we should strive to- gether to bring the lost ones to the fold where they will rejoice for the joy in their soul. Matt. 25 46, "And these shall go aiwlay into everlasting punish- ment, but the righteous into life eternal." How sad it is to think how the unsaved will spend eternity, "everlasting punish- ment." The Christian has a bright home. It is joy and peace and everlasting life. To those who, by patient continuance and welldoing conquer the evil in this life, there is prepared peace immortal But to those who do not obey the truth, indignation and wrath.
If some people could buy eternal life they would give all they have, but be- cause Jesus paid the price all they have- to do is to believe, yet they 'will not ac- cept it.
In Luke 8:18 we find the rich young ruler inquiring of the Master, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life ?" We find the answer in John 3:15, "Whoso- ever beiieveth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." "Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life ; and they are they which tes- tify of me." "He" that loveth his life shall lose it, and he that hatcth his life in this world shall- keep it unto life eter- nal." "As thou hast given power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." 11 Cor. 5:1, "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabema.de were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ' This is a promise to all who believe, to know that we have a home in heaven.
Harper, Kans.
Sunday School
THE RAISING OF LAZARUS
Lesson for April 12, [908 — John 11:
32-45- Gqlden Text. — / (//// the resurrection
and the life. — J no. 1 i 125.
The raising of Lazarus is one of the most remarkable events in the history of our Savior.
In the town of Bethlehem was a home where Jesus was always welcome. Here dwelt Mary, who "anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet 'with her hair;" Martha, her sister, whose de- sire to contribute to the comfort of her Savior was so great that He felt called upon to gently reprove her for "much serving;" and Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha. Here was one of the few places on earth Where Jesus could find a retreat from the trials and per- secutions (which He was called upon con- tinually to endure. It was to Him an oasis in the great desert of persecution and sin. No wonder that the inspired writer, was able to say, "Now, Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Laz- arus."
But, alas ! a cloud came over this house. Sickness entered the home, and Mary and Martha sent the pathetic mes- sage, "Lord, behold, he whom Thou lov- cst is sick!" Jesus knew the gravity of the situation, but He had other work to do, and "abode two clays still in the place where he was." "Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?" was still a rule of His life, even though His friends implored Him to come to their immediate relief. Jesus was indeed the friend of Mary and -Martha and Laz- arus, but He was none the less interested in the salvation of His vilest persecutors. But after He finished His work, Lie said, 'Let us go into Judea again."
His disciples remonstrated: "Master, the Jcuvs of late sought to stone Thee; and goest Thou thither again?"
lint fear could not turn our Savior from His purpose. He is .the "Friend that sticketh closer than a brother." In- forming His disciples that Lazarus was dead, He said, "I am glad for your sakes that 1 was not there, to the intent ye may live." It was the first hint of the com- ing mighty miracle.
When the_\' reached Judea. they found that Lazarus had been dead four days. Martha met them and said unto her Lord, "If Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." Jesus said, "Thy brother shall rise again." Martha said, "1 know he shall rise again in the resur- rection at the last day !"
Martha had a blessed hope. Lazarus was the friend of Jesus ; hence for him the resurrection was to be "the resurrec-
tion of life," "Blc-^cd are they that die in the Lord." Martha mourned, but "ni.'t as they who have no hope." This blessed hope which takes away the sting (-f death is the same that will forever dry our tears in eternity.
Hut Jesus had more immediate relief in store for them. He said. "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that beiiev- eth m Ale. though he were dead, yet shall he live." The time for action had now come. Martha called her sister Mary, who also said unto her Lord, "if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." The Jews had followed Mary, saying, "she goeth to the grave to weep." They had been there to comfort the sis- ters in their bereavement: but little did they think that they should so soon wit- ness the giving of that perfect comfort which God alone can bestow.
"Jesus wept." Here lay the body of Lazarus, whose loving voice was hushed in chilly death! Here were weeping sis- ters, filled with agonizing grief, because their own brother was taken from them! Here were sorrowing Jews, who in this hour of grief had forgotten their preju- dice against the friend of Lazarus! "Jesus wept." His sympathizing heart responded to the cries of His loved ones, He was soon to show that His sym- pathy is worth more than the sympa- thies of the entire world, even though the whole were melted together in tears.
Jesus said. "Take ye away the stone." Martha said unto Him. "Lord, by this time he stinketh ; for he hath been dad four days." "Jesus said unto her. Said I not unto thee, that if thus wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glorv of God ?"
Martha had believed, but not with the faith that she 'was soon to receive. She had great confidence in her Lord, but that He should exert His power in an immediate resurrection of her brother was, up to this time, beyond the reach of her faith. One prayer to God, and the words were spoken.
"Lazarus, come forth !"
( ), glorious resurrection! "He that was dead came forth." The pangs of grief were turned into overflowing joy. The brother was returned to the happy sisters, the home in Bethany was again a scene of gladness, and many oi the Jews believed on Jesus.
But listen further. Yon who have Followed this story of the raising of Laz- arus have your minds fixed upon a mo.-t notable miracle. But. "marvel not at this: for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the grave shall hear His voice, and shall come forth." Lazarus came forth to gladden a single home ior a little while. But. in that final coming forth all the friends o\ God shall be called into a celestial home, where they shall share the inexpressible joys am! never ending glory of the saints around. the throne. — K.
24
GOSPEL HERALD
Apt ii
Gospel Herald
A religions weekly published in the interests of the Mennonite Church by
mennonite publication hoard
Scottdale, Pa. Aaron Loucks, General Manager
Subscription. — One Dollar a year in advance Sample copies sent free on application
EDITORS
Daniel Kauffman, Versailles, Mo.
John F. Funk. Elkhart, Ind.
D. H. Bender, Office Editor
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
D. D. Miller, Middlebury, Ind. A. D. Wenger, Millersville, Pa. Oliver H. Zook, Belleville. Pa.
Address all communications intended for
publication
GOSPEL HERALD, Scottdale, Pa.
Communications relating- to the business of the House, such as subscriptions, changes of address, etc., should be addressed
MENNONITE PUBLISHING HOUSE, Scottdale, Pa.
MENNONITE PUBLICATION BOARD
J. S. Shoemaker, Pres., Freeport, Ills.
Jonathan Kurtz, Vice Pres., Lig-onier, Ind.
S. H. Miller, Sec, Shanesville, Ohio.
Abram Metzler, Treas., Martinsburg, Pa.
Christian Good, Dayton, Va.
I. J. Buchwalter, Dalton, Ohio.
N. S. Hoover, Goshen, Ind.
Saniuel Gerber, Tremont, Ills.
S. G. Lapp. South English, Iowa.
David Garner. La Junta, Colo.
Emanuel Stanley, Corning, Calif.
E. S. Hallman, Cressman, Sask.
COMMITTEES
Executive Committee. — J. S. Shoemaker, Jonathan Kurtz, S. H. Miller, Abram Metzler, Aaron Loucks.
Managing Committee. — Aaron Loucks, Ceneru Manager, A. D. Martin. Secretary- Treasurer, E. S. Hallman, C. Z. Yoder, E. L. Frey.
Publishing Committee. — Daniel Kauffman, Chairman, D. H. Bender, Secretary, D. J. Johns. L. J. Heatwole, S. G. Shetler, I. R. Detweiler, Geo. R. Brunk.
Finance Committee Abram Metzler
Aaron Loucks, M. S. Steiner, S. E. Allgyer, Jacob S. Loucks, M. C. Cressman, A. D. Wenger.
A nailing Committee.— D. S. Yoder, Jonas Cullar, D. N. Gish.
SATURDAY, APR. 11, 1908
1 OUR MOTTO |
The whole Gospel as our rule in g 1 faith and life.
1 Scriptural activity in all lines of l
g Christian work. |
§ Love, unity, purity and piety in S
m home and church. »
Field Notes
Bro. C. Z. Yoder of Wooster, O., reports eight converts in the congre- gation at the Oak Grove Church.
If previous arrangements were car- ried out, a Sunday School Meeting will be held at Palmyra, Mo., next Sunday.
The nineteenth annual Sunday School Review of the Kishacoquillas Valley (Pa.) was held at the Belle- ville Church on Sunday, Mar. 29. An interesting and helpful meeting is re- ported.
Bro. H. B. Ramer and family of Martinsburg, Pa., are spending some time in the vicinity of Plainview, Texas, visiting friends and looking over the country with a view of locat- ing in that section.
Bro. J. A. Brilhart of Scottdale, was with the congregation at Gort- ner, Md., over Sunday, Apr. 5, hand- ing out the bread of life. We rejoice to hear that two more young men stood up for Christ.
The meetings at Scottdale took an added interest by the introductory talks on India which Bro. M. C. Lapp gave each evening for five successive services. Bro. Lapp left for Den- bigh, Va., on Monday morning.
Bro. J. N. Durr of Martinsburg, Pa., spent last Friday night at Scott- dale and took part in the evening service; the next day he proceeded to Masontown where he filled the reg- ular appointments over Sunday.
We were shocked to hear of the unexpected death of our brother, Dr. Mumaw, at Elkhart, Ind. Bro. Mumaw had been suffering with Bright's Disease, to which he suc- cumbed early on the morning of April 1. We extend our heart-felt sym- pathy to the bereaved family and friends.
Bro. Abram Metzler of Martins- burg, Pa., treasurer of the Mennonite Publication Board, was unable to at- tend the official meeting at Scottdale on account of an attack of sciatic rheumatism. We are informed that he is better, and we trust he will soon be able to attend to his duties both in the church and in his business re- lations.
Bro. S. G. Shetler closed a series of meetings at Edgemont, Md., on April 3, with the congregation much revived and souls born into the king- dom. Bro. S. expects to begin spec- ial meetings at the Canton (O.) Mis- sion on April 7. This will likely close our brother's evangelistic work for this season, as his normal is an- nounced to begin on April 20.
Bro. Aldus Brackbill of Alto, Mich., was at Lancaster, Pa., his former home, last week looking after the shipping of his household goods to Michigan. He spent Sunday, April 5, with brethren near Johns- town, Pa., and preached the Word. On Monday evening he assisted in the services at Scottdale and conducted the worship in the Publishing House on Tuesday morning.
Bro. D. S. King of Tuleta, Texas, writes that a successful series of Bible Reading has just been completed at their church and that they have re- organized for another quarter. Bro. K. also includes $5.40 as a birthday offering from their Sunday school for the India Mission, which amount we forward to Bro. G. L. Bender, Elk- hart, Ind., general treasurer of the Mission Board, to whom all such con- tributions should be sent.
Bro. S. D. Guengenchof Wellman, la., is one among many who takes a live interest in the church publica- tions. He had a strong article pre- pared in favor of merging the publish- ing interests, which would have been published had not the actual consoli- dation made such an article uncalled for. Bro. G. is an aged pilgrim earn- estly striving to extend the walls of Zion, and we trust the Lord may spare him for many years of useful service.
Bro. J. S. Shoemaker, who spent over a week at Scottdale taking over the interests of the Gospel Witness Co. and the Mennonite Book and Tract Society and launching the new church institution, left for Orrville, Ohio, on April 3, to visit his afflicted daughter, wife of Bro. Levi Mumaw. He expected to spend Sunday with the congregation near Wauseon, Ohio, and then meet Bro. Aaron Loucks at Elkhart on Monday where they had a business appointment with the Mennonite Publishing Co.
Information Wanted. — About the year 1804 two brothers by the name of Reim'er came to this country from Germany. They settled somewhere in the eastern part of the United States where they went into the mill- ing business, building a large flour mill. One of the brothers was mar- ried but died without children; the other was accidently killed in the mill. They were members of the Mennonite Church. The name may have been Americanized to Raymor, Ramer, or Rymer. Any information as to the location of the home of these brothers, or any of their family connection will be thankfullyreceived at this office.
Correspondence
Haysville, Ont.
Greetings to the Readers of the Gos- pel L'erald. — On Mar. 31,1, in company with my family and a few others, in- tend moving to western Canada. Our address will be Cressman. Sask. Pray for us in the new field of labor. Yours lor the cause,
Mar. 28, 1908. I. S. Rosenberger.
1906
GOSPEL HERALD
25
Lancaster, Pa.
Bro. Jacob N. Brubaker held an in- structive meeting at Salunga for about one hundred and thirty-rive applicants on Mai. 2( '■. He forcibly impressed them of the necessity of observing the doctrines of the church so they can be known as a separate people.
On April 4. thirty-two precious young souls were received into the church by water baptism at the Eh lis man meeting house.
Mar. 30, 190S. Cor.
Perkasie, Pa.
The applicants for baptism will be baptized at the Deep Run M. H. on April 19, Easter Sunday. There are fourteen at that place. At 15 looming Glen the applicants will be baptized April 26. The number there is ten. Communion services will be held at Deep Run on May 3, and at Blooming- Glen May 10, and Doylestown May 24. We had a beautiful sermon preached to a small number of people today by Jacob M. Rush. Text, John 6 :48."
Mar. 29, 1908.
Greencastle, Pa.
To the Gospel Herald Readers. — It may be of interest to some to hear from this part of the Eord's vineyard. We reorganized our Sunday school at Cedar Grove on Sunday, Mar. 22. The iollovving officers were elected: Supt., J. H. Grove, assist., D. L. Horst. We trust the Lord will bless the little band at this place, and we also ask an in- terest 111 the prayers of the brother- hood that the work may be conducted in such a manner that it will be the cause of bringing souls into the king- dom.
J. M.
Manson, Iowa
Greeting to all Herald Readers: — Having been permitted to live through another winter and with the approach of spring, our Sunday school has again been organized with Bro. Chris Sommer as superintendent and Bro. John Kieser assistant. The work will be taken up with the second quarter. May the work prosper with the prayers of all God's people.
Sister Kate Zehr's health still re- mains unsatisfactory. She is not im- proving very fast, but what God does is well done.
Mar. 24, 1908. Lydia Zook.
Jackson, Minn.
Alpha Congregation
To the Readers of the Gospel Her- ald.—On Mar. 28, Bro. A. 1. Yoder -of Kalona, Iowa, came into our midst, and on the following day communion
services were held, and we again par- took of the emblems ot the body and blood of tiie Cord Jesus, once more reminding us of 1 1 is suffering and death for us. May we also be re- minded of our dut\ to our Heavenly Father.
Bro. Yoder left for home on War 30, alter holding four interesting and instructive meetings. May the Lord bless him in his labors.
April 1, 1908. Cor.
Windom, Kans.
Bro. C. D. Yoder, V. D. M., will have sale in a few weeks and move to Wichita, Kans., for about a year to have the eyes of his wife and oldest son treated for granulation.
If the Lord will, I shall start for Higgins, Texas, next week to look in- to the matter of establishing a colony at that place. One of our ministers, Bro. J. P. Berkey, and others are al- ready located at this place, while others are making arrangements to move there soon. Those already at the place express themselves as well pleased with the country.
April 2, 1908. R. J. Heatwole.
Metamora, 111.
Greeting to all Readers: — Last Sun- day evening we had an interesting and profitable Young People's Meet- ing at the Harmony Church, with a good attendance. There were two mission topics discussed and seven letters from that many of our mission stations, were read, giving us a little idea of the work that is being done and also some of their needs. May we ali strive to fulfill the mission for which we were placed here.
On April 4, we expect to meet at the Roanoke Church for a S. S. Quarterly Meeting, God willing.
We ask an interest in your prayers that we may do His will in all things.
Mar. 31. 1908. Cor.
Baden, N. Dak.
Greeting to all in the name of Him Who has loved and saved us: — We certainly have great reason to thank and praise the Lord for the goodness He has shown us in the past. We have been blessed with a beautiful winter; have had S. S. and church services every Sunday this winter, which is rather unusual for N. Dak. Health in general is quite poor at present.
We reorganized our Sunday school, Mar. 29: Alpha Kauffman, superin- tendent; S. M. Zook and and L. C. Kauffman, assistants; Sister Kauff- man, chorister; Agnes M. Andrews, secretary; Joseph F. Kauffman, treas- urer. May the Lord bless the officers in their work.
Mar. 31, 1908. Cor.
Mountville, Pa.
Dear Readers of the Gospel Herald, Greeting. — The Habecker Sunday school was re-organized, Mar. 29. The following officers were elected: Supt.. Jacob tiabecker; assts., Clayton Charles. John Charles; see., Christian Haverstick ; trcas., John Charles; chor- isters, Walter Charles, Eli Mann.
The regular church services were held after the organization. The ser- vices were opened by Bro. Jacob New- comer. Bro. Henry Haverstick preach- ed the sermon. Matt. 18:1-22 was read and commented upon.
We were earnestly admonished 10 humility. Pray for us that we may lie followers of JeSUS.
In Christian Love,
Apr. t, 1908. Emma L. Neff.
Ottawa, Ohio
A friendly Greeting in Jesus' name : — On Sunday, Mar. 29, Florence Spit- nail was received into church fellow- ship by water baptism, Bro. John Blos- ser officiating.
This sistei has been afflicted with consumption and her end seems near. During her affliction she was drawn to her Savior and became willing to accept Him. It was truly a blessing to see the happy countenance because of the peace within and to hear her speak of her new-found joy. It made a deep impression and caused tears to be shed by those assembled, of whom a number are unsaved. We hope that by her influence and our prayers the unsaved, relatives may be won for Christ. It was worth the nine-mile drive to hear the testimony she gave. Let us pray that God may continue the work of salvation among us at this place.
April 1, 1908. II. Smith.
Souderton, Pa.
Greeting to the Readers of the Gos- pel Herald: — On Sunday. Apr. 5. the Lord willing, eleven new members will be received into church fellow- ship in the Towamencin Congregation by water baptism. On April 12. eleven applicants will be baptized in Fran- con ia in the forenoon and on the after- noon of tiie same day at Souderton four will be received by water baptism and two from other denominations. Bishops Sam Detweiler and Jonas Mininger will be the officiating min- isters. May the Lord bless these young souls is my prayer, that they may be shining lights to the world and an upbuilding to the church.
We have an evergreen Sunday school, thank God. and good attend- ance. The average attendance for the last quarter was 108. On April 5. Bro. Jos. Ruth, of Lexington, will preach for us in the evening.
Mar. 30, 1908. Cor.
26
GOSPEL H ERALD
Apr. 11
Carstairs, Alberta
Readers of the Gospel Herald, Greeting in the Savior's name : — At this time all are well and enjoying the blessing's from on high. If nothing prevents, by the time this reaches the readers all the members will have been visited and others also. The brother- hood seems to be much encouraged in the good work. Many have consecrat- ed themselves more fully to the work and enjoy more light. We expect a few members to move here from On- tario this week, thus filling in the number removed by death and mar- riage, one sister having left today as the bride of Bro. Habermehl, of Cress- man, Sask.
We are encouraged to go on in the Lord's work. Sunday school and Y. P. Meetings arc good and active. Reg- ular services arc well attended with good interest.
The grip lias been through this country visiting almost every home.
Mar. 25, 1908. 'I. R. S.
Waynesboro, Va.
Spring Dale Congregation
Greeting to all Readers of the Gos- pel Herald :— The congregation met Sunday morning, March 29, for ser- vice, which was well attended. Bro.
A. P. Heatwole gave us a good ser- mon from the text, "Come, let us reason together, saith the Lord." He pointed us to the Divine Reasoner who is able to help us reason all the problems of life.
At 3 p. m. we met again to organize our Sunday school for the summer. The following brethren were chosen to fill the different offices: Fred Driver, supt., Amos Showalter, as- sist, supt., Joe Driver, sec, Dan Driver, chor., D. E. Weaver and S.
B. Weaver, assist, chor. W'e pray that these brethren and the teachers feel the responsibility resting on them of instructing the children; and that the children will take an interest and attend regularly.
We have had preaching each Sun- day for a while and hope we may be able to arrange to continue to have a service every Lord's day. Our con- gregation has been anxiously await- ing the out-come of our publication interests, and rejoice to know it has worked