76
THE DOOR CLOSING FOREVER
IN a Testimony written April 27, 1899, oc-
curs the following: “I awoke, but my soul
was burdened. I felt that peculiar trials were
to come upon the people of God. Then was
presented before me the situation in the South-
ern field. The work which should have been
done in that field has not been done.”
Under date of July 2, 1899, appear these
words: “That which might have been done
years ago in the South cannot now be done.”
Seven years and six months ago the Lord de-
clared through his servant that some oppor-
tunities even then were closed forever. Since
that time we fear that other doors have been
shut and locked, and never will be opened;
and it is a terrible truth that the situation in
the South is becoming more difficult, and that
the time must soon come when our work will
be finished here.
We gaze, as it were, into a room where the
great need appeals to us, as messengers of the
last message of salvation. Helpless hands are
reached out for that which alone can save, en-
lighten, and deliver. But, O the door is slowly
swinging shut, never to open. Who will work
for the South now? Who will give of his
means if lic cannot give himself and his en-
tire service, to accomplish that which must
be done in the South before the Lord shall
come?
Now is our opportunity. ‘There are many
seeking for the truth and the light here in
the South. How precious, how priceless are
these last few moments of time and these wait-
ing opportunities! Shall we not step into the
door that is open, and yet slowly but surely
«closing forever? J. S. WASHBURN.
EY
WHAT CAN THE CHILDREN DO?
Gop includes the children in all his plans.
Even in the raising of funds for his work they
may have a share, and their offerings, though
small, will be as acceptable as greater gifts.
Their deeds of love and self-denial will all he
recorded in heaven.
Once when a church was to be built, a little
girl said she would pay for one brick. When
a great ship was to be launched, a little boy
said he would “push a pound.” In raising
the $150,000, each child can lift at least a
penny, and the pennies and dimes will count
as well as dollars.
Let this be an occasion when the children
shall be taught to lay up treasure in heaven.
They may not be able to do great things, but
they may realize the fact that they “are part
of the concern,” and their gifts, like tiny rivu-
lets, when united, will make a broad stream
of benechicence.
Suppose there are ten thousand Seventh-day
Adventist children in the United States.
Should each give but one cent, the amount
would be $roo. Should all give a dime each,
the result would be $1,000, and there are very
few children who cannot give that much.
Many can give twenty-five cents, and even
more.
But parents should help the children by
planning for them. ‘They should be encour-
aged to earn the money they give. Some can
THE WATCHMAN
HIS LAMPS
“T11s lamps are we,
To shine where He shall say.
And lamps are not for sunny rooms,
Nor for the light of day;
But for dark places of the earth,
Where shame, and wrong, and crime have
birth;
Or for the musky twilight gray,
Or where wandering sheep have gone astray,
Or where the light of faith grows dim,
And souls are groping after Him.
And as sometimes a flame we find
Clear shining through the night
So bright we do not sec the lamp,
But only see the light,
So may we shine — His light the flame —
That men may glorify His name!”
EE
AN ENCOURAGING LETTER
Two members of the Nashville church have
been having wonderful success in selling our
papers in the cities of the South. Under
date of January 1, at Atlanta, Ga., they write:
“ From the time we left Nashville the last of
November up to December 31, or eighteen
days’ work, we have sold three thousand pa-
pers, lacking forty, and have been in ten cities,
so that traveling and locating have taken time
also. Last Saturday eve, after the Sabbath,
we sold the special WarcEMAN in Montgom-
ery, Ala., ninety-seven in all. We sold at ten
cents per copy to devote the proceeds to the
$150,000 fund.
“We expect to be in Atlanta till the 15th
of January, as we have 1,500 copies ordered
for this place. We sold 1,400 here last year
in seven days. The Lord has done great
things for us, whereof we are glad.”
With $15.60 in tithe, these sisters enclose
five dollars each for the $150,000 fund. There
Na Va a Ea Was
sell books or papers. Others can earn their
pennies by running errands, by working for
wages, or by denying themselves of something
they desire. Parents should encourage benev-
olence in their children, that they may have a
part in God's work, and that they may experi-
ence the blessedness of giving.
A little girl once earned a dollar for mis-
sionary work by selling pop-corn balls.  An-
other made holders and pin-balls, and sold
them. “Where there's a will, there's a way.”
Let a “children’s fund” be started in every
church where there are children, and let it be
seen how large an amount they can give. The
children’s gifts may thus be kept separate, if
so desired. Mrs. V. J. FARNSWORTH.
: THE FIELD
are those who think that by engaging in some
worldly business they will be able to give
more to the cause of God, but the more pros-
perity in the world a man has, the less he
scems to be able to give.
Is not this the highest kind of business
capacity, the bringing of the truth before a
large number, the salvation of their souls, and
through the proceeds gifts to the cause of
God? Are there not many whose hearts
prompt them now to go and do likewise, at
least to do as far as God gives ability and
opportunity? He will do great things, be-
vond all that we can ask or think, for those
who step out upon his promises.
J. S. WASHBURN.
EE
THREE INDICTMENTS FOR WORKING ON SUNDAY
Ox January 8 myself and two other breth-
ren were taken with bench warrants for quiet
Sunday work. Onc of our brethren went on
our bond for trial the roth. Quite a number
of the Adventist friends were present at the
trial, although the notice was short. The
night of our arrest I sent a telegram to the
Religious Liberty Bureau at Takoma Park,
hoping that some one from there could attend
the trial.
When the time came for trial, I asked the
solicitor if he desired to make one case of it
or three. He replied, “One case, if it will
suit you.” He suggested that they make my
trial a test case, as we were all indicted for the
same offense. This the brethren seemed glad
to do, and my case was called.
I was charged with violating the Lord's
day, commonly called Sabbath, to which I could
not plead guilty. After the witnesses had
proved that T did work in my garden and
about the house somewhat on Sunday, I was
permitted to question them as to whether they
were disturbed religiously, to which they all
replied that they were not.
IT was then sworn, and given a chance to
testify to the truth in regard to my attitude
toward the Sunday question. After my testi-
mony in the chair, the solicitor questioned me
in regard to how I spent my Sundays, and |
asked me if I did not know that there is a
Sunday law. I replied that T did, but that I
also knew that it was an unconstitutional one,
and that there is a Sabbath law of higher au-
thority. After being questioned, I was per-
mitted to speak for myself to the court. The
judge, solicitor, and jury all seemed to be
fair-minded men.
The judge seemed a little dissatisfied at the
beginning of my plea because he said IT was
making an ecclesiastical plea. This I admit-
ted, but told him that when the state legislated
upon a solely religious question, and I was
indicted under that law, an ecclesiastical plea
was the only one IT could make. The judge
seemed to think that there was a civil side to
this ecclesiastical question, and I promised to