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1 The Church Officers' Gazette 
Issued monthly 
Printed and published by the 
REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION 
at Takoma Park, Washington, D. C., U. 8. A. 
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- T. E. BowEN 
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- M. E. KERN, J. A. STEVENS 
Entered as second-class matter, January 20, 1919. at the post office at 
Washington. D. C., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. 
Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in 
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March Appointments 
Religious Liberty Offering �
March 7 
Missionary Volunteer Day �
March 14 
Missionary Volunteer Spring Week of Prayer �
March 14-21 
Today's Word to Church Elders and Pastors 
(Concerning Missionary Volunteer Day and Week) 
THERE is One who knows all the cares and burdens borne 
by the church elders and pastors, as faithful shepherds over the 
flock. He notes it all, and, thank God, He has grace to help 
you in carrying the burden. As every call comes to you to lead. 
the flock in this and that service, know of a surety that the 
apostolic prayer is for the undershepherds today: 
" The God of peace, that brought again from the dead our 
Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood 
of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good 
work to do His will, working in you." Heb. 13: 20, 21. 
Today, in this service for the young people of the flock, may 
the voice of the Good Shepherd speak by your lips. Today the 
church lays its hand upon our youth and says again, " We 
love you, young people and children. Your presence in the 
church cheers our hearts and helps us on. We want, to go 
with- you, and we want you to go. with us, to the kingdom. 
Let us, old and young, anew dedicate our hearts and lives to 
God and to His service, not one left behind as we journey on 
toward the heavenly Canaan!: 
We have said it before, but tell it again in the name of the 
great Shepherd of the flock, whose love would send Him to the 
ends of the earth for one lost sheep. Egypt wanted to hold 
back some in the families of Israel. But Moses said to Pharaoh, 
," We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons 
and with our daughters." Ex. 10: 9. Now God is again deliver-
ing His people from the Egypt of this world and from the 
bondage of sin. We aro bound for the Land of Promise. Again 
let us declare it today, with earnest pleadings to all: " We 
will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and 
with our daughters." �
W. A. SPICER, 
Judge Not 
" Jueau not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment 
ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, 
it shall be measured to you again." 
These words were spoken by the divine Teacher, our Lord 
Jesus Christ, for us to hear and to obey. God has not given 
men the power to read hearts. He has not placed them in the 
judgment seat, to pass sentence upon their fellow men. God 
has committed all judgment to His Son. Why, then, are human 
beings not more careful in regard to passing judgment upon 
one another? Let us seek to realize our own ignorance. When 
we have a full realization of this, we shall not speak evil of 
our brethren. 
God has forbidden us to think or speak evil of one another. 
" Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh 
evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of 
the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou 
art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one Law- 
giver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that 
judgest another?" Those who act toward their fellow men 
without mercy will one day themselves feel the need of mercy. 
Christians have a most important work to do. They are 
commissioned by God to watch for souls as they that must 
give an account. They are to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with 
all long-suffering. . . To speak the word of God with faith-
fulness is a work of the greatest importance. But this is an 
entirely different work from continually censuring, thinking 
evil, and drawing apart from one another. Judging and re-
proving are two different things. God has laid upon His 
servants the work of reproving in love those who err; but He 
has forbidden and denounced the thoughtless judging so com-
mon among professed believers. 
Actions speak louder than words, and those who draw apart 
from their brethren show plainly that they do not wish to 
work with them, that they surmise evil of the men to• whom 
the Lord has given a place in His work. 
Those who show this lack of faith and confidence in their 
brethren grieve the Spirit of God. The Lord calls upon us to 
put away all haughtiness, to manifest sincere sympathy for the 
erring, who are seeking to recover themselves from the snare 
of the enemy. 
" Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, 
but eonsiderest not the beam that is in thine own eye? " 
Matt. 7: 3, 4. . . . 
The very first work we are able to do is to unite in the bonds 
of ChristMii fellowship. Those who are working for God 
should put 'away all unkind criticism, and draw together in 
unity. Christ desires His soldiers to stand shoulder to shoulder, 
united in the work of fighting the battles of the cross. He 
desires the union between those who work for Him to be as 
close as the union between Him and His Father. Those who 
have felt the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit will heed 
the lessons of the divine Instructor, and will show their sin-
cerity by doing all in their power to work in harmony with 
their brethren. 
" Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in 
them: for in doing this thou shalt bath save thyself, and them 
that hear thee." 1 Tim. 4: 16. 
" Thou art inexcusable, 0 man, whosoever thou art that 
judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condenanest 
thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." 
Rom. 2: 1. 
It is the one who has every reason to distrust his own 
principles who is keenly alive to the failings of others. If 
there were not some leek in our own experience, we would not 
be so suspicious of our brethren. It is the one whose con-
science condemns him that so readily passes judgment. Let 
every one tremble and be afraid of himself. Let him see 
that his own heart is right with God. Let him weed his own 
garden; he TM/ find enough to keep him busily employed. If 
he does this work faithfully, he will not have time to find fault 
with the gardens of others. Instead of judging our brethren, 
let us judge ourselves. Let us make sure that we are among 
the number who are " elect according to the foreknowledge of 
God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto 
obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ," "See- 
Missionary Volunteer Week Special (See pages 16 to 24) 
a Oath fficem' coette 
Von. XII �
MARCH, 1925 �
No. 3 
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE 
ing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through 
• the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love 
one another with a pure heart fervently."—Mrs. E. G. White, 
in Beview and Herald, Oct. $9, 1901. 
At the Lord's Table 
A CHURCH elder and deacon ask, " Where a member has been 
disfellowshiped because of his having imbibed false doctrines, 
resulting in continual contention with the brethren, as well as 
open opposition to the spirit of prophecy, and continues to at-
tend quarterly meeting service; should the emblems of Christ's 
death be passed to him? " 
In a ease of this kind we would say, No. For how could 
there be a continuation of the former fellowship with one who 
had so far removed himself from the faith that the bond of 
fellowship had been withdrawn? Not until he came back in 
true humiliation of heart, in true repentance for his former 
course, confessing his sin against God, and in the spirit of 
meekness became reunited with the Lord and his brethren in 
church fellowship, could he in the true spirit of worship partake 
of the emblems of Christ's death and humiliation with the 
church. The instruction the Lord gives concerning such a one 
who persists in sin, notwithstanding the earnest admonition, 
warning, and entreaties given him, until to preserve the purity 
and integrity of the church he is disfellowshiped, is, " Let 
him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican." Matt. 
18: 17. It would not be thought consistent to offer a heathen 
man or a publican the emblems of the Lord's death as the 
church partakes of the Lord's Supper. 
Yet exclusiveness at the Lord's table is not to be practised. 
The example of Jesus in His treatment of Judas, although He 
knew he was developing into a traitor,— he not yet having 
openly separated himself from the little flock in the upper 
room,— so long as he remained with the twelve, Jesus washed 
his feet, and ho was given the emblems in a last effort to 
lead him unto repentance. 
"Christ's example forbids exclusiveness at the Lord's Sup-
per. It is true that open sin excludes the guilty. This the 
Holy Spirit plainly teaches. [1 Corinthians 5: 11 is cited. 
This text reads: "I have written unto you not to keep company, 
if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covet-
ous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; 
with such a one no not to eat."] But beyond this none are to 
pass judgment. God has not left it with men to say who shall 
present themselves on these occasions. For who can read the 
heart? Who can distinguish the tares from the wheat? `Let 
a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and 
drink of that cup.' "—" The Desire of Ages," p. 656. 
For one disfellowshiped, the church should continue its labors 
of love to win back to repentance, even as it labors for a 
heathen man or a publican. 
" Feed My Lambs " 
As the church service is ordinarily conducted, the children 
receive little benefit, with the possible exception in the train-
ing to sit still—that is, if the parents are able to make their 
little wigglers sit still. Little short of a strait-jacket will ac-
complish this end. And what is there ordinarily to interest 
the little fellow? Usually that which is said is an unknown 
tongue to the children. It goes far over their heads. Then why 
not give the children a little consideration in the Sabbath 
church services? Why not set apart a corner for the children, 
the lambs of the fold, and preach a junior sermon? 
" Well," some one will say, "they have the Sabbath school." 
And so do the older ones. 
Personally I have found that general interest in the church 
service is stimulated by the "Kiddies' Korner." It is as in-
teresting to the grandmothers and grandfathers and mothers 
and fathers as it is helpful to the children. One may be sure 
that he will have the attention of the older folks if he has the 
interest and attention of the children. 
In many of our larger churches the children come only for 
the Sabbath school, and many of the older folks come only for 
the preaching. Why not agitate to get the older ones to the 
Sabbath school, and then have the younger members of the 
Lord's great family remain with their parents to the church 
service? A junior service adapted to the mental capacity of 
the children, I believe, would help much to this end. 
It is not necessary to lengthen the service in order to put in 
a five to eight minute talk to the children. Most workers would 
greatly improve their services were they to compress and con-
dense their teaching enough at least to get in a little talk to 
the children. It would be well for them to decrease the area 
covered, and increase the thickness with which they spread the 
truth. It might not be out of place to remark that fifteen 
minutes of concentrated, focused, purposeful effort will accom-
plish almost infinitely more than an hour's scattering talk. A 
shortening up of discourses would greatly increase the influence 
of many a worker among those who have to listen. And the 
shorter service accomplishes very much more real good. 
What to talk about to the children may bother some. If one 
will put his thoughts to work, he will find a great variety of 
material from which to draw. The children's Sabbath school 
lesson, or something that would run parallel to the lesson, is 
helpful. Practical demonstrations can be made most interest-
ing and profitable. Whole books of suggestions have been 
written for those who desire help in working for the children. 
Even the retelling of the story of the Sabbath school lesson 
is very good. It will afford good training to the one conducting 
the service. The ability to tell a story well is one that can be 
cultivated by practice. The essential thing is to re-live the 
story, and tell it in your own words. Draw a few practical 
lessons. Talk life, not theory. Every one is more interested 
in how some one lived and how he was able to work out the 
principles of righteousness in his life, than in a dry, formal 
"You ought to do this, or that." The ability to teach the 
truth in this living, vital way will be developed by feeding the 
children. 
Try it, Brother Church Elder! �
RICHARD F. FARLEY. 
Vineland, H. J. 
Looking Upstream 
ONE time when I was on a trip my horse wanted to drink 
out of an irrigation ditch. He could not reach the water, so 
he got down into the ditch, but he descended with his head 
downstream. Stepping in, he made the water roily. He did 
not like it muddy so lie stepped around, making it worse. 
The water was bad, so be pawed, and stirred it up more 
and more. Then he refused to drink. The water that had 
looked so good to the horse, did not taste good, just because 
he had gotten into the ditch wrong end to. 
Did you ever see a person in the ditch with his head down-
stream? Of course you have. There are many of them in our 
churches—lay members and even leaders. There are always 
those who criticize the other members. No one does anything 
quite right, but the one who is criticizing. Of course he is 
all right and the others aye all wrong. 
We have seen people who thought that the conference presi-
dent did not do things right, the canvassing agent was not the 
man for the place, the secretary did not report right, and the 
treasurer and others of the field did not spend in the right way 
the money intrusted to them, so they would give no more 
offerings to support such people. 
Is every one but yourself wrong? If so, it is time for you 
to take a look within. Turn about face. Take of the pure` 
water of God's blessings that come fresh from the fountain 
of life, and don't be spoiling the water in the stream for 
yourself, and for others farther down, by pawing and kicking 
around. Have more sense than the horse. 
A. H. FIELD. 
Broken Stone Mission, Puno, Peru. 
Only a Cog 
"PM but a cog in life's wheel 
That daily makes the same old trip; 
Yet what a joy it is to feel 
That but for me the wheel might slip. 
'Tis something, after all, to jog 
Along, and be a first-class cog." 
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE �
3 
Thome ftlitoOtonarp Department 
Religious Liberty Day Program 
(To be Held Sabbath, March 7) 
OPENING SONG: No. 683, " Christ in Song." 
Scripture Lesson: Rev. 13: 11-18. 
Song: No. 735, " Christ in Song." 
Report: The church missionary secretary should give brief 
report of the missionary work of the church during the past 
month. Individual reports should be made out and placed in 
the baskets when the offering is taken. 
Prayer. 
Reading: " The Image of the Beast and Healing the Papal 
Wound." 
Special Prayer for God's Continued Protection. 
Offering for Religious Liberty Work. 
Closing Song: No. 789, " Christ in Song." 
Benediction. 
Note to the Leaders 
Tun announcement of the Religious Liberty Day for March 
7 should be made on the previous Sabbath, so our people may 
come prepared to give a liberal offering for the Religious Lib-
erty work, and also that they may not fail to renew their sub-
scriptions and their clubs to the Liberty magazine. 
On Religious Liberty Day the special offer of subscriptions 
to the Liberty magazine is only twenty-five cents to individual 
addresses. A special effort should be made to have our people 
take four yearly subscriptions for one dollar, one copy for them-
selves, and the other three for some prominent officials or pro-
fessional people in their own town or city —judges, lawyers, 
editors, mayor, councilmen, ministers, professional men, and 
also for city and school libraries, etc. If the church missionary 
society orders a club of fifty copies for the entire year, it 
can obtain the same for $12.50 for the entire club, for 
the year. Single copies sell for twenty cents, and this leaves 
a good margin of profit to those who desire to sell them. The 
money, raised for the clubs is utilized by the churches for this 
purpose, but the annual offering for the general Religious Lib-
erty work is sent on to the local conference treasurer. These 
funds are sorely needed to send the Liberty magazine to all 
state officials and legislators and to meet other emergencies 
which arise in the Religious Liberty work. 
If the leaders so desire, we shall be glad to send them inter-
esting up-to-date matter relative to recent developments in 
the Sunday law situation before Congress and the forty-four 
State legislatures which will meet this winter and spring, and 
also other happenings, just before Religious Liberty Day. 
C. S. LONGACRE. 
The Image of the Beast 
THE third angel's message is a warning against accepting 
the worship of "the beast" and "the image of the beast," and 
a protest against "the mark of the beast." This message is 
the last message of mercy and enlightenment which God sends 
to the inhabitants of the whole earth. This last message is 
to reach "every nation- and tribe and tongue and people." 
When this all-important message has been proclaimed "unto 
thorn that dwell on the earth," then the work of mercy is 
finished and Christ comes to earth in judgment. The judgments 
that attend the rejection of the third angel's message have never 
been rivaled in the history of the world. Those who continue 
to drink "the wine of Babylon" after they have rejected the 
third angel's message, will then be compelled to " drink of the 
wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the 
cup of His anger." Rev. 14: 10, R. V. 
When we read of this terrible denunciation and judgment, it 
behooves us to have a correct understanding of what the third 
angel's message really is. Many of the Protestant and Catholic 
clergymen admit that they know absolutely nothing as to what 
the meaning of the third angel's message is in the fourteenth 
chapter of Revelation. But the saddest part of it all is that 
we are told in the spirit of prophecy that "not all our minis-
ters who are giving the third angel's message, really understand 
what constitutes that message. The National Reform move-
ment has been regarded by some as of so little importance that 
they have not thought it necessary to give much attention to it, 
and have even felt that in so doing, they would be giving time 
to questions distinct from the third angel's message. May the 
Lord forgive our brethren for thus interpreting the very mes-
sage for this time."—" Testimonies," Vol. V, p. 715. 
" There have been surprising indifference and inactivity in 
this time of peril. Truth, present truth, is what the people 
need; and if the startling significance of the movements now 
in progress in regard to the religious amendment, had been 
realized by our brethren in every church; if they had discerned 
in these movements the plain, direct fulfilment of prophecy, 
calling upon them to arouse to the demands of the crisis, they 
would not now be in such stupor and deathlike slumber. The 
Word of God is not silent in regard to this momentous time, 
and it will be understood by all who do not resist His Spirit 
by determining not to heal, not to receive, not to obey."—Id., 
page 719. 
Some of our people have looked upon the National Reform 
movement as a dead issue, but the National Reform Association 
today is much stronger and more influential than it ever has 
been. Ageording to the latest annual report, they now have 
thirty-five lecturers in the field who give their entire time to the 
propagation of their principles and raising funds in the churches 
for their work on a five-year pledging plan, of a dollar a month 
upwards to $500 a year. The Lord's Day Alliance, which is so 
active today, is the old American Sabbath Association, which 
was organized by the National Reform movement. There are 
eighteen different Protestant denominations that have definitely 
affiliated themselves with the Lord's Day Alliance, and are 
supporting and indorsing its drastic program for a national 
Sunday law. The National Reform Association is just now 
advocating the adoption of a religious amendment to our 
Federal Constitution, and is petitioning Congress with resolu-
tions to adopt its proposed religious amendment. The issues 
which this organization brought to the front thirty years ago 
are now renewed with tenfold greater vigor and strength than 
before. There are more than twenty Protestant organizations 
that are actively engaged in lobbying Congress, both far a 
drastic Sunday law and for the adoption of a religious amend-
ment to the Federal Constitution, known as the "Twentieth 
Amendment." All that Sister White has written about this 
reform movement is coming true, and it is high time that we 
wake up and face the real issues before us. 
What is the image of the beast, against whose worship the 
third angel warns us? Naturally we have to ascertain first 
what the worship of the beast is in order to determine the 
image of the beast. All Protestant Bible commentators are 
agreed that "the beast" and the "woman sitting upon a 
scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven 
heads and ten horns," refer to papal Rome with the apostate 
Christian church seated upon the throne of universal empire 
and supreme in power and authority for twelve centuries, as the 
prophetic outline gives it in the book of Revelation. 
Papal Rome was the church and state united, with the 
Catholic Church in supreme authority. It was the woman [the 
church] that was " drunken with the blood of the saints, and 
with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus." It was "the kings 
of the earth" that "committed fornication" with the woman, 
— that is, formed unholy alliances and state and church unions, 
for the purpose of crushing "the saints of the Most High." 
This woman that sat upon the beast employed force and carnal 
means to enforce its worship, under the penalty of death. 
Finally the beast that persecuted and led the saints into cap-
tivity and slew them by the sword, was itself led into captivity 
and received a deadly wound by the sword. The power of the 
beast and the authority of the woman were held in abeyance 
and subjugated to a higher authority which took them into 
captivity and robbed them of their dominions for the time 
being. This deadly wound was inflicted in 1798 when the 
French army took the Pope of Rome captive, and sent him into 
exile and began to despoil his dominions. 
Just at this time John the revelator saw "another beast" 
arising out of the earth, having " two horns like a lamb." This 
beast was different in its character and in the coming up, from 
all other beasts that arose before it. It was a new nation with 
new ideals and democratic principles of government that was 
to arise at this time. 
Just one nation in the world came into existence at the time 
the papal power was led into captivity, which meets the lamb-
like characteristics of this beast symbol, and that is the great 
American Republic. It was in this new republican form of 
government that the religious organizations were, in time, to 
4 �
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE 
" make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, 
and did live." 
What is an image? An image is a likeness or imitation or 
reproduction of something. An image of the papal power 
must of necessity be another ecclesiastical organization which 
seeks a union with the civil government, and attempts to set 
its will and authority up as supreme over the state, and con-
sequently over all individuals who hold divergent religious be-
liefs. It is another religious organization which employs force 
and carnal weapons to subjugate dissenters, in order to es-
tablish its supremacy. It will persecute and exercise all the 
authority and power of the papal power that went before it, 
even to the boycott and the death penalty. 
;rust as the kings of the earth committed spiritual fornication 
with the woman [the papal church] and upheld her in her cruel 
persecutions, so we read that this great Republic will ultimately 
lose its lainblike characteristics, and will speak "as a dragon. 
And he exereiseth all the power of the first beast before him, 
. . . and he had power to give life unto the image of the 
beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause 
that as many as would not worship the image of the beast 
should be killed." 
Are there any indications that such religious organizations 
are arising in America as to warrant the fulfilment of this 
prophecy in the near future? Without indulging in personal-
ities, any one who has read the newspapers and religious pe-
riodicals in America during the last few years, knows full well, 
if he knows anything, that a great ecclesiastical machine of 
tremendous proportion and of great influence has entered into 
the political arena, and has practically adopted the same politi-
cal methods and the same carnal means to accomplish its aims 
and to defeat its opponents as were employed by the papal 
church in medieval times in Europe. The likeness of the beast 
is in the forming, and its nucleus of apostate Protestantism 
has already perfected an organization which employs the same 
cruel methods of persecution as were used by its predecessor—
the Church of Rome. 
The employment by a Protestant organization of Roman 
methods and means is "an image to the beast." When you 
see banners floating in the air in America, like these: "One 
Law, one Flag, one School, one Church, one Sunday," you may 
know that "an image to the beast" is in the forming by the 
organization that sets up such a standard; and when an 
organization proposes to disfranchise, boycott, dispossess, and 
send into exile all who refuse to subscribe or submit to such 
a program, we may know that the latter part of the thirteenth 
chapter of Revelation is not far from fulfilment. 
Healing the Papal Wound 
This same prophecy states that the papal wound was to be 
healed. The beast of Revelation thirteen and fourteen was 
and still is located in Europe. It was there that the deadly 
wound was inflicted in 1798 and the papal dominions, taken 
away in 1870, according to the prophecies of Daniel and John 
the revelator. Since the World War the Roman Church has 
practically come to her own in Europe. Everywhere in Europe 
she is coming to the front and is gaining her former supremacy 
of power and prestige over the nations which once abandoned 
her, and Protestants are quietly acquiescing in her intrigues and 
political policies. The Protestants have ceased to protest, and 
are making overtures to clasp hands with Romanism. In the 
very strongholds of Luther and the German Reformation the 
Roman Catholics are rearing new cloisters and churches, while 
the Protestant strongholds and churches are falling into decay. 
In Germany alone, the Roman Catholic hierarchy has erected, 
since the World War, over seven hundred new cloisters and 
churches, whereas the Protestants have only erected some thirty 
new church edifices during the same period, and their old 
churches are grossly neglected. The Catholic hierarchy bought 
large estates and renovated many of the old castles when the 
German mark was worthless, and thus obtained with foreign 
money some of the most valuable and finest estates and old-
time church edifices and cathedrals for a mere trifle. Catholic 
shrines, crosses, and parades are now evident everywhere, even 
in the countries where they were once forbidden by the Prot-
estant states. This incident alone shows the tremendous growth 
and restoration of Catholic Church power and authority in 
Protestant countries. 
Even in Protestant England, the Anglican churcN through 
its bishops, has made an overture this last year to the Pope 
of Rome, expressing its willingness to join the fold of the 
Roman Catholic Church on certain conditions which they sub-
mitted. The Pope of Rome in' reply demanded an absolute 
and unconditional surrender and submission to the authority 
of the Roman hierarchy and its doctrines before he could 
entertain the thought of their return to the fold of Rome. 
Likewise, the bishops of the Lutheran Church in several of the 
European countries met last September and made a similar 
overture to the Pope of Rome, and the Pope's reply was the 
same. 
The persecuting power of the Roman Church, which she ex-
ercised in the days of medieval times, is being renewed with all 
its former vigor in certain European countries where she is 
now in absolute control. The state governments in these coun-
tries are completely subordinated to the authority of the papal 
hierarchy. Many of the highest offices in the civil government 
are filled by Catholic priests. The old laws against heretics 
are being invoked against the minority Protestant sects. In 
these priest-ridden countries the Catholics are determined that 
the true Protestant principles shall not obtain a foothold. 
Frequently our people are not only beaten and imprisoned, 
but actually, in several instances during the past two years, they 
had to face the stake and would have been burned if God had 
not interposed through His appointed agencies. It is no new 
experience to have all their books taken from them and burned, 
and for whole churches to be beaten with rods and imprisoned 
for weeks at a time for no other cause than meeting together 
in their own houses on the Sabbath day to worship God. Some 
of the atrocities which have been committed at the instigation 
of the Catholic priests are equal to the atrocities they used to 
inflict upon the Waldensians in medieval times. The scene of 
conflict has been transferred from the Alps to the more east-
ern and southern countries of Europe. 
Certainly "the deadly wound" of the papal power is well-
nigh healed in Europe, and the Pope of Rome is exercising his 
former authority in religion and polities much after the fashion 
that he enjoyed during his former supremacy among the nations 
of Europe. Europe is under the hammer of ecclesiasticism as 
in former times. The Roman Church is a gigantic political 
machine in Europe today, and makes her oppressive hand felt 
wherever her sway is opposed. 
Truly, events are moving in harmony with God's prophetic 
outline of history, both in Europe and in America, for it is 
the religious and political history of Europe and America that 
God has so briefly outlined in the thirteenth chapter of the 
book of Revelation, for the benefit of those who " read " and 
"hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which 
are written therein: for the time is at hand." 
The spirit of prophecy, in commenting upon the wonderful 
work done by the leaders of the great Protestant Reformation 
in behalf of the cause of religious liberty, which standard has 
since been forsaken by their followers, says: " The banner of 
truth and religious liberty which these reformers held aloft, 
has in this last conflict been committed to us." 
The newspapers in both America and Europe have repeatedly 
published the statement that " Seventh-day Adventists are the 
apostles and champions to whom the banner of religious liberty 
is committed." 
The question is, Will we accept this great responsibility 
which even the world recognizes that God has laid upon us? 
Sister White says: 
"The responsibility for this great gift rests with those whom 
God has blessed with a knowledge of His Word." " The pecul-
iar work of the third angel has not been seen in its impor-
tance." " We as a people have not accomplished the work which 
God has committed to us. We are not ready for the issue to 
which the enforcement of the Sunday law will bring us. It is 
our duty, as we see the signs of approaching peril, to arouse to 
action. Let none sit in calm expectation of the evil, comforting 
themselves with the belief that this work must go' on because 
prophecy has foretold it, and that the Lord will shelter His 
people. We are not doing the will of God if we sit in quie-
tude, doing nothing to preserve liberty of conscience. Fervent, 
effectual prayer should be ascending to heaven that this calam-
ity may be deferred until we can accomplish the work which 
A Lesson in Life 
I WAS up near the city road one day, 
Some men were digging a drain; 
The sky was dark, and the streets were gray 
With a misty, drizzling rain. 
I had done my work and was hurrying by, 
But one is bound to know 
What's up when he hears a frightened cry 
And a crowd begins to grow. 
Ill news flies fast. The word was passed: 
" The drain! " " The props! " and " Save! " 
The earth had slipped and the men were fast— 
Three souls in a living grave. 
They had mates at hand, by luck, poor chaps, 
Who hurried with pick and rope. 
Thought I, They'll dig them out, perhaps. 
But little the worse, I hope. 
So I stood and watched them for a while, 
As I'd nothing else to do. 
They threw the earth in a goodly pile, 
And one of the lads got through. 
" Hurrah! " went up from the waiting throng 
And rang through the misty air. 
A girl I knew came running along, 
And sighted me standing there, 
"O Jim! " she gasped, "can't you help? Go! Go! " 
And she seized and shook my arm. 
T' Your brother is there—is buried below 
And you standing there so calm!" 
My brother! " Then in a second's space 
I was digging away like mad, 
Fearing to light on his poor dead face— 
The only brother I had. 
I got him out with a bruise or two, 
With nothing of harm beside; 
You'd scarcely think what I say is true, 
But I then broke down and cried. 
To think I'd been standing, staring there 
When my kin was like to die, 
Letting the others do all my share, 
Out of sheer stupiditi, 
It seems to me when I come to think, 
That our life on earth goes so— 
Some standing safely upon the brink, 
Some sunk in the depths below; 
And I'm sure if people only knew 
That their brothers were like to die, 
They'd hasten to see what they could do 
Instead of just standing by. 
— Selected. 
• 
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE �
5 
has so long been neglected."—"Testinunvies," Vol. V, pp. 718, 
714. 
The work of the angel in Revelation 7, that called upon 
-the "four angels standing on the four corners of the earth" 
to hold the "winds " till the servants of the living God were 
sealed with "the seal of the living God," Sister White says, 
points directly to 'the religious liberty work which God's people 
-are to do now to hold off the approaching crisis in the im-
pending conflict. 
In every corner of the earth the hand of oppression is being 
lifted to strike down the dissenters. Powerful religious organ-
izations are at work to overthrow the principles of religious 
liberty and to bind us hand and foot so we cannot work or 
practise our religious beliefs. In America alone there are more 
than twenty powerful religious organizations working for our 
overthrow. Let us do our part today in furnishing means and 
literature, so our religious liberty message may continue to 
hold back the winds of strife and commotion and religious 
persecution till the work of God is finished. The angels of 
heaven are co-operating with us, and we must not fail them. 
Let every one give a liberal offering and supply himself with 
religious liberty literature, especially Liberty, which has become 
,ohe of the most popular magazines among the great men of our 
-nation. God will bless each one in basket and store that enters 
into a covenant of sacrifice with Him today. 
C. S. LONGACRE, 
THE spirit of Christ in the heart is like a spring in the 
desert, flowing to refresh all, and making those who are ready 
to perish, eager to drink of the water of life.—"Steps to 
Christ," p. 82. 
"A Lesson from the Mohammedans" 
UNDER this caption the Literary Digest prints the following 
startling information, that should be a challenge to every Chris-
tian everywhere: 
" The greatest conflict going on in the world today, we are 
told, is that betweeh Christianity and Mohammedanism. No 
blood is being spilled, but Christianity is said to be losing 
ground where once it had a golden opportunity. In certain 
great areas, says the Watchman Examiner (Baptist), Moham-
medanism is winning, and is spreading with terrible speed 
because its followers are doing what Christians have forgotten 
how to do! Whereas Christians take their religion casually, 
every Mohammedan convert is said to become an evangelist. 
We are told that almost any evening one can see Mohammedans 
seeking converts from Christianity and Hinduism. 
"'They are not Mohammedan priests who are doing this, but 
ordinary Mohammedan believers. In a newspaper that came 
to us from Lahore not long ago, there was given a list of 
native missionaries of Mohammedanism. In that list there 
were the names of school-teachers, government clerks, a dealer 
in carts, a newspaper editor, a bookbinder, a workman in a 
printing establishment. They were a group of people just like 
the members of any Christian congregation. Some of them did 
one thing and some another to earn their daily bread, and 
when their day's work was over, they went out and used their 
leisure time in seeking to win converts to their religion. Do 
you wonder that Mohammedanism is spreading like wildfire all 
over Africa, while it holds its•own in Asia, and we seem unable 
to thrust it out of Europe?'" 
Not only should this message be a challenge to Christianity 
itself, causing it to be stirred to its depths, but it should be 
a great lesson to us. Our denomination has grown only in pro-
portion as our people have caught the vision of individual 
service. We have counted on our dear people everywhere giving 
the trumpet a certain sound. As soon as a soul is born into 
this message, there is born in his heart a great desire to tell 
this glorious truth to some one else. As stated by Elder 
Daniells at the Home Missionary Departmental meeting, Gen-
eral Conference assembly room, Dee. 30, 1920, "There is one 
strong prevailing principle in the minds of Seventh-day Advent-
ists everywhere, and that is the strong desire which burns in 
the hearts of people to tell this message immediately when they 
get it. And this is just as true of the Chinaman, the Indian, 
or the African, as it is of the American. There is no difference. 
Just as soon as they get this light, the first impulse of 
every one of them, no matter of what race or color, is to give 
it. �
And there is the basis of this movement —it is founded 
on careful nurture of all Christian work." 
The spirit of personal service should never die out of the 
individual. It is the "first love" that prompts it, and when 
this desire is dead, it is simply a symptom that the religious 
experience is at a low ebb. It is the danger signal. How many 
of our people are in this condition, God only knows, but we are 
certain there .are a large number. Too many of our members 
take their religion casually. Here we have Mohammedanism 
succeeding where Israel failed. In the former, every convert is 
urged to become an evangelist, a promulgator of their ideas; 
and today they number their adherents by the million, while 
Israel, with the same chance, covered up individual service and 
responsibility, and substituted forms and ceremonies for the 
work they should have done. 
What a valuable lesson for Seventh-day Adventists! Shall 
we not take it to heart? From Genesis to Revelation sounds 
the message of individual service. Passage after passage of 
Scripture urges this personal work. " As every man hath re-
ceived the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as 
good stewards of the manifold grace of God." That is the 
story. The servant of the Lord has borne strong testimony to 
the same thing. " Every true disciple is born into the kingdom 
of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the living water 
becomes a fountain of life." —" The Desire of Ages," p. 195. 
"God expects personal service from every one," —" Tes-
timonies," Vol. IX, p. 80. 
"We should all be workers together with God."—Review 
and Herald, Feb. 15, 1887. 
" To every one work has been allotted, and no one can be a 
substitute for another."—Review and Herald, Dec. 12, 1898. 
6 �
rHE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE 
"Those who have united with the Lord in the covenant of 
service are under bonds to unite with Him in the great, grand 
work of soul-saving."—"Testimonies," 'Vol. VII, p. 19. 
Dozens of similar passages could be quoted from the servant 
of the Lord, but these should be enough to stir us' to greater 
effort. Do not the times justify a greater personal service than 
we have yet rendered? "Long has God waited for the spirit 
of service to take possession of the whole church, so that every 
one shall be working for Him according to his ability." — 
" The Acts of the Apostles," p. 111. We read that before the 
end " every sanctified heart will be pressed into service as an 
instrument of divine power."—" Testimonies," Vol. IX, p. 47. 
May God help us all to become " evangelists " in giving this 
precious truth with power. Let us all remember this lesson well, 
for "the work of God in this earth can never be finished Until 
the men and women comprising our church membership rally 
to the work, and unite their efforts with those of ministers and 
church officers." �
p. 117. �
E. F. HACKMAN, 
Assistant Home Missionary Secretary General Conference. 
The Tools of Evangelism 
WREN the Carpenter of Nazareth told the disciples that He 
would build His church, He had in mind the work of many 
spiritual carpenters. They were to help Him in the great en-
terprise, and He would show them 'the use of tools. The great-
est of all implements is the Word of God,' and our Lord has 
put it into our hands for use. " Give diligence to present thy-
self approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be 
ashamed, handling aright the word of truth." Elsewhere Paul 
compared the Christian to a soldier, but here he says "work-
man." Our Lord, the Carpenter, might have called the Word 
a hammer, or a saw, or an adz, a plain tool of a skilful car-
penter. There is no tool keener or better than the Word of 
God. 
There are many well-modeled and helpful tools of evangelism. 
They supplement the Word by making it available to the man 
who wants to win people to Christ and build them into the liv-
ing walls of the church. Especially should these " toots " be 
in the hands of every church elder and minister and all who 
are seeking to build up the Layman's Missionary Movement 
in their church. 
The biggest and best tool we have outside the Word of God 
is the " Testimonies" of His Spirit. They are full of instruc-
tion on the laymen's part in this great closing work, and we 
should feel free to use them at all times. 
"Christian Service," just off the press, is a book we long 
have been waiting for. In it, all quotations on service and 
personal responsibility axe compiled, and every worker will find 
it a valuable help. No worker should be without it. 
"Lessons for Home Missionary Institutes," another book 
published during 1924, is proving a wonderful help in training 
and educating our church members for soul-winning service. 
This will especially be helpful in conducting institutes and in 
organizing missionary bands of all kinds, for the lessons con-
tained are simple, yet convincing and to the point. 
"Soul-Winning," by Elder G. B. Thompson, is an intensely 
interesting book for all soul-winners. It will stir people every-
where. Its object is to give our members a real burden for 
souls. Use it, brother, and God will witness to its contents. 
" Recruiting for Christ," by Dr. Stone, is a course in hand-
to-hand methods with men. The great church of which Dr. 
Stone is pastor, has received nearly a thbusand members on con-
fession of faith during the last five years, and has made a net 
gain of 25 per cent. 
"Enlisting for Christ and the Church," by Dr. Howard 
Agnew Johnston, is an inspiring book. It is a textbook for 
serious study, containing fifteen studies for fifteen weeks, a 
topic for every day in the week. The appeal to the pastor is 
to make room for training in evangelism. Have classes formed, 
select a textbook, instruct spiritual builders in the use of the 
carpenter's tool, the Word of God. 
Dr. Charles Goodell is sounding the note of personal expe-
rience. In his "Pastor and Evangelist" he writes: "Since 
the evangel for today is one of personal experience, it can only 
be wrought out by personal work. . . . It is a time when our 
pastors must throttle ease in the study, and go out into the 
streets and into the homes with a zeal that flames in their 
cheeks and moistens their eyes, to solicit men to accept the: 
salvation of Christ, without which they are undone." 
Dr. Goodell does not let the laymen escape in his insistent 
and persuasive appeal. He writes: " It is time when laymen 
must cease to call religion an experience of ministers, and 
must go out like the laymen who laid the foundations of the 
church in the first century, to bring their brothers and their 
friends to Him who is the light of the world." 
The Home Missionary Department will be glad to furnish a 
list of other books to any one desiring such reading matter. 
Keep your tool kit full at all times, and make use of these 
tools. Your vision will grow just in proportion as you keep on 
reading and practising the things you ,need. 
GENERAL CONFERENCE HOME MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT. 
Extension Fund for Publishing, Medical, and EduCa-
tional Work 
Church Officers, Lay Your Plans Now! 
AT the last Fall Council, held at Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 
14-23, 1924, it was voted that the Missions Press Extension 
Fund of 1925 be supplemented to include $50,000 for Educa-
tional and Medical Missionary Extension. Thus another ad-
vanced step is taken in our plans to bring the message of a 
soon-coming Saviour to all the world. Since the birth of this 
idea, the total funds raised in the Missions Press Extension 
campaign have been used to' build and equip publishing houses 
in all parts of the world. Now this work is being enlarged to 
include the building of new dispensaries and schools in mission 
fields. 
The Educational budget allows $24,000 for school work in 
Czecho-Slovakia, Poland, India, Africa, Chile, and Central Amer-
ica. New buildings will be erected in some cases, while in 
others much-needed equipment will be furnished. Will not our 
brethren in foreign fields rejoice for this added improvement? 
The medical budget includes a total of $26,000, to be dis-
tributed in various countries where the crying needs demand 
more medical extension. The Far East, South America, South 
Africa, Southern Asia, and Inter-America will all be benefited. 
Dispensaries and hospitals will be maintained in places where 
the needs are greatest. 
Altogether a total of $135,000, will be allotted to this three-
fold extension campaign. The medical, publishing, and educa-
tional work, a threefold union to carry forward to a glorious 
completion a threefold message! Thank God for the new plans 
to finish the work. The time set for this campaign is May 2-9. 
All church officers and workers everywhere should begin now 
to lay their plans for this extensive effort. Careful plans must 
be laid. Your church and district should be thoroughly organ-
ized. We would advise all church missionary committees to 
give diligent study to the plans sent out. Literature must be 
ordered, for, as usual, we shall ask all our people everywhere to 
raise their goal by the sale of literature. 
Now is the time to prepare for this campaign. Under God 
we want to put forth a greater effort than ever. Surely the 
times justify us in throwing our all into it. Remember, pre-
paredness counts in the end, and thorough organization will 
surely bring success. �
HOME MISSIONARY. DEPARTMENT. 
The Story of a Popular Hymn 
THE following story of the origin of the hymn, " It Is 
Well with My Soul," illustra es faith. The author of the 
hymn, Mr. H. G. Spafford, gas a member of the Chicago 
bar, and an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was very 
successful in his profession, and accumulated a competency, 
and, being a true, devoted Christian, noted for his kindness 
and generosity, he lived very happily with his family. But 
he made some unfortunate investments, and in the finan-
cial panic of 1873, which proved so disastrous to the business 
of the country, his earnings were lost, and he and his family 
reduced to destitute circumstances. The blow was a heavy 
one, and brought deep distress to the members of his family. 
However, kind friends came to their rescue, and generously 
proposed that, while he endeavored to recoup his losses, 
Mrs. Spofford and the children visit Europe, hoping that the 
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE �
7 
diversion would cause them to forget their troubles. The 
proposition was accepted, and preparations for the journey 
were begun. 
In November of that year Mrs. Spafford and her four 
daughters set sail on board the French liner " Ville du 
Havre." In mid-ocean the steamship collided with the 
Glasgow clipper "Lock Earn," and in twelve minutes the 
former sank, carrying to a watery grave two hundred 
thirty souls, among whom were included the four Spafford 
girls. Mrs. Spafford herself also went down with the ship, 
but rose again, and was rescued. She with the other pas-
sengers who were fortunate enough to escape, was sent to 
Havre, and from that city she sent the following telegram 
to her husband in Chicago: " Saved, but saved alone. What 
shall I do? " This message, with its tale of sorrow, was 
the first intimation that Mr. Spafford received of the dread-
ful disaster. He at once left for Europe, and went to the 
bedside of his suffering wife, and as soon as it was prudent, 
returned with her to Chicago. 
In the midst of sorrow like this the hymn was written. 
When Mr. Spafford reflected that his property was all lost, 
his wife painfully prostrated, and his four daughters 
snatched from him at once by what seemed to be the fell 
hand of a pitiless fate, he yielded not to doubt and despair, 
but "endured, as seeing Him who is invisible." He still 
believed, despite the dark and mysterious providence, that 
"all things work together for good to them that love God," 
and there came forth from his heart of triumphant faith 
and unclouded love that hymn of trust and resignation 
which has many times encircled the globe: 
" When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, 
When sorrows like sea billows roll; 
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, 
' It is well, it is well with my soul.' 
"Though Satan shoUld buffet, though trials should come, 
Let this blest assurance control, 
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, 
And hath shed His own blood for my soul. 
"My sin —0 the bliss of the glorious thought! —
My sin — not in part, but the whole — 
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more; 
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, 0 my soul! " 
This hymn, with its musical accompaniment by the late 
P. P. Bliss, is one of the most popular of the many gospel 
songs written in recent years, and has been productive of 
good. At a religious meeting held some years ago in one of 
our large cities, the story of the hymn was told with pathos, 
and afterward the choir and congregation, with much ten-
derness of expression and fervor of soul, sang the hymn. 
The entire audience was deeply affected. 
Attending the service was a gentleman who had suffered 
heavy financial loss. He was a Christian, earnest and de-
voted, but had never become entirely reconciled to his 
misfortune, and at times felt sore and disconsolate. But 
when he heard of Mr. Spafford's affliction, and was told of 
his sweet spirit of resignation, he experienced a happy 
change of feeling and thought, and on returning home, said 
to his wife, " I will never again complain of my lot. If 
Spafford could write such a beautiful resignation hymn when 
he had lost all his children, and everything else save his 
wife and character, I ought surely to be thankful that my 
losses have been so light." — The Southern Watchman, Dec. 
8, 1903. 
Almost Is Not Enough 
IT is said that had Joffre continued his attack on the western 
front just two hours longer, the Germans would have been 
forced out of their last trench, and would have had to give 
up their line for probably one hundred miles or more. 
After the retreat of the Allies from the Gallipoli Peninsula, 
they learned that the British were on the very point of victory 
as they reached the crest of a certain hill. A few hours more 
,, 
�
�
of fighting would have given them this point of vantage, but 
the loss of the hill lost the battle, lost the Allies' army the 
opportunity of carrying the peninsula, lost the chance for the 
fall of Constantinople, lost the opportunity to unite with the 
Russians and thereby crowd the Austrians and Germans back 
to their confines. 
In the war of the world as well as in the individual battle of 
life, every effort up to a certain point may be lost by failure 
to continue that effort. Almost winning is not enough. His-
tory has no room in its pages for the man who almost invented, 
who almost conquered, who almost led a great movement. 
Cyrus Field almost laid the Atlantic cable three times, and the 
fourth time he did lay it, and in a few hours it was broken. 
But the greatness of Field lay in the fact that he continued, 
until today we have the great cables that link continents to-
gether. 
Richard Harding Davis was a cub reporter for years. Story 
after story that he submitted was turned down. Suppose after 
a dozen unsuccessful attempts at story-writing, he had quit. 
No one would have considered his efforts up to this point worth 
remembering. But he did continue to try to write stories — ten, 
twenty, fifty stories were attempted, and he finally succeeded be-
cause he continued enough. . 
Roll a heavy stone up a hill, and you may reach within an 
inch of the top, but if you don't push ahead that one inch, 
all the effort up the entire side of the hill is wasted, and back 
rolls the stone the entire length. Everything up to the top of 
the hill in the work for success is wasted if you give up too 
soon. 
In business, if a man puts in only a certain amount of money, 
works only a little amount of time, all his money and time are 
wasted. He loses everything. He fails. 
In athletics or war, the winning side must play the game 
just that much harder than its opponents. A nine-to-eight score 
is a defeat just as much as a nine-to-nothing score. It counts 
just as hard against you in the percentage column as the 
shut-out. 
In the contest for success,—in the greatest work of all, that 
of the church,—you must remember that all the rest of the 
world are bugy making their efforts. And you, to be a leader 
in the forces for right, must strive just that much harder than 
the forces of evil. And remember that up to a certain point 
you lose all if you stop. 
Almost is not enough! �
E. S. BRANDT. 
TRUE faith and true prayer —how strong they are! They 
are as two arms by which the human suppliant lays hold upon 
the power of Infinite Love.—"Gospel Workers," p. 8,50. 
THE INQUIRERS' CORNER 
Tuns corner will be used to answer questions concern-
ing the "better way" of planning missionary work, solv-
ing problems, and getting results. Pass in your questions, 
suggestions, etc., to the department. 
Question: How often should the missionary committee meet? 
Answer: The missionary committee of the church is a very 
important body, and should be called together by the chairman, 
or missionary leader, at least once a month, or oftener, as may 
seem necessary. A very appropriate time for the missionary 
committee meeting would be one week prior to the first Sabbath 
missionary meeting of the church. This will afford opportunity 
for the study and preparation of the program for the first 
Sabbath missionary meeting. At all times, the missionary com-
mittee should give careful study to the missionary program 
of its church, seeking to enlist every member in active soul-
winning service. 
Question: Please give a short suggestive program for mis-
sionary meetings. 
Answer: The following program may be altered to suit the 
occasion, but as far as possible this outline should be adhered to: 
1. Opening exercises — 10 minutes. 
2. Bible and Testimony study, or lesson on some line of 
missionary work — 15 minutes. 
3. Reports and experiences — 15 minutes. 
' 4. Plans for future work-5 minutes. 
8 �
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE 
filifizionarp Volunteer 
;Department 
Devotional Meeting for March 7 
Topic: Christian Citizenship. 
Senior 
1. Scripture Reading: Romans 13: 1-8. 
2. 'Talk: " The Christian and His Government." 
3. Talk: " The Christian and the Law." 
4. Talk: "The Christian and His Community." 
5. Recitation: "Neighborhood Improvement." 
Junior 
1. Leader's Two Minutes. 
2. Scripture Reading: Romans 13: 1-8. 
3. Superintendent's Talk: "Preparing for Citizenship." 
4. Talks: " Christian Statesmen." 
5. Recitation: "Neighborhood Improvement." 
6. Reading: "A Pioneer of Liberty." 
7. Close by singing the national hymn. 
Note to Leaders 
March 7 is to be the regular Religious Liberty Day. On that 
day an especially prepared program will be read in the churches. 
It is suitable then that the young people spend some time in 
studying questions regarding the relationship between them-
selves and their government. Additional material may be 
found in Liberty, First Quarter, 1925. In fact, there may 
be material which is more adapted to the local situation of your 
society than that presented here. So study that magazine, not 
only for material, but for suggestions. Choose a number of 
patriotic hymns and sing them with vigor. 
Senior Notes 
2. Talk: "The Christian and His Government."—The article 
in this issue by Elder Longacre, secretary of the Religious 
Liberty Department, may be the basis of this talk. There is 
also a very fine article in the Colorado Springs Convention 
Report (page 326) by S. B. Horton, a veteran of the religious 
liberty cause. If you do not have one of these reports in your 
church library, ask your Missionary Volunteer secretary or your 
conference president for his. Perhaps your pastor's library 
contains one. 
3. Talk: "The Christian and the Law."—What should be 
the attitude of Seventh-day Adventists toward a Sunday law? 
Are we denying the Lord if we do not openly defy it? This 
is a question we may all meet sooner or later. Following are 
some quotations from the spirit of prophecy regarding this 
point: 
" The light given me by the Lord at a time when we were 
expecting just such a crisis as you seem to be approaching, 
was that when the people were moved by a power from beneath 
to enforce Sunday observance, Seventh-day Adventists were 
to show their wisdom by refraining from work on that day, 
devoting it to missionary effort. 
" To defy the Sunday laws will but strengthen in their per-
secution the religious zealots who are seeking to enforce them. 
Give them no occasion to call you lawbreakers. If they are 
left to rein up men who fear neither God nor man, the rein-
ing up will soon lose its novelty for them, and they will see 
that it is not consistent nor convenient for them to be strict in 
regard to the observance of Sunday. Keep right on with your 
work' 
 with your Bibles in your hands, and the enemy will see 
that he has worsted his own cause. One does not receive the 
mark of the beast because he shows that he realizes the wisdom 
of keeping the peace by refraining from work that gives offense, 
doing at, the same time a work of the highest importance. 
When we devote Sunday to missionary work, the whip 
will be taken out of the hands of the arbitrary zealots who 
would be well pleased to humiliate Seventh-day Adventists. 
When they see that we employ ourselves on Sunday in visiting 
the people and opening the Scriptures to them, they will know 
that it is useless for them to try to hinder our work by making 
Sunday laws. 
" When a man, white or black, is arrested for Sunday break-
ing, he is placed at a great disadvantage. He is humiliated. 
And it is well-nigh hopeless for him to obtain a fair trial. 
Often when Sabbath keepers in the Southern States are arrested 
for working on Sunday, they are sent to the chain gang, where 
they are forced to work on Sabbath. The Lord does not com-
mand them to place themselves where they are obliged to dis-
honor His holy rest day. 
" Our churches should understand the methods to be used in 
avoiding this difficulty. Sunday can be used for carrying for-
ward various lines of work that will accomplish much for the 
Lord. On this day open-air meetings and cottage meetings can 
be held. House-to-house work can be done. Those who write, 
can devote this day to writing their articles. Whenever it is 
possible, let religious services be held on Sunday. Make these 
meetings intensely interesting. Sing genuine revival hymns, 
and speak with power and assurance of the Saviour's love. 
Speak on temperance and on true religious experience. You 
will thus learn much about how to work, and -will reach many 
souls."— Special Testimony, Aug. 17, 190.Z. 
What conclusion can be drawn in regard to our general atti-
tude toward the laws that govern us? 
4. Talk: "The Chri'tion and His Community."— This talk 
should be a practical dealing with the relationship between the 
Christian and his community. Study the following questions, 
and base your remarks on a similar outline: 
a. What is a Christian's part in promoting better roads, in 
seeing that there are adequate and suitable school advantages? 
b. How can a Christian prove himself a good citizen at a 
fire? 
Illustration: A fire had damaged a house badly. The fur-
niture had been removed hastily, and the place drenched. At 
last the excitement was over and the crowds had gone, leaving 
the owner alone with his stained walls, bare rooms, and nat-
tered furniture. It was then that the minister, a man over-
burdened with many cares, gathered the neighborhood boys 
together and assisted the family to round up and replace the 
furniture. He was a Christian neighbor, a good citizen in the 
community. 
a What is a Christian's duty in time of epidemic? 
We as a people have special light in the matter of healthful 
living and in treating the sick. Will not God hold us respon-
sible for the knowledge He has given us? At times when fear 
and sorrow are around us, will we not be held accountable for 
the comfort "wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God "I' 
What about the citizenship of the good Samaritan? (See Luke 
10: 33-36.) 
el. Have we any responsibility in our business dealings? 
e. Define a public-spirited man. 
f. What is a Christian's responsibility in regard to neigh-
borhood cleanliness, kept-up yards, etc.? 
Throughout your talk, keep in mind its purpose to set forth 
a practical Christian usefulness to the community, and in so 
doing, to the country. 
Junior Notes 
1. Leader's Two Minutes.— There is a great deal said about 
the public-spirited man and woman, but what about the boy 
and girl? Can a Junior be public-spirited? Can a boy or girl 
be a good citizen? If so, what makes him or her one? Some 
of these questions should be answered in the following program. 
3. Superintendent's Talk: "Preparing for CitizenshipP—
The purpose of this talk is to awaken the boys and girls to 
a sense of their responsibility in the affairs of the neighborhood. 
Study the outline suggested under " The Christian and His 
Community" of the Senior program. The following para-
graphs also contain food for thought. They were written in a 
letter by our much-admired President Theodore Roosevelt, to 
the secretary of the Boy Scouts organization of America. 
"I have been particularly interested in that extract of a 
letter from the Philippines, which runs as follows: 
"It might interest you to know that at a recent fire in 
Manila, which devastated acres of ground and rendered 3,000 
people homeless' 
 two patrols of the Manila Scouts reached the 
fire almost with the fire companies, reported to the proper au-
thorities, and worked for hours under very trying conditions, 
helping, frightened natives into places of safety, removing 
valuables and other articles from houses that apparently were 
in the path of the flames, and performing cheerfully and effi-
ciently all the tasks given to them by the firemen and Scout 
master. They were complimented in the public press, and in a 
kind editorial about their work.' 
"'What these boys of the Philippines have just done, I think 
our boys in every town and country district should train them-
selves to be able to do. No one can be a good American unless 
he is a good citizen, and every boy ought to train himself so 
that as a man he will be able to do his full duty to the com-
munity. I want to see the boys sing, ' My Country, 'Tis of 
Thee,' but act in a way that will give them a country to be 
proud of. No man is a good citizen unless he so acts as to show 
that he actually uses the ten commandments, and translates the 
golden rule into his life conduct—and I don't mean by this 
in exceptional cases under spectacular circumstances, but I 
mean applying the ten commandments and the golden rule in 
the ordinary affairs of everyday life. I hope the boys will 
practise truth and square dealing, and courage and honesty, 
so that when as young men they begin to take a part not only 
in earning their own livelihood, but in governing the commu-
nity, they may be able to show in practical fashion their in-
sistence upon the great truth that the eighth and ninth com-
mandments are directly related to everyday life. 
"Every healthy boy ought to feel and will feel that in 
order to amount to anything, it is necessary to have a con-
structive, and not merely a destructive nature; and if he can 
keep this feeling as he grows up, he has taken his first step 
toward good citizenship. 
"But the boy can do an immense amount right in the pres-
ent, entirely aside from training himself to be a good citizen 
in the future; and he can only do this if he associates himself 
with other boys. Let the boys see to it that the best use is 
made of the parks and playgrounds in their villages and home 
towns. Moreover, let the boys take the lead in seeing that the 
parks and playgrounds are turned to a really good account. I 
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE - 
hope, by the way, that one of the prime teachings among the 
Boy Scouts will be the teaching against vandalism. Let it 
be a point of honor to protect birds, trees and flowers, and so 
to make our country more beautiful, and not more ugly, be-
cause we have lived in it. 
" The same qualities that mean success or failure to the na-
tion as a whole, mean success or failure in men and boys in-
dividually. The boys must war against the same foes and vices 
that most hurt the nation; and they must try to develop the 
same virtues that the nation most needs. To be helpless, self-
indulgent, or wasteful, will turn the boy into a mighty poor 
kind of man, just as the indulgence in such vices by the men 
of a nation means the ruin of the nation. Let the boy stand 
stoutly against his enemies both from without and from 
within; let him show courage in confronting fearlessly one set 
Of enemies, and in controlling and mastering the others. If 
he doesn't treat his mother and sisters well, then he is a poor 
creature no matter what else he does; just as a man who 
doesn't treat his wife well is a poor kind of citizen no matter 
what his other qualities may be. And, by the way, don't ever 
forget to let the boy know that courtesy, politeness, and good 
manners must not be neglected. Mind, eye, muscle, all must 
be trained so that the boy can master himself, and thereby 
learn to master his fate." �
• 
4. Talks: "Christian Statesmen."—Give the two following 
questions to two juniors and ask each to answer his in a two-
minute talk. 
a. What did Joseph do for Egypt? 
b. How did Daniel prove a statesman of value to Babylon? 
6. Beading: "A Pioneer of Liberty."—This must necessarily 
be brief because of lack of space. If sources of information are 
available, encourage the Junior preparing this to add further 
facts. 
The Christian and His Government 
" Centismime citizenship " is a term which is much abused 
and misused. Many use it in a legal sense to justify religious 
legislation on the part of the civil government. Our nation 
is not a Christian nation in that sense. �
, 
On one occasion the Supreme Court said; �
It is hicorrect 
te say that Christianity is a part of the common. Jim of the 
land, however it may be in England, where there is a union of 
church and state, which is forbidden'here, ' The beautiful and 
divine precepts of the Nazarene do Milne* the conduct of our 
people and individuals, and are felt in legislation and in every 
department of activity. They profoundly impress and shape 
our civilization. But it is by this influence that' it acts, and 
not because it is a part of the organic, law,,,whieh expressly 
denies religion any place in the, supervision or control of secu-
lar affairs." 
George Washington, who wad, president of the, convention 
which adopted the United States Constitution, and chairman 
of the committee that wrote the treaty with Tripoli,. which 
has since become a part of our Federal ConstitUtioa„and of 
equal force, began that treaty as follows: "As the government 
of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded 
on the Christian religion." 
' The only sense in which it is proper to speak of " Christian 
citizenship," is in that it is permissible for Christians to 
discharge the duty of citizenship in civil affairs and to take 
part in regulating man's proper relationship with man, but 
not his proper relatianShip with God: In other words, it is 
the Christian's duty to render unto Cresar the things that are 
Cresar's through the state, and unto God the things that are 
God's through the church. theser stands for the state and for 
civil affairs, while God stands for the church and for the things 
that pertain exclusively to religion. It is very obvious that 
every citizen owes certain obligations and duties to Cresar or' 
the civil government, and Christ exhorts us to discharge these 
duties faithfully to the civil authorities. 
Paul in the thirteenth chapter of Romans likewise exhorts 
"every soul" to "be subject unto the higher powers." 
" The powers that be are ordained of God." The man whom 
God ordains to fill a position of public trust in civil govern-
ment, is called by Paul ," the minister of God." God spoke of 
King Cyrus as �" Thus saith the Lord to His anointed, 
to Cyrus, whose right hand; have ,holden, to subdue nations 
before him." isa. 0: 1., 
„ Thus does God rule in the affairs of nations. The question 
then arises, Ddes He expect' Ch'r'istians to leave all civil affairs 
to Him? or should they oast ,t1110)1fluPee and votes on the 
right side of what tbex,rensiderrgreat- issues of the day which 
may vitally affect theiritemPoralWeltare? ' The spirit of proph- 
eey answers the latter in the affirmative.' God's people are- to 
use the influence of their franchise when an issue is at staid. 
Some, we are told, will even become a power in legislative halls 
as did Daniel and Joseph of old, (See '"Fundamentals of 
Christian Education," pp. 82-88.) 
It is entirely beneath the ideals of Christian living:to play 
polities or take part in purely political questions. Sister White 
has spoken just as emphatically in opposition to such a course 
as she has in favor of true statesmanship and Statescraft. 
There is a vast difference between politics and stateseraft,loe-
tween a statesman and a politician. Joseph and Daniel were 
statesmen, not politicians. They were chosen for their positions 
because of their integrity. They were in high gOvernment 
employ as a result of their adherence to true principle. They 
were brought to the attention of their governments through no 
choice of their own, but through the slave systems of the 
times, that the leading of God in their lives might be all the 
more plain. 
To summarize then: A Cluistian can never be a politician,Init 
he can and will use every possible influence to make his govern-
ment clean, while conforming to the principles of liberty, right, 
and yet a defender of the weak. �C. S. LONGACRE. 
Neighborhood Improvement 
THERE'S much talk of conservation 
Of the trees and rivers grand, 
For we know their preservation 
Helps to beautify our land. 
We admit that talk like this will 
All promote the public good; 
But at present your first job is 
To improve your neighborhood. 
Small beginnings have big endings; 
And if you will make the startt 
You will see how quick your neighbor 
Pitches in and does his part. 
Then you'll find that it's contagious; 
Every house upon your street 
Will be vying with each other 
To keop looking clean and neat. 
Selected. 
A Pioneer of Liberty 
ALTHOUGH driven from their native land because of the per-
secution of those who adhered to the mother church, the Pilgrim 
Fathers refused to learn the lesson of tolerance for others. 
They were as harsh toward those that differed from them as 
their persecutors bad been toward them 
Roger Williams was one of the first to feel the sting of 
persecution in America. As an earnest young man he had 
dedicated his life to the Lord while still in England, and had 
chosen to east in his lot with the despised Puritans. 
When lie arrived in New England, he became assistant pastor 
of the Salem church. He soon began to have trouble, however, 
because he claimed that the magistrates' had no right to punish 
any one for Sabbath breaking. After a brief time, which he 
spent in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, where he studied the 
Indian language, he returned to Salem and became the pastor 
of the church. Again and again he was called before the 
magistrates because he claimed they had no right to make 
another worship in their way. He also believed and preached 
loudly that the land claimed by the colony belonged to the 
Indians until it was paid for by the white settlers. Finally, he 
was banished. Alone, in poor health, and in the dead of winter 
he wandered in the wilderness. He was treated kindly by the 
Indians, but he suffered much. He wrote of this experience, 
" I was sorely tossed for one fourteen weeks in a bitter season, 
not knowing what bread or bed did mean. I bear in my body 
to this day the effects of that winter's exposure.'.' 
Finally Roger Williams settled at Seekonk Cove, where his 
family and a few others joined him. This tiny village they 
named Providence in thankfulness to the God who had brought 
them through such bitter trial. They bought their land from 
the Indians, and the original deed is still preserved in the city 
hall of that city. 
10 �
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE 
And as to the other belief which had made them so unlike 
their neighbors, it was incorporated in a solemn compact which 
read, " We whose naives are hereunto written being desirous 
to inhabit the town of Providence, do promise to submit our-
selves in active and passive obedience to all such orders or 
agencies as shall be made for the public good . . . only in 
things civil." 
Thus was founded a colony which became the pattern of the 
government for the United States. Thus through bitterness and 
trial Roger Williams pioneered the way of liberty. 
Devotional Meeting for March 14 
Topic Thy Will Be Done. 
Senior 
1. Bible and Testimony Study. 
2. Talk: " What Is Your Life Doing to Others? " 
3. Recitation: "The World's Bible." 
4. Symposium: "What About Your Influence?" 
a. Recreation. 
b. Dress. 
a. Words. 
5. Reading: " The Power of Example:" 
6. Responses. 
Junior 
1. Leader's Remarks. 
2. Superintendent's Talk: "What About Your Influence?" 
3. Exercise: "Ten Little Candles." 
4. Talk: "Little Things." 
5. Reading: " What Sort of Friend Are You? " 
6. Recitation: " The World's Bible." 
7. Reading: " The Power of Example." 
Notes to Leaders 
Both the Senior and Junior programs have one purpose —
that of emphasizing the necessity of a complete consecration 
of the Christian's influence. Do we realize that we are de-
priving another of his just dues if we do not live up to the' 
best that is in us? 
Both Senior and Junior program committees should give 
special attention to making the opening exercises attractive. 
Be sure some one has the responsibility of proper song selec-
tions. If there are several items toJ speak of, ask different 
officers to assist in the announcements. 
Are you preparing now for your nature program? See note 
under program for March 21. 
Senior Notes 
1. Bible and Testimony Study.—Influence. Rom. 14:7; 
Matt 12:30. 
Examples of influences: 
a. Rehoboam's friends. 1 Kings 12: 10-16. 
b. Of Parents. 1 Kings 15: 2, 3; 2 Kings 21: 19, 20; 
2 Chron, 21:6. 
What should be the Christian's attitude? Matt. 18: 6, 7; 
1 Cor, 8: 9.13; 1 Cor. 10: 23, 28, 29; Gal. 4: 13; Rom, 14: 21. 
"Throw a pebble into the lake, and a wave is formed, and 
another, and another; and as they increase, the circle widens, 
until they reach the very shore. Thus our influence, though 
apparently insignificant, may continue to extend far beyond our 
knowledge or control."—Review, Jan. 24, 1882. 
"God's people are to be channels for the outworking of the 
highest influence in the universe."— "Testimonies," Vol. VI, 
p. 11. 
" Every uttered word exerts an influence, every action involves 
a train of responsibility. No one can live to himself in this 
world, even if he would. Each one forms a part of the great 
web of humanity, and through our individual threads of influ-
ence we are linked to the universe. Christ used His influence 
to draw men to God, and He has left us an example of the 
way in which we should speak and act. A person who is 
molded by the Spirit of God, will know how to speak a word in 
season to him that is weary,' and will realize the highest human 
blessedness,—the joy of imparting to others the precious 
treasures of the wisdom and grace of Christ. But those who 
permit themselves to be controlled by the enemy of all good 
will speak words which should never be uttered."—Review and 
Herald, Feb. 16, 1897. 
"Take heed lest by your example you place other souls in 
peril. It is a terrible thing to lose your own soul, but to 
pursue a course which will cause the loss of other souls is 
still more terrible. That our influence should result in a savor 
of death unto death is a terrible thought, and yet it is pos-
sible. With what holy jealousy, then, should we keep guard over 
our thoughts, our words, our habits, our dispositions, and our 
characters. God requires more deep, personal holiness on our 
part. Only by revealing His character can we co-operate with 
Him in the work of saving souls."—Special Testimony. 
"No limit can be set to our influence. One thoughtless act 
may prove the ruin of many souls."—"Testimonies," Vol. V, 
page 33. 
" The silent witness of a true, unselfish, godly life carries 
an almost irresistible influence."—"Christ's Object Lessons," 
page 340. 
Draw from your study of the texts and Testimonies, the 
fact that God expects every Christian to exert a positive in-
fluence for the right. This may be conducted as a question-
and-answer exercise,— the texts and references being given out 
previously, or as a study. 
S. Talk: "What Is Your Life Doing to Others?" —Keep in 
mind, in preparing your talk, that we are depriving others of 
their rights if we do not exert a Christian influence. Illustrate 
with the following: 
The story of the long journey of the Nez Pomo Indians is 
an example. This is fully described in " Winning the Oregon 
Country," by John T. Faris, a Reading Course book. The In-
dians came a perilous two thousand miles through an unfriendly 
wilderness to find the white man's Book. They were doomed 
to disappointment because those they met knew little of God. 
Following is the pathetic farewell speech of Ta-wis-sis-shn-vim 
as he was returning to his people: 
"I came to you over the trail of many moons, from the 
setting sun. You were the friends of my fathers, who have all 
gone the long way. I came with an eye partly open for my 
people who sit in darkness. I go back with both eyes closed. 
How can I go back blind to my blind people? I made my 
way to you with strong arms through many enemies and strange 
lands that I might carry back much to them. I go back with 
both arms broken and empty I Two fathers came with us; they 
were the braves of many snows and wars. We leave them 
asleep here by your great water and tepees. They were tired in 
many moons, and their moccasins wore out. 
"My people sent me to get the white man's Book of Heaven. 
You took me to where you allow your women to dance, as we 
do not ours; and the Book was not there! You took me to 
where they worship the Great Spirit with candles, and the Book 
was not there! You showed me images of the Great Spirit and 
pictures of the Good Land beyond, but the Book was not among 
them fo tell me the way. I am going back the long trail to my 
people in the dark land. You make my feet heavy with gifts, 
and my moccasins Will grow old in carrying them and yet the 
Book is not among them! When I tell my pool/blind people, 
after one more snow, in the big council, that I did not bring 
the Book, no word will be spoken by our old men or by our 
young braves. One by one they will rise up and go out in 
silence. My people will die in darkness, and they will go on a 
long path to other hunting grounds. No white man will go 
with them, and no white man's Book to make the way plain. I 
have no more words." 
"No stream from its source flows seaward, 
However so lonely its course, 
But what some land is gladdened; 
No star ever rose or set without 
influence somewhere; 
No life can be pure in its purpose, 
strong in its strife, 
But what all life is strengthened and 
gladdened thereby." 
—Meredith, in "Lucile." 
4. Symposium: "What About Your Influence?"— This topic 
is to be treated in three parts. 
(a) Recreation: The following incident illustrates the point: 
"A lad trained in a godly home, to whom the theater was 
a forbidden place, crept once into a theater, and sat there with 
an accusing conscience, looking around with furtive eye. For 
him to be in that place was disobedience to parental law and 
disloyalty to a tender conscience. But he looked up, and saw in 
the gallery a face that he saw every Sabbath in the church 
choir behind the minister. The sudden vision of that face 
served as an opiate to the lad's conscience. It helped to confirm 
him in a wrong course. How little the member of the church 
choir, as he sat in the theater, dreamed that his face was regis-
tering itself as a force for evil on a lad's consciousness." 
(b) Dress.—Our appearance is an index of what we are. 
As such, the way we dress glorifies Christ or brings Him to 
shame. Then with what care we should select our apparel. 
Study the following texts and references to the spirit of 
prophecy: 1 Peter 3: 3-5; 1 Tim. 2: 9, 10. Vol. I, p., 127, par. 
2; p. 128, pars. 1, 2; Vol. IV, p. 641, par. 4; p. 630, pars. 2, o, 
The following incident illustrates the point: 
A layman had gone one evening to speak in a mission church 
attended by many young persons employed in the Lancashire 
mills. His wife accompanied him, and was shown a seat near 
the choir, which was composed entirely of young people. After 
the service a fresh-faced girl of sixteen rushed up impetuously 
to the speaker's wife and began, "I want to tell you how much 
I have been helped — " 
The visitor smiled appreciatively, and began to frame an 
appropriate reply, thinking that it was her husband's address 
that had been so profitable, when the words were frozen on her 
lips by the rest of the surprising sentence —"by your simple 
clothes." 
"As I watched you during the sermon," she continued, "I 
thought that if you could dress so plainly and attractively, 
surely we girls who have to work for our living can do so, too. 
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE �
11 
In any ease, you have shown me that simple dressing is the 
prettiest, after all," and her glance swept meaningly over the 
company of rather overdressed young women. 
The remark opened a new field of responsibility. She, as well 
as her husband, had sermons to preach.—Christian Age. 
(c) Words.— The words we speak or those we leave unsaid 
make up the greater part of that atmosphere which surrounds 
each individual. By our words we may help another. We may 
influence for a right decision, or we may disappoint those who 
are looking to us to be an example in Christian living. The 
unstudied words show the heart. No wonder Christ crystal-
lizes that principle in the words recorded in Matthew 12: 35-37. 
A word cannot be recalled. Its influence goes on through eter-
nity. The following quotations and illustrations may be help-
ful in preparing this talk: 
" The one who has not Christ in the heart, will indulge in 
cheap talk, exaggerated statements that make mischief. The 
tongue that utters perverse things, slang phrases, that tongue 
needs to be treated with the hot coals of juniper." — Unpub-
lished Testimony. 
"The tenor of the conversation reveals the treasure of the 
heart. The cheap, common talk, the words of flattery, the fool-
ish witticism, spoken to create a laugh, are the merchandise of 
Satan, and all who indulge in this talk are trading in his goods." 
— Special Testimony, p. 28. 
"It is said that long, long ago, a lonely Scotehman in Aus-
tralia wrote to his friends at home and told them that he longed 
so much to see thistles growing, as they used to grow in Scot-
land. This friend got some thistle seed and sent it to Aus-
tralia, where the Scotehman planted it in a field. It grew 
amazingly in the warm climate. In the fall the wind carried 
the soft thistledown across the fields, and thistles began to 
spring up everywhere. -The first year or two it was not so bad, 
but, as time went on, the number of thistles became serious. 
They filled the fields like weeds, and the people wished they had 
never been planted in the district. 
"Words are like thistle seeds. They grow, and the evil that 
evil words or hasty words or careless words do grows too. When 
we speak, we cannot undo what we have said. We may plead 
that we did not mean it, but the wound we have caused remains. 
That, is why we must be careful of, our words. We can never 
undo the effects of them." 
A Mr: Arnold, who had been about the world a great deal, 
and was something of an observer, in one of his trips fell in 
with a young man he had never before seen. The youth was 
plainly, almost shabbily dressed, but Mr. Arnold was one who 
paid little attention to outer garb. For two or three days the 
two were together in the same ear. At the end of that time 
they reached the town where Mr. Arnold lived. All that the 
younger man had told of himself was that he was going to 
this town in the hope of obtaining a situation. As the train 
came to a stand, Mr. Arnold said: 
"You are a stranger here; come home with me, and I will 
help you all I can to get the' place you want." 
The young man showed surprise. 
" But you know nothing about me, sir. How can you invite 
me to your house?" 
" Oh, come on with me, and I will tell you about that later." 
Dinner partaken of, the two were left alone together, and 
the host, pushing back his chair, said: 
" You are of a cultured family, the tone of your voice told me 
that. You are well educated, your intelligence betrayed that. 
You are cultured and refined, your use of words and the views 
you take of things told me that. I see you are surprised; but 
you know the words: Open thy mouth, that I may know thee.' 
We will now see what we can do about a situation." 
Does this not prove that every person's very best friend or 
his worst enemy is his open mouth?, 
" Drop a word of cheer and kindness —
Just a flash and it is gone; 
But there's half a hundred' ripples, 
Circling on and on and on, 
Bearing hope and joy and comfort, 
On each splashing, dashing wave, 
Till you would not guess the volume 
Of the one kind word you gave." 
Other phases of Christian influence may be added to this 
symposium and worked out as the program committee desires. 
6. Responses.—Do not close your meeting without some form 
of expression from your members. Possibly a few moments 
from each on "What influenced my life" or "What influenced 
my decision for Christ" would prove very profitable. 
Notu.— Such a program as this is brightened by contribu-
tions from the Juniors. Ask the Juniors to contribute their 
exercise, " Ten Little Candles," to the success of your program. 
Junior Notes 
1. Leader's Remarks.— The leader should describe the pur-
pose of the program in the few moments he has. Read the 
Senior note under the heading, " What Is Your Life Doing to 
Others?" Tell 'the story of Ta-wis-sis-aim-nim, and draw the 
lesson from the failure of those to whom the Indians came. Let 
the thought in your talk be, "Lord, help me to consecrate my • 
influence for Thee." 
2. Superintendent's Talk: "What About Your Influence?"—
Base your talk on the material given in the Senior notes for the 
symposium. 
S. Exercise: "Ten Little Candles."—This is an exercise for 
your smallest members. Have ton tiny tots appear with lighted 
candles. The flame goes out as each recites, until the last re-
lights them all. 
4. Talk: "Little Things."—It is the little everyday things 
of life by which we are judged as to whether we are true Chris-
tians or not. The Junior preparing this talk should make a 
list of the ways in which boys and girls show their true selves. 
The following illustrations may suggest a thought: 
Each blade of grass taken by itself is a common thing, but 
how each of us welcomes the green of a meadow after a long 
winter. So each small act may seem of little importance, but 
when put together they make our complete influence. 
A little girl sings about the work her mother leaves her to do, 
and a lonely neighbor hears the cheery voice and is glad. 
A daughter smiles and waves her hand to her father, who is 
conductor on the ear that passes his home. The passengers 
cannot help feeling cheered by the smile that stays on the 
father's face. 
A family gathers in the sitting-room after supper, and lights 
the lamp. They leave the curtains up so that the warm light 
can cheer those passing by. A happy family is just such a light 
to those who pass along on the way of life. 
5, 6, and 7. Readings and Recitation.— Make an earnest 
effort to see that these are thoroughly prepared. �
. 
Nom—Study the suggestions under " Responses " in the 
Senior notes, and if they, seem suitable to your society, try 
them. 
The World's Bible 
OnmeT has no hands but our hands to do His work today; 
He has no feet but our feet to lead men in His way; 
He has no tongue but our tongues to tell men how He died; 
He has no help but our help to bring them to His side, 
We are the only Bible the careless world will read; 
We are the sinner's gospel, we are the scoffer's creed. 
We are the Lord's last message given in deed and word; 
What if the type is crooked? What if the print is blurred? 
What if our hands are busy with other work than His? 
What if our feet are walking where sin's allurement is? 
What if our tongues are speaking of things His lips would spurn ? 
How can we hope to help Him, and hasten His return? 
— Annie Johnson Flint. 
What Sort of Friend Are You? 
Tam is an old story about a Greek maiden named Eulalia. 
She wanted to be friends with Lucinda, a very gay and worldly 
woman. One day she said to her father, Sophronius, " I should 
like to call upon Lucinda; may I go today?" 
" I cannot allow you to do that, my daughter," replied 
Sophronius. 
"-But, father, you must think me exceedingly weak if you 
suppose I should be injured by going," said Eulalia, crossly. 
Her father stooped down and picked up a piece of dirty 
coal and held it out. " Take that in your hand, my child; it 
will not burn you." 
She did, and her fingers became smudged. Eulalia did not 
understand. "Why," she said, "did you give me this? It 
blackens." 
"Yes," came the reply. " Coal when it does not burn, 
blackens." 
Do you see the lesson of the old Greek? Bad company will 
blacken, even if it does not burn.— Selected. 
The Power of Example 
IN one of the large green busses of the Washington Rapid 
Transit Company last week, coming down 16th Street on its 
way to Pennsylvania Avenue, every available seat was taken 
and no one was standing. At the next stop a lady boarded 
the bus. A small boy seated near the window just beyond a 
lady who occupied the end seat, promptly arose and offered his 
seat to the new passenger, who protested saying, 
" Oh, do not give up your seat for me, little lad, You are a 
little lad and I am a woman. Keep your seat." 
"No," said the lad, "I can't do that." Already he had left 
his seat, and the lady proceeded to take it. 
She said, " I am interested to know why you gave up the 
seat to me." 
12 �
THE 'CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE 
" Well," said the lad,' "there'are two reasons.' In the first 
place, you are a lady and I am a boy. In the second place, I 
promised to do. it," 
"You promised to do it?" said the lady in astonishment. 
"Whom did you promise, and why?" 
"Well," explained the boy, "you see I am-a Boy Scout, and 
I promised my Scout master to give my seat to a lady or a 
small child on board street cars and busses when there was no 
other seat to be had." 
" Well, that's fine; but bow long do you expect to keep your 
promise?" asked the lady. 
"Oh, I expect to keep it all my life. That is how long I 
promised to keep it," replied the lad. 
"And do yon like it?" said the lady. 
"Oh, yes. Yon see," said the boy, "if you were my mother 
or my sister, I certainly would, give either of them my seat 
rather than have her stand, and if anybody let my mother or 
sister sit down when the bus was crowded, I certainly would be 
obliged to him for doing so. Anybody would feel that way 
about it for his-mother's and his sister's sake." 
During this conversation everybody on board the bus listened. 
The effect was instantaneous, Every lady, that boarded the 
bus thereafter got a seat, and when the vehicle arrived at 13th 
Street and Massachusetts Avenue, not a man occupied a seat. 
Eight of them were standing in the aisle.— Colin H. Living-
stone, President Boy Scouts of America. 
Ten Little Candles 
TEN little candles, Jesus bade them shine; 
Selfishness snuffed one out, then there were nine. 
Nine little candles, one without a mate; 
Bad companions came along, then there were, eight. 
Eight little candles, doing work for heaven; 
"I forgot," said one of them, then there were seven. 
Seven little candles, all with blazing wicks; 
Somebody laughed at one, then there were six. 
Six little candles, every one alive; 
One tired of trying, then there were five. 
Five little candles, once there were more; 
Sabbath pleasure bothered, then there were four. 
Four little candles, bright as bright could be; 
One hadn't time to pray, then there were three. 
Three little candles,—might one of them be you? 
One gave up Sabbath school, then there were two. 
Two little candles (the tale is almost done); 
"I'm too small to use," said one, then there was but one. 
One little candle, left all alone; 
Kept on burning by itself, and oh, how bright it shone! 
Brave and steady burned its flame, fill the other nine, 
Fired by its example, once again began to shine. 
—Selected and Adapted. 
Devotional Meeting for March 21 
Topic: How to Enjoy the Springtime. 
Senior and Junior 
1. Music. 
2. Repeat or Read the 19th Psalm. 
3. Testimony Study: "God in Nature." 
4. Recitation: "Nature's Reminders." 
5. Reading: " Open Your Eyes." 
6. Talks: "Birds I Have Known." 
7. Recitation:A. Girl Who Lives Outdoors." 
8. Talks: "The Most Interesting Fact of Nature I Have 
Observed." 
9. Recitation: "Outdoor 
Outdoor Life." 
10. Talk: "Introducing You." 
Notes to Leaders 
The subject of this meeting lends itself especially to a joint 
meeting of Seniors and Juniors. One of the problems of young 
people of all ages is how to spend leisure time. Many find 
pleasure in dark, unhealthful halls where they see scenes un-
true to life. Others forget themselves in thrilling tales that 
destroy all taste for reading of a solid nature. God's plan 
of recreation is an enjoyment of the true and of the beautiful 
in nature, a pleasure which deepens the capacities of mind and 
soul, and leaves the enjoyer more capable of understanding the 
love of God. The purpose of this program is to awaken the 
Missionary Volunteers to a new sense of appreciation of na-
ture, and to give practical suggestions by which unobservant 
individuals can begin to study the interesting things about him, 
which while he sees, he does not see. 
The Juniors should be asked to prepare those recitations 
especially suited to them, and also to have a share in the talks: 
"Birds I Have Known" and "The Most Interesting Fact of 
Nature I Have Observed." In one place where a similar pro-
gram was tried, a young boy surprised all present by the facts 
he had observed about a common garden gopher. 
1. Music.— See that there is plenty of it. Several special 
numbers interspersed during the program would add greatly to 
a program of this nature. Make the Juniors responsible for 
part of it. Then have a number of suitable songs ready, such 
as, "Christ in Song," Nos. 341, 335 (2d and 3d verses), etc. 
Ask several Juniors to select hymns which refer to nature in 
some way. 
3. Testimony Study: "God in Nature."—This, of course, 
should' be given careful preparation by a Senior. Base the 
study on the chapter " God in Nature," beginning on page 99 
of the book " Education." Perhaps the most striking state-
ments might be passed out to be read. Show by your study that 
the foundation of a true education is a familiarity with nature. 
Pages 76-80 of Volume VII, also contain some statements along 
the same line, but from the angle of health. 
6 and 8. Talks: "Birds I Have Known" and "The Most 
Interesting Fact of Nature I Have Observed."—Both these 
numbers should receive careful attention several weeks before 
the program. Give some member of your program committee 
the respongibility of canvassing both Senior and Junior mem-
bers to find out those especially interested in nature. For the 
first, ask each to be prepared to describe in 'two minutes his 
favorite bird, and tell about some time when he observed him 
personally. 
The Perry Picture Company publishes a series of bird pie-
tures, which would assist those telling about birds. It is a poor 
substitute to ask Juniors to look up stories of birds in place of 
personal observation, but in large city societies where the mem-
bers have had little opportunity and no training in understand-
ing nature, even this may be necessary to awaken an interest. 
The second series of talks may be drawn from interesting 
facts about insects, trees, animals, etc. Endeavor to encourage 
reports of personal experiences. The Reading Course book 
"Knowing Insects Through Stories " may suggest an experience 
to those studying the topic. Have at least five members take 
part in each of these numbers. 
10. Talk: "Introducing You."— The purpose of this talk is 
to give practical information to the uninitiated as to how to 
begin a study of birds. If possible, have some one who has 
genuine interest in birds tell how he learned to know them. 
The following are a few suggestions: 
Begin to study birds in winter. Be sure you.know the birds 
that stay with you throUgh the year, know their notes and their 
habits. -Study the common, English sparrow. Other birds often 
flock with the sparrow, and the sparrows that come in spring 
deserve instant distinction from their noisy and quarrelsome 
cousins. Then listen for new notes, watch for the newcomer. 
Get in touch with your local Audubon Society. If you do 
not know at a member, write to headquarters, addressing your 
letter to the National Association of Audubon Societies, 1974 
Broadway, New York City, ask them the whereabouts of your 
nearest society. They also have valuable leaflets and sugges-
tions about getting acquainted with birds. The one preparing 
this talk should also visit the'local library, and with the assist-
ance of the librarian make out a list of books that will be 
accessible to the members of the society and that will help those 
who wish to identify a bird they have seen. 
The following bibliography may be of assistance: "The 
Bird Study Book," by T. Gilbert Pearson; price, $1.25. This 
may be obtained through the Audubon Society. " Bird Guide," 
by Chester A. Reed, is used widely by bird lovers. There are 
two volumes, one for " Land Birds East of the Rockies," and the 
other "Western Bird Guide," These books are pocket size, 
with a small colored plate illustrating each page. They are a 
desirable help, but the pictures are not so accurate as those in 
larger books. 
"Bird Neighbors," by Neltje Blanchan, is one of the best 
reference books available, for those who live east of the 
Rockies. 
"Birds That Every Child Should Know" and "Birds Worth 
Knowing" both by Neltje Blanchan, contain excellent instruc-
tion for the beginner living east of the Rockies. 
Nature's Reminders 
PROM the solemn toll of the deep-toned thunder, 
And old ocean's ceaseless roll, 
To the glad songs that make the forest vocal with melody, 
Nature's ten thousand voices speak His praise, 
In earth, the air, and sky, with their marvelous tint and color, 
Varying in gorgeous contrast, or softly blended in harmony, 
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE �
13 
We behold His glory. 
The everlasting hills tell of His power. 
The trees wave their green banners in the sunlight, 
And point us upward to their Creator. 
The flowers, that gem the earth with their beauty, 
Whisper to us of Eden, 
And fill us with longings for its unfading loveliness. 
The living green that carpets the brown earth; • 
Tells us of God's care for the humblest of His creatures. 
—"God in Nature." 
Outdoor Life 
To run in the wind, to crunch the snow; 
To know where the first wild flowers grow; 
To feel things growing in the spring;,.,,, 
To hear a tiny song bird sing; 
To smell the sweetness of new-mown hay; 
To hear what the brooklets have to say; 
To scuffle the dry leaves in the fall; 
To feel the furze in a chestnut ball; 
To see the sunset across the lake; 
To hear the cry that the weird loons make; 
To see the lacy trees undressed; 
To find a hidden bluebird's nest; 
For these, 0 God, I make my prayer, 
These glorious joys of the open air. 
— Louise S. Andrews. 
Open Your Eyes 
WE had come through a great variety of country that day, 
unusually varied for one short trip,—over a mile of prairie; 
through a long stretch of foothills that had been recently 
burned over by a raging forest fire; up a rough and steep 
canon; over a mountain of crumbling talus; through a boggy 
meadow; past two tiny lakes of glacial origin; and finally out 
into a broad open park, broken with sharp ledges of sandstone. 
If we had been botanists, we might have seen literally hun-
dreds of different flowers in the various types of soil and dif-
ferent altitudes. If we had been geologists, we might have 
read many books in stone from the great variety of exposed 
strata along the way. If we had been bird lovers, we would 
have been enthusiastic about the scores of birds, from the noisy 
English sparrow at the station to the bold magpie in the 
cottonwood bottoms, the pine siskin in the shady 'ravines, the 
water ouzels at the myriad of little waterfalls that we passed, 
and even the ruby-throated humming bird on the heights. If 
we had been foresters, we might have counted twoseore of dif-
ferent trees, located a patch of beetle-infected timber, noticed 
where a porcupine had recently nearly girdled a forest monarch, 
OT observed where lodgepole pine had sprung up almost as thick 
as wheat, on a burned-over area, because the squirrels had 
planted the stubborn cones that so effectually resist everything 
but heat and sunshine — against that very evil day of fire. If 
we had been entomologists, we would have observed many a 
pretty performance among the beetles, the ants, the wasps, the 
butterflies, and the caterpillars. But the simple fact of the 
matter was that not one of us was a geologist, a forest ranger, 
a botany professor, or a Government bird observer. We were 
just a party of happy, boisterous, average boys out for a 
jaunt. With that clearly in mind, as we sat quietly about the 
fire, I determined•to try an experiment that I am always inter-
ested in trying on any group of boys, provided they have no 
inkling whatever beforehand of my plan. 
"Boys, we have come through a wonderful variety of coun-
try today, with nothing on our minds save the having of a 
good time; yet I am doubtful if many of us have made the 
most of our opportunity really to enjoy ourselves to the limit. 
I'm going to ask a question that will at least partly prove the 
doubt, and after we have all sat quietly thinking it over for 
five minutes, I'm going to ask each boy to answer it as I call 
upon him, and, of course, each boy will be perfectly honest. 
I'm not so interested in your answers as I am in the deductions 
I'm going to draw from them, for your benefit. Are you 
ready?" 
All nodded. 
"What did you see today on the hike that especially inter-
ested you? Now think for five minutes. I want details, but no 
imaginations. We'll start with Jim." 
There was no embarrassment, for each knew the others per-
fectly and was accustomed to their presence. We went the 
rounds of all present; without going into detail too auch, this 
is the summary of what nine normal supposedly keen-eyed, wide-
awake, outdoor boys saw. What the tenth saw was in a class 
by itself. 
Trees, mountains, rocks, water, shrubs, flowers, rotten logs, 
a dead snake on the trail, and a magpie's nest of sticks. Only 
one boy in the group had noted details enough to remember 
them so that he could describe accurately what he saw, All 
nattme, with its wonderful story was to that group of boys a 
closed book. There was but one good, obsOver in the party. 
He had seen more than all the other nine. -He had seen two 
flowers that he had never before observed, one of them the 
"yellow hip" clover. He noted a large Polyphemus moth on a 
dead tree. He saw an army of ants out on a journey. He 
found wild, ripe strawberries, and had a pocketful of choice 
globules of spruce gum. He had pocketed three odd bits of 
rock that he wanted to know more about, and had discovered the 
only columbine that had been seen during the day. Besides that, 
be had gathered five different cones to look up in his tree guide 
when he got home. 
One boy out of ten had kept his eyes open; the other nine 
were blind to the best things of the trip. And that is about. 
the situation with any such group of boys on such a journey. 
One out of ten has learned to observe keenly and intelligently 
the world about him. The other nine walk all day through 
nature's wonderful library of interesting and helpful informa-
tion, blind to every pretty sight. Which group do you belong 
to —the one or the nine? 
I have tried the same experiment times without number. Of-
ten not a lad in a party is a good observer; sometimes two or 
three are; often the observers are pals. This and other ex-
periments have led me to believe that the average American boy 
is not an observer. He goes about with his " eye-gate " and 
often his " ear-gate " shut, and as a consequence misses much 
of the real joy and value of his hikes and journeys. Recently 
a group of us were walking together, when suddenly there was 
a great flutter of wings and a very large flock of birds rose 
and flow. 
" Sparrows!" commented one lad,and all agreed by their 
silence, save one boy. 
" Sparrows, nothing! " objected the observer. "Take a look 
again—not a sparrow in the flock —too big for sparrows; 
not the right shape, and every 'bird has a crest. They are 
cedar waxwings, and they are on their annual, migration." 
One boy in the party was an -observer!_ How do you account 
for it? Was he brighter than the others? Was he better 'Sena
than the others? Did birds-happento be his hobby? 'Ecci. 
had simply learned to be an. observer. He kept his eyes:44)pm 
continually. When he saw something he did not understandrer 
that was new to him, he invariably asked questions 
He was in the habit of making mental notes. He had formed 
the habit of associating ideas, and in that way he remembered. 
I have discovered by a few careful questions in these cases that 
such boys invariably have a marvelous store of facts on every 
conceivable thing, and that they are usually quite exact in their 
descriptions of anything out of the- ordinary. New sights or 
strange sounds, as a general rule, attract their attention; 
nothing gets by them. It is marvelous how many interesting 
and valuable facts an occasional boy gathers,/ classifies, and 
stores away for future use. Such a boy is invariably a good 
observer. 
Some think observation is a gift. Perhaps so; if it is, it is 
an acquired gift. Every outdoor boy should cultivate his fac-
ulty for observing. Here are four suggestions to that end: 
First: Open your eyes and teach them to see. 
Second: Take pains to look carefully at things worth seeing. 
See exactly. 
Third: Make it a practice to think about what you see, taking 
occasion as soon as possible to tell some one else what you saw, 
question some one further about what you saw, or share your 
observations. The very best way to, be sure that you are 
going to "keep" what you see is to give it away to another. 
14 �
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE 
Fourth: Cultivate to a science some hobby that demands 
close observation.—Frank H. Cheley, in "Climbing Manward." 
A Girl Who Lives Outdoors 
A um who lives outdoors with winds and trees, 
Who knows the feel of tree trunks, leaves, and sod, 
Who wonders at the sky's white mysteries, 
And in the forest's stirring harks to God; 
A girl who lives outdoors with peaks and streams, 
Who shapes her dreams 
In the wide image of the out-of-doors, 
Will never quite be beaten by the world, 
Will never quite be saddened by sad things, 
Or bent by trials; but she will keep her faith, 
Her courage learned of winds and peaks and trees. 
The bravery of the woods will give her strength; 
The beauty of the world will lend her wings. 
—Mary Carolyn Davies. 
Devotional Meeting for March 28 
Topic: Making Good. �
Senior 
1. Scripture Reading: Matthew 23: 1-12. 
2. Leader's Remarks. 
8 Talk: "The Essence of Success." 
4. Talks: "Men Who Made Good." 
5. Reading: Thou Didst It unto Me." 
6. Talks: " Women Who Made Good." 
7. Responses. 
Junior 
1. Leader's Two Minutes. 
2. Scripture Reading: Matthew 23: 1-12. 
3. Superintendent's Talk: "Making Good." 
4. Reading: "A Boy Who Served." 
5. Recitation: " Thou Bidet It unto Me." 
6. Talk: "Do My Honest Part." 
7. Reading: " I Was in Prison and Ye Came unto Me." 
8. Response. 
Notes to Leaders 
This program is based upon the lives of those who have served 
others in an outstanding way. Why are their names honored? 
Why are they considered great? What constitutes true great-
ness? These are the thoughts to be kept in mind by your mem-
bers as the program progresses. Suggest some such questions 
as you begin to study the lesson. Can a person be great and 
never be known? Ask the members to be ready to respond at 
-the close', of the program with the name of " The Greatest Man 
or Woman I Ever Read About" or "The Greatest Man or 
Woman I Ever Knew." It may be a mother who under adverse 
conditions keeps sweet, and is an inspiration to her children 
and neighbors. It may be the man who has always time to help 
the neighbor boys with their problems, and who is always ready 
to join in their pleasure for the sake of shaping their lives for 
the Master. After the talks and readings in which the aim is 
to show that greatness is measured by service, the response 
which you hinted at in your remarks should be informal as 
possible. 
Music.— Have a rousing "sing," with service as the keynote 
of the songs selected. Try always to have some special musical 
number. Members may take part in this way who would feel 
backward about giving a talk, 
Senior Notes 
3. Talk: "The Essence of Success."—The purpose of this 
talk is to give the philosophy which underlies the biographies 
of the men and women that follow. Why is it an inspiration 
to study the lives of certain men and women and not others/ 
Because they accomplish much for others. Many have amassed 
vast fortunes for themselves and been despised. Those who 
have left the world better for having lived in it are the ones 
which time acclaims worthy of a place in the memories and 
hearts of people. 
What constitutes lasting service? Illustrate your talk with 
examples of the same. Make a practical application to the 
members before you. 
1. Are you of service in your daily occupation? Are you 
valuable to your employer? or if you employ, are you valuable 
to the public? 
2. Are you of service in your community? The following 
quotation from Lloyd George is suggestive: 
"What is the test of success in polities — office, position, or 
decorations? No. The only test of high success in a political 
life is service." This is a subject on which Mr, George is an 
authority, for he confessed that he was proud of the fact that 
he had held " some of the greatest offices in Great Britain for 
seventeen years." Yet he penned these arresting sentences: 
" Without genuine service the memory of those who hold the 
most glittering offices soon perishes. It is he who serves that 
endures. Service alone embalms the memory of a departed 
life." All this also, applies elsewhere as well as in politics. 
3. Are you of service in your church? Are you doing some-
thing to help make your church what it should be? If you aren't 
a leader or a Sabbath school teacher, are you a good follower 
and a faithful class member? Every bit helps. 
4. Lastly, are you of service in your home? Do you do your 
part, or does some one else have to wait upon you? Can you 
be counted on, in an emergency? Can your spirit, good will, 
and patience be relied upon under trying circumstances? 
Such are some of the elements of true greatness. Space for-
bids more than a bare outline, but everyday happenings and a 
good library will furnish abundant illustration. 
Jesus' definition of greatness is in the Scripture lesson. Study 
it and refer to it in your talk. 
4. Talks: "Men Who Made Good."— There should be at 
least two of these. One is furnished in the reading, "A Boy 
Who Served." Further facts about Andrew Carnegie's life 
may be obtained at public libraries. Do not stress his wealth; 
but the use of it as the factor in his greatness. 
The other biography of a man we are leaving you to select 
and prepare. The names of Pasteur, Lord Shaftesbury, Jacob 
Riffs, and, Booker T. Washington have been suggested. Biogra-
phies of each of these are in common circulation. 
6. Talks: "Women Who Made Good."—The basis of one of 
these may be found under the heading, "I Was in Prison and 
Ye Came unto Me." The life and work of Clara Barton, which 
is easily accessible to those young people living near any public 
library, is especially suitable for the other. 
Junior Notes 
3. Superintendents Talk: "Making Good."—Study the sug-
gestions in the special Senior note for " The Essence of Suc-
cess." Make it as practical as possible by touching the lives of 
your boys and girls. You might add the question, "Are you 
of service in school?" Point out some of the ways in which 
boys and girls may be of value to a school. What they do, 
what they make of themselves, will reflect on their parents and 
teachers. 
A big locomotive that can pull tons up a grade may lose 
much of its power if every tiny nut and screw is not in place. 
Just so the greatest success of our homes, church, and school 
depends upon the reliable service of the boys and girls. 
4 and 7. Readings.—There are two short biographies fur-
nished. It is suggested that instead of reading each, one of 
the older Juniors be asked to tell the story of at least one of 
them in his own words. In the first speak especially of the 
devotion and untiring service Andrew Carnegie gave his mother. 
Perhaps your town has a Carnegie Library. If so, speak of the 
advantages it has been to the people who live there. 
6. Talk: "Do My Honest Part."—Study the interpretation 
of the 'Junior Law in the New Junior Manual, pages 4045. 
A Boy Who Served 
"FROM Ills early boyhood, amid poverty, with no one to lift 
or lead him, lie stood upon his own feet and stepped out into 
the path nearest to him, with a cheerful spirit doing the best 
he could as opportunity offered.' . . . His own city and State 
became known all over the world because- of his sagacity, fore-
sight, public spirit, and patriotism, of which the crowning ex-
ample is the Hall of Peace at The Hague, which will ever stand 
as a memorial of a great mind and a true heart." 
Thus spoke Hon. John Wanamaker, his fellow citizen and 
friend, on hearing of the death, Aug. 11, 1919, of the famous 
inventor, manufacturer, and philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, 
at the age of eighty-three, 
Born in poverty in the little town of Dunfermline, Scotland, 
Mr. Carnegie became known around the world, While loving 
dearly his native land and the land of his adoption, his interest 
reached out into other lands in the spirit of democracy, 
When his parents immigrated to America, Andrew Carnegie 
was a bright, ambitious boy of twelve, having had some school-
ing in Scotland. His father, William Carnegie, was a poor 
weaver, well read, and strongly republican in sentiment; and 
his mother was a woman of superior mind and character, to 
whom Andrew was so unusually devoted that he did not marry 
till after her death in 1886. His father died, leaving Andrew 
at fourteen the sole support of his mother and his younger 
brother of seven. 
Two years before, he had begun work as a factory boy, driv-
ing a dummy engine, the work of a grown man; then he was a 
telegraph messenger boy, and next an operator. A year after 
his father's death, at fifteen, he was earning three hundred 
dollars a year, and supporting his mother in contentment. 
Nine years later, during the Civil War, he was superintendent 
of the government railway and telegraph lines, having invented 
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE �
15 
the " block " system of signals which has been universally 
adopted. 
Success followed every investment, whether in steel, express-
company stock, or oil. The nucleus of the Carnegie millions 
was in sleeping-cam, then in iron construction. It was Andrew 
- �
Carnegie Who laid the first iron bridge over the Ohio River, at 
Steubenville, the span of three hundred feet then being 
:4 
�
�
re- 
markable. He introduced into America the Bessemer process 
of making steel. 
Always regarding his wealth as a trust, during the last fifteen 
or twenty years Mr. Carnegie has given much thought to its 
disposition. Education owes some of its richest gifts to him, 
including the founding of public free libraries in hundreds of 
centers in this country; contributions to educational institutions 
of all kinds, and many other gifts by which he made it easier 
for those who lived after him to gain an education. A poor boy 
• who "made" himself, he paved the way for others, Truly he 
deserves to be called " Great"— Adapted fro/m. Jane J. Stewart. 
" Thou Didst It unto Me " 
• 
I BEND to help a little straying child 
And soothe away its fears, 
" • 
�
�
When lo I the Wondrous Babe, all undefiled, 
Looks at me through its tears. 
Beside a cot I kneel with pitying eyes, 
A dying brow I fan; 
The pallet seems a cross, and on it lies 
One like the Son of Man/ 
The way is long, and when I pause to share 
My cup, my crust of bread, 
With some poor wanderer — oh, vision rare/ — 
A halo crowns His head. 
O'er sin's dark stream there comes a drowning cry. 
Its woeful tide I stem, 
And grasp for one who sinks—the Christ is there, 
Pt- �I touch His garment's hem. 
O Presence, ever new and ever dear, 
My Master, can it be 
In Thy great day of coming I shall hear, 
" Thou didst it unto Me " 
—Author Unknown. 
4 
"I Was in Prison and Ye Came unto Me " 
lit? 
BARONESS MATHILDA WREDE was brought Up in the palace of 
ythe governor of a province of Finland. Her father; the gover- 
nor, was both wealthy and powerful. As a little girl she be-
'4d came interested in prisoners, when she saw, quite by accident, 
the smith welding red-hot irons on a group of conviets. The 
p-beautiful furniture her father presented her soon after failed 
to satisfy her. It reminded her of that group of suffering men, 
:1because it had been made in a prison. 
The little baroness was carefully educated, and became a 
ery gifted musician. One evening she planned to attend a 
society function with her father, but instead, went into a Meet-
ing where she heard some one preaching on John 3: 16. The 
0, great love of God for her won the heart of this young noble- 
' woman, and in spite of the discouragement offered her by her 
--gather, she gave her heart completely to the Lord. 
A few days later a prisoner was sent to her home to fix a 
Mathilda could not keep her new-found joy to herself, 
but told freely what great things God had done for her. 
"Al.; Miss," answered the unfortunate man, "you should 
come out and tell us prisoners about it, We need it enough." 
She promised to go and she went, and thus, though she knew 
,,„it not, she entered upon her life-work. As she saw the great 
needs, the impression grew upon her that she should devote 
..-Aer life to the ministry of the imprisoned. While considering 
it, she had a remarkable guidance. A biography tells us of it 
kland her subsequent work in the following words: 
" To her final decision she had remarkable guidance. She 
?had agreed to visit a prisoner, but decided to put it off in order 
to pay a pressing society call. On the night before—in vision 
1r dream, which, she could not tell — a prisoner came into her 
"white chamber with irons on hands and feet rattling as he 
walked. In the middle of the room he halted and looked at her 
-*Rh sorrowful eyes. She heard words with startling distinet- 
ness: Thousands of poor chained prisoners sigh for life, free-
dom, and peace. Speak to them the word of Him who can make 
free, so long as you have time.' 
" She tossed about, greatly disturbed, thinking of her youth, 
delicate health, and the burden which prison work would en-
tail. Finally she opened her Bible. Her eyes fell first on 
Jeremiah 1: 6, All, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I 
am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: 
for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I 
command thee thou shalt speak.' With a prayer, she asked for 
a confirmation of her commission. The next passage which 
struck her eyes was Ezekiel 3: 11, Go, get thee to them of the 
captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto 
them.' 
"Her ministry began in Kakola prison near Abo, where four 
hundred life-sentenced were interned. She was asked to speak 
to them in chapel on Good Friday. When she had finished, they 
were weeping. Day after day she visited them at their cell 
doors, preaching, teaching, writing for them, encouraging them, 
sympathizing with them. The most desperate, even maniacal 
prisoners calmed in her presence. One prisoner has described 
the effect which her first appearance made upon him, pining as 
he was behind the thick prison walls. I remember distinctly 
the moment when for the first time I saw her standing in the 
doorway of my cell. It was as if the daylight were streaming 
in, as if spring had come with its greenery in the barrenness of 
winter.' For forty years Miss Wrede has ministered to the men 
and women behind the bars." 
No wonder the prisoners love her. Not long ago, when the 
government was sending thousands into Siberian exile, Miss 
Wrede was on hand to bid them good-by. " When, however, on 
the last evening she crossed the prison court, an arm stretched 
out through every grated window to her, and one of the prison-
ers called out, sobbing, 'Farewell, thou dearest daughter of our 
fatherland, thou only true friend of the prisoners.'" 
Baroness Wrede, although of noble birth, lives in a small 
room on a back street. She eats only the coarse fare allowed 
prisoners. This is her sacrifice to her life-work. Day after 
day she visits prisoners. Evening after evening she listens tO, 
the woes of discharged and tempted men and women who come 
to hey for help. She often goes out into the country where she 
visits ex-Convicts. One invites her to his home, and sleeps on 
the floor before her door to see that she is not disturbed. 
During the last ten years, when Finland and Russia have been 
swept by terror, her influence has been felt. The ex-convicts 
together with the most radical elements known as the Reds have 
held control. Many stories of cruelty are told, such as of their 
tying country people to chairs, with tongues nailed to their 
own tables, and bread left in front of them while they starve 
to death. 
By birth a noblewoman and by life-work drawn to the Reds, 
Baroness Wrede has been able to wield a mighty influence on 
both sides. • The Red guards have always treated her with 
utmost respect and kindness, and she has often been able to 
save others from torture. 
A biographer tells the following story: 
" One day a pair of Finnish bolshevists came to her apart-
ment and demanded money. Money I have,' she answered, but 
it is for the old and sick. Shame on you who are strong and 
young that you are not earning your own money.' 
" But we are hungry.' 
" So am I. But my breakfast is coming, and you may 
share it with me.' When it came, it was a single slice of bread 
and a little cabbage. The pair involuntarily laughed, and one 
whispered to the other, We have surely stumbled in on 
Mathilda Wrede.' 
4 'Yes,' said she, I am indeed Mathilda Wrede. As you 
see, the breakfast will not suffice fon all, but if you will come 
to supper, there will be enough, and we will confer how such 
capable and industrious men as yourselves may earn your own 
meals.' They went off, with 'many thanks' and hat in hand." 
Such has been the life of unselfish service of Baroness Ma-
Bifida, Wrede. Surely she is great in God's sight, for she has 
visited those in affliction, she has served her country well, and 
her influence has been felt through a time of sorrow and 
trouble. Well does she deserve the title by which she is known 
in her country, " The Angel of the Prisons." 
b 
p 
Literature Helps �
-4 
M. V, Pledge No. 10. Peponal Resolutions. �
Per 100 $1.00 
M. V. Pledge No. 11. Morning Watch Pledge. Per 100 .50-, 
M. V. Pledge No. 12. Decision Card. �
Per 100 1.00. 
M. V. Pledge No.13. Prayer Band Pledge Card. Per 100.70 
.0_,_ 
M. V. Leaflet No. 19. Messages to Young People. Each �
r 
M. V. Leaflet No. 23. The Life-Work. �
Each 02 
M. V. Leaflet No. 35. Marrying Unbelievers. �
Each , .03i 
M. V. Leaflet No. 47. Personal Work. �
Each .04 
M. V. Leaflet No. 50. Lives of Great Men. �Each , ,02 
M. V. Leaflet No. 60. Your Mother. �
Each .01 
M. V. Leaflet No. 61. Our ..ibung People and Their ' 
Work., 
 
K V, Leaflet,„No. M. ftlw ,,e.a.et of Soul-Winning. Each 
00,1 
M. V. Leaflet No. 65, ,Margaret's Morning Watch. Each .01, 
M. V. Leaflet No:'67: Cod's Remedy, for Sin. �
Each .01 
M. V. Leaflet Ne. 68. 'For Backsliders Only. �
Each .01- 
Each '.011 
MISSIONARY VOLUNTEER WEEK 
March 14-21, 1925 
Including Missionary Volunteer Day 
(To be observed in all the Saes in the United States and Canada) 
Purpose 
MISSIONARY VOLUNTEER WEEK should prove a revival of the 
entire church in behalf of the children and youth. The spring 
Week of Prayer in our schools in past years has brought such 
spiritual blessing to the youth in training that it has given rise 
to the idea of bringing similar blessings to our young people in 
all the churches throughout the field. At the Autumn Council 
in 1920, the suggestion for Missionary Volunteer Week was 
adopted for the entire field, and it has developed into a per-
manent plan. 
Each year better and larger results are experienced and 
reported. In one conference alone in North America in 1924 
there were 115 young people converted for the first time, and 
125 more who were reclaimed from a seriously backslidden 
condition. A union conference reported 117 converted during 
the week last year. Similar reports come from many places. By 
the united help of all our ministry and church members in be-
half of the younger generation growing up in our midst, much 
good will come, not only to them, but also to all the members 
of the church, 
The Plan 
It is the plan that the entire force of laborers in each con-
ference, as far as can be consistently arranged, visit the 
churches during this week, and that a special effort be made to 
reach all our children and youth, to bring such as are not in 
the fold to a decision Or Christ, and to lead others to a deeper 
sense of their responsibilities and to a complete consecration to 
God. 
In response to requests from the field the Missionary Volun-
teer Department is supplying the following program in the 
hope that it will prove especially helpful in churches where no 
minister can be sent. 
Do not forget the Juniors. Seek to simplify the talks given 
so as to make them helpful and interesting to the children. Do 
not place the manger so high that the lambs cannot reach the 
food. 
It is earnestly desired that this special effort be continued 
through the week, even in churches where there is no conference 
laborer present. If much prayer and careful planning are put 
into the work of preparation, this special Week of Prayer will 
result in a real revival. Let this be your prayer: " 0 Lord, 
bring- a revival into our church, and let it begin in me." 
Methods 
To introduce young people to Christ, we must be near to the 
young people and near to Christ; we must know both. To do 
this will take time, and study, and prayer. Your life, your 
thoroughness of preparation, your prayers, your thoughtful 
consideration of feelings, your interest in them outside of meet-
ing, your appeal,— all will tell the young people in no un-
certain tones just what your interest is. 
It is essential to gather the leaders among the young people 
(Missionary Volunteer and Sabbath school officers, etc.) to-
gether, and with them, put forth united effort for a revival 
in the church, and especially for the salvation of the younger 
members of the Lord's family. 
If there are already prayer and personal work bands in the 
Missionary Volunteer Society, take a special interest in them. 
These young people can more than double the efficiency of your 
efforts. Besides, if you can vitalize and stabilize these bands, 
you have provided for holding and increasing the results of your 
effort, leaving in the church the elements of spiritual growth 
and power. 
In laying a firm foundation for intelligent decisions, we have 
found it helpful frequently to puisue a teaching method, drill-
ing the young people in the repetition of important statements, 
:and frequently reviving the fundamental truths taught. 
It is also very helpful to place leaflets in their hands on vital 
subjects. The Missionary Volunteer Department publishes an 
extensive series of leaflets for this purpose. It seems to us 
16 
that it about doubles the influence of a talk on courtship and 
marriage, for instance, to pass out at its close the leaflets, 
" What God ,Hath Joined" and "Marrying Unbelievers." 
Printed pledges or resolutions are often helpful in getting 
the issues before the young. Some are suggested in the, section, 
" Literature Helps." 
Suggestions to Church Officers and Workeirs 
The program outlined below and the matelrial 'given 'for each 
day are intended for helps, but are not given with any idea of 
binding to a set program. Study and pray concerning your . 
local needs. It is the spirit of longing for salvation, and not 
a program followed to the letter, which will make the work of 
the week a success before the Lord. Tho minister will, of 
course, use his own judgment in each case regarding the method. " 
The following are merely suggestions: 
1. If possible, hold a service each day in the church, using 
the program outlined as a basis for study. Some of our 
churches are so situated as to make a meeting on every night of• 
the. week impossible. Let the leaders- plan for the people to 
meet in groups at their homes. Let us bring a spirit of study 
and prayer for our youth to the family altars in the home. �
r 
2. Urge that whoever to es any leading part in these meet-
ings shall be thoroughly prepared. Give the articles as talks,`"! 
if possible. If others are asked to read questions or scriptures, , 
pass them out before the meeting. Endeavor to make the meet- 41 
ings deeply spiritual. Seek Goa earnestly. Give opportunity ICI 
for testimonies by individuals at several of the meetings. 
3. Organize prayer land' personal workers' bands to meet I 
daily. 
4. Urge earnestly that all engage in personal work, especially" 
for the youth. It would be well for the leaders to call to mind 
all the young people connected with the church by church mem-
bership, family ties, and close friendship, and arrange for every 4. 
one of these in the community to be personally visited by a re- ! 
liable personal worker of the church, and invited to take his 1,, 
stand for Christ. Furnish the names of all the youth connected 
by church membership, family relationship, and close friend-
ships with the message in the community, to the conference 
Missionary Volunteer secretary, with a brief stabfinent of th$ 
facts in each case for future follow-up work, Missionary Vol-
unteer Blanks Nos. 1 and 3 are a help. 
5. Remember the Missionary Volunteer devotional features, ,4 
the Morning Watch and the Bible Year. (See " Missionary 
Volunteers and Their Work.") Have the youth take the Morn,, . 
ing Watch pledge. This could well be done Friday evening. 
At the close of the week it may be possible to organize 6-, 
Standaial of Attainment class among the young people, to meet 
week by week. 
6. Urge those who ought to attend school to go. Send on 
their names to the conference Missionary Volunteer secretary. 
7. Endeavor to' make the last Sabbath a very earnest spirit-
ual meeting, in which old and young renew their consecration. 
Give opportunity for the expression of their decisions aftkr 
the reading. At this time it would be fitting to present the 
Decision Day pledge, Missionary Volunteer Pledge No. 12. 
NI 
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE �
17 
M. V. Leaflet No. 69. Is Jesus Real to You? �
Each 
. M. V. Leaflet No. 71. Keep the Home Fires Burn- 
ing. �
Each 
M. V. Leaflet No, 72. Others May; You Cannot. �
Each 
M. V. Leaflet No. 74. Living the Life That Wins. Each 
r- �
M. V. Leaflet No. 75. With the Book of Books. �
Each 
M. V. Leaflet No. 76. Storing Light (Junior Bible 
Year). �
Each 
M. V. Leaflet No. 77. To Love, Honor, and Cherish 
(Marriage Experience). �
Each 
M. V. Leaflet No. 78. Life's Purpose at the Judg- 
ment Bar. �
Each .01 
it �
M. V. Leaflet No. 79. What Shall I Read? �Each .03 
M. V. Leaflet No. 80. Former Reading Course Books 
kr �
M. V. Leaflet No. 8/. Victory in Christ. �
Each .02 
Missionary Volunteer Camp Meeting Helps. �Each .25 
The Ministry of Healing. �
Each 2.00 
Education. �
Each 1.25 
�
$ .02 �
"The mother who appreciates this will regard her opportu- 
nities as priceless. Earnestly will she seek, in her own character 
�
.02 �
and by her methods of training, to present before her children 
.00k the highest ideal. Earnestly, patiently, courageously, she will 
�
.01 �
endeavor to improve her own abilities, that she may use aright 
�
.01 �
the highest powers of the mind in the training of her children. 
Earnestly will she inquire at every step, `What hath God 
�
.01 �
spoken?' Diligently she will study His Word. She will 
keep her eyes fixed upon Christ, that her own daily expe- 
�
.02 �
rience, in the lowly round of care and duty. may be a true 
reflection of the one true Life."-Id., pp. 377, 878. 
7. What influence did early training have upon the life of 
Cy 
fi 
tr? 
Helps for Junior Workers 
SUGGESTIONS for workers among Juniors will be found on 
pages 23 and 24 of this number of the GAZETTE. 
The Program 
Wires a prayer that the efforts put forth this week may result 
in the saving of many precious souls, we submit the following 
suggestions and studies. The plan is to follow the general theme 
of Elder MacGuire's book " The Life of Victory." It is not in-
tended that the book will be read in service, but that the refer-
ences to it will serve as a guide in preparing talks and original 
studies for the meetings. If occasionally a chapter is read, let 
the reader give it thorough study and render it in an able 
manner. 
It is left with the elder or leader of the meetings to arrange 
the details of the program for each day, select the hymns, ar-
range for special music, arrange the order of service, etc. Do 
not feel that you must use all the material given, nor that you 
must confine yourself to this. These studies are intended as sug-
gestions from which those who give the studies may develop 
original lessons or talks of their own. It will be more effective 
if developed in a form to meet the local needs. 
Sabbath, March 14 
Missionary Volunteer Day 
Early Training in the Christian Life 
J. A. STEVENS 
(A Study from the Bible and the Testimonies) 
1. WISF,RE is to be laid the foundation upon which to build the 
work for the restoration and uplift of humanity? 
"The restoration and uplifting of humanity begins in the 
home." -"The Ministry of Healing," p. 849. 
2. Upon whom does the responsibility rest for the success of 
this work? 
"The work of parent's underlies every other."- /bid, 
3. What question should ever be uppermost in the minds of 
parents? Judges 13: 12. 
4. With what diligence should parents train their children in 
God's way? Dent. 6: 4-9, 20-25. 
5. What part does the fathMi have in this work of training? 
"The father is the lawmaker of the household; and like 
Abraham, he should make the law of God the rule a his home. 
God said of Abraham, III know him, that he will command his 
children and his household.' There would be no sinful neglect 
to restrain evil, no weak, unwise, indulgent favoritism; no 
yielding of his conviction of duty to the claims of mistaken 
affection. Abraham would not only give right instruction, but 
he would maintain the authority of just and righteous laws. 
God has given rules for our guidance. Children should not be 
left to wander away from the safe path marked out in God's 
Word, into ways leading to danger, which are open on every 
side. Kindly, but firmly, with persevering, prayerful effort, 
their wrong desires should be restrained, their inclinations de-
nied." - The Ministry of Healing," pp. 390, 891. 
6. What is the mother's share? 
" There is a God above, and the light and glory from His 
throne rests upon the faithful mother as she tries to educate 
her children to resist the influence of evil. No other work can 
equal hers in importance. She has not, like the artist, to paint 
a form of beauty upon canvas, nor, like the sculptor, to chisel 
it from marble. She has not, like the author, to embody a noble 
thought in words of power, nor, like the musician, to express 
a beautiful sentiment in melody. It is hers, with the help of 
God, to develop in a human soul the likeness of the divine. 
Joseph and Daniel/ 
" By their wisdom and justice, by the purity and benevo-
lence of their daily life, by their devotion to the interests 
of the people,- and they, idolaters,- Joseph and Daniel proved 
themselves true to the, principles of their early training, true 
to Him whose representatives they ware."-"Education," PP. 
50,57. 
8. What early influence helped to shape Timothy's later life? 
2 Tim. 1: 5; 3: 14, 15. 
9. What should be the aim of parents in the training of their 
children? �
• 
" True education is missionary training. Every son and 
daughter of God is called to be a missionary; we are called 
to the service of God and our fellow men; and to fit us for 
this service should be the object of our education. 
"This object should ever be kept in view by Christian 
parents and teachers. We know not in what line our chil-
dren may serve. They may spend their lives within the circle 
of the home; they may engage in life's common vocations, 
or go as teachers of the gospel to heathen lands; but all are 
alike called to be Missionaries for God, ministers of mercy 
to the world." - " The Mimstry of Healing," p. 395. 
" God's Word does not repress activity, but guides it 
aright. God does not bid the youth to be less aspiring. 
The elements of character that make a man truly success-
ful and honored among men,- the irrepressible desire for 
sonic greater good, the indomitable will, the strenuous appli-
cation, the untiring perseverance,- are not to be discour-
aged. By the grace of God they are to be directed to the 
attainment of objects as Much higher than mere selfish and 
worldly interests as the heavens are higher than the earth." 
-Id., p. 396. 
10. What is the fruitage of this ,sacred endeavor? Prov. 
22:6; Ps. 144: 12. 
Uplifting Christ in the Home Life 
IT. T. ELLIOTT 
" MOREOVER your little ones, which ye said should be a 
prey, and your children, which in that .day had no knowledge 
between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto 
them will I givo it, and they shall possess it." Dent. 1: 39. 
Many sermons have been preached comparing the advent 
movement with 'the exodus movement, and the hearts of the 
listeners have been inspired to greater faithfulness through 
the assurances derived from the ancient experience of the 
children of Israel. The sad experience of lack of faith on 
the part of the parents is referred to in our text. Through 
their unbelief at the border, they lost the privilege of enter-
ing Canaan. .But even in the difficult situation in which the 
people found themselves through their lack of faith, God 
assured them that their children would go through to the 
Promised Land. It would be heart-rending, indeed, if at 
the border of the heavenly Canaan this exodus experience 
should be repeated in the lives of parents in the advent 
movement. 
The last prophecy of the Old Testament calls attention to 
the fact that in the last days the hearts of the fathers would 
be drawn to the children, and the hearts of the children to 
the fathers. We are living in the last days, but perhaps 
no generation has shown such a tendency to separation be- 
tween parents and children as the present one. 
Generally speaking, for about two generations there has been 
a diminishing attempt to maintain a positive Christian influence 
in the homes. Because many parents have become confused in 
their religious experience, they have taught their children only 
their own ingrained principles of right conduct which lingered 
with them after their faith in the Bible had been abandoned. 
But no definite Christian experience can be maintained unless 
it is founded upon the doctrines of the Word of God. As the 
Word of God dies out in the hearts of men, they become more 
and more selfish. And they are less and less able to continue 
the ideals of Christian conduct. 
18 �
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE 
The youth of the present day need our sympathy and help. 
The great mass of them in the world have been taught little 
or nothing of faith in Christ. They have grown up without 
religious training in the home, and under an influence of indif-
ference to, or direct contradiction of, religion in the schools 
and in business. 
It is not surprising, therefore, that there is a gulf fixed be- 
tween the parents and youth of this generation. The older 
ones realize that the ideals by which their lives were molded 
are being renounced by the young people of the land. There 
are many who are perplexed by the spirit of abandon and the 
irresponsible actions manifested among youth of the present 
age. They are pointing out the defects of the young people. 
And there is no denying the defects of youth. The young 
people of today are impatient. They waht what they want, and 
they want it right away. They are pleasure loving, Every 
generation of young people has loved pleasure; but the sig-
nificant thing about the rising generation of today is their 
hardness, and indifference to others in the pursuit of their 
pleasure. Young people do not willingly accept the ideals 
of parents. They would rather experience the whole round of 
trouble and perplexity than to conform to the advice of former 
generations. 
But on the other hand, when there is proper training of the 
youth, they reveal the qualities of leadership, for which the 
church is in need. The impatience of youth, when properly 
trained, becomes the necessary and splendid quality of asser-
tiveness of a Luther or a John Wesley or a; James White. The 
desire to try the untrodden track contains in it the element of 
individual faith, which carries one on in his experience, no 
matter what may be public opinion, or what opposition may be 
encountered, so long as one has a full belief in the leading 
of God. 
Many of the great religious movements have been under the 
leadership of young men. We speak of the Pilgrim Fathers. It 
is inspiring to note that of the one hundred two people on the 
" Mayflower " only two were over fifty years of age; only nine 
were over forty; thirty-nine of them were under twenty-one 
years of age. Bradford was thirty-one; Winslow was twenty-
five; Standish was thirty-six; and Alden twenty-one, Calvin, 
from whom it is said that seventy-five per cent of Protestant 
theology has been derived, was twenty-four years of age when 
he was in the midst of his work. Luther was but thirty-three 
when he posted his famous ninety-five theses on the door of the 
Castle Church at Wittenberg, Oct. 31, 1517, and when he ap-
peared before the Diet of Worms (which Carlyle calls the great- 
est moment in modern history), he was only thirty-eight. 
But just as in ages past young people have responded to the 
call of God in their lives, so they will respond today. There 
will be some who will act the part of Joseph or Esther, of 
Luther or John Knox, and of William Miller or James White. 
They are willing to do right when they realize the right. The 
prophecy of Malachi still stands, and it is true that God will 
stir our hearts to bring the parents and children of His 
chosen people into heartfelt unity. Young people are quick 
to discern the defects and faults of older once. And we must 
admit that they have not always had perfect examples on the 
part of their elders to follow. We confess that they have not 
always had good leadership to encourage them in the Christian 
life. 
Judge Cropsey, in the New York Sun and the Globe, says: 
"Most of the criminals are boys and young men. To be 
exact, over eighty per cent of them are less than twenty-five 
years of age. If the people of Brooklyn ask why so many 
youths become criminals, I can tell them. A dozen years of in-
vestigation and experience in these matters have demonstrated 
that the vast majority of all youthful offenders committed crime 
because they had bad associates, and were not under the proper 
influences in the years when boyhood was turning into man-
hood —between the ages of twelve and eighteen. That is the 
most important period in a boy's life. Then his ideals are 
acouired, his character formed. - . . 
" We can lessen the crimes in our midst by giving our atten-
tion to the youths. They need a man's guiding hand and help-
ful personality. They need the example of a true man's life in 
forming their character." 
There is great need of urgent labor among our young people. 
Where they have had proper leadership in the home and in the 
church, they have rallied to the third angel's message in a strong 
way. It is encouraging to note that half of the people who have 
been baptized into this church in North America over a period 
of years are young people. On the other hand, where there has 
been a lack of attention to their training, or an indifference 
to their needs, they have been lost to the truth. 
" There are many who ought to become missionaries, but who 
never enter the field because those who are united with them in 
church capacity or in our colleges do not feel the burden to 
labor with them, to open before them the claims of God upon 
all their powers, and do not pray with and for them. The 
eventful period which decides the course of life passes, their 
convictions are stifled, other influences and inducements attract 
them, and temptations to seek positions that will, they think, 
bring them financial gain, take them into the worldly current. 
These young men might have been saved to the cause."—
" Counsels to Teachers," pp. 500, 501. 
What we do for them must be done in early years. 
It has been said that the average age of conversion is six-
teen years. There are probably as many converts before their 
sixteenth year as afterward throughout their lives. In a re-
view of the criminal record of the city of Chicago, the Chicago 
Tribune pointed out that the average ago of the criminals in 
the city of Chicago for the year 1921 was sixteen years. It 
was stated at the World's Purity Federation in 1922 that the 
average age of the girls that are entered in the Florence Crit-
tenden Home for Fallen Girls had dropped in the last ten 
years from twenty-eight to sixteen, The character of the boy 
or girl is pretty well determined by the sixteenth year. 
One cannot hear these figures without being aroused concern-
ing our own young people. The following encouragement from 
the spirit of prophecy will inspire all to more earnest work dur-
ing this Missionary Volunteer Week: 
"In all that pertains to the success of God's work, the very 
first victories are to be won in the home life."— "Testimonies," 
Vol. VI, p. 354. 
" God designs that the families of earth shall be a symbol 
of the family in heaven. Christian homes, established and con-
ducted in accordance with God's plan, are among His most 
effective agencies for the formation of Christian character and 
for the advancement of His work."—Id., p. 430. 
"If this work were faithfully done, if fathers and mothers 
would work for the -members of their own families, and then 
for those around them, uplifting Christ by a godly life, thou-
sands of souls would be saved."—Id., Vol. VII, p. 11. 
When we hear these statements, the desire burns within us 
to make our homes "symbols of the family in heaven." A 
great teacher said, " Come, let us live with our children." Let 
us live with our children, not merely for them. You can do 
nothing for a boy, but you can do anything with him. Many 
a father is straining every nerve and all his energy in order to 
provide for his boy or girl a better home, better comforts in 
life, and a better education than he himself had when he was a 
boy. It is right that parents should provide the best they can 
for their children. But it may be that while he is busy pro-
viding for his boy, the boy is being lost because of lack of 
father's comradeship. What boy's heart has not been thrilled 
by the simple associations with his father in a game, on all 
outing, or in working with him at a task! 
No permanent religious experience can easily come to the 
young people unless it is sustained by the life in the home. 
How important it is, then, that "for their sakes we sanctify 
ourselves" today. Shall we not 'pledge ourselves here and now 
to uplift Christ in the home life in such a way that the boys 
and girls who- grow up among us, shall he attracted to the 
Saviour of us all? "I, if I be lifted up, . . . will draw all 
men unto Me." 
r. 
Sunday, March 15 
The Awful Nature of Sin 
c. A. HOLT 
SIN destroys and hurts and wounds. It kills the soul in 
mall, and with the soul destroyed there is nothing to which God 
can appeal. It is like heroin, the drug that dissipates the 
moral sense and shatters the intellect until its addicts become 
as insensible to humane appeal as the wild beast of the forest. �
, 
This is no idle fancy. In " Steps to Christ " (pocket edition), 
pages 32-34, are these impressive sentences: 
" Sin, however small it may be esteemed, can be indulged in 
only at the peril of infinite loss. Whaewe do not overcome, 
will overcome us, and work out our destruction." 
19, 
 
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE 
" Every act of transgression, every neglect or rejection of the 
grace of Christ, is reacting upon yourself; it is hardening the 
heart, depraving the will, benumbing the understanding, and 
not only making you less inclined to yield, but less capable of 
-yielding, to the tender pleading of God's Holy Spirit. . . . 
"Even one wrong trait of character, one sinful desire, persist-
ently cherished, will eventually neutralize all the power of the 
gospel. Every sinful indulgence strengthens the soul's aversion 
to God. The man who manifests an infidel hardihood, or a 
stolid indifference to divine truth, is but reaping the harvest of 
that which he has himself sown. In all the Bible there is not 
a more fearful warning against trifling with evil than the 
words of the wise man, that the sinner 'shall be holden with 
the cords of his sins."' 
From these words three things are clear. The first is that 
sin is our enemy. However gilded and alluring and pleasant 
it seems to be, it kills the spiritual life and leaves us wounded, 
shriveled, and horribly misshapen within. The saddest picture 
a worker for God ever sees is the pitiable deformities wrought 
by sin in the lives that are open to Him. The sight Jesus had 
of it broke His heart. On the way to Calvary, staggering 
under His cross, He said, " Weep not for Me, but weep for 
yourselves, and for your children." The condition of His per-
secutors was sadder than His own. The slavery and death of 
the soul under the lash of sin is infinitely more pitiable than 
what they could do with spikes and spear to His hands, His 
feet, His side. 
If we understood this more clearly, we would hate sin more 
than anything else in the world. We would resist, as He did, 
unto blood, striving against sin in our own lives, and Make it 
the supreme passion of our hearts to help liberate others from 
its terrible bondage. 
The second fact that is evident from the foregoing words is 
that God does not destroy the sinner; the sinner destroys him-
self. By holding to sin he shelters that in his life which kills 
his own soul and leaves him without spiritual sensibility and 
discernment. He grows hard of heart, dull of hearing, and 
blind of spiritual sight. He reaches the point where he can-
not see God, nor hear His voice. 
The third fact is that the grip and destructive power of sin 
is so terrible that the sinner cannot save himself. What sin has 
killed in him he cannot revive. He is as helpless to restore his 
mutilated soul as he would be to attach a leg or arm again 
after having once cut it from his body. He can kill himself, 
but he cannot give himself life. He is dead in trespasses and 
sins, and he cannot perform the miracle of resurrection. 
The thought of this should make men pause. They should 
hesitate to plunge into pits from which they cannot recover 
themselves. They should think well before they lock themselves 
in vaults from which there is no escape except by the mercy 
and grace of some one on the outside. 
God is our friend. Sin is our enemy. God wants us to let 
Him take away the sins of the past and keep us from sin every 
day, because He cannot bear to see us hurt and lashed and de-
formed by the brutal tyranny of evil in our lives. He loves us. 
He would die again if it would save us. But because the blessed 
fruits of righteousness. are dearer than life, and the ravages 
and suffering of sin are more terrible than death, it is His 
friendly act to continue righteousness through the gift of 
eternal life to those that love it, and end the woes of sin by 
death to those that will not let sin go. 
Of all His blessings, the greatest He can give the unrepentant 
sinner is the kind release of death. The terrible character of 
sin is revealed in this. There is no release from it but in 
death. Those who love righteousness find that release in the 
death of Christ. The unrepentant world will find theirs in the 
second death at the last day. 
• 
How Can God Justify a Sinner? 
It is intended that some one give in his own words a mes-
sage similar to the one in " The Life of Victory," pages 19-26. 
Other books which will be a help are "Steps to Christ" and 
"Bible Readings for the Home Circle," 
And Yet You Are Sinning Still 
This is a very effective message in poetical form, given in 
"The Life of Victory," page 10. One of the young people 
could memorize it and give it in a manner to stir the hearts 
that may be hesitating. 
Monday, March 16 
How Can a Sinner Secure Justification? 
Ox this' question many young people stumble, not understand-
ing clearly the first steps in conversion. A good outline for a 
talk is to be found on pages 27-31 of " The Life of Victory." 
"Stepsto Christ" also contains a very clear statement of how 
to begin, the Christian life of faith. 
What Is the Meaning of the Christian Life? 
The fragment of a poem on page 45 of " The Life of Vic-
tory" is a good one to provoke thought and self-examination. 
One of the older Juniors would render this very well. It would 
be effective in view of the subject following. 
Delivered by Death 
Many think that Christ died to save sinners from death; that 
is, from the necessity of death to self and sin, from crucifixion 
of the carnal-man. The purpose of this meeting is to reveal the 
truth that the " old man " is dead, and we live in "neWness of 
life." Both " Steps to Christ" and " The Life of Victory," 
pages 33-45, are good helps in preparing this study. 
Tuesday, March 17 
The Need of Prayer and Bible Study 
A. W. SPALDING 
FIRST of all, what is Christian life? 
I will tell you what it is not. It is not the life that Christ 
did not live. It is not fearing, and failing, and vainly wishing. 
It is not grasping, and getting, and selfishly keeping. It is not 
withholding, and denying, and forbidding. It is not a scramble 
to get to heaven. 
And I will tell you what it is. It is the life that Christ 
lived. It is loving, and trusting, and thankfully accepting. It 
is receiving, and increasing, and unselfishly giving. It is a 
laying of all at the feet of Christ, and a filling of the life so 
full of joy and power and liberty that we have heaven with us 
all the time, in the presence of Jesus. 
Christ hears his cry, and He steps down beside him, and 
takes him up in His arms, and carries him out of the Slough of 
Despond, and cleanses him, and clothes him, and feeds him, and 
fills him with the love of God. Then he is a Christian, and he 
has the Christian life. 
Now what does he do? He does what Christ did and does. 
He goes about doing good and healing all that are oppressed of 
the devil. How can he heal them, how can he deliver them? By 
giving them of that which he received from Christ. 
How does he get it? He gets it by feeding on the bread of 
life and thereby becoming filled with divine strength and power 
and knowledge. The Word of God in human form is Jesus 
Christ; the Word of God in printed form is the Bible. When 
we receive the Bible into our minds and hearts, study it, medi-
tate upon it, are comforted by it, instructed by it, inspired by 
it through the revelation of the Holy Spirit in our minds, 
then we are receiving Christ Himself. And by receiving Him 
we are filled with the power He has to bless and save others. 
Then do we need to study the Bible? — Yes. But why/ — 
It gives us spiritual strength. But for what purpose? —We 
enjoy life, we appreciate strength; but the ultimate purpose is 
to use that strength in the service and the salvation of our 
fellow men. 
And do we need prayer in our Christian life? — Yes. But 
why? — Oh, truly, to meet and overcome temptation, whether 
it be of appetite, or pride, or ambition, or evil pleasure. But 
that is only the initial need. We need to overcome temptation 
because the overcoming of temptation gives us force of char-
acter, spiritual strength, and that strength is to minister to 
others' needs. We need to pray, not merely that we may be 
saved, but that we may do the work of Christ. 
Until we have reached the state of the Christian where self 
sinks out of sight, we have not gone very far in the Christian 
way. Until we know what it is to forget our uneasiness of ap-
petite, our pain of mind, even our agony of soul, in the face of 
others' need and woe, we have not entered deeply into the love 
of Christ. 
20 �
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE 
Jesus asks us to become His fellow workmen, to learn of Him 
how to minister to others, Only unreserved surrender can do 
that, a surrender that gets beyond seeking to be saved, and 
seeks only to save; that ranges itself alongside the plea of 
Moses to be wiped out if Israel were not saved; that aspires to 
the renunciation of Jesus who knew not as He died for the 
world that He might ever see life again. 
To seek and find that experience of Christian living, we re-
quire prayer and Bible study. We must talk with God, and have 
Him teach us. And to maintain that life, we shall most cer-
tainly, with conviction and with joy, daily find God in His 
sanctuary. 
Alive unto God 
THE one who has the privilege of presenting this subjrt will 
find that "The Life of Victory," pages 47-56, contains a sim-
ple, easily understood presentation. It is important to help 
the beginner in the Christian way to find the true joy of living 
the life with the indwelling Christ. Many who have been 
long in-the way do not comprehend it well. Search other books 
for helps also, especially the writings of the spirit of prophecy. 
Wednesday, March 1/3 
Row to Overcome Temptation 
LYNN II. WOOD 
NOTE TO RrarRa.— If, when reading this article, the following 
outline could be placed upon a blackboard, step by step, as the 
reading proceeds, it would give much help in establishing the 
various points: 
Kinds of Temptations �To Overcome 
I. Lust of flesh (Personal de- 1. Maintain integrity. 
sires). �
Prayer and Bible study. 
Outward temptations. �
Meditation. 
Cultivated or hereditary. �
2. Hold conscience void of of- 
2. Lust of eye (Thought-life). �
fense. 
 
Inward foes and perplex-
reading 
ities. �
Avoid-II seeing 
1 
 that 
3. Pride- of life (Appear- 
hearing 
ances). , �
which breaks down purity 
Tests of prosperity and ad- �
of thought-life. 
varsity. �
3. Live entirely for others. 
Satan's Methods �
Our Methods 
1. Gold tried in the fire. 
2. White raiment. 
3. Eyesalve. 
- �
Temptation and nom to Overcome It 
" 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. 
For all that is in. the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust 
of thg eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is 
of the world." 1 John 2: 15, 16. 
This text gives us three definite kinds of temptation, 
1. The Lust of the Flesh.— This means all personal desires, 
of appetite or passion,— outward temptations that may come 
to us through cultivated or hereditary channels. It is some-
thing that pleases us, fascinates us. 
I. The Lust of the Eye.— The eye is the door to the mind, so 
under this head come all the temptations of the inner thought- 
life. These are the inward foes and perplexities with which we 
all have to battle, and which, perhaps, very few others than our-
selves know anything about. If Satan can get us to disregard 
our conscience, and permit our thoughts and unexpressed de-
sires and ambitions to be subservient to his will, he has gained 
the victory; for the thought-life is the breeding place of all 
outward actions. 
3. The Pride of Life.—Under this head come the derision, 
the mocking and reviling of the person who tries to walk care-
fully before his God. He is spoken of as a fanatic, as nar-
row, and without any broad-minded view of life. Under this 
head also comes the test both of prosperity and adversity,—
prosperity because we have money to spend on ourselves, and 
thus do not help others; adversity because we do not have 
money to help ourselves, and thus feel we cannot help others. 
Three Methods of Attack 
With the three great classes of temptations, the Bible also 
speaks of three definite methods that Satan uses in his attacks: 
1. Appetite.— This was the first temptation that he brought 
to Christ. It was the temptation by which he won the victory 
in the garden of Eden and brought all the misery to the world; 
and one has to look only within his own life to see that Satan 
is still using this as one of his most effective methods. 
2. Presumption.—Doubtless many of us think that we are not 
guilty of the sin of presumption, but it is one of Satan's favor- 
ite methods. 
"Presumption is a common temptation, and as Satan assails 
men with this, he obtains the victory nine times out of ten. 
Those who profess to be followers of Christ, and claim by their 
faith to be enlisted in the warfare against all evil in their na-
ture, frequently plunge without thought into temptations from 
which it would require a miracle to bring them forth unsullied." 
—"Testimonies for the Church," Vol. IV, pp. 44, 45. 
How many times we have thought that because God has for-
given us for our sins in the past He will forgive us again; and 
so we go on sinning over and aver again in the same way, and 
asking Him repeatedly to forgive, little realizing that our 
natures are weakening to the point where we will find it dif-
ficult to come back. 
" Often when Satan has failed of exciting distrust he suc-
ceeds in leading us to presumption. If he can cause us to place 
ourselves unnecessarily in the way of temptation, he knows 
that the victory is his."—"The Desire of Ages," p. 06. 
3. An Easy Road.— When Satan led Christ to the mountain 
top, and showed Him the kingdoms of the world, he -was trying 
to get Christ to accept an easier way than to sacrifice His life 
on Calvary. How beautifully this method works today, and how 
many of us sink back in chairs of ease, thinking that we can 
care for ourselves, and at the same time help along with God's 
work, instead of being willing to lay aside the comforts and 
joys of this life and share the sacrifices that Christ manifested? 
These three methods may be applied to any one of the three 
great classes of temptations, and it is necessary for us to have 
a very accurate knowledge of Satan's methods in bringing these 
various temptations to us in order to know how to meet them. 
Three Ways to Overcome 
1. The only way we can overcome the great temptation, "the 
lust of the flesh," is to maintain our integrity before God. This 
can be done only through prayer, Bible study, and meditation. 
If we do not spend some time with God in prayer every morn-
ing, this alone will be ample reason for all our failures. 
"Satan assailed Christ with his fiercest and most subtle 
temptations; but he was repulsed in every conflict. Those bat-
tles were fought in our behalf; those victories make it possible 
for us to conquer. Christ will give strength to all who seek it. 
No man without his own consent can be overcome by Satan." 
—" The Great Controversy," p. 510. 
"Temptations often appear irresistible because, through neg-
lect of prayer and the study of the Bible, the tempted one 
cannot readily remember God's promises and meet Satan with 
the Scripture weapons."—Id., p. 600. 
" God has made ample provision for His people; and if they 
rely upon His strength, they will never become the sport of 
circumstances. The strongest temptation cannot excuse sin. 
However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul, 
transgression is our own act. It is not in the power of earth 
or hell to compel any one to do evil. Satan attacks us at our 
weak points, but we need not be overcome. However severe or 
unexpected the assault, God has provided help for us, and in 
His strength we may conquer."—"Patriarchs and Prophets," 
page 21. 
What a strength to meditate upon these promises early in 
the morning before we take up the day's duties. 
2. Have a conscience void of offense toward God and man. 
" Yet we have a work to do to resist temptation. Those who 
would not fall a prey to Satan's devices must guard well the 
avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing 
that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind should not 
be left to wander at random upon every subject that the adver-
sary of souls May suggest"— Id., p. 60. 
"It is a masterpiece of Satan's deceptions to keep the minds 
of men searching and conjecturing in regard to that which God 
has not made known, and which He does not intend that we 
shall understand. It was thus that Lucifer lost his place in 
heaven. . . . Now he seeks to imbue the minds of men with the 
same spirit, and to lead them also to disregard the direct com-
mands- of God."—"The Great Controversy," p. 523. 
If we avoid anything that will direct the trend of our thought-
life in unforbidden channels, God will give us of His Spirit to 
overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil. 
1. Appetite. 
2. Presumption. 
3. An easier road. 
3. Unselfish service for others. The only way to break down 
the pride of life is to give our lives, day by day, in unselfish 
ministration to others. 
" The followers of Christ are to separate themselves from 
• 
sinners, choosing their society only when there is opportunity 
to do them good. We cannot bo too decided in shunning the 
company of those who exert an influence to draw us away from 
God."— "Patriarchs and Prophets," p. 459. 
Ease and self-indulgence leave the soul unguarded, and Satan 
finds ready access to our lives; but active service for others 
leaves us no time for anything but thanksgiving to God for 
His great blessings to us. To the church in this last generation 
K.. God has given three definite methods of developing into an 
overcomer: 
"I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou 
mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, 
and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint 
thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.' Rev, 3: 18. 
The gold represents the faith and love — faith toward God, 
and love toward our fellow men—that are manifested in a 
▪ life truly dedicated as a living sacrifice to the Master. 
The white raiment represents the integrity of character and 
the righteousness of Christ which He will impute to those who 
will seek for His help. 
0 �
The eyesalve is the spiritual discernment that enables us 
-0 to shun the easier road and make for the hill pathway that 
leads toward the city of God. Speaking of John the Baptist, 
the spirit of prophecy says: 
" His spiritual perceptions were clear; He had developed 
strength and decision of character, and through the aid of the 
Holy Spirit He was able to detect Satan's approaches, and to 
resist his power." — " The Desire of Ages," p. 109. 
it- 
With these tools placed in our hands by the Master, we are 
.;, enabled to "fight the good fight of faith" and win the victory; 
and before us Jesus holds out the most marvelous welcome ever 
extended to a member of His universe: 
h
" To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My 
- throne, even as I also overcame, and am sot down with My 
Father in His throne." Rev. 3: 21. 
> �
These temptations that God permits us to enjoy (James 
1: 2) are to fit us for participation in this final victory. 
rY- 
�
�
"The Lord permits His people to be subjected to the fiery 
ordeal of temptation, not because He takes pleasure in their 
distress and affliction, but because this process is essential to 
their final victory." —" The Great Controversy," p. 528. 
May God help us all that we may so overcome thiough the 
strength the Spirit of God gives us that we shall be able to 
• �
participate in that grand song of victory that will be sung as 
the redeemed host stands on the sea of glass. 
P." 
0-- 
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE �
21 
Resurrection Life 
Tux chapter by this title in " The Life of Victory," pages 
57-62, gives the basis fOr an inspiring study of this step in 
Christian living. This is the middle of Missionary Volunteer 
Week, and it would be well if this talk could be followed by an 
earnest season of prayer—pray for ourselves, for the sancti-
fication of the young people and children, and for the needs in 
our local community. 
Thursday, March 19 
Faith Makes It So 
How many times those who are trying to serve God are led 
into discouragement because of their feelings. An abiding 
trust is essential. Do not let this week go by without making 
very plain to the children and youth the way to exercise faith. 
"Steps to Christ" and " The Life of Victory" are both good 
sources for the principles to be made clear in this talk. 
Right Action of the Will 
STRONG minds have studied, and many books have been writ-
ten on, the importance of developing the will-power in order to 
succeed in life. There can be no successful Christian experience 
without the "right action of the will." Our youth and those 
newly attempting the Christian life must be led to understand 
t 
the proper relation of the will to the marvelous transformation 
which follows faith in the Saviour. There are chapters in 
" Steps to Christ" and in " The Life of Victory" that will be 
very helpful to 'the 'one requested to give this study. 
Transverse. or Parallel 
THE beautful poem under this title on page 92, of "The Life 
of Victory" is a very fitting appeal with which to close this 
evening's meeting. Have one of the Missionary Volunteers who 
can recite well, present it. 
Friday, March 20 
The Closest Union 
IN "The Life of Victory" there is a chapter showing the 
close union of the converted believer with the Saviour. This 
close union by faith is the theme of happy contemplation on 
the part of the Christian, and it is by abiding in Christ that the 
Christian life is possible. The one who presents this study nas 
the privilege of pointing out the fact that " the true, joyous life 
of the soul is to have Christ formed within, the hope of glory." 
The Power Provided 
DEcAusc they are weak and seemingly unable to bring about 
in their own lives what they think others are enjoying of the 
Christian experience, many hesitate to accept Christ at all. 
They say, "I have tried so ninny times, and every time I fail." 
They need to understand how to accept the power that is in 
Christ, and how God can " do all things " for them through 
Jesus. Helps on this topic will be found in "The Life of 
Victory," pages 85-91, and in "Steps to Christ" and other 
works of the spirit of prophecy. This evening's studies .could 
well be followed by a testimony service if the leader thinks 
best. 
Sabbath, March 21 
The Power of a Purpose 
M. E. KERN 
ONE day on the Steamship " Suva," between Australia and 
Fiji, my cabin mate said, " I do not understand the purpose of 
life, anyway." He was a man who had passed his childhood 
and youth, and was far toward middle life, and yet did not 
understand the purpose of his existence. Worst of all, he is 
not likely to learn, for he leaves Gqd out of the question. 
Humanly speaking, I felt quite insecure on that little " Suva " 
tossing about on the rolling waves of the great ocean; but I 
was thankful for one thing,—that the captain knew where he 
was going and understood how to navigate the ship. Yet there 
are thousands who are drifting on the sea of life with An real, 
definite idea of what life means, and without an individual 
purpose,—" drifting to eternity." 
Young people, to succeed, must have an all-absorbing pur-
pose. Nothing can take the place of this. You may be a 
genius, possess great talents, secure much learning, and labor 
untiringly; but unless these things are directed toward the 
achievement of a worthy life purpose, your life will be a 
failure. On the other hand, there is great, power in a noble 
purpose. So, 
"Live for something, have a purpose, 
And that purpose keep in view; 
Drifting like a helpless vessel, 
Thou eanst ne'er to life be true; 
Half the wrecks that strew life's ocean, 
If some star had been their guide, 
Might have long been riding,safely, 
But they drifted with the tide." 
The little child is concerned with its immediate surroundings 
and comforts; but when that child enters the gateway of man-
hood, he begins to think of the problems of life,— whence he 
came, whither he is going, and the object of existence here. 
In feet, it is these "long, long thoughts" of the youth con- 
cerning life that mark the transition from childhood to young 
manhood and womanhood. 
Our ideals and purposes make us what we are. , One's reso-
lutions are a prophecy of what he will be; for moat of us get 
what we want, if we really want it, and really know what it is 
we want,— not occasional resolutions or desires, but habitual 
purposes. 
How important, then, that our purposes should be right! 
How important that our purpose fo ourselves should be the 
same as God's purpose for us; for 
e who created us has a 
glorious purpose for each one. 
22 �
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE 
When Saul, on the way to Damascus, met Jesus, his whole 
purpose in life was changed. Twenty-eight years afterward he 
confessed that he had not been disobedient to that heavenly 
vision. He spent his whole life carrying out that purpose. 
" This one thing I do," he said. 
As a study of life's problems and the adoption of some pur-
pose marks the entrance into young manhood and womanhood, 
so adopting God's purpose marks conversion, or the entrance 
into the new life in Christ Jesus. We are told in the spirit of 
prophecy to " let the truth for this time be cordially received, 
and become the basis of character, and it will produce stead-
fastness of purpose, which the allurements of pleasure, the 
fickleness of custom, the contempt of the world-loving, and the 
heart's own clamors for self-indulgence, are powerless to in-
fluence." Who does not want such a purpose as this, 
Thus establishdd in. God's great purpose for us, we shall be 
guided by Him who dwells in our hearts, in choosing the work 
in which we can best serve Him. As Jesus lived to bless others, 
so will we: as He went about doing good, so will we. In this 
time, whatever our particular vocation may be, all the scattered 
energies of the soul will be gathered up and focused upon that 
noblest of all purposes, " The advent message to all the world 
in this generation." 
The Christian's Life of Growth and Development 
3. S. JAMES 
[If possible, arrange for a consecration service to follow 
thib study. Have a consecration prayer to close.] 
THE apostle Peter likens a newly converted soul to a newborn 
babe (1 Peter 2: 2), whose food at first must be milk in order 
that it may grow, and Paul speaks of this continuous develop-
ment as a process of growth, saying that we "may grow up 
into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ." Eph. 
4: 15. The apostle Peter speaks of growing in knowledge and 
grace, while Paul, in his epistle to the Thessalonians (2 These. 
1: 3), speaks of growing in faith. 
The life of every Christian is ever enlarging and expanding. 
Life means growth. If a Christian lives, he must grow—he 
will grow. This truth is often illustrated in nature, A. seed 
is planted in the ground. Heat, air, moisture, and light start 
it growing. It begins to raise itself above the ground, and 
every moment thereafter, until it has reached its full maturity, 
it undergoes a process of continual building and adding, climb-
ing upward, higher and higher, and becoming stronger every 
day. At no point does the work of growth hesitate. Nature 
knows nothing of a stationary or dead-level existence. The 
moment the process of growth ceases, death sets in, for life 
builds up and increases, while death breaks down and destroys. 
The life of the Christian can very well be likened to the 
growth of a plant. It begins as a result of a seed of truth 
sovvn in the heart. Here it may abide for a longer or shorter 
period, but in God's own time the Holy Spirit warms and waters 
it, and causes it to burst forth into life. The beginning may be 
small and obscure and weak at first,— just a tender shoot in the 
ground,— but it gains its strength as the process of growing 
continues, until Christian character is at last fully perfected. 
At every stage of growth in nature the plant is perfect. The 
kernel of corn which puts forth its tender sprout beneath 
the earth's crust is perfect in that state of growth, just as 
perfect as it will be later when it waves its stock and leaves 
above the ground and yields its fruit at harvest time. It is 
perfect at every moment from the seed to the harvest, but 
every moment finds it growing and enlarging. 
And so it is in Christian experience. The newborn soul 
bursts forth in a life of joy and perfection. But it does not 
rest content with its small measure of experience. There is 
something fuller, larger, and more complete farther on. Every 
day will find our feet resting upon higher levels. Every day 
will bring to our eyes new visions of opportunity and service. 
Eut,every stage of this-onward, upward experience will be per-
fect, until we reach the full stature of Jesus Christ in a 
conapleted life. 
But life and development in nature as well as in spiritual 
matters depends upon two things: life depends upon food; de-
velopment depends uport trial, test, experience. At the same 
moment the bursting acorn lifts its tender sprout above the 
ground it begins sending down a series of roots to take firm 
hold upon the earth, and through them to draw moisture and 
food from the surrounding soil. The richer the soil, the more 
rapid the growth; and as the tree rises above the ground, 
spreading its limbs and leaves to gather from the air, sunshine, 
and rain, it is nourished from above and beneath by the wise 
provision of the Creator. 
As the tree grows higher and higher above the ground, 
it becomes more exposed to the elements. Its top is swayed by 
the winds, and the storms in their fury assail it. In. the 
winter it is wrapped in the chill of snow and ice. In summer 
it droops under the scorching rays of the sun, outlives the 
drouth, and often survives the ravages of the forest fire. 
All that has been said about the life and development of a 
tree, can be applied with equal truth to the life of a Christian. 
In the Bible the life of the righteous is frequently likened unto 
trees, 
Food for spiritual life is promised from God, and He pro-
vides it liberally. Without attempting to name everything in 
the heavenly menu, I will mention two great essentials—the 
Word of God, and prayer. Jesus says, " The words that I speak 
unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6: 63. 
Shortly before saying this He said to the tempter in the wilder-
ness, " Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of 
God." Luke 4: 4. The afflicted patriarch expressed his valua-
tion of God's work in the following language, " I have esteemed 
the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." Job 
23: 12. 
How wonderfully the Word of God is suited to supply every 
need of our spiritual growth! 
Bible study alone is not enough to feed the soul. We must 
pray. If we do not know how, let us with the disciples ask the 
Lord to teach us how. Let us study the prayers of the Bible, 
particularly the prayers of the Master Himself. Prayer is talk-
ing with God as with the closest friend. It is the wings that 
bring us with all our need into the presence of God. But 
prayer does not consist alone in pleading our needs. In prayer 
we are giving grateful thanks for past blessings, and those con-
tained in promises for the future as though we now possessed 
them. In prayer we talk with God just from the pure joy of 
conversing with a friend or lover. We may also pray to God 
in song.. The psalms are prayers, at one time set to music, and 
used for worship on public occasions, and in private devotions. 
How much we need to cultivate the prayer-life The earthly 
life of Jesus was a life of prayer. He could not live a victor 
over sin without it, nor can we His children; for He was our 
example in all things. 
"Finally, my brethren," says the apostle, "be strong in the 
Lord, and in the power of His might." Eph. 6: 10. Christian 
character and strength come mostly through test and trial. 
Like the tree, we must face the wind and storm, endure the 
heat and frost, and sometimes be cast into the furnace. But 
all these experiences develop true Christian fiber and make us 
strong to resist evil. Trials and tests are sent to us from 
God, and are the tokens or signs of His good pleasure in us ri 
(2 Thess. 1: 4-6), and not, as some are tempted to think, be-
cause He is angry or displeased with us. Gold and silver is 
passed through the furnace to remove the dross, but the fire 
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does not injure the pure metal. It is the winnowing that sep-
arates the chaff from the wheat, and not until it is winnowed , 
can we know the difference. The fierce heat of the glazier's 
oven brings out and fixes the delicate colors of the decorator on 
the choice porcelain, The pruning of the vine causes it to bear 
fruit more abundantly. While snow and ice are cold in them- vl 
selves, yet they warm and refresh the earth and keep it from 
the killing frost. It has been found that many pine cones have 
I 
had their seeds released by the heat of the forest fire. The <, 
fairest Alpine flowers bloom in the wildest rugged mountain 
passes. Spices are most fragrant when burned or bruised. 
The Lord wants to plant the seeds of His love and power in . 
your heart, and tenderly watch over them until they have grown -r 
to meet His purpose for you. Will you let Him? A submissive 
heart, a willing mind, is all the soil He needs for the plant-
ing. " Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." 
Close this Week of Prayer by making this scripture chief in your 
life. This is the foundation of a victorious life, a life of con-
stant growth and development in the things of God. 
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THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE �
23 
Helps for Junior Meetings 
THE following outlines, illustrations, and suggestions are 
given with the purpose of putting material into the hands of 
teachers and Junior superintendents which will help them to 
conduct an earnest effort for boys and girls during the spring 
Week of Prayer. The lessons follow only in a general way the 
articles for the Senior young people. It would be well for the 
superintendent to study these and have their purpose in mind; 
$ but the talks he gives should be his own,—straight from his 
heart to the hearts of the boys and girls he knows so well and 
loves. The more practical the lesson, the better; the more con-
crete the illustrations, the more valuable to the Junior mind. 
He thinks in terms of acts, not in theories. The week should 
not pass without giving the boys and girls an opportunity to 
respond. It is not the glib testimony, but the expression of 
the real self, we seek. This is especially hard for Juniors, so 
do not overurge— prayer breaks down the wall built by timid-
ity, and wins the victory. 
Five lessons are provided so that there shall be one for each 
day of school during the week. Where the children do not 
have the privilege of a church school, the lessons should be 
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combined and selected by the superintendent to suit the number 
of occasions when the children can be together. 
Strive for a true revival. Personal work will count more than 
talks. Earnest prayer in private, and consistent, steady prayer-
band work are essential, but do not weary the boys and girls. 
And when the week is over, do not drop your interest. Let this 
be but the seed for steady growth. You have come into closer 
p touch with the inner experience of the children; keep open the 
channels of spiritual companionship. 
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Further material may be found in the 1923 and 1924 camp- 
meeting helps for Juniors. If you do not have these sets of 
lessons, write to the Missionary Volunteer Department, General 
Conference, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. 
Monday 
r 
The Need of Christ in the Life 
NOTE.— This lesson was prepared by Mrs. Harriet Holt. 
dim.—To show the children the need of a definite Christian 
' experience. The indifferent, drifting habit to which boys and 
girls as well as grown-ups are often subject, is dangerous to the 
salvation of the soul. 
Study 1 John 3: 2, 3. The hope that Jesus is soon coming is 
a great purifier of the life. Do we trul believe it/ 
tF!!Matt. 24: 23, 29-33, 42, 44. The first
y 
 part of this chapter 
__, deals with a series of signs, and yet Christ says, if any one 
S7 says Christ is here, believe it not. After the signs in the sun, 
moon, and stars, however, His whole teaching is to watch, for 
Ir we know not the hour. fe are living on borrowed time. Are 
we ready at any moment? 
• 2 Tim. 4: 8. Do we love His appearing, or do we fear it? 
This is a text for each boy and girl. We are very apt to 
4_, drift along from day to day satisfied to have a halfway ex- 
perience. Busy with our school and home duties, we think little 
,„‘ of the time when all creation will be trembling, and we will 
"1"' need to know God. 
The great river above Niagara Falls flows smoothly and 
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silently. Several years ago a company of men were working on 
a dredge some distance up the river. Day after day they had 
gone about their business heedless of the line of rapids that 
broke below them, forgetful of the roar of the great cataract. 
R. Then, one day the great cables which bound the barges together 
broke, and one on which three men were stationed drifted into 
the current. Swiftly it swept toward the rapids. Down the 
or first descent with the white spray boiling around it, it careened. 
The terrible brink was just below. Men on the shore watched 
in horror. Those on the barge waited for death. And then 
something scraped the bottom of the float. Steadily the strong 
current forced it onto some shoals. Minute after minute passed, 
and the barge hung on. And for eighteen hours those men 
,. waited until those on the shore could shoot the life-lines across. 
For eighteen hours they knew that their lives depended upon 
the way their barge held to the rocks. As I looked at that 
barge, I could not help but try to imagine how grateful those 
men must have felt when they realized that the barge was not 
tv drifting. It was holding. 
That is what it means to know Jesus. We may be drifting 
along in the smooth waters of every day; but we must have an 
anchor which holds. 
rfr
- Study " Early Writings," chapters " The Shaking," " The 
Time of Trouble," and "Deliverance of the Saints" (pp. 269-
273, 282-288). The danger time is here. Wo are told that the 
Holy Spirit will be poured out; but not every one will recognize 
it. Some will drift along, and never know that others are being 
prepared by a special outpouring to meet the Saviour. Our only 
safety is to be ready hour by hour, to be living up to the name 
we bear. 
Make the lesson practical. Disobedience, dishonesty, and 
carelessness may all be dealt with according to the needs. The 
superintendent who knows his Juniors in their homes, has the 
advantage over one who does not, in his ability to give the 
help that is needed in such a week. Every boy and girl must 
have a living connection with the Saviour to live the successful 
life each day. 
Tuesday 
Believing 
NOTE.—The purpose of this study is to give the boys and 
girls something solid upon which to rely. So many depend upon 
an exaltation of feeling instead of the fact of God's Word. 
Pray and study to make the lesson clear and simple. The fol-
lowing outline and study were prepared by Miss Bessie Mount: 
1. It is necessary for me to believe in order to receive. Mark 
9: 23, 24. 
2. God has given me a measure of faith. Rom. 12: 3. 
3. I can be saved through believing. John 3: 16. 
4. My sins will be forgiven if I confess. 1 John 1: 9. 
5. I can trust Him for the past. 
a. My sins are behind His back. Isa. 38: 17. 
b. They are as far from me as east is froni west. 
Ps. 103: 12. 
c. They are in the depths of the sea. Micah 7: 19. 
d. He has forgotten them. Isa. 43: 25. 
6. I can trust Him for the future. 
a. He is able to help me. Heb. 2: 18. 
b. He will strengthen me. Isa. 41: 10. 
e. He is able to keep me from falling. Jude 24. 
The first text shows the necessity of believing, if we wish to 
receive blessings from Christ, This is not asking something too 
hard, for it is possible for every one to believe, because God has 
given a " measure of faith " to every person. We may increase 
this "measure" of faith by using it. What would happen if 
we never used our muscles? Show that eXereise is just as 
necessary to growth of faith as it is to increase of physical 
strength. 
Let the leader emphasize the feet that we are not to depend 
on some special emotion or glow of feeling for the assurance 
that Jesus accepts us. "Faith and feeling are opposites." 
Faith feeds on facts, not on feelings. God asks us to believe 
Him without any feeling; He may or He may not give us cer-
tain feelings, if we believe Him, but we are to believe Him 
anyway, just because He is and because His word is true. 
"You might as well speak of hearing a sight as of feeling 
faith," says one. Even the telephone cannot make us see a 
sound. So if we have sincerely repented of our sins and con-
fessed them, shall we not believe that God has done His part, 
and forgiven them? 
Hero is an illustration that will help to impress this fact upon 
the minds of the children. To give it you will need a piece of 
thin silk and five cents' worth of the strongest nitric acid. 
(The fumes of this acid are strong and strangling, and great 
care should be taken to keep it away from the faces of all 
while the experiment is being performed. In disposing of the 
acid after the lesson, the best way is to bury it.) Here is a 
piece of silk. It is something real, that you can see and handle, 
and yet it can be destroyed. (Put it into the acid, and in a 
few moments it will have entirely disappeared.) So will our 
sins disappear if they have been truly repented of, even though 
we may not be able to see or understand how it is accom-
plished. God destroys the sin, and remembers it no more, and 
Ho wants us to forget it, too. So we are not to worry over 
sins committed and repented of weeks or months ago, and we 
are not to continue to bring them to the Lord, for He has 
already forgiven them if we have really repented. The sin is 
gone, just as soon as He forgives it, and no trace of it is left. 
So we can trust our past to Him without any fear, because 
the fact of His forgiveness is there. 
What about today and tomorrow, and all the days to come? 
We need not worry about them, but take them one at a time, 
as they come to us, and trust Jesus to keep us from falling for 
that one day. It is a fact that He will keep us, for we have 
His promise. So let us ask Him to keep us from sinning, and 
then "lean our whole weight" on Him, and believe that He 
does what He has promised. 
Wednesday 
How to Overcome Temptation 
NOTE.—Aim to give a practical lesson on overcoming. It 
should not be a lesson of don'ts, but one of do's. The empty 
house was filled with more devils than before. Matt. 12: 43-
45. Study especially the Senior article of that name. The 
outline given by Professor Wood is simple, and could be effec-
tively used if placed on the blackboard as tne superintendent 
gives the study. The following suggestions for a talk were 
contributed by Miss Margaret Weir: 
24 �
THE CHURCH OFFICERS' GAZETTE 
What does it mean to overcome? When one king or nation 
has overcome another, we know there has been a battle to fight. 
Boys and girls also have battles, and with whom must they 
fight? Who is their enemy? (See 1 Peter 5: 8.) Satan is their 
enemy, and it is against him that the battle must be fought. 
How many have ever had a battle in their own mind about 
doing some certain thing? Satan suggests something to the 
mind which appears pleasant in order to get you to do wrong. 
He sets a trap in which he hopes to catch each one. When a 
lion is hunting for food, it is said he, will roar so loudly that 
the animal he is hunting becomes so frightened it does not try 
to get away. When Satan tempts us, he makes us want to do 
the thing that is wrong so much,,that we make no effort to do 
right. Satan will overcome us if we do not overcome him. 
When he tempts us to do wrong and we do it, we call this yield-
ing; but when we do not yield to him, we call this overcoming. 
We are to overcome as Jesus did. He is our example. The 
Word of God is to be our defense as it was His. It will keep 
us from getting into all the traps that Satan sets for us. By 
reading Matthew 4: 1-11, we learn what Jesus did when Satan 
tempted Him. (Emphasize the thought that it was by the 
Word of God that Jesus overcame.) Jesus resisted Satan by 
repeating verses of Scripture. This is one reason why we need 
to read our Bibles, and study our Sabbath school lesson, that 
we may be able to resist Satan and overcome him. 
One of the snares that Satan sets for boys and girls is bad 
company. Look out for this trap. (Read Prov. 4: 14; 1: 10, 
15; 2:.20.) When we are much in the company of good 
people, we grow more like them; but if we are much -with those 
who do not love God, we become like them. (Illustrate the 
effect of evil companions by one rotten apple spoiling a sack-
ful, by one black, burned stick spoiling a white one, or by a 
drop of ink discoloring a glass of water.) 
But we want company. God places that desire in each heart. 
First of all Jesus says, " Let Me be your chum. Pd like to stay 
with you." (See John 15 and Rev. 3: 20.) Suppose the Pres-
ident of the United States said that. Would you not feel 
greatly honored? Yet the King of the universe makes just that 
proposition to us. 
You wouldn't be very comfortable if some one you loved and 
wanted to be with could not get along with some one else you 
were always with. Just so, if we love Jesus and ask Him to go 
with us each day, we'll choose our earthly friends from among 
those who love to be with Jesus too. 
We are told to be " strong in the Lord." Eph. 6: 10. Jesus 
pities the weakling who is swayed by every little temptation. 
How are we to become strong? How do we become strong in 
mind, in body? Daily using the strength of body and power 
of mind increases them. Daily assimilating nourishing food 
furnishes the necessary material. Just so daily touch with 
Jesus and using the help He has already provided, gives us 
power to overcome the next temptation. Remember Jesus never 
lets anything come to us that is too hard. 1 Cor. 10: 13. 
The secret of success, then, in overcoming temptation is keep. 
ing close to Jesus. 
Thursday 
A New Creature 
NOTE.— The purpose to be kept in mind is the genuineness 
of the rebirth. It is a vital something that takes hold of the 
life of him who truly surrenders. The study is presented by 
Prof. H. T. Elliott. 
Explain the nature of the act of creation. Tell the difference 
between a complete change, as in transformation, and the re-
modeling of something old. A Christian experience is not fix-
ing up some old way of living; it is being different; it is a 
new life altogether. Illustrate by telling how a man can buy 
a house, and change it over by making a different porch 
or adding some rooms to the back. But it is a made-over home; 
it is not new. Some think the Christian life means leaving off 
bad habits. To them it is like washing a wall or scrubbing a 
floor,-- the worker washes or scrubs a little area at a time,—
so they must leave off one bad habit after another until they 
are good. A Christian life is not like that. 
Some try to balance the good and bad which they do, so as 
to give ease of conscience. If they have been good for a while, 
they think that one bad thing will not hurt. If they have been 
doing wrong until their conscience is troubling them, they think 
they must do some good things to balance the account with their 
sins and so appease God. They are like the Chinaman who had 
three sacks. In ono sack he kept black beans, in another he 
kept yellow beans. When he did something which he thought 
was good, he would take a yellow bean from the sack and put 
it in the third sack. If he did something wrong, he would take 
a black bean and put it in the third sack, After a while he 
would empty the third sack upon the table and separate the 
yellow from the black beans. If there were more black beans 
than yellow ones, he felt that he must do some meritorious deeds 
until his conscience was at ease again. But a Christian life is 
not like that. 
When one is a Christian, his whole life is changed. (Com-
pare Rom. 12:3 and Eph. 4: 20-32, especially verse 23.) While 
we cannot do it ourselves, yet if we will let the Lord do it, our 
whole life -will be changed. Illustrate as fully as possible by 
personal experiences of converted people. 
Some fear to become Christians because they believe they will 
make mistakes and be misjudged. Others see the mistakes of 
those who are professing Christianity, and say in their hearts 
that they will not be Christians until they are sure they can be 
void of mistakes. How is the character judged by God? 
Romans 2. Read also the following, from " Stops to Christ," 
pocket edition, pages 57, 55: 
" The character is revealed, not by occasional good deeds and 
occasional misdeeds, but by the tendency of the habitual words 
and acts." �
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The character may be known by the answer to the question, 
" Who has the heart? " 
Sometimes people judge others by some one mistake they have 
made, but this is not right. An iceberg is floating toward the 
south in the ocean. The wind blows northward at a fierce gale, 
but the iceberg continues to travel south. Why? — Because 
six sevenths of it is in the current of the water beneath the 
surface. Some ono who is a Christian, whose heart is in the 
keeping of the Lord, may make a mistake, but his life is car-
ried on because it is buried in the current of God's love. Some-
times people do good things merely to be well thought of by 
others. They appear good when their hearts may be deceitfid. 
But it is not merely the appearance that counts. A boy in 
school may never do anything bad himself, but if he is stirring 
others on to be bad, he is surely not good himself. To be a 
Christian, one must be God's at heart, and then it will be seen 
in all his life. True character will radiate from within, " Sal-
vation is like the sunshine." (See a fuller explanation in "The 
Desire of Ages," pp. 307, 309-311, 172.) 
Close by appealing to the boys and girls to yield themselves 4., 
to God. Use the text, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new 
creature." Some translations say, " creation," as a promise that 
God will create their hearts anew if they will yield them to 
Him. " Who has the heart/ " 
Friday 
Growing Up 
Nora.—Aim to leave a clear, simple conception of what sane-
tification means. Christian growth is as necessary to spiritual 
life as physical growth is to the life of the body. The following 
study is contributed by a lover and student of boys and girls, 
A. W. Spalding: 
Every day at about dinnertime I hear a little girl say, 
"Mamma, is dinner ready? I'm so hungry." And then a 
few minutes afterward I hear her say, "Please give me some 
bread," arid, "Please pass the potatoes," and, "Please may I 
have another glass of milk?" And the other day I heard her 
say, "If I could have all the milk and whole-wheat bread I 
want, I would rather have them than candy," which I assure 
you was a very good thing to hear a little girl say. 
But what do you think would happen to that little girl and 
to all the girls and boys, if they never should say and think, 
" I'm hungry; " if they never should eat any bread nor drink 
any milk, but just go on saying, " Pm not hungry; I don't care; 
I am alive and happy and strong, and I don't need anything to 
eat." Why, you knowl Pretty soon they would grow faint, and 
then they would become weak, and then they would be very un-
happy, and after a while they would die. 
All that is such very common knowledge that you don't 
need to be told it. But I wonder if you know that being 
hungry for bread and food like that is not the only hunger 
there is. We have not only our bodies to feed, but we have 
our souls to feed with truth. And really, it is true that unless 
we feed our souls with truth we shall be worse off than if we 
do not feed our bodies with bread. For in that case we shall 
become very mean, and ugly, and cantankerous, and unable to 
love anybody in a really lovable way. And for a fact, nobody 
will find it very easy to love us. It is worse to be sick in our 
souls than to be sick in our bodies. 
It is as needful to be hungry for truth as it is to be hungry 
for food. Was there ever any boy or girl who was not ready 
to hear a story? and who did not cry, whenever the proper 
story time came around, " Please tell me a story" I Well, the 
good story is food for our souls. Of course, there are bad 
stories too, just as there are bad foods to eat. And some people 
like to take bad foodstuffs, like pepper, and mustard, and coffee, 
and tobacco; and some people like to take bad story stuff, that 
tells about murders and evil deeds. But stories that give you 
true, noble thoughts and ambitions, these are true food for the 
soul. 
And you know our heavenly Father is more ready to give us 
good things than are even our parents. You never knew a Ai 
mother or father whose boy asked for bread to give him a 
stone, did you? Much less would your heavenly Father give you 
anything bad when you asked Him for good. He knows that r 
we must have good food for our souls, and that is why He has 
given us the Bible, for in the Bible are the best of all stories of 
truth. And I tell you, boys and girls; that if we want to grow 
true, and strong, and good, we have to take this spiritual food 
every day. We must have regular times for it, too,— a morning 
watch, when we speak to our Father, that is prayer; and when 
He speaks to us, that is Bible study. Yon cannot live, and you 
cannot grow in your souls, without prayer and Bible study. 
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