By Charles H. Stalker
After being out about a week we encountered a typhoon in the China sea, which resembles a cyclone on land. The storm got heavier and heavier, and the waves so boisterous that it seemed they would tear the ship to pieces. She was large and heavy, but on that raging sea she was tossed like a cork. We could hear her creaking and the skylights being crushed, and the dismal sound of the foghorn sounded every few minutes, as if calling for help; Great iron doors were torn from their hinges and carried out to sea as though they were shingles. The days and nights had been dark, with no sun or stars by which the Captain could get his bearings, so were not surprised to find we were lost at sea. The drink saloon and the card table were deserted. The few Catholics who were on board were counting their beads. One lady said she had never counted hers so many times in her life as in those few days. The other passengers sat around in one little room with the look of fear and distress written upon their faces, listening eagerly for some encouraging word from the officers, but none came. Some were praying.
The stewardess came to the head of the stairs and said, "Mr. Stalker, do pray for us." I told her that I had been doing that, and was now expecting my answer, for I felt the assurance in my soul that "there should be no loss of life." Not long. before the storm we had been talking to the passengers about being ready to meet God, and they thought there was plenty of time and others things were more important, but now the scene had changed, and they wanted some one to pray for them. Oh, what will it mean at that great Day, to the proud and stubborn hearts who have rejected God, "When the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light and the stars shall fall from heaven) and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken?" It continued to get darker and darker. A large wave came with great force from either side and dropped with a heavy crash on the ship. It seemed she would be crushed. For a few seconds we were entirely under water. We could see it from the windows of either side at the same time.
The captain felt that she could not stand many more such blows. He had been watching everything closely, had not been in bed for over forty hours. We were told that those immense waves were usually followed by another of the same kind. But praise the Lord, He was on the throne and instead of another crash like that He sent the sun. Bless His name forever. The Captain soon got his bearings and found we were sixty miles from where he though we were and near some rocks on which the ship would have been dashed to pieces had not the hand of our Loving Father interfered. Let me say that there was never a sweeter peace and rest in my soul than when the storm was at its worst.
The papers in Hong Kong had announced that day that our ship had gone down with all her crew, but blessed be God, He is faithful and His eye is watching tenderly over His own. Glory! But there was not a harbor in all the trip that we appreciated so much as that one. Let us take courage and press on with a new zeal. The Port is just ahead and the rougher and more stormy the voyage the more will we appreciate it when safe in the Harbor, and it will only increase our joy when we walk up the golden streets and sing the songs of the redeemed.
At the end of three weeks we were glad to reach Shanghai, where Wilbur Estes met us. He did our interpreting on our former trip and we were glad to have him again. We spent some days there with missionaries, then took the boat and went to Nanking, where we found some precious saints. The Lord graciously blessed the meeting in the different missions.
The way opened for us to go to a city about twenty miles away. We took a launch and went up the river, arriving at our destination about dark. We went by village after village where there seemed to be swarms of people, and we were told there was not a mission, not even a missionary there. Oh, the noise and din of those heathen villages. We were awakened at all hours of the night by their shouts and cries while in attendance upon their heathen festivals or celebrations. Once they were dedicating a boat to the gods and made so much noise that we wondered if the Boxers had returned.
Miss Holme, whom God is so wonderfully blessing, is apparently buried to the world, but souls all around her are learning of Him who shed His precious blood that they might be saved. She and Mrs. Stalker were carried by two men in separate "sedan chairs" to a village where a greater portion of the people in the meeting had never heard the Gospel. They went to several places and into homes and were served tea in a most hospitable manner. They went to the home of an old lady who was living entirely alone, and after long considering the matter, she decided to throw away her idols and give up her heathen customs. She hesitated so long because she was afraid the gods would cause fire to rain down upon her from Heaven if she renounced them. She finally consented to give them up, and was converted to the true God. Upon a certain festival day when great crowds were marching through the city, with inscriptions upon their banners to the different "idols," she, without anyone suggesting it, had mottoes hung all about her little hut, such as "Jesus saves," "He is coming again." She was ill when they were there and has, no doubt, by this time swept into glory to sing the song of Moses and the Lamb.
We had two or three meetings every day while in Lu Hoh. Usually in the evening the young people came in to inquire more about the way, some to request prayer for loved ones, others to be prayed with themselves. Oh, how blessed to see the workings of the Holy Ghost and hear the songs and prayers of those who have come out of heathen darkness.
A blind man, a Chinese, came in one day to tell us of the dream he had about the Lord's coming. He got real happy as he described what he saw in his dream. He really believed he would see Him soon. He seemed to see more than a great many who have good eyes, but yet refuse to believe.
Our hearts were touched to hear the testimonies of some who were the only ones left out of a large family after the Boxers had destroyed the lives of their loved ones. One afternoon I was reaching my Bible and praying when a lady missionary came into the parlor. She had been on the field four years, in obedience to the call of God, but said she had never been satisfied in her heart and was tempted to get discouraged. Her life was one of possibility, but she had never heard anything on holiness excepting along the line of "suppression." When I asked her if she did not want to receive the Holy Ghost, she gladly received Him. Oh, how happy she was. She said her whole life was changed and she had a desire to work for Him as never before.
One day when coming out of the dispensary with the nurse, a missionary, a man came up carrying his two-year-old baby over his shoulder. He was bringing it to the place where he knew many others came for treatment. It was in the last stages of pneumonia and was then dying. The nurse told him to take it home and been very kind to it, but she had nothing to give him that would help it now. She was afraid to tell him of its real condition for fear he would lay it outside in the sun and leave it alone to die, as they have a superstition in China that if one dies in the house. the spirit will remain in the room and never reach Heaven.
It is customary when a man dies in China to make paper houses, chairs or horses and burn them, thinking that the soul can thus use and enjoy them in the hereafter. God placed in the hearts of all men a desire to worship. This is being carried out from those who worship God in the beauty of holiness to those who worship the most degraded objects of earth.
When the morning came for us to leave Lu Hoh a number gathered on the banks to say good-bye, and the two faithful missionaries stood in the center of the crowd as we were leaving. We shall never forget the picture as our little boat pushed out from the shore. How we thank God for such lives. They count it a privilege and not a sacrifice to live in the midst of those who have never heard of the Christ and lead them to Him. We stopped at a village where the Friends had just opened a new mission. A native man and his wife who know God were in charge. They had some of the promises hanging on the wall and we believe it will be a real soul-saving station.
We had intended to go to northern China and part of the arrangements were made, but owing to an uprising similar to the Boxer trouble we were advised by the authorities not to go, as strangers were apt to cause more question and dissatisfaction. So we returned to Shanghai and it was wonderful how the way opened for work in special services for missionaries. A number received the Holy Ghost; some who had just arrived on the field and some who came from the interior. It was a time that the power and presence of God was felt in a marvelous way.
We met a beautiful young lady here who had a clear call and felt the burden of the lost heavy upon her heart, and her prayer and heart's desire was that souls should receive the Holy Ghost. She spoke so much about Him, and truly the light of Heaven shone on her face. She said to us one day that she could not understand why there were so many doors open for work and He did not liberate her to enter any of them. It looked as though her work was almost done in China, but surely the Lord did not mean for her to return to the home land. After leaving there we had several beautiful letters from her, then a long lapse without any. And one day we had a short letter from another friend telling us that Miss Page had been smitten with smallpox and had slipped away to Heaven to be with Jesus, but the fragrance and fruitage of such a holy life will live on forever.
We had a meeting with the soldiers and also with the Chinese of different missions, and God gave souls. We will not go into details about the many different ones who were saved and sanctified, but they are all recorded on the Lamb's Book of Life. Praise the Lord!
Shanghai is a city of interest and has many modern improvements. There are thousands of the English-speaking people there, and is a ripe field for the scattering of holiness.
Mrs. Stalker and one of the ladies visited a rescue home for Chinese girls where two young women from New York were in charge. The home had just been opened for a short time and there were forty girls in it, some were but children who had been sold or kidnapped, and the matron said they had not had a case in which they had shown the least desire to return to sin. They sewed and did other work and in this way earned enough to supply themselves with food and clothing. It touched our hearts to see girls who were but mere children carried on the shoulder of men through the streets as a living advertisement of the popular houses of sin in that city. These are sights so familiar that it is only the few who think with interest or pity of the misery and shame which form the dark background of the lives of these precious girls. One of the rules of the rescue home was that when the girls came to it they could not go on the streets for a year, lest their owners should see them and trap them back into their old haunts. But there was not a murmur. They were glad to have the privilege of living a pure life. Some of them were beautifully saved. All glory to our God!
An interesting account is told of a little girl but ten years old who knew very little of the comforts of life. At times the family had scarcely enough to eat, and as a girl is not of much value only for the money she may bring, the parents decided to sell her to the owner of a house of ill-fame, where men of all classes come to drag her and other souls down to hell. She could not understand why she had to stay in such a place, and her little heart almost broke, but there she was inside the wall and apparently no way of escape.
Surely God in Heaven looked down in pity on her, even though she had never heard a word about Him, yet He knew and loved and cared. After she had been in this place about a year one day she saw a missionary who spoke kindly to her, something she had scarcely known before. The missionary offered her a home. She tried to imagine what that would be like, but it seemed too much like a dream to her to be true, but she gladly accepted the invitation and clung to her, lest those wicked people would snatch her back. When her owner discovered that she had gone to this rescue home, he was angry and tried to coax and persuade her to return.
Shortly after she entered the home she gave her young heart to Jesus, but her little body was seriously diseased through sin and ill treatment. One day she looked up into the missionary's face and said, "When I go to Heaven lam afraid it will seem strange, for I do not know any one there but Jesus, but I'll be sure to know Him." The missionary explained how she did not know any one but her when she first came, but she soon got acquainted. "Oh, yes," she said, and her little face lighted up, "I know Jesus and when I get to Heaven I'll go straight to Him and will soon feel at home."
How true were her words, for it seemed that her little body faded like a leaf and in a few days from that time her little soul took its flight to be forever with Jesus whom she knew and loved.
Feeling that our work for the present in China was done, we bade the dear friends good-bye and set sail for Japan. We highly appreciated the valuable service of Wilbur Estes as our interpreter and friend. May God bless him a thousand-fold. Our hearts go out in prayer for the millions of souls that have never heard the Gospel, and may all who are called to that land cherish the cause as a sacred trust, until they find themselves in the center of heathen China working and weeping for the lost. When we reached Yokohama we found that the harbor was laid with mines, so the ship was taken in with the greatest care by a special pilot, lest one of these mines be disturbed and the result be disastrous. When we finally anchored in the bay we were surprised to hear "Glory!" shouted from a little boar below, and looking down we saw dear brother Kilbourne and brother Nakada. How glad we were to see them! They took us directly to Tokyo, and what a warm reception they gave us into their home. We shall never forget it. We were so happy and overjoyed that evening we could scarcely eat our supper. The glory of the Lord came down our souls to greet. What will it mean when the battles are all fought and we shall meet at Jesus' feet in joy to part no more?
That was a time of special interest in Japan. The country was enshrouded in war. Train loads of strong men going to the front to give their lives for their country, while other trains were carrying back the wounded and dying. Missionaries were busy visiting the hospitals and homes to point the lost, and in many cases dying ones, to "the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." What an awful background there is to war-sick and wounded and dying, sad homes and broken hearts. It pained our hearts to see this sad sight. May God hasten the time when nations will know war no more, and the Prince of Peace will reign. How long! How long!
Accompanied by some missionaries we went to see the Emperor review his troops on his birthday. How quickly they obeyed every order. Our minds were taken from this to the time when the Great Emperor, the King of Kings, will return to review the troops of every nation and tongue who have been faithful in every battle and conflict, and will reward them for their gallant service by admitting them to the joys of Heaven, "Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus."
A Holiness Convention for Japanese and any one who wished to come was announced to begin that day. The house was full. It seemed like getting back home again to be among those chosen ones. Many whom we met on the former trip came up with their faces just beaming with victory, to shake hands and welcome us. Dear Brother Sasao San, my faithful interpreter, was ready to stand by me again, and help push the battle. He is a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost. The altar was filled with men and women weeping and praying their way through to God. The heart language is the same in all lands. Were it not for the difference in tongue, we would not know but that we were in a convention in America. One noticeable thing was an offering taken the last day. Nakada San announced that it would be given to me for the "evangelism of the world." They hastened from all over the house, and laid it on the table. They gave joyfully with shouts of victory from their hearts. This made a deep impression upon us, that a large audience like this, saved from heathen darkness, should hold a holiness convention and have an interest in the lost world. I have received many offerings, but my heart was touched by this one beyond expression.
We went to a mission station some miles up in the country, where the man in charge was saved from a life of sin and dissipation. He wandered into a mission on a dark street in Chicago one night, and the Lord saved him, and afterwards sanctified him wholly, and gave him a clear call to Japan, and after minding the Lord for some years in this country, he went to Japan, and the Lord was marvelously blessing his work there. The Lord is going down into the slums and the dark places of sin, and raising up a people who will be true to Him, and since they so clearly see their own unworthiness, the Lord receives all the glory for the work they do for Him. In answer to calls from the different missions, we went to a number of towns and held meetings which were blest of God in the salvation of souls. We were impressed with the fact that so many people were longing to receive the Holy Ghost, both among the Japanese and Europeans.
We could see from so many different places "Fuji Mountain." It is beautiful with its snow capped top. Formerly fire came out of this mountain, but today it is water, which gushes forth and immediately becomes a wide river. At the foot there is also a natural spring in which the weary pilgrim bathes in order to purify himself before ascending the mountain. They come from two to three hundred miles to climb it, as they are supposed to receive great virtue from the gods, if they do. They live on very scanty food, stopping on the way up at different temples to worship. Sometimes there will be fifteen and twenty people in a party, usually old people. Oh, how they need to know the only true God, and He will satisfy every longing of their souls. Ah, every soul longs for Him, even though they do not understand their own hearts, yet there is a reaching out after God.
It was laid on our hearts to go to a work on the Sea Coast, where the Glenn Sisters are toiling and weeping for souls. It is an isolated place, but God is with them. At the first meeting, the church was full and the whole place was turned into an altar of prayer. Such weeping and praying to God. A Bible woman prayed very earnestly, but it seemed that she had a hard struggle to give up and surrender to the Holy Ghost. A few weeks later, however, she came into a meeting we were holding some distance from there, and fell at the altar, and surrendered all. She soon sprang up with her face just beaming with light, and said, "I have the blessing," and started home to tell her people. We did not see her afterwards, but the missionaries write us that she has become a real soul winner. If one-tenth of the people in the home land, who raise their hands and sing, "I'll go," would put it into practice, hundreds and thousands of people would hear the Gospel who have never heard. It is a possibility, God help us to make it a reality.
We were entertained in the home of the man who keeps the lighthouse, which stands on the first point of land that can be seen, coming from the home land to Japan. He is a Christian, and enjoys the study of the Bible. We noticed many blue pencil marks under special promises, which he says have been a great blessing to him. It is his orders to light the lights every night, whether there are any ships coming that way or not. No matter what the circumstances are, he is to let it shine. What a beautiful lesson it is to the Christian on obedience.
Our hearts are burdened while we write, as a picture of the teeming millions who have never heard of Christ are constantly before us. While we may think of them as just gathering on special feast days and worshipping their heathen idols, yet is it not sad that such a march from the lost world is going on continually? Strong charactered men and women, who might have been real monuments of faith and lifted many souls from despair, are hopelessly marching into eternity without God. Oh, may the Lord arouse us, not only to our duty to these, but to our privileges in helping to bring them to Him. Every breath we draw, some one is passing into eternity without the true Comforter. Can we afford to fold our arms and wait until a "more convenient season?" Can we persuade the Lord that we mean it, when we sit in comfortable pews and sing, "More Love to Thee, Oh, Christ," and not do our very best to send or take the blessed old story to these. When He said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature."
At the little town of Meto we visited the home of some missionaries who have been on the field for years. We could not understand where so many people came from. They were knocking on their door at all hours, and when service time would come, they would come in great numbers. Over a hundred children would sit on the floor of one small room and pay the strictest attention to the Sunday School lesson which was being given, by Mrs. Binford, and we believe many of the children have given their hearts to God. Surely the Lord is blessing the labors of the true and tried missionaries.
After finishing the work the Lord had for us in the interior, visiting missions regardless of denomination, we returned to Tokyo, and held several meetings. Our interest and faith were increased as we reviewed the work and came in contact with the faithful and sacrificing missionaries. We realize it means much to be true in that land of superstition and heathen worship, but God is able, and He has some of the very choicest of earth stationed as lights in that dark land.
In Tokyo we spent some time in the home of "Cowman and Kilbourne," who have a blessed work under God. We were privileged to be present at the opening of the new Bible school, where young men and women are taught the way more perfectly. Jesus is lifted up and the Holy Ghost has right of way. Praise the Lord for such a place in a dark heathen land, when there are so many institutions of learning all over the world, where they have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. Here they are taught to "Seek first the kingdom of God" that they may go forth and lead precious souls to Him. Every night in the year their missions in different parts of the city are open, and as their victorious songs ring out on the air from the mission or the meetings held on the street-corners, great crowds gather and listen attentively to the "Old, old story," yet new to many of their darkened hearts, and many of them hear and are glad, because they repent of their sins, and Jesus gives them that peace that passeth all understanding, which their hearts have longed for so long. We felt it a great privilege to speak to these people and give the message which the Holy Ghost laid on our hearts, and many received Him. To God be all the glory!
In visiting the temples, we saw things that brought tears to our eyes. Men and women who were suffering, in prayer before gods of stone, older people teaching the children to clasp their little hands before some hideous looking idols, strong men putting an offering in the box and ringing a bell to wake up the gods, and heart crushed mothers and wives kneeling down and worshipping the souls of their loved ones, who have given their lives in the front of the battle. Oh, could they only know the true Comforter who would lift every burden, and satisfy their aching hearts.
The weary pilgrim seeking peace can be frequently seen in Japan traveling from one temple to the other, such as is shown in the picture. They come for miles and miles. They are dressed in a white "Kimono" with beads about their neck by which they pray. They carry a little bell to awaken the gods, and at each temple they visit, the priest puts a stamp on their clothing or the top of the umbrella. This is supposed to give them great virtue with the "gods." Sometimes they will travel all summer hoping as they press on toward the next temple they will find something that will satisfy their hearts. It was sixty years of such a weary search as this, that the old couple of whom Mrs. Cowman writes, found the true God. It was our privilege to see and talk with him but a few moments previous to our visit his wife died a most victorious death and left a clear testimony that she had gone to be with Jesus. We quote the story of their life from Mrs. Cowman's pen. "For years they had searched the various religions seeking peace, yet finding none. Many different temples were visited, and prayers made to many different gods, with the hope of finding rest for their weary hearts. The story of their sad failure would make the hardest heart ache. Finding no hope and no light, they had made up their minds just to die and search no longer. One day nearly three years ago, a little band with flying banners and sounding drums passed by their home. Some one called out, "A Jesus meeting will be held tonight at Jimbo-cho. Come and hear about the true god, and how to find salvation."
Like music floating across the waters, came the message to the dear old grandma as she sat in her little home, "Come and hear about the true God."
Hardly waiting for the evening hour to come, she was on hand before the service began. The snow white locks, the bent form, the hungry, despairing look, touched our very souls. As she hobbled slowly away she said to us, "Tonight is the first time I have heard. I want to hear more."
Every night when the mission door swung open, this soul was there waiting to enter.
Two weeks went by and she came one night with a glad new light in her face, a shine not belonging to this earth, as she told us, "I have met Him. I have found Jesus."
Then the next night her dear old companion came with her. How he listened, how he hung upon every word the preacher said! Too long had he been deceived by first this god, and that, to seek a new one without knowing for sure. His heart had ached too long over his dismal failure. Upon the wall hung the motto in large letters, "Come Unto Me All Ye That Labor and Are Heavy Laden, and I Will Give You Rest."
The preacher in his sermon referred to it and said, "Other religions tell you to do this, and do that, for rest, but our Jesus tells you just to come. Are you weary? Come. Has your life been a failure? "Come, I will give you rest."
Tears unbidden trickled down over the wrinkled cheeks. Never had he heard such news as that before. The heart's door which had been closed for years was gradually opening. The rusty hinges were creaking, for a ray of heavenly sunlight was stealing in. The night had passed, and a new day was dawning.
The next evening we saw this dear old soul on the front seat, with such an unutterable joy all over the wrinkled features, it did not take long to guess what had happened. If ever we had seen the Spirit of illumination from the glory world, it was resting upon this soul.
Yes, we knew the rusty hinges had completely given way, and the door had swung wide open, and deliverance had come to this captive soul. The joy of that couple cannot be told. Every night they attended the meetings, no matter how much it rained, or how cold the night, they were there. They have just celebrated their golden wedding with a religious meeting, and this picture was taken then. Grandma is failing rapidly, and we can almost hear the rustle of the angel's wings, but she is just waiting with joy for the boatman.
Do missions pay?
Look into the happy faces of this aged couple; look to Calvary; look on up to the golden city when the pearly gates shall unfold, and the angels come to meet these two redeemed souls; look to Jesus as he places the Crown of Life upon their snowy locks, and bids them enter into His banqueting house, where they shall be throughout all eternity, singing praises to Him who hath loved them, and you will find your answer.
We were delayed some days in Yokohama, owing to the fact that so many men were in the war that the ship company could not get help enough to load the ship on schedule time, but during that time we were in meetings and service for the Master. While there, word came that Port Arthur had really fallen, after a long and bloody struggle. The people were almost uncontrollable in their enthusiasm and excitement. We looked on the scene and wondered when and where it would all end. I have seen Old England celebrate after some victories won in the Doer war, and Americans rejoice at the victory won at Manila, but I have never seen such universal demonstration, as in Japan at that time. The cities were kept in a continual uproar for days. The desire of our hearts is, that those who fought so bravely in defense of their country, may give their hearts and lives to God, and fight just as nobly and bravely under the banner of the Cross. Hallelujah! He is able to do abundantly above what we can ask or think. Glory!
After feeling that the time had come for us to sail for the home land, we made arrangements to sail on the steamer "Manchuria." A number of missionaries came to see us leave, and we shall never forget their kindness, and the precious time we had together in prayer and service, in that land of such great need, and among the people whom we loved so well. Yet there was not a regret, for we felt the Holy Ghost was clearly leading.
Our interest, as well as our faith was increased as we viewed the work, and came in contact with the faithful, and sacrificing workers in that and other fields, and the blessed work that is being done for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. We had a real cry in our hearts, that all those whom we were leaving, both native and foreign, might be kept in those awful days of test and trial in the sweet will of God.
We did not stop from the time we left Yokohama until we came through the Golden Gate. We talked and prayed with souls and the evening before our ship landed, one person received the Holy Ghost. It was one we had admired on the way, but prayed more for them than we talked. It was a beautiful case. As others were busy packing, and telling each other good-bye, there was one on that large ship who wanted to say good-bye to all sin, and serve God with a pure heart and a holy life. This heart was so thankful for her new found treasure.
As we came back to the home land, how many things came to our mind, of the battles fought and the victories won. The message burned on our hearts for the mission field, and to know how to best present the cause before the many people who have had the blessed Gospel.
The privations and hardships are hardly worth mentioning. We were well repaid, over and over again, when we saw souls finding God, and had the joy of being in His sweet will, and doing the work He had called us to do. The gratitude of our hearts cannot be expressed, that we were born in a Christian land, and had the fellowship of the saints, and the privilege of hearing the Gospel preached in its fullness. We feel that we must do more than ever before to give the Bible to the heathen lands.
How soon after the anchor was cast we forgot the days of rough sea, the unpleasant things about the voyage and the confusion and turmoil. When the thought came over us that we were really in the home land, how we watched for familiar faces, and listened for voices that we had not heard for so long. Beloved, will it not be thus when the last battle is fought, the last victory won and all the hours of burden and service are o'er, and we anchor secure in that Haven of Rest, to go out no more forever, but will rejoice with all the faithful and blood-washed, and look into the face of Him who redeemed us by His own precious blood. Oh, how glad we will be when we hear the words, "Well done," that we ever gave up all to follow Him and spent our time and strength to carry the Gospel to a lost world. To God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost be all the glory. It was under their permission and commission that we were permitted to carry this precious message twice around this old world.
"Carry the joyful tidings to every land and sea,
Banish the heart dividings -- brothers should brothers be.
Christ died for all the nations, "One flesh and blood" saith he;
There are no tribes or stations, but one in the Lord are we.
God who hath lent His talents, bids us His service choose;
God who hath lent His riches, bids us in kindness use;
God who hath freedom given, calls us to make it known,
He is preparing Heaven, yet not for ourselves alone.
Souls on the Orient mountains, souls in the northern snows,
Souls by the southern fountains, souls where the sunset glows!
Souls out of Christ, the Saviour! oh, for a church of love,
Bearing the priceless favor and pointing the lost above!"
