Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-15
By Rev. DR.. Floyd W. Tomkins.

~HERE Is something very sweet IN
III. the rhythm of the old Scotch
hymns, and especially in the YER
sions Of the Psalms and other parts of
the Bible. We would call them old-fash-
Toned today in comparison with our mod
ern hymns, and, indeed, for general use
they are not altogether useful But FOR
meditation and prayer they fit in we'll
with a deep devotional spirit, and they
are full Of quaint suggestion and beauty.
Take the last lines. of our prayer today:
''They hang the trumpet in the hall
And study war no more.
We are readily carried to some of those
fine old castle homes of Scotland. built
many hundred years ago. with the spa
cious baronia1 hall forming a center,
around which are hung all kinds Of wea-
pons and armor. and in the midst rests
the war trumpet, which served to call the
clans to battle in the wild old days. 1t is
now only reminder of the historical
past. We cannot dream Of its ever being
used again, for the people are one in their
life and worship, and peaceful in their
So at last shall 1t be the
world over. and for this peace the gospel
of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, Is
responsible. He shall speak peace unto
the heathen," declared the Prophet Zach
ariah, and those who are familiar with
the oratorio Of the Messiah will remem-
Der how beautifully those words are sung
by a soprano voice, the whole soul seem
ing to go out In that repeated word
peace" through the inspired music Of
Handel Peace to the heather! Yes. the
trumpet is hung up in the hall; 1t no
longer calls to battle. Even the poor
heather Chinese are learning the les
son, and learning 1t rapidly and thor
oughly.
1t Is great pity that recently, through
the sin Of q poor American girl, the COM
mon prejudice Of our people was in
creased against our brothers of China
who live in our land. Much Of our Sun
day school and mission work was greatly
injured because Of the unkind and untrue
things which were said. / wish to bear
witness, after long experience Of work
among our Chinese laundrymen in sew
behaved. the most courteous, the most
gentlemanly and, when converted, the
best Christians I have ever known.
Doubtless here and there will be found a
black sheep. but he is rare specimen.
Our Chinese Sunday school scholars and
fully considering their centuries of
heather living devoted. sincere and re-
liable. The same testimony comes from
Hawaii and other American possessions
where the Chinese live.
In great China itself, with It's millions
Of people, Christianity is making rapid
strides Churches. hospitals, schools and
colleges are being established all over
the empire, the rulers not only sanction
ing but desiring them; and In the per-
sonal life of the Christian Chinese there
is little to condemn and much to emit
late. They are models for US to follow
in their simple faith and in their eager
ness to learn. Every month I receive
from St. Johns College, Shanghai. a
magazine published in English by the
college students. and 1t is full Of good
things. a revelation II what these men
of the great east can say and write when
they become Christianized. And st.
Mary's Hall and Orphanage in the same
city have similar record for girls and
women. We certainly have much to
thank God for in the blessings which He
has sent upon the work Of our mission
aries.
Now, let us try to learn some lessons
from these people. We will study them
as a nation, as families and as individuals.