January 1929
27
T h e
K i n g ' s
B u s i n e s s
Palestine, and founded what is known as the American Colony. It was such a simple wish that many elaborations have since been imputed. Never was there a humbler man than father, and the last thing he would have done would be to attribute any greatness to himself. “Father and mother lost four children in the awful shipwreck. Only mother was saved. The four children and the governess were lost. “About four years after the shipwreck a brother was born. But he lived only four years. I was one year old when little Horation was taken. Another sister was born two years later. “Mother died in Jerusalem five years ago, at the age of 81. An adopted brother, who bears the family name, Mr. Jacob Spafford, my sister, Mrs. Whiting, and myself survive, and we are proud to bear the torch father and mother lighted in this city. “Father died seven years after we came to Palestine. He was in full vigor, mentally and physically. Malignant malaria, the scourge of the country at that time, caused his death. “Father was an intimate friend of Mr. Moody and fervently believed in the Second Coming of Christ. He did not, however, come to Jerusalem to watch for the imminent coming. As far as the accusation is concerned, corroborated by no less an authority than Hubert P. Main, it is absolutely groundless, and a slander that I hope you will repudiate. “Thanking you for giving me the opportunity of refut ing the accusation against father,.I am “Yours sincerely, (signed) “Bertha Spafford Vester.” An Old Disciple—Mnason I T is most remarkable how some obscure men are made immortal by having their names inscribed in “the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever.” All we know of Mnason of Cyprus is that he was “an old disciple” with whom Paul lodged at Jerusalem, a man recommended by Christians of Caesarea (Acts 21:16). Perhaps Mnason was one of the rapidly diminishing num ber of believers who thirty years or more before had seen and followed Christ. Much had come and gone during his day. Calvary had come, the resurrection, the ascension. Pentecost had followed, and now these many years the Gospel of the risen Christ had been proclaimed. Mnason’s old friends, no doubt, had dropped out one by one; a new generation of Christians was around him, but Christ still remained the same to him. How delightful to know a man who has been long on the way, who has held firmly through his entire course and can testify of His guiding hand and divine peace. It is still true,—Christianity grows in its hold upon the heart as the years run on. Rarely do we hear of an aged believer who turns away from the message of the old rugged cross. Ye aged Christians, let your testimony ring out in these days when the young are being schooled in agnosti cism. His cause has need of the testimony of vital and enduring experience as never before. Alexander con quered the world with old men. History tells us that when drawn up in camp his men had the appearance of a ven erable senate. Therefore be not weary, nor resign in favor of the younger generation. “The Master hath need of you.” Let your testimony ring out to the' end, and when your work is done, He will call you home.
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STORIES OF OUR N D U R I N G H Y M N S
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Moment by Moment E cannot think of a Gospel hymn more appropriate to our New Year’s number, than Major Whittle’s “Moment by Moment.” It was during the world’s fair at Chicago that the old hymn, “I need Thee Every Hour,” was sung at one of the Gospel ser
vices. As the meeting was over, Henry Varley put his arm about the shoulders of Major Whittle and remarked: “I’m not satisfied with Christ every hour. I need Him every moment.” ' The Major went home impressed with the idea and sat up until the small hours of the morning penning the words which later were set to most fitting music by May Whittle Moody. Let these lines furnish you a New Year’s meditation. 1. Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine;
Living with Jesus, a new life divine; Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine; Moment by moment, O Lord, I am thine. Chorus : Moment by moment I ’m kept in His love, Moment by moment I ’ve life from above. Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine, Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine. 2. Never a trial that He is not there; Never a burden that He doth not bear; Never a sorrow that He doth not share; Moment by moment, I ’m under His care.
Now We Have it Straight i N a previous issue we published a correction of the story commonly told concerning the origin of the beautiful hymn, “It is Well With My Soul,” by H. G. Spafford. It has since been our pleasure to receive a letter from Mrs. Bertha Spafford Vester, a daughter of Mr. Spafford, still living in Jerusalem. Mrs. Vester gives us the true story, which we only wish might come to the attention of authors of hymnology who have done the memory of her father great wrong. Mrs. Vester’s letter, we feel, will be full of interest to^ many of our readers, and we reproduce it herewith: “Our old friend, Mr. Wm. E. Blackstone, sent me copies of the correspondence that had passed between you about an article in your paper, T he K ing ' s B usiness , of August, 1928, concerning my father. “It is strange how often the origin of father’s beauti ful and inspiring hymn comes into print, and how rarely jt is correctly portrayed. “Father and mother came to Palestine to try and heal their wounded hearts by ministering to the people of
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