News From the Mission Fields
Brother and Sister H. L. Tolhurst sailed for the Friendly Islands from Australia, February 3. They went by way of Fiji, spending a few days with workers there on their way to Tonga Island. The Mission Board will send out no Second Sabbath Readings for April. By vote of the autumn council, this Sabbath is to be devoted to studies prepared by the Educational Department. Readings will be sent to the churches for that day. In a recent letter Brother Burt B. Aldrich writes encouragingly of the progress of the work in the Canary Islands. Several have already begun to keep the Sabbath, and others are interested. A large amount of literature has been scattered in this isolated field. Recently a hurricane visited Fiji and destroyed the boys' home, or bure, which furnished accommodations for fourteen students attending the Buresala school. Other damage—young coconuts blown from trees, flooded gardens, etc.—resulted from the terrible wind- and rain-storm. No lives are reported lost at the mission. Encouraging reports come from our sanitariums concerning the excellent winter patronage which they have been enjoying. A report appears in this issue of the REVIEW concerning the work of the Kansas Sanitarium. Brother L. M. Bowen, manager of the St. Helena Sanitarium, writes of the work there: “The future of our work looks bright. We have a thoroughly consecrated and willing family of helpers, which, as you know, is very important in sanitarium work.” A letter received from Brother Warner, of the New England Sanitarium, tells of the excellent patronage and the good spirit in the institution. A note from Dr. Haysmer, of the Hastings sanitarium, speaks encouragingly of the work in that institution. We understand that prosperity is also attending the sanitariums in College View, Nebr., and Boulder, Colo. To a Bible colporteur a Japanese who belonged to the crew of an Indian steamer, said, “Do you know that I hate you?” The colporteur replied, “Do you know that I love you?” Result: Instead of being cursed by this crew as on a former trip through Suez Canal, this time they pressed about him, shook hands with him, and asked for more Bibles. Love wins. This is the power of the Word. Several of our brethren from Washington are now on the Pacific Coast attending meetings which are being held there. Dr. and Mrs. H. W. Miller and Brother L. A. Hanson are attending the medical convention being held in Southern California. Elders I. H. Evans, W. T. Knox, N. Z. Town, and W. W. Eastman are in attendance at the bookmen's convention and other general meetings which are being held on the Pacific Coast. Brother I. A. Ford, who, with his wife, is now visiting our work on the Pacific Coast, writes, under date of March 9, of the excellent bookmen's and home missionary convention which was being held in Mountain View. At the same time the annual meetings of the Pacific Press Publishing Association were being held. This association we are glad to note made an excellent gain in its operation during 1914. This gain totaled $32,000. After setting aside certain reserves, they added to their capital account $28,000. In addition to improvements in the plant, the installment of new machinery, etc., they were able to reduce their bills payable $14,000. We rejoice that both our Eastern and Western publishing houses have been able to show such a splendid year's business. In a communication from Elder Daniells, he tells of his recent visit to Burma. Among the good things reported, is the establishment of a mission among the Karens. Conditions were such that immediate steps were taken for the erection of mission buildings, as soon as papers could be made out for the mission site. Lumber is very cheap on account of the war; and there being many men unemployed, labor is also cheap, making it a very favorable time to build. About $2,500 is needed in establishing this important mission among the people for whom Judson labored one hundred years ago. A launch will also be needed in carrying on the work among the many villages that can be reached from Salween River. Of his mother's condition Elder W. C. White writes us under date of March 8: “During the last few days mother has been sitting up with more comfort than at first. Each day she sits for three or four hours in her big bay window, which, on these pleasant days, is flooded with sunshine. Sometimes we think she is growing stronger, and have hoped that some day she might be able to walk again; but she feels that her work is done, and expects that soon she will be at rest. Wednesday morning, about ten o'clock, she began to talk with her nurse about selecting books for the young that would strengthen their minds. The nurse called me, and I wrote down, as fully as I could, what mother said.” The article to which Brother White refers will be published later in the REVIEW. A letter from Elder I. H. Evans, written from Loma Linda, Cal., reports that there is an excellent class of students in the school there, and that the teachers seem to be of good courage. “The sanitarium is full of patients, not a single room in the main building being vacant.” We trust that the Lord may give great wisdom to the brethren in Loma Linda in the heavy burdens they are carrying in connection with the work, and that the strength of his prospering hand may be added to their efforts. Word comes from Pitcairn Island that a profitable “camp meeting” (without tents) had just closed. As the meeting was closing, a boat was sighted, the first one for over six months. Think of waiting six months to get mail from friends or to send anything to them! “It is the best gathering of its kind ever held on the island,” Sister Adams writes. The people camped in booth huts. While they feel lonely at times, they are happy in their work, and of good courage. They hear that Pitcairn Island is to be made a wireless station, and that there is to be a monthly boat service established, by a new line through Panama Canal to New Zealand.