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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 26, 1914

From the Conference Presidents

A NOTE of progress is being sounded from every part of the home field. From letters recently received from some of our conference presidents we quote the following words of good cheer:—

Elder W. M. Adams writes from Utah: “I am thankful to say that we are making progress here in the work of the Lord, but we hope for more marked results in the future. The Lord is helping, and we are trying not to get in his way.”

From Western Colorado Elder E. A. Curtis sends this word: “We love the truth, and have unbounded confidence in the third angel’s message. We rejoice greatly in its successes, and are looking for its speedy triumph. I have been pressing on the upward way for forty years, and have no thought of turning back now. We are of good courage, and are trying to do our part in this great, world-wide work. The financial situation in Colorado is particularly distressing just now, but we hope to meet the standard in offerings and tithes.”

Elder G. E. Langdon, of Northern Illinois, says: “I trust the Lord is richly blessing you in your work. We are anxious to see the good old REVIEW as soon as it comes each week. I assure you that we shall do all we can to increase its circulation, that its cheering message may bring hope and comfort and light to many hearts.”

“We truly appreciate the good old REVIEW,” writes Elder E. K. Slade, of Ohio. “It is difficult to estimate its value properly in connection with this cause, as we think of our various agencies, institutions, and instrumentalities in connection with the work. However, I feel that the REVIEW is a mighty factor in this closing message, and know that our people who are not enjoying its weekly visits are sustaining a great loss.”

This word comes from Elder G. W. Wells of Minnesota: “I am much interested in the good old REVIEW, and do not fail to speak a word in its favor from time to time. I am much pleased with the new cover design. We trust that the workers in the Review and Herald Office are enjoying much of the blessing of the Lord.”

“The REVIEW should be in the hands of every Seventh-day Adventist,” says Elder R. W. Parmele, president of the Louisiana Conference. “I have often observed in visiting our people that the isolated Sabbath keeper who takes and reads the REVIEW is much more nearly abreast with the message than the Sabbath keeper in the church who does not take the REVIEW, be his church privileges ever so good. I regret that more of our people are not subscribers, and shall do my utmost to enlist their interest along this line.”

The president of the Western Oregon Conference, Elder H. W. Cottrell, writes: “Be assured that I shall do all in my power to assist you in increasing the circulation of the REVIEW AND HERALD. We endeavor to keep this matter constantly before our ministers, that they may stir up our brethren and sisters in the churches.”

Elder Lewis Johnson, of Western Washington, says: “I have been a reader of our dear REVIEW for nearly forty years. I have always appreciated its weekly visits, and gladly speak a word in favor of it as opportunity is offered. I think it should be in every Seventh-day Adventist home. I am glad to say that the Lord does bless our efforts. We have many perplexities, but God gives us victories through Jesus Christ. It is less than three years since I became president of this conference. During that time we have organized seventeen churches, and the work in all branches shows a healthy growth. For this I am indeed thankful.”

From the president of the Alabama Conference, Elder A. L. Miller, we have this word: “The Lord has been with us and blessed our labors. We can see advancement in every branch of the work, but this gain is not made without earnest effort. The enemy is still alive, and contests every advance move. But difficulties and opposition need not discourage, neither dismay us; for our God is all-wise and all-powerful, and has never lost a battle. We are all of good courage.”

The work in British Columbia is onward. Elder J. G. Walker writes: “While a number are leaving our conference, yet new believers are constantly accepting the truth. At one place the local elder has been conducting meetings with the result that ten members have been added to his church. He now conducts meetings once each week in the town hall, and has a good attendance. There seems to be an interest in the message everywhere. Surely we are in the time of a great religious awakening.”

Of the work in North Texas, Elder J. I. Taylor says: “I am sorry to say that, owing to the present financial crisis in the cotton belt, we are hard pressed, and it has been necessary to reduce the wages of our workers quite materially for the present. They are all of good courage, however, and are pressing forward in the work. Throughout the conference a number of persons have recently taken their stand for the truth. We are all trying to do our duty.”

Elder M. C. Kirkendall sends this word from Ontario: “The work in this conference is moving nicely. We are a little perplexed just now because of the European war. Canada, of course, belongs to the British Empire, and the calling of men for the army is having its effect upon industries. Quite a number of our brethren have been thrown out of work. This cuts down our tithes and offerings. Last month we had to ask all our laborers to canvass for ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ and support themselves until we could get on our feet again. They entered into this plan heartily, and seemed glad to help out in this way. This action on the part of the workers encouraged our people, and they rallied to our support with a good tithe.”

“Our brethren and sisters are entering into the Harvest Ingathering campaign with new vim, and they are meeting with very good success. We hope by this means if possible to reach our twenty-cent-a-week goal. I hope that the Lord will overrule conditions to this end, for Ontario has not failed in meeting its quota of mission funds for the last five years. “I have just returned from a visit to the western part of our field, where I had the privilege of baptizing nine new believers. A goodly number expect to take this step soon. Our four tent companies have been very successful, and three of these will raise up new churches. The London church has just received six new members; the West Toronto Church will have its membership increased by eighteen; in Peterborough twenty have accepted the truth. In all, I think about one hundred believers will be added to our churches this year. This fills us with courage, and we are determined to press on. “Our school is doing well. We have a fine class of students, and they are all deeply in earnest. We believe that God’s hand is guiding these young men and women, and pray that he will send out from this company many workers to give the light of truth in the dark corners of earth.”

Election of Sabbath School Officers

THE North American Division Conference Committee at the fall council, held in Washington, Oct. 25 to Nov. 4, 1914, passed the following recommendation:—

“Whereas, Progressive plans for the improvement of our Sabbath schools are often hindered by the frequent changes of officers; therefore,— “We recommend, That beginning with the year 1915, the term of office in our Sabbath schools be one year, instead of six months as heretofore.”

All churches in the North American Division should comply with this recommendation. Sabbath school officers should be elected by the church, and at the same time, and in the same way, and for the same length of term as the regular church officers. Sabbath school officers elected the last of this year will serve during the entire year of 1915.

Those who are chosen to nominate Sabbath school officers should heed the instruction given in “Testimonies on Sabbath School Work,” pages 84, 91, 92, and 94. Note especially the following quotations:—

“The leaders in our schools should be men and women of quick intuitions, who have the Spirit of God to aid them in reading character, who have managing ability, who can understand different phases of character, and display tact and wisdom in dealing with varied minds. There are many who can fill the place of superintendent in name, but what is needed are men who can fill the place in every sense of the word. There are many who can go through the form cleverly enough; but they fail to impart courage and hope, to inspire thought, to quicken energy, and to impart such life that the school shall become a living, growing power for good.”

“In selecting officers from time to time, be sure that personal preferences do not rule, but place in positions of

trust those whom you are convinced love and fear God, and who will make God their counselor. Without the love and fear of God, however brilliant the intellect may be, there will be failure. . . . Above everything else, select those who, in the simplicity of their souls, are walking in the truth, who love and fear God, and take their lessons in his school.”

May the year 1915 be the best year in the history of the Sabbath school work. MRS. L. F. PLUMMER. North American Division Sabbath School Secretary.