News and Miscellany

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 9, 1915

News and Miscellany

Notes and clippings from the daily and weekly press

— A Pan-American appeal to all elements in Mexico to cease fighting and join in a sincere movement to restore constitutional government has been sent to the leaders of the various factions and to governors of provinces in the riven republic. Replies are asked for within ten days, or by August 25. General Carranza’s attitude toward the appeal is still a matter of speculation; but should he decline to make negotiations, it is expected that the other factions in Mexico will join in a peace conference without his participation.

— The first school for disabled soldiers, who because of their injuries will have to change their trade or occupation in life, has been opened by Germany, at Düsseldorf, with a large attendance. In the classrooms of the big industrial school formerly occupied by boys and girls, are hundreds of soldiers, painstakingly learning to write with their left hand because their right has been shot off, or mastering the intricacies of bookkeeping or some similar occupation at which they may hereafter earn their living. The project is that of the city of Düsseldorf, and has the backing of practically every business man in the city. The cooperation of the latter is of vital importance, because places must be found for the soldiers as soon as they have become proficient in their new work.

— Five New England cities will be centers for conventions next fall, under the auspices of the Laymen’s Missionary Movement, being part of a great national campaign which will touch seventy-five cities in all parts of the United States. As a result of this campaign it is felt that a new impetus will be given to all forms of missionary work. The main objectives of the campaign are as follows: To consider new world conditions and America’s enlarged responsibility; to study the missionary progress of recent years; to project plans looking toward the accomplishment of our whole missionary duty; to emphasize the adequacy of the gospel to meet modern social conditions; to increase the spiritual power and efficiency of the local church; to secure the general use of the best methods of missionary education and finance; to inspire laymen to take their part in the extension of the kingdom of Christ. Every important missionary agency in the country, home and foreign, is cooperating with the Laymen’s Missionary Movement in the organization and conduct of this campaign. Not less than 25,000 churches are located in cities where the conventions are to be held.

— Egypt bought 170,867 Bibles last year. A translation of the Bible for the Kurds is going on steadily, and, with war everywhere, church scholars in Constantinople are still endeavoring to improve the Arabic text of the Scriptures.

— Reports of the war correspondents in Germany state that the entire nation is one immense truck garden and farm this year. Never in history, it is stated, has a nation turned its attention so thoroughly to agriculture. In the cities as well as in the country every square foot of land has been planted. So keen has the agricultural contest become that plots of ground that formerly went to waste are now being prepared for gardens. For miles and miles the plowing extends right up to the railroad tracks, and in places, especially in the central and southern parts of Germany, miniature truck gardens lie in between the rails. The approach to every city of any size in the land is heralded by acres of tiny gardens, planted and cared for by city residents, who in every spare moment make for the suburbs and spend their time in working. To maintain at least a small plot of ground has become almost a patriotic duty.