p. 17 | Our Missionary Volunteer Institutes by M. E.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 27, 1913

Our Missionary Volunteer Institutes

By M. E.

A SERIES of Missionary Volunteer institutes has just closed, and we resume our work at the office with renewed courage; for the hundreds of splendid young men and women we met gave us a new vision of the possibilities of the young people's work. We feel as never before that “with such an army as our youth, properly trained, might furnish,” soon, very soon, “the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the world.”

Nevada, Iowa, November 1-4

The series of institutes opened with a two days' meeting at Nevada, Iowa. Prof. W. W. Ruble, the Northern Union Missionary Volunteer secretary, and Brother George McNay, the Missionary Volunteer secretary of Iowa, were present. The attendance was good, and workers, students, and nurses, as well as the lay members of the church, helped to make the meeting a success. Victories were gained. Some took their stand for Christ, and many pledged themselves to be more faithful in Bible study, prayer, and soul-saving work.

Clinton, Mo., November 11-13

The second institute was held at the German Seminary in Clinton, Mo. The faculty and students took hold enthusiastically from the first. Prof. M. B. Van Kirk, the Central Union Missionary Volunteer secretary, Elder P. G. Stanley, the conference president, and a few other workers attended. The German Reading Course was given an impetus by Brother J. J. Reiswig. We are expecting some new members of Attainment from that school soon. But best of all was the spirit of consecration for service that prevailed. Two of the students recently sailed to take up work in the Neglected Continent.

Keene, Tex., November 15-18

We expected to have a good institute at Keene, for we had not forgotten the one held there two years ago. We were not disappointed. There was a spirit of full cooperation. A few conference presidents and several of the conference Missionary Volunteer secretaries in the Southwestern Union, together with other workers, helped in this institute. The meetings were well attended. All subjects presented met with hearty response. Many saw the importance of the Standard of Attainment plan, and resolved to prepare for membership. Already twenty-two of them have reached the goal. The Spirit of the Lord came in with mighty power. Many of the young people stepped over the line, and before the institute closed twenty-seven of them were buried in baptism with Jesus, their Creator, Redeemer, and Friend.

Huntsville, Ala., November 23-25

From Keene, we went to the Oakwood School, where our colored young people are being trained for service for the needy Southern field. I think I never shall forget the earnest zeal and consecration of the noble workers who are devoting their lives to help train laborers to give the third angel's message to the colored race. Neither can I forget the eager and inspiring faces of those young people. Their eyes fairly clung to the speakers, fearing lest some word should fail to reach their listening ears. We were pleased to have with us in this institute several of the colored workers. More than a score of the young men and women enrolled in the Reading Courses, and before the close of the institute all the unconverted young people took their stand for Christ.

Atlantic Union Missionary Volunteer secretary, several conference Missionary Volunteer secretaries, one or two conference presidents, and a few other workers were with us. The faculty, students, and others who came in manifested a deep interest. The studies on the Reading Courses, the Standard of Attainment, and the Temperance Instructor campaign brought forth particularly animated discussions. Before the institute closed, the workers present decided to adopt a union financial policy. And the Missionary Volunteer officers of the village organization expressed their determination to do all in their power to make their society indeed and in truth a life-saving station during 1913. Christmas night was spent at the Melrose sanitarium. There also is a splendid host of young men and women.

New York City, December 26-29

En route for the next institute, we had one good meeting with the young people in New Haven, Conn. Our Missionary Volunteers in New York City are placed in the midst of a great and difficult field, but God is blessing their efforts. The institute held in Tollner Hall, Brooklyn, was well attended by representatives from the English, German, and the Scandinavian Missionary Volunteer Societies. Elder R. D. Quinn, the conference president, and other workers there entered heartily into the work of the meetings. We were glad for the inspiration received and for the privilege of studying the young people's work with the workers, parents, and youth in that great metropolis.

Mount Vernon, Ohio, January 16-19

Despite inclement weather, the meetings at Mount Vernon, Ohio, were well attended by old and young. Prof. N. S. Ashton, Missionary Volunteer secretary of the Columbia Union, two conference presidents, three conference Missionary Volunteer secretaries, a few other workers, and delegates from some of the near-by societies joined us in this institute. Almost all phases of the Missionary Volunteer work were presented, and good discussions followed. Before leaving, we were pleased to learn that Prof. Lawrence Anderson that morning organized a Standard of Attainment band with about thirty members. This band, it is planned, will meet weekly for the study of Bible doctrines or denominational history. The Columbia Union is aiming to have one hundred new Attainment members before March, 1914.

Berrien Springs, Mich., January 23-26

The last institute in the series was held at Berrien Springs. As we remembered the good meeting there of two years ago, we prayed earnestly that this one might be better still, and we believe it was. The attendance surpassed our most sanguine hopes. Prof. C. A. Russell, Missionary Volunteer secretary of the Lake Union, nearly all the conference Missionary Volunteer secretaries in the union, two or three conference presidents, and about one hundred delegates and visitors from local societies were present. Nearly every session the chapel was well filled, and often it was crowded. All phases of the young people's work received consideration. When the Standard of Attainment subject came up, plans were suggested for pushing it more successfully.

The Lake Union aims to have two hundred new Attainment members before March, 1914. In the last afternoon meeting, a delegate from each society represented rendered a two-minute report of his local organization. We think those of us who heard them, said within our hearts, God, we thank thee for a movement which is leading the youth into such noble Christian service. The institute very appropriately closed with a consecration service, in which hundreds expressed their determination to let God have all there is of them for service in seeking the lost.

The key-note of all these institutes was Personal Evangelism. And I think no other talks were appreciated so much as were Elder MacGuire's three studies on this all-important theme. In the institute program, some time was allotted for a devotional service every day, and also for a secretaries' council, at which time we talked over informally the problems before us as young people's workers. The general Missionary Volunteer Department sent to all these institutes an exhibit of charts, leaflets, and books considered excellent for young people and young people's workers. In all the institutes young people were invited to write a synopsis of each meeting. Some splendid papers were submitted, and we think this plan will help to make the results more permanent. As young people's workers, our hearts are full of gratitude to God for his guidance and blessing in this series of meetings, and we trust him for greater victories in the days to come. M. E.