The Third Campaign a Fact
By P. T. Magan
A FEW weeks ago we published an article in the REVIEW, entitled “The Third Campaign.” The object in the mind of the writer of that article was to co-operate with the Spirit of God in awakening a desire in the hearts of God’s people to take hold of the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and push it to completion. We were not mistaken in the idea that the Spirit of God was everywhere moving among the churches, telling to hearts that the one who is the finisher, as well as the author, of our faith, would bless them in bringing to a triumphant close the work already begun for the relief of our schools. From all over the field the good tidings come that our brethren and sisters are more interested in the work than at any previous time in its history. In the Atlantic union the beginnings of the third campaign are being made for the relief of the South Lancaster Academy. The New England Conference has practically finished the sale of its entire quota. In the New York Conference vigorous efforts are being put forth by Brother Thompson, the conference president, and Brother Bowen, the secretary. A circular letter has been sent to all the churches, and the quotas of each company computed and published. At the Virginia camp meeting several hundred dollars’ worth of books was sold, and plans laid to complete the work. For the Mount Vernon Academy the Ohio Conference officers are making preparations for a strong campaign. In the Emmanuel Missionary College territory plans are being laid for the most strenuous campaign in the history of the work. Elder Covert reports that the work is starting up cheerily all over Wisconsin. Elder Moon states that he is visiting the churches in Illinois, and finds the people more interested in the work than ever before. The West Michigan Conference has held a meeting of its executive committee, at which earnest plans have been laid for the work. The presidents of conferences in the Union College territory have held a meeting at College View, and have determined to close up the work this winter. There are signs of life from the South and Southwest. Brother W. C. Wales is working energetically to push the work in behalf of Graysville. Brother Rupert is looking after the interests of the Keene Industrial School. On the Pacific Coast Brother A. T. Jones has set himself to clear Healdsburg College from debt before another year rolls round. A report has reached us that ten thousand five hundred dollars has been cut from the Healdsburg College indebtedness at a single stroke. Brother Breed and his associates are hard at work for Walla Walla College, and the movement is starting generally throughout the Northwest. And besides all the work for the relief of the older schools, the heaven-born plan of “Christ’s Object Lessons” is being used for the creating of new schools. In Minnesota and the Dakotas the people are at work selling the book for the purpose of getting sufficient funds with which to build two industrial schools. In Ontario, Brother Collie is rallying his forces to a similar end. Our prayers must go forth in behalf of these new schools and the plans for their erection. As the former are a part of God’s great plan for the salvation of the youth of the church, so are the latter God’s own way of breathing into our spirits the breath of life. He designs through this work to bless his people who sell the books, and save many who now sit in darkness. The third campaign is now a fact. Its closing hours will yield a harvest of richest blessing, if the spirit of consecration and sacrifice in which this work was conceived is nourished and cherished. Brethren and sisters, we must never let this work degenerate into mere carnal activity. Activity, even in the good work of selling “Christ’s Object Lessons,” will be little more than a detriment to individuals and to the cause, unless the warm life from the throne of God is permeating and molding its every move. Activity is good only when it is born of prayer and the Holy Spirit. Ministers and church elders, let the spiritual side of this work be emphasized in both your words and your deeds.