The report of the great Inter-church Conference on Federation is rapidly drawing to a close. The report of the last meeting will be given next week. Then we shall draw some lessons tremendous in their importance. Read the reports that you may better understand the lessons.
Russia.—At the time of closing our forms the fighting is still going on in Moscow. The city has been bombarded and shelled till many houses are in ruins, and thousands have been killed. December 30 a two or three days' battle was expected before the uprising could be suppressed. A vast area of the city is under a rebel government, and perfect order is preserved. Two thousand revolutionaries perished in the fight of December 30, and that will probably break the strength of the rebellion there. One revolutionary feels that their attack on the government was premature. Later news may modify all this. It is stated by an eye-witness that 7,500 persons (mostly Chinese) were killed during the Vladivostok mutiny, and $20,000,000 worth of property destroyed. Strange to say no Japanese were harmed.
Parochial Schools.—The first annual announcement of the primary parochial schools of the California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, issued really after school terms began, is before us. It shows that the schools throughout the state are organized under a better system than ever before. Regular terms are instituted and a regular course of study laid out for three years in the primary department, three more for the intermediate department, and one in the advanced department, with two other additional years suggested. The additional year is taken in connection with the college and advanced schools. A splendid course of training, mental, moral, and religious, is outlined, and we are sure if they are taken hold of with earnestness and zeal that these schools can be made the very best schools in the state. These announcements may be had by addressing the school superintendent, Prof. E. D. Sharpe, 1059 Castro St., Oakland, California.
"Outline of Mission Fields."—We have received from our Foreign Mission Board, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C., a little pamphlet of 64 pages giving a brief sketch of Mission Fields which Seventh-day Adventists have entered in lands outside of America. It is a splendid little help, and the only fault we have to find with it is that it is not large enough and full enough. But it is as full as it can be for its size. We are glad to get it.