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Medical Missionary Department

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 4, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 23.

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Medical Missionary Department

By L. A. Hansen

W. A. RUBLE, M. D. - - General Secretary
L. A. HANSEN - - - Assistant Secretary
H. W. MILLER, M. D. - N. Am. Div. Secretary

Temperance Missionary Work in Western Canada

SEVERAL interesting experiences in temperance work are reported. The Temperance Instructor is still being used to good advantage, and bids fair to be a timely piece of campaign literature for most of the year. In the United States and in Canada it and other temperance matter can be profitably used in creating and maintaining interest in the prohibition measures now being considered, which will, in some instances, be brought to an issue next fall.
The Temperance number of Our Little Friend offers an excellent medium for children, as well as others, to aid in the temperance cause. The price is three cents each, postpaid, for five or more copies. The paper sells readily for five cents. It has a beautiful cover in colors, and contains some interesting temperance reading. Order a supply from your tract society, and let the little ones get started in this good work.
The Western Canadian Tidings reports considerable activity in that field. In Alberta it is the plan of temperance organizations to introduce a petition in the legislature next fall calling for prohibition. The formal launching of the movement took place at Edmonton, Sunday, April 26, when many ministers made strong appeals to their congregations to rally to the support of the temperance cause. Thousands of people throughout the province are becoming deeply stirred over the question. Our own people are taking an active part in the movement, and are furnishing a good supply of literature, which is being well received. A favorable attitude is taken toward this work.
At Edmonton, W. L. Manfull and F. L. Hommel spent a day in the interests of the temperance work. They called on the officers of the Alberta Temperance and Moral Reform Movement, to whom Brother Hommel had previously sent a copy of the Instructor and of "Temperance Torchlights." The brethren were well received. They were told that the publications were acceptable, and that the book is fine for assisting local organizations in getting up programs, as well as for its much valuable information which can be used in a general way. Brother Manfull sold twenty copies of the Instructor on the train on his way. He met the Canadian Northern Railway office inspector, who recommended his work very highly, buying a paper and expressing a wish that a copy of it might go into every home in the land.
During the past few weeks over sixteen hundred copies of the Temperance Instructor have been distributed in Alberta. The workers find it easy to dispose of the paper. One brother sold twenty copies to the first twenty-one persons canvassed.
In the British Columbia Conference, Brother E. R. Potter has been combining temperance work with other missionary effort, and has met with most gratifying results. He is working in a city that has been considered one of the most prejudiced in that part of the country. After a careful study of special instruction regarding suitable methods of labor, he decided to use the Instructor and "Ministry of Healing" as a means of meeting the people. He says:—
"The first call I made was on the Baptist minister, and I laid before him the plan I had of circulating temperance literature of an educational nature, leaving a copy of the Instructor and a copy of Ministry of Healing for him to examine so he might recommend them if he considered them worthy publications. I also left him a copy of the Protestant Magazine, which appealed to him at once.
"In the course of our conversation he told me that he had recently given an address in his church to a full house on the second coming of Christ. This gave me a good opportunity to explain my church relationship and my interest in the second advent. From that day to this he has been a very warm friend, and we have several times met for counsel and prayer.
"I had been told that the Methodist minister was very prejudiced, but I pursued the same course with him as with others, and he waxed very enthusiastic concerning the temperance campaign, and was much in favor of the work with the Protestant Magazine. When, just before leaving him, I mentioned that I was a Seventh-day Adventist, he seemed almost shocked to think that after all the good talk we had had together, he should find that I was an Adventist.
"As a result of this and other visits, he not only gave me a splendid recommendation for the Temperance Instructor, but asked for and is now reading Rise and Progress of Seventh-day Adventists.
"I have now visited the seven pastors of the churches here, including the Catholic priest and the Salvation Army officer, and in every case have had a splendid visit on some phase of our work, and left each on friendly terms. The W. C. T. U. of this city formerly refused to have anything to do with the Temperance Instructor because of its connection with the Seventh-day Adventists. Just last Thursday this society indorsed the paper by asking its president and secretary to assist me in soliciting funds for its circulation in Vernon."
Another worker, C. O. Smith, says:—
"This year our Temperance Instructor sales have been very encouraging. To date (about April 15), our orders totaled five thousand copies. Eighteen hundred of these have been sold in Vancouver alone, and about two thousand in other parts of the province, chiefly in the Okanagan Valley. Those who work in the business section find no difficulty in disposing of fifty copies in three or four hours."
From Regina, Saskatchewan, Brother M. Mackintosh writes:—
"We have sold five hundred copies of the Temperance Instructor on the north side of the city, and I am sure from many expressions we hear that some good will result. A number of people bought extra copies to mail to friends in the old country." L. A. H.