Job said, “I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” Chap. 23:12. We have yet to learn that “the word of God is quick, and powerful,” and when received by a living, active faith imparts a vitality to the body that nothing else can do. When we gain this experience in the gospel message the loss of a meal or so will not be attended with the fear that one is going to starve to death. Some people even have to eat something just before going to bed so as to be sure not to starve before morning!
Moses, in recounting the forty years’ experience before the people, said, “And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger; and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.” Deut. 8:3. Again, “Your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.” Chap. 29:5. If the word of the Lord will keep shoes and clothes from wearing out, that word will certainly sustain our bodies if we are living in harmony with him. That same word that kept shoes and clothes from wearing out, also kept Moses from wearing out. We read that “his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.”
I believe from these scriptures there is something for us that we have not yet availed ourselves of—something for us that we do not have, because we are not prepared to have it. When we come to recognize that the word of the Lord is a necessary part of the means to sustain the daily physical forces, there will be a new power in life for service, and a new power to make no provision to fulfil the lusts of the flesh, and when we eat and drink, or whatever we do, we will do all to the glory of God.
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Cor. 6:19. God does not dwell in temples made with hands, but he did make provision to dwell in temples of his own making. In many of the temples of this world there are false gods and false doctrines, and so in the temples that God made for the dwelling of the Holy Ghost, other gods reign and false doctrines are taught. The two cannot dwell in the same place at the same time.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Rom. 12:1. We are to present our bodies a living sacrifice. A sacrifice to be a sacrifice must cost something. Read 2 Sam. 24:24. David had sinned by numbering the people, and so a three days’ pestilence had been sent upon the people. The hand of the destroying angel was stayed at Jerusalem, and then the prophet Gad directed David to offer up a sacrifice on the threshing-floor of Araunah. Araunah offered David his threshing-floor, the threshing instruments and the oxen for the sacrifice; and verse 23 says, “All this, O king, doth Araunah give unto the king.” And King David said unto Araunah, “Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price; neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing-floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.”
Both of these men reveal a beautiful spirit, and one in which both of them were very greatly blessed. David did not propose to offer a sacrifice for his own sins of something that was given to him,—something that cost nothing. Many would have been willing to accept Araunah’s offer, but not so with David. How many of us are making offerings to the Lord that cost nothing? It is very evident that if we get into the kingdom of God we will have to make an offering that will cost us everything. We should begin now.
A body marred by self-indulgence, and one that is unclean mentally and physically, is not a suitable sacrifice. To make a living sacrifice it is necessary to practise self-denial in all the appetites and passions and as long as we live in the flesh, and this will cost us something. To many this cost is so great that they will never make the effort. Others get tired of making the sacrifice and give it up and drift into darkness. There are times when the sacrifice seems a very easy one, but when the enemy of our souls tempts us on our weak points, then the sacrifice is made only with effort. If our sacrifice is to be made acceptable, we must practise self-denial in everything that interferes with the health and that prevents us from bringing our bodies and minds up to the greatest degree of efficiency for service.
Paul says that this is a reasonable service. God has given us everything; why should not we give him all? To present him our bodies in this sense is worth more than all the gold and silver in the world, and he can do more with the offering than he could with the material wealth of the world.
The verse quoted from Romans contains wonderful statements, and has a meaning that applies to us as never before. In these words is the very core of health reform. We should make this living sacrifice that God calls for, and it is an individual matter; my sacrifice will not help you. The more we make this living sacrifice, the more we can worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. The more we make this sacrifice, the more means there will be with which to complete the work, and the more missionaries there will be who will want to go to other places. It is because we are the “sons of God” that we wish to make this self-denial by faith, for the “just shall live by faith.”
The Noon-Hour Prayer
“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends.”
Requests for Prayer
280. A brother in Louisiana, who has recently taken up the canvassing work, asks prayer for healing from a very serious affliction, that he may continue in the field.
281. A Michigan sister desires prayer for the restoration of her health.
282. “Please join in prayer that my hearing may be restored,” writes a sister from Washington.
283. A brother in Connecticut sends this request: “We ask prayer for a dear one who needs spiritual, physical, and financial help.”
284. A sister in Kansas suffers from nervous trouble, which she feels is affecting her mind. We are asked to remember her in prayer.
285. An anxious friend in Missouri requests prayer for the deliverance of her husband from the liquor habit.
286. A sister in Indiana desires that her husband may be led to see the evil of profanity.
287. Another request from Indiana comes from a sister who desires prayer for healing, and strength from Heaven for the endurance of severe trials through which she is now passing.
288. A sister in the District of Columbia asks: “Will you pray that I may be relieved from deafness;’ also for my husband who uses tobacco and intoxicants?”
289. A South Dakota sister desires prayer for restoration to health.
290. From New York a brother writes, asking prayer for the healing of his wife who has a severe throat affliction which only God can heal.
291. A friend in the same State (New York) begs our united prayers for the restoration of her son who is suffering with tuberculosis.
292. A brother, writing from New Jersey, requests prayer for healing from a nervous trouble that affects his throat.
293. A sister desires prayer for herself that she may be healed of consumption and poor eyesight; and in behalf of her afflicted father, mother, and husband.
Stars for Our Guiding
By Worthie Harris Holden
WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN
The lingering twilight caresses the night
With whispering breezes ere taking her flight,
Then softly retreats unobserved to her rest,
And leaves the domain to the night for his quest.
He covers the beauties of day with a shroud,
And paints heaven’s blue with the mask of a cloud;
But piercing this mantle of soberest hue,
Forth come one by one tiny stars sparkling through,
Till out of the gloom and the blackness of night
The sky is aglow with their shimmering light.
E’en now ’tis the twilight of earth’s ebbing day,
Erelong will the darkness of evil have sway,
When people and nations are spurred to their doom
By him who is prince of both darkness and gloom.
He seeks to obscure the world’s Comfort and Light,
And shrouds with his doubts what was hopeful and bright;
His triumphal march leaves but death in its train,
And terror runs riot throughout his domain:
But lo! through the gloom all God’s promises bright
Gleam forth with a clearer, unfaltering light.
O stars for our guiding! shine brighter
each hour,—
An earnest of heaven, sustained by His power
Who holds every sun and each planet in space
And Israel keeps by his infinite grace.
Portland, Oregon.
The Iowa Camp-Meeting
By Ole Andres Olsen
THIS good meeting was held at Cedar Rapids August 28 to September 8, in a beautiful grove in the Beaver Woods, on a street-car line direct from the city, which made it very easy of access. The weather throughout, though somewhat warm, was very favorable.
The camp was composed of one hundred and seventy tents and laid out in a very orderly manner among the trees, which afforded desirable shade from the heat of the sun. The large pavilion, the book-tent, and the dining-tent were all very nicely and pleasantly arranged. Services were conducted daily in English and Scandinavian. The attendance of our own people was very encouraging, probably nearly a thousand attended during some part of the meeting. The attendance from the city was very good, and showed a deep interest.
The laborers in attendance, in addition to the regular conference workers were, Elders W. T. Knox, Chas. Thompson, L. H. Christian, A. T. Robinson, S. Mortenson, W. W. Eastman, I. H. Evans, and the writer. Elder Evans was there for only one day, but it was a day full of work publicly and in council with committees and individuals. Besides these, Profs. F. Griggs, M. E. Kern, J. G. Lamson, and W. W. Ruble, and Brethren W. H. Edwards, E. E. Painter, Glenn Shelton, and S. N. Curtiss were present a part of the time rendering valuable service in the several meetings.
As a matter of interest it should be noted that this was the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the Iowa Conference. How rapidly the time has passed, and yet how full of interest these years have been! How the message has extended to earth’s remotest bounds—yes, we are almost home!
The meeting as a whole was considered one of the best ever held in the State. The preaching was characterized with much earnestness, the speakers enjoyed much freedom, and the message borne met a cordial reception on the part of the congregation. Special emphasis was placed on the fact that the events now transpiring indicate most emphatically that the coming of the Lord is an event right at the door. The near coming of Christ, with the urgency of preparation for the same, was a very prominent characteristic of all the discourses from the desk, and made a profound impression. It certainly is a fact that the nearness of the coming of the Lord has been partially lost sight of by many among us. This has been manifested in the worldly plans in various ways, and it is high time that all our minds should be suitably aroused, for the facts are that we stand on the very threshold of mighty and startling events.
Prominence was also given to the early morning devotional meetings, and these were seasons of real refreshing. It was especially pleasing to see these meetings attended by all the ministers who were not engaged at the same hour in other meetings. That is as it should be, and it contributed much to the deep spiritual interest of the occasion. The usual young people’s and children’s meetings were held daily, with good results. The eight o’clock district and ministers’ meetings were faithfully adhered to, and every day witnessed a growth of spiritual interest in the camp.
The reports from the laborers in the field, as the result of tent efforts and among the churches, were very encouraging. It was evident that the Lord had given them an encouraging harvest of souls.
The business proceedings of the conference were very cordial and harmonious. Elder A. R. Ogden was unanimously reelected president of the conference for the coming year, and but little change was made in the other conference officers.
A number of important recommendations and resolutions were passed by the conference. The question of finance received special attention, and in this connection also the management of their conference institutions.
The subject of missions and the world-wide work of the message was an important feature, and $3,400 was raised for mission work in foreign lands; this included $300 of Sabbath-school collections during the camp-meeting. In addition, $750 was raised for tent and camp-meeting expenses.
As is usual, the two Sabbaths of the camp-meeting were seasons of special interest. The presence of the Lord and the work of the Holy Spirit was very manifest. A hallowed atmosphere pervaded the camp, and an earnest spirit of devotion took possession of all present. Many sought the Lord for special blessings and victory over besetting sins, while a goodly number yielded to the call of the Holy Spirit for the first time. Wives that had been walking alone in the truth were joined by their husbands, to the great joy of both.
Sixty-one candidates followed their Lord in baptism during the meeting, and all in attendance were much encouraged. We trust the result will be a deeper Christian experience on the part of all, and a rapid advance of the message throughout the conference.
O. A. OLSEN.
The Nebraska Conference and Camp-Meeting
By Ole Andres Olsen
This meeting was held at Seward, August 21-31, in a nicely shaded park in the edge of the city. As the weather was warm and dry, the shade was much appreciated. Our people in Nebraska were well represented in the one hundred and fifteen tents that composed the campus.
From the beginning a spirit of earnest devotion and seeking the Lord took possession of the camp, and it was evident that both ministers and people were reaching out for a deeper spiritual experience. Prominence was given to the early devotional meetings in the pavilion and the district meetings at eight o'clock. These are very important hours for the camp. I have been at camp-meetings where both these meetings were treated with somewhat indifference, to the great detriment of the spiritual interest of the camp, but this was not the case here, and the result was most encouraging.
The speakers present, a part or all of the time, aside from the regular conference laborers, were Elders I. H. Evans, W. T. Knox, F. M. Wilcox, L. A. Hoopes, S. Mortenson, L. H. Christian, C. F. Knott, and P. F. Richert. Profs. F. Griggs, H. C. Lacey, and M. L. Andreasen represented our educational work. Sister Scharffenberg, from Korea, was also present. Meetings were held daily in the English, German, and Scandinavian.
The Lord gave much freedom to the speakers, and besides our people there was a good attendance from the city. It should be mentioned that the business men of Seward took great pains to make950our meeting a success in every way they could. The commercial club of the city passed a unanimous vote requesting us to return there next year.
The conference business was very harmonious. Elder J. W. Christian was re-elected president of the conference, and only minor changes were made in other places.
It was pleasing to find the conference in a favorable condition financially. From their surplus tithe they voted $2,500 to foreign missions and $500 to aid our foreign work in Chicago, Ill.
At the revival services during the meeting many renewed their consecration to God, and a goodly number took their stand for the first time.
The last Sabbath of the meeting was a good day. After a stirring discourse by Elder Evans, $1,500 in cash and pledges was added to their foreign mission funds.
Another interesting event was the ordination service when Brethren W. H. Sherrig and G. J. Seltzer were solemnly ordained to the holy gospel ministry. May the blessing of the Lord follow these brethren and make them effective workers in the Lord's vineyard for the ingathering of many souls for the kingdom.
Near the close of the Sabbath, baptism was administered to a goodly number that had chosen to dedicate the future of their lives to the service of God.
Thus closed another annual meeting whose records will go into eternity. Soon the last of these general meetings will have passed on earth, and the next will be the great gathering around the throne of God. May it be the privilege of us all to be there. O. A. OLSEN.
Using the Press
By Floyd E. Bates
In the rapid progress of the third angel's message in the world, God is using many means of making that message known to those who know it not. The spirit of prophecy tells us that the great inventions of our day have been called into existence for the express purpose of spreading God's warning to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. One of the greatest of modern inventions, the printing-press, has only recently been used to any great extent to publish through the daily newspaper the message committed to us. This new departure has already proved itself a valuable instrumentality in the promulgation of the third angel's message, and those who have been actively engaged in this branch of the work have found it successful beyond their highest anticipations.
In connection with the tent efforts of the summer season in all parts of the country, experience has proved that the newspapers are a ready and accessible means of advertising. An article carefully and attractively written will seldom fail of publication in the newspapers in one or more cities near the one in which the tent is pitched. It is a wise plan for one member of the tent company to make it his special work to furnish the newspapers of his city with daily reports from the meeting; and if they are in readable style, little difficulty will be found in inducing the editors to publish the articles in full with good head-lines. This is without question the best method of reaching the large numbers of people who otherwise would fail of knowing anything of the truths presented. It aids materially for the reporter to make a personal friend of the city editor, showing himself agreeable and ready to comply as far as possible with whatever suggestions the editor may make in connection with the work. Much care must be used in presenting in this public way many of the testing truths which distinguish us as a people. Such subjects as the seal of God and the mark of the beast have to be written up with care; not, of course, in any way hiding the truth, but using proper caution and tact in bringing these subjects before the public in such a way as not to drive away any in whose hearts an interest and a desire for truth might be caused to spring up.
An excellent work can be done in this line in connection with our State camp-meetings. Such an effort was put forth at the recent Iowa camp-meeting. Two weeks before the meetings began, we wrote to a number of the leading dailies of the State, explaining to them the nature of the meeting to be held, the date, and something of the speakers to be present, and giving them a hint as to the number of people expected upon the grounds. From these letters, which were made personal in as many instances as possible, we received eleven replies, and to these papers, throughout the meeting, were sent daily reports giving a synopsis of the business sessions held as well as a brief outline of the sermons preached. It was found advisable not to devote too much space to the consideration of the topics presented except those subjects which could be made of public interest.
During the course of the camp-meeting, several sermons were delivered telling of the rapid advance of the Seventh-day Adventist work in foreign fields. They were written up with the idea of giving the people a general view of the extent of our foreign work. This article was perhaps the most widely used by the papers in the State of any written at the meeting. We received copies from some of the newspapers, who were handling our reports, and it was a notable fact that the editors were very liberal in giving to this article attractive head-lines and prominent positions in their dailies. This was true to a slightly less degree of several other articles, and it was found that almost any subject, the Sabbath question included, would be published quite completely by the editors if it was carefully and attractively written. Actual experience has proved that this method of advertising is one of the most effective, if not of the greatest influence, in bringing the people out to our public efforts. Many persons of honest intentions who are sincere in their belief that the church to which they belong is right, and who would not read a direct advertisement in the form of a bill or a card, will take up and examine a newspaper report, and thereby be induced, either through curiosity or an awakened interest, to investigate the truths hinted at in the daily report. Many times the first report fails to accomplish the desired end, and it is necessary for the reporter to be faithful in giving his daily reports that all may be sooner or later brought into contact with the truth. Specific instances might be given where persons previously opposed to the truth have become interested in it through noticing day after day a short article in the daily newspaper, and it is not uncommon for people thus interested to take a stand decidedly for the message. One family in Iowa who were led by the reading of the daily reports to attend the meetings, finally took a decided stand for this message. The history of this particular instance may be of interest to workers engaged in this line. The father of the family was a man of prominence in his line, but not affiliated with any religious organization. He had long been dissatisfied with his spiritual condition, but knew not how to better it. He came to the tent through curiosity, enjoyed the sermon, and returned the next evening, when he became interested in the truths presented. He soon began telling his wife of what he had heard at the tent, but she, an avowed Catholic, refused to take any interest in it at first. One evening as she was perusing the columns of her daily paper, she chanced upon some head-lines that attracted her attention, and read the article. It mentioned the tent-meeting, and she through curiosity accompanied her husband to the tent that evening. They sat on the outside and listened, but soon became so interested that they moved to a rear seat in the tent. They came night after night, and their interest grew rapidly, until finally they decided definitely to stand for the truth.
This is only one instance of many which might be sighted, but it serves to show the importance of newspaper publicity in our work. There are many technical points which cannot be touched upon in this article, but which the reporter will soon work out in practise. The daily use of the newspaper is bound to bring results. FLOYD E. BATES.
The Colorado Sanitarium
By Francis McLellan Wilcox
In connection with my visit to the Colorado camp-meeting I was privileged to spend four days at Boulder, Colo. It was a source of much gratification to see the liberal patronage enjoyed by the sanitarium at this place. The faithful, painstaking efforts of the present management and force of workers, together with the long years of seed sowing by their predecessors, are resulting in gradually building up a substantial constituency of patrons. The patronage during the winter and spring months of this year was most gratifying in that it was much larger on the average than in former years. The summer patronage has been quite phenomenal. Taxed to the utmost to provide accommodations for those who came, it was still necessary for the institution to turn scores away who could not be furnished with accommodations. More than one hundred and fifty were enrolled as guests. Dr. H. A. Green, and his assistants, Dr. Fred Webber and Dr. Annie B. Durrie, have worked beyond their strength endeavoring to meet the demands made upon them.
It was a pleasure, as I mingled with the guests, to hear the words of commendation and praise for the orderly and efficient manner in which the work has gone forward, even during this trying season. At the best it is hard to please nervous dyspeptics and chronic invalids, but this problem seemed more nearly solved in the experience of the Colorado Sanitarium during my recent visit than ever before in my observation.
I was pleased to notice several signs of material improvement. The gymnasium15had been strengthened and improved by the addition of a good hard-wood floor. A long-needed addition had been made to the ladies’ treatment-rooms, affording increased facilities and efficiency. Several small cottages have been erected on the side hill near the main building, affording quiet, retired rooms for the nervous and for other special cases.
We found Dr. Kate Lindsay, although in her seventy-first year, still earnestly at work training and educating young men and women for lives of usefulness among their fellows. Brother R. R. Cook, who with his wife spent four years in Burma, is doing efficient work as sanitarium house manager. Brother E. J. Baker faithfully looks after the financial interests. The food factory, under the management of Brother Earl Austin, is doing excellent work, and is manufacturing a better grade of health foods than ever before in its history.
A good spirit and harmonious cooperation exist between this institution and our brethren and sisters throughout this section of the country. They are cooperating in the work and endeavoring with all their ability to hold up the hands of the workers at the sanitarium, and to direct to it those who are in need of its ministry. Surely this spirit of cooperation will bring excellent results in coming years.
The surgical work carried forward in the institution has been particularly blessed, and is a large contributing factor in enabling the sanitarium to meet its operating expenses. I was pleased to learn that the indebtedness existing on the Boulder church building had been entirely cleared away. Elder M. A. Altman, who is in charge of the religious work in the church and sanitarium, is laboring hard and faithfully, and his efforts are proving very acceptable.
F. M. WILCOX.
The Oklahoma Conference and Camp-Meeting
By Eugene Leland
This meeting was held in Oklahoma, the largest city in the State, August 21-31. The arrangement of the camp was such that as one approached it on the car-line from the city, he was reminded of the statement made by the prophet Balaam when he was called upon to curse the people of God. As the camp of Israel burst upon his view, he exclaimed, “How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!” And as the stranger entered the camp of this modern Israel, the hearty hand-shake, and the cordial greeting of welcome from those whom he never had seen before, recalled the exclamation of Ruth, who, when counseled by her mother-in-law to return to her own people in the land of Moab, exclaimed: “Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.”
The business of the conference passed off pleasantly and harmoniously. Elder David Voth, who had served the conference in an acceptable manner as president for several years, having been called to engage in evangelical work among the people of his nationality in the city of Chicago, Elder John Isaac was elected president. The executive committee of the conference remains practically the same.
Though there has been some little opposition to the organized work in this State, yet the message moves steadily on, and the hearty response to the resolutions indorsing the principles of the general organization, and adopting the plan of raising twenty cents a week per member for the furtherance of the message in foreign lands, showed the loyalty of the people of the Oklahoma Conference.
The last Sabbath of the meeting was a day long to be remembered. After a discourse upon the subject of “The Family of God,” a call was made for sinners and backsliders to give their hearts to God. The Spirit of God seemed to move with mighty power upon the people, and without urging, more than one hundred of the young people, and some who were older, responded to the call. And when an appeal was made for all to reconsecrate themselves to God, the whole camp responded. Seventy-one candidates were baptized at this meeting.
Prof. M. E. Kern was present two days and rendered special help for the young people. Elder F. H. Westphal was also present for a few days. He was on his return trip to South America from his recent visit to the General Conference.
As a result of this meeting we shall expect to see a general forward movement along all lines of work in Oklahoma.
EUGENE LELAND.
The Work in Western Canada
By H. S. Shaw
Since this field was organized into a union conference in the fall of 1907, the work has steadily grown, and we have only words of courage to speak.
At first, not being able to support themselves, each of the local conferences received appropriations from the General Conference annually to aid in carrying forward their work at home, but we are pleased to say that now every one is self-supporting.
Five years ago our tithe was about thirteen dollars per capita, but the reports for 1912 show our tithe to be more than twenty dollars per capita, for every Sabbath-keeper in the territory.
At the beginning of 1908 the total Sabbath-keepers numbered 1,157. At the end of 1912 the number had grown to 1,801. Our mission funds in 1908 reached about seven cents a week per member. Last year they had increased to nearly twenty cents a week per member. The book and periodical sales last year amounted to $34,044.23, about twice the amount of our annual sales five years ago.
During the present year the work has continued to advance in all these branches. We held five camp-meetings this season, one each in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, and two in British Columbia. These meetings have already been reported in detail. It is said that they were the largest ever held in their respective conferences.
The president reports interests developed at different places which are already bearing fruit. It is now certain that this will be the best year and the most aggressive we have experienced since the work was started in this field.
The population of this union territory is only about equal to that of the State of Iowa, while the area in square miles is as large as the entire area of the States of Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. This scattered condition of the population, with the problem of meeting the needs of so many foreign languages, renders the field a difficult and expensive one to work.
In this corner of North America the Lord has a people who revere his name. Small as are our numbers, and scattered abroad as we are over the mountains and plains of this great frontier, we thank God for the honor of having a place and a part in the closing struggles of the coming conflict which is to reach its crisis in this generation, and we pledge our love and loyalty till the work is done.
H. S. Shaw.
New York
By I. E. Kimball
TAPPAN.—It has been nearly eight years since I have reported through the REVIEW. Some have implied from this that I had practically forsaken the truth, so a few words from me may be comforting to many of the older Sabbath-keepers. The truths of the message are dearer to me than life. I have not reported simply because we were laying the foundations for a work, and did not care to say anything until they were laid.
For twenty years I was in the ministry, preaching much of the time under the direction of the General Conference. However, during four years of this time we engaged in arduous self-supporting effort in the Southern field. At forty years of age I returned to our old home in Vermont prematurely old. My wife also had aged under our long years of service. We took a class with us on the farm, that we might still work for the truth while we recuperated. Our first year there was spent pleasantly and profitably, and the conference at its annual session commended the work and asked us to continue school work in their midst.
However, we were far from markets and from the men and boys whom we wanted to help. We therefore changed our location to Tappan, N. Y., twenty minutes out from New York City, purposing to do first all we could for the great city, with its millions and its miseries, its wickedness and wretchedness—tens of thousands walk the streets half-clothed and unfed. We had done Christian Help work for the colored people of the South, but I had never seen such untellable conditions as this great city reveals. We hoped to find precious jewels in the débris, and wished to open the way for God to work for the bodies and souls of these men. We did not intend to take them promiscuously, but select from the missions such as gave evidence of willingness to walk in the truth and designed to give fully half their time to study. This was required in our corporation articles, and we were bound to it by the by-laws.
We had less than two hundred dollars with which to begin the work, but secured a big farm, big house, big debt, and a big family to support, with many burdens and few helpers. It was impossible for a time to continue the school, but we studied the Bible with the men twice daily. We could not leave the cares at home, so allowed mission workers to send us men. Besides feeding and caring for them, we were obliged to clothe most of them at once, and the majority knew nothing whatever about952farm work. We did our best for hundreds of these men, hoping for the fuller development of our plan.
Finally we sold our property, reserving certain lands for ourselves free from debt, and have built quite extensively,—barns, a house of sixteen rooms, and a schoolhouse with room for a boys' dormitory. We have had school the past summer on a limited scale, but now are prepared for something better. A brother of twenty years' experience in teaching, with his wife, is henceforth to co-operate with us in every possible way to establish the school. We expect to begin work about October 1.
I. E. KIMBALL.
Newspaper Publicity in Elmira, N. Y.
By M. W. DE L’HOBRE.
THE tent effort in Elmira began on July 7. Realizing the importance of obtaining the widest publicity possible for the principles of the third angel's message, we determined to get every sermon reported in our morning newspaper if possible. Accordingly I obtained an interview with the editor of the Elmira Advertiser, and told him what we were planning to do and something of the importance of the line of truth we intended to present. He seemed interested, and stated his willingness to publish reports of our sermons. This paper reaches about thirteen thousand homes each day, and is the leading morning newspaper in the Southern Tier.
The sermons published were from one-half to a whole column in length, but usually about two thirds of a column. These have attracted considerable attention. We hear of persons in different parts of the State who are interested through reading the reports. Some of these have been visited, and are taking their stand. We heard of quite a number who did not attend a single meeting at the tent, but were eager to read every sermon published. From two villages in Pennsylvania came the news that people there were discussing our printed sermons, and believed that we were teaching the truth. One farmer and his wife drove thirty miles to hear the truth preached at the Elmira tent.
Only a few of our articles have been cut down, and we have been favored with a good location on a prominent page almost every time. We had an article published nearly every day for five weeks, then just as we reached the Sabbath question and the work of the Papacy, the editor went away for a two weeks' vacation. The assistant editor was a Catholic, and of course offered some objection to publishing articles that exposed the aims and workings of that church in this country. However, we succeeded in getting published about three sermons a week for the last three weeks.
We realize more than ever that the17newspaper furnishes a wonderful means of reaching the people with the message. More than twenty persons are keeping the Sabbath as a result of this effort. If all these new ones unite with the church, our total membership will be one hundred. We intend to publish reports of some of our Sabbath sermons through the winter. Elder and Sister H. W. Carr were associated with me in this effort.