In this age of advancement and civilization it seems almost impossible to come to any specific conclusion in regard to woman and her sphere. She has climbed the Alpine heights; she has demonstrated her ability in every vocation of life. She is wild with enthusiasm. She is drunken with the wine of success. She is shaking off the shackles of custom and tradition. Where this speedy train will lead her depends on the reason and wisdom with which it is guided. Many of her advanced ideas are a step in the right direction. But we as Christian women should be careful of the power we put on the pendulum. We do not wish to give it an uncertain swing. We do not want it to swing too far, lest our time record be marred. We13should be on guard lest evil creep into our achievements.
Upon woman depends the fostering of the race, the inspiring of the youth with principles of morality, nobleness, and truth. It means much that she stand for that which is good and true; that her influence be on the side for right. We shall speak of several phases of her work, each of which is a subject within itself.
Let woman think for herself. She should not be a slave to custom, depending upon man to think and act for her. She must think for herself in order to be a true helpmate, a companion in every sense of the word.
The religious movements in which woman may engage are many. She has accomplished much as a religious worker. As we look at the work of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, we see the yield of much fruit from these noble workers, and the Young Women's Christian Association has helped many a young woman to a position where she could help herself. This association has thrown home influences as much as possible around the young girl. This has kept her from the streets and from bad company, and has helped her to develop into pure womanhood.
Woman has a work among the anti-cigarette workers. The evil of cigarette smoking must be stamped out. We want clean environments for our boys and girls. In order to get at the cause, the foundation, of the liquor and tobacco habits, woman must learn how to cook good food, such as will not stimulate an abnormal appetite for the burning fire and the obnoxious weed. Here is a wide field of usefulness for woman. Many a young man is a drunkard because of the food placed before him. He is raised on stimulating, intoxicating foods, till his demand for stimulants grows stronger and stronger and ends in drink.
Another work which presents itself is teaching women how to dress healthfully and modestly. Women need education and example on this important subject, not only in regard to health, but also in regard to modesty and purity. Who is better fitted to instruct woman concerning her own organism and its care than woman? The teaching of special principles of health and hygiene belongs to woman.
Let Christian women arise in the beauty of womanhood in this age of uncertainty and unrest. The barriers of the home and of modesty are being torn asunder. Let woman arise to her God-given mission and stand in defense of truth and purity. Our sons and daughters need true motherhood to guide them in the way of right. The crying need has never been more piercing than now. Nothing is more fatal than indifference. Indifference is the fatal sleeping sickness of the world today. As Christians, let us awake to our God-given privileges and promote that which is good, that which will shine as gold in the mass of corruption and pollution.
Bush Run, West Va.
Cooperation of Parents in the Training of Their Children
By MRS. RACHEL THOMPSON
MRS. RACHEL THOMPSON
COOPERATION implies laboring together to obtain a desired end. The first requisite in a cooperation, or partnership, is the unification of the copartners; for how “can two walk together except they be agreed”? If there is any cooperation in this world which should endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace, it is that of husband and wife. The happiness and prosperity not only of their married life, but of their whole future existence, depend upon their unity. No well-informed persons would think of entering a business or assuming duties together without a well-defined outline of procedure understood between them. Much less should a father and mother.
In the strenuous times in which we live it would seem almost impossible for the heads of the family, in order successfully to meet the issues of life, not to be overburdened with duties and cares. Where, then, shall come the time—the much-needed time—for consultation and advice? Here is where we meet the difficulty. Not all of us are sufficiently filled with the fullness of Christ to be all of one mind.
Many unscriptural alliances have been made, where neither duties as husband and wife, duties to the future generation, or similarity of religious belief, have been considered, but simply the gratification of a sentimental fancy. Too often such contracting parties awake to find they have no similarity of tastes. Their ideas and aims, their ambitions and purposes in life are entirely at variance. Imperceptibly their love or fancy (true love is not so easily lost) is undermined and finally destroyed, and a wall of partition grows up between them. Thus, as they attempt to govern their families, one draws one way, while the other pulls another way. A house divided against itself cannot stand, and these structures generally begin their fall in the children.
The children should be the pivot upon which the whole domestic economy should balance, and if by nature or education one of the parents is lacking in some of the qualities that are necessary to make a worthy parent, it should be the pleasure of the other to point out the deficiencies, and to assist in every way possible in overcoming them.
God understands our motives. And one parent cannot shift his responsibility upon the other without incurring God’s displeasure. Fathers have an equal share with the mothers in the training of their children. I repeat, an equal share; for some have got the idea that because God commended Abraham for ruling his household, they must govern the whole family with a rod of iron, making themselves domestic tyrants. Ruling his household does not imply an egotistical assumption of all authority, but rather a leadership. Every individual in a family is accountable to God. Each has an identity and an individuality of his own, which all should be taught to respect and maintain.
None of us are perfect. When we use the best judgment we can summon to our command, we stumble and blunder egregiously. Parents should not think too much of their own opinion, nor assume extreme positions, but each endeavor to put himself in the other’s place, to have respect for the other’s judgment, and not be set and unyielding. Have for each other charity, which is the bond of perfectness. The time never has existed when it was admissible for parents to slacken the reins of government in the family, and it certainly is not now in these last days of spiritual declension, when the enemy is so insidiously weaving snares for the young. Implicit obedience is their salvation. Deal with them as Christ deals with us, firmly but mercifully. This cannot be done except parents are united.
If there are differences of opinion between you, which are very likely to arise, talk it over in private, reason with each other if need be, but never, never let anything of the kind appear before your children. Children know as if by instinct, and sometimes use more wisdom than those who control them. The least sign of disagreement in parents weakens the control of both.
If parents are united, there is no higher appeal; but if, on the contrary, the children see they are not working together,—cooperating, if you please,—they soon learn which one to go to for favors.
Never allow a child to do things which you know to be displeasing to the other parent, but give him to understand that father and mother are one, and that whatever he does that displeases one will displease the other.
If the father or mother on the spur of the moment should make an injudicious decision, do not let the other by any manifestation make it known to the children, and thus weaken the child’s respect for the parent’s judgment; but wait until the children are safe in bed, resting those tired hands and feet ready for the next day’s busy mischief, then talk it over. At such times there should be cooperation. Parents, work together and for each other.
Children are great imitators. If father insists on the best chair, the first use of fresh paper or magazine, with feet perched on some article of furniture particularly dear to the heart of his wife, let him never be astonished when John or Mary becomes selfish, or neglectful of others’ comfort.
If one gives up to bad temper or discouragement (which is catching like any other contagious disease), let the other bring sunshine by words of encouragement or by pleasant remarks. Be courteous; be kindly. “Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering forbearing one another in love.”
The Scriptures plainly teach us that parents are responsible for their children, that the blood of their souls will rest upon unfaithful parents. Faithful parents, though many times tried, perplexed, and well-nigh discouraged, have the promises of God.
College View, Nebr.
Only Beginning the Journey
By George Cooper
ONLY beginning the journey,
Many a mile to go,—
Little feet, how they patter,
Wandering to and fro!
Father of all, O, guide them,
The pattering little feet,
While they are treading the uphill
road,
Braving the dust and heat!
Aid them when they grow weary,
Keep them in pathway blest;
And when the journey is ended,
Saviour, O, give them rest!
— George Cooper.
Home Life
By Mrs. C. C. Lewis
Conducted by Mrs. C. C. Lewis, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C.
Through the columns of this department, hints will be given on all matters pertaining to the home life. Short articles and letters are solicited from home makers, telling of their everyday experiences,—their joys and sorrows, their failures and successes.
“Let Me Make Somebody Happy Today”
By L. K. W.
A WOMAN of the writer’s acquaintance, who has had a lot of trouble, who has known the sorrows of the world, and who has bravely withstood many storms, makes the above sentence her morning prayer to God.
What a simply worded petition, but what a great and generous nature it reveals. “Let me make somebody happy today!” She, who has every reason to be sad, will not allow her own troubles to come between her and her duty to others. She considers it her life work to make people happy, and she has succeeded in doing so for more than a decade. There is nothing aggressive about this lovely little woman. She is slender and tall, with great blue eyes that look like violets, and she has dark brown hair. She lives simply in a small house, and she has nothing in the way of luxuries, but she has friends by the hundreds. People come from far and near just to call on her and to lay their burdens at her feet. She never fails to welcome those who need her, and she is so sweet and gentle and kind that it is no wonder people adore her. Yet that is not what she strives for. Her aim is to make people happy, that is, to make them more contented with their lot, and to make them realize that God has a work for them to do which nobody else in the world can do quite so well. It is her aim to try to help people find themselves. She has succeeded in doing this in scores of cases, and hence her prayer, “Dear God, let me make somebody happy today,” is being answered in wonderful ways. Isn’t this a prayer that any of us could make each day? It doesn’t matter at all whether we live in New York City or on the smallest farm in the world. It does not matter whether we are as rich as a Vanderbilt or as poor as the proverbial “church mouse.” We each and all can make somebody happy each day if we try, and if we ask God to show us how. It is wonderful what a keen insight one will acquire when he lives close to God, and heeds his voice, which may be spiritually discerned in hundreds of ways, if the scales have fallen from one’s eyes. Prayer is the best spiritual oculist.
Suppose each of you, my dear readers, try out the plan of my friend,—try it out for one week, even. I know that if you do you will make the sentence a part of your daily prayer for all time to come. Not only because of your love for your fellow men, but because every time you make another human being happy, you are going to feel a little warm glow of contentment stealing about your own heart, and you will be radiantly happy yourself, before you are aware.
Dear Lord, let us each and all make somebody happy today.—L. K. W.
Flueless Stoves
By MRS. D. A. FITCH
MRS. D. A. FITCH
It has become customary to heat dwellings by means of gas and other flueless stoves. To do this reduces labor, and perhaps expense, but the question arises as to the wisdom of such a plan. It seems that some arrangement should be made similar to that of the wood or coal stove, connecting the burning fuel with the chimney.
The matter of the contamination of the air may be illustrated by a recent experience. The room was being warmed by the method already mentioned, and a good lamp was furnishing light. Gradually the light faded, and after a while it was difficult to see distinctly to operate the typewriter. Having occasion to visit another room and taking the lamp with me, I was surprised to see it instantly brighten and become as usual. Several times the change was made from the room where the gas stove was being used to other rooms, and each time with the same result. I felt that the flueless stove was the cause of a deficiency of oxygen to properly support the combustion of the lamp.
Were the degree of light all that is concerned in the matter, there might not be so much need of a change; but when we remember that the same element needed by the lamp is a great necessity to the human system for its proper maintenance, we realize the necessity of seeing carefully to it that the very best conditions are secured.
Glendale, Cal.
The Housewife’s Exchange
By Mrs. I. S.; Mrs. G. B. S.; Mrs. S. R. T.; Mrs. S. E. M.
Chocolate Pudding
Boil one pint of milk, add pinch of salt and one tablespoonful of cocoa. Stir one and one-half tablespoonfuls of cornstarch in a little water and mix it into the milk. Boil two or three minutes, and sweeten to taste. MRS. I. S.
Takoma Park, D. C.
Soup
Soak one pint of Lima beans overnight. In the morning hull the beans and cook them. When almost soft, add one-half can of tomatoes strained, one small bunch of celery, and onion. When thoroughly cooked strain again, and add one quart of milk, also lump of butter if desired. This should make about two quarts. MRS. G. B. S.
Takoma Park, D. C.
Sherbet
One quart of strawberries (passed through the colander) stirred into six cupfuls of water which has been suitably thickened with cornstarch and sweetened. Add juice of two lemons, and beat in two eggs before the batter cools. MRS. S. R. T.
Takoma Park, D. C.
Jellied Apples
Prepare apples as for baking, leaving stems on. Place in a basin (stems up), nearly cover with water, add a teaspoonful of sugar, or more for very tart apples. Boil till done. Remove apples, drain, put in more sugar, and boil sirup till it jellies. Taking up each apple separately with a fork, dip it into the jelly, and return to the plate. MRS. S. E. M.
Takoma Park, D. C.
The Work in Virginia
By W. J. STONE
It has been my privilege to labor in the Virginia Conference for nearly three years, and during that time God has quite signally blessed the work, so that quite a number have been won to the truth, and the tithes and offerings have made a good increase.
During the year 1912 our workers reported nearly one hundred converts to the faith, and in 1913 about seventy-five. On account of a number of deaths and the pruning of our membership, the net increase for the two years was only one hundred and twenty-nine.
Thus far this year twenty-nine have been baptized, besides eleven others who have signed the covenant; and one church has been organized.
During this time the offerings to missions have been trebled, our tithe has increased about forty per cent, and five new churches have been organized. To God be all the praise for his blessing. We have been made debtors to the General Conference for the liberal appropriations made to this conference, which have enabled us to place more laborers in the field than we otherwise could have done.
I consider Virginia an excellent field. I think there is no better anywhere, and no State can boast of a more loyal people to the principles of civil and religious liberty than can the Old Dominion. Some of the most loyal men of this nation were born and reared in this great State. I believe there is some truth in the statement made by Secretary Daniels recently at the one hundredth anniversary meeting of the Bible Society of Virginia. He said: “That Virginia is great, and that she has given great men to the world, is not the result of accident, but is because its civilization was built upon faith in the Bible. The leadership and inspiration of these men was the result of the spring from which they drank, and from the study of the Bible—the world’s greatest book—by those who had come to Virginia that they might worship as they saw fit.”
The utterances of such men as Thomas Jefferson and James Madison show that they possessed an extraordinary knowledge of these eternal principles of heaven-born truth; and Virginia has contributed her portion of the leading and loyal men of the nation, and there yet flows in the veins of many of the Virginians that same spirit of loyalty to the great principles of righteousness. It seems to me that we owe to the people of Virginia a great obligation to give them in clear, distinct lines God’s last message to the world.
I do not believe that Virginia has received the attention or assistance that the importance of this field demands. Virginia needs as good talent as any conference in the United States.15
I have felt it my duty, after much prayer and consideration of the matter, to lay down my work here, but my interest in its progress will not cease, as I can see great possibilities for the future. May God choose the man who shall direct the work in this conference, and may loyalty to his efforts and union among the workers make Virginia a very fruitful field, is my prayer. W. J. STONE.
Massachusetts and Western New York Camp Meetings
By Stephen N. Haskell
It was my privilege to attend both these camp meetings. The Spirit of the Lord was present in a marked manner at each meeting. The early morning hour was devoted to Bible study, which gave a spiritual mold to the day, and time was spent in especially seeking the Lord.
At the Massachusetts camp meeting one entire day in the middle of the week was devoted to seeking the Lord; all ordinary business was set aside for the more important business of clearing the King’s highway. Sins were confessed and put away, and all felt that it was one of the best days of the meeting.
The camp was pitched in one of the suburbs of Boston, in reach of the thousands of the crowded city. The camp at Western New York was in the edge of Salamanca, at the foot of hills, mostly covered with forests, which afforded an ideal place for private prayer.
I have seldom attended a meeting where all the campers seemed to be present at every service as at the Salamanca meeting. The early six o’clock hour was devoted to Bible study, and at eight o’clock all assembled in the large tent for devotional service. This hour was spent throughout the meeting in drawing near to the Lord, confessing sins, and praying for one another. These two deeply spiritual services at the beginning of every day gave an uplifting spirit throughout the entire meeting. The interest in the Bible study and devotional services increased as the meeting advanced.
The Western New York Conference was held during the camp meeting. While sufficient time was taken to conduct all necessary business, more time was spent in encouraging the lay members to arise and do the work of the Lord than in discussing long resolutions about what ought to be done.
The missionary work was made prominent at both these camp meetings. “The ministers presented clearly the perils of the times in which we live, and the importance of making haste in the circulation of our literature. In response to these appeals, the brethren and sisters came forward and purchased many books. Some took a few, and some purchased large quantities. Most of the purchasers paid for the books they took. A few arranged to pay afterward. Because books were being sold at low prices, some being especially reduced for the occasion, many were purchased.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. IX, pages 71, 72.
As the brethren and sisters drew near to Christ, confessed their sins and opened their hearts to him, he entered in, and the first love was revived. The Christ life in humanity today will do the same work as it did when Jesus walked in human flesh and prayed for the sinners and lifted up the fallen. A person may have a wonderful experience in God and feel very happy, but unless he does the Christ work, his experience will soon be like that of the man the Saviour describes in Matt. 12: 43-45.
“Properly conducted, the camp meeting is a school where pastors, elders, and deacons can learn to do more perfect work for the Master. It should be a school where the members of the church, old and young, are given opportunity to learn the way of the Lord more perfectly, a place where believers can receive an education that will help them to help others. . . .
“The best help that ministers can give the members of our churches is not sermonizing, but planning work for them. Give each one something to do for others. Help all to see that as receivers of the grace of Christ they are under obligation to work for him. And let all be taught how to work. Especially should those who are newly come to the faith be educated to become laborers together with God. If set to work, the despondent will soon forget their despondency; the weak will become strong, the ignorant intelligent, and all will be prepared to present the truth as it is in Jesus. They will find an unfailing helper in him who has promised to save all that come unto him.”—Id., page 82.
Elder H. W. Carr, president of the Western New York Conference, and his coworkers realized the importance of following the instruction given, and of encouraging the lay members to work for souls.
“Heavenly angels have long been waiting for human agents—the members of the church—to cooperate with them in the great work to be done. They are waiting for you. So vast is the field, so comprehensive the design, that every sanctified heart will be pressed into service as an instrument of divine power.”—Id., pages 46, 47.
If in all our conferences the lay members were encouraged to work and distribute literature, more would be accomplished through their efforts than by two thirds of the tent companies operating in the field, and thus the work would be finished more rapidly.
The time has come for the work to be carried forward in the East with power. God will work anywhere and everywhere when the instruction he has given is carried out. We as a people have not followed cunningly devised fables, for the Lord is in the third angel’s message. The time has come for him to do great things for his people. And if we expect great things at his hand, he will not disappoint us.
The labors of our General Conference brethren from Washington, and also of those from the Atlantic Union Conference, were greatly appreciated at both these meetings. So many camp meetings were being held that some of them overlapped others, and the stay of some of the brethren was necessarily brief. It was my privilege, however, to remain through a large share of the Massachusetts meeting, and all of the New York meeting. This I enjoyed very much, as it had been quite a number of years since I had visited my friends in the State of New York. It revived old acquaintances and associations, and we certainly had a taste of Prov. 27: 17.
S. N. HASKELL.
The New Jersey Camp Meeting
By B. G. WILKINSON
As the New Jersey Conference did not have any camp meeting last year, it was with pleasure that the brethren of this conference assembled in their camp meeting at Camden, N. J., June 25 to July 5. The annual session of the conference was held at the same time. As Camden is in the southern part of the State, we missed some brethren of the northern part of the State, but on the whole there was an excellent attendance. The camp was admirably located in a good part of the city, which made it convenient for those wishing to attend.
A splendid spirit prevailed throughout the meeting, and all interests were carefully and earnestly considered. We were favored with the presence of six persons representing the book and magazine work. So that branch of the work received very active and marked attention. On different occasions tracts and magazines were publicly sold from the desk to the amount of about $200. The Spirit of God came near on more than one occasion, and on the last Sabbath morning of the camp moved the people forward in deep surrender. Six raised their hands to ask for prayer that God would help them to unite with this people and join this denomination. So great was the turning to God on the part of the people that about twenty-eight went forward in baptism.
The call for foreign missions was liberally responded to. At the beginning of the camp meeting the conference was about $1,700 behind on the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund, but the brethren here responded to the earnest appeals in behalf of foreign missions in gifts amounting to about $1,300. They are planning to bring their twenty-cent-a-week plan out safely on the right side at the end of the year.
Practically the same corps of officers were elected for the coming year as served in the past. Elder A. R. Sandborn was reelected president of the conference.
Elder Spicer was present with us during the first part of the meeting, and rendered most efficient help. Professor Benson represented the work of the16North American Division, while Professors Shaw and Sorenson represented the Washington Missionary College.
We believe that the camp meeting was a great blessing to the workers and brethren of the New Jersey Conference.
B. G. WILKINSON.
Needs and Uses of Funds for the Work Among the Foreigners of North America
By O. A. OLSEN
In a former article some facts were presented concerning the great number of foreigners already in North America and the rate at which they are coming year by year. We also presented some of the urgent needs in prosecuting the work in this home foreign mission field, for a foreign mission field it is indeed.
When the last census was taken in the United States, it was found that 30,000,000, approximately one third of the population, were reckoned as foreigners, and during the ten years ending in 1913, the yearly average of immigrants coming to our shores, from almost every part of the world, was, in round numbers, one million.
No one of intelligence can help feeling a deep interest in, and concern over, this great foreign influx of people from all nations to our fair land, and it is but natural that men in responsible positions in both church and state should give this subject very serious thought and study, that both native and foreigner may be treated with justice and consideration.
This immigration question has a special interest for us from the standpoint of presenting “this gospel of the kingdom” to all the world in “this generation.” Earnest efforts are now being made to send the message to all foreign lands, and also to reach the millions of foreigners in the homeland; and this last is by no means the least.
A good work is in progress in the German and Scandinavian tongues, and the outlook is encouraging. A beginning has been made in the French, Russian, and some other languages, but as yet little has been done as compared to the needs. The great need at present is workers who can speak the languages and dialects of the various nationalities. This work is the more complicated and difficult because of the great number of nationalities and tongues in many cities and conferences. If there were but one, three, or even five languages in a city or conference, the matter would be comparatively simple; but instead of three we have all the way from twenty to more than double that number. This creates a very complicated situation in many of our conferences.
The condition of things just stated adds greatly to the expense of the work in our local conferences, and for that reason they have found it beyond their financial ability to do justice to the needs of these many nationalities. All are anxious to see the message proclaimed among the people of all these foreign tongues, but they have neither the workers nor the funds to support them.
The North American Foreign Department is a department of the North American Division Conference for the promotion and extension of the message among the many foreign nationalities in our land. Our aim as a department is to aid our local conferences in every way we can, that the truth may be carried to all these people as rapidly as possible.
For this work we need men and women properly trained and instructed in the truth, from among the several nationalities, to bring the message to their own people. This calls for training missions, at important centers, where persons of these various tongues can be instructed and started in the work under proper supervision and training. This is a very important matter, and must appeal to every one who feels the burden of souls. From several nationalities we have persons who have accepted the truth and are desirous of giving themselves to the work for their people, but they feel the need of training and supervision. Some have started out without proper instruction, only to become discouraged and leave the work.
The need of such training missions, under proper instruction, has been felt by several conferences, but the lack of funds with which to support the work has stood in the way. Here is where the Foreign Department must step in and render assistance, for such training missions are of the greatest importance for the extension of the message among these foreigners. The Foreign Department must have funds with which to aid in the training of workers by means of city mission training schools.
We also need funds for the placing of workers in the field. To illustrate: Some time ago we learned that Cleveland, and other cities of Ohio, had a large number of Roumanians, and we had a man in New York City ready to enter that field. The Ohio Conference desired to start the work among the Roumanians in that State, but could not do so for lack of funds. Then the Foreign Department came forward with a proposition to aid the Ohio Conference by placing the worker in Ohio, without any expense to the conference, and by supporting him for six months. This aid was gladly accepted by the conference, the work was started, and already good results have been seen among the Roumanians in Ohio. We could mention a number of such instances, but we must not take the space. Workers have thus been assisted in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and other places. But our funds have been limited, and workers have been so few that comparatively a small beginning has been made in what must become quite an extensive movement if we do our duty to the many foreign nationalities that have come to our shores.
This foreign field is by no means a barren one. In a former article we made mention of our Servian worker, Elder Milan Ostoics, of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. There was a call for him to go to St. Louis, Mo., but the Missouri Conference did not see its way to pay the traveling expense for so long a journey, when results would be so uncertain. So our Foreign Department offered to pay the railroad fare if the Missouri Conference would support him while there. To this they replied favorably. Brother Ostoics went, labored there three months, — there were two Servian believers when he went there, — and before he left, a church of eleven members was organized, with several others studying the truth; and as for the financial side, the tithe paid by those accepting the truth reimbursed the conference for its outlay in the venture.
We sympathize with our conferences. They are all very desirous of extending the message among the many foreign nationalities within their borders, but lack both the men and the means to start the work. If, as before stated, the matter were confined to two, three, or only a few nationalities, the situation would not be so difficult, but instead we have scores of them. It is truly a unique situation, and one that has not been duly appreciated; but it is here, and is a part of the great work that is to be accomplished before the coming of the Lord.
We have thus, in a brief way, presented the reasons for the need of funds, and why an offering is to be taken for the work among the foreigners in North America. The situation will certainly appeal to every candid reader, and we are sure our brethren and sisters will aid this branch of the work according to their ability.
O. A. OLSEN.
Secretary N. Amer. Foreign Dept.
The Italian Work in Chicago
By R. CALDERONE
SABBATH, July 4, was a good day for the little Italian flock in Chicago. Two dear believers, a sister and a young brother, were baptized and united with God's people. A large number were present at the ceremony and took part in the songs of praise.
Sunday evening, May 31, a temperance program was carried out in our church, at 1244 West Erie St. Although the evening was rainy and many stayed at home, yet about one hundred Italians were present. Elder G. E. Langdon, president of the Northern Illinois Conference, was with us, and gave a splendid talk. The children, who had been instructed by our faithful Bible worker, Miss Vesta Cash, sang and recited in both English and Italian. Adults also took part in the program.
We have no tent to which to invite the people, so at present we are conducting three street meetings every week. The interest is encouraging. One evening more than twelve Catholics followed us into the church from the outside meeting. In these street meetings we cannot present successfully the entire message, yet they help to break down prejudice, and bring some persons to the inside meetings.
In order to carry on such street meetings successfully, many things are essential. We have to be careful about what we preach. From my little experience I have found it best to speak upon such subjects as, The Bible as the Inspired Word of God, The Only Christian Guide, Love and Sufferings of Christ, Salvation Through Christ, Signs of the Times, and The Second Coming of Christ. These are subjects that people gladly hear, especially when the present commercial, religious, financial, and political conditions are presented as signs of the coming of the Lord. Since we began these meetings, we have distributed one hundred Gospels and seven hundred four-page tracts. We are looking for many blessings. Pray for the Italian work.
We are glad to report that though our church is but ten months old, it has paid faithfully its quota of the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund, and on July 1 stands $2.48 ahead. This is certainly a very encouraging omen.
At present we are repairing and putting in order the basement of our church building on Erie Street, as the time is approaching to begin our church school. We have not as yet taken definite steps toward the establishment of this school. We have no teacher in sight, nor school desks, and we have no money. However, we have the children, very bright boys and girls, and we must have the church school. We feel a little embarrassed, but we are confident that the Lord in due time will help us in our needs, for we are sure that he does not wish our children17in the public schools when it is possible to have a church school. What do you think, brethren, shall we have an Italian church school here in Chicago?
R. CALDERONE.
California Camp Meetings Widely Advertised
By Frank A. Coffin
NEWSPAPERS of California are interesting people in the present truth, as shown by the remarks of those not of our faith who attended the Oakland camp meeting, held from June 23 to July 5. Our ministering brethren tell of conversations they had on the grounds with visitors, who, when they were told of the good meetings being held, said, “Yes, I have been reading about them in the newspapers.” One family had been reading all the articles printed in the leading Oakland paper, which gave considerable space to the truth, and whose management feels very kindly toward our people. This is the Oakland Tribune, which, during the recent Pacific Union Conference, printed an editorial praising our leading men and standing firmly with us against Sunday laws.
The six dailies about San Francisco Bay have a combined circulation of about 425,000. During the twelve days of the camp meeting they published forty-three articles, totaling ten and one-third columns. At least one of these papers has a news service going to various parts of the State, and how far our work and message have been advertised through this means it is impossible to estimate. An article, two columns in length, covering the entire camp meeting, was sent out by our press bureau to one hundred and five weekly and twenty daily papers throughout the California Conference.
During the Sacramento camp meeting, which immediately preceded the Oakland meeting, the four newspapers of that city printed thirty-six articles, totaling over twelve columns. Large headlines were placed over some of these articles, one of them appearing on the front page. The usual camp meeting subjects were covered, and thinking people of northern California were given a chance to learn the stand Seventh-day Adventists take on some of the questions vital to salvation. Some of the papers in other cities reprinted these articles in full, while many were supplied with articles by our press bureau. The report of one of the sermons on the second coming of Christ was published as far East as Peoria, Ill.