From East to West: Visit to Emmanuel Missionary College
By J. C. Rogers
From East to West
At the invitation of the Upper Columbia Conference and the management of Walla Walla College, I left Battle Creek, October 3, to connect with our educational work in the Northwest. It was a pleasure to spend Sabbath and Sunday at Emmanuel Missionary College. Everything there presented a scene of activity, preparing for the opening on the 15th. Being received with kindness and courtesy by the president and his associates, my desire to become acquainted with the institution’s work was easily realized. From two days’ study of the situation, attending the first meeting of the faculty where the coming year’s work was outlined, and several hours’ personal study with Professors Sutherland and Magan, my impression is that Emmanuel Missionary College is being built upon the principle of hard work, both mental and physical, with the object of giving a broad educational training in the Word and things of God. To all who wish to understand the real work being carried on at Berrien Springs, I can recommend a visit there. You will enjoy it.
For a long time I had desired to visit19some of our Chicago institutions.
One day and two nights with our faithful workers there is enough to convince one that God has set his hand to this work. The transformations of character seen in the work of the Life Boat and other missions may well be called “modern miracles.” I was glad to lift up before the men gathered at the mission the Lamb of God that taketh away sin. One poor man who had found the burden too heavy to carry remained after the meeting to seek God with the workers. The secret of success was revealed when the superintendent and a man redeemed from like bondage led the burdened soul to the place of prayer, read God’s promises on their knees together, a human arm of love and sympathy surrounding the discouraged sinner, while a strong arm of faith lifted him to the mercy seat above.
Traveling from Chicago to St. Paul by day, and remaining overnight, I arranged early Wednesday morning to go via the Great Northern “Flyer” to the Coast. A prominent feature noticed in all who are connected with this road, from traffic manager in the great office block at St. Paul to the porter on every train, is the uniform effort to make the traveler comfortable and his journey pleasant.
Passing through the rich harvest fields and fruit-laden orchards of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakota, and Washington, deeply impressed me that God is wonderfully blessing this land and his people living here. After seven years in the barren wastes of Africa, possibly I appreciate this more than do others. If God’s people in this favored land will devote themselves and the hundredfold God desires to give them for his work, this message can soon go to every nation under heaven.
At Spokane I was met by Brother Greenville Holbrook, who has been connected with the Walla Walla College board from its organization. During three days’ stay at the rapidly growing city of Spokane, I found the sanitarium prospering under the direction of Dr. Yarnell and its efficient matron, Mrs. Morrison. The interests of our churches in that district are under the charge of Elder Saxby, who is actively engaged in the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and in pushing the erection of a church building for Spokane.
The final pleasure of my journey awaited me at Walla Walla in meeting Professor Lewis and his fellow teachers, with nearly all of whom I have been associated in the past. On Wednesday morning, October 15, about one hundred and fifty earnest, intelligent young men and women assembled for chapel exercise, which was followed by their regular weekly missionary meeting. Nearly ten years before, at the first closing exercises, I had spoken to the students in this same chapel, when about to leave for Africa. How different the circumstances now! That first group of students was scattered to the ends of the earth, with two or three remaining as teachers, and about as many just returned as students. How many of the first company are still faithful to God and his work? How many of this company will join the army of workers?
Meeting the president of the conference, Elder Breed, I learned that he and his force of laborers are bending all their energies to strengthen the hands of the college by helping to raise the debt. I have not yet become acquainted with a conference which has so completely given itself to this work. It will surely result in unifying the interests of the conference and the school as never before. This spirit is contagious, and soon engenders the determination to throw our strength into the same good work until we shall see it grandly completed.
— J. C. ROGERS.
Now Is the Time
By S. H. Lane
NEVER during the last decade has the time been more propitious for selling books than the present. During the last two or three years work has been abundant, wages good, and during this season, especially, crops have been plentiful. On account of these conditions there is much money in circulation. The past few years have been especially good for farmers. Mortgages that heavily encumbered real estate of almost every description have been lifted, because of the prosperity of the times. Especially is this true in the West. A money stringency recently has been experienced by the bankers of the East, not because of the scarcity of money, but from the fact that it is deposited by the farmers out of debt in Western banks, and many thousands are in transit from East to West to pay for and move the large crops of the Western States. Produce is being marketed from the crops of the last season, and money is now in the hands of the people, who will spend it not only for the necessities, but also for that which is pleasing and attractive. As our own books are attractive, and contain the truth, now is the time to push their sale as never before. It is true that the mainspring of all our effort in disposing of our literature should be from the basis that it is right to dispose of it, yet it is the part of sound wisdom to make an earnest endeavor to sell our works while the times are so favorable, and they certainly are favorable at present.
Since the writer visited the Western and Southwestern States last summer, he has felt deeply over the fact that there are so few canvassers in the field, and that our people are not putting forth more earnest efforts to dispose of our works. Thousands of books will be sold for holiday gifts, and cannot many of our brethren and sisters spend a greater part of their time between now and the fifteenth of December in getting our works before the people? Many should work now, even if they do not intend to make canvassing their steady employment. Books can be sold. Thousands can be placed in the homes of our people in every State in the Union.
While riding through the fertile State of Arkansas a few weeks ago, and beholding the immense crops of fruit, corn, and cotton, the writer wished there were a thousand canvassers in that State. At the Little Rock camp meeting the writer met Brother V. P. Watts, who donated five dollars to the Missionary Acre Fund. A receipt was sent to him a short time ago, and in reply he says, “It does not seem that my little mite [his donation] was anything, but a thousand such would lift a great burden. It does me good to hear that the Sanitarium at Battle Creek is progressing well. The sanitarium is prospering here, and is filled to the limit. The work is still onward in Little Rock. We had two accessions to the church last Sabbath. I have been canvassing for ‘Great Controversy,’ and have taken two hundred and twenty orders in sixteen days. There were two days in which I took twenty-four orders each, amounting to over eighty dollars a day. The Lord blessed me wonderfully, and to him I give all the praise. I hope to have a delivery of the value of more than twelve hundred dollars by November 17. It would have been more if I could have stayed in the work all the time. I wish that more of our people had a burden for the canvassing work. These prosperous years are the time to push the book work. If I have success in my delivery this fall, I will give you some more money for the Missionary Acre Fund. I want to help all I can to get the Sanitarium work started, also help pay off the large tract society debt. I want to see all departments of the work advance, and I believe that the more we give, the more God gives us to give.”
This brother has been aiding in the tent work at Little Rock this summer. He has looked after the company there, and gone out and canvassed a few days at a time. Surely the Lord has blessed him in his work. There are many others who can do the same thing. We are anxious that the rank and file of our people should sell our books as never before, not only because of these prosperous times, but because the work of God demands haste. Darkness, ignorance, and superstition have held sway for centuries in the past, but the time is now here when the earth shall be lightened with the glory of the descending angel from heaven, and the time has come that—
“The boast of haughty error,
No more shall fill the air,
But age and youth
Shall love the truth,
And spread it everywhere.”
Who will help in this work? The battle is not to the strong, but to every one who has a willing heart, and earnestly labors as never before.
S. H. LANE.
Kansas Camp Meeting
By C. McReynolds
THIS meeting convened September 23, at 3:30 P. M. Three days were devoted to the conference business. A good spirit prevailed from the first, and by Friday afternoon all were ready to enter upon the regular camp-meeting program. Brethren A. G. Daniells and E. R. Palmer came during the conference, and remained till about the middle of the camp meeting. Brother W. W. Prescott came at the beginning of the camp meeting, and remained till almost the close. He occupied from two to two and one-half hours nearly every day in Bible study with the people, and much good was received from these studies. Elder Daniells, by the aid of the Spirit of God, brought the missionary spirit into the meeting from the first, and it proved to be truly a missionary camp meeting. As the needs of the cause in other lands were laid before us,—not a call to pay debts, but to divide our means and force of workers with those millions of people,—a real spirit of sacrifice came in, and was manifested in a practical way. Our people voted unanimously to send four thousand dollars from our tithe fund to aid the European General Conference, and three of our young workers volunteered to go to England as workers. About three hundred dollars was raised in cash and pledges for their traveling expenses.20
We believe that this is the beginning of a new era in our work, and that soon we shall recognize the world as our field, and workers who go across the ocean will be kept on our conference pay rolls the same as those who remain in this country. Why should it not be so? — We believe that it should be.
Almost incessant rains kept many from the meeting, less than five hundred being in attendance; and the work the last Sabbath was almost entirely broken up by the cold and rain. Many were compelled to leave the grounds. Sunday, the last day of the meeting, was bright and warm, and was a good day for all who remained. Meetings were held all day, and a precious scene was witnessed in the evening, when Brethren T. Godfrey and B. E. Huffman were ordained to the gospel ministry. We all felt that it was good to be there. And although the weather had been almost as unfavorable as possible at that season of the year, the contented, sweet spirit that prevailed from first to last was remarkable, and all said that it was one of the best camp meetings ever held in the State. In addition to the money given to the work in other lands, nearly five hundred dollars was raised for the State fund.
But few changes were made in the officers, the following-named persons being elected: President, C. McReynolds; Vice-President, C. A. Beeson; Secretary and Treasurer, N. B. Emerson; Corresponding Secretary, Belle Emerson; Secretary and Treasurer of Missionary Department, J. C. Becker; Secretary and Treasurer of Sabbath-school Department, Belle Emerson; Educational Secretary and Church-school Superintendent, B. E. Huffman; Executive Committee, C. McReynolds, C. A. Beeson, J. A. Crane, A. E. Johnson, J. G. Hanhardt, N. B. Emerson, and B. E. Huffman; State Missionary, Frank Jencks.
Resolutions were passed covering nearly every branch of the work, prominent among which were the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons” and the canvassing work. The campaign with “Christ’s Object Lessons” was made the principal consideration of three general meetings, and all the workers and all the people pledged themselves to the work of disposing of our quota of books by December 25. C. McREYNOLDS.
Experiences in Valparaiso, Chile
By H. F. Ketring
“Looking Wistfully to Heaven”
[READERS of “Testimony,” Vol. VI, will remember this statement: “All over the world, men and women are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and inquiries go up from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit. Many are on the very verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in.” This is what all heaven sees, looking down upon the earth. No wonder the call of God comes to go out quickly into all the highways and byways of the world to gather in these longing souls. Here is a report from far South America, illustrating the truth of the statement quoted.—W. A. S.]
Valparaiso is a city of about one hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants of all nationalities, the larger portion being Chileans. In common with all South American cities, it is deeply steeped in sin and crime, but being the largest seaport on the west coast, it is especially wicked.
Our work has seemed to make very little impression here, notwithstanding that during the last six or eight years many papers have been distributed in all languages, especially in English and Spanish.
One brother who accepted the truth in the south, is living here, and a few weeks ago went to listen to a man who was preaching in one of the plazas. After the sermon a number were gathered together in groups, discussing what they had heard. One company was composed of Catholics and Protestants. The brother drew near, and then walked away. In a few minutes he drew near again, and then retired, repeating this several times. As the crowd dispersed, he noticed one man who had taken part in the discussion standing alone.
Approaching him, he asked him, “How do you know that that man preaches the truth?” The man replied, “I don’t know.” The brother said, “We have to prove all things by the Bible, and he said that Sunday is the day of rest, or the Lord’s day, and the Bible says that the rest day is the seventh day. Also, he said that man is immortal, while the Bible says that ‘God only hath immortality,’” reading one or two texts to prove what he said. They then parted, without saying anything more. But the Word was accomplishing that for which God had sent it.
The next day the brother said to himself, “I wish I knew where that man lives, for he seemed like an honest man. He surely was a working man, from his appearance, and it is possible that he works down at the mole. I think I will go down and look for him.”
He went, and looked at the men working there, but was unable to find him. At last he stood looking out over the harbor at the boats.
In the meantime, the other man said to himself, “I wish I knew where to find that man who showed me those texts yesterday. I believe I will go down to the mole to see if I can find him.” He went, and looked all around for the brother. At last he espied him looking out over the bay. He went up to him, and laid his hand on his shoulder, and it is needless to say that they both thanked God for having led them.
The man then said, “Is that true that you showed me yesterday? Is Saturday really the Sabbath of the Lord? I have been praying for three years for the Lord to show me the truth on this question. I couldn’t see why the church kept the first day of the week, when the Bible says that the seventh day is the Sabbath.”
They appointed a time to study the Bible, and he, with his wife, is rejoicing in the truth. He kept the very next Sabbath.
Shortly after, his minister (Methodist) came to see him, but he was away at work. The minister told his wife that he had come to get him out of the error into which he had fallen.
The next Sunday he went to church, and the minister directed his whole sermon at him, giving him sharp thrusts. After the service was over, he went to the minister, and asked him to show him from the Bible where he was in error. The minister told him that he would come to his house and show him. But he said: “No; you cut at me all the evening in your sermon, and now I demand that you show me my error before the congregation.” To be sure he would not do that, and turned away from him.
After a few weeks I returned from the north, and have held readings in his house about a week; and another native, a man of about thirty, and very intelligent, has decided to obey the truth.
There are many of these people waiting and longing for some one to help them to find the light. Are there not those who feel a burden to come to these needy fields and help us find them? None can find them so well as the missionary canvasser. We need many canvassers to scatter the silent messengers of truth in these darkened lands. “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.”
But if the Lord should answer your prayer by sending you, do not be afraid to come. True, there are lions, and great ones, too, but thus far I have found them chained.
H. F. KETRING.
Valparaiso.
_“He That Endureth Unto the End”_
By P. T. Magan
THERE are two periods in Christian battles when it is hard to get people to fight. One of these times is the beginning, and the other is the ending.
It takes faith to start a work, and it takes still more faith to endure to the end of that work.
Once a work is started, many will come in for a while, and the thing will go well. But such, while they reap a blessing, can never garner to their souls the rich joys which those receive who began the work when it was unpopular, when no one had any confidence in it; when the majority thought it could never succeed. He who metes to men their rewards, both here and hereafter, reserves for this latter class, in the very nature of things,21a richer blessing,—a more profound happiness than the others can possibly partake of.
There is an ancient adage that he who strikes first generally strikes last. Perhaps the saying is not altogether without a moral. At any rate, it is generally those who had faith to begin a work who receive grace sufficient to stay with it to the end.
It takes faith to do this. When the work is at the height of its success, it is easy enough to join it and bear a part in it. But when the sun of its triumph begins to decline; when men tire of it, and go to something else, or drop out of it, and do nothing at all; when, on account of mistakes, testimonies of reproof surround it, and its course becomes tangled and difficult,—then it is that the faithful ones are revealed—those who “endure to the end.”
As Christians we are all striving for heaven; and the Master has told us that he who endures to the end shall be saved. Throughout our lives we are brought face to face with adverse circumstances and difficult situations. In every such experience we must stand by until the adverse circumstance is overcome, or the difficult situation conquered. To do this is to be saved as far as salvation from those circumstances and difficulties is concerned.
We can only be saved moment by moment, hour by hour, and day by day, to the end of each separate engagement, and win in each and every trial.
How is it in the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons”? Are you enduring unto the end? Have you sold your full quota of books? If you have not, my brother, take courage; endure to the end of this race. Never quit the field till your last book is gloriously sold. If your own books are sold, but the quota of your church has not been entirely disposed of, take up the broken thread; strengthen the feeble knees; lift up the fallen hands; encourage others to begin the work again. Ever remember that God is oftentimes enabled to bring great blessings to an entire church on account of the efforts of one man.
P. T. MAGAN.
German Union Conference Report and Iceland Mission Helper
THE German Union Conference report for the last quarter, as far as received, shows 4,157 Sabbath keepers, about 150 having been added during the last three months, with a tithe of about $6,300. Brother Conradi writes that a helper has been secured for Brother Ostlund in Iceland. This is Brother Nils Anderson, of Sweden. The last ship to the eastern part of the island, where Brother Ostlund is located, left on the fourteenth of October; but there is one more ship for the western shore before navigation closes; this leaves Copenhagen, November 15, and they are hoping to arrange for his transportation at that time.
Satan's Unseen Power Over the Human Heart
“MEN are so entirely off their guard with respect to the presence and power of Satan, that he stalks through their hearts as despotically as a king through the chambers of his palace.”
Current Mention
— The coal miners’ strike in France continues, and is marked by considerable rioting. An effort is being made to settle the difficulty by arbitration.
— Successful trials of a new air ship devised by two Frenchmen are reported from Nantes, France. The air ship was able to move against a stiff breeze.
— Immense peat beds are reported to have been found in the vicinity of Kokomo, Ind., capable of supplying the whole State with fuel for several years. When tested, the peat was found superior to bituminous coal as a heat-producer, and was devoid of smoke or odor.
— The Chinese government has promised Great Britain that the Chinese officials responsible for the recent murder of two English missionaries, Messrs. Lewis and Bruce, shall be punished, that compensation shall be paid, and that a memorial shall be erected on the scene of the murder.
— Mgr. Falconio, the “apostolic delegate” from Rome to the United States, will arrive at Washington and be invested with his new office, November 20.
— The French town of St. Pierre, on Miquelon Island, off the Newfoundland coast, was nearly destroyed by fire November 2, the loss amounting to $500,000.
— Reports sent out by the Venezuelan government state that the revolutionary army has been decisively beaten and scattered. The war, however, is not yet ended.
— “Apostle” Reed Smoot, the Mormon church candidate for United States senator, will probably be sent to Congress from Utah, as a result of the election in that State.
— Chinese Boxers are reported to be active in the province of Sze-chuen, where they attack isolated villages, burning churches and killing converts to Christianity.
— The arbitration commission appointed by President Roosevelt to inquire into the coal-mining situation in Pennsylvania, expect to complete their work and present their report by November 15.
— Owing to a failure of the rice crop in the Philippine Islands, the inhabitants are threatened with famine, and $2,000,000 Mexican money has been appropriated under the direction of Governor Taft for their relief.
— Mrs. Maria Fox Smith, the last of the Fox sisters who came into prominence half a century ago in connection with the “Rochester knockings” which marked the beginning of the development of modern Spiritualism, died in Newark, N. Y., November 3, being eighty-five years of age.
— The Doukhobor pilgrimage through the wilds of northwestern Canada, from Yorkton to Winnipeg, is still in progress, all efforts to persuade the fanatical band to return to their farms having been unsuccessful. The pilgrims expect to receive a revelation from heaven when they reach Winnipeg.
— Fourteen persons were killed and forty injured in Madison Square, New York City, Tuesday evening, by the sudden explosion of a mass of bombs such as are used in fireworks displays, in the midst of a crowd which had gathered to receive the election returns. The bombs were of iron, and were filled with a powerful explosive.
— “The success of wireless telegraphy as a means of transatlantic communication is now practically assured,” says a Sydney, Nova Scotia, dispatch, based on the authority of the commander of the Italian cruiser “Carlos Alberto,” which is now at Sunny Harbor, Nova Scotia. He says that a wireless message was received at that port from Cornwall, England, November 1.
— A press dispatch published in the London Times, dated October 31, says that “the visit paid by the Chilean naval squadron to Brazilian waters in August assumed the almost unmistakable character of a demonstration in favor of a coalition of the South American states against any desire on the part of the United States to exercise tutelage over them or interfere in their affairs.” A bitter feeling prevails in Brazil against the United States.
“Christ’s Object Lessons” in Kansas
By C. McReynolds
THE campaign is on. The State was divided into districts, and every worker in the conference has been assigned his place. The work has begun, and good reports are being received from those who have started. One very encouraging feature is that all seem willing to make no account of books sold prior to the beginning of 1902, and accept the apportionment of four books each at that time, and will take them and sell them. Some who are physically unable to go out to sell the books will pay for them, and will sell them when they can. Some who have sold a few of the books are so encouraged and delighted that they wish to spend all their time for the next two months in selling “Christ’s Object Lessons;” and where they cannot sell it, they will sell some of our smaller books, and use the profits in purchasing tracts and other literature to give to the people. One brother will canvass his entire township—this means at least two hundred families.
Realizing how important it is that the work be finished up to the full amount of our quota in this conference, and knowing the great danger there is that some will leave the work through discouragement or defer it till another time, we have set apart Sabbath, November 15, as a day of special prayer in behalf of this effort, and the week following as the time to finish the work. The call has gone out, and we expect two thousand people to be engaged that week in the sale of that book, and the work to be finished; that is, the orders will be taken, and the books will be sent out at once, so all can be delivered before Christmas. Many will also take orders for “Best Stories,” “Gospel Primer,” etc., and will use the profits in buying literature to give to the people as they go over the ground to deliver the books. This is the first general effort Kansas has made, and remember it means success. C. McREYNOLDS.
Donors to the Relief of the Schools
The total cash received on the Relief of the Schools Fund up to Nov. 3, 1902, is $47,494.66.
NAME
AMOUNT
Wisconsin
$ 7 75
E. J. T. Johnson
2 00
J. A. Harding
1 00
J. Q. & B. Adams
25 00
Mrs. Anne King
1 00
M. & A. Hunter
2 00
Berrien Springs
2 00
C. R. Oliver
5 00
Lois A. Calkins
1 00
Jens Peterson
5 00
H. Cole
3 00
W. C. Rahn
1 00
James Yarington
2 00
Mrs. Will Wells
5 00
E. H. Crampton
5 00
Christina Harvey
1 00
Berrien Springs
2 00
M. J. Ramsay
5 00
John S. Gibbins
5 00
Mary E. Wright
1 00
Mrs. K. A. Gurrier
1 00
Mrs. E. Caseville
50
Mrs. M. J. Spencer
5 00
Mrs. H. A. Brasier
6 25
W. H. Frink
1 50
F. R. Richards
1 00
Lulu Richards
1 00
Netta Herman
1 00
Mrs. A. E. Davis
1 15
H. W. Buell
1 00
Harvey Castle
5 00
Mrs. D. Stubblefield
50
Mrs. C. E. Heatley
1 00
An Appeal
By Ellen G. White
CANVASSERS should have the fact impressed upon them that the canvassing work is the very work the Lord would have them do. The work of the canvasser is to bring before the world as fast as possible the light that God has given. The publications will do a far greater work than can be accomplished even by the ministry of the word, because the canvassers reach a class that ministers who teach in word and doctrine cannot reach. From the light given me, I know that where there is one canvasser in the field, there should be one hundred. Persons should be encouraged to take hold of the work, not to handle the little storybooks, but to bring before the world the books so essential at this time.
“Here Am I; Send Me”
“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: and he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
Messages of Peace and Comfort
This representation will be acted over and over again if the canvassers are pressing close to the side of Christ, wearing his yoke, and daily learning of him how to carry messages of peace and comfort to the sorrowing, disappointed ones, the sad and broken-hearted. By imbuing them with his own Spirit, Christ, the great Teacher, is fitting them to do a good and important work.
Revival of the Spirit of Former Days Needed
This work has not of late had the spirit and the life infused into it by the leading agents that once made it a specialty. Painstaking effort is required; instruction must be given; a sense of the importance of the work must be kept before the workers; all must cherish the spirit of self-denial and self-sacrifice that has been exemplified in the life of our Redeemer.
The Unseen Helper
The Lord Jesus, standing by the side of the canvassers, walking with them, is the chief worker. The holy Guest by their side makes impressions in just the lines needed, if the worker recognizes Christ as the one who is with him to prepare the way. Thus the worker can move forward, representing the sacred truth he is handling, in the books he is finding a home for in families.
MRS. E. G. WHITE.
A Good Year's Work
THE Supplement to the Bible Echo, of Melbourne, Australia, has come to hand, in which we find interesting reports of the work of the Echo Publishing Co. and the tract and missionary societies in Australasia. The annual address of the president of the Echo Company to the shareholders at their annual meeting shows that the company is able to present for the past year's work a net gain of $4,615. The present worth of the publishing house is $25,395. The value of commercial business during the year has been $96,950. This is by far the best showing ever made by the Echo Company. There are ninety persons now in their employ. The manager says:—
“Glancing back over the thirteen years of this company, we can see that God has been guiding his work, and that his prospering hand has been over it from year to year. Much good has been accomplished by the publications that have gone out from this office. Compared with the number of our own people, Australia is the banner field throughout the world in selling books. This is not because canvassing is easier here. The population is small and scattered. The prices are higher on our books than in any other part of the world. It is due to the earnestness of our canvassers, and the thorough organization of our book work, in every part of the field, that we have been enabled to sell so many books. The higher prices enable our canvassers to keep at their work, as it gives them a living, and makes them independent. Some countries that have adopted small prices on their books have had to subsidize their agents to keep them in the field, and it has been found difficult even then for them to make a living. The people here do not have more money to spend on books than in other parts of the world, but the canvasser makes them feel that he has something that they must have, and then the price does not stand in the way.”
“During the past thirteen years books to the value of $625,000, retail, have been sold. The company has donated to missionary work $13,000, which includes $8,625 loss on The Bible Echo, $2,775 on other periodicals, and $1,100 donations in cash and material.”
“Although during this time we passed through bank failures, and the results of the bursting of the land boom, we have recorded but one year's loss in ten years. Some years the profits have been small, but they have been sure. The past year's profit is the largest in the history of the company, and this at a time when many changes have taken place in this country, and business in the commercial world has been uncertain.”
Silent Messengers
By Editor
Our Books, Tracts, and Periodicals
E. R. PALMER :: :: :: Editor
Who, Who Will Go?
By Mrs. Clark Waring
Who, who will go to bind the broken heart?
Burdened with grief and heavy in its woe,
Longing to find in life some better part,
Who, who will go to bind the broken heart?
Who, who will go to wipe away the tear
From eyes long used to sorrow’s briny flow?
To comfort those who stand beside hope’s bier,
Who, who will go to wipe away the tear?
Who, who will go to seek the lambs astray?
To lift the fallen where he lies so low,
Into the sunlight of the heavenly way,
Who, who will go to seek the lambs astray?
—Mrs. Clark Waring.
The Australasian Canvassing Work
By J. Johanson
As we review the work done in the canvassing field during the past year, we realize that God has wonderfully blessed in the circulation of our literature, and to him belongs the praise for the success that has attended the faithful efforts of our canvassers.
Throughout the field there has been a most hearty co-operation with the publishing house on the part of our tract societies and agents, enabling us to overcome difficulties that would otherwise have proved serious obstacles to our work.
From time to time we hear it said that our books have been sold so extensively that our canvassers will soon have to turn their energies to account in another direction; but it is an encouraging feature in our work that during the past year our best success has been attained in the parts of the field where the greatest number of our books were sold in former years. This demonstrates that our literature is as the rain that “cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth;” for it contains the truth of God, and the more books we sell, the greater will the demand for them become.
During the twelve months ending June 30, 1902, we have had an average of fifty-five agents in the field; and although many portions of our territory have suffered from the most severe drought known for years, our work has prospered, and the returns for the year’s sales show an increase in every line above the records of any previous year in the history of our canvassing work in this field, and a total increase of $17,333 above our sales last year.
Books sold during the twelve months ending June 30, 1902:—
But while we can estimate the financial success of our work, and those who have been actively engaged in circulating our literature know the precious experience that comes to every one who truly co-operates with God and labors for the salvation of souls, the ultimate results of this seed sowing will be known only at the great ingathering just before us. God poured out the wealth of the universe in the gift of his own Son, and every soul saved in the kingdom of heaven is as precious to him as the price paid. The promise that “he that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing the seed basket [margin], shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him,” assures us that the publications thus distributed will exert their influence, and that just “as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all nations.”
J. JOHANSON, General Agent.
“I am the resurrection and the life.”—*Jesus
Obituaries
“I am the resurrection and the life.”—*Jesus
CRARY.—Died at Trippville, Wis., Oct. 12, 1902, of heart disease, Mrs. Eunice Crary, aged 69 years. Sister Crary had observed the Bible Sabbath about twenty-five years, and at the time of her death was a member of the Elroy church of Seventh-day Adventists. She died with a bright hope of a part with the redeemed. An aged husband and seven children survive her. Words of consolation were spoken by the writer. M. N. CAMPBELL.
MEAD.—Died at Montavilla, Ore., Sept. 9, 1902, Brother Milton G. Mead, aged 53 years, 4 months, and 10 days. He was converted at a camp meeting in Portland, Ore., about six years ago, and since then he has been a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church at Montavilla. A wife and an infant daughter survive him. The blessed hope sustains those who are left to mourn. Words of comfort and warning were spoken by the writer. F. M. BURG.
JANNER.—Fell asleep in Jesus, Oct. 23, 1902, at West Salem, Ill., Brother Elisha Janner, aged 63 years, 2 days. La grippe, terminating in pneumonia, caused his death. During the greater part of his life Dr. Janner was somewhat skeptical in regard to religion as it is usually lived by professed Christians. In 1894 he listened to the faith of Seventh-day Adventists, and he and his wife fully accepted it. He united with the West Salem church soon after his conversion, and from that day till the day of his death was an earnest, devoted Christian, a faithful member of the church, and very conscientious in his religious duties. The funeral was attended by scores of veterans, as Dr. Janner served in the army for several years. A large delegation of physicians from all parts of the county was present. Words of comfort from God’s holy Word, spoken by the writer, were listened to with marked attention. Dr. Janner leaves a wife, two sons, and a step-daughter, and a large circle of friends to mourn their loss. S. H. LANE.
CUSHING.—Died at Antigo, Wis., July 22, 1902, of consumption, Hannah Jane Cushing, aged 72 years, 7 months, and 17 days. For over forty years Sister Cushing rejoiced in the knowledge of sins forgiven through the merits of a loving Saviour; and when the third angel’s message was made known to her, she received it with joy. She leaves an aged husband and three children to mourn their loss. Words of comfort were spoken from John 6: 39; Hosea 13: 14; Ps. 17: 15, by C. J. Herrmann.
(Signs of the Times, please copy.)
South Dakota Conference
By N. W. Allee
THE next session of the South Dakota Conference will be held at the Intermediate School Home near Elk Point, Dec. 2-8, 1902, for the consideration of conference work, the election of officers, and the transaction of any other business that may come before it. Assistance is expected from the General Conference. Delegates are expected to be at Elk Point, Tuesday, December 2, that they may be conveyed to the place of meeting. Further information will be given by letter and through the Dakota Worker.