[We have received several articles from brethren in the Southeastern Union Conference regarding openings for the canvassing work. We condense these, and print them as one article, with the understanding that they are calls for new recruits, not appeals for book men to leave work elsewhere to respond, those in charge of the Southern work not desiring this.—ED.]
Florida
THE Florida fruit crop is excellent this year, as have been all other crops, which means money in circulation. The turpentine camps and phosphate mines, located in many sections of the State, are indeed fields for aggressive operation for the canvasser.
One town in the State sent a message by a sister who has just attended our camp-meeting, urging that some one visit that section and sell our literature. In response to that call, Brother W. T. Weaks, of Ohio, has hurried to the scene, and is already in active work. The Lord is wonderfully blessing his labors.
But this is only one of hundreds of sections in which no canvasser's voice has yet been heard. We need workers to enter the service. Any one interested in this field, is requested to address the writer at Orlando.
E. R. BUTTON, Field Agent.
Georgia
As I look out upon the vast amount of territory in this great State, untouched as yet with our books, I feel that the Macedonian cry should be raised here in this great State of the South, with its two millions of people who must hear this third angel's message. In the southern portion of the State there is practically no winter, and work can be done every month in the year. Those who are looking for such a field would do well not to pass Georgia by. May I hear from a goodly number asking for further information in reference to territory? Address me at 169 Bryan St., Atlanta.
W. S. FULBRIGHT, Field Agent.
North Carolina
The Lord's hand is in the work here. He has opened many doors. The people are very hospitable, and the canvasser can meet freely all classes of people, whether living in the large mansion or the humble cottage. Experience quickly demonstrates the fact that the printed page is to be an important medium in meeting the demands of this field. If there are those who feel a burden for this section of the Lord's vineyard, I shall be glad to hear from them at Hickory, N. C., Route 4.
H. B. TILDEN, Field Agent.
A Florida Canvasser's Experience
The writer spent five months on a missionary boat on Tampa Bay, and found that books can be sold successfully among all classes. He also spent three weeks in Lakeland and a near-by town, both of which had been previously canvassed, and sold and delivered one hundred twenty-five dollars' worth of books in that time.
Last summer, when many had the idea that it was too hot for work, I tried a little resident canvassing near Orlando, in territory that had been canvassed several times, and sold and delivered one hundred ninety-two dollars' worth of “Great Controversy” in sixteen days.
Our summers are cooled by the nearness of the ocean and Gulf, so we are able to work throughout the year.
Florida has three cities in which there is a wide field for the “King's Messengers,” such as our canvassers are known to be. Jacksonville, the gateway of our State, has a population of sixty-six thousand, and at least three good consecrated canvassers should locate there and remain for a year; Tampa, on the historic Tampa Bay, has a population of fifty thousand, and two consecrated workers are needed there; Key West, on an island in the extreme southern portion, has a population of some twenty-five thousand. One good canvasser could find splendid territory there for two years, as no work has been done.
We also have numerous towns ranging in population from two thousand to seven thousand. Along the Gulf coast are many villages and numerous islands, the inhabitants of which may never hear of this truth unless some one is stirred up to visit them with our literature. A missionary boat on Tampa Bay would have access to many foreign boats, besides the towns and villages to be reached from it. There is the St. John's River, by which towns and villages may be reached with a small launch. There is an inland waterway from St. Augustine to Miami, a distance of some three hundred miles, along which are numerous towns and villages waiting for this precious truth. Thousands of tourists frequent the east coast through the winter. This is a new field.
How can you remain in worldly business when the Macedonian cry is ringing in your ears? Take time to write to our State missionary secretary, E. R. Button, Orlando, Fla., and he will give17all information and assign territory. We welcome you to our favored clime.
LE ROY T. CRISLER.
Sanitarium Management
By L. M. Bowen
(Concluded)
Manager’s Relation to Patients
The nature of our work demands that mutual good will, respect, and confidence should characterize the relations between patients and the institution in order that the desired results may follow, that is, the physical and spiritual healing.
Careful and detailed provision should be made for the reception of the patient as he enters the institution. First impressions are lasting, and much depends upon his introduction. The custom of many of our sanitariums to depend upon the matron to attend to the locating of the guests, works very well where guests arrive at regularly appointed times, but where they are likely to come at all hours, her other important duties will not admit of her giving prompt attention. Therefore it is better to have some one in the business office at all usual hours to act as locating clerk. If a regular clerk is not required, the bookkeeper, if a suitable person, may be entrusted with the responsibility.
As the patient enters the door, he should be politely relieved of burdensome luggage and shown to the register and then promptly to a room. Here is where tact is required. Possibly no correspondence has passed, and the new arrival does not make inquiry as to rates. The clerk is left to rely upon his judgment of human nature as to whether he should ask in regard to the price the new arrival desires to pay, or whether he should assign him to what he considers a desirable accommodation. At any rate, the guest should be located to his entire satisfaction, and should be informed in a casual way as to his rate. If, however, as is usually the case, the patient inquires about the rates, he should be allowed to select his room, understanding the regular prices.
This accomplished, the clerk should immediately notify the medical department of the patient’s arrival and location, in order that he may be promptly taken in hand by physicians and nurses and not allowed to become uneasy and restless.
In all our contact with the guests, they should be impressed with the organization of the institution, that it is so complete that their every need has been anticipated, and so precise that it will be properly attended to at just the right time, and that their interests demand that they promptly adjust themselves to the spirit and life of the institution. A printed program and directory placed in their hands will be helpful in accomplishing this.
Our best advertising is conscientious professional attention, supplemented by Christian courtesy and unselfish service, which are sure to gain and hold the confidence of the patient, so that he will not only return when next in need, but will heartily recommend the institution to his friends. Thus the work will be widely and favorably known in a short time.
On the other hand, poor service will be just as widely and quickly advertised. To this end, the workers should each be carefully trained in his special line. The clerk, tray- and call-boys, should understand that it is their duty under all circumstances and conditions to impartially, without violating principle, please those they are called to serve; and in order to do so, they must be able to anticipate the wants, and to render prompt, careful, and cheerful service.
The bookkeeper should be trained to be accurate and uniformly courteous. His bills as they go to the patient should be correct. Here is where many patients have received their first cause for dissatisfaction, which has finally resulted in their leaving the institution dissatisfied, never to return.
Another very important feature of our service is our culinary department. The table should be generously supplied with a good variety of seasonable and wholesome foods, properly prepared, tastily and daintily served. Such a service will attract the better classes of people to our work.
If special rates are requested, the patient should be referred to the business manager, who only should quote other than the regular listed prices of rooms. He should, as far as possible, understand what his total expense will be, although it is not always possible to quote more than the regular board, room, and treatment rates prior to examination.
If concessions in prices are requested, there should be a thorough and definite understanding of the basis of his claim for reduction. The majority of our institutions allow special rates to clergymen, physicians, nurses, Seventh-day Adventists, and cases deserving of charity. In case his request is on account of the latter, his application should have had consideration and action before his arrival. It is not best to make reduction merely because some one asks for it. Each one should be permitted to select his room, at regular rates, as he desires; but if he wishes prices less than the regular ones, there should be good and sufficient reason for granting the request.
Departmental Organization
For ease of management and more direct supervision, the work should be organized into departments, the number depending upon the size of the institution. These departments should not be so large as to be unwieldy and difficult of management for the leader; nor so small as to make their maintenance expensive. Over each should be placed a competent leader, a paid worker, one who by experience and natural ability is adapted to that particular line of work; and among other qualifications he should be a thorough teacher, in order that the workers may get a proper training while employed in the department; for every worker in our institutions should be in training for better and broader service. The leaders should be held responsible for the progress of the work, and for the deportment of the workers during working hours in their respective departments; and in order to get the best results, their authority should be respected and upheld.
The department foremen should meet together frequently to counsel regarding the interests of the work and workers. They should be informed as to the progress of the whole work. These meetings18should not be formal, but should be so conducted as to encourage free and independent expression regarding the different phases of the work. Helpful ideas will be advanced, and good suggestions made; and if properly managed, these meetings will prove very helpful, not only to the departments, but to the general work as well.
Relations Between Worker and Manager
While our work should be thoroughly organized and systematized, it should be so arranged that the closest sympathy exists between those generally designated as the management, and the workers. No opportunity should be unimproved to impress upon the family the missionary features of the enterprise, and that the success of the work in hand depends upon the faithful co-operation of every individual worker. While the members of the training course are in training for more effectual missionary work, their success depends upon their daily experiences. In other words, they are to learn how to become successful missionaries by being missionaries daily and hourly, and their success in the field will probably depend very largely upon their faithfulness at the institution while laying the foundation for future work. Faithfulness in its broadest sense is imperative, in the use of material, apparatus, and, last but not least, in the use of time; for the Lord expects the strictest honesty and economy in his servants.
By their influence one or two workers can create a condition of dissatisfaction and unrest in the family which is almost sure to result in friction somewhere. This causes loss to the work, and often the dissatisfied feeling extends to the patients. Doubtless many thousands of dollars annually might be added to the income of our sanitariums if our workers were more careful in this respect. On the other hand, those in authority should exercise care to promote cordial relations with the workers, gaining and holding their confidence, impressing upon them their responsibility to uphold the interests of the work, and that their assistance is desired and appreciated. Frequent meetings of the family should be held to consider the needs of the work; each one should be encouraged to contribute to the value of these occasions. Time should be taken to instruct the workers in practical ways of co-operating, and in turn suggestions which are often of great value to the work may be drawn from them.
Wages
The writer does not believe that our institutions should attempt to compete with the world in the matter of compensation. There is considerable difference in the wage standards of our institutions. While perfect uniformity would probably be impracticable, on account of difference in expense and living, the difference that now exists is altogether too great.
In setting wages, the individual, capacity, ability, and faithfulness should be considered, and doubtless the profit-sharing plan. An agreed allowance, to be drawn regularly, with an increase provided the prosperity of the institution warrants, would work well with many institutions. A participation in the profits should depend upon faithful and continuous service. Such profits may be distributed to the workers, or by their vote be applied to some worthy missionary enterprise.
A local board, or house committee, usually consisting of the medical superintendent, business manager, chaplain, matron, and one or two others, is sometimes appointed by the board of directors, to act in matters of lesser importance where counsel is desirable. In order to avoid complications, a very good plan is to combine the training-school faculty and house committee, thus including in addition to those already mentioned, assistant physicians, head nurses, steward, etc., and thus those carrying the greater responsibilities are kept informed and assist in deciding many of the knotty problems. This plan does not interfere with the meetings with department leaders in our larger institutions.
In conclusion, it should be emphasized that no one condition of success in sanitarium work is so important as Christian harmony and fellowship between the workers, and their example in this respect should come from the medical superintendent and business manager.
L. M. BOWEN.
Field Notes
RECENTLY four souls were baptized at Springfield, Ohio.
G. W. ANGLEBARGER reports the baptism of one person at Colorado Springs, Colo.
FIVE persons went forward in baptism recently, and united with the church at New Orleans, La.
THREE persons have united with the church at Lancaster, Pa., one being the widow of a Methodist minister.
A CHURCH of twenty members was organized at Brighton, Colo., on Sabbath, October 23, sixteen having already been baptized.
THE cheering news comes from Elder Raymond, of Hornell, N. Y., that four have united with the church there, and three have been baptized.
BROTHER M. N. CAMPBELL reports from Council Bluffs, Iowa, the addition of three new members to the church there, and the baptism of two.
ELDER H. MEYER, who has charge of the German work in Philadelphia, Pa., reports that seven have been baptized and have joined the German church in that city, as a result of the recent tent effort.
As a result of the labors of Brethren Chapman and Freeman at Pine City, Minn., this past summer, a young photographer and his wife have accepted the truth.
At Pipestone, Minn., one sister and her two daughters have taken their stand for the truth, through the efforts of church-members in that place. They expect to be baptized in the spring.
A MINISTER of experience and considerable talent recently accepted the truths of the message in Mexico. It is expected by the brethren in charge of the work there that his efforts will be of much value to the cause in that needy field.
ELDER H. E. REEDER, of Sheridan, Wyo., reports the baptism of three persons on September 18, and the organization of a church of twelve members on October 23, in a locality called Beckton, eleven miles west of Sheridan. Six of these members are recent converts to the truth.
MRS. EVA GRAHAM, clerk of the church at Des Moines, Iowa, reports that the church is in a prosperous condition. Under the faithful labor of Elder W. D. Parkhurst, several strangers are showing a deep interest in the truth. Five were baptized at the close of the last quarter, and united with the church. Some backsliders have been reclaimed, and all are being strengthened and built up spiritually. The result shows in the amount of missionary work done, and in the offerings made.
Medical Missionary Department
By W. A. Ruble
Conducted by the Medical Department of the General Conference
W. A. RUBLE, M. D. - - - Secretary
Bethel (Wis.) School
By C. L. Stone
The school opened November 6, with an enrolment of sixty-seven. During the month the number increased to seventy-three, and there are more expected. Even the present number in the homes taxes our capacity in some ways, but as a faculty we are anxious that every facility shall be used. When the special REVIEW for the Harvest Ingathering was presented, one thousand copies were ordered by the young people alone. Within the past three weeks a Young People's Society of Missionary Volunteers has been in process of organization, and there are good indications that they are organizing for service.
The Friday night students' meetings are well attended and well improved. Most inspiring are the earnest testimonies of these young men and women. Among the good omens for the success of the work here, is the unity and zeal among the members of the faculty. All seem to sense the fact that God's blessing can rest on a united effort. Truly results are being realized in this co-operation. Courage and hope inspire each member, and all believe that trained, devoted workers will result from the year's work.
C. L. STONE.
Williamsdale (Nova Scotia) Academy
By J. L. Stansbury
WE have plans laid to work the surrounding country, for the Missions REVIEW. Brother George Miller, the field agent of this conference, is here, and will organize and direct the students in this work. We plan to have Brother Gault, who is our business manager, call upon all the firms with which he deals, and solicit donations from them. He is favorably known to them, and he feels confident that he will receive substantial contributions from this source. School will be closed for one day at least, to enable every one to take part.
J. L. STANSBURY.
Darling Range School, Australia
By H. R. Martin
WE hold our closing exercises in three weeks, and are now reviewing our year's work preparatory to examinations. At present there are thirty-three taking studies, and all manifest a deep interest in their work. At our social meeting every Sabbath evening nearly all—and sometimes every one—take part. We have some bright young people here, and I hope to see many workers go from this school to be bright and shining lights under the third angel's message. We have a canvassers' class drilling for active work during vacation.
We have been very much interested in the changes, and, although sorry to lose Prof. C. W. Irwin, we believe that Prof. B. F. Machlan is just the man to fill the vacancy.
H. R. MARTIN.
Cuban School
By Mrs. Ida Fischer-Carnahan
WE opened our school in San Claudio the first of November. We have twelve pupils enrolled, which includes five Cubans. Several parents have made application, which will make an increase in our number of eight or nine.
We not only have this school here, but an afternoon school for the piano, and night-school for English in Cabañas, our post-office town, seven miles away, with an enrollment of twenty-three for English and four for the piano; among these is the Catholic priest.
The secretary of the Spanish Club “Centro,” by verbal petition, requested, for the benefit of the members of their families, that I open such a school, offering me the free use of one of their club rooms and the piano. This includes the lights also. I began my work there the first of the month.
After the close of our school in San Claudio, I ride by saddle horse seven miles to Cabañas, teach my classes, returning in the morning in time for my day-school. It’s hard to gain the confidence of this people, so when one has gained an entrance, one must step in and fill it. Our work is only in its infancy now, but it is making rapid strides.
We do wish some kind-hearted person would loan the school enough money, at a low rate of interest, to erect a good plain building,— one that would give us two recitation rooms, a room for English, and one for Spanish.
MRS. IDA FISCHER-CARNAHAN.
Christian Education
By Frederick Griggs
Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference
FREDERICK GRIGGS - • - - Secretary
The Ingathering Campaign in the South
By M. C. Strachan
THERE is a general movement on the part of our colored churches and mission schools in the Southeastern Union Conference Mission to push the Ingathering campaign to a grand success. I have taken a personal interest in the matter, and have counseled my people to concern themselves in the effort. In some places the special children's exercises are planned for.
M. C. STRACHAN.
His Special Theme
By W. A. C.
WRITING to the Pacific Union Recorder of October 21, concerning the work in Humboldt County, California, Elder W. L. Sims says:— “Dr. G. L. Tufts spent about two weeks in this county in the interest of a law whereby all the citizens of our State shall be wards of the State for one day in the week. Those of our people who heard him could but notice the lightness of his arguments in behalf of a Sunday law. The special phase of his labors here at this time seemed to be along the line of belittling, condemning, accusing, and ridiculing our people and their work. It looked as if the man is of the opinion that our people were unable to distinguish between his claims for a Sunday law and the rights of the people who differ with him in his views.”
Whoever else Sunday laws may disturb or affect incidentally, their real point of attack is the fourth precept of the law of Jehovah and those who obey it. We should never forget that “every law for the elevation of Sunday has a direct reference to the fourth commandment,” and that “every move that has been made to enforce its observance is for the purpose of exalting the man of sin above God and above all that is worshiped.” (See REVIEW of April 29, 1899.)
W. A. C.
Mt. Vernon (Ohio) College
By S. M. Butler
I AM sure that you will be interested in a report of our ingathering effort. Nearly fifty of the students and teachers engaged in the work, ordering about twelve hundred numbers of the Missions REVIEW. We set apart two days for the work. The city was divided into sections, and each person assigned a different territory.
We raised about thirty dollars. From a money standpoint, our effort may not be considered very successful, but I think some of the students gained a good experience, and I trust that the papers placed in the hands of the people will do good.
Our school work is moving along about as well as we could expect. Our enrolment at the present time is one hundred sixty. We have a good class of students, although there are a number of young ones among them. Everything has passed off very pleasantly so far — much more so than last year. There is a better spiritual interest in the school, too. Two weeks ago last Sabbath we had a baptism, when ten were baptized; nine of these were students. On the whole, we feel quite encouraged with our work, although, of course, we should like to see greater results, and hope that we shall.
S. M. BUTLER.
Buresala (Fiji) School
By A. G. Stewart
WE have every reason to be encouraged. The enrolment continues to increase each year, and we are continually receiving more applications to enter the school. Should we open our school to all the children that we are asked to receive, we would have a very large attendance. But to rightly care for them would mean a great deal of responsibility, which, with our present staff of teachers, we do not feel like undertaking. However, we are opening a girls' department in our school, which bids fair to be a great blessing to our young women, and eventually to our work. We are now having the home for matron and girls built by student labor.
In our industrial work we have two students working regularly in the printing-office, and more at times. With careful training, they become very useful in typesetting, etc. They also put up most of their own houses, sail the boats, and raise all their own food.
A. G. STEWART.
Sheyenne River (N. D.) Academy
By J. F. Simon
OUR school has been in session nearly a month. We have forty students enrolled, and a number more are coming in the next few days. Prospects are that the school will soon be filled to its utmost capacity. We had twelve more students near the opening of school than we had last year. We believe the Lord has answered our prayers in sending us an earnest class of young men and women.
School was dismissed for two days, and teachers and students engaged in the campaign work. Some went to the neighboring towns, and others into the country. The Lord blessed the efforts put forth, and seventy-eight dollars were realized from the effort. This was small, though, in comparison with the rich experiences all had. Individuals received from ten cents to fifteen dollars. Some people had been waiting for the privilege of contributing to our work.
J. F. SIMON.
Elk Point (S. D.) Academy
By J. B. Clymer
WE have taken up the work of securing funds for the foreign missions, and gave Thursday, November 4, as special day for efforts in that line. The young ladies went in one company, and the young men in another. They returned with their faces glowing and heads up, as the amount they received came to $33.15. We are glad to have them have practise in this kind of work, as well as a training along literary lines. All feel repaid for their efforts. More went this year than last, and considerable more money was raised. This is encouraging to them, and I think will serve as a stimulus for further efforts in this direction. We have not decided whether or not we will devote any more time than this one day, but we can state that we are glad that we have taken a part in this campaign. J. B. CLYMER.
Ex-Senator Blair and the International Reform Bureau
By W. A. C.
It may be of interest to the reader to know that the author of the famous Sunday-Rest bill of 1888 and 1890 is the president of the International Reform Bureau of Washington, D. C., of which Rev. Wilbur F. Crafts is superintendent. The current number of the organ of this Bureau, the Twentieth Century Quarterly, under date of Sept. 21, 1909, says: “Ex-Senator Blair is more than a nominal president. He has done great service in the recent hearing on the Burkett Anti-Gambling bill, and will develop a law department to aid all reform societies in drawing bills and enforcing laws whenever a sufficient endowment or a yearly pledge is provided.”
Remembering the part Mr. Blair took in these matters in the Fiftieth and Fifty-first Congresses, this information is of particular interest. W. A. C.
Religious Liberty Work in California
By W. A. C.
THE following resolutions were adopted at the recent camp-meetings in northern and southern California:—
“1. Resolved, That we request the Pacific Union Conference to arrange with the local conference for a series of institutes for the study of the principles and rules of civil and divine government.
“2. Resolved, That we ask the Pacific Religious Liberty Association to provide suitable literature on the subject of liberty for general circulation by gift and sale.
“3. Resolved, That we pledge our financial support to this branch of the work, and to use our personal efforts and influence to circulate its literature and obtain signatures to its petitions.
“Whereas, Those favoring a State Sunday law are already in the field educating the people to demand a law to this end from the next California Legislature; therefore,—
“4. Resolved, That we open an early campaign in behalf of religious liberty, by securing signatures to petitions requesting the coming legislature not to attempt any religious legislation.”
In view of the determined effort the “Moral Reformers” are putting forth to wheel California into line with the rest of the States on the Sunday-law question, and the importance of rightly meeting this issue and enlightening the people as it comes up, our people in this State have a great responsibility resting upon them. That they may be guided by God and greatly blessed in their efforts should be the prayer of all.
W. A. C.
Christian Liberty
By K. C. Russell; W. A. Colcord
Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of the Rights of Conscience
Conducted by the Religious Liberty Bureau
K. C. RUSSELL - - - - Secretary
W. A. COLCORD - - - - Assistant Secretary
Sunday Laws Make Inquisitors
By W. A. C.
AN organized effort is being made by the Sunday-closing committee of the local barbers' union of Omaha, Neb., to have the State law governing Sunday closing enforced so far as the barber shops are concerned. Sunday, November 14, was the day set for closing by the local committee. Mr. Daniel M. Copas, chairman of the committee, as reported in the Omaha World-Herald of Nov. 12, 1909, said:—
“We expect all the shops to close Sundays on and after November 14, under penalty of the State law. The law is constitutional, and we intend to see it enforced. We expect all barbers in favor of closing to be on the lookout for barbers who work on Sunday, and report their names to the committee. I will see that the violators of the law are prosecuted.”
This adds only another testimony to the fact that Sunday laws tend to make inquisitors of men.