Organization of the South American Division Conference
By N. Z. Town
N. Z. TOWN
At 3 P. M., Feb. 6, 1916, Elder W. W. Prescott, the field secretary of the General Conference, and special representative from the General Conference to South America, called a meeting of the delegates present at the South American Union Conference, at La Plata, Argentina, for the purpose of taking the initial steps in the organization of a South American Division Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
In introducing the matter of this organization, Brother Prescott traced briefly the history of organization among this people from the beginning, stating that the first local conference was organized in 1861, and the General Conference in 1863, with a total of six local conferences. In 1894 the first union conference was organized in Australia, and in the year 1901 the territory of the United States and Canada was organized into union conferences. In 1909 the European, the Asiatic, and the North American fields were constituted three general divisions of the General Conference, with a vice president of the General Conference in charge of each. At the General Conference in 1913 the European field and the North American field were each organized into a division conference, and at the same time the following action was taken in regard to South America:—
“We recommend, That the General Conference Committee be authorized to reorganize the work in South America, and to provide for the organization of a South American Division Conference at such time and place as they may deem advisable.”
At the autumn council of the General Conference Committee held in November, 1915, at Loma Linda, Cal., this matter was given careful consideration, and in harmony with the recommendation of the General Conference in session in 1913, the following action was taken:—
“We recommend, The organization of South America into a division conference, consisting of the South American Union Conference, the Brazilian Union Conference, and the Inca Union Mission.
“That the organization be very simple, providing at first for only division president and secretary-treasurer as additional laborers, and that the organization be effected on the ground. To this end we hereby authorize the representatives of the South American Union Conference, the Brazilian Union Conference, and the Inca Union Mission, to meet together at such time and place as may be agreed upon, to organize a South American Division Conference.
“That W. W. Prescott be invited to go to South America as General Conference representative, in inaugurating the new division.”
DELEGATES TO THE SOUTH AMERICAN DIVISION CONFERENCE
After reading these actions of the General Conference, Brother Prescott called attention to the plan of the General Conference in placing the responsibility of directing the work in the various fields on the fields themselves just as soon as they are sufficiently strong to bear the burden. But at the same time the General Conference continues to carry the burden of raising funds to support the work in those fields which have not become self-supporting. He told the delegates how the believers in the States cheerfully assumed the responsibility of raising the mission funds, which means to them fifteen cents a week for each member.
The appropriations to South America for 1916 are as follows: Brazil, $24,652; South American Union, $37,678; South American Division, $3,244; making a total of $65,574.
Following these statements by the chairman the delegates proceeded with the organization. W. W. Prescott was elected temporary president, and N. Z. Town temporary secretary. The following resolution, calling into existence this new organization, was then presented and unanimously voted:—
“Whereas, The General Conference Committee, acting on the recommendation of the General Conference in session, has authorized the organization of a South American Division Conference by the representatives of the Brazilian Union Conference, the South American Union Conference, and the Inca Union Mission; therefore,—
“Resolved, That we, delegates assembled, representing the Brazilian Union Conference, the South American Union Conference, and the Inca Union Mission,
do hereby organize ourselves into a conference to be known as the South American Division Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.”
In the discussion of this resolution, J. W. Westphal, who has now been in this field fifteen years, gave a brief review of the development of the work in South America from the beginning.
In brief he said: “The work in Brazil and in the River Plate and west coast fields began in each place independently of the other. Canvassers entered Argentina in 1891, Brazil in 1892, and Chile in 1894. The first organic connection between these fields was effected in 1901, when the South American Union Mission was called into existence and a superintendent appointed. That same year the River Plate Conference was organized, and the following year the Brazilian Conference.
“Early in 1906 the South American Union Conference was organized, during the visit of Elder W. A. Spicer, the first representative from the General Conference to visit this field. This union embraced all South America, except the
three Guianas and the republics of Colombia and Venezuela. In 1910 Brazil was separated from this union, and organized into a Brazilian Union Conference, leaving the remainder of the territory to the South American Union. In 1914 the Inca Union Mission, consisting of Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, was organized, remaining under the general supervision of the South American Union.”
The fields were represented by the following delegates: Brazilian Union, four; South American Union, thirty; Inca Union Mission, five; General, three, making a total of forty-two.
At a subsequent meeting a constitution and by-laws were adopted, similar to those of the Asiatic and North American Divisions.
The first two resolutions voted by the new division conference were as follows:—
“Whereas, Through the rich blessing of God, the work in this field has been developed to such an extent as to make possible and advisable the organization of a division conference; therefore,—12
“Resolved, That we publicly render to God our heartfelt thanks and praise, and that we pledge ourselves to renewed consecration for the finishing of the work in South America.
“Whereas, The General Conference, by means of the gifts of our brethren, has supplied this field with laborers and means during past years, and by additional appropriations is now making it possible to further enlarge our work; therefore,—
“Resolved, That we express our gratitude to the General Conference and to our brethren in North America for their interest in the work in this field; and that we promise by the blessing of God to do all in our power, by personal sacrifice and labor, to cooperate with them in the further advancement of the message, not only in South America, but throughout the world.”
In the discussion of these resolutions, touching remarks were made by several regarding the generosity of the General Conference and of our brethren generally toward these fields. Not only have our brethren in the States given of their means for the support of the work here, but they have given what has pulled much harder at their heartstrings, their sons and daughters. In response to the question as to how many present in the meeting had responded to a call from the Mission Board to connect with the work in South America, thirty-eight stood up.
Owing to the size of the Brazilian field, which is as large as the United States, and owing also to the rapid development of our work, the Brazilian delegates presented a request that consideration be given to the question of dividing Brazil into two fields. After listening to their presentation of the matter, the following actions were voted by the division delegates:—
“Whereas, The territory of the Brazilian Union Conference is too large for one man to supervise successfully, and—
“Whereas, The growth of those portions of the north where a beginning has been made, and the interests that are springing up, call for a closer supervision, and—
“Whereas, The rapidly developing work in the southern states of Brazil demands the whole time and attention of the union president and his committee; therefore,—
“We recommend, That that portion of Brazil lying north of the states of Espirito Santo, Minas Geraes, and Matto Grosso, be separated from the Brazilian Union Conference and organized into a mission field to be known as the North Brazilian Union Mission, and that we ask the General Conference to furnish a superintendent, secretary-treasurer, and field mission secretary, the wages and expenses of these to be included in the 1917 budget and appropriations for Brazil.”
This division will give 10,000,000 people to the northern mission field, leaving 12,000,000 still in the Brazilian Union Conference.
The following resolution created a lively interest and evoked a most animated discussion:—
“Whereas, There is great expense and often considerable risk involved in the bringing of workers to our fields from other countries, as they must adapt themselves to new conditions and learn new languages, and,—
“Whereas, The importance of our work and the times in which we live should constrain us to dedicate our lives to God’s service wherever he can use us, and,—
“Whereas, The present plan of conducting the work places the responsibility of financing the furloughs of workers in our field on the South American Division Conference, the expenses having to be paid from the appropriations made to our fields; therefore,—
“Resolved, That we as workers in South America, surrender the idea of returning to the homeland after a few years of service, and that we express our willingness to remain at our post of duty until God may call us elsewhere, or until the work is finished.”
Following are a few of the expressions taken from the discussion:—
J. W. Westphal: “My heart is in the work in South America. I have really feared that the General Conference might decide to change my field, but I do not want a change.”
F. W. Spies: “I feel that the home board can help us by being careful not to send us those who are expecting to return after a few years.”
R. H. Habenicht: “I did not come to South America with the idea of returning home again. I am not homesick, and my desire is to remain in this field.”
G. W. Gasebeer: “When I left the States, Elder A. J. Breed said to me, ‘Well, George, you must hang to it in South America like a dog to a root.’ This I am determined to do.”
Mary T. Westphal: “I wish to say, as did Ruth, ‘Thy people shall be my people.’ I love Chile and the Chileans, and desire to remain among them.”
F. A. Stahl: “When I had been in South America eight years, I had a desire to go home. But the demands of the work and the necessity of staying appeal to me. I wish to abandon for good the idea of going, for the good of the work and for the influence it will have.”
It did our hearts good to see this splendid spirit of consecration shown by the workers. Action was taken on the resolution by a rising vote, all except two or three voting in favor of it.
The officers of this new division conference are: President, O. Montgomery; Secretary-Treasurer, W. H. Williams; Executive Committee, O. Montgomery, W. H. Williams, J. W. Westphal, F. W. Spies, E. L. Maxwell, H. Meyer, and R. T. Baer.
This new division conference begins its existence with a total population of about 45,000,000. It has two union conferences and one union mission field. The Brazilian Union has two local conferences, Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catharina, and six mission fields, Parana, Sao Paulo, Rio Espirito Santo, East Brazil, Pernambuco, and North Brazil. This union has a total membership of
2,197. The Austral Union (South American Union) has two local conferences, Argentine and Chile, and three missions, Uruguay, Alto Parana, and Patagonia, with a total of 2,159 members. The Inca Union Mission has the three missions of Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, with a total of 542 members. These fields, with a grand total of 4,898 members, have paid a tithe during the last two years of $74,872.
There are two publishing houses, one in Brazil, where literature is published in German and Portuguese, and one in Argentina, which issues literature in Spanish; three training schools, in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, respectively; one sanitarium, in which were received during the last biennial period 1,080 patients, and in which 293 operations were performed.
The workers throughout this new division are of good courage, and are expecting great things from God. They are also planning to do great things for God.
Mission Notes
INDIA in area is one third the size of Europe. It is equivalent in area to seven German Empires, ten Japans, or fifteen British Isles. India's population is equal to the population of all Europe save Russia. Out of every five persons in the world, one lives in the Indian Empire.
BROTHER J. WILSON ROWLAND, laboring in Straits Settlements, Malaysia, gives this experience in visiting the home of an elderly Chinese printer, accompanied by Brother Lee: “Upon arriving at his home at the time appointed for study, we found the large family gathered. The father speaks Chinese, the mother and her sister speak Malay, and one of the boys speaks English. In order for all to understand, it was necessary to conduct the study in three languages. The texts were first given in English, Brother Lee would translate them into Chinese, and I would as far as possible give them in Malay. It is often under these difficult circumstances that the Word of God in this field is given to those who are in darkness.”
BROTHER B. L. ANDERSON, of Amoy, China, sends us the following experience of one of the evangelists of the South China Mission: “A young evangelist not long ago was arrested, being falsely accused by enemies of the truth, and was thrown into prison. After his release he stated that he was wretched in the first place where confined. The night was long, cold, and dreary, there being no fellow prisoners to talk to. But the second place afforded more comfort, for the jail was full of prisoners, thus making it warmer, and they were pleased to listen to the gospel. He said, ‘I preached to them a good deal, and they in turn did all they could to make me comfortable in that small room. The room was so small there was no space to lie down, and it was with difficulty that all of us could sit down.’”
Teaching Industry in the Home
By Carrie S. Welty
CARRIE S. WELTY
THE home life today, as regards industry, is not what it was in the time of Solomon. Giving a pen picture of a virtuous housewife in the thirty-first chapter of Proverbs, he tells us that “her price is far above rubies.” She not only looked “well to the ways of her household,” but was able, it would appear, to add to the family income. The wise man says: “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. . . . Her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. . . . She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. . . . She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. . . . She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”
Such a wife and mother must have taught her children habits of industry, thus giving to the world useful men and women.
But we live in a different day and generation. Home-keepers live a more strenuous life than did the mothers of olden times, but in a different way. With the increase of knowledge has come many a labor-saving device. Before the changes of the last fifty years, women imitated, to some extent at least, the virtuous woman of Solomon’s day. Mothers taught their children to knit and sew, to wash, iron, and bake. But today our clothing is largely made by machinery. The laundry supplies clean linen. Our tables are set to a great extent with prepared foods, and there is not so much for either mothers or children to do. However, the necessary duties (and, after all, there are many steps to take) should not be done by the mother alone.
Most children are born with the desire to do things, and it takes a wise mother to keep the little hands employed in a commendable way, but this is necessary, for “an idle brain is the devil’s workshop.” A child can be taught to be industrious without being kept constantly at work, but he should be taught to work with all his might until his duties are done, and then play with all his might. It is discouraging to a child to feel that his work is never done. Better let each know his allotted tasks, and then be definite about his freedom for play.
Even when a mother is provided with hired help, her children should be taught to work, and perform certain tasks each day with neatness and dispatch. Let no mother say she would rather do the work herself than be bothered to teach her child. Little ones become selfish and indifferent under such training. On the other hand, if they realize that mother needs their help, and that the little things they can do are much appreciated, they will be anxious to give assistance. Let a cheery “Thank you” reward them for their efforts, and they will be proud and happy to have helped.
When the unexpected happens, and an errand must be done or some bit of work performed during playtime, does it not seem a bit cruel to interrupt the game by calling, imperatively, “Mary, come here. I want you”? Would it not be better to say, “Mary, excuse me, but couldn’t you leave your play just a few minutes to do this for me, then finish the game?” You will find that the apology will be fully appreciated, and the mother will be rewarded by having her children as considerate of her as she is of them.
In connection with teaching industry in the home, we may also consider the question of obedience. Can you imagine one ever becoming willingly obedient to his heavenly Father who is permitted, yes, encouraged, openly or covertly to disobey the command or request of his earthly parents? I have heard men and women of mature years express gratitude for the fact that their parents required prompt obedience during childhood. It is easier then in after-life to heed and obey the voice of God. Obedience is to a great extent a habit, and like other habits, more easily formed in the plastic, early years.
God has given us laws regarding obedience; he has left us an example regarding labor and rest, toil and recreation. As parents, we should practice these, and be able to teach them to our children. We must not work immoderately, neither should we fritter away valuable time. Let us seek to know God’s plans for us, and unite with him in carrying out his purposes.
Boulder, Colo.
A Time to Save
By Mrs. I. H. E.
To many of us the “ragman,” with his covered wagon of musical, jingling, shining tinware, has a niche in memory’s “hall of fame.” What delight to carry the neat bundles of rags to the gate, what suspense to watch them weighed, what joy to choose among those bright dippers and pans and tins, and perhaps have enough left over for a crinkled cooky cutter that visioned future toothsome dainties! But with the coming of wood pulp, the visits of the ragman ceased; or he combined old bottles and overshoes with the rag business, leaving only a few shabby coppers for the savings of months. It no longer “paid” to save rags or to collect them.
But times have changed. At present there is a serious shortage in all the materials which enter into the manufacture of paper, including rags and old papers. The Department of Commerce of Washington, D. C., recently sent an appeal to the superintendents and principals of its public schools, urging them to encourage the students to save all materials that might be used again in the manufacture of paper.
“Something like fifteen thousand tons of different kinds of paper and paperboard14are manufactured every day in the United States, and a large proportion of this, after it has served its purpose, could be used over again in some class of paper,” says this appeal. “A large part of it, however, is either burned or otherwise wasted. This, of course, has to be replaced by new materials. In the early history of the paper industry, publicity was given to the importance of saving rags. It is of scarcely less importance now. A little attention to the saving of rags and old papers will mean genuine relief to our paper industry, and diminishing drain upon our sources of supply for new materials.”
The Housekeepers’ Alliance of Washington, in connection with its antiwaste campaign, distributed cards to be hung in kitchens in homes, containing the following suggestions:—
“All kinds of rags should be saved. Hang three bags in the cellar. In one place used rags, such as old dust cloths and scrub cloths; in another place all colored rags; in the third place all clean white rags.
“Beware of fire. Do not let paper accumulate near oil cans, the furnace, or under a gas jet, where matches may be dropped. Do not save oily rags—there is danger of fire.
“The price paid for old rags and waste paper was never so high. Save rags, and turn them into money.”
The saving of these materials, which we do not need and cannot use, and turning them into mites for the Lord’s treasury, at the expense only of a little care and forethought, is one way in which we can encourage the children to take thought for missions, and help a little in raising the money to support them.
Commercial organizations in the principal cities of the United States supply lists of local firms that assemble rags and paper and sell them to manufacturers.
MRS. I. H. E.
Home Life
By Mrs. I. H. Evans; Miss Lora E. Clement
Conducted by Mrs. I. H. Evans, Takoma Park, Washington D. C.
Assisted by Miss Lora E. Clement
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.
Home Coming
O, to come home once more when the dusk is falling,
To see the nursery lighted, and the children's table spread;
“Mother, mother, mother!” the eager voices calling,
“The baby was so sleepy that he had to go to bed!”
O, to come home once more, and see the smiling faces,
Dark head, bright head, clustered at the pane!
Much the years have taken, when the heart its path retraces,
But until time is not for me, that image will remain.
Men and women now they are, standing straight and steady,
Grave heart, gay heart, fit for life's emprise;
Shoulder set to shoulder, how should they be but ready!
The future shines before them with the light of their own eyes.
Still each answers to my call, no good has been denied me;
My burdens have been fitted to the little strength that's mine.
Beauty, Love, and Peace have walked by day beside me,
The evening closes gently in, and how can I repine?
But O, to see once more, when the early dusk is falling,
The nursery window glowing, and the children's table spread.
“Mother, mother, mother!” the high child voices calling,
“He couldn't stay awake for you! He had to go to bed!”
—Scribner's.
Two Remarkable Wills
There is something about a will that possesses a deeper interest than attaches merely to the disposition of the earthly effects of the testator. It is his last word, his final wish, to and for those who have been the objects of his love and care. Often it reveals secrets and thoughts undreamed of by his associates.
Not long ago, in the insane ward of Chicago’s great poorhouse, died a man who had been a lawyer. In one of the pockets of his ragged coat, was found the following will, written “in a clear, firm hand on a few scraps of paper.” The document was sent to a lawyer, who read it before the Chicago Bar Association. It was probated, and is now on the records of Cook County, Illinois. This is the will:—
“I, Charles Lounsberry, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby make and publish this my last will and testament, in order, as justly as may be, to distribute my interest in the world among succeeding men.
“That part of my interests which is known in law and recognized in the sheep-bound volumes as my property, being inconsiderable and of none account, I make no disposition of in this my will. My right to live, being but a life estate, is not at my disposal, but, these things excepted, all else in the world I now proceed to devise and bequeath.”
“ITEM: I give to good fathers and mothers, in trust for their children, all good little words of praise and encouragement, and all quaint pet names and endearments; and I charge said parents to use them justly, but generously, as the needs of their children shall require.
“ITEM: I leave to children inclusively, but only for the term of their childhood, all and every the flowers of the fields and the blossoms of the woods, with the right to play among them freely according to the customs of children, warning them at the same time against thistles and thorns. And I devise to children the banks of the brooks and the golden sands beneath the waters thereof, and the odors of the willows that dip therein, and the white clouds that float high over the giant trees.
“And I leave to the children the long, long days to be merry in, in a thousand ways, and the night and the train of the Milky Way to wonder at, but subject, nevertheless, to the rights hereinafter given to lovers.
“ITEM: I devise to boys, jointly, all the useful, idle fields and commons where ball may be played, all pleasant waters where one may swim, all snow-clad hills where one may coast, and all streams and ponds where one may fish, or where, when grim winter comes, one may skate, to hold the same for the period of their boyhood. And all meadows, with the clover blossoms and butterflies thereof; the woods with their appurtenances; the squirrels and the birds and echoes and strange noises, and all distant places which may be visited, together with the adventures there found. And I give to said boys each his own place at the fireside at night, with all pictures that may be seen in the burning wood, to enjoy without let or hindrance or without any incumbrance or care.
“ITEM: To lovers I devise their imaginary world, with whatever they may need, as the stars of the sky, the red roses by the wall, the bloom of the hawthorn, the sweet strains of music, and aught else they may desire to figure to each other the lastingness and beauty of their love.
“ITEM: To young men, jointly, I devise and bequeath all boisterous, inspiring sports of rivalry, and I give to them the disdain of weakness and undaunted confidence in their own strength. Though they are rude, I leave to them the power to make lasting friendships and of possessing companions, and to them exclusively I give all merry songs and grave choruses to sing with lusty voices.
“ITEM: And to those who are no longer children or youths or lovers, I leave memory: and bequeath to them the volumes of the poets, . . . to the end that they may live the old days over again, freely and fully, without tithe or diminution.
“ITEM: To our loved ones with snowy crowns I bequeath the happiness of old age, the love and gratitude of their children, until they fall asleep.”
Alexander’s Last Will and Testament
The following story of the great Alexander’s last will is taken from the Sunday School Times:—
“Alexander the Great, feeling his end approaching, and fearful lest his mother should grieve too much after his death, composed a letter, which he gave out to be his last will and testament, and ordered to be sent to her as soon as he had breathed his last:—
“‘Consider, dear mother,’ wrote he, ‘that all things are fleeting, and that man is destined to die. Nothing survives, and nothing escapes decay. Hence, your son, great though he be, must perish, too! But, dear mother, remember that he was not like unto ordinary mortals. He was a mighty and valiant king, not like the little kings on earth. Conduct thyself, therefore, as befits the mother of a great king, and do not spend thy days in lamentation. I herewith ordain that a large palace be built, large enough to hold great multitudes. On a certain day, to be set apart by thee, let all the princes of the kingdom be assembled—the dukes and dignitaries, and all conditions of people shall come to celebrate the event. And instead of mourning and lamentation, there shall be feasting and rejoicing within those gates. But I stipulate that no one shall be permitted to partake of those festivities who has suffered pain or sorrow or bereavement.’”
“After Alexander died, and his mother had learned his wishes with regard to the celebration of the event, she caused a great banquet to be prepared, according to the directions of her departed son. The day was set, and everything was in waiting. She expected a large number of guests to participate in the festival, but lo! she waited and waited at the stated hour, and no one appeared. In great astonishment she turned to her people who were in attendance, and asked, ‘What is the meaning of all this? Where are all the people whom I had invited to this feast?’”
“‘Know, O Queen,’ said one of her servants, ‘thou didst issue a decree to the effect that all who have had sorrow, or who have experienced pain, are to be debarred from this banquet. There is no one among thy people who can say that he has never grieved, or that death has not visited his house; hence no one attends. Each broods over his sorrow, each nurses his pain. Man was made to mourn.’”
“Upon hearing this, the queen cried out: ‘O Alexander, my son, my son, thou wert indeed wise to have thought of this means of solacing me. Thou didst desire to prove to me that sorrow is universal, and that if we inquired into the lives of others, we would find that, great or small, none are exempt from suffering. I am consoled, my son, my son!’”
Using the Newspapers in City Work
By Walter L. Burgan
INFORMATION recently received from a number of our evangelists engaged in city work shows that they are using the newspapers to advantage. Practically all heard from are paying for advertisements, and in return the papers are giving them space in the news columns for the publication of reports on different phases of the message. In this way many are reached who would not otherwise receive the truth.
It was very encouraging to receive a clipping taken from the New York Sunday American containing an interesting account of a sermon delivered by Prof. C. T. Everson in one of his Sunday night meetings in the Fulton Theater, New York City. The clipping was half a page in length, two thirds of the space being taken up in a discussion on the state of the dead, and the rest being given to an illustration. It had a headline stretching across the page, and reading, “Do Our Souls Not Reach Heaven Until the Judgment Day? Where are the Dead? as Answered by the Bible.” Our workers will appreciate the importance of using the newspapers more when they are told that the one edition in which this article was, had a circulation of more than six hundred and ninety thousand copies, and was no doubt read in nearly all the New England States, and in New York and States south of it. No one can tell the vast influence of this wonderful agency in reaching the masses with the gospel.
Elder Stemple White, who is a stanch advocate of reporting sermons in the newspapers, has had encouraging success in getting various phases of the message published in the papers of Duluth, Minn., and of Superior, Wis.
In speaking of this feature of our work, he says: “I assure you that my zeal along this line will not die out, for I feel it is as much my duty to report the sermons for those who are not present to hear as it is to prepare them for the listeners that are present.”
“I always advertise in the newspapers when conducting special services. I know by experience that it pays. Especially is this true of the weekly edition in smaller cities and towns, where rates are cheaper; but it also pays in city work. Why have our own people carry bills or folders to a few blocks in a city, when for perhaps the same amount an effective advertisement can be carried by the newsboys to nearly every home in the city?”
A concrete example of the power of the press in attracting persons to inquire further concerning the truth is shown by the following letter, written to a minister in the Lake Union Conference:—
“Several times have we noticed in the Detroit Journal an article touching on your teachings. We firmly believe that a tent meeting would be grand here in our little town. We haven’t any such church or mission in our town. Will you come? Our doors are open.”
The town mentioned in this request has more than 6,000 inhabitants, and is 30 miles from Detroit.
Elder A. S. Booth, who has just closed an effort in Stockton, Cal., sends the following cheering news about the newspaper work there: “We have been able to secure the publication of more articles here than in any other place we have been. For 68 evening services we have had 140 articles published, averaging seven inches in length. Fifty-one persons are keeping the Sabbath, and twenty-five have been baptized and added to the church.”
Elder Booth says that the papers in which his sermons appeared were in demand. Encouraging letters have been received from persons in other places who had been reading the reports, asking for more information on the subjects presented.
Let us not fail to take advantage of the many opportunities before us to use the newspapers in helping to hasten the message throughout the world.
WALTER L. BURGAN.
Our Work Among the Colored People in Alabama
By J. Gershom Dasent
As the time is drawing near for me to leave this part of the Southern Union Conference for another conference, I take this opportunity of presenting to the readers of the REVIEW AND HERALD a brief survey of the work of the colored believers in the State of Alabama for the past two years.
At the beginning of 1914 there were about two hundred colored Sabbath keepers in this State, paying a small tithe, and giving the greater portion of their Sabbath school donations to missions. Not much interest was taken in the Harvest Ingathering campaign, and the one or two home missionary societies were just awaking to a sense of their duties. It was a long time before we could get our people to see that upon them, as well as upon the ministers and other conference laborers, rests the responsibility of finishing the work in this generation. There were those who thought that the most which was expected of them was to pay an honest tithe. It was with much patient toil that we labored with our people, and educated them in their responsibilities as believers in the third angel’s message. And while we must admit that we do not now see that missionary activity and liberality which should characterize us as a people, yet we thank God for the marked improvement which has been made.
During the past biennial period seventy-seven new converts have been added to our membership. The most of these converts have come to us through tent efforts and the earnest, faithful labors of those who were left to follow up the interest after the tent was taken down. Being the only colored ordained minister in the State, the burden of the colored work rested largely upon me. During the years 1914 and 1915, I held three tent efforts, two in Mobile and one in Bessemer. As a result, the work in the former place was both spiritually and numerically strengthened; and we were able to organize a strong church in the latter place last January. We are also contemplating organizing a conference mission church.
Our tithe for 1914 amounted to $1,716.33, and for 1915 to $2,590.25, a total of $4,306.58, or a little more than half the expenses of the work in the field for the biennial period. Our offerings to missions in 1914 were $664.07, and in 1915 $904.12, or a total of $1,568.19 for the two years.
It may be well to state that our Sabbath schools now send all their donations to missions, and never before has there been a more live interest taken in foreign mission work than at the present time. At the last Harvest Ingathering campaign the names of many colored believers appeared on the honor roll, something which has never been realized before.
In our churches where the home missionary society has been organized, the society is divided into missionary bands or clubs. Active missionary bands are to be found at Huntsville, Birmingham, Bessemer, Montgomery, Dothan, and Pensacola.
I can safely say that our colored constituency in Alabama is loyal to the organization. At present there are about three hundred faithful believers in the nine churches in this State.
At the last meeting of the Southern Union Conference held in Nashville, Tenn., I was asked to take up work in the Tennessee River Conference. It is with feelings of sadness that I bid adieu to the conference officials and my associates in this field. My intercourse with them has been pleasant and profitable. I believe that God is with us, and is leading the way. We may, therefore, look forward to the accomplishment of greater things in the future. Remember us in your prayers.
J. GERSHOM DASENT.
General Meeting in Southern Korea
By C. L. Butterfield
February 4-11 it was the writer's privilege to attend the general meeting for the believers in southern Korea. The meeting was held in Keizan, where Brother and Sister R. C. Wangerin have been working the past five years. It was well attended, and from the first there was a good spirit.
The work has grown during the past five years from nothing to eighty baptized church members. This number will have increased to more than one hundred before this is read, and the Sabbath school membership to about two hundred.
Although the people in this part of the country are very poor, yet their tithe and offerings for 1915 were the best of any part, amounting to a little more than $2 per capita.
This is the most populous section of Korea, and we rejoice to see the message gathering out the honest in heart. Pastors W. R. Smith, H. A. Oberg, and Ne Kun Ok were present and assisted in the meeting.
