p. 11 | Review and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 14. (4/6/1905)

Earlier text: Loyalty and Responsibility

A Memory System

By Priscilla Leonard

FORGET each kindness that you do As soon as you have done it; Forget the praise that falls to you The moment you have won it; Forget the slander that you hear Before you can repeat it; Forget each slight, each spite, each sneer, Wherever you may meet it.

Remember every kindness done To you, whate’er its measure; Remember praise by others won, And pass it on with pleasure; Remember every promise made, And keep it to the letter; Remember those who lend you aid, And be a grateful debtor.

Remember all the happiness That comes your way in living; Forget each worry and distress, Be hopeful and forgiving; Remember good, remember truth, Remember heaven’s above you, And you will find, through age and youth, True joys, and hearts to love you.

— Priscilla Leonard, in Youth’s Companion.

Some Simple Rules to Follow in Eating

By D. H. Kress

D. H. KRESS, M. D.

If you masticate each mouthful thoroughly, or until reduced to a creamy consistency, you need feel no anxiety; the saliva and other digestive juices will do the rest.

Fruits and vegetables should not be eaten at the same meal; they are apt to quarrel or set up fermentation changes.

Fruits, when eaten raw, should be thoroughly ripe and of good quality. Firm fruits like the apple or cherry should be thoroughly masticated.

All acid fruits should be eaten at the close of the meal. Sweet fruits, like bananas, may be eaten with bread, and acid fruits with nuts.

A single kind of fruit at a meal is best, in moderation, especially for those who have feeble digestion. When the meal is composed entirely of fruits, or fruits and nuts, fruits may be eaten freely.

Always reject the skins of fruit, and also the seeds of grapes.

Sugar and milk in combination is better avoided, whether in pastries, puddings, or in porridges.

Wahroonga Sanitarium, N. S. W.

Don’t Be Mulish!

SOME of us prize very-highly a quality that we imagine is firmness, and are inclined to be boastful that when we take a stand, nobody can persuade us to change our base.

“This rock shall fly, as soon as I,” is our declaration. Friends, nine tenths of the ultra-firm people are simply shockingly and abominably mulish. They want their own way. Obstinacy and firmness have little in common. The first is the bulwark of a weak and vain character; the second is the outgrowth of strength and devotion to principle. But do not let us mistake the one for the other. Mulishness is as provoking in a man as in a beast.—Selected.

When Mother Prays

By C. Benjamin Hopkins

A CALM, sweet peace steals o’er my heart; Life’s cares and sorrows all depart As if by some mysterious art, When mother prays.

Angelic sweetness falls around: With glory bright her brow seems crowned; It makes my heart with gladness bound, When mother prays.

— C. Benjamin Hopkins.

A New Endowment of Power

“ALL who consecrate soul, body, and spirit to God will be constantly receiving a new endowment of physical and mental power. The inexhaustible supplies of heaven are at their command.”

The Message in Spain

By W. Robinson

W. ROBINSON

“THE LORD GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” Isa. 50:7.

Upon reaching Spain from Wales, my wife and I engaged with the Brethren Bond in the meetings they were conducting. After three months we had the joy of seeing an honest-hearted woman, formerly a devoted Roman Catholic, accept the message for these days. It seemed but little fruit; but we began to trust it will prove to be good. Since then she has remained firm. Pray for her, and for the little company she has joined in Sabadell, a country town not far from this great city of Barcelona.

Last August we decided to move from Sabadell to Barcelona. We have found the work here very difficult. Only a few came to our meetings, one of whom gave promise of eventually becoming a worker for this land of darkness, for the interest he displayed could hardly be excelled. He was formerly a student for the priesthood, and subsequently a worker among the Methodists. Reluctantly, however, we observed some weak points in his character; and although he afterward began to keep the Sabbath, by that time we were almost satisfied that his character would not bear a careful examination.

Nevertheless we did not forget that the Lord Jesus so mightily said, “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

A little while before this, our landlord forbade our holding public meetings in our flat, which, of course, largely handicapped our efforts at evangelization. But the few came as formerly, and we did not forbid them.

Now a strange experience awaited us—strange, because we had never before passed through such. Brother Frank Bond, who was living with us, suddenly sickened with smallpox. And having no medical workers in Spain (When will they come?), it rested with me to care for my ill-fated brother. Thus our aggressive work was stopped. After nursing him ten days, I myself sickened with fever, which, however, I am glad to say did not develop into smallpox.

While we were in this condition, the interested young man came, and asked definitely if we had any intention of putting him into the work on a salary. By this time I was satisfied that he was a time-server, and replied in the negative. Then he said, “If I had known this at the beginning, I would never have given up my employment to keep the Sabbath.” That conversation settled it in my mind that the Lord had given us victory even in apparent defeat,—victory in delivering us from one who, had he entered our ranks, by and by, when his faith would be tried, as it must be sooner or later in all of our experiences

experiences, would be found “wanting,” and so might have done us incalculable harm here in Spain by giving up the truth.

MONUMENT OF COLUMBUS POINTING TO AMERICA

We were now passing through a great trial—Brother Bond in bed with smallpox, and I with a continuous fever, which reduced me almost to a skeleton. After nearly three weeks in bed, just as we expected recovery, I was seized with pleuropneumonia, which brought me almost to the gates of death. But, besides the doctor and brother nurse, who came all the way from Switzerland, and my beloved wife, who tenderly cared for me, there were angels of God in attendance. Heb. 1:14.

At the beginning of the sickness, we received a message from the Lord, through my wife’s mother, who wrote us, saying that she had been impressed to send us this scripture: “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God.” John 11:4.

Our Heavenly Father gave us faith to believe that word which is “quick and powerful,” and so, under the most trying circumstances, we never expected death, even though I spent nearly six weeks confined to my bed. My convalescence was remarkably rapid. The delightful climate of Spain, and the food products, which are all that can be desired, favor a speedy recovery.

We have had no visible results in Barcelona yet, and during our sickness the work was almost at a standstill. What the immediate future will bring forth, we do not know, as at present my wife and I are absolutely alone in Spain; and, according to our experiences when the Brethren Bond were here, sometimes a public meeting could not be conducted unless we three were present, the behavior of some of the congregation being so bad as to demand our constant vigilance. Therefore, until I have a worker or two to help me, I fear public aggressive work will be well-nigh impossible. Until then we shall do what we can as the Lord may direct.

We have taken into our home the daughter of one of the Sabbath-keepers in Sabadell. Though quite young, being still in her teens, she now goes out alone, canvassing with good success, though meeting with much opposition and many insults. We trust she will win many souls for the everlasting kingdom.

I have not seen a drunken man since coming here. The people are not, however, total abstainers,—far from that,—for they drink wine at every meal. But evil men and seducers “wax worse and worse,” even here, and we are certainly living in “perilous times.” Within the last four or five months no less than three bombs have been maliciously placed to blow up buildings, etc. The last exploded in a public thoroughfare, wounding more than twelve persons. Thus public life is somewhat imperiled. But we are glad to remember the Lord’s promise in such times: “It shall not come nigh thee.” Ps. 91:7.

Education is at a very low ebb in Spain. In towns of from twenty to thirty thousand inhabitants, it is a common thing to find that at least seventy per cent of the women are unable to read. I read the other day that only four in a thousand read the best newspaper, though its price is within the reach of all. Of course this illiteracy materially obstructs the progress of the gospel in its fulness. But we are of good courage, knowing that this gospel of the kingdom must be preached to all nations before the end. And so, despite our many difficulties, we would cry, “Victory.”

Barcelona.

Theological Seminary at Swatow

THE American Baptist Missionary Union station at Swatow, China, is to have a building erected for a theological seminary. The land and building are a present from the veteran missionary, Dr. William Ashmore, and his family. The gift was announced on Dr. Ashmore's eightieth birthday.

Our Nyassaland School

By Mabel Branch

MABEL BRANCH

At present we have forty pupils enrolled in our school, fifteen of them coming from the villages. We have two sessions of school daily, and all study diligently, and seem to take great pleasure in their lessons. I have one native teacher to help me.

I am sending you a picture of one of the villages on the station. It is a very small village, containing five native huts. These people are the only ones living there, and the old woman standing in the front by the hut is their queen.

We have representatives here from several different tribes who are Christians, but of the Manganja tribe, who are living all around us, there are no converts. They seem to be the only tribe in this part who do not accept the Word of God, but continue in their wicked ways, dancing and drinking. They have many fables and proverbs, some of which contain many good lessons. Here is one of their sayings: “If you marry an idiot of a wife, you get shame with her. A gadding woman, who neglects her home duties, brings shame upon her husband, and he loses strength and honor, and has no longer influence.”

The drums have been beating every night for a week—and why?—The crops are good this year, and plenty of corn has been raised; now the natives are making large quantities of beer, and the drums are beating to call all, for miles around, to participate in the merrymaking. Many families, carrying their food, mats (beds), and drums, have been passing.

All night long we can hear the sound of the drums, for they have many. The rhythm is most perfect. The time is varied, for the smaller drums are made to answer the larger one. The rapid and slow beats blend in the most perfect time, and the dancers quickly take their places, and all seem to go mad with excitement. Standing the small drums against a long pole, which has been securely fastened to two trees, and holding the large drum, about four feet long, between his knees, a skilled drummer beats five of them at once. He becomes so enthusiastic in his labors that the beating can be heard for a long distance. The perspiration pours from his half-naked body.

With what joy these people will walk for miles, through the hot sun, to attend these dances, and for days labor untiringly in the works of Satan. Yet when we invite them to attend services here, they make excuses, or promises which they never intend to keep. They will not come to hear God's Word, for even a few minutes, nor do they respect him in whose keeping are their lives.

Every Sabbath some of the Christian boys go to the different villages to preach; and although some will listen, many laugh and make fun of them; but the boys keep on going and preaching.

Many of the village children attend our school, and also Sabbath services, and listen attentively to all that is said. In these children lies our hope of getting this message taught to others. The older people do not like to change their customs, but many of the young ones do not like the village life, so come to the missions to be taught. In school we are teaching the boys to sing, which all enjoy very much; and they are eager to learn our Sabbath-school songs in English.

The work is progressing nicely in all lines. We are all of good courage, and interested in our work for these people who are sitting in darkness and superstition. Our prayer and desire is to know how to best work for them. We know that if we are faithful in sowing the seeds of truth, God will give the increase.

Our New Mission Station

By E. H. Gates

E. H. GATES

SINGAPORE is on a small island of the same name just off the southern extremity of the Malay Peninsula, which is the most southern point of Asia. This island is about twenty-seven by fourteen miles in size, and is a British possession. The city has a population of two hundred thousand to three hundred thousand souls.

There are in the city but a few thousand English-speaking people, but nearly every country on the globe has its representatives there, notably China and the different provinces of India. It is said that there are seventy-five languages and dialects spoken in this city. From here ships in large numbers sail to every part of the world, furnishing a fine place for ship mission work. It may be said in truth that this is a “strategic point,” from which to carry on aggressive warfare against the various forms of pagan and papal errors, in the great East India field.

In the Malaysian mission field there are, in round numbers, about fifty million souls, the great majority of whom are either pagans or Mohammedans. In this immense field we have, until very recently, but one missionary family. Brother Munson, in Sumatra, has worked for the past five years against great difficulties, and is now seeing fruit of his labors. Now we are greatly rejoiced to see three more faithful workers enter these pagan lands, Brother G. F. Jones and wife and Brother Robert Caldwell, who have gone to Singapore. This is in harmony with the testimony of the spirit of prophecy, which says: ‘God calls upon his workers to annex new territory for him. . . . Advance. Enter new territory. Lift up the standard in every land. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. . . . Our burden for the regions beyond can never be laid down until the whole earth shall be lightened with the glory of the Lord.’

It was a pleasing sight to those who watched the N. D. L. steamer “Prinz Waldemir” as she moved away from the wharf at Sydney, September 28, to see the cheerfulness and hope expressed in the countenances of our missionaries as they started on the long trip of six thousand miles to meet the trials and difficulties of mission life in pagan lands. The prayers of all the faithful should follow them. The climate of their future home is a very trying one, the island being almost under the equator. Nothing but love for the perishing would induce them to go to such a place.

Brother Robert Caldwell goes to Singapore as a resident canvasser. He has labored for some time in West Australia. Brother and Sister Jones, first began to labor in England, where they engaged in Bible work, canvassing, and nursing. One year was spent in one of the American schools.

For the past two or three years they have labored in the Eastern Polynesian mission field. During their few-weeks’ stay in Australia just before sailing for Singapore, they spent some time at the Avondale school, also visited Maitland, Wahroonga Sanitarium, Stanmore, and Epping. In all these places they did much to stimulate the missionary spirit. Several of the young people in the sanitarium and the school expressed a desire to follow them later to the East Indian mission field. We hope before long to see several of these youth engaged in mission work in that field.

In the East Indies there are not only pagans and Mohammedans, but in the Netherland East Indies there are thousands of Dutch residents. Among these are many persons of wealth and education. This will call for laborers who can speak the Dutch language. Prayers should unceasingly be offered by our people for the success of our work in those destitute regions. More means must come in to supply and sustain the

workers. If all will give regularly to this work, twice as many workers can be sent into the mission as we now have, and no one will miss the amount given. Listen to words of the Lord as found in a recent Testimony:—

“God’s people have a mighty work before them. Our efforts in missionary lines must become far more extensive. A more decided work than has been done must be done prior to the second appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. God’s people are not to cease their labors till they shall encircle the world.”

“The vineyard includes the whole world, and every part of it is to be worked. The waste places of the earth are to be cultivated. New territories are to be worked. New churches must be established, new congregations organized. At this time there should be representatives of present truth in every city, and in the remote parts of the earth. The whole earth is to be illuminated with the glory of God’s truth. The light is to shine to all lands and all peoples. It will not be long before every one will have heard the warning and made his decision. Then shall the end come. . . . Scarcely a thousandth part of the work is being done that ought to be done in mission fields.”

“The home missionary work will be further advanced in every way when a more liberal, self-denying, self-sacrificing spirit is manifested for the prosperity of foreign missions; for the prosperity of the home work depends largely, under God, upon the reflex influence of the evangelical work done in countries afar off. It is in working actively to supply the necessities of the cause of God, that we bring our souls in touch with the Source of all power.”

I would suggest that all our people everywhere, especially remember these workers in their new mission field. Read the following from “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 80: “We should hold convocations for prayer, asking the Lord to open the way for the truth to enter the strongholds where Satan has set up his throne, and dispel the shadow he has cast athwart the pathway of those whom he is seeking to deceive and destroy.”

Cooranbong, N. S. W.

Southern Jamaica

By F. Hall; A. N. Durrant

PARISH OF CLARENDON, DISTRICT OF PORTLAND.— Leaving Waterlane, Aug. 9, 1904, we started a tent effort at Lionell Town, four miles from Waterlane. The message was preached with power, and tracts were freely distributed. The attendance was good during the first two or three weeks; then the clergy and a resident teacher instructed the people not to come to the tent. Persecution raged, so that the few who were really interested were afraid to obey the truth.

October 26 we pitched the tent, and started meetings. Crowds attended, and the interest was good. As souls began to obey present truth, the dragon’s wrath was stirred, and we had quite a hard time, but our God delivered us.

Thirteen or fourteen souls have accepted the message, and we have a Sabbath-school of about twenty members, including children. We have had two baptisms,—five being baptized on Christmas morning, and three on the third of February. We look forward to another baptism soon, when three or four others will be baptized.

Land has been given on which to erect a little memorial, and we are now getting out lumber to raise up a place of worship sixteen by twenty-four feet.

The little band of believers are poor, and will need help. Is there not a good, liberal soul or church in the States who will send even fifty dollars to help? Last year an appeal was made for the Waterlane company; but nobody responded. Donations can be sent through the Mission Board to Elder J. B. Beckner.

We are having urgent calls from other districts, and shall soon move about eight miles from here. We are of good courage to go ahead, knowing that we have recruits and ammunition in the hands of the faithful at home. Pray for us.

F. HALL, A. N. DURRANT.

Iowa

By N. C. Bergersen; P. E. Brotherson

UTE.—After a series of meetings held in the vicinity of Ute during the summer and fall, we organized a Danish church, Jan. 21, 1905. Before organizing, we once more called their attention to the faith of Jesus, the keeping of the commandments,

the spirit of prophecy, patience, temperance, support of the cause by tithes and offerings. All promised to pay a full tithe. Following this we held a business meeting, and elected church officers. The good Spirit of the Lord prevailed in all our meetings, and the members are alive, and rejoicing in the Lord.

N. C. BERGERSEN, P. E. BROTHERSON.

The Widows of India

THE widows of India—who must ever remain such, under a supposed curse—number 22,700,000, or four times the population of London.

Missionary Work at Ta-tsien-lu

DR. RIJNHART and Dr. Shelton, of the F. C. M. S. Tibetan Mission, are established at Ta-tsien-lu (Ta-Chien-lu), in Sze-chuan, China, which is a great center of Tibetan trade, with caravans going into Tibet almost daily. This place is to have great missionary importance in the future, although, judging from the experience of the China Inland missionaries established there these seven years, the veil still covers the hearts of the Tibetans. It is the Chinese inhabitants only among whom progress has been made.

Mississippi

By H. G. Thurston

WE are glad to report some progress in our conference. We are receiving additions to our force of workers, but we need many more. Those in the field are having some encouraging experiences. During the year 1904, the tithe of the conference was between seventeen and eighteen hundred dollars. The colored members are taking hold nicely, and though many of them are quite poor, they paid fully one third of the tithe for 1904. The colored membership is about one half the entire membership of the conference.

For several months last summer and fall, my health was not the best, and in order that I might be able to do better work in the future, it seemed best to leave the field here for a time, with a view of returning later; and during my absence, Elder F. R. Shaeffer, the vice-president of the conference, has charge. He is also our State agent, and reports advancement in the work of our agents. We are very glad of the help Elder Shaeffer and his wife are able to give.

We learned, with deep regret, of the death of Elder Douglas, who, a few years ago, went into the Southern field. He was at Corinth, Miss., at the time of his death.

Our prayer is that God will send forth laborers into the harvest, and we hope to see a great work wrought in Mississippi in the near future.

H. G. THURSTON.

Pres. Miss. Conf.

Central America

By H. C. Goodrich

BELIZE, BRITISH HONDURAS.— Yesterday a man, who is a member of the Wesleyan Church, came to see me. He had been reading the Signs, and said he was not satisfied with Sunday-keeping. We had a Bible study from the New Testament, and last night he came back for another study from the Old Testament; and when we had finished, he said, “Why, it seems just like looking through a telescope at things you could hardly see before; it is so plain.” This man is a carpenter. He seems to be an earnest Christian, and says he will keep the Sabbath hereafter. He had never attended our meetings.

I called on another man last evening after the Sabbath. I had held two readings with him last spring before I went north. He is a Baptist. I feared he might be lost to me by this time, but he welcomed me warmly, and said he was anxious to go on with the Bible study. He, too, has never attended meetings. I pray that the way may soon be clear to send the Bible worker, as well as the minister. We need them both very much. Three have decided to keep the Sabbath; others are earnestly seeking the truth.

The bank notified me yesterday that they had an amount to place to my account. This is another burden the Lord has lifted. I had felt that I must go and do some collecting, and yet did not feel free to leave the interest here at this time.

Mr. and Mrs. Allen are still in Utilla, but have had no school for two months. They expect to go over on the coast as soon as circumstances will permit. I understand that Brother Allen has spent a good share of his time there for the last four months, and has sold many books.

We trust we may have wisdom to direct all to the Master’s glory and for a great ingathering for the harvest. H. C. GOODRICH.

A Revival in the Kansas City (Kansas) Church

By R. D. Quinn

We have just closed a two weeks' meeting with this church. The same power that attended the work on the Missouri side has moved the people here. Nearly the whole church was aroused, and responded to the definite message of complete and everlasting deliverance from the bondage and dominion of sin.

“Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel,” is the message. “The time is fulfilled; and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent ye and believe the gospel.” “If any delay, the character of God and his throne will be compromised.” With this tremendous issue facing us, the only thing for every loyal Seventh-day Adventist to do is to make an unqualified surrender of his life to God to do God's will instead of his own. It is not now so much a matter of getting revived as of being delivered and staying delivered.

It was the testimony of all that the service of last Sabbath, the closing day of the meeting, was the best we have ever attended. The study was on the definite reception of the Holy Spirit for obedience and for service, and the strangers and unconverted who were present were deeply moved when they saw that the Lord our God was with us.

Sabbath, March 25, these two large churches met together for a joint meeting to recount their wonderful deliverance, and become perfectly unified in their efforts to strongly carry forward the message in these great cities.

The next effort will be held in College View, beginning March 31. May God bring deliverance to our people in all other places at this time is our prayer.

R. D. QUINN.

Our New Russian Paper

By Guy Dail

JUST now the eyes of the whole world are turned toward Russia and the Russians. The events of the last few weeks have quickened the interest we as a people must feel in the proclamation of the gospel to the dwellers in the land of Gog and Magog. What of the future? is a question many a man is pondering. Last year our membership among the native Russians almost doubled itself, although we have but four workers among them. Their tithe nearly doubled, also. This record has been made by many fields. These facts show that God is at work here. We have now a membership of six hundred and forty-six in this field.

FACSIMILE OF THE HEADING OF OUR RUSSIAN PAPER

For some time we have been trying to get matters arranged to have a regular Russian paper, printed in the Russian language. The first issue of this paper has now appeared. It is called the Olive Tree, in Russian. It contains sixteen pages. There are eight issues annually. It is a good paper for general missionary work, and also is suited to our own people. It contains the Russian Sabbath-school lessons. The accompanying illustration is a reduced facsimile of a part of the first page of the first number of this paper.

We should be pleased if our people generally would take an interest in circulating this paper among Russian-speaking people. Especially will it be welcome in the homes of Russians in America. The price is forty cents a year. Address all orders to International Tract Society, Grindelberg 15a, Hamburg, Germany, or to Treasurer General Conference, Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C.

GUY DAIL.

Hamburg, Germany.

In Turkey and Asia Minor

By Ludwig Richard Conradi

OUR brethren in their prison in Asia Minor have had several public hearings; but no decision had been rendered at the time we last heard from there. Other missionaries are beginning to take an interest in the fate of these prisoners, and it is their opinion that nothing can now avail, unless it be the power of money. Another brother has lately been arrested. One missionary wished permission to visit our friends in prison, but he received this very frank reply: “Until now you have denied that they are Protestants; why do you wish to see them?” There are now five brethren together in the prison, and they surely ought to be remembered by our people everywhere in their prayers. The prisoners are all well, and continue to hold their Bible studies, and to have their seasons of prayer, as heretofore.

As yet the chief accusations are the following: That our leading native brother changed his religion from Protestantism to Sabbatarianism; that he went outside of the country to be instructed in this religion; that since his return to Turkey, he has been in correspondence with other countries through the foreign post-office; that he has been writing letters containing “dark sentences;” and that our brethren have established a treasury, into which they receive tithes and donations, and from which they pay workers.

We do not doubt that whatever way the matter may turn, God will overrule it for the honor of his name and the good of his cause.

We are also glad to learn that the lady nurse whom we sent from Switzerland to Constantinople to assist our physician there, has safely arrived.

We are still very anxiously looking for the proper man to act as an ordained minister among our churches and those who are interested in the truth in Asia Minor and the Turkish empire, and we ask that our people everywhere remember this field in their prayers and gifts.

L. R. CONRADI.

Webster (South Dakota) Health Home

By Hannah M. Peterson

THE work in the Webster Health Home was started Oct. 22, 1904. This place consists of five rooms, the use of which we have been given, free of rent, for one year, by one of the doctors here. We have room to accommodate only four patients at a time. Our aim is to bring the true principles of health into our home, and thus place the truth before the people.

The work here has been the means of breaking down a great deal of prejudice among the people. This last month the

Methodist and Congregational ministers have requested me to come to their churches and give a talk on medical missionary work. This I have done. It gave an opportunity to let the people know the real object of our work.

I am enjoying my work more every day as new experiences and blessings come. Sister Hannah Johnson is here also, and is kept very busy doing outside nursing.

Our financial statement to date is as follows: Inventory, $155.90; accounts receivable, $196.50; total assets, $352.40. As we have no liabilities, the present worth is the same as the total assets—$352.40. The net gain from Oct. 22, 1904, to March 21, 1905, is $110. Remember us and the work here when you pray. HANNAH M. PETERSON.

Virginia

BUENA VISTA.— We now have a place in which to hold meetings and Sabbath-school, as our church is enclosed. All seem happy in the Lord. We had the pleasure last Sabbath of baptizing three willing souls in North River.

I expect to leave Buena Vista soon, to meet with the company at Cardwell, where I labored last fall. It is surely time for all to arise and shine, by living the truth as well as by preaching it.

C. B. RULE.

BEFORE the Civil War, Virginia was a prominent and progressive State; but that war left it in straitened circumstances, from which, however, it is now emerging with renewed vigor. Where formerly a bitter spirit was manifested toward those who came from the North, now such are welcomed with a kindly spirit. Many are coming to settle here, and thus the old prejudice will finally be overcome. The prospects for permanent progress have never been better. The people are mostly engaged in agriculture and stock raising, but in some of the cities there are a great number of manufacturing industries, giving employment to many. This State has an area of 42,450 square miles, with a population of 1,854,184; about 1,303,228 of these are white, and about 550,000 are colored.

We have at present one minister laboring among the colored, and five among the white people. Our brethren in the ministry are laboring hard to present the last message to the people, and find that Satan is wroth with them for doing so. While our ministers are laboring to warn the people by the preaching of the Word, others of our number are working to the same end by scattering literature containing the message. From these we have also good reports. How refreshing it is to the canvasser to find souls seeking for the truth. How happy he is! he can travel many miles with such memories cheering him. While we have found a few jewels, there are many more yet to be found, and it is our privilege to find them.

W. H. ZEIDLER.

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