IN response to a call for a meeting of representative brethren in the Lake Union Conference, about twenty-five officers of State Conferences gathered at Berrien Springs in connection with the teachers' conference, July 10. The object of this council was to complete the organization of the Lake Union Conference, to study the openings and needs of the various departments of the cause in the Conference, and to set the machinery of the new Conference in operation.
The arrangement to hold this council in connection with the teachers' conference proved a good one. The interests of both the Lake Conference and the educational work were each day placed before the entire gathering. All were so interested in all that was brought forward for consideration that there seemed to be but one leader, one great aim, and one delegation, or body of representatives. The Conference representatives testified to having been greatly benefited by the daily study of educational questions, while the teachers gratefully acknowledged the help they received from the deliberations of the Conference representatives.
The best service rendered to the cause of education by the representatives from the different Conferences was the help they gave in selecting the location of the new school. For weeks the locating committee had been in search of a suitable place. Just before the brethren came together at Berrien Springs, the committee found a place upon which they all agreed. But before purchasing, they had the privilege of having the presidents of the six Conferences in the Lake Conference, also several members of Conference committees, and other men whose counsel they valued highly, examine the proposed site. After careful examination of the land, products, and surroundings, there was a decided, unanimous vote in favor of purchasing the place. To have had the help of about twenty men from different States, whose experience had been such as to make their counsel of value, was more gratifying to the locating committee than words can express.
At this council the brethren addressed themselves so earnestly to the work in hand, and planned together with so much harmony, that we were able to place the affairs of the new Conference in a more complete and satisfactory shape than we had dared to hope could be done in so short a time.
The organization of the Conference was completed by the adjustment of officers previously elected, and by the election of others required. The constitution was carefully revised, and very much enlarged in its scope. The question of finance, beginning with the Church and ending with the General Conference and Mission Board, received careful consideration. The questions that challenged the wide-awake attention of all were those relating to the Sabbath-school, church-school, and canvassing work. Elder A. T. Jones spent several days with us, during which he gave practical, clear-cut instruction regarding the ministry to which the Lord calls every Seventh-day Adventist. Dr. Kellogg was with us but one day, but left much with us to think about.
Believing that a brief abstract of the proceedings of the council will be of interest to our brethren, we furnish them to the REVIEW for publication.
A. G. DANIELLS.
CHRIST CAME TO SAVE.
By L. D. Santee
ELDER L. D. SANTEE.
All day, and all day, is the tide of humanity flowing
On the pavement below;
Through the hours of night, and the hours when day's furnace is glowing,
They come, and they go;
And many the faces and forms that are constantly showing
Their burdens of woe.
I think, as I gaze on the great throbbing heart of the city,
And list to its din,
There is need of the Christ, of some one to come and take pity,
And cleanse them from sin.
Yet, thanks be to God, there are some in this great crowded city
Who have Christ formed within.
Ever the Shiloh of God, with a heart that is loving and tender,
Pities the weak,
Offers them life and a home in the city of splendor,
If they will but seek
Living connection with Him who the judgment will render,
And list while He speaks.
Ever to hearts that are bowed is His sweet Spirit calling:
Offering release:
“Come unto me, all ye weary;” and sin’s burden falling,
Gives measure of peace.
“Cast all your care upon me, O afflicted and toiling!
Your sorrows shall cease.
All day, and all day, is the tide of humanity flowing
To and fro on the pave,
And every one there, in his journeys, his coming and going,
Has Christ died to save.
And I think, oh, how many their sin in their faces are showing!
How few are the saved!
How few are the feet ’mong the many that, restless and turning,
The pavement have trod,—
How few are the hearts that are praying, desiring, and yearning
For a nearness with God.
How few will have homes, where the gold and the crimson are burning,
In the garden of God.
CAMP-MEETING IN DIAMANTE, ARGENTINE REPUBLIC.
By Juan McCarthy
MANY have been the blessings which we have enjoyed while it has been our privilege to labor in these Platine republics; but the best blessings awaited our coming to the Diamante camp-meeting. Many had opposed our having our tent-meeting in Diamante, on account of its being somewhat isolated, and of our having no brethren resident there. But the Spirit of God indicated this as the best place, so without hesitation we pitched our tents.
The meetings began on Friday, September 28, and continued until October 8. Day after day the Holy Spirit poured out blessing after blessing, notwithstanding the weakness of the instruments who proclaimed the message of salvation to a hungry multitude. Day after day the congregation increased in number, until the climax was reached on Sunday evening, October 7, when more than five hundred Spanish-speaking people pressed in and around the tent to hear the preaching of the everlasting gospel. In view of the interest manifested, it was decided to prolong the camp-meeting for another week, and then to hire a house in which to continue the meetings. Brethren Leland and Town will remain.
From six to seven meetings were held each day, Brethren Westphal, Leland, Town, and Brooking, and the writer, having charge of the preaching. Five persons were baptized by Brother Westphal in the River Parana, in the presence of about three hundred and fifty or four hundred persons. Many are deeply interested in the truth, while three or four have already been converted, all Argentines.
Among them is a young man, very intelligent, who, until two months ago, accompanied the Roman Catholic bishop of the province, as chief cook, and attendant. He became so disgusted with the deceits and hypocrisies, which he saw practiced by the very highest ecclesiastical dignitaries, that he turned away in disgust from all religion, knowing nothing of present truth. He came to our meetings, and by personal labor with him, we found out his needs. We talked and prayed with him, and finally he found peace in Jesus, such as the world cannot take away. We hope this young man will become a useful laborer in the cause of the gospel.
All our laborers were present at this meeting, with the exception of Brother Vuilleumier, who failed to join with us on account of the very serious condition of his wife's health. May God place His healing hand upon her, and restore her to perfect health.
The work here is onward, although surrounded with difficulties on every side. Our confidence is in the Almighty One. Israel's God is our God, and He who led His people of ancient times from victory unto victory is also leading us by strange paths to the heavenly Canaan, where crowns of glory await those who, by the help of our blessed Saviour, succeed in conquering sin in every shape and form. Let us then, brethren, fight the good fight, and press on toward the mark of our high calling.
JUAN MCCARTHY.
CONSTITUTION OF LAKE UNION CONFERENCE.
By Arthur Grosvenor Daniells; W. H. Edwards
ARTICLE I — NAME.
This organization shall be known as the Lake Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
ARTICLE II — PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Conference shall be the economizing of our time, energy, and means for the speedy heralding of the Third Angel's Message to all within our borders, and the assisting as far as possible in the giving of the same to all the world.
ARTICLE III — BOUNDS.
This Conference shall include the Conferences of the States of Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and the Province of Ontario, with such territory as may hereafter be added.
ARTICLE IV — REPRESENTATION.
Section 1.—Each local Conference shall be entitled to one delegate to any session of the Lake Union Conference, without reference to numbers or its ex-officio member, and one additional delegate for each one hundred members of such local Conference.
Sec. 2.—Each local Conference shall elect its delegates according to its approved methods, upon due notice of the appointed session of the Lake Union Conference.
ARTICLE V — OFFICERS.
Section 1.—The officers of the Lake Union Conference shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor; and also an Executive Committee, as provided for in Sec. 3.
Sec. 2.—The above-named officers, except departmental secretaries and the Executive Committee, shall be elected at a regular session of the Conference, for a term of two years, or until the election of their successors.
Sec. 3.—Executive Committee: The presidents of the several local Conferences embraced in the Lake Union Conference as ex-officio members, with an authorized representative from the medical, educational, publishing, German, and Scandinavian work in the Conference, shall constitute an Executive Committee for the period of two years following the regular session of the Conference, the members representing the medical, educational, publishing, German, and Scandinavian work to be elected by the Conference at its regular session.
ARTICLE VI — TRUSTEES AND AGENTS.
Section 1.—The members of the Conference shall at each regular session elect boards of management for such incorporated institutions and enterprises as are or may be connected with this organization, in accordance with the rules governing the same, and the laws of the State wherein the same are situated.
Sec. 2.—The Executive Committee shall appoint departmental Secretaries, a Business Agent, also a General Canvassing Agent for the said Conference, who shall serve under their direction.
Sec. 3.—The Conference shall employ such ministers, missionaries, committees, agents, or other persons as are necessary to carry on its work.
ARTICLE VII — DUTIES OF OFFICERS.
Section 1. — President: The duties of the President shall be such as usually pertain to that office.
Sec. 2.—Vice-President: In the absence of the President or the vacation of the chair for any reason, the Vice-President shall fill the vacancy. Further, he shall assist the President in his work as he may be requested to do by the Executive Committee.
Sec. 3.—Secretaries: The duties of the secretaries shall be such as usually pertain to the office, and they shall also do such other work as the Executive Committee shall assign them.
Sec. 4.—Treasurer: It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all moneys belonging to the Conference, to keep a faithful account thereof, to deposit and disburse the same according to the direction of the Executive Committee. He shall make a full report of receipts and disbursements at all regular sessions of the Conference, or at such time as may be required by said committee. The Treasurer shall also collect from the Conferences embraced in the Lake Union Conference such financial and statistical reports as are required, and forward copies of the same as the committee may direct.
Sec. 5.—Auditor: The Auditor shall faithfully audit the books of the Conference at such times as directed by the Executive Committee, and make a report of the same to the Conference. He may also audit the books of the several State Conferences embraced in the Lake Union Conference, upon their request.
Sec. 6.—Executive Committee: During the interval between the sessions of the Conference, the Executive Committee shall have full administrative power, and shall exercise a general watchcare over all matters pertaining to the work of the Conference, and shall fill for the current term any vacancies that may occur in the Conference, unless the same has been provided for in other sections of the Constitution or By-Laws. It shall direct the work of the employees of the Conference, and pay them for labor performed, at regular intervals, from the funds of the Lake Union Conference.
Sec. 7.—The Executive Committee may call for donations from local Conferences, churches, or individuals, when in their judgment it becomes necessary. They may also make contributions to the General Conference from the funds on hand when there is urgent need, and it seems advisable.
Sec. 8.—Trustees elected by the Conference for any corporate organization shall faithfully perform the duties incumbent upon them by the Constitution or By-Laws of the Lake Union Conference, and by the corporate laws of the State in which the same may be located, and make such reports from time to time as the law requires or the Executive Committee may ask.
Sec. 9.—Agents: The Business and Canvassing Agents shall faithfully perform the duties belonging to their respective offices, under the direction of the Executive Committee, and in harmony with the laws governing the corporate bodies they may represent. They shall make such reports and at such times to the Executive Committee or Conference as may be required by the same.
ARTICLE VIII — AUDITING COMMITTEE.
The Auditing Committee shall be composed of the President of the Lake Union Conference and the Presidents of the State Conferences, with such assistance as in their judgment may be advisable; and shall audit the accounts of the Conference laborers at least once a year.
ARTICLE IX — FUNDS.
Section 1.—The funds of the Lake Union Conference shall consist of such tithe as it shall receive from the several local Conferences within its determined bounds, with such gifts, legacies, bequests, devises, and other donations as shall otherwise be made to it.
Sec. 2.—The tithe shall be used for such purposes only as the word of the Lord directs. All other means to be used according to the best judgment of the Executive Committee and the specifications of the donors.
ARTICLE X — SESSIONS.
The Lake Union Conference shall hold regular sessions at intervals of about two years, at such time and place as its Executive Committee shall designate by a notice in the Review and Herald a reasonable time before the date of meeting.
ARTICLE XI — BY-LAWS.
The Conference may make By-Laws, and amend them or repeal them at any session. The scope of such By-Laws may embrace all subjects not inconsistent with this Constitution.
ARTICLE XII — AMENDMENTS.
This Constitution may be amended by a three-fourths vote of the members present at any regular session.
Lake Union Conference Executive Committee: A. G. Daniells, W. H. Thurston, J. D. Gowell, Wm. Covert, R. F. Andrews, I. J. Hawkins, A. G. Haughey, J. W. Collie, Dr. J. H. Kellogg, Prof. P. T. Magan, C. J. Herrmann, H. R. Johnson, W. H. Edwards.
Officers: President, A. G. Daniells; Vice-President, W. H. Thurston; Secretary, Treasurer, and Auditor, W. H. Edwards.
Secretaries and Agents: Field Secretary of the Sabbath-school and Educational Dept., H. R. Salisbury; Corresponding Secretary of the same, to be appointed; Business Agent, W. H. Thurston; Canvassing Agent, F. L. Moody.
A. G. DANIELLS, Chairman.
W. H. EDWARDS, Sec.
ONEIDA MISSION.
By William Covert
BROTHER MATTHEW HILL, by invitation of the Conference, came from Ontario to Wisconsin about June of last year, and began work among the Oneidas, near Green Bay. After a time he found it necessary to pitch a tent and get additional help in order properly to meet the interest which was awakened.
During the tent season twenty-five or thirty persons accepted the faith and began the observance of the Sabbath. It was essential for these, like other people who are moved upon by the Spirit of God, to let go of many habits, and solidify in Christian character. When they had passed through the sifting period, some had halted, and a few others joined the faithful ones. During the winter, one of their number, a young lady, attended our school at Bethel, and in the spring was baptized and united with the church there. Others attended the camp-meeting at Grand Rapids, and two of them were baptized. Brother Hill was ordained at the camp-meeting. He can teach the truth in the six languages spoken by the Indians of the country. After camp-meeting Elder H. W. Reed united with Brother Hill in getting the company ready for organization. They did careful work for a month or more, studying with them a second time all the leading features of Christian truth and living for these days. I was then invited to join with them in organizing a church. This I gladly did August 10 and 11, speaking upon the subjects of baptism and church organization, while Brother Hill interpreted. On the Sabbath fifteen were baptized by Elder Reed, and on Sunday four others went forward in the divine rite, making, in all, twenty-two of their number baptized. Brother Hill also united in their church organization, and became their elder. The church was fully officered from their number, with twenty-three members, one other of their number being a member of the church at Bethel.
These two days of labor were as interesting as any of my experience in the gospel ministry. It was estimated that about two hundred and fifty persons were present at the baptism on the Sabbath. A talk544was given to the people at the water before the baptism, which was well received. While the ordinance was being administered, the Holy Spirit moved upon those upon the bank of the stream until very many wept for joy. No such testimony for the truth had ever before been borne in the Oneida Reservation, and God was acknowledging the service. It was good to be there.
On Sunday, just before the enrollment of members, a social meeting was held, first in the Oneida language, and then with the English-speaking friends who had come in to the meeting. The visitors testified that it was the best social service of all their experience. It is indeed refreshing to come in touch with the unfeigned faith manifested in the Oneida’s reception of the Lord’s promises. They simply believe, and therefore their souls are filled with the living word. That word, alive in a heart of faith, sets ablaze the divine aspirations.
Elder Shreve visited the reservation last fall, and helped to secure a schoolhouse from the government to be used for meeting purposes. The house is worth five or six hundred dollars, but was bought for seventy-five dollars. We are considering the advisability of establishing a local school with this church, and arrangements are being made for two of the young women to attend our preparatory school this year, having as an object missionary work among the Indians of this State. The Third Angel’s Message in the heart begets a desire to save souls, and our Christian schools now stand ready to prepare laborers for the Lord’s work. This must be done in all languages.
There are two thousand Oneidas in the reservation. These are civilized, and for the most part are engaged in farming. Seven thousand Indians in the Menominee Reservation, fifty miles north of the one where our church is organized, should have the message.
In this report the opposition is not described,—that is the enemy’s work, not ours, and he can do his own advertising. We know the Lord is good, and He is able to perfect that which He has so well begun. To His name be all the praise.
WM. COVERT.
THE ARKANSAS CONFERENCE AND CAMP-MEETING.
By Dan. E. Huffman
Our annual Conference was held in Rogers, July 18-29. A beautiful grove in the northern part of the city was selected as the site of the camp. Early in the month, Brethren G. Phillips and C. W. Hardesty and the writer came to Rogers to prepare the grounds and begin meetings. After pitching the tabernacle and a few dwelling tents, evening services were begun with a good attendance from the city. The interest rapidly increased during the camp-meeting.
Although two other camp-meetings will be held in the State this summer, our churches were well represented, especially those situated in the northern and western parts of the State. About two hundred of our people were camped on the ground.
The following laborers were present to assist in carrying forward the meeting: Elders C. McReynolds and G. G. Rupert attended the first part of the Conference, and Elder J. M. Rees the latter part. Prof. C. C. Lewis labored in the interest of education; Sister Lewis held meetings with the children, youth, and parents; Brother Bodwell, of Texas, spent a few days with us in behalf of “Christ’s Object Lessons;” and Brother B. R. Nordike assisted in missionary meetings for a short time.
The work begun in our late General Conference was a characteristic feature of the meeting, both in the preaching and in the business sessions of the Conference. The tract and missionary society and the Sabbath-school Association were made departments of the Conference. The reports of laborers and of the various committees show that the work is progressing harmoniously in all the departments. The tithe receipts for the past year show an increase over any preceding year.
The following officers were chosen for the present year: President, Elder A. E. Field; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. Etta Hardesty. Conference Committee: Elders A. E. Field and E. B. Hopkins, and Brethren G. Phillips, C. W. Hardesty, and Dan. E. Huffman. State Traveling Missionary, C. W. Hardesty; Secretary of Education, Dan. E. Huffman; Secretary of the Sabbath-school department, Mrs. Laura Field.
From the beginning, the presence of the Spirit of the Lord was realized in a marked degree. Perfect harmony and love prevailed throughout the entire meeting. Sabbath, July 27, twenty-one precious souls were buried with their Lord in baptism. Brother H. Clay Griffin was ordained to the gospel ministry; and he, with the writer, remained to follow up the interest. Several brethren and sisters remained tented on the ground for a week after the Conference closed.
Through the blessing of the Lord the interest still is good, and several have taken their stand for the truth. Many more are in the valley of decision.
DAN. E. HUFFMAN.
IOWA, CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.
The thirty-eighth annual session of the Iowa Seventh-day Adventist Conference convened on the camp-ground at Des Moines, Iowa, from May 31 to June 9, 1901. Thirteen meetings were held. The delegates elected a committee of twenty, which, with the Conference Committee, prepared and brought business matters before the Conference, also appointed sub-committees to have charge of different lines of work and bring in reports of the same. Ninety-two churches were represented. Recommendations were passed planning for the advancement of each branch of the work. The Sabbath-school Association was made a department of the Conference. A. Helen Wilcox was elected Secretary of this department. Four churches were added to the Conference, making the present number of churches one hundred and five. During the year $26,172.94 was received as tithe. Ministerial credentials were granted to twenty-eight, eight of whom—F. L. Moody, Henry Johnson, W. M. Adams, U. P. Long, W. E. Frederick, T. H. Jeys, C. T. Adams, C. A. Hansen—were ordained at this meeting. Eighteen received ministerial license, twenty-five missionary license.
At the eleventh meeting the Nominating Committee brought in their report, which read as follows: For President, L. F. Starr; Vice-President, L. F. Trubey. Conference Committee: L. F. Starr, L. F. Trubey, C. A. Washburn, N. C. Bergersen, E. G. Olsen, J. H. Kraft, B. E. Fullmer. Conference Secretary, Mrs. Flora V. Dorcas; Conference Treasurer, J. W. Dorcas; Missionary Secretary, Jessie V. Bosworth; State Agent, Thomas H. Jeys; Assistant Missionary Secretary and Treasurer, C. W. Larson; Corresponding Secretary, Della Wallace. These names were considered separately, and favorably acted upon.
Each department of the work was carefully considered. The business sessions were characterized by unusual quiet and earnestness: there seemed to be a letting go of preconceived opinions, and a settled confidence that One who was able was leading, and would continue to do so.
MRS. FLORA V. DORCAS.
FURTHER SKODSBORG EXPERIENCES.
By J. C. Ottosen
We have had many especially encouraging experiences since we started this branch of the work, a few of which I will mention in this connection. First, let me speak of the influence that our work has had in a religious line. Before we started the medical missionary work, the public opinion in this country was that we were some intractable fanatics and sectarians. Many of the denominations condemned us severely.
The division within the State Church known as the Mission Friends, which condemned us the most severely, cannot be said to favor us in any special sense even at the present time; but still many of their members have been at our institutions, and as they have been relieved of their diseases, they have recommended us to their friends; and in this way the number of those who come has been increasing. And they have even gone so far as to publish notices in their papers, asking for funds to help poor individuals that ought to take a course of treatment at our institution. This they would not have done formerly.
Also the Methodists are much more friendly to us. Several of their ministers have visited our institutions, and some of them adopted the vegetarian diet after I explained the matter to them. We have also had some of their members with us as patients, and with excellent results. Also from other directions we have gained great favor, especially from people within the State Church.
A lady author and lecturer of considerable reputation in this country, asked me, upon her first visit, “Are you an Adventist?” and when I answered in the affirmative, she said, “I am glad of that.” After she had been at the sanatorium a few weeks, she wrote about the institution as follows:—
“When one believes that sickness, sorrow, and pain are the results of sin, a turning away from the original sacred laws of nature, then it will make him glad to hear of a sanatorium whose watchword is, ‘Back to nature!’ But it will make him still more glad when he finds, by personal experience, that this sanatorium is, truly, a little health-spot, where are pouring the fresh waters of nature’s fountain, and when he from day to day feels that those who are working at the institution have made it the object of their lives to help suffering man back to health and joy.
“During my eight weeks’ stay at the Skodsborg Sanatorium, I have fully realized how beneficial it is to live in beautiful natural surroundings, and on a vegetarian diet. But that which had the best effect upon my nervous system, sensitive as it was, was that I always felt that those who nursed me with such care, both those in charge of the institution as well as all the helpers, did not perform their work from a cold sense of duty, but from the most tender love to suffering fellow beings, and from zeal in the exalted aim of the institution.
“By these lines I desire, therefore, to express my gratitude to all the workers for the friendly words, the tender looks, and the loving hands that always were willing to comfort and soothe when discouragement came, and the diseased nerves refused to work. I earnestly wish that the sanatorium may succeed in accomplishing its great object.
“Those believers in the natural method of curing who have, with so great sacrifices, started the sanatorium, also deserve great appreciation. And I do hope, for the good of the cause, that among those to whom God has intrusted means in this world there always may be found such as are willing to assist the philanthropic Society with money, so that the Skodsborg Sanatorium may continue and extend its work:
“We can think of no act of love more noble than this; for to lead men back to nature is to lead them back to God.”
One of the greatest business men in Copenhagen, a well-known wholesale dealer, came into my office one day and said to me, “How glad I am to be here, I feel as if I were at home. And I am so glad that you believe in God. Other physicians I may like as men, but I have no confidence in them, because they are unbelievers.” And he said to his wife, without545knowing that he was heard by anybody else, “You cannot imagine how glad I am to have found a place like this. It is so pleasant to be among these folks.” I had several seasons of prayer with him, and we were both greatly blessed. He told me how God had prospered him in his business, and he promised to send us many patients. He has already done so.
Two prominent authors from Finland, husband and wife, both of them well known for their great labors for the temperance cause and for their philanthropic work, have been with us. Among other things, the lady has established a large rescue home in the capital of Finland, the money for which she has obtained from the government. They were both astonished at the spirit that pervaded this institution. He had visited many health institutions, but had never seen one where everything passed off so smoothly and so pleasantly; and he could not understand how it could be that all worked together in such beautiful harmony (expressions of similar kind we have heard from many other sources). But one evening they both attended a meeting conducted by Elder O. A. Olsen, in which he spoke of our principles and of the motives that should lead us to engage in this work. After this meeting they said, “Now we understand it all, but all do not understand it, and they ought to know about this.” And he expressed the desire to have a copy of a Testimony that Brother Olsen had been reading. He wanted to publish it.
This was in the religious line. But the institution has also gained great favor from the public. Many parish and city boards have had poor patients at our institution at public expense. When we remember that all these have hospitals of their own, and that they pass these by and bring their patients to us, it is a strong evidence of their confidence in our work.
And, thirdly, it is an encouraging fact that many physicians have great confidence in us. Some of the most prominent physicians in this country, the chief physicians in the large hospitals in Copenhagen, for instance, have sent patients to us, and they have repeatedly declared that the results have been astonishing. Some of them have personally promised to send patients to our institution. It is also a fact worthy of notice that while a certain sanatorium that has just as good a location as ours, and that is under the direction of one of the best nerve specialists in this country, has to work with almost an empty house, our house is well filled all the time, although he is doing far more advertising than we.
Many of the patients are greatly interested, and are glad to come to our Bible readings. Some have accepted the truth, and others are well on the way. This is indeed encouraging. That they have this interest is also seen by the fact that when we, a short time ago, took up a collection among the employees to help the sanatorium work along, one patient brought fifty kroner, another one hundred, and still another three hundred, as donations.
J. C. OTTOSEN, M. D.
Skodsborg, Denmark.
ILLINOIS
By M. G. Huffman
Mt. Erie.—The good work is onward at this place. Elder Charles Thompson and myself came to Mt. Erie the first of June, and we were not long in finding a beautiful location in a grove near the village in which to pitch the tents. We began the meetings the evening of June 13, and continued them until Sunday night, August 4. Both the interest and the attendance were excellent, the congregations ranging from fifty to three hundred, the nights being few when we did not have one hundred or more. The last day was one long to be remembered, as there were three sermons preached and one Bible reading held, besides several song services. And it was estimated that during the day there were five hundred persons on the grounds. As the result of the efforts put forth, we can report a goodly number who have taken their stand with us to keep the “commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,” and the interest is still good.
The friends here are anxious to see a church built, and have offered quite liberally of their means to help erect a building in which more fully to proclaim the Third Angel’s Message. We were impressed that God would be pleased to have us push forward an enterprise of that kind, and we were sure that He would put it into the hearts of the people to aid in that direction. But while we were talking over the matter, the United Brethren, who have a church building in this place, sent us word that they would sell us their church and all the ground connected with it, the organ, stoves, lamps, with all the other furniture, for two hundred dollars. There are three lots, two of which can be sold for fifty dollars, and yet have enough land left for hitching room for horses. Or the two lots can be laid off for burying purposes, and sold for from five dollars to ten dollars a lot. We have concluded to accept their offer. We are circulating a subscription paper, and have already received in pledges one hundred and five dollars. This amount was received in a few hours, and no one to whom the paper has been presented has refused to give something.
We have every reason to believe that the Lord is in the work at this place, and we are greatly encouraged to push forward in the blessed cause until all the honest in heart will have been gathered out from among the rubbish, and prepared to meet the Lord at His coming. We have already held two preaching services in the church, with a full house. The house needs some repairs, but we are confident that the Lord will put it into the hearts of the people to give of the means which belongs to Him.
Brother Thompson has gone home to aid his family in getting ready for the camp-meeting. I will remain a while longer, preaching next Sabbath and Sunday, after which I will go to Kankakee to attend the camp-meeting. I am of good courage in the Lord, praising Him for his His goodness to me.
M. G. HUFFMAN.
Vermont
Sutton.— I had the privilege of attending the Sabbath-school institute at Sutton, July 13 and 14. The attendance and interest were good. The quarterly service was also held and the ordinances were celebrated. Three persons united with the church, and one young man was baptized who did not unite with the church. A deacon was ordained, to take the place of Brother Israel Parker, who died a few weeks ago. The Sutton church now has a membership of over thirty.
Johnson and Barre.— Sabbath, July 20, I was with the friends in Johnson. Only a few were present, but the Spirit of the Lord was there. At the present writing we are holding some special meetings here in Barre, hoping thus to create an interest to hear the truth, before the camp-meeting. Pray for the work in this wicked city. J. W. Watt.
The Green Mountain Reporter is now published at Montpelier, H. A. Thurber being the printer. Price, 25 cents a year.
Elder J. W. Watt is President of the Conference, his address being 8 Summer St., Barre. The Secretary and Treasurer of the Tract and Missionary Society is Miss R. E. Purdon, 190 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington.
Carroll H. Drown is Secretary of the Conference, his address being 190 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington. The address of George Williams, Conference Treasurer, is Taftsville.
The officers of the Sabbath-school Association are as follows: President, Miss Maud Watt, of Barre; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. Abbie M. Jackson, of Rutland.546
The Canvassing Agent, A. E. Taylor, may be found at North Troy.
The Vermont tithe report for June, 1901, was as follows: Bordoville, $29.05; Burlington, $18.94; East Richford, $22.50; Jamaica, $123.66; Northfield, $50; Windham, $19.97; Warren, $6.15; individuals, $28.65; total, $298.92.
Six of our Vermont canvassers recently took $210.25 worth of orders in two weeks, besides delivering books to the value of $145.
G. H. Clark is canvassing Barre for “Heralds of the Morning,” “The House We Live In,” and “Easy Steps in the Bible Story.”
Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Pierce are canvassing Richford for three of our denominational works, “Heralds of the Morning,” “Easy Steps,” and “Gospel Primer.”
Mrs. S. C. Botsford is engaged in missionary canvassing in Bennington.
Edwin W. Thurber is at work in Plainfield and Marshfield, with the books “Coming King,” “Heralds of the Morning,” and “Gospel Primer.”
Mr. and Mrs. P. F. Bicknell are at work in Bridport, handling some of our smaller publications.
Sabbath-school institutes were recently held at Jamaica, Brownington (July 20, 21), Bordoville (July 27, 28), and at Burlington, the 3d and 4th inst.