The details of the situation in Australia, in consequence of the great drought through which the country has been passing for some years, portrays a dark picture. The rainfall of Australia is always an uncertain factor, although a very necessary one in the prosperity of the country. Through all these years of dearth there have been isolated showers here and there in most parts of the afflicted regions. In some portions of the country the effects of the drought have been only partially felt. In some cases tolerably good crops have been realized, especially in the narrow regions bordering immediately on the coast. But as a whole, the country has been for six or seven years deprived of even its small normal allowance of moisture, and it has been gradually becoming more and more arid and desolate. Gradually the pasturage has disappeared, and the cattle, sheep, and horses have been more and more closely pinched, until actual starvation and death have overtaken millions of the dumb creatures dependent upon the care of man, while men were utterly unable to save them from their unfortunate fate.
A brother said to me, “I can bear any privation as far as it affects me, but when I go out among my cattle, and the poor, starving creatures huddle about me and follow me around, begging for food, it breaks my heart.” One of our canvassers drove in a sulky past a place where a half dozen starving calves were standing. They smelled a little feed he had along for his horse, and followed him, crying for food. When he returned at night, the calves lay along the road dead, each one having followed as far as life held out. I could describe at great length heart-rending scenes of desolation and destitution, but it is not necessary thus to appeal to a Christian people.
I am informed that in most, if not all, parts of the country refreshing rains have now fallen. Whether the relief is permanent or temporary, it is not possible to predict. But we hope that by this time the suffering animals, as many as are left, are being fed. The sufferings of the people are being met by philanthropic efforts. But the wants of the cause of truth must be met by its special friends. Under ordinary circumstances, the work in Australia would not only be self-supporting by this time, but prosperous. In no country in the world would our dear people more gladly respond to the call of duty toward other parts of the world. It is a great grief to our brethren and sisters there that they must be receiving so much from abroad, when it is in their hearts to impart to others. They realize that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and would be most happy to share that blessedness. I have no doubt that in his own good time and way God will bring about the opportunity for Australia to return to his cause that which has been so lovingly bestowed upon them by their unknown brethren across the sea. From an intimate personal knowledge, I can testify to the sincerity of their devotion to the cause. Nowhere on earth is the precious truth we cherish more appreciated than in those countries which lie at our antipodes. May God bless them and help them, and may it still be in the hearts of God’s people on this side to support the weak, and not to please themselves.
Medical Missionary Work
THE following tribute to medical missionary work appears in a letter to the public press, calling attention to a day of intercession for foreign missions: “Medical science can be used, and is increasingly used, as miracles were once used, to prove to those to whom we are sent that we have in our hands a gift of God which may be made a blessing to men. It tells of God’s love, it attracts people from far and near, it impresses those who receive it with the fact that the man or woman through whom it is imparted may also have a message from God on spiritual things. The time has come for resolute forward action.”
West Africa
By D. U. Hale
CAPE COAST.—At the present writing we are all well. All but the baby have been sick with fever. I am only able to be up now, but think that I shall be able to begin work soon.
I am glad to report a profitable visit to Sekondi. I went up to see Brother Hayford at his camp in the bush. While there, I saw a place where I am quite sure we could have as good health as anywhere in Africa. It is a very high hill, and has a spring of pure, clear water flowing out of the side about half way down. I was told by the natives that there are no swamps near. It is not in any village, and we have no interest among the villages near by. It is a part of the coast that has been neglected by the other missionary societies. It is also easy of access to any part of the colony. It is about twenty-eight miles to a station. It is healthy, and I shall be able to stay indefinitely on the coast. I do pray that the Lord will supply his grace that we may be found at our post here when the Lord comes.
Brother and Sister Hyatt have decided to remain in Cape Coast, and he will go on with Bible work. Some are requiring baptism, and I will leave him to finish up the instruction and get them ready. One old man who has been a worker in the Wesleyan Church for years is asking for baptism. He had been using tobacco for forty years, but the last time I saw him, I talked with him regarding its use. He told Brother Dolphijn this morning that he had used none since I told him about it. I want to baptize him before I go to the bush.
Until we can get more natives who are consecrated and can speak the message in the native language, Bible work will be almost our only means of reaching the natives among the towns where they have had missions for years.
By having my family in the interior, it will not only cut down my expenses, but will give me a place to which to go for rest and quiet and a place to gather a few native children and have a school for their training. D. U. HALE.
Mexico
By George M. Brown
After spending two months in Mexico, I attended the General Conference at Oakland, going from there to Nebraska.
The Lord prospered us in disposing of our small home there, and May 7 my family and I left for Mexico. We had a pleasant journey, and reached Mexico City, May 11. We were kindly entertained by the brethren till we could find a suitable house.
This is a large field, with about 13,500,000 people, who are either superstitiously attached to the Roman Catholic Church or else indifferent or opposed to all religion, having seen the iniquity of the church, and knowing no other religion.
Spanish is the legal language, and is used throughout the republic, as English is in the States. There are twelve Indian languages spoken by different tribes, which in the aggregate number about twelve million people. These Indians alone present a great field of labor for the missionary, and as yet but little has been done for them.
At present we have two churches in the republic, with a membership of about sixty. The larger part of the missionary effort put forth by our people in this country has been in establishing and equipping the sanitarium at Guadalajara; as a result we have an institution there which will accommodate forty or fifty patients. It enjoys quite a good patronage, and at present is self-supporting. We also have a dispensary for the treatment of the poor at a nominal price, or free if they are unable to pay anything. A monthly health journal, La Salud (The Health), is published at the sanitarium, and it has a large field of usefulness before it.
In this country the “right arm of the message” is destined to play an important part in breaking down prejudice and giving us access to the people. We must open up medical and Christian Help work in all the large cities of the republic as rapidly as possible, thus increasing our sphere of influence.
The evangelical work in this field has been limited to the circulation of our literature and the holding of Bible readings. Our missionary paper, El Mensajero de La Verdad (The Messenger of the Truth), has a circulation of about two thousand a month, about one half of which is to paid subscribers.
Those who have worked with the paper have met with good success in securing subscriptions, and some who have taken the paper became so interested that they have secured additional subscriptions, and thus the class of interested readers is slowly being increased. We have been crippled by a lack of tracts in the Spanish, but Professor Caviness has translated the recent tract on the coming of Christ, also tracts on other essential phases of the message.
A colporteur of the American Bible Society who has been thirteen years in Mexico has accepted the truth, and as his wife is in hearty sympathy with him, they add materially to the strength of our work. He is still in the employ of the society, and is doing good work selling Bibles and talking with the people.
Recently, while traveling in the interests of our paper, two of our workers found a young man who had been trained for a priest in the Catholic Church, but seeing the iniquity in that church, he turned away from it, and through reading “Steps to Christ” gained a Christian experience. He knew nothing of us as a people, and coming in contact with the missionaries of another denomination, he affiliated with them, and began preaching in his native town. As a result of his labors, a congregation has been gathered, and a chapel built. This man welcomed our brethren, and gladly studied the truth with them. He also opened his chapel and gave opportunity for them to speak to his people. He expressed himself as ready to accept the truth presented to him, and we believe he will be a great help in building up the work.
Our experience teaches us that there are honest souls in Mexico who will receive the truth, and who, because of their lifelong knowledge of the language and ways of the people, will be the most efficient instruments in carrying the truth to their fellow countrymen.
Like all other great, unworked fields, Mexico presents many difficult problems to the missionary, but relying on him who said, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world,” we believe all problems will be solved. Our work is crippled for lack of means, and we are praying that the Lord will move on those whom he has made stewards of his bounty to give liberally, that the work may be carried forward now while the doors are open.
GEO. M. BROWN.
Chesapeake Conference
By O. O. Farnsworth; H. S. Weaver
THE fourth annual session of the Chesapeake Conference was held according to appointment in Baltimore, Md., May 11-18. In addition to the conference laborers, Elder H. W. Cottrell, president of the Atlantic Union Conference; Elder H. C. Basney, of Maine; Prof. F. Griggs, of South Lancaster Academy, and Bruce Walters, representing the Pacific Press of New York, were present to assist in the different phases of work connected with the whole gospel of truth.
While there was not a large delegation from the churches, those present entered heartily into the work of the conference. A spirit of seeking God was manifest from the beginning, and the Lord showed himself ready to meet his people with blessing and refreshing. Those services which were especially set apart for seeking God proved to be indeed witnesses18to the truth that he is found of those who seek him. The meetings of Sabbath, May 16, were such as to bring joy and gladness to many. Hearts were moved by the Holy Spirit, and the social service that followed a practical discourse by Elder F. W. Mace was one not soon to be forgotten by those present. Nearly all in the large audience took part in bearing witness to the great love of God and their love for his truth and work. Some who had been in the background renewed their covenant with God, while all seemed filled with renewed courage to go forward to the triumph.
The resolutions that were passed were of a practical nature, touching the responsibility of paying the full tithe to the Lord in order that there may be means to carry forward the work to a speedy triumph; also that every family should have the REVIEW in order that all may keep pace with the advancing work. The canvassing work, and the circulation of The Signs of the Times as a means of bringing the truth before the people, were especially emphasized.
Two new churches were received into the conference; and the reports showed that during the conference year about one hundred and seventy-five united with the churches in the conference. Most of these came in by baptism. Financially the conference has prospered. The laborers have been paid each month, and at the end of the year there was $702.32 in the treasury, so that the records showed a gain of $1,600 during the year.
The conference was thus in a position to invite Elder H. C. Basney, of Maine, to labor in the conference, which he decided to do. One additional Bible worker was also employed.
At the closing meeting on Sunday evening Brother F. H. Seeney, a Moor, from Cheswold, Del., was ordained to the gospel ministry by the laying on of hands, Elders H. W. Cottrell and O. O. Farnsworth officiating.
Elder O. O. Farnsworth was again elected conference president, and H. S. Weaver secretary and treasurer.
O. O. FARNSWORTH, Pres.
H. S. WEAVER, Sec.
England
By H. R. Salisbury
LONDON.— Our school here has just closed, and the students are scattered all over Great Britain, most of them in the canvassing field. Brother and Sister Jensen are laboring in Southampton, Brother and Sister Nethery in Scotland, Brother and Sister Marchus will go to the North England Conference until they hear definitely about Africa. The Bond brothers go to Ireland, Brother Shafer goes to Wales, Brother Bates and Miss Scoggins go to the Sanitarium at Caterham, and Mrs. Asay goes to Leicester. They all did good, substantial work right up to the last day of school. The Spanish master was especially pleased with the progress made by the Bond brothers. He told me they had done the best work of any students he had ever had in England.
The outlook for the next year is very encouraging. There has come in a real spirit among the young people here in England to make any sacrifice in order to obtain an education. Our finances are in good shape. We came out at the end of the year with all our bills paid, and some money in our treasury. We were able to add a little needed apparatus during the year—some books, a fine skeleton, teacher’s desk, and some portable blackboards.
We appreciate the interest which our friends in America have shown in our school. H. R. SALISBURY.
Brazil
By A. B. Stauffer
RIO JANEIRO.—The sad news of the destruction of the Review and Herald publishing house came as a solemn message to us. Although it was then six weeks after the fire, we could not but assemble for prayer to God to sustain our dear brethren in their distress and affliction. As we bowed in prayer, we remembered the many employees, and asked the Lord if there were any among the many whom he could use to his glory here in Brazil, to put the burden upon the right ones to come here.
We have a new native brother here in Rio de Janeiro who has a great burden to spread the truth he has found, among his people. But what can he do with hardly any publications? He is working with our paper. We believe the Lord raised up this dear brother to take the place of our Brother Blumhofer, whom we lost through death. We should pray for several to take his place, but we must have something more to put into their hands than simply our small monthly paper and a few small tracts.
We do sincerely hope that steps will be taken without delay to aid the Brazil Conference to get out a few such books as “His Glorious Appearing,” in the Portuguese language. We have a small publishing fund of about three hundred dollars, but this will not reach much further than to print a few tracts. Our plan is to issue a series of small tracts; first publish the matter in our paper, and then, the type being set, have it printed in tract form, and in this way the tracts will be less expensive.
The work in Brazil is onward. All our workers are of good courage, and the Lord is with us, which is evident from the fact that precious souls are being saved, who in turn are working for others. Our tithe and offerings have greatly increased, which is another evidence that the blessing of God is with us. And, further, we rejoice to see the presence of God with us to help in establishing our tract society work on a strictly cash basis. We expect a more healthy growth of the work in all its branches during this year.
A. B. STAUFFER.
The North England Conference
By E. E. Andross
I AM sure that our brethren and sisters in America will be glad to know that the Lord is blessing his work in England. For some time I have been wholly engaged in general work among the churches and companies, and in attending general meetings. I will not attempt to give a report of each visit, but will simply mention one case, that you may know how the Lord is working here.
Several weeks ago I spent Sabbath and Sunday with one of our churches. Friday evening I spoke, and at the close of the service two young men remained to speak with me. Learning that we were to have baptismal service the following Sunday evening, they asked to be baptized. We accordingly arranged for a Bible study Sunday morning at half past ten o'clock. They were both present, and we took up a study on the law of God and the necessity of perfect obedience to all its precepts. They assented to this, but knowing that they were not keeping the Sabbath, I asked them if they observed the fourth commandment. They said they did. I asked again, “But do you keep the seventh day as the Sabbath?” They quickly responded, “We do.” “But,” I said again, “do you keep the Sabbath on Saturday?” They said, “No. Saturday is the sixth day.” They seemed perfectly honest in the thought that Saturday was the sixth day and Sunday the seventh. I was soon able to convince them that they were mistaken in this; and as they left, I placed some tracts in their hands for them to read, asking them to return to me at 2:30 P. M., when we would continue the study.
They returned promptly, and one of them said that he was thoroughly convinced that Saturday is the Sabbath, and that he had decided to keep it. He was expecting to be confirmed in the church of England that same evening, and the clergyman called upon him to see about the matter just before he returned to me in the afternoon. I asked him if he did not think it would be well to wait a few weeks before being baptized, and in the meantime study the truth more thoroughly, then if he still wished baptism, I would gladly return and baptize him. He said, “But suppose I should die before you could return, what then? No; I do not wish to wait. Tell me all the truth now, and I will obey it at once.” I asked him if he was aware that to keep the Sabbath would probably mean the loss of his position. He said, “I have been a soldier for many years, and have faced death for my country and king, and now I stand ready to die for my Saviour; I will be obedient.” I could no longer refuse him baptism, but presented the different points of the faith to him, and he gladly accepted all, and that evening I led him down into the watery grave. As he came out, his face was lighted with holy joy. The next morning he went to his master and told him his decision, but instead of being dismissed, he was continued in his position as before. He has since been faithful in his obedience to the truth. The other young man drew back when it came to obedience to the Sabbath, and did not wish baptism under such conditions.
Many similar cases have recently come to my notice, and it is with great joy that we carry the truth to these hungry souls. The only difficulty that we have to meet is the scarcity of laborers and means to answer the many urgent calls for some one to come and teach the people the way of life. By this I do not mean that the evil one is not at work here as in other parts of the world; for he is exceedingly active. Mormon teachers are pressing into almost every city and village, and are urging their deceptive doctrines upon the people. Many other false teachings are spreading with marvelous rapidity. Seeing the great readiness of thousands of people to receive the truth, and the intense activity of the enemy in his efforts to turn the hearts of the people away from the truth, we are driven to the Lord with the earnest prayer that he will quickly send forth more laborers into his vineyard, and that the people of God may just now place all—their means as well as themselves—upon the altar of consecration, that it may be used to save the many who are ready to perish.
We are very thankful for the liberal contribution of two new tents to this conference—one forty-foot tent, by a friend in California, and one forty-by-sixty-foot tent by the Northern California Conference. If the Lord wills, in a few days tent meetings will begin in Manchester, Hull, and Leicester. Strong tent companies have been organized for each of these cities, and we ask the prayers of God's people that success may attend all these efforts.
E. E. ANDROSS.
Georgia
By H. F. Courter
THE readers of the REVIEW will be interested no doubt in the progress of the work in the great Southern State of Georgia. About two and a quarter million of people are here waiting to be warned by the closing message. We have only one ordained minister, besides myself, working among the white people of this State and only one minister laboring for the colored people. April 19 we organized our first colored church in Georgia, to be known as the Second Atlanta Church of Seventh-day Adventists. About thirty colored people are keeping the Sabbath, fifteen of whom were organized into a church.
Through the labors of Brother J. T. Eaton several have become convinced of the Sabbath and other points of our faith. Two of these men are planning so to arrange their work in the fall that they can keep God's holy day. The wife19of one of these men is keeping the Sabbath, on account of which she is suffering great persecution from her father and mother.
Our work in Savannah has not produced great visible results. Two souls have been baptized, and others are interested. But who can place an estimate on the value of one soul? “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Such love is too wonderful for my comprehension.
“There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
Like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in his justice,
Which is more than liberty.”
“For the love of God is broader
Than the measure of man’s mind,
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind.”
H. F. COURTER.
The Upper Columbia Camp-Meeting
By A. J. Breed
The Upper Columbia camp-meeting was held in Byer's Grove, Pendleton, Ore., May 14-24, as had been previously appointed. The conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting, and was the twenty-third session since its organization. There were those upon the ground who had attended every session of the conference since it was organized, and it was the universal statement of such that this was the best camp-meeting they had ever attended. There was a steady growth in interest from day to day, and at no time was there any special flight of feeling, but from the study of the Word new truths were brought out, and it was remarked by many that they had received something that would be a help to them after returning home, as they knew better how to study the Bible, and how to appropriate the truths it contains to their own individual lives.
The laborers from abroad were Elders Knox, Prescott, Shultz, and Snyder. Professor Prescott conducted a Bible study each afternoon, dwelling at considerable length upon the necessity of each having a new experience in the work; it is necessary for each one of us—ministers as well as people—to have a living connection with heaven from day to day, that we may be prepared properly to carry on the work at this important time of the message. There were one hundred and six tents pitched on the ground, yet the meeting was not so well attended as it had been in former years; but those who did attend were earnest and anxious to receive all the good they could.
There has been a steady increase in the finances of the conference, and the tithe this year amounted to more than seventeen thousand dollars. After settling all claims against the conference, there was left in the treasury more than three thousand dollars, fifteen hundred of which was very freely donated to the General Conference to carry on its work. The brethren heartily entered into this move, and many expressed a wish that it might have been more, but were thankful that they could do even that much.
The Upper Columbia Conference feels a deep interest outside of its own territory, and during the past two years has helped in sustaining laborers in Africa and British Columbia, and in sending canvassers to England. It will still continue to assist in the work in British Columbia until they are able to carry on their work alone. If the tithe should continue to increase as it has done during the past two years, which has been about seven thousand dollars, the conference will be able not only to carry on its own work, but also to render help to the General Conference from time to time as it may need it. One thing of special encouragement is this: the college has been educating young men and women for the work until this season a number of young men were licensed to go into the field to improve their gift as ministers. On account of the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons,” which took the entire laboring force of the conference the past year, but little was done in new fields. Yet three new churches were organized, with a membership of sixty-two. The work with that book is not yet finished, but the laborers this year will all go into new fields. The thought that soon the work will be finished, and the faithful will meet the Saviour in peace, was kept before the brethren during the camp-meeting; and those who accepted the truth in the early days of the message, and have grown old, and thought perhaps they might pass away before the Lord would come, had their hopes revived.
The conference voted to discontinue the large camp-meetings, closing the conference year December 31, and as soon after as arrangements could be made, the conference would convene, at which the business would be transacted, officers elected, and instead of one large camp-meeting, several camp-meetings might be held in smaller places.
The work of education is one of special interest to this conference, and steps are being taken to hold teachers’ institutes in Western Oregon, Montana, and the Upper Columbia Conferences this season, in order to give the church school teachers a better training for the work of teaching Christian education. Professor Lewis, president of the college, will visit all the camp-meetings in the district, and labor in the interests of the college. A teachers’ institute will be held following the camp-meeting in Western Oregon, which a number of the teachers from the college will attend. The institute in Upper Columbia will be held later in the season, probably at College Place. A number of young men and women who have been in attendance at the college for the last two or three years, have gone into the work this season, and it has been a source of much encouragement to parents to see that they can send their young people to the college, and have them trained for a place in the work. We look forward to the coming year with bright hopes, and trust a full attendance will be seen.
The sanitarium work has had a prosperous year. Dr. Yarnell, Sister Morrison, the matron, with several others from the institution, were on the ground, and were kept busy almost the entire time, in the interests of the sanitarium work. The institution has been quite successful the past year in training a class of young men and women who will be a credit to the work as they go out into the field to carry out the principles that underlie the medical missionary work.
As the laborers go into the field the coming season, they will make a special effort to look after those who need treatment, and encourage them to have the benefits of the sanitarium for a few weeks or months, and in this way it will become more widely known, its influence will be felt, and a greater patronage secured.
Steps are being taken to place the canvassing work on a better foundation, and the prospects are that quite a number will enter the field the coming season. The placing of our publications in the hands of the people is a work of great importance at the present time. We ask our churches everywhere to correspond with us if they know of any one of their number who has gained an experience through the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” who might be interested in canvassing for our larger publications, and steps will be taken to encourage all such to enter the field at the earliest possible moment.
The laborers have gone into the field with bright prospects before them, looking after interests that have been created through the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and we shall hope and pray that success may attend every effort put forth. Dear brethren and sisters, remember these laborers in your prayers this coming season, that God may add to their numbers, and give them fruits worthy of their hire. A. J. BREED.
Missionary Work in the School at Cooranbong, Australia
[THE description of the missionary enterprises of our school in Cooranbong will be read with special interest just now when attention is being turned toward the needs of Australia. We are indebted to a private letter written by Sister Hattie Andre, one of the instructors in the school, to Elder G. A. Irwin, while he was in America, for this article.]
On each Wednesday, from ten to eleven o'clock, one hour in the school is devoted to a missionary meeting. The officers of this meeting are students, and most of those taking part are students. This is a part of the regular school program. Our students are all expected to be present, and we seek as far as possible to give each something to do as frequently as we can. This we think is a good training for the youth, and it gives them experience in literary lines as well as in missionary work.
Just now we are making an effort toward supporting foreign missionaries in some of the islands or in China or India. The faculty have subscribed twenty pounds, and the students are seeking in various ways to raise as much, or more. Of course most of them are poor, and have but little if any ready cash. Brother Davis has volunteered to pay twelve pounds ten shillings to the students who will clear one acre of land on the school farm, thus helping the school, and at the same time helping the boys to earn their money to help support a missionary. Other boys are earning money by chopping wood. Besides this they are planning a missionary garden, the proceeds of which they will use in helping support a missionary.
There is also some talk of a missionary garden for the girls. The girls are making useful articles of various kinds, which they sell to the people in the neighborhood and to the shops in Sidney. The little children of the preparatory20department are also arranging for a missionary garden. The little articles that they are making this year they sell, and for the first half of the year use the money to help the work in Queensland; for the last half they propose to help the Burmese work in India.
In the Sabbath-school we are also inventing every way we can think of to train the students for Sabbath-school and missionary workers. We have organized a Sabbath-school normal class. There are seventeen young men in this class. For half an hour before the teachers' meeting each week special instruction is given in the best methods of teaching; and then on Sabbath one of the members of the class teaches the class, and all the other members hold themselves in readiness to teach any class in the school whose teacher may be absent for the day. In the afternoon two or three of them go to the home of an aged brother and sister who can not attend service, to study the lesson with them. Two others go to another family to hold a Sabbath-school and Bible study. Two others go to Mandalong to hold meetings with some people there. Besides these, other visits are made, and papers and tracts are distributed in various places. Several of the girls go to Dora Creek and hold children's meetings. Some go to Martinsville also. On Sunday, two of the boys, with either Brother Chaney or Brother Fulton, go to Awaba to hold meetings; and Sunday night Brother Fulton takes two of the boys and goes to Martinsville. He is now planning to hold a regular series of meetings to bind off the work in that place. The plan is for him to take two young men with him, having previously instructed them, to assist in the service. Perhaps all three of them will take some little part in the service each evening. This is the plan that I have longed to see carried out. I think that in our schools there should be a minister who can associate with the boys and teach them how to do actual work. And this Brother Fulton takes real pleasure in doing. Brother Fulton is also doing his best to get the church to work. They are considering the matter of supporting a missionary in some foreign field.
With all this work, you can imagine how busy we must be; but we are all happy in it, and praise the Lord for some humble part in his work. The spiritual condition of the school is the best that I ever have known it. The students all seem to realize that they are here for a purpose, and are putting forth their best effort in the right direction.
Nebraska
By GEO. H. SMITH
McCook.—Though I am not able to be out in the field, I am enjoying manual labor, and the outlook is good for me to take up the work again this fall.
Our company of believers here are growing in grace and in knowledge of the truth. Last Sabbath, May 30, we had the privilege of having Elders Nelson and Whalen with us. We organized a church of seventeen members. Four of them joined by letter, the rest on profession of faith. Just as the sun was setting, we buried two dear souls in the river by baptism.
Church officers were elected. Also a building committee was appointed to take steps to erect a church this summer. Two hundred dollars was offered toward it by one brother.
The Lord willing, we expect to do some work here as soon as our meeting-house is finished. Our courage is good in the message. GEO. H. SMITH.
Preparation for the Assembly
By E. A. Sutherland
A GLIMPSE in the grove on the Emmanuel Missionary College farm would arouse your curiosity. Conventions or summer assemblies are popular in the world. There is scarcely a profession that does not hold its union meetings some time during the season. Chautauquas and summer schools for teachers are the order of the day, because it is a recognized fact that those who are giving their very lives for the education of children, for nine months in the year, need recreation and some strength-renewing diversion during the vacation.
If teachers of the world need this, do Christian teachers, who have cast themselves into this great furrow of the world's need, teachers with their long hours, scanty pay, and poor accommodations, need any less the inspiration that comes from the gathering together of large companies interested in this same great cause? Of all our workers, surely none need it more than these; and so Emmanuel Missionary College has dedicated its grove as a permanent assembly ground for Christian teachers.
At the last meeting of the Lake Union Conference Committee an appropriation of about three hundred dollars was made for the erection of cottages for those who attend the summer school. Last year the teachers at the summer assembly lived in tents, which had been loaned by various conferences. Such favors cannot be asked every year, and teachers will appreciate the interest manifested in their welfare by the Lake Union Conference in its appropriation.
The Wisconsin Conference has voted to erect four cottages in the grove. Bethel Academy will put up one, and several friends of Christian education have arranged for other cottages. These cottages are very plain, wooden structures, which will accommodate four students apiece. They cost $37.50, and are built by students now attending Emmanuel Missionary College. Seven of these cottages are nearing completion. That is the interesting feature of the grove at this time.
Although such substantial evidence has been given of the good will of the friends of Christian schools, a sufficient number of cottages to accommodate all the students of the summer school has, by no means, been arranged for.
There are churches which have expressed a desire to put up a cottage which they will name, in which the students that they send to the school, or others whom they may designate, will find a pleasant home for the summer. We have thought that, without doubt, there are other churches which have not known of this opportunity to help the cause of Christian education that would be glad to be represented by a cottage in the grove. I feel sure that there are persons who, when they read this, will want to donate the price of a cottage. Those who desire to learn more about this may correspond with the president of Emmanuel Missionary College.
From our summer school young people go out to the churches all over the land, and we want to make it possible for them to get all they can during their stay here. We want them to be comfortably located, and then as they breathe the fresh air and work in the soil, and as they study the truths of God, they will become strong to labor for your children.
This assembly reminds one of the annual gatherings of the Jews at Jerusalem, which meant so much to that people. Their national unity depended largely upon these convocations. Let our young people, especially the teachers and those who hope to be teachers, to whom we have a right to look for enthusiastic work, and those who are friends of this movement, bear in mind the preparation that is now being made for the summer's work. E. A. SUTHERLAND.