KOREA, known as the Hermit Kingdom or Land of the Morning Calm, is a populous peninsula jutting out from the continent of Asia, opposite Japan. It has a very ancient history, said to date back to about 1200 B. C. Korea has been subject much of the time to China, but was granted independence in 1878. As a nation, Korea never exercised much power or influence on countries about her, nor came in contact to any extent with the outside world. After a little over thirty years’ experience as an independent nation, Korea yielded up the scepter to her ambitious and aggressive neighbor, Japan, which in 1910 annexed the country, calling it Chosen, which, being interpreted, is “Land of the Morning Calm.” This is a truly descriptive name. On the occasion of our visit, we found both mornings and evenings quiet and peaceful, although at midday the wind might blow.
In this little country 14,000,000 persons live. Korea is mountainous in most parts, and rice, wheat, and other crops are planted in every available spot along the valleys. The people are industrious, toiling from early morning till late at night in their little paddy fields.
The Koreans can be easily distinguished by their dress—the loose white trousers tied at the ankles, and a loose jacket or shirt of the same material. When dressed for church, the men wear a long coat over all. Women dress somewhat similar to the men, but in addition wear a full, short skirt. When the women put on their thick socks, straw shoes, and white turbans, their costumes are complete. The men have the same footwear, but older men wear a most peculiar hat. It is made of black, gauzy material, with small crown and narrow brim; and being so small, it will not fit onto the head, so it is tied under the chin with black ribbons. When a man is thus attired, and has in his mouth a long Korean pipe, whose tobacco bowl is smaller than a lady’s thimble, he is fully dressed.
On arriving at Fusan, southern Korea, by steamer from Japan, we took the Chosen-Manchuria Express to Keizan, where we have a mission conducted by Brother R. C. Wangerin. It was interesting to meet our missionaries and their simple, warm-hearted native converts.
Elder C. L. Butterfield, superintendent of the Korean field, had met us at Fusan, and brought us on our way. While visiting at Fusan, we ascended a mountain just back of the mission, where in the valleys below us we could count more than one hundred villages with their thousands of inhabitants. Here and in valleys far away, comprising a population of about six million, is the field of operation of one lone missionary in this southern district. We bowed together on the mountain side, praying God to have mercy on the multitudes.
At midnight we took the express for Seoul, the capital of Chosen. It may be in place to say that the service on these railways is excellent, and good sleeping berths are supplied second-class passengers. The great evil noticeable throughout all the East, while traveling on train or steamer, is the ubiquitous pipe, which is in evidence everywhere; and no respect is shown for, nor any regulation is made in behalf of, the nonsmoker.
At Seoul the headquarters of our Korean Mission is located; and a few miles from the city, convenient two-story dwellings have been erected for the workers, and a very substantial building for printing office, chapel, and offices. We felt glad that in a land where many hardships must be endured by our missionaries when out among the natives, they have good homes where they can keep up strength for labor.
Most of our time in Korea was spent at Soonan, where our training school is located. Here we found not only the students and their teachers, but a general meeting in progress, which had called in about three hundred persons and all our Korean missionaries. This was a rare opportunity to become somewhat acquainted with Korea, Koreans, and with our workers. Here I met Dr. Riley Russell for the first time. He is busy not only along medical lines, but, like the Great Physician, he tries to bring healing also to the soul. The doctor has a dispensary at Soonan, and has12trained native helpers. He makes extended tours in evangelistic work. We also met at this place other brethren and sisters who labor here and in other parts of Korea. It was a great pleasure to meet them.
The meeting held at Soonan was a good one. The native brethren seem a sincere, warm-hearted, responsive company. They appreciated the word spoken. Hearty Amens were heard as spiritual truths were presented to them. In the prayer and testimony meetings they were very responsive. As many as a score could be counted on their feet at one time, waiting the opportunity to speak.
The message Elder A. G. Daniels had to bear to the students, native laborers, missionaries, and all the brethren—native and European—was well received, and an inspiration to all. A large number of the native brethren present had come from heathenism; one man had been studying the Bible for ten years, and waiting for a people who keep the Sabbath according to the commandment. One sister had walked over three hundred miles to reach the meeting. She arrived footsore, but otherwise well and happy. During our social meeting a native sister in great agitation told of her unconverted relatives, for whom she wanted us to pray. The conversion of this sister was brought about by the death of her own daughter, whom she sought to hinder from accepting Christ. This daughter came to our church and desired to become a Christian. The mother refused to listen, and later the daughter was taken sick and died. This seemed to awaken the mother to her needs, and she brooded on the wrong she had done her daughter till she almost lost her mind. Now she is converted, and humbly asks God to soften the hearts of her relatives in darkness.
Now is the time for labor in Korea, but the laborers are so few! Let us pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into the harvest; and while we pray, let us give.
Before we left the Korean meeting, two of the native brethren were set apart to the gospel ministry. This brought great cheer to our native brethren, to see such confidence placed in their people. We believe it will be proved that this confidence has not been misplaced. The school has a large number of students. The outlook is hopeful.
A Visit to the South Side of Guatemala
By J. B. STUYVESANT
(Concluded)
J. B. STUYVESANT
NEXT morning we call on the Presbyterian minister, whom we had met in the capital, and he insists that we stay at the Presbyterian mission home while in the city. He invites me to accompany him on horseback to an Indian town, San Juan, about ten miles farther west, where he wishes to hold a service in the evening.
On the way we pass miles of farms that are covered, from a foot to several feet deep, with sand and pumice thrown out by the Santa Maria eruption already referred to. He tells me that the roofs in whole towns were broken in by the weight of the sand and stones.
After supper with some Indian converts, I have the privilege of speaking to about thirty Protestant believers (mostly Indians) on the subject of Christ’s return and our obligation to prepare for it. A native minister was also present, and said he enjoyed the service. The Presbyterians have a nice mission house and chapel in Quezaltenango, and numerous congregations of natives and Indians in small towns surrounding. In one place they have a church of a hundred Indians. We stay here over the Sabbath, and have a pleasant visit with another Presbyterian minister and his wife, who are pioneers in the work in this district. They are much interested in some points of truth which we discuss with them, and they thankfully accept a copy of “Daniel and the Revelation,” which we offer them to read.
After distributing several hundred copies of our papers, and taking a number of subscriptions for our magazines, we leave these dear people and start back to our work in the lowlands. As the nights and mornings are uncomfortably cool in that high altitude, we are glad to get down where it is warmer.
We spend nearly a week in Retalhuleu, a town of about 10,000 inhabitants, the commercial center and distributing point for a large district.
Next come Mazatenango, not quite so large as Retalhuleu, and San Antonio, with about 5,000 inhabitants. Here we see the ruins of a church several hundred years old. There are many such in this republic. There are many Indians living here, and as it is a fiesta time, or holy (?) day, the night is made hideous with the drunken yells of these poor people, who keep moving about until morning. It is extremely sad to see how they are sunken in vice and drunkenness. Few are married, and very few can read, yet they are supposed to be good Catholics. What shall be done for them? How are they to be warned and brought to Christ before it is too late? Some one must go and live among them. Who shall it be? One woman asked Mrs. Stuyvesant for a paper, saying that she could not read, but that her uncle would read it to all of them. Many have thus heard the glad tidings of our Lord’s soon returning. We sold a number of books, and took some subscriptions here, the commandant taking “The Coming King” and Las Senales.
The next few days and Sabbath we spent in San Jose, our principal Pacific port, which, though doing much business, is far from prepossessing in its appearance, or from being a desirable place in which to live. Aside from the few hotels, railway, government, and shipping offices, there are only a few huts and shanties scattered about over the low salt marshes back of the beach. There is considerable salt making done here. After flooding the marsh and letting it dry again, the surface dirt is gathered and washed with water, which is afterwards evaporated, leaving the salt with a decidedly soiled appearance. At this place we sell a number of books and take subscriptions, including among our customers the commandant, the American consul, and an English gentleman who orders “The Great Controversy,” “Daniel and the Revelation,” “The Coming King,” and the Watchman.
Escuintla is our next and last stop. It is a lively city of about 10,000 population. The railroad has shops here, and considerable business is done. After a stay of twenty-four hours, we are off for home.
As we climb the sides of the mountain, we pass through clouds of grasshoppers that have done great damage all along the Pacific coast of Central America during the past year.
During this trip we traveled about six hundred miles, visited twelve of the most important places in the southern part of the republic, leaving the message in all of them by distributing over 3,000 of our eight-page Spanish War special, and 4,700 pages of tracts, taking about fifty subscriptions, and selling 114 books of all kinds (mostly “His Glorious Appearing,” in Spanish). We made many acquaintances, and some whom we met we hope will be eternally benefited by our trip and efforts.
The exceedingly low value of our paper money, and the low wages which all, even the official class, receive, make it difficult for them to buy books or anything that is valued in gold, although sufficient is received for the needs of those who live on the native products, which are relatively cheap and generally abundant and wholesome. At the time of this trip thirty-five pesos were worth only one dollar gold, and at present one dollar gold is worth forty pesos.
We are greatly impressed with the magnitude of the work we have in hand, and we must have help to do it. Here are about 2,200,000 people, about one half of them Indians, the vast majority of whom cannot read or write, and who are very poor as regards the possession of gold; yet they are waiting for the precious truths that have been committed to us. Who will help us reach them?
Guatemala City.
Treatment Rooms in Calcutta
J. H. REAGAN, of Calcutta, India, in charge of the treatment rooms there, writes that he is treating patients sent by the two leading government physicians in Calcutta, connected with the Indian medical service. The best class of people are represented among the patrons of the treatment rooms, and favorable impressions are being made in behalf of our work. The patronage has been very good. Besides the financial success, opportunity has been given to present the truth to those who might not hear it in any other way.
Home Ideals — No. 4
By MRS. I. H. E.
HOSPITALITY is an essential characteristic of the ideal home. The spirit of welcome and kindliness will be therein an almost visible presence. Even the inanimate features of some homes,—the yard; the porch; the very doors and windows, open and inviting; the comfortable chairs,—all soothe and cheer those who enter.
We are told that the word hospitality means “the spirit, practice, or act of receiving and entertaining strangers and guests without reward and with kindness and consideration.” From this we can see that hospitality does not consist alone in receiving as guests our friends and those whose companionship we especially enjoy; it goes farther, and graciously receives the stranger, the outcast, the poor, and the forsaken.
In his earthly life the Master drew about him the lowly and humble. He knew their sorrows, and was afflicted with their afflictions. Ever he bore them on his heart; and he looks to his followers to walk in his steps. “When thou makest a feast,” he says, “call the guest, the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed.” Even a cup of cold water, the least possible tax on even the most slender resources, if given in the name of Jesus, brings a reward to the giver. And we are assured that even as Lot entertained angels in the guise of passing strangers, so we as Christians should not be slack to entertain, not knowing always who our guests may be.
There is an old saying to the effect that “ye ornaments of a house are ye guests who frequent it.” If we bear in mind that in our Father’s house no distinctions will be made as to worldly honors or wealth or position, and look below these exteriors to the need which is the real call to hospitality, we shall see something of the true meaning of these words. The guests of a home often give as richly as they receive. Gratitude, helpfulness, faith, and good cheer are ornaments to any home, and these are often contributed in large measure by those who have only a temporary place beneath its roof.
The most enjoyable hospitality is that which does not display any unwarranted expense. A Chinese will impoverish himself and his family for years, in order to provide a bountiful wedding feast or an elaborate funeral, even enduring actual privation in order to make an impression on his friends and neighbors on these occasions. This idea should have no place in the Christian home. Few things are more painful to one who is sharing the hospitality of another than to feel that his host is spending means beyond his ability and providing food beyond his income. It is not the abundance of good things that makes the guest glad, but the sincerity of the welcome he receives, and the consciousness that his presence is not a burden to those who have opened their home to receive him.
In order really to enjoy the society of those who are being entertained, the hostess must study simplicity, and let cheerfulness and calmness dwell within the heart. No abundance of food, no elaborateness of decoration, no provision for entertainment, can make up for the hearty welcome, the feeling of being wanted, that gives the truest satisfaction to the guest. The visits we remember longest are those where there has been time for social converse, where host and guest could talk face to face through long, unhurried hours.
Hospitality holds a high place among the virtues to be cherished and cultivated among the followers of Christ. Paul exhorted the brethren at Rome that they should be “given to hospitality;” and Peter commanded, “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” In the qualifications enumerated as necessary for a bishop, we are told among other things that he must be “given to hospitality.” This grace is a privilege, to be sure; it is also a duty,—a duty that cannot be ignored by Christians, nor can its requirements be met by well-wishing and apologies. Neither poverty nor inconvenience nor unpreparedness can be a reasonable excuse for the failure to exercise hospitality.
Sometimes it seems (perhaps it is only seeming) that the generous, open-handed hospitality once characteristic of our early believers is passing, and, half unconsciously, we are drifting into a self-seeking, worldly condition. This should not be. As we approach the end, the virtue of hospitality should be more and more developed, especially toward those of the household of faith. Shall it not be that this grace shall so increase in the homes of those who read these lines that wherever a Seventh-day Adventist home is raised, it shall be known that all in need may find welcome and protection and help beneath its roof?
MRS. I. H. E.
What Our Home School Has Accomplished
By MRS. MARY EVANS-CLARKE
MRS. MARY EVANS-CLARKE
It is sometimes hard to know just what has been accomplished in school work until we see the results in the matured life of the man or woman. Eternity alone will reveal all the little influences that have led to success or failure. Our children are now a stout lad of nine; a frail girl of seven, who could not have been in school had it been outside the home; and a little girl of kindergarten age. We are just closing the fourteenth month of school, and the children have greatly improved in physical vigor during the two years of mental development. There is less nervous strain than in the public school. Our nine-year-old has finished the fourth grade, with fifth-grade arithmetic; and our girl is well along in third-grade work.
The children have enjoyed their Bible and Bible nature classes. Once each week they, with their teacher, visit six of our neighbors with the Signs of the Times or the REVIEW AND HERALD. On Friday the teacher studies the Sabbath school lesson with them. Often as we study the Morning Watch memory verse, they exclaim, “We had that in school.” It seems so good to have the school work in harmony with the spiritual life of the home and Sabbath school. Instead of the Bible being the last book the children are able to read, it is the first, and its hard names seem to be learned as easily as the names of worldly friends.
While we cannot speak of great results from our little school, we are thankful we have been permitted so far to keep our children from influences that would be a hindrance rather than a help14to their best development, and from desiring many of the pleasures of the world. After an afternoon's visit at a neighbor's our boy said, “Mamma, is it wrong to play checkers and cards? We played them at Glen's. Is there anything said especially against such plays?” I replied, “My parents taught me that it was wrong, but I will look to see what is said about it, and read you what I find.”
In a few days I read the children several such passages as these: “There are amusements, such as dancing, card playing, chess, and checkers, etc., which we cannot approve, because Heaven condemns them. These amusements open the door for great evil.” The boy said, “Well, sister, we'll never play them again, will we?” How thankful I was that he was not daily thrown among children whose influence was for worldly amusements; that we did not have to forbid games, but only read the instruction given so many years ago. At present the results may seem small, but—
> “Trifles even lead to heaven,
> Trifles make the life of man.”
Trust
By MARY HENRY ROSSITER
MARY HENRY ROSSITER
How precious also are thy thoughts to
me,
O God. Before the earth began, they
were
Enfolded in the inmost heart of thee,
Unnumbered as the desert sands of
Shur.
Thy thoughts are higher than my
thoughts for me,
Thy ways are not my crooked human
ways.
So little of the forward path I see,
My vagrant foot toward many a by-road strays.
When I awake, still am I, Lord, with thee.
O, just for this one day I pray thee hold
My hand in thine, nor let me pull it free!
I love thee, Lord, and love has made me bold.
Conducted by Mrs. I. H. Evans, Takoma Park, Washington D. C
By Mrs. I. H. Evans; Miss Lora E. Clement
Assisted by Miss Lora E. Clement
Through the columns of this department, hints will be given on all matters pertaining to the home life. Short articles and letters are solicited from home makers, telling of their everyday experiences,— their joys and sorrows, their failures and successes.
Gaining and Keeping the Confidence of the Children
By EDITH M. GRAHAM
EDITH M. GRAHAM
HAVING been closely associated with children during most of my life, and fortunate enough to gain their confidence, some points in this connection have been impressed upon my mind.
Children are usually reserved and secretive concerning their inmost feelings and ideas. You may think you know them when really you do not know anything but the surface of them.
If you wish to gain the confidence of a child, never, under any circumstances, ridicule him when he makes a confidant of you. If you do, you will never get another look into his innermost mind. Children rarely forget being ridiculed. They may never mention it, but they remember the humiliation and hurt, and do their best not to give the offender another opportunity.
You must treat their questions with respect, and answer them truthfully, or ask them to wait until you have more time, or say you do not know. When a child has learned that you will not make fun of him, and that you will do your best to explain away his difficulties, he will be likely to come to you when you are alone, and give you an insight into his thoughts and aspirations that will surprise you. This will give you an invaluable opportunity to direct and help him.
Children should never be talked about when they are present. This makes them self-conscious, and either shy and nervous or conceited, according to their temperament. Even when they appear too busy to hear what is being said, this point should be carefully guarded. One never knows how much a seemingly inattentive child may be hearing and storing up in his mind, and he is almost certain to catch anything said about himself.
If he should overhear you repeat one of his odd little confidences, he will not give you a second opportunity. If you desire to have him come to you freely with his notions, his ideas, and his perplexities, you must keep them sacred between you.
Children should never be teased; for teasing is the using of superior strength or knowledge to inflict pain or anxiety upon the child. It is an exhibition of cruelty, and in some children arouses too, bitter feelings of revenge, which they dare not show, but which are an injury to them. Others do not take it so much to heart, but no child should be subjected to it. Children have no real confidence in those who tease them.
The trusting confidence of a child is a very precious thing. One so happy as to gain it should prize it, and use it to lead the child into the way of salvation.
Takoma Park, D. C.
How Fatigue Will Poison You
By Ida M. Tarbell
MEN and women come in the morning to their tasks with a spring of fresh energy within them. Little by little during the hours of labor they empty that spring. When it is dry, they must draw from forces which should be untouched. By some strange chemistry which no one understands too well, these intrusions on the physical forces which should be inviolate, produce in the human system a true toxic condition—fatigue poison, autopoison the scientists call it.
If this fatigue poison passes a point where the period of rest following is not equal to the task of throwing it off, and filling afresh the spring of energy, the man goes back to his toil a little unfit; the longer he goes on, the more unfit he becomes. Slowly the poison invades his system. The repairing forces—food, relaxation, pleasures, and sleep—become less and less equal to the task. The man becomes more and more open to the attack of disease; less and less able to do his work; unfit to improve upon it; unable to grow. He is an unsafe man, too, one not to be trusted among machines in dangerous places. The man has been poisoned into unfitness by the slow accumulation of fatigue poison which he could not throw off.
It was not work which did this. It was too much work. He needed the work to keep him fit. Without it or its equivalent, a regular physical exercise, his spring of energy would have as surely deteriorated as it did from overwork. The spring of energy standing idle would have soured within him.
It has taken years of observation and experiment to establish with anything like scientific accuracy the baneful effects on the laborer and his product of the too-long day. This has been done finally with a completeness which even the courts are recognizing. Moreover, in establishing these facts, there have been discoveries made of the effects of the shorter day which have been as heartening as they have been surprising. They are discoveries which upset all the old theories about hours.
Briefly put, they amount to this: An eight-hour day in a well-managed shop yields as large a quantity of work as a ten-hour day, and cuts out almost entirely certain irritations and interruptions which always have characterized the longer work period. As for labor, it has become an axiom in its circle that “shortening the day increases the pay.” There is many a manufacturer that will tell you that shortening the day increases the profits.—Ida M. Tarbell, in the American Magazine.
To Destroy Flies
To insure the destruction of flies and the elimination of this source of danger to health and life, it is absolutely necessary to deal with the fly larvae. We now know that ninety per cent or more of flies breed in horse manure. To stop this breeding it is necessary either to remove completely the manure from the stables and barnyard twice a week, or at least once a week, and spread it over the fields, or in some other way get rid of it. If this is impossible, some disinfectant must be added to the manure that will kill the fly larvae and prevent their development. The United States Department of Agriculture has made extensive experiments with various substances useful for the destruction of the larvae in horse manure, and has come to the conclusion that commercial borax is the most effective, economical, and practical agent for this purpose. The directions are:—
“Apply one pound of borax to twelve bushels (fifteen cubic feet) of manure immediately on its removal from the barn. The borax should be applied particularly around the outer edges of the pile, using a flour sifter or other fine sieve, after which two or three gallons of water should be sprinkled over the pile.”—Selected.
When the Work Piles Up
We can get any amount of work done by taking it a moment at a time. It is when we try to take it several moments at a time that it gets beyond us. A business man had a pile of work in front of him on his desk, and was “stewing around” over it, and saying how tremendously busy he was, when another man said to him, “You’re not busy; you’re only confused.” Seeing and thinking about more than one thing at a time brings the confusion that multiplies burdens and hinders the work. It is sometimes well to clear the decks of everything except the one thing upon which we must be working; then to take up the next thing; and so on until the day’s work is done. Concentration routs confusion. Doing one thing at a time gets an amazingly large number of things done.—Selected.
When the Day Is Done
WHEN the day is done, and the reaping
Has ended forevermore,
Shall you wish you'd wrought less for
the Master
As you reckon your labor o'er?
Shall you sigh for earth-pleasures de-
nied you,
As you toiled for him early and late,
Or rejoice in the “well done” recorded,
And the welcome you have at the
gate?
When the day is done! Can you dream
it?
Forever our Jesus to see,—
As one ’mong the chosen beloved
To follow wherever he be?
O let us at evening and morning
Be zealous, courageous, and true,
To work with a heart that is willing
And anxious his bidding to do.
— Selected.
Canvassing and Evangelical Work
By W. F. Mayers
in Southern Mexico
After spending forty-five days in Tuxtla, Gutierrez, Chiapas, I am leaving for a visit to the churches on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, the home of the Zapotecan Indians. Nearly all our members there are of that tribe, and some of them have set a good example in Sabbath keeping and the faithful paying of tithes. As I leave Tuxtla, the thought occurs that my life here has been as a drop of water in a bucket, which, when taken out, leaves no trace. While this is true of ourselves, yet in working for the Lord, we have this assurance: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16.
When the Americans occupied Vera Cruz, a year ago, practically all the American missionaries left the state of Chiapas, and there is no one to preach the gospel in this great state. The same is true of many other states in Mexico.
Each night for six weeks I have held Bible studies with a family of Sabbath keepers and some of their neighbors. As the room was small, I did not make any effort to get a large attendance.
Besides the meetings, I have been selling “The Coming King” in the Spanish. As Tuxtla is 120 kilometers from the railroad, I sent seventy-eight copies by mail from Vera Cruz before coming here, and on my arrival began taking orders. Owing to the fact that the paper money in circulation is worth very little, I had to raise the price to ten and fifteen pesos. Formerly we sold the book for two and one-half and five pesos. After getting the mayor’s order, I went to the palace (this city is the capital of the state), and succeeded in taking a large number of orders there, though I found it impossible to deliver many of these.
After presenting my card and waiting a long time, I saw the governor. He gave me his order, and his assistant also gave me an order. These both I delivered.
In Vera Cruz Brother Green had taken an order from General Carranza and about seventeen orders from the members of his cabinet. These I delivered before coming to Chiapas, as Brother Green had to leave for Mexico City. I am very thankful for the privilege of placing these messengers of the Lord’s coming among these leading men, and I believe the reading of these books will help to mold their opinions, even to the extent that they will see that the only durable kingdom is that which will soon be set up (Dan. 2:44), and that it will endure forever. To the teacher of the general’s children I was able to sell “Practical Guide,” “Daniel and the Revelation,” and “The Coming King.” I also gave her some Bible studies on leading points of our faith. I visited the leading men — merchants, doctors, professors, lawyers, etc. — and sold books to them, thus placing fifty-five copies.
After working Tuxtla, with the help of a native brother twenty-three copies were sold in a town sixteen kilometers distant. We walked both ways, although the weather was intensely hot. This town, Chiapa de Corzo, is located on the Grijalva River. Several years ago, when looking on the map, I wondered if the message would ever reach this out-of-the-way place. The people of Chiapa gladly gave their orders for “The Coming King,” and we found them quite free from religious prejudice, much more so than those in Tuxtla. Just now we are praying earnestly that the Lord will not leave this place unworked, but will send laborers into the fields which are now ripe for the harvest. Who will say, “Here am I; send me”?
Owing to the revolution, and therefore the abandoned fields, there is a great scarcity of food products, especially corn, which is very expensive. In some parts, a condition bordering on famine exists, and the price we have to pay for some things is very high. Besides this, the peso is now worth only 8 cents gold. In the majority of cases, the merchants have raised the prices of their goods very high, thus causing much suffering among the poor, while the rich have withdrawn all the silver from circulation, hiding it in the ground or elsewhere, leaving only paper money. Just now small change is hard to get, and it is almost impossible to get a five-dollar bill changed. The merchants compel the people to buy two or three dollars’ worth before they will consent to change a bill. The government is about to issue a lot of small bills, which will no doubt be a great help.
In spite of all these things, I can say with Paul, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place.” 2 Cor. 2:14; also chap. 12:9, 10.
I am leaving a native brother in Tuxtla, who will sell Las Senales de los Tiempos, hold Bible studies, and give water treatments to the sick. Some day I hope to return and distribute more of our literature. Pray that others may enter the field, and that God may in a special manner watch over the workers in these difficult and trying countries.
W. F. MAYERS.
Four Camp Meetings
By D. H. KRESS
In company with Elder B. G. Wilkinson I had the privilege of attending the West Pennsylvania, the Eastern Pennsylvania, the New Jersey, and the Chesapeake camp meetings. These meetings were well attended. Those who were unable to attend missed a great blessing. A wonderful inspiration has come to our people everywhere to arise and build, and at these gatherings the conviction came upon many that what we have to do must be done speedily. This was shown by the liberal offerings which were made.
The urging of former years is no longer needed. There is a spirit of sacrifice which makes this unnecessary. In speaking of the churches of Macedonia, their poverty, and withal their liberality, Paul says: “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” 2 Cor. 8: 1-5.
At the West Pennsylvania camp possibly one hundred and fifty young men and women came forward on the Sabbath day to offer themselves for service. They took their stand upon the platform with the ministers. A call was then made for all who felt the need of a complete surrender to come forward, and almost the entire camp moved forward. Great grace was upon them all. What occurred in the West Pennsylvania camp16meeting was also witnessed in those of the Eastern Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake. It is evident that we are living in the day of God’s power, and his people are willing to dare and to do. When we witness these evidences that the Spirit of God is coming upon his people for obedience and service, it does not take the same stretch of faith as formerly to believe that the work will be speedily done and cut short in righteousness. It is difficult, in fact impossible, to describe adequately these gatherings. Such manifestations of God’s power must be witnessed in order to be appreciated.
The appeals of Sister Della Burroway, of India, and of Brother Prieger, of Haiti, came to us as an appeal for help from the millions whom they represent. They were Macedonian calls. Elder Daniells, who has just returned from some of these needy fields, is making a call, we understand, for two hundred young men and young women. As we witness the anxiety of our young people to give themselves unreservedly to God’s service for the finishing of the work, we see the fulfillment of the scripture, “Before they call, I will answer.” We have a splendid class of young people. May we not with expectancy look for the fulfillment of the promise, “It shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy”? Hasten on, glad day!
D. H. KRESS.
Nebraska
By O. O. Bernstein
LINCOLN.—The Lord blessed the two years and four months which we spent in active service in the city of Minneapolis, Minn., where four evangelistic efforts were conducted, with upward of 125 souls who were added to the Lake Street church by baptism. May God continue to bless the members of the Minneapolis church with the spirit of devotion, sacrifice, and unwavering faith as they endeavor to stand in defense of the great principles of the message.
At present I am conducting a large tent meeting in the city of Lincoln, at Sixteenth and O Streets. On Sunday evenings one thousand seats are occupied, and scores stand. On other nights the attendance varies from three hundred to seven hundred. The interest is good, and the collections are meeting the running expenses.
Those associated in the work as helpers are: Mr. Clayton E. AcMoody, chorister; Mr. Chancey Premer, tent master; Miss Ida E. Brown, Miss Emma Viola Mallett, and Miss Anna M. Post, Bible workers.
Have you relatives in the city of Lincoln for whom you are burdened? If so, please send us their addresses. Pray for the success of this meeting.
O. O. BERNSTEIN.
Algeria, Africa
By W. E. Hancock
ORAN.—Since the beginning of the war, we have limited our efforts here to the distribution of literature, house-to-house work, and Sabbath meetings in our house.
At the beginning, war occupied the attention of every one to such an extent that it made the work difficult. But now, since the first excitement has passed, we find an increased interest on the part of some with whom we had studied before the war began. There is, also, a more favorable attitude on the part of several others. We feel that we should, if possible, hold a series of public meetings.
During the winter we had the joy of seeing three persons identify themselves with us by baptism, the first fruits of our efforts in Oran. A woman of German descent recently began to observe the Sabbath, who we hope may soon be baptized. There is also a Spanish family convinced of the truth; but they have not yet made a full decision. We hope that the meetings may be the means of deepening the interest of those who have taken their stand, and of bringing those hesitating to a decision.
Following the joy of seeing a few take their stand with us has come the sorrow of losing one of our number by a cruel death. A widowed sister was killed by a relative in her own home. After taking her life, the murderer killed himself.
The sister leaves three sons to mourn their loss, two of whom are members of our company. At the funeral service, words of consolation were spoken by Brother Guenin, as at the time I was away from the place. A favorable impression seemed to have been made upon those present at this service, and quite a number expressed a desire to attend our meetings when they should begin. We send greetings to all our brethren in Europe, who are so sorely tried by this great war. We pray that God will sustain their faith, as well as our own, until we see the triumph of our hopes, the finishing of the work, and the coming of the Master.