We certainly have entered a most interesting period in the history of the message. The cheering reports of progress from all parts of the field are most encouraging and soul-inspiring. The reports that come through the good old REVIEW are very interesting reading. That the truth is making its way into the center of India, China, and Africa, and other far-away portions of the field, is certainly evidence that the message is fast hastening to completion.
I call to mind that some years ago the question was raised as to the possibility of attaining the very achievements that are now being experienced. It was rather difficult at that time for the minds of many to grasp the faith needed for such a possibility, but today it is a fact; and the end is not yet. As rapidly as men and means can be secured, what still remains of unentered fields will be occupied. Nothing can be more evident than that the work is to be quickly finished, and nothing can be more soul-cheering to the weary pilgrim. The race is almost completed, and the final victory is near at hand. No doubt there will be a severe conflict; faith will be tried, and loyalty to the message will be tested. Those who are true and faithful will soon rejoice in the glorious final triumph of the great controversy.
If the whole body of Seventh-day Adventists could but fully realize the situation, rise to it, and by a whole-hearted consecration put themselves and their means into the cause, how quickly the whole work might be accomplished! We are glad to see a decided awakening. The movement among the young people is of special interest and significance, and it seems to be the definite fulfilment of the last prophecy of the Old Testament—the turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, before the great and terrible day of the Lord. The consecration of our young people to the Lord and to the mission work is one of the most interesting features of the situation at the present time. I have been greatly interested in reading the report of the recent Sabbath-school and Young People's Convention held in Ohio.
We are glad also to report progress in the work of the Australasian Union Conference. Our late council was a season of special interest. I think that all the members approached the meeting with some degree of anxiety and with much earnest prayer; for we all realized that much was at stake. The interesting openings that presented themselves with many urgent calls for help, and the small prospect of our ability to respond to them, was a source of much concern to all our minds. We felt that we were in need of special help and guidance from the Lord, that our deliberations might be directed by the Holy Spirit; and in this we were not disappointed. As we earnestly sought the Lord day by day, light came in, and to our great surprise we were able to do much, even more than we at first thought possible. Indeed, it was quite a surprise to us all, but we recognized in this the guiding hand of the Lord.
One of the interesting features was a definite plan to open work in New Guinea. This is a field toward which we have been looking for some time, but not until now could we see our way clear. It was decided for Brother and Sister S. W. Carr, who have had a good experience and have done efficient work in Fiji, to go on, with one or two native helpers, and open up the work in New Guinea. Preparations are already in progress. Brother and Sister Andrew Stewart, former students of the Avondale School, who have given proof of faithfulness in the work, have been called to fill the place made vacant by the removal of Brother and Sister Carr from Fiji. Brother and Sister Stewart are now on the ground, and are doing well. Of course it will take a little time for them to get hold of the details, and for that reason Brother Carr can not leave immediately.
The work is making very decided progress in Fiji. In his last letter Brother Parker speaks of another company of sixteen who have recently accepted the Sabbath and kindred truths of the message. Our training-school at Buresala, Fiji, is doing excellent work in preparing laborers for the field. This is as it should be. We feel the responsibility of making more of our schools among the islands that they may become efficient in training workers.
The work is onward also in Tonga, and we are making plans to strengthen the school work there in order to make it more of a missionary training-school than it has been in the past.
Brother Gates, who was present at the recent council and presented the needs of the far East, returned to Singapore almost immediately at the close of the council, with a small re-enforcement of workers, which will be increased from time to time. A wonderful opportunity is opening before us in that great district. We are greatly encouraged over the fact that our literature is being received so well. Brother Munson is busily at work translating and getting out books in the Malay. The edition of “Christ Our Saviour” in the Baba Malay is selling well, and the native brethren are taking hold of the work of selling our books and tracts in an encouraging manner. In a few days an edition of five thousand copies of this book will be printed in the Dutch Malay.
Our present difficulty seems to be to find the number of canvassers which the work demands. In fact, in every department of our work in this field we are running short-handed. All the conferences have cheerfully contributed men and means to meet the calls from the places needing assistance; and it is a source of much encouragement to know that the Lord's blessing is attending us.
We have all been made sad by the17illness and death that has visited our workers in Java. They have all been laid up with the fever, and Brother and Sister Teasdale were called to part with their oldest son, a bright boy twelve years of age. Such are the experiences and sacrifices encountered in our work. At the present time they are all improving in health, and are of good courage in the Lord, pressing forward in his work. How precious will be the ingathering at the great harvest! Together with the trials and perplexities, they are having many interesting experiences, and this is bound to become a very important field. The climate and sanitary conditions are in many ways very trying. The union conference has taken measures to provide a mountain home for the workers, and before another season comes, we hope that this will be in readiness so that the workers may have a place of refuge during the worst season of the year.
In the home field the work is making steady progress. School buildings are being erected at Cambridge, New Zealand, and the school is expected to be dedicated on the fourth of February, and opened for work immediately. Also in West Australia the school work has made a good start. We have found no small difficulty in supplying these schools with needed teachers and managers.
The Lord is blessing the work at the Avondale School in a very marked manner. The enterprises connected with the school there have grown to considerable proportions, so that at the present time it requires the presence of about seventy students to carry forward the work in hand. Really, the school is being carried on there continuously, for, during vacation, one or two classes are conducted daily. The Avondale Press, in connection with the Avondale School, is crowded with work. The expansion of the work in the islands increases the work of the Avondale Press. At the same time the Signs Office at Warburton is also crowded to its utmost capacity.
Special attention is being given to the missionary campaign work. The New South Wales Conference has experienced much blessing from this work, and during the next year the work will receive special attention in other States. The late camp-meeting in the New South Wales Conference was the largest and most interesting meeting yet held in the State. The Spirit of the Lord was present in a very marked manner.
While the message is going with rapidity, and the power of the Lord is being manifested, it is evident that the enemy is working with increased energy, and many are making definite decisions against the light and the truth.
An interesting feature in our work in this field is the movement among our young people. During the year the young people of each of our conferences have supported laborers in the mission field. This effort is bearing excellent fruit. The attendance at our Avondale School will be larger during the coming year than at any previous time, notwithstanding the opening of schools in New Zealand and West Australia. Our people are beginning to sense more than ever in the past the importance of working for our young people and of getting them into the work. May the Lord hasten forward the work to its glorious consummation. O. A. OLSEN.
Adventist Missionaries Around the Globe
CAPT. J. L. JOHNSON, the ship missionary now working in New York harbor, on boarding an in-coming ship was met by the captain, who said, “Are you a Seventh-day Adventist?” Upon receiving an affirmative reply, he declared, “You folks surely encircle the globe. Every port I enter, no matter where it is, one of your missionaries comes aboard my ship.”—Northern Union Reaper.
Louisiana
By S. B. HORTON
NEW ORLEANS.—Some progress has attended the work in this part of the field during the year 1907. After the close of our camp-meeting at Boyce a tent company was sent to De Ridder, where a Sabbath-school of twenty-seven members was organized September 7. The testing points of truth reduced this number to about eight. An important feature of the effort there was the organization of a mission school, which numbers about fifteen students, and is under the care of Miss Hattie Smith. The conference laborers engaged in this effort were Prof. W. E. Straw, Brother B. L. Roberts, Miss Frances Goodwyn, Elder E. L. Maxwell, who came to us from Oklahoma the last of September or first of October, and the writer.
Two churches have been organized, the one at Hammond being composed of Sabbath-keepers of long standing; the one at Jennings comprising fifteen members, two or three of whom have recently embraced the truth through the labors of Brother Frank Peabody, local elder. There are others at both of these points who will doubtless be added to the number.
During a visit to the Lake Arthur church the writer had the privilege of baptizing a young man and his wife, who became members of the church. The young man was reared a Roman Catholic. He and his wife will attend the Southern Training-school at Graysville, Tenn., to prepare to enter the work, and, being French, our work in behalf of French-speaking people in Louisiana will be accelerated thereby.
Our church-schools at Shreveport, Welsh, Jennings, and De Ridder are doing well. A school was recently opened at Newellton for colored children, and as further assistance is given, we look for prosperity in this section also.
Since camp-meeting a successful effort was made to close up our portion of the $150,000 fund, and we believe that when the pledges are all collected, there will be an “overflow.”
There have come to us some religious liberty and temperance experiences since the camp-meeting. Following up the legislative enactment to “permit” the city council of New Orleans to pass an ordinance closing barber shops on Sunday, our conference began a campaign to make known the true principles of religious liberty, and how they are affected by Sunday laws. This campaign consisted in supplying the mayor of New Orleans, members of the city council, and others with copies of Liberty, and writing them personal letters. A hearing was arranged in the council chamber. The barbers divided into pro-Sunday-law and anti-Sunday-law camps. On one side was the president of the Protestant Ministers’ Alliance, on the other the writer, by invitation of the council committee. The results netted victory for the right principles.
The canvassing work continues to hold its own under the labors of Brother I. T. Reynolds. The two churches in New Orleans have had accessions during this quarter.
We are very glad to have Elder R. M. Kilgore spend several weeks visiting the churches. His services are much appreciated.
Among the visitors who have called at headquarters recently, while passing through the city, were Elder A. G. Daniells, and Elder and Mrs. S. N. Haskell, who spent Sabbath and Sunday, December 7 and 8, with the church, and Elder E. L. Cardey, all of whom were destined for California. S. B. HORTON.
Burma
By Ollie Oberholtzer
Most of my energy has been devoted to the language; and, while it is hard, I feel that the Lord has helped me thus far. I am now spending my spare time on the colloquial; for it is very different from the written language. I can understand when they speak slowly, and can say short sentences. I had a woman for interpreter; but she had no love for our people, and was an injury to the work. I have our Sister Mah May, who is free to go with me. She is energetic and consecrated.
In July she brought an old friend of hers—a civil surgeon—to see me. I found him a good, Christian man, with his heart in the missionary work. He said he had been criticized for spending so much of his time in the missionary work; but as he was pensioned, having lately retired, he could do as he wished. He had stood alone, and taught the soon coming of our Lord, so was naturally interested in our work. I was called away; but the Burmese brethren did what they could. Then Brother Votaw came over for a few days, and when I returned, I found the doctor and his wife fully in the truth as far as they had been taught. They were anxious to learn all, and to tell it to others.
The other day I was in his office, and noticed a large book on the table. He said, “This is my Tamil Bible. I have had a very intelligent Tamil here this morning, and took this Bible, and taught him these truths. The man said, ‘I am not a born Christian, but a converted one [meaning he had been converted from heathenism], but I never was taught these things; and how strange it is; for the lady who taught me was rich in Bible knowledge.’”
The Lord has his children here waiting for the truth, and he only asks us to bring it to them, and they have the language and customs, and will carry the work as we could not do for years. Dr. Cooper will be a great help. He, Mah May, and I went to give a reading to a very intelligent family last night. There was present a teacher of the government school. As they called for a reading on the Sabbath question, I gave it, and I know the Lord blessed. Never had I seen the beauty in God’s Word as I did last night. Truths flashed in my mind, and I shall look back on that night’s work as having been done by One higher than I. I felt so tired and nervous, I thought I could not go. I came away fresh and happy. Eleven were present, most of them Europeans.
I look for results here. One day when ready to go, I did not see Mah May. I inquired where she was, and was told that she had gone to a Burmese sister, to pray that the Lord would bless our work there. I thought of our home people, and wondered how many thought of two or three meeting and praying for the worker as he goes to interested ones.
I was up to Kyuklto for two months. No Christian work has ever been done18in this place of eight thousand inhabitants. I wanted so much to talk to the people, but it was little I could do. One day I was talking to an old woman and a little girl, through my interpreter. The latter upheld Buddhism. When her little brother came in, he said there was no use arguing: there was no comparison between the Christian’s God and Buddha—the Christian’s God was the true God. I asked him how he knew this. He said he had overheard some people talking. One day the parents of this boy and girl came to see me. His mother sat at my feet, took up my book of Matthew, and read three chapters, saying, “Good!” She at last asked me to give her the book. I gave her a copy of the Bible. I taught the little girl the song, “Jesus Loves Me.”
I have become quite a Burman. I can sit on a mat as easily as though I was accustomed to it all my life. My health is good. I am so glad the work is going; for soon we shall be gathered home.
OLLIE OBERHOLTZER.
Bolivia
By E. W. Thomann
COCHABAMBA.—A young man whose great uncle was the late Catholic archbishop of Sucre, Bolivia, having had a talk with me in the street, came a few days afterward with three other students, and asked for Bible studies. I hung the prophetic chart on the wall, and gave them a study on Daniel 2. A few evenings afterward they came again, and we studied Daniel 7. The next time they came, they proposed the subject. So we studied about the foundation and heart of the church, and kindred subjects which they proposed. Several became convinced that Peter was neither head nor foundation, that he was not a pope, and was not infallible, and that we have to take the Bible for our instructor in matters of faith. More and more students came, so we decided to have a meeting every evening, having had none before except on Sunday afternoons.
Some evenings we have over forty students from the high school,—these are all Catholics,—and with the others who come, the attendance sometimes reaches nearly fifty. Some of these are becoming much interested. One of the students, a bright youth of about eighteen, seems to have given his heart to the Lord. He is much interested in the studies, and already some of his schoolmates have begun to call him the “Adventist.” He tells us that he is being persecuted for the truth; but he seems to be firm, though his father is a very zealous Catholic.
The evening after last Sabbath we were asked how many Adventists there are in Bolivia, and I said, “Two,—I and my wife,”—he added, “And with me there are three.” This young man speaks Spanish and Quechua, and understands also a little English. We agreed to teach him English in exchange for his teaching us Quechua; so we are studying that language, and he is in that way preparing himself to be able to read our English literature. We hope the Lord will make a useful and faithful laborer of him.
I have hope that soon we may be able to organize a Sabbath-school, and also a little company of Sabbath-keepers here at Cochabamba. The Lord is at work. He has opened the way, and he will also give the victory to this precious truth.
Brethren, pray for the work in this dark, Catholic country. It is one of the last countries entered by the message, and yet it, too, must be warned before the Lord can come.
E. W. THOMANN.
An Appeal
By Mrs. Katie Osborne Carter
HAVING spent several years studying the people and their surroundings in the mountain districts of North Carolina, I have become much interested in the progress of our institutions in that section, especially the orphanage work.
The land is poor, and money is scarce. The work of caring for the orphans is a most commendable one, and Brother D. T. Shireman is doing a noble work along that line in his school home at Toluca, N. C. Here in Raleigh I live in sight of the Methodist orphanage, a large three-story brick building, which can be seen for miles. One of the teachers smilingly said to me, a few days ago, “O, we’ve been faring fine over at the orphanage ever since Thanksgiving—barrels of apples and other fruit; in fact, just donations of everything almost.”
The thought occurred to me, Why can not our Adventist friends contribute in some degree, as in the case just cited? Contributions of fruit and vegetables and clothing are always most thankfully received, and would greatly help in solving the problem of the support of these homeless children.
All could give a little, and the more well-to-do could give of their abundance; not sparingly, but as God has prospered them.
These small institutions, such as that conducted by Brother Shireman, deserve to be helped, and I believe the Lord would be pleased to see our people more interested in this work of caring for, educating, and training these fatherless and motherless children. Would it not be well for each one of us to look for ourselves into this matter of helping, and consider whether we are doing all we can? The weather is cold, and provisions are high. Let us not put this matter off, but just now say, with all our hearts, I will respond to these calls for help. I believe God will bless us more abundantly.
MRS. KATIE OSBORNE CARTER.
Sumatra
By G. A. WANTZLICK
PADANG.—Time is passing rapidly, and the work seems to move slowly. We have striven to bring various plans of operation to an issue, yet have apparently failed to meet our expectations. Still our courage and health, which have frequently threatened to give way, have been renewed constantly, and we are thankful for this evidence of the Lord’s merciful hand which has been over us all the way.
While engaged in keeping bright, and letting our own “light shine,” to resist the in-pressing darkness all around us, the veil was lifted a moment this week, enabling us to see the stir created in the enemy’s camp, revealed through a two-column article by the editor of the Sumatra Bode, dealing with the “modernized phase of religion,” which, it says, “is assuming large proportions, and a threatening attitude toward the established standard church [the Roman Catholic] the world over.”
The special point of import to us is the identification of this so-called “modernism” with the free circulation of literature filled with this influence.
The blow thus aimed at the foundation of our work here will be readily seen, since two thirds of the Dutch-Eurasian population are Roman Catholics, and the rest seem to care little one way or the other. Nevertheless we see in it a source of encouragement which fills us with new vigor to continue the work of placing our reading-matter in the hands of the people, who thus far have accepted it readily.
The needful lesson of patience is being taught us in many ways, one of which we experienced when, on the receipt of a cablegram from the union conference authorizing us to secure the present occupied mission site, the agent in charge of the property announced the impossibility of his proceeding with the transaction at present, having recently received word from Europe, where the owners reside, that a court case was pending at home concerning these properties. Thus we are held in further suspense in this matter for another two or three months, but are comforted with the assurance “that all things work together for good to them that love God.”
The Chinese attending our meetings, which we still hold in our house, appear19to be unstable in their interest. They attend awhile regularly, and then stay away as long, after which some return, fresh ones taking the places of others, and so on. They seem unfathomable. Five have been helping us sell the Malay tracts on the “Second Advent,” but have had little success as yet, the Mohammedan spirit manifesting itself through stubborn refusals of accepting them on any condition.
Almost every night white-robed priests head a procession of dancing “god-bearers,” who carry along a glittering tinsel ornamentation through the streets, accompanied by clanging cymbals. The design in this is to keep alive the interest in this mode of worship, and so hold off the influence of any “intruder” on their domain.
Thus we see efforts made in various ways to oppose the advancing light of the third angel’s message. But we are glad to see the circle of our acquaintances constantly widening, and look toward the ultimate fulfilment of the promise of the Lord that our labor shall not be in vain; for his word shall not return unto him void. Upon this is based our confidence and hope, and by his grace we will continue steadfast.
G. A. WANTZLICK.
Colorado
By C. H. Bates
DURANGO.—The last of September I began holding meetings at Hesperus, about fourteen miles from here, with a small attendance. These meetings have been continued until the present, with the following results: Six heads of families have signed the covenant, others have begun the observance of the Sabbath, and two have been baptized. We have organized a small Sabbath-school, and have also placed in the hands of the people in and around Hesperus literature to the amount of three hundred twelve dollars. Those who have taken their stand for the truth are scattered, some living as far as nine miles from Hesperus. During the winter months the snow is very deep, but we hope to keep up our Sabbath-school during this time. Some have requested baptism, and will go forward in the ordinance later.
C. H. BATES.
Georgia
By W. H. Sebastian
ATLANTA.—Our little room thirteen by fourteen feet was well filled last Sabbath. We have a good number of children, and sometimes we are puzzled to know just where to put them. We expect the attendance will be larger. I am sure that our brethren and sisters know what this means to us as a people.
Our need for a building in this city of Atlanta is an urgent need. Have we not the facilities among our people for all to say: Let us ‘build’? How easy this undertaking would be if all would willingly help at once! About February or March, 1908, the building would be up. Then would come the blessing and rejoicing. W. H. SEBASTIAN.
India
By H. C. MENKEL
CALCUTTA.—We are pleased to read the reports of the recent camp-meetings in the home land, and see the interest being taken in helping the foreign work by raising means to support it. You may be sure that your voting surplus tithe to foreign mission work brings joy to the hearts of those who are laboring to bring this message to the people of these foreign lands. The people are making the best investment of their means that it is possible to make.
Last week I returned from a trip to the north, visiting Mussoorie, where our Mountain Rest Home is located. It has an ideal climate, equal to Colorado. This is the place where our sanitarium work will be located in the near future.
You will be pleased to hear that the interest among the native Christians is increasing in a marked manner. Several native preachers and workers are taking their stand with us. They have the language and the knowledge of how to reach the people. God is truly setting his hand to the work. The secret of successful work in these fields is in keeping close to the throne of prayer, and then improving every opportunity.
We have an advantage in being vegetarians, which brings us in contact with certain classes that otherwise we could not help. Our health principles are truly entering wedges in these countries. We have doors opened to us for lectures on these subjects, which make friends for our work.
We have all India and Burma before us as a field. No other institutions in these vast countries stand for these same principles. Compare this work with the home land, and think what a work and what opportunities lie before this people.
We are much in need of a good lady nurse who understands surgical preparations. I hope some one will feel impressed to come and help us.
We have much to be thankful for, as we are feeling quite well, considering what we have passed through. The heat in Calcutta is very great, and one is quite fagged out after a year of it.
The Rest Home at Mussoorie will prove a blessing to many a worn worker from the plains, and will prevent many breakdowns.
Will not those who have strong faith, who have learned how to pray and plead with God, take our work before God frequently? I have much confidence in the results which follow earnest prayer. H. C. MENKEL.
The Book Work in Ecuador
By THOS. H. DAVIS.
Some Happy Experiences
At Chone, where I had taken a large number of orders for “Patriarchs and Prophets,” the people received the books gladly. One man sold for me three more, besides paying for his own. One government employee who had ordered a full morocco, after paying for it pawned his big ring to buy two more for his parents.
At Rocafuerte, which has the name of being the most fanatical part of Manovi, my delivery was extra good. Before going there some had told me that I would not sell a single copy. One man said the people would ‘burn me if I went there. At Manta, where I took twenty-two orders in three hours, nearly all took their books. In all, I sold books amounting to about twelve hundred dollars. My success during the two months occupied in that work, was about double what I expected.
The canvassing work is just beginning in the Spanish field, and my prayer is that the Lord will send more workers into these neglected fields. If we had other large books in this language, the field could be worked again soon.
THOS. H. DAVIS.
New York
By L. H. Proctor
BROOKLYN.—The work is onward in Brooklyn. Sabbath, December 21, it was my privilege to baptize one man and three women. The gentleman is a competent tenor soloist, who, while in London, England, received fifty dollars a night for his singing. He has also traveled over portions of the United States as a soloist, and has sung in some of the largest churches in New York City, but has at last cast his lot with God’s chosen people.
His wife (a soprano soloist) accepted the message about a year ago, and had been praying for the conversion of her husband ever since, and is now rejoicing with us to see her prayers answered so soon. How many other sisters among Seventh-day Adventists would rejoice could they see the same accomplished in their homes! Why may we not see many such cases? Are we not living in times when we should expect great things of God? We are expecting baptism again in a few days.
After taking down our large tent, it was thought best for me to rent a hall a few blocks away, to continue the meetings. Although the hall rents for ten dollars a night through the week, it was rented to us for three dollars for Sunday night, just the night we should choose. This hall is well located. Only two nights have we had less than one hundred strangers present; usually we have from one hundred to two hundred fifty, nearly all adults.
My brother is assisting me in the meetings, besides canvassing from house to house for our books, while his wife is doing Bible work. The interest is deepening every night, and many of the members of the popular churches are leaving their own church services to hear God’s message to them. We ask the prayers of God’s children that the people may hear the voice of God speaking to them, and not the voice of poor, fallible man. L. H. PROCTOR.
North Dakota
By A. O. Burrill
WHEELOCK.—The week of prayer brought blessings to members of the company at this place. Each day a portion or all of the church assembled from house to house. On two days, by request, they met in a home where the people were not of our faith. Both the husband and the wife are quite fully convinced that they should regard the Lord’s Sabbath, and we think they will.
The account of so many persons in different portions of the world who have received the Sabbath, and are calling for Seventh-day Adventists to come and instruct them; then the large attendance of young people at all our schools who wish to go to the regions beyond to help finish the work, greatly impressed all that the angel of Rev. 18: 1-4 is now doing his finishing work in the earth. The message seems to be reaching out into all parts of the world. These tidings were witnessed to by the Holy Spirit. Eighteen have been added to this church within the last three months. Still others are interested, and we believe that they will yet decide to obey.
There is a decided call for a church-school, and an appeal has been sent to the entire Northern Union Conference for a teacher, but so far none has been secured. We have been laboring to get the company here to study “Patriarchs and Prophets,” “Desire of Ages,” “Great Controversy,” and “Early Writings,” and our periodicals, and in this we have had some success.
This is a fruitful field in which to labor. There are many openings where those just beginning public labor would receive a hearty welcome and gather fruits.
While we are writing this, we are on board the Great Northern Railway on our way to attend the Southern Union Conference, which convenes at Nashville, Tenn., January 9-10.
A. O. Burrill.
Field Notes and Gleanings
Four new members were added to the Chicago German church on Sabbath, January 11.
As the result of meetings recently held with the church at Cripple Creek, Colo., by Brother F. M. Corbaley, eight persons have been baptized.
Of the results of their meetings at Essex, Kan., Brethren N. T. Sutton and T. Godfrey report that “three have promised to obey, and others, being very much interested, are studying the truth, and we hope that they also will obey.”
Findings
Dr. Lucinda A. Marsh, who has spent some time in India, paid this Office a visit recently.
Word comes from Dr. G. B. Replogle, stating that he has just opened a sanitarium at Fayetteville, Ark.
Dr. Nellie Stephens is associated with Dr. W. W. Worster in the Wabash Valley Sanitarium, La Fayette, Ind.
Dr. J. E. Froom writes that the sanitarium work he has started in Boise, Idaho, is already meeting with encouraging success.
An encouraging report comes from the Knowlton (Quebec) Sanitarium. The patronage is increasing steadily, and prospects are good.
Word comes from Dr. H. W. Miller and wife that they are on their way to China. May God's richest blessing rest on the united efforts of these workers among China's benighted millions.
Dr. Amy Bascom is connected with the Huntsville (Ala.) Training-school. She writes: “I am anxious to see sanitarium work started here. Our nurses' class is doing nicely. We wish to do something in the health-school work soon.”
The secretary of this department has an opening where a Seventh-day Adventist young man who is a first-class stenographer, and has had bookkeeping, can partly, if not wholly, pay living expenses in a medical course by three or four hours' work in an office each day. The best character, workmanship, and references required. Write the Secretary of the Medical Department at once.
We are in receipt of word from one of our physicians who is desirous of taking up medical missionary work in China, stating that he has a high-grade B & L microscope, nebulizer, and other appliances which he desires to dispose of, that he may proceed to China soon. Any one desiring such apparatus will please write the secretary, Dr. W. A. Ruble, Takoma Park, D. C., and thus assist in putting another laborer in the broad harvest-field.
Geneva Lake Sanitarium
By P. A. DE FOREST, M. D.
ABOUT midway between Lausanne and Geneva, Switzerland, there is a stretch of beautiful country called La Côte (The Coast), a tract that slopes gradually toward the lake. The Geneva Lake Sanitarium is found not far from the center of this district, installed on the property known as the Lignière, a farm of about one hundred acres; about one half of this is covered with a forest of oaks. The accompanying cut gives a general view from the bank of the lake, looking north. The factory is seen to the left, and next to it a large warehouse, while behind and a little to the right of this building the white walls of the air and of a sun bath are visible.
In the middle, with the forest for a background, are the buildings of the sanitarium, and still farther to the right the summer sanitarium, which will probably be used in the future for school purposes. The road shown in the center is the high road from Geneva to Lausanne. The view from the camping-grounds, looking up the lake toward Montreux, is superb. The patients appreciate the boating, bathing, and landscape, and the ever-changing lake. Our portion of the bay extends for about three hundred twenty yards, and is lined with pines and other trees. A stone wall prevents the waves from encroaching.
We are well aware that the beautiful truths of health reform are not dependent for their acceptance on splendid scenery, yet human beings are naturally attracted to the beauties of nature, and this we believe is one reason why our patronage is steadily increasing.
The property was bought in the fall of 1904, about a month before the opening of the school at Washington. The new building was erected the following winter. Our rooms were ready about August, although patients began to arrive on the first of July, 1905. The bath-rooms were completed in January, 1906, and about that time the institution was ready for work.
Although comparatively little advertising is done, our present facilities are almost inadequate to meet the needs of our patients during the press of the season. The workers are full of courage in this work, and from time to time persons become interested in the evangelical truths and accept them. It is hardly possible to estimate the amount of prejudice against this truth which is overcome by the kindly, conscientious nurse, and the simple remedies employed in our institutions.
The training-school and the health paper established from the beginning of our work have helped to give it stability, and to spread the living principles in every direction. We have graduates scattered in the following countries: Ireland, 1; England, 1; United States, 3; France, 7 (of whom 2 are evangelists); Italy, 1 (who is also an evangelist); Egypt, 2; Syria, 1; Spain, 1; German Switzerland, 2; French Switzerland, 17 (of whom 5 are working in the sanitarium). Two of our graduates are working as evangelists in Switzerland; five young men who began their career as nurses are doing successful work in the field. Three nurses now here, two of whom have completed their studies, are destined for field work as the way may open.
Our present force of workers consists of a director, a matron, one physician who visits the institution once a week, and who is responsible legally, the writer, two head nurses, three graduate, five senior, and five junior nurses. Our other workers consist of a cook and assistant cook and seven food-factory workers. The highest number of patients and boarders at any one time was about fifty-five. During the winter the number varies between ten and twenty.
This one thing we do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth to those things which are before, we press toward the mark, which is, to bring the last call to the marriage supper of the Lamb into the homes and hearts of those who will not receive the living truths of the gospel in any other way; and as a band of workers we intend to occupy the field and push ahead with the part Christ has given us to do till he comes.