Dedication of the Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute
By Percy T. Magan
FOUR years ago last June the property upon which the buildings of the Nashville (Tenn.) Agricultural and Normal Institute now stand, was purchased. The erection of the buildings never proceeded very rapidly, as money came in quite slowly, and the work of construction was carried on by the teachers and students, with very little help from skilled mechanics. Consequently it was not until this autumn that we felt that things were far enough along to hold the dedicatory services.
On Sunday afternoon, October 18, during the Convention of Self-Supporting Missionaries, the services of dedication were held. About four hundred persons met in the chapel of Gotzian Hall. This, our main school building, is the gift of Sister Josephine Gotzian, of California. The weather was perfect, — a warm and sunny southern autumnal day, which made the old oak grove, in which the buildings are largely situated, look its best.
It was a great pleasure to have with us on this occasion a number of our General Conference brethren, whose words of encouragement relative to the work here were greatly appreciated. Our company of teachers and students were glad to see the faces of Elders A. G. Daniels, S. N. Haskell, Geo. A. Irwin, Geo. B. Thompson, R. A. Underwood, W. A. Westworth, John Christian, and C. F. McVagh, and Prof. Frederick Griggs, and others.
A large number of friends and neighbors from the city of Nashville and from the surrounding country were present, and manifested a deep interest in the work which has been accomplished. The services opened with singing by the school, under the direction of Mrs. S. V. Sutherland. After this there was a Scripture reading by Professor Griggs, followed by the invocation, which was offered by Elder Daniels.
Prof. E. A. Sutherland, president of the faculty, then gave a brief sketch of the founding of the school:—
In November, 1904, when the little company of teachers and students first took possession of the farm, the prospects for a school were not very flattering. When school was opened, we were quite crowded. The room which served for chapel also served for class room, and at still another time of the day for dining-room.
But from this humble beginning there have gone forth about one hundred self-supporting missionaries who are now doing what they can to spread the truth of the gospel. Seven men and women from the school have gone to the island of Cuba, and two schools have been opened among the Cuban people. Four years ago there were no small family schools scattered over the South; to-day there are a number of them, and the number is increasing all the time.
When we came here, the spot where this building — Gotzian Hall — now stands was covered with an old and most unsightly stable. The lawn surrounding the buildings since erected was a pasture, and across the avenue, where the Phelps building now stands, was a large swine yard.
A number of cottages have been erected. These have been donated, for the most part, by conferences, churches, and friends. We have the Nebraska cottage, donated by the brethren and sisters in that conference; the Boulder cottage, donated by the Boulder (Colo.) church; the Oregon cottage; the Upper Columbia cottage; the Paton cottage; and others.
We also have a small sanitarium. It is not fully equipped yet, but already we have had a number of patients. Dr. Newton Evans, formerly of Murray, Ky., has been chosen medical superintendent. Dr. Evans has also been elected professor of pathology in the medical department of the University of Tennessee; this will undoubtedly give some prestige to our work.
It is our aim to train young men and women to lead lives fraught with the highest and most noble purposes, and thus consecrate and devote their power to carrying the gospel of the kingdom to all the world.
After a solo by Professor Griggs, “The City That Lieth Foursquare,” Elder Underwood, president of the Northern Union Conference, delivered the dedicatory address. The theme of this address was the building of the temple of Solomon, as an example of the great work of God in the earth in gathering out a people for his name, who ultimately will become a spiritual temple in the kingdom of heaven. The address was greatly enjoyed by the teachers, students, and friends present. After this address the writer made a few remarks in regard to the mission of the school, and the kind reception which has been accorded to its founders by the friends in the neighborhood and the citizens of Nashville.
Professor Davis, of Madison and Nashville, one of the best-known educators in Tennessee, responded in behalf of the citizens, with very appropriate remarks, delivered in a most cordial and earnest manner. He referred to the simple and practical way in which the founders of the school had gone about their work, and to the deep impression which the simplicity and lack of display in building and in the equipment had made upon the people of the neighborhood. He referred to the great advantage of having schools located in the country, and to the fact that this country needs men whose constant cry shall be, “Away from the cities,”—men who will call the people back to the simplicity of the lives of their fathers.
Squire J. M. Johnson, one of Madison’s leading citizens, who has been a warm friend of the school and a hearty supporter of the principles for which it stands, followed with a speech of welcome.
Elder S. N. Haskell then offered the16dedicatory prayer; and after another hymn the visitors scattered to inspect the grounds and buildings; and thus a very pleasant and happy occasion in the history of the Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute came to a close.
We are thankful that the blessing of God in a most marked manner has attended the humble efforts which have been made to establish the work of this school, and it is our constant prayer that he will preserve this institute in the simple lines of training necessary for his service, for which he has brought it into being.
PERCY T. MAGAN.
Bible Distribution in Korea
MISSIONARIES in Korea report that the uprising of last summer has hindered the distribution of the Bible considerably, but has done the church good by driving out the unfaithful and causing the faithful to realize more clearly the keeping power of God. Notwithstanding the hindrances to Bible distribution, there were circulated last year 151,230 copies of the Bible in Korea, an increase of nearly 24,000 over the previous year.
Danish West Indies
By H. C. J. Walleker
ST. THOMAS.—Sister Jennie Nelson, of Wisconsin, arrived in this place September 9, and opened school on the fourteenth. Our school is small, but we hope it will grow, and be a great help in bringing the truth to the honest in heart.
The Lord is continually adding to our number. A class of five is now taking instruction for baptism, and expect soon to go forward in this ordinance.
I visited St. John, Tortola, and St. Croix recently. Some work has been done at the two first-named places, and there are a few faithful souls on those islands, but they need help. I have gone there at different times in my motorboat “Evangel,” but calls for help are coming from so many places that we can not answer them all at present. There are about ten islands in this group, and with the most of them we have no direct communication except by small sailboats. The “Evangel” has done good service, but she is only twenty-three and one-half feet over all, with a four-horsepower motor, and is rather too small to reach some of the islands where we must carry the message.
OUR MISSIONARY BOAT "EVANGEL," ST. THOMAS, DANISH WEST INDIES
Elder James H. Matthews has now moved to St. Croix, and I am planning to join him very soon in a tent effort at Christianssted. No public meetings have ever been held on this island by our people. For a long time we have been urged to go there, but could not start until we had a tent. Now the tent is here, and we shall soon be at work there.
Elder U. Bender, the president of the West Indian Union Conference, has been with us for a few days. It was a real privilege to have his counsel and advice in regard to our work.
We are all well at present, and of good courage. We desire to be remembered in your prayers.
H. C. J. WALLEKER.
Pennsylvania
By K. C. RUSSELL
SUNBURY AND NORTHUMBERLAND.—Monday and Tuesday evenings, November 9, 10, I spoke in the new church building which has recently been erected at Northumberland. The church is neat, commodious, and centrally located, where it will testify of the truths believed by those who worship in it. Three churches of other denominations are near it.
The service each evening was well attended by the members of both the Sunbury and Northumberland churches, besides a goodly number not of our faith.
During the summer of 1891, the writer, assisted by Elder H. G. Thurston and wife, conducted a series of tent-meetings in Sunbury, which were attended with good results, and a church was organized in that place. During the winter of 1891-92 the writer held a series of meetings in an opera-house at Northumberland. A goodly number embraced the truth, and another church was organized. These places are two miles apart, separated by the Susquehanna River.
NEW CHURCH AT NORTHUMBERLAND, PA.
It was in the latter place, March 14, 1904, that we laid to rest our little Mabel, aged two years and ten months.
Our hearts were cheered to see so many of those who embraced the truth nearly a score of years ago standing faithfully for this message. We were made sad as we thought of those who had fallen in death, but rejoiced to think we shall meet them soon. These churches are no exception to others, in that some who first embraced the truth and held fast for a season, finally fell out by the way.
Two years ago tent-meetings were held in these places by Elder George Spies and Brother I. M. Martin, which resulted in reviving and strengthening the work by the addition of other members. It was interesting, after several years' absence, to see so many still friendly to the truth who have not yet yielded to the claims of the gospel. We shall still hope that many of this number will obey before it is too late.
During my recent visit with these churches, it was decided to order one thousand copies of the Thanksgiving number of the REVIEW. Our prayer is that these churches may be as a city set on a hill, and that their light may radiate in clear, distinct rays to those in darkness about them.
One of the discourses already referred to emphasized the importance of Christ's continually abiding within the soul, if we are to be assured of God's power in overcoming the difficulties we meet.
The second sermon was on the subject of religious liberty. Among other points discussed was President Roosevelt's letter on religious liberty, in which he answered the inquiries relative to Mr. Taft's religious belief. We admitted that one's purely religious belief should never be made a test for any office or public trust, but it was pointed out that one of the fundamental principles of Roman Catholicism is the union of church and state, which is contrary to the principle upon which our government is founded. It is this feature that should forever preclude a Roman Catholic from being eligible to the presidency of the United States.
K. C. RUSSELL.
The Kentucky Camp-Meeting
By E. G. Hayes
The first camp-meeting of the Kentucky Conference was held in a beautiful beach grove in the edge of Moreland, Ky., September 24 to October 4.
At the meeting of the Southern Union Conference held last January, all that portion of the Cumberland and Tennessee River conferences lying in the State of Kentucky and east of the Tennessee River, was formed into a temporary organization as a conference awaiting the opportunity of adopting a constitution and by-laws at its fall camp-meeting. Hence at this meeting the Kentucky Conference was fully organized, and a constitution and by-laws, providing for present conditions and future development, were adopted.
In the opening session of the conference,17the president, Elder A. O. Burrill, gave an interesting account of the progress of the work in this field during the past eight months. At the beginning of that period the recorded membership was two hundred sixty-two—two hundred seventeen of whom were white, and forty-five colored. This list needs revising, as many have moved from the State. Twenty others have been added during the past season.
This new conference is of good courage, and greatly appreciates the help which it has received,—three large field tents, one from the California, one from the South Dakota, and one from the West Michigan Conference; also two laborers with their support for two years from the West Michigan Conference, and two hundred dollars for other expenses; and one minister with his support for two years from the South Dakota Conference. The Lord is blessing the efforts of these brethren as they unite earnestly in the work in this field.
We were also glad to see a good interest in all departments of the work. Brother C. F. Dart has put in faithful work in arousing an interest in the circulation of our literature, and thousands are being reached by the printed page. All showed an intense interest in all departments of the work, not only in the home field, but also in the work abroad, as the field is one.
Elder A. O. Burrill was re-elected president of the conference. The other officers elected are as follows: Secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Clara Russell; educational and religious liberty secretary, E. G. Hayes; Sabbath-school and Missionary Volunteer secretary, Miss Dollie Callender; field missionary agent and secretary, C. F. Dart; corresponding secretary, Mrs. A. O. Burrill. Conference committee: A. O. Burrill, E. G. Hayes, Walter Jones, C. F. Dart, and R. W. Harris.
A legal association, to be known as the Seventh-day Adventist Association of Kentucky, was formed. The members of the conference committee were elected as the board of the legal association, with A. O. Burrill as chairman; E. G. Hayes, secretary; and R. W. Harris, treasurer.
Ministerial credentials were given to A. O. Burrill, E. G. Hayes, J. M. Irving, and Walter Jones; ministerial licenses to Lon Russell and H. M. Jacobs; and missionary licenses to Mrs. Clara Russell, Miss Anna Horning, C. F. Dart, Miss Dollie Callender.
Elder G. A. Irwin, president of the Southern Union Conference, and Elder C. F. McVagh, vice-president, also A. F. Harrison and Dr. W. A. George, were with us during a large part of the camp-meeting, and their labors were much appreciated by all. Elder Irwin conducted a number of special studies upon the subject of the spirit of prophecy, which were as meat in due season, and all felt that their faith was greatly strengthened, and rejoiced that the Lord had thus manifested himself to this people.
There was a fair attendance at the evening meetings from the town and its vicinity by those not of our faith; also several who had lately embraced the message as the result of the tent-meetings conducted on the same grounds during the summer, were in attendance.
Although our work as a conference is new, and our numbers are few, all are of good courage, and know that this message will soon triumph; and as we separated for our homes and various fields of labor, it was with the desire to have our lives ever dedicated to God, and by his help push the battle to the gates, that we may be able to do our part in finishing the work he has given us to do.
E. G. HAYES.
The Greater New York Conference
By L. W. Graham
The seventh annual session of the Greater New York Conference was held in New York City, September 22-29. The work of the conference consisted of receiving reports from the different officers and laborers, the laying of plans for future work, the election of officers, and the granting of credentials and licenses for the ensuing conference year.
We were especially favored with the presence of a number of workers from outside our own conference. These were Elder A. G. Daniells, president of the General Conference; Elder E. W. Farnsworth, president of the Atlantic Union Conference; Elders G. B. Thompson and K. C. Russell, of the General Conference; Brother R. J. Bryant, canvassing agent of the Atlantic Union Conference; Brother F. M. Dana, general missionary secretary of the Atlantic Union Conference; and Elder Morris Lukens, manager of the book department of the Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D. C. All these brethren rendered excellent help.
The report of the secretary and other workers showed that there had been a gain of one hundred seventy-three in the membership for the year. This was a source of great encouragement to all present, as it shows conclusively that there are honest souls in this great city, and that the Lord is leading them to accept the truth.
The treasurer's report showed that there had been a decrease in tithe for the year of a little over fifteen hundred dollars. This was mainly caused by the fact that many of our brethren have been thrown out of employment during this year of panic. The donations for the year, however, were a little more than three thousand dollars larger than for the previous year, which shows that the brethren and sisters here have been willing to assist the cause in the regions beyond. The total amount of tithes for the conference year was $18,222.29. The total amount of donations during the same time was $6,881.21.
Three new churches were added to the conference during the year—one English, one German, and one Italian.
Sabbath afternoon Brother Louis Zecchetto was ordained to the sacred work of the gospel ministry. Preceding the ordination Elder Thompson preached a powerful sermon on the duties and privileges of the gospel ministry. Elder C. H. Edwards delivered the charge, and Elder Farnsworth offered prayer.
The nominating committee brought in the name of Elder Edwards as president, who was re-elected. Elder Edwards stated that for several years it had been his desire to be released from the presidency of this conference; that he had resigned twice before, once putting the same in writing; that his resignation had not been accepted, but that this time he trusted that the brethren and sisters would release him from the responsibility to which they had just elected him. It was with regret that the conference acceded to his request and accepted his resignation.
The final report of the nominating committee, which was accepted, was as follows:—
President, M. L. Andreasen; secretary and treasurer, L. W. Graham. Members of the conference committee: M. L. Andreasen, L. W. Graham, O. E. Reinke, Louis Zecchetto, G. M. Chaffee, J. L. Johnson, J. B. Mallory. Secretary of the Sabbath-school and Young People's Department, Mrs. L. H. Proctor; field missionary agent, Henry Tonjes. Religious liberty committee: Amos Mitchell, Claude Maybel, Louis Klebahn. Medical committee: B. B. Kinne, M. D., H. P. Vaughan, M. D., E. H. M. Sell, M. D. Educational committee: Mrs. M. L. Andreasen, Mrs. L. H. Proctor, Miss Hilda Norman.
The committee recommended that credentials be granted to M. L. Andreasen, C. H. Edwards, J. K. Humphrey, C. F. Knott, L. H. Proctor; and that Louis Zecchetto be ordained and given credentials; that ministerial licenses be given to B. Calderone, Stephen Halusic, J. C. Hennessy, J. J. Kennedy, R. H. Martin, Amos Mitchell, G. E. Nord, Antonio Savarese, J. D. Sivak; and that missionary credentials be given to Miss H. Borchgrevink, H. P. Hansen, Miss E. Kehrain, Mrs. R. Leo, A. O. Lund, C. Massimino, Miss A. Meyer, Miss H. Neumann, Miss E. M. Nord, Fred Scharff, Mrs. M. A. Scribner, Henry Thompson, and Henry Tonjes.
The conference adjourned, rejoicing that the past year had been a fruitful one, and that the Lord had greatly blessed us; and we trust that his blessing will be continued in this great field.
L. W. GRAHAM, Sec.
Field Notes
A CHURCH of thirteen members was recently organized at Paradise, Cal., with prospects of three or four additional members soon.
As a result of the tent effort at Sonora, Ohio, several are keeping the Sabbath. Others, it is believed, will take their stand soon for the truth.
AT Ottumwa, Iowa, on October 24, two persons were baptized. In the afternoon the ordinances were celebrated, and five united with the church.
SEVEN persons were baptized at South Lancaster, Mass., on a recent Sabbath, by Elder C. S. Longacre. These were mostly students of the academy.
THE following report comes from Brother J. R. Patterson, of Red Bluff, Cal.: “October 31 I had the privilege of baptizing two persons, a man and his wife, and again, on November 7, two sisters.”
ELDER A. R. BELL and family have moved from Harrisburg, Pa., to York, where Brother Bell held a tent effort the past summer. As a result of the effort he baptized five, and one joined the company on profession of faith.
Canvassers’ Summary for October, 1908
Canadian Union Conference
AGENTS
HOURS
ORDERS
VALUE
Maritime
..
...
...
......
Quebec
..
...
...
......
Ontario
..
...
...
......
Atlantic Union Conference
AGENTS
HOURS
ORDERS
VALUE
Central New England
10
990
186
$ 944.65
Southern New England
3
219
94
164.65
Maine
4
156
17
70.65
Vermont
6
694
178
510.65
Western New York
6
308
129
296.95
Greater New York
10
248
...
423.50
New York
8
547
95
265.55
Totals
47
3162
709
2676.60
Columbia Union Conference
AGENTS
HOURS
ORDERS
VALUE
New Jersey
16
1097
320
925.90
Chesapeake
14
1041
407
693.90
East Pennsylvania
21
1246
290
611.00
West Pennsylvania
7
579
175
488.77
Ohio
10
628
327
439.50
West Virginia
9
376
68
368.35
Virginia
11
1051
205
341.40
Totals
88
6018
1792
3868.82
Lake Union Conference
AGENTS
HOURS
ORDERS
VALUE
Northern Illinois
7
621
204
638.25
West Michigan
6
189
...
143.60
North Michigan
3
63
14
50.30
East Michigan
13
803
332
633.65
Southern Illinois
15
766
221
584.90
Wisconsin
19
1462
304
1014.30
Indiana
8
667
180
425.10
Totals
71
4571
1255
3490.10
Southern Union Conference
AGENTS
HOURS
ORDERS
VALUE
Mississippi
10
892
193
313.05
Louisiana
7
591
280
684.50
Alabama
27
887
375
838.35
Kentucky
15
1115
244
352.50
Tennessee River
7
665
192
295.20
Totals
66
4150
1284
2493.60
Southeastern Union Conference
AGENTS
HOURS
ORDERS
VALUE
Georgia
6
1217
168
726.75
North Carolina
12
880
323
516.85
South Carolina
20
1395
445
751.35
Florida
7
199
151
230.50
Cumberland
..
2028
1100
1769.50
Totals
45
5719
2187
3994.95
Southwestern Union Conference
AGENTS
HOURS
ORDERS
VALUE
Oklahoma
28
4204
651
2684.20
Arkansas
16
1474
164
412.50
Texas
28
1723
196
783.80
New Mexico
1
127
112
100.80
West Texas
5
201
32
101.90
Totals
78
7729
1155
4083.20
Pacific Union Conference
AGENTS
HOURS
ORDERS
VALUE
Arizona
..
...
...
......
California
6
150
382
562.65
Southern California
8
1276
582
1160.50
Utah
2
13
13
9.55
Totals
16
1439
977
1732.70
North Pacific Union Conference
AGENTS
HOURS
ORDERS
VALUE
Western Washington
12
595
428
1185.05
Western Oregon
5
33
17
156.35
Upper Columbia
1
127
17
69.75
Southern Idaho
1
20
5
22.30
Montana
..
...
...
......
Totals
19
775
467
1433.55
Western Canadian Union Conference
AGENTS
HOURS
ORDERS
VALUE
Alberta
2
81
42
134.10
British Columbia
..
...
...
......
Manitoba
5
157
62
201.15
Saskatchewan
6
358
66
232.30
Totals
13
596
170
567.55
Central Union Conference
AGENTS
HOURS
ORDERS
VALUE
Western Colorado
2
20
13
63.50
Eastern Colorado
3
193
101
148.05
Kansas
18
1016
440
1841.42
Nebraska
13
930
247
1000.50
Wyoming
4
325
88
341.75
North Missouri
10
752
785
812.30
South Missouri
11
434
131
368.75
Totals
61
3660
1805
4576.27
Northern Union Conference
AGENTS
HOURS
ORDERS
VALUE
South Dakota
8
928
69
514.15
Minnesota
2
14
2
53.96
Iowa
8
709
214
754.75
North Dakota
..
...
...
......
Error in previous report
..
...
...
1000.00
Totals
18
1651
285
2322.86
AGENTS
HOURS
ORDERS
VALUE
Mexican Mission
7
222
261
418.02
Latin Union Conference
7
1576
971
1743.95
British Union Conference
72
5056
1910
5389.32
Scandinavian Union Conference
108
14466
9475
6118.76
West Indian Union Conference
9
89
228
986.31
South American Union Conference
12
...
...
912.99
German Union Conf. (two months)
212
...
...
12606.27
Levant Union Conference
...
...
...
30.07
Australasian Union Conference
36
2060
849
3022.40
Cape Colony Conference
7
...
...
251.62
Total, North American union conferences ........................ $31,240.20
Total, foreign union conferences and mission fields ............ 31,479.71
Grand total ................................................ $ 62,719.91
Comparative Summary
1906
1907
1908
January
$21,000.00
$26,325.50
$25,929.06
February
15,000.00
26,369.61
30,466.40
March
18,000.00
36,253.65
36,390.09
April
23,700.00
35,276.76
43,858.29
May
36,800.00
51,097.51
67,445.44
June
46,300.00
65,317.23
82,878.67
July
52,218.04
75,691.57
120,973.89
August
36,555.39
46,590.68
66,946.38
September
22,038.63
32,503.48
51,029.06
October
26,382.61
40,646.45
62,719.91
The Publishing Work
Conducted under the auspices of the General Conference Publishing Department.
C. H. JONES - - - - Chairman
E. R. PALMER - - - - Secretary
H. H. HALL - - Assistant Secretary
The Summary
By E. R. Palmer
THE accompanying summary for the month of October is an interesting one. Several features of it are worthy of special mention:—
1. The figures show that prosperity in the book work is quite evenly distributed over the entire country.
2. The union conferences which have been divided during the past year present a summary in each part which is quite as encouraging as the summary of last year for the entire territory.
3. Good results are seen in those union conferences which have undertaken in a systematic way to develop a strong corps of permanent workers.
4. Note the new names in the foreign list, and also the fact that the total for the foreign union conferences and mission fields is just a little above the union conferences of North America.
5. Study carefully again the comparative summary, and see how the work during 1908 has strengthened from the beginning of the year, compared with the two preceding years.
As I have studied this summary, two thoughts have impressed themselves upon my mind:—
1. What a fine summary this would have been if the conferences which have been inactive or have given only indifferent attention to the canvassing work, had lined up strongly with those which are making such an encouraging showing.
2. Thanksgiving day is past, but the reasons for thanksgiving are still with us.
E. R. PALMER.
Canadian Union Conference
By E. R. PALMER.
Those who know what has been going on in eastern Canada during the past few weeks will be able to read a report representing more than the usual activity between the conspicuous dashes in their report. Brother B. B. Noftsger, who is still struggling on without an office assistant, has recently moved the office of the Canadian Union Conference and Publishing Association from Toronto, Ontario, to Ottawa, Quebec.
We know, without receiving any apology from him, that Brother Noftsger was too pressed with work to bring out the Canadian Union Messenger, or fill out the blank we sent to him for the report. A report for two months will probably appear in the next summary.
We are pleased to announce that Brother George W. Miller, former field missionary agent of the South Dakota Conference, has accepted a call from the Maritime Conference to labor in their field as field missionary agent. He is to attend the bookmen’s convention in Takoma Park, on his way to Nova Scotia.
As the organization is strengthened, and the number of workers increased, we expect to see the work develop rapidly in that interesting field.
E. R. PALMER.
First-Fruits of the Thanksgiving Ingathering
THE churches of the District of Columbia held a union meeting at Pythian Temple, Sabbath, November 28, and many interesting experiences with the Ingathering number of the REVIEW were related. Without exception, a good degree of success had attended the efforts of those who had engaged in the work in an energetic manner. The average amount received for each paper reported was $1.21. Several reported as much as ten dollars received from one individual. One man, who was not at home when the solicitor called, received the paper that was left for him, and at once sent a messenger with ten dollars to the home of the solicitor. Thanksgiving week will not see the end of this good work in the District of Columbia; for plans have been laid to continue the work until after the week of prayer.
Many persons have written to the Office, expressing a determination to continue the work of soliciting until Christmas. One sister who expects to do this, writes: “I had fifty papers. I called upon the wealthy class first. My first paper brought five dollars for missions. I never took part in a work that I so delighted in as I do in soliciting for missions.”
One of our church-school teachers in Ohio writes: “I am feeling enthusiastic to-day; my school of six pupils secured eight dollars in donations yesterday. It is the first work of this kind they have ever done. Of course, the money will all be applied on the Foreign Mission fund.”
A worker in California reports a donation of fifty dollars from one person.
The president of a conference in New England, in reporting the work in his territory, mentions one sister who secured forty-seven dollars for forty-seven papers, and another who took out forty-three papers, and returned with forty-three dollars, an average of one dollar apiece.
The first six reports from Indiana show an average of twenty-two cents received for the papers used.
The secretary of one of the tract societies in the Atlantic Union Conference went out one morning before seven o’clock, delivered two papers, and collected one dollar and a half for them.
From Memphis, Tenn., comes a report of a sister who received donations amounting to seven dollars from five papers.
From all parts of the United States come reports of good cheer, hearty appreciation of the work, and liberal donations from those solicited. The refrain of all those who send in reports seems to be, “Why did we not think of this plan before?”
The Church
By G. B. Thompson
Instruction Pertaining to the Duties and Responsibilities of Officers and Members
Delinquent Tithe Payers
“WHAT shall be done with the members who do not pay tithe?” is a question often asked. Nearly every church officer is confronted with this problem; for delinquent tithe payers are found everywhere.
I do not know that this question can be answered better than to quote the following from the pen of Sister White, printed in the REVIEW AND HERALD of Dec. 1, 1896:—
“Let the church appoint pastors or elders who are devoted to the Lord Jesus, and let these men see that officers are chosen who will attend faithfully to the work of gathering in the tithe. If the pastors show that they are not fitted for their charge, if they fail to set before the church the importance of returning to God his own, if they do not see to it that the officers under them are faithful, and that the tithe is brought in, they are in peril, they are neglecting a matter which involves a blessing or a curse to the church. They should be relieved of their responsibility, and other men should be tested and tried.”
We believe that church officers should take a real burden in this matter. The president of the conference, and other20laborers, should give this matter serious attention, of course, when visiting a church, but it should not be left entirely for these persons to attend to. The individual who is robbing God in tithes is bringing darkness into his own soul, and into the church, and the elder of the church should personally labor with him on this matter, in much the same way as if he were breaking the Sabbath or doing any other wicked thing. The church treasurer, too, in our judgment, ought to take more burden regarding this question than simply to write a receipt for the tithe which is handed him. Kind, Christian letters can be written occasionally to isolated members. A friendly call to those living nearer, and the suggestion that you are about to remit some tithe to the conference treasurer, and would be glad to send what they had on hand with the rest, would result many times in gathering in some of the Lord’s money which otherwise would not be received.
The president of a conference and his committee are expected to work up the tithe throughout the entire field. Why should not the officers of the local church take a similar burden in their church? If all would discharge their duty in this matter, there would be fewer delinquent tithe payers, and many thousands of dollars would be gathered in to advance the message.
G. B. Thompson.
A Sample Letter From the Ingatherers
By Albert C. Anderson
517 SUMMIT ST., LEAD CITY, S. D.,
Nov. 26, 1908.
Review and Herald,
Takoma Park, D. C.
DEAR BRETHREN: Our little company here sent for five hundred copies of the special REVIEW. I disposed of two hundred of these myself, and wish to order two hundred more.
Through this plan, the poor as well as the rich, can give. The question is not how much money I can give, but how much of my time I can and will give.
I must say that I was surprised when I started out in this work. The first morning I told my wife that I almost had to force myself to go. But the very first place that I came to, I gave the family a paper, telling them that my chief object was in behalf of the poor in foreign lands. They responded with a donation, which was five or six times the cost of the paper. In almost every house I received some donation. In about six hours' time I had $5.35. My wife then thought she would try this work in the evening, in the business part of town, and she received $7.95. I am fully persuaded that this is a good plan, and that every town should be solicited.
But the question comes to me, Is the time limited with this number, or can we continue the work until New-year's, giving away a copy of this special number of the REVIEW, and telling the people that we are soliciting a holiday fund to be used to advance the work in the dark heathen lands?
I will close for this time, hoping that the Lord will bless every effort that is being put forth for the advancement of this cause. Yours respectfully,
