Earlier text: General Meetings in the Latin UnionDanish-Norwegian Seminary
By Chas. Thompson
The General Conference Council held at College View, Nebr., October, 1909, decided upon the removal of the foreign departments from Union College, and recommended the establishment of three new schools, one of which would be for the training of Danish-Norwegian workers, and also recommended that this seminary be located in the Northern Union. In harmony with this action a committee was appointed to choose the site and make final decision as to location. As a result, the school was located at Hutchinson, Minn., a city of twenty-five hundred inhabitants, about eighty miles west of Minneapolis. They purchased a college building erected by another denomination. This is a four-story building, and its dimensions are 123 feet by 67 feet. The building is of brick with a stone foundation; the floors and furnishings are of hard wood, all in good condition. A farm of one hundred sixty acres adjoining the campus was also purchased. The school is now entering upon its third year, and everything indicates the successful accomplishment of the plans of the committee at the time the recommendation was made. There are four ordained ministers on the teaching faculty. The student body is matured in years, all being soundly converted to the faith, and in the school for the definite purpose of receiving such training as will fit them to be laborers in the proclamation of the third angel's message to the world. It has been the desire of those who have had the responsibility of establishing this institution that it be done without incurring a debt. There was sufficient subscribed in cash and pledges to accomplish this purpose, and the promoters have gone ahead and established a school that the denomination can look to with pride. It deserves the loyal support of every Danish-Norwegian believer in North America. The institution to-day is enabled to meet its running expenses, but it has more than $6,000 liability, most of which is drawing interest. There is a sufficient amount in pledges, unpaid, to liquidate the entire liability, if the pledges could be turned into cash; and we desire in this article to appeal in a special way to those who have made pledges to this institution to put forth their early and earnest endeavor to pay the same. If all will do this, the Danish-Norwegian Seminary can be freed from its liabilities and the burden of paying interest. The time was never more favorable for the people to meet their pledges than to-day. The crops are abundant, the prices excellent, the commodities in demand; so we feel that our appeal ought to be answered at an early date, and the Danish-Norwegian Seminary be freed from its burden. There are others who doubtless have never pledged nor made a donation to this institution, who have it in mind to do so. We appeal to this class to make their contributions at as early a date as possible, so that we can have the money to make the needed repairs and improvements, and thus place the institution on vantage-ground. The General Conference Committee, in its recent session, reaffirmed the policy of carrying forward the work on a cash basis; and we have started on a campaign to wipe out our institutional liabilities. We desire to hear the jubilee song sung at an early date, before the time of the next General Conference, by the Danish-Norwegian Seminary. We believe that the school has been established in the providence of God, and that it is, through his blessing, training workers for his cause, who will go out in answer to the Macedonian call into the unworked and unwarned portions of earth to herald a message that will prepare the honest in heart for the coming and kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is worthy of our confidence and support, and I trust that those who have obligated themselves in a definite way to assist in the establishment of this institution will meet their obligations at an early date, thus enabling it to go forward without being hindered by unpaid liabilities. The Northern Union Conference Association holds the title to the property, and the treasurer of the union will be pleased to receive all contributions for this institution, and the same will be promptly receipted. May the Lord inspire all to discharge their responsibility, and receive his blessing in return. Medical Missionary Work in the City of Chicago
By D. H. Kress, M. D.
DURING the summer months six tent efforts were conducted in the city. These meetings were fairly well attended. In connection with all but one of these efforts, we conducted schools of health. Each afternoon during the week, with the exception of Sunday and Sabbath, we gave a demonstration in cookery or in simple treatments, preceded by a short lecture. The work done by Mrs. Kress especially, seemed to be highly appreciated by those attending. A certain amount of prejudice exists on the part of some against going to a tent; for this reason the audiences were not so large as we usually get when conducting these efforts in halls or churches. Each evening a health or temperance lecture was given at one of the tents. The tent efforts have closed, but plans are being laid to carry forward a special effort in a good-sized hall centrally located in a good residential district of the city. Elder K. C. Russell will be in charge of this effort, and will be assisted by a corps of well-organized and capable workers. In addition to this, we have opened up our South Side Medical Missionary Training-school, for the purpose of assisting those who are desirous of obtaining a special and speedy training for medical missionary work in the homes of the people. The school was opened on October 15. There was a splendid attendance on the night of the opening. Remarks were made by Elders G. E. Langdon, K. C. Russell, W. D. Forde, Drs. David Paulson, L. H. Wolfsen, W. S. Saddler, A. A. John, and D. H. Kress. The Spirit of God was present to witness to this effort. The first class was held the next day. There was an attendance of twenty-four. We hope by the end of another week to have between thirty and forty present. The workers in training here expect to assist in the efforts conducted in the large hall. An effort will also be made to conduct a similar work in our churches. Every church should be a training center for medical missionaries, and every member a real missionary in the home and community in which he lives. This is not too much to hope, pray, and work for. We are also opening up a medical missionary nurses’ bureau in connection with the Branch Sanitarium Medical Missionary Training-school. We hope that many of the nurses who, on being graduated from our sanitariums, feel compelled to go out and work under physicians who are not in sympathy with the principles they have been taught, and in doing so daily violate a conscience enlightened by truth, will unite with us and assist in this effort in Chicago. We shall endeavor to secure cases for them. They are entitled to all they earn while on cases. When not on a case, they can have the benefit of this training center at a charge of three dollars a week for board and room, and can assist in work for the poorer classes, sell our periodicals, or rest until another case is secured. We now have calls we are unable to fill. In this way these workers may work under some one of our city physicians. At present we have seven doctors in Chicago, and we hope soon to have others here for the purpose of carrying18forward a medical missionary effort for all classes. We are also locating nurses in various parts of the city, as the way opens. These go out two and two. We open up a room or two, equipped at first with merely a treatment table, electric batteries and vibrators. With the addition of massage, cold mitten friction, fomentations, etc., a good work can be done without the expense of even a bath-tub or spray. These nurses work in the community in which they are located, and from these centers go out as visiting nurses. We sincerely hope we shall have the prayers of God’s people everywhere, that his blessing may rest on all these endeavors, and that wisdom may be given in carrying forward the work contemplated in this city. THREE new Sabbath-keepers were baptized at Durand, Mich., recently. The baptism of thirty-one new Sabbath-keeper is reported from Cooper, Okla. TENT-MEETINGS are in progress at Barling, Ark. Eight persons have already taken their stand for the truth. FOURTEEN persons are keeping the Sabbath as the result of a tent-meeting in Jackson, Minn., during the past summer. THOSE who have been conducting tent-meetings at Greenup, Ill., have had the joy of seeing five persons take their stand for the truth. ELDER J. H. BEHRENS recently baptized six new believers at Oceano, Cal. Four of these accepted the truth as the result of a recent tent effort at that place. THE work among the colored people of New York City is onward. Thirteen persons were baptized on a recent Sabbath. Four new Sabbath-keepers are reported from the Finnish tent effort in that city. SEVEN adults have just accepted present truth in Hamilton, Mont. THERE were eight hundred seventy-five more students in our colleges and academies last year than the year before. ELDER F. C. WEBSTER, who has been conducting meetings in Charleston, S. C., writes: “Up to the present time, thirteen have taken their stand for the truth. Others are much interested, and some are seeking employment where they can keep the Sabbath.” International Publishing Association
By F. F. BYINGTON
The ninth annual meeting of this association was held in College View, Nebr., October 1, 2. The retail value of all publications sold during the past year amounted to $34,441, about $3,889 less than the preceding year. Of this amount, $8,047 was for foreign magazines, $15,267 for other periodicals, the remaining $11,127 being for books and tracts in various languages. We regret that the foreign literature circulated last year was less than the year before, although it was more than during any other preceding year. Nearly all the foreign periodicals are now working on a self-supporting basis, that is, the only one showing quite a large loss being Tidens Tecken, the Swedish weekly. It was decided in the future to issue only two magazine numbers each year, instead of the four which have been sent out with this periodical, thus reducing the expense. Plans were laid to secure a general foreign missionary agent to more thoroughly organize this work in the field; and with the cooperation of our foreign ministers and of the workers in the office, it is hoped that greater progress may be made. Heretofore, the business year of the association has closed June 30. A change was made by which the business year, in the future, will conform to the calendar year, ending December 31 of each year. The board of trustees, heretofore consisting of seven members, was at this meeting enlarged to twelve, adding the names of O. A. Olsen, J. H. Schilling, G. F. Haffner, L. H. Christian, and S. Mortenson, in order that the General Conference Foreign Department may be well represented. Elder E. T. Russell was reelected president of the board. A Visit With the Brethren
By J. S. Hart
THINKING perhaps the readers of the REVIEW would like to hear from an old worker who has been connected with the third angel's message for more than fifty-five years, I will submit the following report:— September 20 I went to Blue Springs, Nebr., and visited all the Sabbath-keepers in the town, and held a service with them Sabbath morning. In the afternoon, Brother B. N. Berry, with whom I had been acquainted for more than fifty years, accompanied me to Beatrice, and we had a very profitable meeting with the church at that place. The next Sabbath I held a service with the church at Onawa, Iowa, where I spent some pleasant hours in visiting the homes of our people. From Onawa I went to Modale. In this place I received a friendly welcome at the home of Dr. Wiltse, and visited all the Sabbath-keepers in the town. I spent some time at Council Bluffs in calling on aged Sabbath-keepers. The next Sabbath Mrs. Hart joined me at Omaha, Nebr., and we held a service with the church at that place. The meetings were well attended at the above-named places, and the Lord greatly blessed in speaking the word. The good testimonies given in the social meetings bore witness that the brethren and sisters had been greatly encouraged by the words spoken. I was pleased to meet with the old and tried friends, and also to form some new acquaintances. My prayer is that we may all be faithful to the end. South Carolina
By C. G. Manns
ORANGEBURG.—Our tent-meetings here have just closed. As a direct result of the effort, five persons were baptized. Others are deeply interested, and we pray that God may touch their hearts with his converting power as they study further. We plan to pitch our tent in Charleston about the fifteenth or twentieth of this month. I hope to visit a number of the churches and companies in the conference after the close of these meetings. All mail intended for the writer should be addressed to Charleston, S. C. Medical Missionary Department
By L. A. HANSEN
Conducted by the Medical Department of the General Conference L. A. HANSEN — Assistant Secretary The "Ministry of Healing" Campaign
By L. A. H.
WE are now entering the time appointed by the spring council of the General Conference as the period in which a special effort is to be made in behalf of the "Ministry of Healing" campaign. It was suggested that immediately following the Harvest Ingathering campaign, the sale of "Ministry of Healing" be taken up by our people everywhere in a final general effort to sell as many books as possible. The work has been carried forward in some conferences by more or less constant effort, and results have been seen in proportion. Some conferences have had other matters that have required special attention, to the neglect of this work. Some have been waiting until the last part of the time allotted to the campaign to make up the share of work required. We are now receiving word from several that are planning to make this final effort a very successful one. This work is not a compulsory one. It must depend on voluntary effort. The appeals in its behalf are urgent. The demands are pressing. The possibilities are most encouraging. The field is a great one. What shall be done is a matter that must rest with those upon whom the burden should fall. Officers and leaders can do their part in planning and working, and the people can join in the effort. The time now before us is one of opportunity. The working experience that we shall have gained during the Harvest Ingathering season will make possible a hearty and efficient entrance upon the "Ministry of Healing" campaign. The Follow-up work can be done with those who have taken the special Signs, and with whom interviews have been held. No doubt there will be persons who have shown special interest in our work who can be easily approached with a copy of "Ministry of Healing." We would again call attention to the introductory leaflet to be used by those who are too timid to give a canvass of their own. We have a quantity of these, and will gladly supply them to all who may want them. Address your local tract society, or Medical Department of the General Conference, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. Union College
By FREDERICK GRIGGS
UNION COLLEGE opened this year with a substantial increase in its attendance. The personnel of the student body is a strong one. This may be accounted for in part by the large senior class of this year. Already fifty students have enrolled for graduation, nineteen of whom are to be graduated from the college course. Schools always recognize the fact that the graduating class is a substantial help to the work of the school, and with this large number of students who are completing their work this year in the school, there is found an added strength in all departments of work. The spiritual interests of the school are good. Our daily program has a fifteen-minute period before the chapel exercises. At this time the faculty meet for prayer, and the students meet in various rooms for prayer. This is not a required exercise for the students, and those who do not wish to join remain in the chapel for study. But a large number of the students take part in these prayer seasons. The mid-week prayer-meetings of the students in the school homes are seasons of great blessing. These are held Wednesday evening, in place of the regular evening prayers and silent hours. They are conducted by the students. The Friday evening prayer-meeting, held at the going down of the sun, is a season of benefit and blessing to the school, and altogether the religious spirit of the school is good. There have been several changes in our faculty this year. Elder F. M. Burg, who for four years served Union College very acceptably as its Bible teacher, was called to work on the Pacific Coast, and Elder Eugene Leland took his place as head of the Bible department. Prof. H. U. Stevens, who has been head of the science department for several years, left, at the request of the General Conference, to take up work in South America in connection with the school in Diamante, Argentine Republic. Prof. L. H. Wood came from the Foreign Mission Seminary to take his work. Prof. H. A. Morrison was asked by the board to take the business management of the school. This necessitated his having an assistant in the department of mathematics, of which he is the head, and Miss Mary E. Hartwell, who was in Bible work in the St. Louis Mission Field, was asked to assist in the department of mathematics. Miss Kate Sierke, who has been connected with the Pacific Union College for two years as vocal instructor, was added to the musical faculty of the school. Mrs. Winifred Rowell, who for many years has been head of the department of English language, was granted a leave of absence on account of impaired health, and her place is supplied by Mr. Leo Thiel, who has had special preparation for the English work. With a united faculty and a strong student body, we look forward to an excellent year's work, hoping that the standard of intellectual and spiritual life will be raised so high that the school may meet the purposes of God in its establishment. Meiktila (Burma) Industrial School
By R. B. Thurber
THE third year of the school began May 20. We have been greatly encouraged by the increased attendance. On the opening day thirty-five boys enrolled, and this number was increased to fifty by June 1, three times the number in attendance at the same time last year. At this writing (August 15), our enrolment is seventy-seven, and every week other boys are coming. Last year many came and soon left, mainly because the Burman likes a new thing better than he likes work; but this year our students are of an older, more industrious class, and we have held nearly all. Two boys were sent home because they became leprous. We have seventy-two in regular attendance. Housing room for these boys is greatly needed. They have been crowded into every available space. Five sleep on the floor in a ten-by-twelve-foot room. You will understand when I say that again and again our place has been so full that we could not hold another one. Yet how can we turn them away? I would attribute this increase partly to the fact that people have seen that we can weather the blast of opposition and reaction, and partly because we have started two new trades that were desired. Through the kind help of a brother in the church at Singapore, we procured by contract for one year a Chinese skilled workman in cane. He can not speak any of the languages known here, but through the universal language of signs we manage to work with him quite well. There are six boys in his class learning to make cane furniture. While the Burman, unlike the Chinaman, does not naturally like to work, yet he is very quick to learn. In my school experience, I have not seen boys learn so quickly as do these. As a people, they have natural skill at the lighter trades. Leather work was started soon after school began, a native shoemaker of Madras, India, being hired as instructor in this work. He is a first-class workman in his line. The boys in this trade begin by making Burmese sandals; and after they learn to sew, they are put on simple repair work. We have all we can do so far in making and repairing shoes for the people in the town. One government officer made a special trip to the school to tell how well he liked his patent-leather shoes we had made. And indeed, they look just as well as any of the best makes in America. We have had no difficulty in marketing any of our products without advertising. There are eight boys in the leather class. The carpentry class has been engaged for several months on our house, which is being built on the school compound, with money from the $300,000 Fund. It is nearly finished, and we expect to occupy it next month. We will then send a picture and a description of it to the REVIEW, with heartfelt thanks to those who have sacrificed for our comfort. The carpentry class has ten boys, who are fast becoming proficient with their tools. The reason we have only one third of the boys in the trades is that it is early in the year, and we do not give a boy a chance to learn a trade without previous trial in unskilled labor. The learning of a trade is held out as a prize. A boy who is afraid of a blister made by a shovel handle will deal too tenderly with one caused by a plane. We speak of unskilled labor; yet nearly all work is skilled labor to most of the boys. The efficient use of hoe, shovel, pick, and wheelbarrow is unknown to them at first. In the trades, a small wage is given at the beginning, and is increased as progress is made. Later I shall give a fuller description of our industrial methods. In each of these trades there is a Karen boy, from among that hill people for whom so many calls have been made, and for whose help recruits are now in preparation. They are a lovable people, and these boys bid fair to make a success of their education, and return to their friends with this truth. They, with others, show their inclination by giving silent testimony in the student prayer-meetings, and taking keen interest in the Sabbath-school lessons and memory verses. We hope for a harvest of souls this year; but the enemy is hard at work, and at times the darkness of heathenism seems almost to overwhelm us. We greatly need a workshop and a dormitory, each of which will cost about $1,200. We have $200 worth of material on hand for the former, and Brethren H. H. Votaw and R. A. Beckner are now in the oil-fields, soliciting donations. We have also made a call for an American mechanic to act as the backbone of our industrial department. Then we need a nurse. A nurse could teach a few classes in the school, and thus relieve the writer, so that he could better attend to the school management. There is a wide field for medical work among the boys and neighbors. Nothing would more effectually break down prejudice, and give an impetus to our work. Foreign Canvass for “Ministry of Healing”
By L. A. H.
WE can still supply copies of the printed canvass for “Ministry of Healing” in German, Swedish, and Danish-Norwegian. This is printed in a leaflet that gives general information and instruction regarding the “Ministry of Healing” campaign. It should be in the hands of those of our people who can work in the languages mentioned. The special period now before us calls for all to engage in the campaign. The success of the campaign will be in proportion to the number engaging in it. Send for literature, addressing Medical Department, General Conference, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · L. A. H. WE have a call for an experienced landscape gardener in connection with one of our sanitariums. A permanent position is offered to the right man. We also wish information regarding men nurses who might be prepared to carry responsibility in treatment-rooms or in sanitarium work. Address Medical Department, General Conference, Tacoma Park, Washington, D. C. Christian Education
By H. R. Salisbury
Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference H. R. SALISBURY - - - - Secretary Can Not Others Do the Same?
THROUGH reading a communication received from one of our faithful colporteurs, the writer has been impressed with the thought that many of our people might be engaged in a similar work. This brother took up the colporteur work in a very practical way. Being somewhat of a mechanic, he built a very convenient and neat conveyance, something on the order of a rural delivery wagon, so ingeniously and compactly arranged as to provide himself with a convenient home on wheels. He drives two ponies well adapted to the work. His outfit looks very neat and attractive. Last year this brother sold $1,000 worth of books, and as a direct result of his efforts saw a man and his wife embrace the truth. This man, who was a storekeeper, sold his store, secured an outfit like that of the brother who brought the message to him, attended the colporteurs' institute in the spring, and has been engaged in the work ever since. When we met him at one of the camp-meetings this summer, he, too, was rejoicing that fruit had already appeared, one person having accepted the truth through his efforts. We quote from the letter mentioned at the first of this article, as follows: “I am having good success. In 17 weeks, or 419 hours, I have taken 220 orders, delivered 183 books, and sold 16 extra copies, and also sold $27 worth of ‘Best Stories.’ This work has been done in about twenty-two square miles of territory, just a small corner of the county. I am in good health, and am still planting the gospel seed. I think I have found some good ground.” No doubt by the time the year closes, this brother will have the joy of seeing others accept the truth through his efforts in scattering the printed page. Conducted by the Publishing Department of the General Conference N. Z. Town - - - - - Secretary OUR book summary this month will doubtless be somewhat of a surprise to our field men. It is not so much of a surprise to see a considerable falling off from last month, as large numbers of students were just returning to school; but we are sorry to see a falling off of more than $18,000 in the book sales over the corresponding month of last year. This shrinkage is also partly accounted for by the failure of two American unions to get their reports in on time. We were able to help these unions out on their magazine reports, as we get these direct from the publishing houses. The grand total this month should be a strong incentive to every field man to make strenuous efforts to secure a strong band of workers “who will sacrifice ease and pleasure, and enter the places of error, superstition, and darkness;” and who will work “earnestly and perseveringly” twelve months in the year. “If there is one work more important than another, it is that of getting our publications before the people.” The magazine workers will be pleased to see a gain of nearly 38,000 copies over September of last year. Laborers for God
By T. E. MORGENSEN
AMBASSADORS for Christ in every nation,
Where God has placed you to proclaim his word,
To bring about a reconciliation
Between the sinner and his Sovereign Lord, As representatives from God you carry
A message wonderful, so deep, so broad,
Including all things that are necessary
To make a sinner reconciled to God. As stewards of the grace which God has given,
Deal out the bread of life to hungry souls;
As guides, point plainly out the way to heaven;
As shepherds, lead the sheep to sheltered fold. As builders, choose a sure and safe foundation;
As husbandmen, prepare the fallow ground;
As lights in darkness, your illumination
Shall shine on earth wherever man is found. As Christians worthy of the name, endeavor
To live a holy, pure, and Christlike life;
As true disciples, follow on forever
To know the way, the truth, the endless life. As elders, deacons, wardens, sisters, brothers,—
The name or title really matters not,—
As laborers together, work for others,
Beseeching man, “Be reconciled to God.” All can not preach the word in accents thrilling;
All can not give of gold a goodly store;
But each may live a humble life, and willing
To do his best; for God requires no more. Whatever talents God to you has given,
Whatever means entrusted to your care,
Use all for God; and his reward in heaven
Will amply recompense each laborer. Ten Accept the Truth in De Ridder
As the result of a series of meetings held in De Ridder, La., ten persons accepted the truth. Church Organized at Hartford
A CHURCH of twelve members was recently organized by Elder B. W. Brown at Hartford, Ky. Twenty Take Their Stand in Somerville
From Somerville, Mass., comes the report that twenty have taken their stand for the truth within the last few weeks. Notes and clippings from the daily and weekly press — Russia formally recognized the independence of northern Mongolia on October 19. — Senator W. B. Heyburn, of Idaho, died at his home in Washington, D. C., October 17. He had been suffering from a complication of diseases for some time. — Fifty persons were injured and 125 others badly shaken up when an Illinois Central excursion train, en route to Paducah, Ky., jumped the track and rolled down a steep embankment near Hopkinsville, October 20. — On October 15, President Taft signed an executive order placing 35,000 fourth-class postmasters in the classified service. The execution of this order will put every fourth-class postmaster in the United States under civil service. — The man with what is said to be the longest name in the world has been naturalized at Fort Worth, Tex. The name contains thirty-two letters, and follows: Paphouhheodouelounturyonwtopolos. His first name is Gus. — Forest fires in the United States have caused an average annual loss of seventy lives, destruction of trees worth $25,000,000, and the loss of stock, crops, buildings, and other improvements to the amount of many millions more, according to a report of the Forestry Bureau issued recently by Secretary Wilson. — The number of women students in German universities is increasing. During the recent half-year there were 2,958 of these students, of whom 2,500 were of German nationality. The majority are taking the courses in literature and history, but thirty-nine are studying law, twenty-eight dentistry, and eleven theology. — A typhoon of hurricane force swept over several of the islands of the Philippine group October 16. Vessels were driven ashore or sunk and their crews drowned. Many Americans and Filipinos are homeless. It is estimated that on the island of Cebu alone 400 persons were killed, and the property damage amounted to $5,000,000. — “Billy” Rugh, the newsboy of Gary, Ind., who gave his crippled leg that skin might be grafted onto the body of Miss Ethel Smith, who had been severely burned, thereby saving her life, died October 18, from the results of the operation. The young lady was a stranger to him, and physicians warned him that he was risking his life, but he was willing to take the chance. A public funeral was held, thousands of people from Gary and the surrounding towns attending. — “The wave of extremely high-prices for food throughout the civilized world,” according to a recent statement by President Taft, “has reached its height in the United States, and is subsiding. The American people have cause to be thankful that because of our industrial prosperity it has not been attended here with the great hardships that have prevailed in some of the countries where high prices have combined with low wages to reduce the working people to a point bordering on starvation.” — Forty persons were severely burned, three probably fatally, in an automobile explosion, at Petaluma, Cal., on October 20. — John Campbell, a locomotive engineer of Pittsburgh, deserves to be put on the roll of industrial honor. He ran an engine for forty-eight years without ever killing a human being, and without even injuring any person sufficiently to draw blood. He was never suspended or censured by his employers during his long career as engineman, which terminated happily on September 6, when he retired from the position that he had so honored. — An active Buddhist propaganda will probably be started in England during the coming winter. Since its foundation in 1907 the Buddhist Society of Great Britain and Ireland has been slowly carrying on its work by means of Sunday evening meetings and publications. It now hopes to procure a building with a library and meditation-rooms; for with Buddhists meditation takes the place of prayer; and ultimately it may establish a monastery in the country, with five Buddhist monks, or bhikshus. — If the new empress of Japan succeeds in her undertaking, the days of Japanese slavery will soon be gone. She is to follow the example of multitudes of noble women of Occidental nations in investing her life for the uplifting of her fellow countrywomen. The court is still in mourning for her late father-in-law, so she can not just yet announce her full plan of action. Tokio’s restricted district will soon be a thing of the past. Japanese parents are known to sell their children, so horrible has the traffic in vice become in that country. But it is believed the empress will strike the death-blow. — Relations existing between the United States and Mexico are becoming more strained. The war-ships “Des Moines” and “Tacoma” are now at Vera Cruz, and American sailors and marines may at any moment be landed on Mexican soil. The feeling in favor of the revolution seems to be gaining ground. More than a month ago President Taft caused to be sent to the Mexican government a reminder of the extensive American interests and many American lives jeopardized by the continued disorder in various parts of the republic. The note was not an ultimatum, but it was expected to result in a more vigorous campaign against the brigandage which rose from the embers of the revolution. The city of Vera Cruz, which had been held for several days by the revolutionists, was recaptured by the federalists on October 23. — To keep the United States navy abreast of the country’s needs, the general board of the navy, headed by Admiral Dewey, has recommended the authorization by Congress next year of four battle-ships of the Pennsylvania type, two swift and powerful battle-ship cruisers, nearly as large, and a proportionate number of torpedo craft and auxiliaries. As in previous years, the recommendations of the general board are based upon the conviction that a fleet of forty-eight battle-ships, with cruisers and auxiliaries and torpedo craft in proportion, is required for the adequate defense of the coasts, commerce, and dependencies of the United States. — At the convention of fire underwriters of the Northwest it was reported that the nation’s fire loss is something appalling. Our fire departments cost much more than do the fire departments of European cities, yet our losses are very much heavier. In Chicago the loss in 1911 by fire was $2.50 per capita, while in Vienna, with a population almost as large, it was only five cents per capita. The carelessness of the American property owner was given as the cause for the appalling losses. The efficiency of our American fire departments was fully recognized, and no word of criticism was passed upon them. — A daylight train, a new thing in railroading, will be run by the Northwestern to California. It will be inaugurated in February by the department of tours of the Chicago, Union Pacific, and Northwestern line between Chicago and Southern California. It will be the first train of its kind ever attempted; it will travel only during daylight, parking at certain points en route at nightfall, and resuming its journey next morning. It is scheduled to reach Riverside, Cal., on the evening of the fifth day after its starting from Chicago. — The translation of the Bible now in use in Spain comes down from the times of the Inquisition. It is greatly prized because of historical association and familiar use. It is now proposed to make a translation that will be more accurate and otherwise better adapted to present-day attainments. The British and American Bible Societies are uniting in the work, which is to be done by a commission that will do its work at or near Cadiz, Spain. An important contribution to the work will be a translation that has been made by Dr. Henry C. Pratt, for many years a Presbyterian missionary in South America, which was published by the American Bible Society nineteen years ago. — The steamer “Macedonia” was seized in New York harbor by the Greek consul-general at the New York port. She was to sail for Piraeus, and had 2,000 passengers on board. The passengers, with their baggage, were sent ashore. The vessel went to Philadelphia to take on a large cargo of ammunition, and sailed from that port, carrying with her the reservists of Greece and the Balkan States, who are to take part in the war against Turkey. — Small mechanical electrical devices are to be installed in the Post-office Department for the purpose of auditing money-orders. It is found that these devices can audit 68,000,000 money-orders annually, thus saving the department $200,000 each year. The present system of auditing has been in practise since 1864. Each order has now to be checked by hand against each issuing postmaster, and each slip has to be handled nine times. — An urbanite, in opening a barrel of apples he had purchased at retail for six dollars, found this note from the original farmer-owner down in the center: “I got one dollar for this barrel. What did you pay for it?” Evidently a highwayman hid somewhere along the way. — A young millionaire of Chicago, William Whiting Borden, has chosen as his life-work that of missionary among the Chinese, in a difficult and remote part of China.