MEXICO is just as needy as any heathen country, and if there is any difference, it seems to us the Mexican field is the most needy. There are several reasons for making this statement, and I shall endeavor to mention a few of them.12Mexico is very religious, and there are to be seen churches in abundance in every city, in the villages, and in the country. These churches serve to make the large majority of the people satisfied. They also serve another purpose, they make the people prejudiced against all Protestant evangelization, as well as demoralize their adherents.
Another very potent reason is that the people do not realize their need as they do in heathen countries, as, for example, in China and Korea.
The large majority of the people in Mexico are ignorant of the common things of life, such things as serve to make most people happy. They know little or nothing about sanitary rules; such as, caring for the body, how to keep clean, and what to do in ordinary ailments. Hence the great need for schools and sanitariums is at once manifest, in order that the people may be taught these things and at the same time hear the glad tidings of Jesus and his love.
While there are many churches and many so-called ministers of the gospel, the people know nothing of the joy of sins forgiven through the blood of our dear Redeemer. They are not allowed to read the Bible, or even to own one, nor are they taught its precepts by their spiritual advisers.
The great majority of the people do not know how to provide themselves with even the ordinary comforts of life. They do not know how to use the land to make it produce for them. It is a fact that they have but little land to use, but they could have it if they did not drink up all they earn. Mexico needs several of our God-fearing farmers with a few thousand dollars to come down here and buy homes, and form a small company around them, have a school, teach, live, and act the principles of the gospel, as well as to show how a living can be made from the land.
Mexico needs at least one modest sanitarium, centrally located, to train our converts how to live healthfully; also to train some of the young people to be intelligent nurses, so that they can go into the homes of their own people, and not only carry the gospel to the people, but teach them the way to live. In many cities treatment-rooms could be established, and the workers could make great headway in breaking down prejudice, giving the people the gospel and leading them out of darkness.
In connection with the sanitarium, or perhaps in some other place, there should be established an academy to teach at least ten grades. This is greatly needed; for if our people ought to have schools in the United States, it is surely manifest that they need them here more. Mexico also needs church-school teachers by the score, that wherever there is a church or company of believers the children may be trained in the narrow way, and get started right on the road of life.
Mexico could use many ministers, for there are hundreds of places open for the word to be preached and lived by our noble band of ministers. Bible workers, of course, are needed in connection with ministerial work. Last, but not least, consecrated, energetic colporteurs should be making their way toward Mexico, to literally sow the republic with the printed page. Who will respond to these most urgent calls?
Tacubaya, D. F., Mexico.
MRS. G. F. JONES
By Mrs. G. F. Jones
Our Mohammedan Sisters—No. 2
MRS. G. F. JONES
In Egypt and some other countries, when allowed to go out, Mohammedan women are so veiled that nothing except the eyes is visible, and in some countries only one eye must be seen. In towns along the coast of Syria and in some parts of Turkestan, the women have more freedom than in places entirely Mohammedan. Even the upper classes there have the privilege of visiting the graves in the Mohammedan cemetery, although they must go shrouded in their long cloaks and with their faces veiled. One writer says: "As one passes the burial-ground, sounds of weeping and wailing come to his ear, which are by no means always for the dead, but more often for their own miseries and sorrows, to which they dare not give vent in their homes (?) for fear of their husbands, who for such conduct would make their lot still harder, and they would bring upon themselves a severe beating or even a divorce, which is so fearfully common everywhere."
EGYPTIAN TYPE MOHAMMEDAN WOMAN
This evil along with, and perhaps in consequence of, the early marriage of the women, and also polygamy are the greatest curses of the Mohammedan race. When we consider that the majority of these young brides are simply untrained, undisciplined, ignorant, and often naughty children, who cannot be expected to grasp the duties of a wife, or know how to keep peace with the mother-in-law and often grandmother-in-law, to say nothing of other wives introduced from time to time, we need not be surprised if harmony does not reign in such a household, and divorces are common.
As to the experience of the younger married women, it is literally mother-in-law rule, for seldom is a man permitted to take his wife to a home of his own. Not only the sons, but even the grandsons bring their brides to the paternal home, and all are subject to the parents-in-law. A household of fifty is no uncommon thing. The first year of her married life a woman is allowed to answer the questions of her superiors only by a nod. By the fourth year she may answer by Yes or No, unless she has given birth to a child, when she is permitted more liberty of speech. In the presence of her parents-in-law she must not sit near her husband nor occupy herself with her children.
In most cases the bride and bridegroom have never met till their marriage, and the question of affection never enters into the arrangement at all. Often the only way he can enforce obedience from his ignorant, listless wife is by the dread of divorce, which he keeps constantly hanging over her. She is well aware that if she is childless, or perhaps if a daughter is born when a son had been hoped for, or on account of an illness that has become tedious, or for a bit of caprice or counter-attraction on her husband's part, any of these things may mean the tearing up of the paper that binds them together, and for a small sum he will be set free. How can one wonder under such conditions if the wife is listless, or takes no interest in her husband's work, in keeping the house clean, or in sewing. Yet if she does not please her lord, it will be even worse for her.
As is well known, a Mohammedan is allowed four wives. Indeed, it is considered a merit "in order to increase adherents of Islam." "The results of the sinful practise of polygamy, bad as they are, would be less sad to contemplate were it not that the polygamist exchanges his wives for others just as13readily as he who can afford only one wife at a time; and there is no doubt this practise has even a more demoralizing tendency than the practise of polygamy itself."
The majority of Moslem women do not give birth to more than one or two children, and very many have no living child. Infant mortality is very great, partly on account of contagious diseases which the poor little children inherit, and partly on account of the lamentable ignorance in the treatment of children's diseases. "Seclusion, lack of exercise, the monotony that leaves the mind to prey upon itself, ignorance, early marriage, unhappiness, abuse, and contagious diseases bring upon them a great amount of physical suffering traceable to the system of their religion."
And then the yearly month of fasting, which is imposed upon the girls as early as the age of seven, when during the whole day they are not permitted to taste food, while in the evening they gorge themselves, cannot but be detrimental to the health of a young growing child. With all these things against them, is it any wonder that they fail to produce a healthy offspring?
The Influence of Song
By Mrs. J. Furman Green
MRS. J. FURMAN GREEN
THE story I am about to relate happened in the Black Hills of Dakota several years ago, and is a true one. It was a beautiful day in early spring. The birds were singing in the pine-trees that surrounded a cottage situated in one of the many mining towns that rise like mushrooms in those dreary hills. From the open door of this cottage a young girl's voice floated out on the fragrant air, as sweet and as clear as the bird notes in the tree tops. She was singing that sweet old hymn she had learned in Sabbath-school:—
"What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!"
Just over the fence, in an adjoining lot, was a miners' cabin, where, on a rude bed, covered with a dirty quilt, lay a sick man. He had lain there for many days with no one to care for him except what little aid his companions could give him before they went to their work in the morning, and on their return from work at night. When the big mine whistle screeched forth their release from toil, they slowly climbed the long hill to their one-roomed cabin and its lonely occupant. He counted the long hours before their return, with a weary sigh. They had placed some coarse food and strong tea within his reach, but he could not touch a mouthful.
His body was aching with pain, and—must he acknowledge it?—his heart was aching worse, if possible, with its longing for the loving care and sympathy of the loved ones he had left in an Eastern city so long ago, when he, like many others with wild ambition to get rich quick, with mind filled with golden dreams, had sought those hills and the mountainsides to find the shining gold. Did it pay after all? he kept asking himself. How far from God he had wandered since he left the sweet environments of his home! He was a Christian then; but now, what was he? His companions were drinking, gambling men, and he, afraid of their ridicule, had joined them. Alas! in revelry much of his hard-earned gold had found its way. His conscience asked him, Why had he not been stronger and set them a better example? Just then the same girlish voice rang out on the morning air,—
"Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
Jesus knows our every weakness:
Take it to the Lord in prayer."
He raised his head from his pillow and listened. He had often seen the fair-haired girl flitting in and out of the cottage like a sunbeam, and had heard her sing before; but today her song had a peculiar meaning to him.
Yes, Jesus knew his human weakness and how hard it would be for him to acknowledge it to his companions, as he felt he must do before he could expect God to receive him again. Hark! once more the sweet voice came to his ears. Once more he raised his head to listen and caught the last half of a stanza,—14"Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In his arms he'll take and shield thee;
Thou wilt find a solace there."
Again he sank back murmuring, "Will he hear my prayer? What does the Good Book say about it?" Crawling from his bed, he staggered to a small leather trunk that stood in a corner. The till was heavy and he almost fell over with its weight; but sinking on his knees, he groped in the bottom, soon producing a well-worn Bible. Shaking with weakness, he turned the leaves. Suddenly his eyes fell on the words, "I will arise and go to my father." Ah, yes! he was indeed a prodigal son.
Again he turned the leaves in feverish haste, and his eyes fell upon the words, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
With tears streaming down his cheeks, he cried aloud, "I will go back to my Father's house. I will knock and ask him to receive me once more." Closing the trunk, his head sank on the lid, and he prayed as only a sin-sick soul can pray, sobbing out his grief over his sins as a wayward child tells his tale of woe to a confiding, earthly parent.
And there his companions found him lying, his finger resting on the sweet promises. They gently raised him, placed him in bed, and sent for a physician. They took turns staying with him until he was out of danger, and, at his request, reading to him from his precious Bible; while he in turn told them of his awakening through the influence of the sweet-voiced girl-singer over the way and the song she sang of Jesus. And who knows how great an influence all this may have cast over those wayward companions? "And a little child shall lead them."
Glendale, Cal.
The Cheer of the Last Legion
By Arthur W. Spaulding
ARTHUR W. SPAULDING
I HAVE my cheer! The road is hard, hot stone,
Straight on, up-hill and down, nor shade nor turn.
"Duty," the legion spells it. And the end,
A battle where the dragon flag is flown.
Strangers to cooling wine, the parched lips burn.
But on! and on! I have my cheer, my friend.
I have my cheer! I pressed a comrade's hand
Whom wounds and toil had sped to his last day.
He smiled. And as I bent to catch his word:
"Fail not!" he said. "I fall. There you must stand!"
The eagle in his eye shall fire this fray,
Poise o'er our standard, and direct the sword.
I have my cheer! Just as we paused at noon
To snatch the hasty meal and stretch the thew,
A little child that dallied in the glade,
Unknowing danger, and with peace at-
tune,
With fresh-plucked flowers tripped
o'er: "For you! for you!"
A smiling world that little child hath
made.
I have my cheer! We to the fight are
bound,
The last, the greatest of the legions sworn
To smite the dragon! And the fight shall be
By faith, and valor, and affection
crowned.
By need, and oath, and trustful joy
upborne,—
Good cheer! Good cheer! We
have the victory!
Sanitarium, Cal.
An Undelivered Message
"I SENT my love to you every day," said a little girl to a sick friend who was beginning to be convalescent, and felt hurt because no word of remembrance had come to her. "They just took it, and kept it all themselves!" The childish way of looking at it sets in strong light the meaning of an undelivered message.
Was it chance that just at the moment of hearing of it there fell into our hands an article in one of the magazines in which the writer—a missionary—made a passionate plea for men and women to come and tell the story of a Saviour's love for sinners? "O, the people! the people!" she wrote earnestly, as if overwhelmed by the thought of their numbers and their need. "They are so dark and ignorant and lonely. Come and tell them that Christ loves them." Christ sends his love to them with each returning day—sends it by us. Do we deliver it? or do we take it and keep it all ourselves? What does he think of us as messengers? —The Expositor.
Christ’s Yoke and Burden
By Dr. Maclaren
Christ's yoke is easy and his commandments are not grievous, not because he lowers the standard of duty, but because he alters the motives that enjoin it, and gives the power to do them. Christ's yoke is padded with love and his burden is light, because, as Bernard says, it carries the man who carries it.—Dr. Maclaren.
The Duty of Patient Love
Never to tire, never to grow old; to be patient, sympathetic, tender; to look for the budding flower and the opening heart; to hope always, like God; to love always,—this is duty.—Amiel's Journal.
Publishing the Message Far and Wide Through the Newspapers
By Walter L. Burgan
WITHIN the last two weeks word has been received from several other brethren who are conducting or assisting in tent efforts, telling of their success in having extracts of their sermons published in the local newspapers. Quite a number of the States have been heard from this summer, and it is wonderful how the glorious doctrines held by Seventh-day Adventists, and which the Lord declares are to go to all the world in this generation, are being heralded over a very wide portion of the land through the secular press. This present tent season will stand out conspicuously as one in which a larger number of companies than ever before have been making use of the newspapers to help in spreading the light of the gospel message.
Practically all the brethren who are utilizing this powerful medium have had encouraging experiences, and are urging others to engage in this important work. Experiences have come to some of the workers which have opened the way for them to gain entrance to the columns of the newspapers where they are laboring, and thus the gospel is being much more widely proclaimed than had they not met with such experiences. I shall now make known how a number of the workers who have given this feature more consideration this year than ever in the past, feel concerning the press work.
One brother holding a tent effort in a city in Iowa says: "So far we have had from one-half to one and one-half columns in the daily paper for an outline of the sermon each evening, and people for miles around report that they watch for these sermons."
Two other brethren writing from another city in Iowa say: "The city is alive with the message. We have two daily papers, and they use our reports each day, and the editors seem anxious to get them. The editors are very friendly, and say they will help us all they can."
Elder E. M. Chapman, president of the Manitoba Conference, in speaking of a tent effort with which he is connected at Brandon, Manitoba, says: "The daily papers have very kindly printed outlines of each sermon so far, for which we feel very grateful. We believe this will be a great help in getting the truth before the people, and it also aids in advertising our meetings."
A brother in Indiana has met with success in his efforts to have phases of the message published through the newspapers. In a recent letter he stated that the editor of the paper where he is laboring was very friendly to him. "He [the editor] published nearly everything I submitted to him," the brother wrote, "though I did not try to get him to take any more than I thought he would like. Notwithstanding the fact that the editor had the privilege of extracting any part of the synopsis I handed him, I asked him to leave it as near the original as consistent, and he published each article word for word."
A brother in Wilmington, Del., says: "The four newspapers in the city, three of them dailies and one a Sunday paper, are reporting our meetings nearly every day, granting us from one inch to almost twelve inches of space, and in almost every instance giving us good headlines and a prominent place in the paper. This we greatly appreciate. We frequently hear of or meet people who are watching for these reports and reading them with interest. The reports have been instrumental in bringing some to the tent."
From a brother connected with a tent company in South Dakota comes this word: "I am in a tent company here in15a town with three newspapers, and never found editors more friendly than these are. I have had more space than I dreamed of using. Three articles were in last week's edition, each one having from one to three illustrations. I am sure this work will be of increasing value in giving publicity to this message."
A brother in Kansas, after the publishing of an article in his home paper about the camp-meeting to be held in his conference, says: "I think the article will do good. A gentleman spoke to me about the article soon after the paper was issued. He said, 'I had always understood that the Adventists were guilty of setting a definite time for the return of the Lord, but I see that you deny that very emphatically in your article.'"
Thus we can see the many ways in which the newspapers can be used for the advancement of the Lord's cause. Not only is the message very widely proclaimed, but wrong impressions as to our beliefs and the extent of our work are corrected. The hand of the Lord certainly is guiding in the efforts put forth to sound the loud cry of the third angel's message.
THE FIELD WORK
Our Living Guide
By Irene Holt
IRENE HOLT
DEAR Lord, walk with us as in days of old
Thou didst with thy disciples by the way,
As to the inner circle of thy fold
Thou gathered them to be their strength and stay.
Long seem the years since thou in Galilee
Didst draw them by thy heart of tender love;
And yet I know that we by faith may see
The same dear form, today, in heaven above.
Though men have lived and died, and time has wrought
In nations many a change of tongue and line,
Thy care above thy people changeth not;
Thine eye has marked each life and set the sign.
God with us in the flesh! Could Heaven unfold
In perfect love more grace to set us free?
O Lamb of God, by thy pure Spirit mold
Our lives like thine, and stay our hearts on thee,
Till, pure and gentle, we to thee have won
The wandering, sin-sick souls for whom Christ died;
And we shall see on earth thy victory won,—
Thy lost ones found, thy ransomed by thy side.
Lord, help us rise and work; the time is come;
Thy footsteps hear we, and the promised land
Is beckoning us to turn our faces home,
And set our feet upon the shining strand.
College Place, Wash.
Definitions of a Friend
THE first person who comes in when the whole world has gone out.
A bank of credit on which we can draw supplies of confidence, counsel, sympathy, help, and love.
One who multiplies joys, divides griefs, and whose honesty is inviolable.
One who loves the truth and you, and will tell the truth in spite of you.
One who to himself is true, and therefore must be so to you.
The link in life's long chain that bears the greatest strain.
One who considers my need before my deservings.
A harbor of refuge from the stormy waves of adversity.
The jewel that shines brightest in the darkness.
A stimulant to the nobler side of our nature.
A volume of sympathy bound in cloth.
One who combines for you alike the pleasures and benefits of society and solitude.—Selected.
Conflict and Victory
"No conflict, no victory; no victory, no progress."
The Alabama Camp-Meeting
By G. B. Thompson
UNDER spreading oaks, on a pleasant plot of ground in Montgomery, the Alabama conference and camp-meeting were held. The camp was very centrally located on a good car line, and in the midst of a good class of people. The evening services were quite well attended by the people of the city. The pastors of some of the churches were present at a number of the meetings, and were very cordial in every way. This was much appreciated. Many seemed deeply interested in the presentation of the word, and it is planned to leave a company of workers to develop the interest aroused by the meeting. It is hoped that the company of Sabbath-keepers here may be strengthened by the addition of others, and that a church may be organized and a building erected.
The attendance of our own people was very small, but an earnest spirit was manifested. So far as I know, all consecrated themselves anew to the work of God, some of whom were attending the meeting for the first time. What this conference needs above all else is strong, experienced workers who will go into the cities and towns and raise up churches. The best class of people in the South can be reached with the message. Never have I seen people listen to the preaching of the word with greater respect than in these meetings. They were very courteous, and seemed to have a deep reverence for the Bible. I see no reason why strong companies cannot be developed in the Southern States as well as elsewhere.
The reports rendered at the conference indicate progress. Over fifty have embraced the message during the year. There has been an increase in funds. About five hundred dollars was raised for missions, which will about bring up their quota of twenty cents a week. The business of the conference was harmonious in every way. Elder A. L. Miller was unanimously reelected president. The other officers elected are practically the same as last year.
Montgomery is a nice city, of about forty thousand inhabitants, located in the great “black belt” of the South. It was here, Feb. 18, 1861, that Jefferson Davis took the oath of office as president of the Confederated States of the South. A star on the steps of the Capitol marks the place where he stood. But that civil struggle is over, and all are working for peace and union. The people of the South are seeking to work out their problems. We believe these are the best days we shall ever see to push the message among the cultured, refined classes of this Southland.
We are hopeful for the work here, and pray that the Lord will greatly prosper his work the coming year.
G. B. THOMPSON.
Our First Interschool Foreign Mission Band Meeting
By L. L. Caviness
At the last General Conference our first interschool foreign mission band meeting occurred. The band at Union College had led out by writing to the other schools and asking them to have representatives at the General Conference. A meeting was called May 21, with representatives present from four of our five colleges and from all our foreign seminaries,—Pacific Union, Walla Walla, Union, and Mount Vernon Colleges; German, Danish-Norwegian, and Swedish Seminaries. The various schools reported the condition of the foreign mission interests in their own student body, as well as their plans for the future. After an interesting discussion, committees were appointed on organization, and on courses of study.
A second meeting was held May 29, at which time Emmanuel Missionary College and South Lancaster and Keene Academies were also represented. The committees reported, and the following reports were adopted:—
Plans for Organization
"1. That all our advanced schools be encouraged to form foreign mission bands.
"2. That each band have a written constitution, and that the membership be on the double basis of active and associate members.
"3. That there be a purpose pledge card for the signature of the active members.
"4. That the associate members consist of those who faithfully follow the course of study outlined for the band.
"5. That there be an interband secretary, to whom the band secretaries shall report, at least, twice a year, the report to include names of active members, age, extent of education, preferred field, and preferred line of work.
"6. That to cover local and general expense of missionary correspondence and membership blanks, active members pay an annual fee of twenty-five cents, ten per cent of which shall be sent to the interband secretary.
"7. That the interband secretary be chosen at the time of each General Conference by a meeting of such active members of different bands as may be present.
"8. That each band be asked to keep in touch by correspondence with those foreign missionaries who have gone out from their school, and that these be considered honorary members of their respective school bands.
Course of Study
"Whereas, There is a need for graded courses of study for the foreign mission bands, your committee presents the following three courses:—
"1. An introductory course on missionary geography and biography, spending one month on each country, dividing the time between the geography and biography, the first week being given to geography.
"Suggestive texts:—
"a. 'Winners of the World,' by Gardner.
"b. 'Advance Guard of Missions.'
"c. 'Effective Workers.'
"NOTE.—Students having had 'History of Missions' may begin with the second year's course, if so desired.
"2. A second year's course on the missionary and his problems.
"Suggestive texts:—
" 'Foreign Missionary,' by Brown.
" 'Supplementary reading.'
"3. A third year's course, consisting of detailed study of special fields.
"Suggestive texts:—
" 'Student Volunteer Movement sets, $5.
"NOTE.—Each group formed shall16study one particular field for the entire year."
At this meeting the writer was chosen interband secretary, and a collection of five dollars was taken up to purchase a record book and for other necessary general expenses. Also a committee was appointed to draw up our plans and present them to the General Conference Educational Department. This was done and the plans were approved by the department, with a pledge of their moral support. It now lies with the students of all our advanced schools to do their share during the coming school year. May the Lord greatly increase the number of those definitely planning and preparing to "go to the front." It is not too soon to plan, even though your preparation may mean several years yet in school, and some experience in the home field.
L. L. CAVINESS.
Tennessee
By C. A. Hansen; Workers
NASHVILLE.—We have had reason to rejoice as we have seen the hand of the Lord going before us to victory. We have had marked tokens of his providential openings here in our work the past year. Since my last report we have held two short series of tent-meetings, which were more than ordinarily well attended. Every Sunday night there were from four hundred to five hundred present to hear our great message.
People seemed stirred in their hearts at the thought of a soon-coming King, whom they claimed to love; yet when they were brought face to face with the real event, they found they were unprepared for it. It was the talk of the people that the meetings had been a real spiritual uplift, and it is certain that three thousand persons attended one or more of these meetings, and went home with a favorable impression of our work. Our year's work shows a result of forty-five new Sabbath-keepers, twenty of whom have been baptized. Seven others were baptized who were keeping the Sabbath when we began work, making twenty-seven in all that united with the church.
Besides these we have two cases that seem pathetic. A sister while in apparent good health decided the first part of the week that she would keep the next Sabbath. She had thought of doing so for years, and the meetings had brought it afresh to her mind. She made preparations for keeping the Sabbath, but when the Sabbath came, she was taken ill, and died three weeks later, never having had the privilege of attending the church service.
Another woman who had gone through a severe struggle, both within and without, finally told her family that she had turned "Adventist," and that very week her physician told her she must have an operation. She never recovered from it. Thus two of our jewels were laid to rest, in the morning of their experience with this message.
This fall we hope to enter the hardest section of this city with a strong tent-effort, and ask an interest in your prayers for success.
C. A. HANSEN AND WORKERS.
Southern Idaho Camp-Meeting
By A. M. Dart
THE camp-meeting in the Southern Idaho Conference was held in Boise at Booth Park, July 10-20.
Notwithstanding the fact that this was in the midst of berry season, and with some, haying-time, the attendance was good. All the conference tents were pitched, fifteen new tents purchased, and still it was necessary to rent thirteen. All the available rooms in the vicinity of the camp were also occupied. The weather was unusually pleasant for this time of year.
The business of the conference went off very pleasantly. The writer was elected president for another year, and T. L. Copeland secretary and treasurer. W. L. Killen continues at the head of the book work. The following-named persons constitute the executive committee: J. A. Casebeer, H. C. Beach, F. D. Wagner, B. M. Grandy, and the writer.
Brother C. F. Lingenfelter and Elder C. H. Rittenhouse were added to our force of laborers.
I think I never attended a gathering where all the people were more careful to attend every meeting, and where the instruction given was more heartily received. There seemed an intense desire for a life of victory, and the messages given certainly met their minds in this respect. On every side were heard such expressions as "This is just what we need."
The workers from abroad were Elders Armitage, Finster, and MacGuire; from this union, Elders C. W. Flaiz and W. F. Martin, Prof. E. C. Kellogg, and Brethren W. R. Beatty and F. W. Peterson. The labors of all these brethren were heartily appreciated.
Under the efficient effort of Elder MacGuire, the young people's work received new impetus. As this department was in need of special attention in the conference, we were very grateful for the results of Brother MacGuire's labors. Brother Lingenfelter was appointed secretary of the young people's work.
The donations of the Sabbath-school amounted to $101. Cash and pledges to foreign missions were $1,200. A portion of this amount was conditional upon the sale of property. The total amount of sales in the book-tent was nearly $500.
The last Sabbath of the meeting, Brother B. M. Grandy was ordained to the gospel ministry. The following day forty-three persons were baptized in the clear waters of the Boise River.
It was truly a splendid camp-meeting. Signal victories were gained by God's people. Many were the testimonies stating that a better knowledge of how to live the Christ life was gained.
God grant that we may go forward from strength to strength, and from victory to victory, and appear at our next annual convocation a victorious, Spirit-filled people. A. M. DART.
Delaware
By Emma S. Newcomer
WILMINGTON.—On Sunday evening, July 27, the tent-meetings in Wilmington opened, with Elder R. H. Martin in charge. He is assisted by his son Bruce as tent master, and Miss Lora L. Tarbell and the writer as Bible workers. Brother Martin is fully convinced of the importance of the press work in connection with such an effort, but not having any ministerial help, he felt he could not do justice to this department, and do all the speaking, and visit among the people as he should. So he asked Miss Tarbell and me to take charge of the press work. This was a new experience to us both, but we were willing to do what we could.
There are in the city three daily newspapers, with a combined circulation of 36,170. We were very kindly received by the editors of these papers, all promising to give us space for reports of the meetings. Two of the papers have published in full, with a few exceptions, the reports we have sent in. One of them, however, has not been quite so generous. But we have been thankful even for the shorter articles, since each evening they call attention to the meetings at the "gospel tent," with its location and the subject for the evening; and all this is gratis.
We have not thus far had any astonishing results of our work, but we frequently meet people who tell us they are reading the reports of our meetings at the tent, and that they watch for them each day. Others have come to the tent because they saw the reports in the papers.
The Lord has said, "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." And the people are getting the word of God. We have marveled many times at the number of texts of Scripture that have been printed. In substantiation of statements made in writing our reports, we quote the most striking point of a text and give the reference. It is published in just that way in two of the papers. And because of this we fully believe, souls will be converted through reading these articles.
This success, we know, is not due to "any wisdom we have more than others," but it is because "the Lord, he it is that doth go before us."
We are more convinced than ever before that "the Lord will do great things for us when we attempt great things for him."
We praise him for this medium of reaching the people with the third angel's message, and feel that workers everywhere should study to use it. EMMA S. NEWCOMER.
