Your ShelfYour Projects

Review and Herald, Vol. 79, No. 38.

Sabbath-School Lessons
Earlier text: Demerara, Trinidad, St. Vincent, and Antigua

The Michigan Conference

By E. I. Beebe

The forty-second session of the Michigan Conference was held at Alma, Mich., prior to the camp meeting, August 25 to September 1. Eleven meetings in all were held. By motion the reading of the minutes of the previous session was waived.
The conference was represented by about one hundred delegates representing seventy churches.
The following churches were received into the conference by vote: Marine City, with twenty-one members; Grace, with eighteen members; and Berrien Springs, with sixty members. A petition was presented requesting the organization of the Belleville company into a church. This was referred to the conference committee for investigation and action.
The treasurer’s report was presented as follows, and adopted by vote:—

RECEIPTS

Cash on hand July 1, 1901 $3,215 86
Tithe for twelve months 42,010 04
Camp-meeting Fund 2,414 14
Total $47,640 04

DISBURSEMENTS

Labor $34,159 62
Donations 1,230 00
Camp-meeting expenses 2,424 60
Detroit Mission 399 30
Miscellaneous expenses 78 35
Michigan Conference Association 200 00
Tithe to General Conference 1,921 41
Tithe to Lake Union Conference 1,901 12
Cash on hand June 30, 1902 5,325 64
Total $47,640 04
The Missionary Department of the conference presented the following report, which was accepted by vote:—

REPORT OF MISSIONARY WORK FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1902

Number of church members 7,216
Number of reports returned 940
Number of letters written 1,318
Number of Bible readings held 1,827
Number of letters received 537
Number of subscriptions for periodicals 748
Number of periodicals distributed 43,882
Number of pages of books and tracts distributed 551,144
Fourth Sabbath donations $307 98
Other donations $8,455 23

RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS

Cash in bank July 1, 1901 $586 42
Receipts 29,452 56
Total $30,038 98
Disbursements $29,388 98

RESOURCES

July 1, 1902
Inventory $5,510 54
Property 305 79
Bills receivable 511 38
Church accounts 2,481 55
Individual accounts 4,868 25
Labor 843 15
Total $14,520 66

LIABILITIES

July 1, 1902
“Christ’s Object Lessons” $3,788 75
Church accounts 135 13
Individual accounts 29 58
Present worth stock 10,567 20
Total $14,520 66
July 1, 1902
Present Worth $10,567 20
July 1, 1901
Present Worth 9,691 90
$875 30
The superintendent of schools gave his report. He said that the outlook was very encouraging, that there was an intense interest on the part of many of the conference laborers in this work, that many people were deeply interested in the school work, that there were twenty-four schools last year, and that the work done was very good, also that there were about thirteen hundred young people who ought to be in school this present year.
A report of the Cedar Lake school was given by the principal, J. G. Lamson. He said that it is now in its fourth year, that last year there were forty-four in attendance, that the highest number ever in attendance there was sixty-three, and that there was a possible enrollment this coming year of fifty. He also said that the school was on a paying basis, and that it was out of debt, and that there was every prospect that it would continue to be on a self-supporting basis this coming year.
The following recommendations and resolutions were presented by the committee, and were adopted:—
1. That we favor the setting off of the Upper Peninsula as a mission field, and that the Lower Peninsula be divided into three conferences.
That the Chair appoint a finance committee to make a proper division of the property and territory. (This committee was as follows: representing the northern Peninsula, H. R. Johnson; eastern division, E. I. Beebe; western division, S. E. Wight; northern division, C. A. Hansen; J. D. Gowell fifth member, and chairman of the committee.)
Whereas, The hand of death has removed from our ranks three trusted laborers, Elders R. D. Day, W. H. Falconer, and H. M. Kenyon, therefore,—
2. Resolved, That we express our appreciation of their labors, and extend to their families our heartfelt sympathy in their bereavement.
Whereas, The manifest blessing of the Lord has attended the effort of the Michigan Conference to help in regions beyond, by contributions of workers and means to needy fields,—
3. We Recommend, That the work already entered upon be continued the coming year, and that the same plan be adopted as the policy of the several conferences within the State, counting it a privilege to have a part as conferences in sending this message to all the world in this generation.
Whereas, In the distribution of the General Conference Association liabilities, the Lake Union Conference has assumed its proportion with the other union conferences, therefore,—
4. Resolved, That Michigan’s share of this amount, fourteen thousand dollars, be assumed by this body, and apportioned among the conferences of the State.
5. We Recommend, That the request of the Entrican church for a change of name to Clifford Lake church be granted.
6. We Recommend, That the East and West Michigan Conferences make regular appropriations for assisting the Upper Peninsula.
7. We Recommend, That each conference employ one or more trained medical missionary workers to instruct the churches in health reform.
8. We Recommend, That all our churches take an interest in the circulation of the Christian Record, by placing it in the hands of blind people and contributing to its support.
9. We Recommend, That a committee consisting of the presidents of the three conferences and mission field prepare and submit to this body constitutions for these organizations.
10. We Recommend, That the name of the Stambaugh church be changed to Iron River.
Whereas, The Lord has blessed the circulation of our books to the salvation of souls, and—
Whereas, He is calling on us greatly to increase our work in this way, therefore,—
11. Resolved, That the churches in their missionary efforts use more of our books, selling and loaning them to the people.
12. We Recommend, That more attention be given the matter of encouraging young men and women to engage in the canvassing work as a life work, in order to accomplish this and to raise the standard of the work.
13. We Recommend, That the State agent, in counsel with the conference committee, select the canvassers.
14. That all tried and proved canvassers be given canvassers’ credentials by the conference.
15. That more attention be given the education and training of canvassers.
16. We Recommend, That The Life Boat be used by all our churches as a means of introducing our other literature to the attention of ministers, leading temperance workers, and others.
Whereas, The work for the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” has resulted in great good to our churches, and in many rich experiences to the individuals engaging in it, and—
Whereas, The need for the sale of this book is very pressing, that the work of Emmanuel Missionary College may not be hindered, therefore,—
17. Resolved, That we express our gratitude for the privilege that has been thus given for a revival of personal work for our neighbors, and pledge ourselves to renew our efforts in the sale of the book, and that we make a determined effort for the sale of this book between now and the holidays.
18. We Recommend, That this conference grant teachers’ credentials to church-school teachers who have taught with success, and teachers’ licenses to those who are taking up the work for the first time.
19. We Recommend, That the practice of paying the stationery and postage expense of the Department of Education out of the Sabbath-school funds be continued during the coming year.
20. That those laborers who are in the Northern Peninsula mission field at the time of the division, be supported as before, and that this expense be divided between the Eastern and Western Michigan Conferences, and that the details be left to the committees of the two conferences to act jointly, and that the Eastern and Western Conferences each pay the wages of two laborers in the Northern Michigan Conference.
21. That each conference adopt the constitution of the Michigan Conference, with five members on the committee, and that wherever there is a vacancy in the committee, it be supplied by the conference committee.
22. That the charter of the Michigan Conference Association be so amended as to substitute the name “East Michigan Conference” for “Michigan Conference Association,” and that the trustees be elected at the annual meeting of the East Michigan Conference.
23. That the conference committees of the North and West Michigan Conferences be authorized to organize in corporated bodies to take over and hold their share of the assets and liabilities of the Michigan Conference Association.
The Finance Committee presented the following recommendations, which were adopted:—
That the Detroit Mission property and its equipments belong to the East Michigan Conference, and the Cedar Lake property and its equipments belong to the West Michigan Conference, and that the Petoskey church property and its equipments belong to the North Michigan Conference.
That the Missionary Department of the conference be given until October 1 to close up accounts and diminish stock before making said division.
That after paying the conference expenses and the laborers up to October 1, and reserving a thousand dollars, we pay the rest of the money on hand toward the Ireland and Wales Missions.
That the Battle Creek church and each conference into which the Michigan Conferencehas been divided assume their portion of the fourteen-thousand-dollar debt per capita, with the understanding that an account of the notes held against the General Conference Association by individuals in the Michigan Conference be turned over to the Michigan Conference Association, and the accounts be equally divided between the different conferences and the Battle Creek church per capita.
The following officers were elected for the ensuing year for the Michigan Conference Association: J. D. Gowell, A. G. Haughey, S. E. Wight, E. R. Williams, and E. I. Beebe.
For trustees of the Cedar Lake Industrial Academy, Incorporated, A. G. Haughey, S. M. Butler, J. G. Lamson, S. E. Wight, S. P. S. Edwards, I. H. Evans, and W. C. Hebner.
Ministerial credentials were voted to the following-named persons: J. D. Gowell, E. H. Root, E. R. Williams, O. F. Campbell, L. N. Lane, C. N. Sanders, W. C. Hebner, S. M. Butler, W. R. Matthews, S. E. Wight, L. G. Moore, Wm. Ostrander, R. C. Horton, E. K. Slade, H. R. Johnson, M. W. Lewis, M. C. Guild, A. R. Sanborn, W. D. Parkhurst, J. J. Irwin, B. F. Stureman, Eugene Leland, R. W. Munson, H. W. Miller, J. L. Edgar, C. P. Haskell, M. B. Miller, A. G. Haughey.
The following received ministerial licenses: W. E. Videto, M. D. Warfle, M. Shepherd, T. G. Lewis, Mrs. E. R. Williams, J. G. Lamson, R. E. Harter, S. P. S. Edwards, M. D., F. J. Harris, C. A. Hansen, Fred Brink, O. F. Butcher, E. I. Beebe, A. J. Olsen, E. A. Bristol.
Missionary licenses were given to Mrs. E. I. Beebe, Belle Campbell, M. M. Faulkner, Rose Gooden, Agnes Harris, Mrs. C. A. Hansen, Mrs. E. F. Hutchinson, Clara Kiep, Mrs. M. W. Lewis, E. Jennie Lane, Mrs. R. W. Munson, E. McHugh, Mina Pierce, Ethel Peters, Rose Peters, Grace Richards, Bertha Snyder, Alice Slade, Emma Schilling, E. F. Hutchinson, Mrs. M. C. Kenyon, Mae Warfle, Mrs. M. B. Videto, Lucy Tyte, Marion Teats.
Chancy Wood was recommended for ordination.
In accordance with the action taken, the Michigan Conference is now divided as follows:—
The Superior Mission Field comprises the Upper Peninsula.
The North Michigan Conference comprises the counties of Emmet, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Benzie, Traverse, Kalkaska, Crawford, Oscoda, Alcona, Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Mason, Lake, Osceola, Clare, Gladwin, Arenac.
The West Michigan Conference comprises the counties of Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, Muskegon, Montcalm, Ottawa, Kent, Ionia, Allegan, Barry, Eaton, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch.
The East Michigan Conference comprises the counties of Midland, Bay, Huron, Gratiot, Saginaw, Tuscola, Sanilac, Clinton, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Ingham, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Jackson, Washtenaw, Wayne, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe.
E. I. BEEBE, Secretary.

The Sale of Periodicals

By Editor

We invite our readers to give careful study to the reports and suggestions given this week with regard to the circulation of our good papers. The Lord has placed in our hands a wide variety of papers and journals which are second to none in general appearance, and which are infinitely more valuable than many others; for they contain a great message to the world. What are you doing, dear readers, to help extend the influence of our papers? and what will you do from this week on? Study this page carefully, and with the Lord's blessing, you may receive some suggestion which will be helpful to you.
IN Great Britain there are about 1,000 Sabbath keepers, and 120 of these are giving all, or nearly all, their time to the sale of Present Truth and Good Health. In another column we have given in full their monthly report, which will show for itself how earnestly our brethren and sisters in England are laboring to get the truth before their neighbors. This is not a spasmodic effort. The circulation of The Present Truth has been steadily increasing for several years, until now it has an average circulation of 20,000 copies a week. Their Good Health journal has a circulation of 50,000 copies a month. They have very few annual subscribers. Nearly all these papers are taken to the doors of the people and sold week after week.
FROM these figures it is easy to compute the average work of our brethren and sisters in Great Britain. There are 1,000 Sabbath keepers, and they distribute about 80,000 copies of The Present Truth and 50,000 of Good Health each month, or a total of 130,000 copies a month. This makes an average of 130 periodicals distributed by each member. This is really good, is it not? In the United States there are 60,000 Sabbath keepers. Suppose the same ratio of work were done by each in behalf of Good Health and The Signs of the Times; these journals would be given a monthly circulation of 7,800,000copies. And if the proportion sold of each paper were the same here as in Great Britain, our Good Health journal would have a monthly circulation of 3,000,000 copies, and The Signs of the Times would have a weekly circulation of 1,200,000 copies.
COMPARE these figures with our actual circulation, which is about the one-hundredth part of this number, and our neglect becomes very apparent. It is easy to see that the Lord has been impressing a great truth upon us when he has repeatedly told us that we are not doing one-hundredth part of what ought to be done, and what might be done, to get these printed truths before the world. Would it not be well for us to ask ourselves some pointed, personal questions as to what we are doing in this work? Instead of looking at the whole United States, or our own State, or even our own church, should we not settle what we ought to do? Then our example may help others.
IN the German Union Conference there are nearly 4,000 Sabbath keepers, or about the same number as in the State of Iowa; yet they sell 50,000 copies of their German evangelical paper, besides giving a large circulation to their health journal. In Australasia their papers are sold from door to door, the same as in England. There are 2,000 Sabbath keepers, and they give the Bible Echo and the Australasian Good Health a circulation of 40,000 copies a month, or an average of twenty copies a number. Besides this paper work, about seventy-five people in Australasia are devoting their whole time to the sale of large books, and their sales amount to between $80,000 and $100,000 a year.
THE activity of these Sabbath keepers in our foreign fields indicates the earnestness and devotion of a people during the days of their first love. There was a time when we were a small people here in the United States, but our activities were great. Every paper that came to our houses was loaned and reloaned, and then posted away to some distant friend or relative. Clubs of from one hundred to one thousand copies of The Signs of the Times were taken, and either sold or given away. A few are still doing something; but where is the old-time faithfulness and earnestness, the first love, which led us to exert every energy possible for our friends and neighbors? Have we lost it? We call for a revival of the old-time missionary spirit. Who will be the first to start it in his own home, and then kindle the fire in the church? The church needs a fire kindled in it, and all our hearts, which are growing cold, need something to warm them up. Work for the lost will do it.

Progress in Antigua and St. Kitts Baptisms

SISTER A. J. HAYSMER writes from St. Thomas that she recently made a short visit to Antigua, and was encouraged to find some progress in the work there. While eight or ten were in the Sabbath school a year and a half ago, now there are nearly fifty enrolled. She and Elder Haysmer stopped at St. Kitts, where five were baptized. One was a Spaniard, recently from San Domingo. She can scarcely speak an English word. Sister Haysmer says: “It would have done you good to see her bear her testimony after baptism, and take part in the ordinances. As far as we know, she is the first Spanish convert in the West Indian field.” Four have recently been baptized in St. Thomas.

A Golden Opportunity

By S. H. Lane

DURING the past five months I have traveled extensively throughout the Middle West, and in all my travels over these States, I never saw such a fruitful season as is the present one. The rain has been abundant in almost every place. In the early part of the season the drought affected parts of Kansas and Texas to that extent that the wheat and corn and oats were cut short,—especially was this true in Texas,—but later rains redeemed in a measure the withering crops, and developed later ones. The most important crop in Texas is that of cotton, and for several years no crop has presented a finer appearance than does the present one, the earlier bales of which are now being marketed.
The wheat, flax, and oat crops of Minnesota and North and South Dakota are simply wonderful. The corn, wheat, and oat crops of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri are so immense that it has been very difficult in sections to harvest them on account of rain and the scarcity of laborers. In the Indian and Oklahoma Territories, and the States of Arkansas and Texas, the cotton and cane crops are abundant, also the corn crop, except in the State last named. Small fruits have been abundant in all these States, while apples and peaches are abundant in Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas, and the two Territories mentioned. These crops are being secured and marketed, and as the result money begins to flow into the country; and when the crops are marketed, the West will be filled with money, which will be spent freely by the people for things which they may be pleased to purchase. They will part with it more freely than in the past, from the fact that a few years ago thousands of farms were mortgaged, but on account of the prosperity and good prices of produce during the past few years, the majority of these mortgages have been discharged, and people are now at liberty to spend money more freely. Shall not some of it come into the cause through the sale of our books? Indeed, our entire country has been wonderfully blessed with good crops, and money will soon circulate freely, and now is our golden opportunity to sell our publications.
If we had hundreds of canvassers in the States of the Middle West, they could place thousands of dollars' worth of books in the homes of the people. Every one of our people in the States I have mentioned, and in every part of our great country, should from now until the holidays engage in book selling as never before. Every copy of “Christ’s Object Lessons” should be sold, and the last debt of our schools should be liquidated. The sale of our subscription books should be such as to tax the capacity of our printing presses.
Reader, have you ever engaged in the sale of any of our good books? If not, will you not now begin? You have near and dear friends who will purchase if you will present the books to them, and both you and they will be benefited. The holidays are before us, and it is none too early for every one who can sell books to begin their work of securing orders. Our publishing houses have the books on hand. Will not every union conference and State agent, and every canvasser now work as never before, and inspire others to do valiant service?
S. H. LANE.

If I Can Live

By Helen Hunt Jackson

If I can live To make some pale face brighter, and to give A second luster to some tear-dimmed eye, Or e’en impart One throb of comfort to an aching heart, Or cheer some wayworn soul in passing by;
If I can lend A strong arm to the fallen, or defend The right against a single envious strain, My life, though bare Perhaps of much that seemeth dear and fair To us on earth, will not have been in vain.
— Helen Hunt Jackson.

Silent Messengers

By Editor

Our Books, Tracts, and Periodicals
E. R. PALMER ∴ ∴ ∴ Editor

How Periodicals Are Sold in England, Germany, and Australasia

FIRST a good man is selected who is successful as an agent, and who has plenty of energy, and some ability to organize. The largest part of his work is with regular agents. He selects men and women who are willing to devote the whole or a large part of their time to selling papers, and supplies them with a club of from one hundred to three hundred copies a week to start with. The agent is located in a large town, and is assigned a definite territory. He is given a commission on the papers sold, which usually makes the work self-supporting. The agent goes from house to house through his territory, covering as much as he can in one week, and places on his list the names of all those to whom he can sell a paper. The next week he goes over the same ground with his new club of papers, and endeavors to make arrangements with all who have taken the paper for one week to take it regularly for one, three, or six months. This method is continued until the agent has a list of from two hundred to six hundred regular subscribers to whom he can deliver the paper every week. Some of these subscribers are constantly dropping out, and new ones are being added. Many papers are also sold on the streets, and in shops and stores, but the most of them are sold from door to door.
Some of the advantages of this house-to-house work with our papers may be mentioned as follows:—
1. It is an excellent school for personal training in practical missionary work. Nothing could give one a better experience in meeting people, and in learning how to do good gospel work from house to house.
2. The agent is brought into touch with many thousands of people, and by meeting the people week after week they become mutually acquainted, and the agent can reach many homes from which he would be repulsed at first.
3. A club of papers handled on this plan has been often shown to be the most satisfactory way for Bible workers and ministers to begin their work in a new place. It brings them rapidly into personal touch with the people, and enables them to search out quickly those who are looking for light.
4. Three or four periodical workers can work most effectively in connection with tent or hall meetings. When such a meeting or when a camp meeting is to be opened in any place, it is well to send periodical workers there from one to three months before the meetings are to begin. With a thorough knowledge of the town, and with more or less personal acquaintance with all the people, these workers become invaluable as assistants, and they often develop into the best kind of Bible workers. These agents, as they go from door to door with their papers, can personally invite the people to attend the meetings, and they are able to secure the attendance of hundreds who would not otherwise go.
5. Every conference ought to have a great army of workers going from door to door among the people. If much attention were given to practical work from house to house, there would not be such a dearth of laborers as we now see. We would like to give further particulars by correspondence to any who would like to introduce this method of work.

Employ the Gift Thou Hast

By Mrs. Guernsey

EMPLOY the gift thou hast, Whate'er it be, with true and earnest care; And this endeavor shall not be the last: Each good performed another shall prepare.
— Mrs. Guernsey.

Present Truth Agents' Report, England, for Month Ending July 31, 1902

GOOD PRESENT
AGENT'S NAME TERRITORY HEALTH TRUTH
Fry, S. Belfast 1,850
McAvoy, J. Belfast 3,000
Marks, Miss Belfast 800
Yeates, W. H. Belfast 525
Matthews, Miss H. Burton 30 478
Culshaw, T. Bolton 12 498
Campion, H. E. Birmingham 120
Rivers, Miss Birmingham 488
Mountain, Miss Birmingham 1,228
Tract Society Birmingham 600 800
Buxton, W. Birmingham 2,500
Willmore, Miss Birmingham 310
Blackwell, Miss E. Bath 400
Tract Society Bath 700 340
Tessup, C. Bristol 300 1,200
Pickard, Mrs. Bargoed 100 780
Henri, L. E. Birkenhead 125 1,728
Tract Society Birkenhead 250
Omara, P. Birkenhead 200
Warnock, E. Birkenhead 150 400
Buchman, E. Bradford 500 900
Johnson, Mrs. Brigend 101 336
Parry, Mrs. Cardiff 400
Churchill, E. G. Cardiff 25 430
Meadows, Mrs. Cardiff 1,300 1,200
Bell, Mont. Coventry 800
Miles, W. T. Croydon 300 1,040
White, Miss J. C. Chatham 100 400
Lake, W. L. Cosham 150 200
Sargent, Mrs. Cowes 200
Jackson, Wm. Denton 50
Gresswell, Miss E. Derby 90 880
Spicer, Eddie Deal 200
King, Wm. Ebbw Vale 200 1,834
Rambart, Miss Elmsworth 100 450
Bleasby, Miss Glasgow 800
Monteith, A. Glasgow 3,004 1,950
Johnson, J. Glasgow 100
Ford, Mrs. Grimsby 400
Short, W. R. Grimsby 500
Johnson, Mrs. J. Hull 80 240
Saville, R. J. Hull 440 1,250
Brandt, J. Hull 150 400
Carlile, Mrs. Hull 1,500 430
Smedley, E. Hull 200
Mills, G. O. Herne Bay 300 750
Tract Society Kettering 224 200
Watson, A. Kilpike 168
Bryon, M. D. Londonderry 735
Wilkinson, W. Leeds 700
Musgrave, W. H. Leeds 770
Holmes, James, Pike, Leeds 2,400 300
Kennington, E. Leeds 500
Richardson, J. Liverpool 200 2,396
Bell, J. E. Liverpool 1,674
Cowley, S. G. Liverpool 200 1,560
Jackson, H. M. Liverpool 400
McFadyen, A. Leicester 48 400
Murphy, S. H. Leicester 100 250
Armstrong, D. Leicester 150 325
Clarke, W. Lincoln 216
Westbourne, P. T. S. London 224 160
Spicer, Mrs. R. London 450 620
Eades, J. London 149 484
Cross, Mrs. London 300 496
Davenport, Mrs. London 36 400
Leytonstone T. S. London 330 530
N. London T. S. London 819 604
Penning, E. London 1,275
Baldwin, H. London 149 600
Liney, Miss London 12 350
Golding, Gladys London 86 200
Morgan, Miss London 6 400
Howell, H. London 340 550
Eastcott, Miss London 24 294
Werge, E. London 100
Baker, Miss London 150
Guyton, Mrs. London 250
Brigg, T. Merthyr 36 1,040
Beharell, T. Middlesborough 34 760
Chapman, W. Manchester 600 1,400
Morton, G. Manchester 400
Munroe, A. Manchester 300
Davies, C. Manchester 1,000 340
Britton, W. A. Newport, Mon. 220 1,564
Slater, W. A. Newcastle 72 1,359
Gill, Miss J. Nottingham 24 448
McPherson, Mrs. Nottingham 166 587
Aplin, E. Nottingham 800
Aplin, C. Nottingham 100
Earll, A. E. Nesmites 500
Brown, Wm. Nesmites 250
Normansell, Mrs. Oldbury 680
Farina, Miss M. Pontypridd 130 1,900
Robinson, Wm. Pontypridd 200
Borrowdale, R. Plymouth 800 780
Evrey, Miss Penrhiwceiber 81 528
Parsons, Miss Pontypool 50 870
Etheridge, Mrs. Portsmouth 1,082
Holt, Miss Portsmouth 200 1,230
Jerome, S. J. Portsmouth 25 89
Casson, H. Rotherham 80 760
Hancock, H. A. Swansea 500 1,550
Johnson, J. Sheffield 100 1,540
Warne, J. W. Southampton 800
Tract Society Southampton 606
Stubbs, H. Southampton 200
Niner, Miss M. Treherbert 300 100
Mainwaring, Miss Treorchy 200 652
Hale, Miss E. Treorchy 100 652
Howell, Miss A. Ulceby 40
Gilbert, A. D. Various 400
Ellis, J. Wolverhampton 24 550
Tract Society Wellingborough 130 96
Newnham, J. Worcester 36 672
Nicholson, T. Wigan 80 800
Mailing list Wigan 800 1,900
News agents Wigan 5,000 2,028
Miscellaneous Wigan 12,918 5,656
Total 50,000 78,811

God Opened the Way

By Edith Sapp Speedie

TREMBLING, I went out with “Christ’s Object Lessons.” That day I took no orders, nor was I more successful the next; but the Lord gave me a place to stay with some kind old people. Near the close of the second day I rapped at a door. A little woman came. I heard the baby crying in the kitchen. “Bring the baby, and while you soothe it, I wish to show you a good little book,” I said. I wish I could tell you how I won that mother’s heart with sympathy for the sick children, and with suggestions concerning their treatment. She urged me to come early next morning to see her husband. He ordered the book, and said that he would sell two more copies to friends.
When I went to deliver the books, they insisted on our taking supper with them — my husband was with me. We accepted their hospitality, and in turn invited them to call on us.
To-day the gentleman called near dinner time. We live with my husband’s mother in a small village six miles from town. She is very much opposed to the truth, and insists that we shall never mention it.
We had no sooner seated ourselves at the table than our guest asked me our reasons for not using meat, tea, and coffee. I gave him our reasons from a health standpoint. “But is there not more to it? Isn’t it your religion? Why do you keep Saturday?” I do not know how he knew we did keep the Sabbath. I thought it might displease mother to enter into religious conversation, so I answered him briefly, and turned the conversation into channels not antagonistic to her belief.
As my husband was absent, I thought the gentleman would depart after dinner, but he sat down with the assurance that he would not go till he knew more about “these things.” I suggested another day in his own home, but he insisted on the present time.
Feeling that God had so directed, I told him about some things in which we differ from other churches. Mother then told him that we were wrong, and that it was as she believed. I quoted the plain “Thus saith the Lord,” and, praise his name, truth triumphed as far as it had opportunity.
After two hours the gentleman went away, and he is going to take Bible readings. He had never heard of true Sabbath keeping or of vegetarianism, but he left fully consenting that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, and hungering for more truth.
O my brethren and sisters, the Lord will open the way before us if we will but start — no matter whether we feel like it or not; we should never be governed by feeling. The Christian worker is dead, and his life is hid with Christ in God. The command is “Go,” not, Go if you feel like it. Working for Christ is not a question of feeling, but a question of obedience.
EDITH SAPP SPEEDIE.

Current Mention

— Seventeen miners were killed by an explosion in the Big Four mine of the Algoma Coal and Coke Company at Bluefield, W. Va., September 15, by an explosion of gas and gunpowder in the mine.
— A new Boxer organization in China, known as the “Lantern” society, has been formed with the avowed purpose of exterminating all foreigners and native Christians. They are operating in the province of Szechuen, where it is reported that over three hundred native converts to Christianity have been massacred.
— The Vatican is reported to be seriously disturbed by the news that the czar, when he returns the visit of King Victor Emmanuel, of Italy, will not call on the pope. The czar is reported to be displeased with the pope because the latter withdrew the papal nuncio from The Hague Peace Conference because he had not been invited to take part in the proceedings. It would be “very awkward” for the Vatican to be thus passed over by the czar.
— Forest fires in Oregon and Washington, which were started the second week in September, raged with great fury and destructiveness for several days, devastating forests and burning up towns in Multnomah and Clackamas Counties, Oregon, and in Cowlitz County, Washington. It is reported that over fifty lives were lost in the burned districts.
— A member of the Illinois Woman’s Press Association, named Barnes, was accidentally shot at a Wisconsin summer resort, September 16, says a Rockford, Ill., telegram. She was wearing a hat, which a hunter mistook for a bird. She is now in a Chicago hospital. Whether the hat or the hunter was most at fault is not stated.
— The attempt of the mine owners in Pennsylvania to reopen their mines with nonunion labor seems likely to lead to a strike on the part of the labor unions whose members are operatives on the railways of the coal trust. It is believed these men — engineers, yard masters, firemen, brakemen, etc. — will refuse to haul any coal not mined by members of the miners’ union.
— A report from Bainbridge, Ohio, states that Copperas Mountain, the highest elevation in the range of hills bordering Paint Creek, is assuming the characteristics of an active volcano. Dense smoke and sulphurous gases are issuing from fissures on the mountain side, and the slate which covers one side of the mountain has become red hot. Farmers residing in Paint Creek Valley are apprehensive of a disastrous eruption.
— A young man named Gosse, the son of an English clergyman in Somersetshire, says a London dispatch, was found dead in his room, September 16, having committed suicide after reading the novel, “The Mighty Atom,” by Marie Corelli, the most striking scene in which is a portrayal of a suicide. A letter left by him explained the nature of his death. This case, says the dispatch, is the second one of imitative suicide in that country caused by reading that book. Parents, do you know what books your children are reading? and do you know how their minds are being affected by the unhealthy pictures portrayed in novels, and depicted upon the stage of the modern theater?
— The “First Church of Christ, Scientist,” at Philadelphia, and incidentally the “Christian Science” church in general, received a decided set back by a decision rendered in the common pleas court in Philadelphia, by Judge Arnold, September 15. The church had applied to the court for a charter, which was refused by the judge, who in giving his opinion said: “The charter applied for in this case covers a double purpose — a church and a business. We have power to grant a charter for a church, but we have no authority to grant a charter for a corporation for profit — that is, a business corporation.” Continuing, the judge quoted from the text-book of Mary Baker G. Eddy instructions to Christian Scientists to sell and circulate the publications of Mrs. Eddy, failure to do the same being sufficient cause for expulsion from membership in the church. “This shows,” said Judge Arnold, “that the so-called church is a corporation for profit, organized to enforce the sale of Mrs. Eddy’s books by its members, which is a matter of business, and not of religion. As the courts have no power to charter such a corporation, the application for a charter is refused.”
— The end of the civil war in Venezuela is apparently in sight, the revolutionists having been victorious at all points. President Castro has retreated to his capital, and a final battle is expected to occur in the hills surrounding Caracas.
— Testimony given at St. Louis, Mo., September 16, by Thomas L. O’Sullivan, a meat and live-stock inspector in that city, affirms that meat which has been sold by packers recently was adulterated with decayed meat chemically treated to hide its condition, unhealthy kidneys ground up, and other unwholesome substances. Similar testimony was elicited from authoritative sources a few years ago when there was an investigation of the “embalmed” beef charge made against the packers by General Miles. It seems that testimony of this sort comes to the surface at every investigation that is made into the meat-packing business; from which the only conclusion to be drawn is that the disposal of decayed and diseased meat by the packers to the retailers, and by the latter to their meat-eating customers, is a regular part of the business. The person who would be healthy must not eat diseased meat, and he who would escape eating diseased meat must discard meat altogether.

Donors to the Relief of the Schools

The Total Cash received on the Relief of the Schools Fund up to Sept. 14, 1902, is $46,033.99
NAME AMOUNT
Mrs. Emeline J. Thorne $1.00
A. T. Simons 1.00
Sister Christiansen (Alameda) 1.00
Mrs. Margaret A. Frisch 1.00
Mrs. M. H. Dunmead 5.00
Robt. E. Moore 5.00
Andrew Knecht 1.50
Mary Pickell 1.00
Mrs. Josie Lansing 1.00
Fritz Guy 8.00
R. L. Williams 5.00
Eliza Weaver 2.00
B. Blinn 1.00
Wm. T. Hilgert 1.00
Carene Barton 2.00
Mrs. H. Forsythe 2.50
Mrs. Mary E. Lowry 2.00
W. S. Boone 5.00
Mrs. H. A. Baldwin & Son 5.00
Wm. Floeger 2.50
Jas. A. Witter 1.00
C. J. Dart 2.00
Mr. & Mrs. H. Scharnweber 5.00
Mrs. L. Lehman 10.00
Jessie M. Weiss 2.00
Alice Holmes 1.00
H. L. Dye 1.00
Anna E. Krumm 0.50
W. S. Holbrook 5.00
S. J. Clifton 5.00
A friend (Altoona, Pa.) 3.00
Grace Barber 1.50
Augusta Schramm 2.00
Fritz Guy 10.00
Bell R. Flesher 0.50
Hattie Roper 0.50
Mabel Watson 0.25
Mrs. S. I. Tegart 1.00
Colorado Tract Society 8.85
Laura Davis 0.50
Francis De Pas 10.00
Mrs. Sadie Hodges 2.00
W. H. Hyatt 2.50
Mrs. J. M. Wallace 1.00
George F. Weller 1.00
Frank Friend 25.00
Homer Howe 2.50
O. B. Thompson 5.00
Frankie Bradford 0.25
Edna Pincus 1.00
A friend (Berrien Springs) 8.00
Continue reading: Business Notices