God is working in these difficult fields in a way that is a constant source of thanksgiving to us, and as we see these manifestations of his power, we can but feel that the time of the “latter rain” has indeed come.
Last spring Elder Keh, while on his way to Canton, visited at a port between Amoy and Hongkong, where the coasting steamers generally stop for about twelve hours. He visited the Chinese mission school, and there met a man who had heard something of the Sabbath truth a few years before. This man was eager to learn more, and talked with Elder Keh for several hours, and when he went away, invited him to come to see him when on his way back to Amoy. He was unable to do this, but wrote him after reaching home.
In a short time he received a letter, saying there were quite a number who were now interested in the Sabbath question, and asking him to make them a visit. He went, and found a large number of inquirers; and the missionaries, when appealed to, admitted that the seventh day was the Sabbath, according to the Bible. Brother Keh stayed for a few days, and then returned to Amoy. But in a short time he received a letter containing an invitation from the missionary himself, requesting him to come and teach the Bible in their school for the remainder of the school year.
This was so unusual that we were all in doubt as to whether he should go or not, so we took the matter to the Lord, and inquired of him. We remembered the story of the Gibeonites, recorded in Joshua 9, and did not wish to make the same mistake that the children of Israel made then. We asked for a sign. Finally, it was agreed to write to them, saying that Elder Keh would come for the rest of the school year (about two months), on condition that he should still continue to receive his salary from our mission, and that he should receive nothing from them except his boat fare. Then we united in asking the Lord to impress their hearts to accept these terms, if he wished Elder Keh to go, and to reject them if he did not wish him to go.
The answer was prompt and clear; for they replied at once, accepting the terms, and enclosing a money-order to pay his boat fare. So he went, accompanied by our earnest prayers for the Lord to be with him, and to use him for the honor and glory of his holy name. We have received three letters from him, telling how he has had every opportunity to preach the truth both day and night, and that he is not restricted in any way as to what he should teach the pupils who have been put in his charge. But the third letter was so full of good news that I enclose a translation. It reads as follows:—
“I am always earnestly praying for you all, and I know that you are also praying for me. Now I wish to quickly write you some good news, that you may all return thanks to God.
“Yesterday the pastor and some of the Chinese church officials invited me to preach in their large church, and it was their wish that I should relate to them what I had passed through in my Christian experience, thus giving me an opportunity of telling them about the important truths of the Sabbath gospel. I preached from eight until nine o’clock. Those present were the American pastors and their wives, and some unmarried ladies, besides the high, middle, and lower schools, and girls’ school pupils, and a large number of people.
A GROUP OF WORKERS IN CHINA. ELDER KEH IS SEATED IN THE CENTER
“When I had finished speaking, one of the pastors—an old man of perhaps seventy years—arose and thanked me, and one of the unmarried ladies said she was very glad to have heard what I had said, and that what she had heard was plain.
“To-day one of the native preachers arose during a service, and in the midst of a large number of people witnessed for the Sabbath, and earnestly prayed, because he wished to keep the Sabbath. After the service a very noted native preacher came to my room, and said that he had been very wretched for some time, on account of the Sabbath, and that he wished to study the matter with me during the next few days.
“This is all through the power of the Holy Spirit, and is not what I have done. And now I ask you all to pray for me that I may do his work and glorify his name.”
Surely the Spirit of God is working mightily in these dark lands. And as we see the manifestations of his mighty power, our hearts are stirred to a renewed consecration for service, that we may be laborers together with him in this glorious work, and we are led to see that the time is indeed very, very short. Pray with us for God’s blessing to rest richly upon the seed sown in this new place.
After the school closed, and Elder Keh had returned home, he received letters from the pastor of a church a short distance from where he had labored at the school, stating that his members were all keeping the Sabbath, and desired him to come and teach them further in this new gospel. The Sabbath truth has swept the whole country about ——, like a prairie fire on the Western plains. “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”
Just last Friday we were agreeably surprised by a prominent man from this same place. He is a druggist, and has a store by the railroad, not far from the city. He reports having kept the Sabbath for several weeks, and four or five others meeting with him on the Sabbath, for prayer and Bible study. This man also calls for help, that they may become established in the whole gospel. These calls must be met. Brother Keh will go down again, as soon as matters are so that he can leave here. We thank God for all these openings, and trust that he who prepares the way will also furnish the laborers.
Kulangsu, Amoy, China.
The Chesapeake Conference and Camp-Meeting
By E. W. Farnsworth
This meeting was held July 5-14, in Gardenville, one of the suburbs of Baltimore. The tents were pitched in a beautiful, natural grove which afforded perfect shade. About thirty family tents were occupied by one hundred and fifty persons. On Sabbaths and Sundays there were probably two hundred and fifty of our people on the ground.
Peace and harmony prevailed, and the opinion was expressed that this was the best camp-meeting ever held in the conference. Nearly all the officers who served last year were re-elected, Elder Morris Lukens being retained as president. One church was taken into the conference, and the secretary's report showed that seventy-five had been admitted to church-membership during the year. The tithe had increased, and the general financial condition was found to be encouraging. Several young men have recently been taken into the employ of the conference, and it is hoped that these will develop into successful laborers.
Profs. B. G. Wilkinson and B. F. Machlan were present at this meeting, and labored especially for the young people. The children's meetings were in charge of Sister Emma Newcomer. One forenoon service was devoted to convention exercises for young people, and another to the Sabbath-school work. There are quite a number of intelligent youth in this conference who should develop into useful workers.
Elders I. H. Evans and R. D. Hottel, Dr. D. H. Kress, and the writer were the laborers present, besides those employed by the conference. Several revival services were held, in which many gave themselves to the Lord for the first time, or consecrated themselves anew to his service. The second Sabbath of the meeting seventeen were baptized in a stream near the encampment.
The city papers, such as the Baltimore Sun and the Baltimore American, sent reporters to the ground, and full and kind reports of the meeting and our work as a people were published in the papers. Thus the truth was given to thousands who otherwise would not have heard it.
The outside attendance increased till the meeting closed. The last Sunday afternoon and evening there were many more than could be accommodated in the large tent. Seats were arranged outside, and the people listened with unusual attention to the word spoken. The interest was such that it was decided to continue the meetings at least another week before moving the tent into Baltimore. It is hoped that a company will be brought out in Gardenville which will form the nucleus of a strong church. Elder Lukens will remain with other workers, as long as may seem necessary.
Altogether, we consider this meeting a successful one, and trust that its influence for good may extend all through the coming year.
E. W. FARNSWORTH.
At the Camp-Meetings
By GEO. F. ENOCH
The Velva (N. D.) camp-meeting is the fifth camp-meeting attended by the writer up to date, each of which has had specially interesting features.
At the western Washington camp-meeting the young people's work was signally blessed of God. The instruction given was practical and spiritual. The motto, “The Advent Message to All the World in This Generation,” which stood out clear and plain over the pulpit, was the key-note of every service, and struck a responsive chord in the hearts of the young people.
We had some real pentecostal blessings. Early in the meeting a special tent was fitted up and named “Bethel,” and almost all the time some young people were to be found there confessing sins, and getting right with God. In that meeting the young people were fortunate in having a band of personal workers, who with sympathetic hearts could kneel by their side and lead them to the fountain in which all their sins could be washed away.
Before the meeting closed, five mature young people, alone by themselves in that little Bethel, consecrated their lives definitely for India's great need, praying for God to open the way by which they might go to their chosen field of labor this fall. Four are nurses, and one is a teacher. Then there followed a wonderfully blessed meeting among all the young people, and almost the entire company laid their lives definitely on the altar. Many are laying plans to enter our various schools this fall.
At the Minnesota camp-meeting there were a large number of mature young men and women who responded to the call of the hour by consecrating their all to God and his cause, pledging their lives to his service, either at home or abroad, wherever he may lead.
At the South Dakota meeting the good work among the young people continued. Many gained a new experience, others found their Saviour for the first time, and almost all reached higher ground. At all the larger camp-meetings a little band of personal workers was formed from the start, meeting together for prayer each day, and after presenting particular cases before the Lord, separated to do personal labor for those in need of help. The Lord graciously blessed, and the workers had the joy of seeing the larger number of those for whom special prayer was made come to God. It is worthy of notice that this work among our young people has become much more effectual and substantial since the establishment of church-schools and intermediate schools in our conferences.
The last Sunday morning at the South Dakota camp-meeting will be long remembered. After a presentation of the world-wide situation, showing how God has in the last century opened doors into all lands, and how he has raised up this people for no other purpose than to enter these open doors and meet the world's great need, and how only that work lies now between us and our future happy home, there was a call for consecration of all to the finishing of this work. The Lord made plain that all the power and all the glory belong to him, but now since he is doing what he is, all the responsibility belongs to us. There was a heartfelt response. First a large number of strong young men and women arose and laid their lives on the altar. Then an equal number of parents arose and consecrated their sons and daughters to go wherever the Lord would lead. Then a call was made for the consecration of farms and means, which also met a hearty response. Many consecrated their farms to God, the proceeds of which were to be used in finishing his work. One brother arose and said he would give a donation of five hundred dollars, which he at once sent up to the desk. Another arose and said he had just bought a lot in a city and built a new house upon it; he realized that he should not have done so, and gave his house and lot for the heralding of the message in the regions beyond. Others gave their jewelry. The good work went on until twenty-seven hundred dollars in cash and pledges had been given in but a few minutes. Then before the meeting dismissed, the entire congregation stood, pledging themselves and all they had to stand by the work in the regions beyond.
No one will ever know the courage that such meetings bring to the heart of the worker who is going out into the dark places of the earth to work for Jesus. Brethren and sisters, this means that the work will soon be finished, and Jesus will come to take us home to glory. But between us and that glad day lies a little space of earnest toil and complete self-sacrifice and whole-hearted self-denial. Even so come, Lord Jesus.
At Velva we had meetings conducted in four languages — German, English, Russian, and Scandinavian. The union meetings with their several interpreters was a unique feature, particularly that of the last Sabbath afternoon, when all the camp met together around the Lord's table and celebrated the ordinances of the Lord's house. To many of us this was a symbol of that day, in the near future, when all nations and tongues shall gather around that one table on the other shore, and Jesus himself shall serve.
God drew graciously near at all these meetings, and in proportion to the surrenders made for his service and the world's great need, poured out his blessing. From all the meetings brethren and sisters returned home with new zeal and courage, and renewed consecration to his cause and work. GEO. F. ENOCH.
W. G. KNEELAND
By W. G. Kneeland
Jamaica
WE have every reason for rejoicing over the steady growth of the work in this island. Our training-school has been opened with a limited number of students, and a number of new church buildings are in process of erection in spite of the heavy losses caused by the earthquake, and the long severe drought that followed. The tithes and Sabbath-school offerings are steadily increasing, and a majority of our Sabbath-schools are dedicating all their offerings to the needy fields. Four Sabbath-school conventions and general meetings have been held in different parts of the island with a good interest and attendance.18
The brethren at Kingston are striving nobly to erect their church and school building, and have secured enough funds to pay for the lot and the concrete foundations of the new church. In spite of the fact that standing room can scarcely be secured around the remaining portion of the old building, large numbers of interested people crowd around eager to hear the message of truth. We had hoped ere this to have the roof of the church completed, to protect the congregation from the sun and rain, but the work must necessarily move slowly unless we receive more assistance, as nearly all our people here are poor, and the failure of crops caused by the dry weather has greatly increased the cost of living.
We trust that God will move upon hearts in better circumstances to come to our help in this our time of need, so that better facilities may soon be provided where the message may be given to the hungry people. Since coming to this field, added health and strength have been given for the many duties here, for which we feel to praise our Heavenly Father. As more time and attention are given to the selection and training of native laborers, I am confident that a large number of consecrated men and women will soon be ready to press out into the regions beyond with this blessed message.
W. G. KNEELAND
Field Notes
FOUR persons were recently baptized by Brother F. F. Petersen, and united with the Plainfield (Wis.) church.
SEVEN waiting for baptism at Ruby, I. T., briefly states the result of meetings held there by Brother Claude McDonald.
BRETHREN R. C. Porter and A. R. Ogden report that they had the privilege of baptizing seven precious souls at Logan, Kan., and one at Bird City.
ON Sabbath, July 13, six persons were baptized at the Chicago German church by Elder C. W. Weber; also, nine members were received into the church.
BROTHER P. M. HOWE, who has been holding meetings with several of the churches of Ontario, Canada, reports the baptism of fifteen persons during the month.
AT the time of the quarterly meeting, July 6, five persons joined the church at Clay Center, Kan., and five were baptized, being the fruit of the labors of Brother B. W. Brown.19
AMONG other things accomplished by the labors of Brother E. A. Curtiss, who has visited several companies in Nebraska the past three months, was the organization of a church of eleven members at Beatrice.
ON the fourth of July the church at Aberdeen, S. D., spent a quiet day together near the river, and at the close of the day's outing, five persons were baptized. The following Sabbath nine were taken into the church. Brother R. E. Harter is laboring there.
THERE seems to be a very fervent interest in the tent-meetings at Michigan City, Ind., where Brethren C. J. Buhalts, R. V. Cory, and A. W. Bartlett are laboring. They are improving the opportunity offered by one of the daily papers of using its columns for two articles each week on the origin, progress, and doctrines of Seventh-day Adventists.
Newfoundland
By C. H. Keslake
SINCE our last report the work in this island has been onward, although the progress has been slow. Since the beginning of the year thirteen persons have accepted the truth, and are seeking to walk in the light. The interest is still good. An encouraging feature of our work is the prayer service that we hold at the close of our Sunday-night preaching service. We have held such a meeting since the beginning of the year, and our hearts have been made glad to see as many as half the audience remain for prayer.
While the Lord has been working for us, the enemy has not been asleep. Effort has been made to injure the work by introducing the book “Seventh-day Adventism Renounced.” As usual, the effort was futile; on the contrary it served only to give our work greater prominence. Later a discussion was published in one of the daily papers over the Sunday question, in which the writer took part. The ministers, however, maintained a discreet silence. We did learn that one, a Methodist, prepared a letter against us, but finally decided not to publish it, remarking that “it was no use talking; there was no Scripture evidence for keeping Sunday anyway.”
As we write, the secretary of the Canadian Lord’s Day Alliance is en route to this city. He is coming to inaugurate a Sunday campaign and organize a Lord’s Day Alliance for this country. The time is certainly ripe for such a work. It seems impossible to arouse the dormant sensibilities of the people. All are willing to leave such matters to the clergy. The writer spoke last Sunday night upon the work of the Lord’s Day Alliance, and the next day one of the papers published fully a column of the sermon. Apparently no notice has been taken of it, pro or con. Next Sunday it is proposed to hold a mass-meeting after the evening services, to start the work. We are sending out literature pointing out the evils that must follow. By this means it is hoped that some will see the danger and be saved therefrom.
We are handicapped with regard to our literature. We are so far away from our base of supplies that it is difficult to get that which would be suitable for emergencies, and withal it is expensive. Moreover, not all by any means are favorable to American “notions.” What is needed is a literature of our own. We mean by that a literature that is printed here. But that, heretofore, from the smallness of our number, has seemed to be out of the question. Within the last day or two, however, it has occurred to me that if we had a suitable press, we could print anything we wanted to at a very small cost. A little four-page paper, seven by ten inches, could be printed and sent out absolutely free of postage to any part of the island. Besides the initial cost of the press, the only expense would be for the paper. This and the press, however, would come in duty free. The type-setting would be done gladly by one of our brethren who is himself a regular printer, while the presswork could be done by some of the boys. Thus in a few days we could get out a supply of literature that would meet any emergency, besides effecting a saving in expense. We venture to appeal to our American brethren to give us such a press, the cost of which would be not more than one hundred and fifty dollars. We are impressed that this is the right thing to do, for it is an absolute certainty that soon the entire press of the city will be against us. Already we have been refused by one paper the publication of matter bearing upon the Lord’s Day Alliance, while the editor has frankly informed us that he is not only in favor of Sunday enforcement, but that, so far as he is concerned, Seventh-day Adventists will have to keep the day also. One of the owners of that paper is a member of the legislature and a prominent lawyer. He also is known to be in favor of Sunday enforcement. The editor of another paper is a Catholic, while the third, the government organ, although friendly enough to give us some space now, will soon have to wheel into line. A little sheet, such as we have mentioned, would make us comparatively independent, and as before mentioned could be sent to any part of the island postage free. We therefore again urge our brethren to send us donations for this purpose.
Brother Johnston, who is still in Twillingate, reports that the prejudice there is breaking down, and that the interest is fairly good. He says that one young man has accepted the Sabbath. We still hope for fruit there. There is also a promising opening in the northern part of the island, called French Shore.
After a long and tediously cold winter we are glad again to feel the welcome heat of the sun’s rays. Up to and through the month of June, the same clothing as for winter wear was necessary. To date, no prostrations from heat have been recorded, but numerous icebergs have passed us on their way south. The sight of these was such that it would have been both interesting and welcome to our friends in America. At times we have felt that a fair exchange would be advantageous to both.
Sister Lucinda Iler, a trained nurse, has connected with the work here, and through her we hope to establish the medical work again.
We feel grateful to the Lord for the blessings enjoyed thus far, and by grace divine we are determined to press the battle to the gates.
We would again call attention to the matter of postage of letters from the States to this country. This country is not a part of Canada, and therefore the two-cent rate for letters does not apply to Newfoundland. The rate is five cents per half ounce or fraction thereof. When we gave the call in the winter for papers, etc., we urged our friends to see to it that full postage was paid. Notwithstanding this, in many cases the postage was insufficient, the result being that both money and papers were lost. In every case we are compelled to pay double that which is lacking, which means a great deal. We thank our friends for sending papers; the sealers eagerly accepted them.
C. H. KESLAKE.
Meetings in Nashville, Tenn.
By J. S. Washburn
For the last two Sunday nights we have been holding meetings in the Nashville Memorial church, illustrated by electric stereopticon views. These lectures have brought out the largest congregations that we have seen in the church. Much interest is manifested as the thrilling stories that never grow old are told not only to the ear, but to the eye.
We are hoping to interest the people of Nashville as never before in the work of the church purchased with the surplus of the $100,000 fund. The help of Elders R. W. Parmelee and J. E. White has been very much appreciated.
Recently a city postman has begun to keep the Sabbath. His wife and their mother have also begun with him. The Lord is giving them an excellent experience. Pray for the work here.
J. S. WASHBURN.
Report of Progress
By E. R. Palmer
We greatly rejoice in the Lord, and our hearts are filled with a sense of his goodness, as we publish our summary of the canvassing work for the month of June. The march of our splendid army of workers is still onward and upward. It has been indeed an inspiring experience during the past month in particular to receive the letters and reports from all parts of the world. Not a word of discouragement has come to our office. Even from parts of the field where the difficulties are greatest, there is a spirit of courage, loyalty, and determination which means that still greater things are to be done. The accompanying summary gives in clear, impressive figures an indication of what the Lord is doing for his people in one department of his work. And we are assured by the workers in other departments that the onward movement is just as strong in the other features of the gospel work.
All Past Records Broken
It is good for us to make note of our progress. To be made conscious of the blessed fact that we are moving rapidly onward gives courage to help us over difficult places. The rapid increase of our book sales last year was a great encouragement. The summary for the month of July, 1906, was the largest ever published up to that time, amounting to $52,218.04. The summaries for May, June, and July, 1906, were as follows: May, $36,800; June, $46,300; July, $52,218.04. This excellent success attained by the workers last year caused great rejoicing. But compare these figures with 1907: May, $51,097.51; June, $65,816.23. The report for July is yet to be made. The statistical secretary of the General Conference has just completed his figures for 1906. The sale of books, tracts, and periodicals in all lands, so far as reported, amounted to $824,000. The highest previous report for one year was in 1891, when the sales amounted to $819,000. From these figures we gather the encouraging fact that during 1906 the sale of our publications amounted to $5,000 more than during any previous year in the history of our work.
A Change of Phrases
Some people have been annoyed, and with reason, too, perhaps, that so much has been said during recent years about20“the past,” “old times,” “the good old days,” etc., and have advised that we live in the present and for the future. This is good advice, and it will be easier now than formerly to follow it. “We have not passed this way before.” We are breaking new soil. The glorious present is better than the glorious past. To-day our work is more interesting, more successful, more victorious in all its phases than ever before. Can we not now drop our favorite phrases about the past, and talk of what God is doing just now, and what he purposes to do in the future? The possibilities of the future are beyond our comprehension. Let us work out those possibilities. It has been truthfully said that “there is no case more hopeless than that of a man whose past is before him, and his future behind him.”
The Summary
We should not pass by this wonderfully interesting summary without noticing a few of its most interesting points. First, notice how complete it is. Then observe how evenly and well distributed the success has been. Notice also the weak places, and observe where you and your conference stand in the summary, and study how you can improve any features of it for which you may be partially or wholly responsible. Notice in particular the splendid report from the Pacific Union. The work shown is from the State of California only. This is probably the largest report ever shown by a single State for one month. All the reports are good and very encouraging. We need not refer to them in detail; they speak for themselves, and show us a splendid army of workers laboring for souls from house to house. We can hardly appreciate at a glance what is meant by the record from the German Union Conference, where 234 agents under trying circumstances have worked over 20,000 hours for a sale of $6,000 worth of publications. This large force of workers, the large number of hours, and the comparatively small results mean sacrifice and devotion which, beyond a doubt, will count much more in the final harvest than is shown in dollars and cents. May the Lord greatly bless all the workers, and especially those in difficult foreign fields.
Report for 1907
We can hardly foresee or estimate what the Lord will do for us before the close of 1907. Last year we passed all previous records, but this year the Lord is blessing us almost beyond our ability to estimate. Every publishing house in the denomination is using its facilities wholly for publishing the third angel's message. This means much. Our work is no longer divided. Office men and field men have “touched shoulders and turned to the right,” and the result shows decisively what the influence of commercialism has been in years past. When freed from commercialism in its temple courts, the work of God, with its own true elasticity, springs forward into its rightful place. The Southern Publishing Association reports a gain during the first six months of the present year of fifty-three per cent in the Southern Union Conference as compared with last year, and a gain of fifty-six and one-half per cent in the Southwestern Union during the same time. The Pacific Press Publishing Association is expecting to double its sales this year as compared with last. May the Lord help them to accomplish their high purpose. During the past year, the Watchman has nearly doubled its circulation, and during the past six months the Signs of the Times has increased its circulation from less than 20,000 copies a week to 45,000 copies. As we try to grasp the meaning of this mighty forward movement all along the line, words fail to tell a tithe of what the Lord is doing for us. Let us join in thanksgiving for his goodness, gird on the armor anew, fight faithfully in the ranks, and march onward.
