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Review and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 38.

Testimonies For The Church
Earlier text: Solusi and Somabula Missions

Guatemala

By Walter E. Hancock

GUATEMALA is a land of opportunity. We consider the countries of Central America as about half-civilized. This conclusion is warranted to some extent by the general conditions prevailing throughout the countries. There are about two million inhabitants in Guatemala, three fourths of whom are unable either to read or write.
Religion is professed by nearly all, but it is a form and an expediency, and not a conviction. One man said, “We are all Catholics, but we do not practise it. I have not been inside of a church for ten years.” Many of the government officials do not attend church at all. One must not conclude, however, that such persons are seeking for the true religion. On the contrary, they are interested in other things more material. It seems that in their minds all religions are simply matters of form, and that one is about as good as another.
There is an awakening among the leading classes, but it seems to be an awakening similar to that of Japan. The country is suffering from an unstable money system, which retards its material prosperity. It welcomes anything which gives impetus to financial prosperity. The government even encourages Protestant missionaries, no doubt believing that their work will add to the general prosperity of the country. But as yet there is a lack of religious and moral awakening, which must follow to make effective the mental awakening.
This awakening can take place only under the efforts of faithful Protestant missionaries. There are a million and a half of Indians in this republic, for whom practically nothing is being done by Protestants, and nothing educationally by Catholics. It seems to me that we as Adventists shall neglect a great opportunity if we do not open mission schools among them, and carry on work similar to the mission work being done in Africa. It is not English that the people here need, but they do need to be taught to study the Word of God in their own language. I believe that mission schools would be favored by the government. The government is very favorable to the English school, and I believe that if we should care to take the necessary steps, appropriations could be secured to add to the facilities of the school. Though the attendance is not large, the school is doing good work, and is laying a foundation for future success as an English school. We have the support of the leading paper of the city.
The privileges of the church have been very much curtailed by the last two administrations of the government. Her property, except churches, has been confiscated, and she is prohibited from conducting monasteries, from holding land or dealing in property. Jesuits and friars have been driven from the country, and are not allowed to return. It is said that the church is very poor; and outside of a few of the largest cities, the church buildings are much dilapidated, and have but few priests. Why there are not more Protestant missionaries working here is a question I have not been able to answer. The republics of Central America have very few Protestant missionaries, compared to the number which South America has, in proportion to the population, yet South America has been called the “Neglected Country.” Accordingly we must call Central America the “Abandoned Country.” The efforts being put forth by our own workers in South America are being blessed with ample fruit, even in republics where the Catholic religion is the authorized state religion. Had we the workers to preach the truth, there is no reason why similar results should not be found in these countries, where the Catholic Church has less influence.
The Indians of this country are not lazy. Both the men and the women work hard. Many of the tribes are clean and frugal. Some, I have been told, forbid spirituous liquors to be brought among them. A great many of these people, however, spend nearly all they earn for liquor. It is pitiable to see the poor Indian bring in his scanty pack of produce on his head or on muleback early in the morning to the market, and by noon to find him staggering around drunk, having thus spent all his money. But his soul is surely as precious as that of the white man, and his need is certainly not less. Shall we not work and pray that God may help us reach these people with the truth? Do not their needs appeal to us? WALTER E. HANCOCK.

North Michigan Camp-Meeting

By Allen Moon

THIS meeting was held at Bay View, a suburb of Petoskey. The camp was located on the shore of Little Traverse Bay, a beautiful sheet of water on which the city of Petoskey is situated. In many respects the location was ideal.
The annual conference of North Michigan was held in connection with the camp-meeting. The business moved on pleasantly, and occupied only one hour each day,—from 9 to 10 A. M. The hours for preaching and social service were not interrupted in any instance.
Elder J. J. Irwin was re-elected to the office of president; E. A. Bristol was elected treasurer of the conference and tract society; Miss Edith McClellan, educational secretary; and H. W. Johnson, field missionary agent. A competent conference committee was chosen to aid the president. E. A. Bristol was ordained to the gospel ministry.
The conference begins a new year with harmony prevailing, and the prospect for a successful year was never better. One good church was raised up the past year, and added to the conference. Still another was ready, but not sufficiently organized. This company consists of more than twenty members. Twenty-six willing souls went forward in baptism during the progress of the meeting. The majority of these were young people, for whom a good work was done on the ground, by Brethren Johnson, Peterson, and Straw, aided by Elders G. B. Thompson and Morris Lukens.
From the first, the interest in the services was excellent. The attendance was not so large as on some former occasions, but all present seemed impressed with the importance of the time in which we are living. Elders Thompson and Lukens were the principal speakers, and they dwelt upon themes appropriate to the occasion. Their testimony was well received and appreciated. Elders Irwin and Guild, and others took part.
The North Michigan meeting is the only one so far that the writer has been privileged to attend from its beginning until the close. The company present contributed to missions abroad, to the work in the South, and for other purposes, nearly one thousand dollars.
The reports of the progress of the book work were very encouraging, and those engaged in this kind of Christian endeavor were filled with enthusiasm; not alone for the reason that they had been successful financially, but because of the excellent opportunity afforded for accomplishing good in the cause of the Master. One could not refrain from concluding that if the Lord can bringabout success in the midst of copper and iron mines, rocks, and jack-pines, certainly no one has any reason for discouragement in that kind of work. Other young people will engage in the sale of our literature the coming year in that field, and the work is onward. Now is the time of labor; but rest will come sure and soon. The machinery that is in active service does not rust out.
ALLEN MOON.

Porto Rico

By Wm. Steele

WE arrived here safely, and are now located in Mayaguez. This seems to be about the center of the island geographically. All points are easier reached from this place than from San Juan, although that is a larger and wealthier place. Living is extremely high, unless one subsists on yuca, beans, and garbanzas. We are told that later there will be a greater variety of vegetables and fruits.
As yet we have found no Sabbath-keepers on the island, but we have not visited Arecibo. Next Sabbath I hope to gather a few interested ones and start a Sabbath-school. We have rented a house that will seat from thirty to forty persons, and as soon as possible will begin to hold some public meetings each week. However, we desire to visit Arecibo and Aguadilla first, where, it is reported, some are already keeping the Sabbath.
There is nothing new to write about the people and their customs, as they are about the same as in all Spanish-American countries. So we can fall into line without much difficulty.
Wm. Steele.

Report From Elder J. N. Loughborough

By John Norton Loughborough

My last report was written from Kimberley, South Africa, May 25. From Kimberley, in company with Elder E. R. Williams, the president of Cape Colony Conference, I visited the following places: Grahamstown, Rokby Park, Maranatha Mission (conducted by Elder F. B. Armitage), Uitenhage, and Port Elizabeth. This last point brought me down to the seaside again. From Port Elizabeth we sailed to Cape Town, over four hundred miles. The remainder of my time in Africa was spent in the vicinity of Cape Town, at the sanitarium, Claremont Union College, and with the churches of Cape Town, Kenilworth, “Rustica”-Wynberg-Plumstead, and the two Kafir churches of Salt River and Parow.
On July 19, after ninety days of labor in the South African field, about thirty of our people gathered at the departure of the steamer “Goorkha,” of the Union Castle line, to wish me “God’s blessing, and a prosperous trip to Europe.” Of the ninety days in Africa eight were spent in traveling two thousand five hundred miles. Thus only eighty-two days were left for meetings. On those days I attended one hundred eighteen meetings. In one hundred eight of those meetings I preached. I enjoyed much of the Lord’s blessing during my labors in Africa. Our people rejoiced in the tokens presented showing the Lord’s leading in this great second advent movement. Tokens of their appreciation of the work were shown, not only by words, but in substantial help for my journey.
Of the voyage from Africa to Europe, I would say, to the Lord’s praise, the first half day, when coming into the Atlantic, the sea was a little rough, but all the way after that was calm and smooth sailing. Our sail from the Cape to Southampton was made in twenty-four days. We were landed at Southampton at 9 A. M., August 11. At 2 P. M. I was at the Caterham Sanitarium, seventeen miles southeast of London. On August 15 I left Caterham for the Yverdone, Switzerland, camp-meeting. Thirteen years ago I was at a camp-meeting at Yverdone for the French and Germans of Switzerland and France. Our meetings then were in a fifty-foot tent, which was only about half full of our people. This year the meeting for the French of Switzerland was held in a fifty-by-ninety-foot tent, which was well filled with our people, camping in fifty tents.
From the Swiss meeting I went to Vergèze, some fifteen miles west of Nimes, France, about fifteen miles from the Mediterranean Sea. This meeting was in the extreme south of France, to accommodate those coming from Spain, Portugal, and Italy. On this camp-ground were twenty-five camping tents, and a meeting tent fifty by seventy feet, which, on the Sabbath day, was filled with our people. On Sabbath afternoon Brother Steiner was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, and is to enter northern France to open up the work in that field. In Switzerland and France there are now about fourteen hundred Sabbath-keepers. Eleven were baptized at the Vergèze meeting. There is a good interest aroused among citizens, and tent-meetings are to be continued in the place.
On August 28 and 29 I made my return trip to London. On the thirtieth I came up to Watford, where I am at this writing. This is surely a fine place in the country for the printing plant, food factory, and school. The workmen are now engaged in laying the foundation for the new school building. From this place, in company with Elder W. J. Fitzgerald, I go to attend the meetings at Glasgow, Scotland. Then the meetings in South England, Wales, and North England are to follow. I am booked to sail for New York on the steamer “Arabic” of the White Star line, October 2. To the praise of the Lord I can say that with my over thirty-nine thousand miles of travel, by sea and land, since July 13, 1908, I am in better health than when I left California. The Lord is good; his tender mercies are over all his works; he is a present help to all who put their trust in him.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

_Pennsylvania_

By O. O. Bernstein

WEST PHILADELPHIA.— The tent-meetings were in progress just ten weeks. The tent was blown down by a terrific storm July 18, but was repitched and ready again for meeting the following night, with an increased attendance. Our average Sunday night attendance was six hundred; the collections amounted to three hundred twenty-five dollars. Our visiting list consisted of three hundred families. We have forty new Sabbath-keepers, and many others are in the valley of decision. We thank God, and rejoice. Remember us in your devotions.
O. O. BERNSTEIN.

Winter Canvassing in South Carolina

By T. H. Jeys

WITH much interest I have been noting the campaign looking toward a more constant effort the year round by our canvassers. I am sure it is a step in all of the right direction.
“But I can’t stand the cold weather; I must care for my health,” some will say. I have an answer for that. Come to South Carolina, where you can canvass the year round without mittens or overcoat,—where the winters are not so cold and long. The summers are warm, to be sure, but not unbearable; and the nights are mostly cool, even in midsummer. The people are kind-hearted, and will buy books if some one will offer them for sale with appropriate zeal and earnestness.
The hours spent and orders taken in this Southland compare favorably with the record of any other section. When earnest effort is made, it meets its reward. Come to South Carolina to canvass. H. B. Gallion, of Anderson, S. C., is our State agent. He will gladly give you any information desired. Come and help us in this great needy field.
T. H. JEYS, President S. C. Conf.

Canada

By William H. Thurston

At the last session of the General Conference it was recommended that Elder O. K. Butler, of Walla Walla, Wash., make Montreal his field of labor; but as he could not move until the first of September, it was thought best for me to unite with the church in Montreal in labor during July and August. This I did, and I have enjoyed the work, and the Lord has blessed the efforts of the church. During August three persons cast their lot with us, and began the observance of the Sabbath. Several others are convinced of the truth, but have not yet sufficient courage and faith to obey.
A considerable amount of reading-matter has been placed in the hands of the people in Montreal by our faithful colporteurs and other church-members during the past year, and many are reading the message for this time. When these people realize the importance of heeding the exhortation, and claim the promise of the Saviour (Matt. 6:33), “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you,” they will keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The outlook for the work in Montreal is hopeful, and the believers are all of good courage.
The new church building is well located,and supplies a long-felt need in this great city, the metropolis of Canada. We bespeak for Elder Butler and family a hearty welcome and faithful co-operation by the Montreal church.
The practical piety of the church, truth lived and imparted, the proclamation of the gospel by the minister from the pulpit, followed with house-to-house work, the placing of the message in the homes of the people in printed form, all accompanied with faith and prayer, will certainly bear fruit to the glory of God. We are messengers with a message, and we are debtors to the world for the truth the people so much need. We are in the last days of human history and of the gospel work, and faithfulness should characterize every believer in the third angel’s message.
W. H. THURSTON.

Nebraska

By IRVIN F. BLUE; F. M. CORBALEY

VALENTINE.—The Lord blessed in the series of tent-meetings held in this place, and as a result, a church of fourteen members was organized, eight of whom accepted the truth during the meetings. To God be all the glory, for it is his work.
IRVIN F. BLUE, F. M. CORBALEY.

New Brunswick

By L. D. Longard; A. A. Livingston

BUCTOUCHE.—Meetings were started in the tent in this place Sunday afternoon, July 4, with a good attendance, considering the fact that only about one tenth of the population are Protestants. The rest are French Catholics. We had a regular attendance throughout the meetings. On many occasions the Lord was present by his Spirit in a marked manner to impress hearts with the solemnity of the message for this time. Many, as they sat in the meetings and listened to the soul-stirring truths of the third angel’s message, were convinced of their duty.
Six adults decided to obey God by keeping his commandments and “the faith of Jesus.” We rejoice in having a part in this closing message. May the Lord raise up many faithful laborers to carry the gospel of the kingdom to all the world in this generation.
L. D. LONGARD, A. A. LIVINGSTON.

Cape Conference, South Africa

By E. R. Williams

A NUMBER of white people have recently accepted the truth at Cape Town, Kimberley, and other places in this conference. The workers seem of good courage, and are taking hold together to carry the work to a triumphal finish. Elder J. N. Loughborough’s recent visit to this field has been a great blessing to our churches, and his recital of the experiences in the early part of the work, and especially in connection with the spirit of prophecy, was very much appreciated.
In my report of work in the Orange River Colony some months ago, I referred to Solomon Molotsi, a leading Bechuanan minister, who became interested in the truth, and who invited my wife and myself to speak in his church at Bloemfontein, which we did, presenting the soon coming of Jesus and the third angel’s message. Some of his people accepted our teaching, and Molotsi became somewhat afraid of what the result might be; so after we had left Bloemfontein, he closed his church to our people, he himself taking a somewhat negative position with reference to the message. The truth has been working nevertheless, and recently I received the following letter from Joseph Rasmeni, one of our native brethren who accepted the truth some months ago. We give the letter in his phraseology. He says:—
“DEAR ELDER WILLIAMS: I received your letter, and was very glad to hear about you. We are all well. O, about the church of S. Molotsi, you know that old Mrs. Molotsi and her family they are glad to hear about Elder Williams, and they give themselves to join the Seventh-day Adventists. This is done on the first of August, 1909. You may remember that all this is from your preaching at Kroonstad. So to-day your free to preach at Molotsi’s church. We praise God, who opens the door that was shut. Molotsi and Mrs. with kindest regards to you and Mrs. Williams. Also Mr. Mtimkulu has his family. We are all kindest regards and best wishes unto you and all brothers. J. RASMENI.”
I also received a letter from Brother Mtimkulu, our native worker in Bloemfontein, saying that Molotsi had invited him to speak in his church, that he had done so, and had an excellent interest.
Molotsi has charge of about three thousand natives, and also has a number of native ministers working under his direction, several of whom are interested in the message. Of course we can not tell yet what the result of all this will be, but we expect to see many of these people identify themselves with the Lord’s closing work.
There are about twenty thousand natives in the location at Bloemfontein alone. In all the towns in the colonies there are thousands of these people, many of whom seem anxious for the truth. We have only one native worker (J. R. Mtimkulu) among this great multitude scattered throughout the Cape and Orange River colonies. We ought to have a number of others, and there are several good men who are doing all they can, and who would be glad to spend all their time working among their people if we were able to support them. These men can be maintained for about ten dollars a month. As soon as our finances will permit, we expect to do much more for the native people in the colonies. This conference, on account of the depressing times, has been having a hard struggle, and has been running behind for some time. But through the mercy of God, we are beginning to catch up a little.
It has been thought, by many, to be impossible to carry on the canvassing work successfully in Africa on a self-supporting basis, on account of the hard times. So in the past three years there has been paid in salaries to canvassers about sixteen hundred dollars. As the conference has run behind nearly four thousand dollars during this time, it was thought best at the time of the last conference session to make some changes in the plans. The matter was quite fully discussed, and inasmuch as it was clear that the Testimonies discourage the conduct of the book work on this basis, it was decided to discontinue the payment of salaries to canvassers.
The book and periodical sales for the three years—1906, 1907, and 1908—amounted to approximately $4,900, $5,800, and $5,000 respectively. Since the change, instead of the sales falling off, as might have been expected, they amounted to about $4,000 for the first six months of the present year. So we may always expect success when we follow right principles, and the Lord’s instruction. Our canvassing work has only begun, and we expect before the end of the year to have a number of others join the canvassers’ force. We are earnestly looking for a visit from Brother E. R. Palmer to assist us in getting the canvassing work on a good firm footing, and we heartily thank our American brethren for all they are doing for us in this needy field.
E. R. WILLIAMS.

Union College Summer School

By B. E. Huffman

THE second session of Union College summer school opened July 7, and continued for six weeks. The enrolment, numbering eighty-five, consisted of church-school teachers and intermediate-school teachers from the Northern Union and Central Union conferences, also of college students making up back work or working for college credits. The following course of study was provided, and in most of the subjects offered classes were organized and good work done: Old Testament history, New Testament history, the sanctuary and its lessons, the Testimonies and the spirit of prophecy, Bible nature, physical geography, elementary physics, descriptive geographyphysiology and hygiene, botany, agriculture and school gardening, eighth grade arithmetic, advanced arithmetic, algebra, English grammar, rhetoric, literature, manual training, pedagogy, educational psychology, school management, primary methods, general history, denominational history, history of missions, United States history, civil government, drawing, painting, elocution, and teachers' review.
College credits for one term's work were granted to students who completed in six weeks the work usually done in twelve weeks by college classes. This could be done only by those students who devoted all their time to one or two subjects, with a possible exception of a few who were doing review work largely.
The faculty consisted of C. C. Lewis (president of Union College), J. G. Lamson, H. R. Johnson, W. H. Buxton, D. E. Huffman, H. U. Stevens, S. A. Smith, Mrs. C. C. Lewis, Miss Elsie Andrews, Miss Edna Schee, Lawrence Anderson, and B. E. Huffman. Besides these, Miss Katherine B. Hale spent two weeks giving instruction to the teachers in primary methods and Bible nature. Prof. Gerhard Gerritson spent two weeks with us introducing his system of teaching sight singing, and Prof. M. M. Hare, educational superintendent of Iowa, assisted part of the time in the review classes. Examinations were given the teachers in the order indicated below:—
July 14, penmanship; July 18, United States history and physiology and hygiene; July 21, United States Constitution; July 25, civics; July 28, orthography; August 2, geography; August 4, reading; August 8, grammar; August 11, Bible; August 15 and 16, all remaining examinations.
Although the weather was unusually warm, the several classes did very good work, and the summer school marked an advance step in the development of our educational work. Our teachers go to their schools with a new inspiration and zeal for the perfect work of Christian education. B. E. HUFFMAN.

West Pennsylvania Conference

By W. F. Schwartz

THE gospel tent that was pitched in Johnstown, Pa., closed its effort Sunday evening, September 5. The services have been conducted by Elder J. W. Watt, G. L. West, and the writer and his wife. Every evening since July 14 has been devoted to the tent service, with a good interest. For the last three weeks Sabbath services have been held in the tent, and we are glad to report that ten adults are keeping the Sabbath. Fifteen others have acknowledged that the seventh day is the Sabbath, but they have not kept it as yet. A hall has been rented for Sabbath and Sunday night meetings, to reach those who have not yet taken their stand, also to accommodate those who are keeping the Sabbath. One of our number is the principal of one of the Johnstown public schools, having charge of eight large rooms; he has taught for twenty years. His wife, an estimable Christian woman, has been an active worker in the church where they have held membership. She and their little daughter stand with him in obeying the truth. We praise God for what he has wrought in bringing souls into the truth. The tent has been taken down, and the work will be followed up by the writer. The ministers, with the object of hindering the work, are scattering D. M. Canright's tracts at present; but God will turn it to his glory. Our courage is good in this glorious message of truth.
W. F. SCHWARTZ.

Peru

By Thos. H. Davis

We are having interesting times here with our Peruvian canvassers. At the close of the first institute eight entered the field for the first time. Some are doing well. During the first six weeks two of them secured over three hundred subscriptions for the Señales (Signs of the Times, in Spanish), besides their book sales. One was put in prison for not taking off his hat when the procession on Corpus Christi day was passing. Brother A. N. Allen and I went to the ministerio del gobierno about it, and the director said he would inquire into the affair. Church and state are united here; however, things are changing, and there is hardly one man in a hundred in Peru who believes in the priests.
I shall be here for a few days, disposing of the old edition of “Patriarchs and Prophets” in Spanish. The time I have put in canvassing here in Lima has given me, on an average, about two and one-half orders an hour. Not so bad for the capital of Peru, where there is so much style! I have on my list three of the four station masters here in Lima. One day I took sixteen orders in three hours.
“O where are the reapers that garner in The sheaves of the good from the fields of sin?”
From here I intend to go to Chile to hold an institute commencing August 2. We are beginning to see the importance of canvassers’ institutes in South America.
We believe we are in the time of the latter rain; but the Holy Spirit will never take away our responsibility, nor excuse us from personal effort. Let us all have a part in the work of the third angel’s message.
THOS. H. DAVIS, Field Agent for South America, West Coast.

An Urgent Need

By W. J. Blake

We who are in the South are very grateful for the help which our brethren and sisters have given the great work committed to our hands. Yet we feel that the message must advance much more rapidly in the near future than it has in the past, and we are hopeful that the urgent need of the millions of colored people in the South will so appeal to our friends that the collection of October 2 will greatly exceed any similar offering of previous years.
The various interests of the message demand that this shall be so. We must not think of slackening our efforts just when great victories are in sight. Years of patient effort have been spent in establishing the work on a solid foundation, and now is the time to make mighty attacks on the strongholds of the enemy. Because of existing conditions, a few dollars now will go much further than in the earlier years.
We can already see many evidences of success; and especially is this apparent in our educational work. For several years Oakwood Manual Training School has been endeavoring to do its part in the training of workers for various important responsible positions in connection with our denominational work for the colored people; but on account of a lack of proper facilities, the results attained have not been as great as they should have been. However, it is very gratifying to know that several consecrated workers have gained their preparation at the school, and are now in the field, earnestly working for the salvation of their people.
In the recent past the school has received some financial help, and as a result the equipment has been materially improved. Still there are other needs which are imperative, if the institution is to be what the Lord has said it should be.
We should be able to care for at least one hundred students, but at present our dining-room accommodations will not permit so large an attendance, to say nothing of the unhealthful location of the basement apartment now being used for this purpose. Plans have been drawn for a new dining-room and kitchen, but the management is not able to move ahead with the enterprise, because of a lack of funds with which to purchase the material. The work on our school buildings is nearly all done by student help, and it is the aim of those in charge to make this work educational to the student, as well as profitable to the institution. By this plan important improvements can be made, if funds with which to buy the material can be secured. We think it would be pleasing to the Lord if we could have our new dining-room this fall; but if such be the case, speedy help must come forward.
A small but neat building has been erected for a sanitarium, yet the work is crippled because the building is unfurnished. Shall we allow it to remain in this condition when we are receiving appeals for help from those who need the blessing of the institution? The expenditure of a small sum would enable the sanitarium to open its doors and bid the sick ones to come for a blessing.
Our first nurses' class of five young women will be graduated the present fall, and be ready to minister to the sick. We are looking for great things from the nurses' training department of our school, but its work must be strengthened by the immediate completion of the sanitarium.
In connection with the institution, faithful teachers are earnestly laboring to build up the work. Their support quite largely depends on the October collection, and we feel sure that they should be encouraged by receiving their small allowance regularly, as do other laborers. In the past this has not been so, but in many instances they have been obliged to wait a long time for their pay.
In view of these important interests, which are so largely dependent on the generosity of our people, we are persuaded that a liberal contribution will be made for the colored work the first Sabbath in October. W. J. BLAKE, Principal Oakwood Manual Training School.

Fireside Correspondence School

By W. E. Howell

THIS is not the announcement of a new correspondence school. It is merely the naming of the youngest member of the educational family, whose birth has already been announced.
Heretofore “The Correspondence School” has had no distinctive name. The number of such schools in the country is growing so large that it seems very fitting, if indeed not requisite, that this one bear a name that will identify it among the multitude, and which, like the Bible custom, may be suggestive of its mission.
It is characteristic of this school to bring educational privileges into the home. We have accordingly chosen “Fireside” for its specific name as being a close synonym for home. The term “Home” itself is used by another correspondence school. It was around the fireside that Abraham Lincoln laid the foundation for his great and useful career. It was there that Whittier improved his boyhood hours in feeding upon the purest and best in his father’s scant library of thirty books, including the Bible, and thus caught the inspiration that ripened into the purest and best of literature in the defense of righteousness and freedom in a nation’s crisis. It was at his own fireside that Luther forged the weapons of his spiritual warfare in one of the greatest crises the church ever passed through.
It is to inspire and help both young and old at home, that our school has been established. May every Seventh-day Adventist fireside be blessed and cheered by the admission of this new member.

There Is Yet Time

It is not yet too late to enrol in the Fireside Correspondence School before its first and last opening, October 4. Every State in the Union is now represented among the applicants several times over. From outside the United States applications have come in from Canada, Mexico, the Canal Zone, the West Indies, England, Ireland, Norway, Italy, and Sierra Leone, West Africa. While the school will be open all the year round for the admission of students at any time, why not enrol among its charter members? A multitude are seizing opportunity by the forelock; why not you? There is yet time. W. E. HOWELL.

Religious Liberty Notes

By W. A. Colcord

UNDER the heading, “Mr. Taft’s Crime,” the London Daily Express of Sept. 1, 1909, publishes the following: “Mr. Taft is pilloried in the New York Times for sending for a barber to cut his hair last Sunday, at Beverley, Maine [Massachusetts], where he is spending his holiday. Under the State sabbatarian laws he is liable to a £1 [$5] fine.”
An editorial in the Portland (Vt.) Herald of August 19 reproduces liberal extracts from No. 2 of our Religious Liberty Leaflets, on “Sunday Laws; Their Origin, Nature, and Object,” adding, “We shall find, on the most casual examination, that the history of the legal sabbath, or Sunday, is interwoven with the beginning of that diabolical wedlock of church and state which the Reformation dissolved.”
The New York State Sabbath Association has adopted resolutions of censure against judicial rulings unfavorable to what they are pleased to call “the spirit of the law regulating Sabbath observance;” and these resolutions urge churches to refrain from inviting to their pulpits and platforms any judge or magistrate who has been guilty of rendering such decisions, or “publicly held up to ridicule the advocates of law-enforcement and the maintenance of the Christian sabbath.” Turkey threatens her enemies with a “holy war;” the American church intimidates hers with the “holy boycott.” W. A. COLCORD.
Continue reading: Statement of 1908 Thanksgiving Fund to September 1, 1909