Review and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 26.
— Marie Conway Oemler, in the New York IndependentPage 1
Earlier text: Ripening for the ReapingBarotseland, Africa
By W. H. Anderson
Pemba Mission.—Brother J. R. Campbell made a trip down along the Zambezi last October and staked out nine out-stations in that part of the country. We plan to occupy six of them this year. This will give us a start in that field. Then we desire to extend the work that Brother Robinson began north of the Kafui River two years ago. We plan to have an out-station about two hundred miles north of this place, near the railway, where he will live. Then we shall add two more out-schools to the three that he has already started in that field. This work will keep us well occupied for this dry season. During this year we are going to try the experiment of evangelistic work among the natives here. We shall take the wagon and the magic lantern, and go through the country for a month at a time, visiting the villages, holding meetings, and giving illustrated lectures. When we get the young people interested, we shall invite them to our nearest school. In this way we can go over most of the territory that is covered by our schools this year. I expect much from this work; but it is too early yet to say what the results will be, as it has never been tried either by us or by any other society here. I expect to start on the first trip in about two weeks, and shall be away from home about three weeks. When I get back, I shall take the work here, and send Brother Campbell for a month, and so we shall try to keep the work going during the dry season. When the rains are on, the best place for a man to be is very near home unless he is willing to run the risk of fever; but even then we have to make some journeys to look after the schools. We have fared very well healthwise this year. I have had little fever, and Brother and Sister E. C. Silsbee and Mrs. Anderson only slight attacks, lasting about a week. Now the rains are over, and there is little danger of more this year. Brother Robinson and17Brother and Sister Campbell were all away this rainy season, and thus escaped. It is really imperative that the workers leave the field often, in order to escape the fever. We shall now be able to devote more of our time to the training of workers, and soon we shall have a great army to publish the truth all over the field. The tithes and offerings for our little mission church here amounted to over two hundred pounds, or almost a thousand dollars, for the last two years, being almost four times as much as for the preceding two years. I hope these gifts can be doubled again during the next union conference period. The earth is groaning under the load of sin, and the judgments of God are beginning to be seen even here; we desire to finish our part of the work, so that we can all go home. The Situation in New Orleans
By T. B. Buckner
The article by Elder M. C. Strachan on page 7 of the REVIEW of June 8 is a timely one, and I trust will be studied carefully by our people everywhere; for the Church of Rome is slowly but surely winning the colored people of the United States to her fold. If, as reported, there are "more than two hundred thousand" colored Catholics in this country, we can safely say that at least seventy-five thousand of them reside in Louisiana, and more than sixty-five thousand of these in New Orleans. "The church" is very jealous for them, and is using every means to hold them within her fold. Much money is being spent by their18white brethren to provide them respectable places of worship. Largely because of this, the more intelligent colored people are beginning to look to the Catholic Church as their only friend. By request of the Southern Union Conference Committee, I came to this city last December to labor for my people. When I came, I found our little colored church meeting in the front room of a cottage on the corner of Marengo and Chestnut streets. The place is really too small to accommodate the members. Because of this our visitors are few. We have tried hard to raise money to get a place of our own, and we have some building money on hand, but not nearly enough to purchase, as real estate is very high in New Orleans. We have been urged recently to make strong and decided efforts to work the large cities of the United States, and New Orleans has been mentioned as one of the cities to be worked for both white and colored. It has been stated, with much emphasis, that doors that are now open to get the truth to the colored people of the Southern States are fast closing. The readers of the REVIEW will not be surprised when we relate to you that public tent-meetings for colored people in the great city of New Orleans are prohibited on the ground that such meetings are a public nuisance. The writer, accompanied by the president of the Louisiana Conference, went to the mayor and city attorney the second time, but was bitterly refused on the flimsy pretext mentioned above. But we knew it was prejudice against us as Seventh-day Adventists, because of the large tent effort being conducted by our white brethren for the white people in the city at this time, and receiving much publicity through the city daily papers. The Catholics are taking the lead in trying to shut out all public efforts for white and colored, and they are being assisted by professed Protestants. While Elder M. C. Strachan has solicited earnest prayers for the spread of the third angel's message among these neglected, waiting souls, I feel it my duty to make an urgent plea for financial help to purchase a place of worship as soon as possible. The mayor of the city told me that all meetings for the colored people must be confined to church buildings. I do not know how I could make this plea for help for New Orleans more effective than to state the situation as it is, and beg your prayerful consideration. Let all help for this work be sent through the regular channels. WM. K. ACHENBACH
By Wm. K. Achenbach
JACKSONVILLE.—Three years ago this summer I came to Jacksonville to engage in the canvassing work. At the close of the camp-meeting in the fall I was asked by the conference to engage in Bible and pastoral work here. I entered immediately upon my duties, and have been busily engaged in that work ever since. As I am now called to take up similar work in Gainesville, I desire briefly to review the experiences of the past three years in Jacksonville. The believers have finished paying for their first church building; the membership is small and mostly sisters, but they have their little chapel free from debt. A number of our brethren have moved to Jacksonville from the North; and quite a number have accepted the truth as a result of Bible readings, and the tent effort which is now closing. This has increased our church-membership to fifty eight. Our attendance at Sabbath meeting leaves us practically no room to spare in our little chapel. We have erected an addition to the church in which a successful church-school has been conducted for the past two years by Sister Van Slyke. It is with sadness that I leave the work here. The loyal cooperation of the brethren and sisters of the Jacksonville church has been much appreciated; but the Lord has graciously sent to this church brethren who can labor for him, and I leave to take up work in a more needy field. Should any of my old friends in the North be planning to come to Florida, I should be glad to hear from them. My address is 2219 Main St., Jacksonville, Fla. Nebraska District Camp-Meeting
By B. L. House
A LOCAL camp-meeting for District No. 2 was held at Holbrook, June 6-11. This is an attractive little town, with a population of about five hundred, in southwestern Nebraska. The local press and people of the town gave us a cordial welcome. Besides the assembly tent, children's tent, book tent, and a small dining tent, eighteen family tents were occupied during the meeting. Over one hundred were encamped on the grounds, and there was a good attendance by the people from the town. The evening hour was occupied in presenting some phase of present truth, and the tent could not hold all who came. All appreciated the Bible studies on the subject of the spirit of prophecy, given three successive mornings by Elder J. W. Christian. The children's meetings were attended by a goodly number of children both from the camp and from the town. These were conducted by Miss Alice Teeple, State Sabbath-school secretary, assisted by Sister Manful, of Atlanta, and Miss Williams, of the Ragan (Neb.) church. The young people's meetings were conducted by Brother G. C. George, the Educational and Missionary Volunteer secretary. I never attended a meeting where there was a sweeter spirit of harmony and love. So far as we were able to discern, the meeting was a success in every way. The Spirit of the Lord was in the camp, and old and young reconsecrated themselves to God. Nine young people gave their hearts to the Lord, three of whom were baptized before returning home. The others will be baptized in their home churches. Four hundred fifty dollars in cash and pledges was raised for foreign missions. When we consider that for four years the people in this district have had crop failures, their willingness to sacrifice for the spread of this closing message is certainly cause for thanksgiving. It was decided that Brother L. B. Schick and the writer would remain in Holbrook to hold a series of meetings on present truth. We moved our tent into the center of town, and began our meetings without a break of a single night after the camp-meeting closed. Although our first meeting in the new place was on Monday night, over one hundred of the townspeople were present. We ask an interest in the prayers of God's people for the work at this place. B. L. HOUSE. Bonacca, Bay Islands
By F. E. Cary
NORTHEAST BIGHT.—Our church-school in this place is still progressing. We have twenty-two in attendance in grades one to seven. The mail service is quite irregular here on account of the turbulent condition of the country. We have received as many as eight numbers of the REVIEW at one time, after waiting a long time without any. It has been over a year since the living preacher has visited us, yet we are of good courage, and are keeping up our Sabbath-school and church services. We have felt many light earthquake shocks in the last year; these serve to warn us of the impending doom pronounced on this earth and its inhabitants. The message has gone quite thoroughly in the Bay Islands, and five churches are the result. The fact that this is the only church-school, shows the dearth of teachers. Each church needs a church-school; but where are the teachers? Several consecrated self-supporting workers are needed here to canvass for our periodicals and books, and keep up the church-school work. “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.” Nebraska
By J. W. Christian
WE have had a number of interesting evangelistic efforts this year, which have borne fruit. Persons who a short time ago were strangers to the covenant of promise, are to-day rejoicing in the light of the third angel's message. It gives us renewed courage to see precious souls for whom Jesus died come to the liberty of the gospel. For the summer we plan to have seven tent efforts in the field,—one in the German, one in the Scandinavian, and five in the English language. These will all be in practically new fields. I have never seen a company of workers enter into a summer's campaign with more determination and real burden for souls than characterizes the band of workers in the Nebraska Conference. What the results will be, we can not tell; but the Master's commission is, “Go, . . . and teach all nations,” and his power will attend the humble efforts of those who obey. The Lord helped us to meet our quota on the ten-cent-a-week plan for the year 1910, and we have kept up our quota for the first five months of this year. On the $300,000 Fund, Nebraska was to raise $12,080. Of this we have raised about eight thousand dollars, and have pledges to cover part of the balance. We have set our stakes to finish this fund by the close of 1911. Owing to the dry weather, our crop outlook is not encouraging; but the Lord's blessings are often most appreciated in time of adversity, and we are hoping to come behind in no claim the Lord makes upon us. We are at present enjoying the privilege of our local camp-meeting at Holbrook. We are not a large company, but the Lord is coming very near to his people. We shall give a report of this meeting later. J. W. CHRISTIAN. QUITO.— Ecuador has for some years held aloft a beacon-light for her sister republics, in that she has completely separated church and state. To-day the need is the unadulterated gospel of present truth to save men from old errors, and from the new dangers appearing in the many forms of infidelity and Spiritualism. Our work, though small as yet, has advanced much in the last few months. This advance calls loudly for more workers. The educated, the artisan, the laborer (the majority of the laboring class can not read), the uncivilized Indian,—all these are perishing for the bread of life.
W. W. WHEELER. Mandalay, Burma
By R. A. Beckner
MANDALAY is the second city in Burma, having a population of about two hundred thousand. It was the last capital of the Burmese kingdom, and is looked upon, especially by the people of Upper Burma, as about the finest city on earth. It is a good point from which to work, being a railway and river-boat center. There is a daily service up the river to Bhamo, only twenty miles from the Chinese border. It is not far to the Shan States. In fact, as I write, I can look out of my window to the Maymyo Hills, about fifteen or twenty miles away, and at night can see the fires of the Shan charcoal-burners. Down in the bazaar one may see almost any time from one to a hundred Chins, Kachins, Pathans, and many others, showing by their queues that they are subjects, in name at least, to the great Manchus at Peking. As I see these peoples, with their queer dress and their ornaments, I wonder when we shall have some one here to study their languages. They must somehow hear the gospel; for Christ died for the Kachin woman, with her face tatooed to make her undesirable to surrounding tribes, who might steal her, just as much as he did for her more favored sisters in the West. They are an indifferent people, and even the little that has been done by other missions has brought few results; but some from among these border and hill tribes will hear the last message, and one day walk the streets of gold. Western Washington Camp-Meeting
By S. W. Nellis
THE Western Washington Conference and camp-meeting was held in the city of Seattle according to appointment. Elders C. W. Flaiz, A. J. Haysmer, and W. A. Westworth were present, and took an active part in the spiritual work of the meeting. From the first, a spirit of earnest heart-searching prevailed, and a deep sense of the necessity of reconsecration was manifest throughout the entire camp. On Sunday, June 11, thirty-four persons were buried in baptism. It was a very impressive scene. As a result of the meeting several persons accepted the truth. An appeal in behalf of the work for the colored people in the South met with a hearty response, as did also the appeal for missions. In all, about $3,750 was raised in cash and pledges for the cause of missions and the Swedish training-school. The treasurer's report shows a gain of over three thousand dollars in tithe over the year 1909, or $16.06 for each member. The ten-cent-a-week fund has reached 11 1-3 cents for each member. The offerings from our Sabbath-schools show a good increase. It was voted unanimously to increase our weekly offerings so that they will reach an amount equal to fifteen cents a member. Our conference, as an organization, unanimously declared itself opposed to every phase of religious legislation, and sent a protest to our State senators against the passage of the Johnston Sunday bill, known as Senate Bill No. 237. We have received from our two State senators an acknowledgment of our protest, and an assurance that the matter will receive due consideration. We thank God for this excellent camp-meeting, for the unity and good will generally manifested by our people, and for the earnest desire that manifested itself on the part of all to do their best in promoting the interests of this great cause both at home and abroad until to the whole earth are made known the truths of the third angel's message. The nominating committee presented the names of S. W. Nellis for president, J. E. Graham for vice-president, and H. A. Green for secretary and treasurer; with the following names for the executive committee: S. W. Nellis, J. E. Graham W. W. Sharp, Lewis Johnson, J. A. Holbrook, A. J. Stone, and J. W. Boynton. All were duly elected. The conference association board consists of S. W. Nellis, W. W. Sharp, J. E. Graham, J. W. Boynton, and F. D. Wagner. The Danish Conference
By George B. Thompson
AFTER attending the meeting in Bergen, Norway, and Stockholm, Sweden, I came to Denmark to spend the few days which intervened before the conference, with the churches at Skodsborg and Copenhagen. It was a great pleasure to meet so many of our Danish brethren and sisters at these places. I found the sanitarium at Skodsborg well filled with patients. There are more than usual for this season of the year. The prospect is that the management will have difficulty in finding room to accommodate all who desire to come during the summer. The location of the institution is, in many respects, an ideal one, and being surrounded with a large population, there seems to be no reason why it will not continue to be filled the year round with those in need of medical19aid. It is planned to begin at once the erection of quite a large addition, which will give better dining-room facilities and additional room for patients. This building seems to be much needed, and will add greatly to the comfort of the patients. Although the institution is carrying considerable indebtedness, the management is hopeful of being able to materially decrease this each year through the increased patronage. An excellent Christian spirit seems to pervade the sanitarium family. All are endeavoring to make the institution a real factor in the work of the message. During our visit here the graduating exercises of the nurses' class were held. Nine consecrated young people received diplomas, and expect to labor in the message wherever the providence of God may direct. Sabbath, June 4, I met with the church in Copenhagen. I was glad to see so large a congregation present. As a result of the labor put forth the past year, quite a number have been added to the church, and others are interested. Copenhagen is a large city of about half a million, and is an excellent field for labor. From here I went to Aarhus to attend the Danish conference, which was held June 7-11. Elders L. R. Conradi, J. C. Raft, E. R. Palmer and wife, and the writer attended this meeting, sharing with the local laborers in its burdens and blessings. On account of his visit to Russia, Elder A. G. Daniells was not able to attend the meeting. This was a source of disappointment to the brethren and sisters here, who were anxious to have him meet with them once more. This meeting was held in a good hall in the city, and was quite well attended, about four hundred being present the last Sabbath. The conference was marked with a spirit of unity and much of the blessing of God. Brother C. C. Jensen was re-elected president. The reports rendered were of an encouraging character, and indicated growth during the year. The membership at the close of 1910 was 1,039. During the year eighty-two were baptized, and eighteen others were received by vote. The tithe amounted to $10,393.87, an increase of $1,195.79 over the previous year. The Sabbath-school offerings amounted to $714.49, an increase of $79.98 over 1909. There was also an encouraging increase in the offerings to missions for the year. The outlook for the sale of our books and other literature for the year is good. I greatly enjoyed attending these meetings in the Scandinavian Union, and becoming more intelligent regarding our work in this part of the field. The memory of the kindness and hospitality received will ever remain with us. Though we may not understand all languages in this world, there is one language of the heart which is common to this message, and which all who love God's truth for this time understand. The message is moving on in this field as in other lands, and the outlook for the future is good. At the close of the meeting there was baptism, and quite a number followed their Lord in this sacred rite. Our prayer is that renewed power and blessing will attend the work in this conference, and as a result of the Spirit's ministration many may be added to the church. The German Work in the East
By G. F. Haffner
IT was my privilege to spend a month in the Eastern cities, and visit our German churches. We are glad to report that we have German churches in Pittsburg, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Jersey City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx. We also have nearly enough material to organize a church in Boston, Mass., where Brother Pankoke is laboring. The prospect for the future is good. There will be three tent efforts for the Germans this summer. The members of the churches are helping in these meetings by inviting the people and scattering reading-matter. We have some faithful members in these churches, and quite a number are spending much of their time in the work. Most of these members are sisters whose husbands are not in the truth, and in some cases are opposed to it; yet they are doing more in many respects than our churches in the West, where the members of families usually stand together. Their tithe is also greater per member than is the case in most of our churches in the West. I know of only one church in the West where a greater tithe is paid. The members have also more church expense in these large cities than have those in country places. The missionary spirit is certainly manifest among them. It is the East where the greatest work is yet to be accomplished. Here most of the German people live, and here but little has been done. We need more workers; for there are millions of Germans here who have not heard the truth. We are glad that a beginning has been made, and that more is being done at present than has been done in the past; still much more should be done if these millions are to be warned. Let us concentrate our forces upon these large cities in the East, and give the message to them as soon as possible. The workers are of good courage, and aim to press the battle to the gates. Pray for them and the great work for the foreigners in these large cities.
G. F. HAFFNER. Five persons were recently baptized at Capron, Okla. At Valley View, Tex., eight young people were baptized. A family has begun to keep the Sabbath at Clarksville, Tex. At Maple Grove, N. C., four persons have been added to the church. Elder C. B. Haynes baptized eight persons recently in Baltimore, Md. At Woodbury, N. J., three persons have begun to keep the Sabbath. On a recent Sabbath three persons were buried in baptism at Atlanta, Ga. Twelve have signed the covenant to follow all the teachings of the Word of God, at Hayden, Colo. Three new Sabbath-keepers are reported at Wellington, Kan., as a result of meetings recently held there. At Copper Ridge, Tenn., as the result of meetings at that place, ten have decided to unite with the church. Elder J. S. Green reports a deep interest in the tent-meetings which are being conducted in Jacksonville, Fla. Elder Stewart Kime recently closed a series of meetings at Stanleyton, Va. Twenty-eight persons were baptized as a result of these meetings. On Sabbath, May 6, baptism was administered to four persons, and on Sunday three others took part in the same ordinance at Lookout Mountain, Upper Columbia, Canada. Elder F. D. Starr reports four new members and baptisms at Colville, Wash. At College Place, four young men were baptized. At Ariel four persons have followed their Lord in baptism. At Battle Creek, Mich., eighteen went forward in baptism recently. Seven precious souls were buried with their Lord in baptism at Copper Ridge, Tenn., not long ago. Six persons have united with the church upon profession of faith at Farmington, N. M. On a recent Sabbath at Kalispell, Mont., twelve new Sabbath-keepers were added to the church. Four persons from Fitchburg, Mass., were baptized by Elder H. C. Hartwell in the baptistery of the South Lancaster church, June 3. At Newburgh, N. Y., seven persons were baptized. Eight persons have recently joined the German church in the Bronx, New York City. Fourteen persons have accepted the truth near Hartford City, Ind. This makes thirty-five that have been baptized and have united with this church during the last five months. A Word From Manila
By R. A. Caldwell
“PRECEPT upon precept; line upon line,” describes the work of the missionary canvasser. Last week I took an order for “Manga hula ni Profeta Daniel” from a family who already had “Patriarchs and Prophets” and “Coming King” in Spanish. So in going over the city of Manila, I have the opportunity of not only placing the truth in homes not supplied before, but of adding to those already supplied. During the same week I sold a book in a convent to the ex-governor of the province, who resided with the priest. On my way home, while waiting for the boat, I read the fourth commandment to a brown-skinned boatman, and then asked him which was God’s rest day. His response was “Sabado” (Saturday), the seventh day. He was not a Christian, except to the extent of admitting the truth. The Missionary and Publishing Work
By E. R. Palmer; N. Z. Town
Notes, Plans, Reports, Statistics, and Other Information Regarding Missionary Endeavor and the Circulation of Gospel Literature Conducted by the Missionary and Publishing Department of the General Conference E. R. PALMER · · · · Secretary N. Z. TOWN · · · · Assistant Secretary An old lady, who for several years has been selling and distributing the Signs around her neighborhood, has lately had an experience that has encouraged and strengthened her. She was just about to give up her Signs work because no one seemed to manifest any interest in the papers, although the people bought them week by week. One very hot day she decided that she would go out on a canvassing trip just once more. When she reached one place where the people had always appeared very indifferent, she found a change. The lady informed her that she had read of the true Sabbath in the Signs, and that she had started to keep it. She was also interested in the health reform and other points of our faith. A family in Pinnaroo, Australia, makes a practise of putting the Signs in the traps and carts of the farmers who come into the town on Saturday afternoons to do their shopping. Several persons have expressed their appreciation of the paper, and one man showed his gratitude in a practical way, by giving his subscription for twelve months, and ordering some health foods. Another farmer is subscribing for three months; and a Methodist local preacher in the same town said that he was glad to get the Signs, as he liked the reading-matter which the paper contains. Sanitarium Relief Campaign
By L. A. Hansen
Importance of the Campaign
IMPORTANT instruction has been given us concerning the need of advancing the “Ministry of Healing” campaign. Encouraging promises are also presented as to the probable results of this movement. Herewith are given a few brief selections from the Testimonies, setting forth considerations that should appeal to us all, and which indicate that in this campaign we have a work of no small importance. “In the cities within easy reach of our sanitariums and training-schools, a mission field is open to us that we have as yet only touched with the tips of our fingers. In some of these places, a good beginning has been made. But it was God’s purpose that by the sale of ‘Ministry of Healing’ and ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ much means should be raised for the work of our sanitariums and schools, and that our people might thereby be left more free to donate of their means for the opening of the work in new missionary fields. If our people will now engage in the sale of these books as they ought, we shall have much more means than we now have to carry the work in the way the Lord designed that it should be carried.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, page 80. “God designs that we shall learn lessons from the failures of the past. It is not pleasing to him to have debts rest upon his institutions. We have reached the time when we must give character to the work by refusing to erect large and costly buildings. We are not to copy the mistakes of the past, and become more and more involved in debt. We are rather to endeavor to clear off the indebtedness that still remains on our institutions. Our churches can help in this matter if they will.”—Id., page 71. “Explain how by the sale of ‘Ministry of Healing’ patients may be brought to the sanitarium for healing who could never get there unaided; and how through this means assistance will be rendered in the establishment of sanitariums in places where they are greatly needed.”—Series B, No. 10, page 46. “Especially do those who are seeking for restoration of health, need the book ‘Ministry of Healing.’ Every favorable opportunity for reaching this class is to be improved. . . . At Loma Linda some of the nurses have been given a special training for the work of selling ‘Ministry of Healing;’ and as they have visited21homes in the neighboring cities and villages, the blessing of Heaven has rested richly upon them, and favorable impressions have been made in behalf of our people and their work.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, page 85. “The book ‘Ministry of Healing’ may do the same work for our sanitariums and health institutions that ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ has done for our schools. This book contains the wisdom of the Great Physician. To me it has been a precious privilege to donate my work on these books to the cause of God. In the future there should be well-planned and persevering efforts made to increase their sale.”—Id., Vol. IX, page 71. “In selling these books, the youth would be acting as missionaries; for they would be bringing precious light to the notice of the people of the world. . . . Great blessings are in store for us as we wisely handle these precious books given us for the advancement of the cause of present truth. And as we labor in accordance with the Lord’s plan, we shall find that many consecrated youth will be fitted to enter the regions beyond as practical missionaries; and, at the same time, the conferences in the home field will have means with which to contribute liberally to the support of the work that shall be undertaken in new territory.”—Id., Vol. IX, pages 78, 79. “Many have never learned how to sell the books dedicated to the advancement of our institutional work. But such should not excuse themselves. They should study diligently how they may do their part faithfully in connection with the circulation of these precious books. Our schools and sanitariums must be conducted on a high plane of efficiency, and a solemn responsibility rests upon us all to help place these institutions on vantage-ground by giving the relief books a wide circulation. God will be glorified by every one who takes an active interest in the work of placing these books in the hands of the multitudes who are in need of the saving truths of the gospel.”—Id., Vol. IX, page 83. Space permits only brief presentation of the instruction given of this character. To get the full connection of the foregoing quotations, and to see further the importance of this work, reference may be made especially to pages 71-88 of “Testimonies for the Church,” Volume IX. It will be seen that special light has been given us, and that we are but following right counsel when we forward the sale of our relief books. Canvassing in Mexico
By N. Z. T.
The following experience, which we take from a letter from Brother Schulz, shows something of the difficulties which our workers have to contend with in Mexico. It also shows how God's work can be carried on in spite of difficulties:— “You know I am always on the move; for here the places are small, but you will see from my report that I have done as well here as in other places. In Temapache a singular thing happened. A boy on the street called me to come to his house. A man came up on horseback, chasing the people away, and telling them that I had Protestant books; but the father of the boy came and took a subscription in the presence of the one who wanted to disturb me.” “In several places the people were sitting up all night waiting for the revoltosos. In Tuxpam a man tried to get hold of the little book in which I keep my subscriptions, but I managed to get it away from him without any damage.” “I can not leave this part of the country to attend the institute; for the route must be gone over, and I have my pony on hand. And who else shall bring the last warning message to the people of this part of the country? Don't be afraid of my being unsettled on account of the unrest of the country. It is written in Zephaniah that the remnant of Israel is ‘an afflicted and poor people;’ nevertheless they shall trust in the name of the Lord; ‘they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.’” Save the Youth
By Daniel H. Kress
WORD comes to us from Brother Ernest Lloyd, of Los Angeles, Cal., that in their local conference they have already distributed nineteen thousand of the Temperance number of the Youth's Instructor. Their aim is to reach the twenty-five-thousand mark before camp-meeting. This is certainly an excellent beginning. We trust that at the camp-meeting this number may be more than doubled. This Temperance issue of the Instructor should be placed in the hands of every child in our public schools. This can be done without any expense to us. There are men and women who would gladly donate five, ten, or twenty dollars to assist in carrying forward such an educational effort in behalf of our boys, upon whom will depend the future welfare of our country. The evils resulting from the use of cigarettes by the boys is not appreciated as it should be. Numerous appeals have come to me, in behalf of some of these unfortunates, by their friends. Among them is the following, from a devoted mother:— “I have a son who has ruined himself with tobacco and cigarettes, and seems unable to control the habit. Is there anything you could do to help me in this? He is twenty, and unable to study or use his mind. He was very bright and capable until he became a victim of this evil habit. If you can advise me in any way, please write me, and I shall be more than grateful. It seems as if there ought to be some way to save such boys.” In a reply to an inquiry by me, she said further: “He was as fine and bright a boy as one could meet anywhere, until he began this habit, which seemed to change his entire disposition. He could not study nor read; he gave up his music, in which he has always been much interested; and finally he gave up his school and his young friends. He now devotes all his time and strength to this one thing. He has a taste for cheap entertainments of all kinds, such as picture shows and cheap theaters. We have tried all kinds of good inducements to take their place, but he is determined not to be helped. He will go without clothes to buy tobacco; and as he is my only boy, and as I had hoped much for him, I have felt I could not give him up. This, and this only, is my excuse for troubling you with my affairs. I am, and have been for five years, constantly on the lookout for something or some one to help me. My prayers, though constant, seem to do no good; and in the meantime the years go by, and he is wrecking his young life as well as mine.” There are thousands of boys in the United States who, like this boy, are ruined for life, and each day thousands are beginning the habit, not knowing the injurious nature of the cigarette. Shall we not make a determined effort everywhere to inform these boys? We appeal to all Christian friends to assist in this noble endeavor.
D. H. K. A Splendid Record
By I. A. FORD
IN looking over the report of last year's book sales, we were very much interested to find that West Virginia, the smallest conference in the United States, stood at the head of the list in the average of book sales a month. Some conferences averaged only six or seven dollars' worth of subscription books sold for each Seventh-day Adventist in the conference, while this conference sold on an average $39.25 worth a month for each member. This is certainly an example worthy of emulation. If West Virginia can make such a record as this, why can not other conferences do likewise? If every conference will reach this average, it will not be long until we shall hear the loud cry of the message, and the work will soon be finished. This could easily be done by individuals consecrating themselves to the spreading of this message who are now inactive in this branch of the work. Has Always Had the “Review”
In reply to a letter recently sent out to the ministers concerning the REVIEW, Elder D. T. Shireman replies as follows:— “Every family should have, first of all, the REVIEW. During fifty-two years, it has found its way into our home in all our wanderings, with the exception of one summer in Kansas, when I was unable to pay for it; but I walked three miles every Sabbath to the house of a brother to read the paper. Many times I have sent only fifty cents at a time to keep it coming; but at that time, I could not send even that little. Hearing of my condition, Brethren Geo. I. Butler and S. N. Haskell sent it to me free for one year. I shall interest myself in getting it into more homes in the future.” THE following illustrates the power of the REVIEW to interest others outside of our own people:— “GENTLEMEN: I would be pleased to receive a sample copy of your paper, the REVIEW AND HERALD. A copy of this paper was handed me by a friend some time ago, and upon reading it I found it so very interesting I decided to write and ask you for another sample copy. I like the matter contained in this paper.”