The late William Blaikie, lawyer and athlete, was a strong advocate of temperance as a preserver of health, as this passage from his fine temperance tract will show. The whole should be circulated wherever there are men and boys to be helped. Again let the doctor tell—a specialist in this field. He thus describes the victim of drink:—
“When a small quantity of alcohol is taken, the person feels exhilarated and freshened. He says he is brightened or cheered, that he feels in a kind of glow, that his thoughts seem to flow more quickly, and that he is warmed from head to foot. If you look at the man, you see that his face is red and flushed, that his eyes look bright, that he is a little excited, and that he talks more quickly or freely. In this stage the man is often said to be ‘jolly,’ and what is commonly called the jollity of drink is felt by him.
“If the quantity of alcohol taken be comparatively moderate, if it be but sufficient to excite, without actually causing intoxication or drunkenness, there comes on a second condition, or stage (assuming even that no more alcohol has been taken), during which the flush of the face and skin dies away, and there is felt a slight chilliness of the body. Should he go out into cold air, especially while he is badly supplied with food, he is depressed and chilled. He easily takes cold, and in frosty weather readily contracts congestion of the lungs. Nothing is more common in winter time than the production of disease from this cause.
“If, however, he should imbibe sufficient to affect him to intoxication, a third stage of action is reached, and is very serious. In this stage the great vital organs of the body—the brain, the lungs, the liver, the kidneys—are all too full of blood, and in the most unfit condition for the performance of their work. The nervous system, through which all the acts of the body are directed,—the movements of the body, the thinking, and, in fact, all the working powers,—is especially deranged. The brain is obscured, and the mere animal or passionate nature of the man is allowed full play, uncontrolled by the reason and judgment.
“Men, therefore, in this stage are seen in their most ridiculous tempers. Some men are horribly passionate, violent, and cruel; others are silly and talkative, telling sometimes things about themselves they ought to be ashamed to hear, and of which it would be prudent for them not to speak; or laughing insanely at sayings which are not clever; or boasting or uttering untruths; or crying and bewailing, as trials too hard to be borne, commonplace griefs, which sober men would think it a waste of time to name. During this third stage of alcoholic influence the man is unsteady in his movements; he can not direct his muscles as he would; he can not put his hand steadily on the thing he wishes to reach; and when he tries to walk, his gait is unfirm or reeling.
“At this moment he is, indeed, a mere wreck of a man, in mind and body—an object of pity, and often ridicule. The motion of the heart begins to get feeble, and the heat of the body soon becomes greatly reduced.
“When a man has arrived at the fourth stage, it is said of him in rude but expressive words, that he is ‘dead drunk.’
“The near approach to actual death, in which the victim of drink now lies, is completely expressed by this phrase. He is not dead, but he is dead drunk. He is next door to dead. He is dead to the world, for he can neither hear nor see nor feel. His limbs, like the limbs of a dead man, drop down helpless when you raise them. He is not quite so cold as a corpse, but he is so cold the touching of him reminds you, with a shudder, of a something that is corpse-like. He is, indeed, at the gate of death, and but for the gasping, rattling, heavy breathing, with now and then a deep snore, the unskilled12looker-on would think he was dead. There is no more awful spectacle for any one to see than that of an unfortunate man or woman brought in this manner to the edge of the grave by his or her own act and deed.”
But is every man who drinks in any such danger?
A young lady, intelligent, accomplished, witty, fascinating, radiant with beauty, of lovely character, surrounded by comfort and luxury, is receiving most engaging attentions from a youth, handsome as Hermes, of excellent prospects, of charming personality. To be sure he does drink. At such and such a function or occasion he did go over the line. But he will never go any further.
How do you know?
Is he any stronger than the many the doctor describes? How do you know that he is? And if he isn’t—and you marry him—then what?
If you think the picture overdrawn, go into Jefferson Market Police Court or Yorkville Police Court, or into the nearest one to where you live, to-morrow morning at eight o’clock, and see the human wrecks—of your own sex as well as of his. Scan them closely. Often and often you will see their features, once as fine as yours or his, scarred and seamed, to be sure, from a long chapter of down grade, but the gentle birth and former station too deeply ingrained to wholly depart, even with such a terrible experience behind.
That the drink habit sends all men to such lengths, it would be idle to aver; that many remain moderate drinkers only, through a long life, is true; that many fall by the wayside is also true.
What proof has he who has begun as to the class in which he will end? All were but moderate drinkers at the start.—The Christian Advocate.
A Plea for a Vegetarian Diet
GEORGE C. TANNER, ex-United States consul, who is a prominent advocate of the non-uric acid diet, thus presents the arguments in favor of the no-meat regimen:—
“The meat strike and consequent high price of meat have a very profound purpose if we can but find it out, and to those who will but make a simple experiment it will prove itself so.
“There is absolutely and unequivocally no subject of greater importance to the human family than that of diet. There is not a human being upon this earth but would be better by not consuming flesh. Flesh of all sorts and kinds is an absolute detriment to the human anatomy. The object of food is to run the human machine for the time being, and to furnish, as far as possible, a renewal of waste tissues, nerves, bone, flesh, etc. These things make their momentary demands upon us, and it should be our business to know as nearly as possible what these demands are. The individual who solves this will be the one who enjoys the greater amount of human comforts.
“Flesh, tea, coffee, tobacco, eggs, and many other articles that form our daily diet are not only injurious to the human system, but are poisons as insidious as any known to chemistry. This is especially true of tobacco.
“Without peradventure tobacco is the worst foe the human race has to-day, and most of the degenerates that we see figure in crime and in the lunatic asylums can be traced to parents who used the weed to excess. Tobacco, tea, coffee, and meat, fill the human anatomy full of uric acid. Uric acid promotes headaches, nervousness, rheumatism, and figures in all diseases.
“By abstaining from meat alone the desire for these other poisons will diminish, the skin will become fair and white, instead of the dull yellow hue, wrinkles will leave the face, the eyes will become clear, sleep will refresh, and when you wake up, you will not feel sluggish. You will become less annoyed by either heat or cold, and can dispense with an overcoat. You can, after a year or two, defy many things which would have given you a bad cold. You can get soaking wet and lie down on the damp ground and go to sleep, with no evil results. You can defy drafts, and if you should cut or tear your flesh, it will heal up in a marvelously short time. It gives you a smooth, even temper that makes you bear all the ills of life without fretting.
“Do you suppose it is for the man of ease alone? On the contrary, it has been demonstrated that the athlete, the prizefighter, and the man who labors the hardest are the greatest beneficiaries of the no-meat diet.
“Cereals, rice, plasmon, milk and milk products, nuts, fruits, etc., contain all the nourishment modern man needs to a full running of the human machine in its best order, and to do all sorts of labor with. Let any one try this and be free. Food makes the man, meat makes the cannibal. Cease to ‘live to eat,’ but eat to live. Poisons are fast making the Anglo-Saxon yellow in complexion, and are making us degenerates.”—Washington Post.
Thoughtfulness Toward Animals
THAT a baby, once sound asleep, must on no account be awakened, is one of the cast-iron laws of physicians and nurses; but few people ever stop to consider that the same rule holds good with the young of every animal. Hardly any one, even the professed lover of domestic pets, feels the slightest compunction about snatching up a puppy settled for a comfortable nap, and a sleeping kitten is even more a butt for this species of rude imposition. Sleep is regarded as a luxury for a little plaything of this kind, whose mission in life is to amuse and divert. So nobody hesitates to awake it, either roughly or by a series of furtive caresses, and the sleepy little mite often tries in vain for the rest that is so essential for its comfort and health. Particularly is this the case where there are small children in the family. It is all very well to want to have a puppy to bring up with the baby, but the puppy usually gets the worst of the bargain. Animals mature so much more rapidly than the young of the human race that by the time the baby is a lad of ten, the puppy that grew up with him is an elderly dog. A dog of twelve is venerable, while a boy of twelve is in the heyday of boisterous animal spirits and a love of teasing. Aged animals, like very young animals, should be allowed their little naps and forty winks without risk of interruption.
Children who are taught that their pets have much the same needs as themselves, and suffer if not provided with fresh water, regular meals, given oftener when the animal is quite young, a comfortable bed to sleep in, gentle handling, will learn to be more considerate, kind, and tender to their brothers and sisters and parents. It is quite natural that a child should not think about these things unless reminded: thus we see much thoughtless cruelty that a mother could easily prevent.—Selected.
Favorable to Longevity
Most writers, ancient and modern, agree on the following circumstances as favorable to longevity:—
1. To be born of healthy, long-lived parents.
(Or if born of sickly, short-lived parents, to determine to conquer the disadvantage by systematic hygiene.)
2. To live in the temperate zones.
3. To live in the country, and much in the open air.
4. To be accustomed to daily labor.
5. To be temperate in eating and drinking.
To which may be added these ten commandments of hygiene from a French medical review:—
1. Rise early, retire early, fill your day with work.
2. Water and bread maintain life; pure air and sunshine are necessary to life.
3. Cleanliness prevents rust; the best-cared-for machine lasts the longest.
4. Practise frugality and sobriety.
5. Enough sleep repairs waste and strengthens; too much softens and enfeebles.
6. To be sensibly dressed, with freedom of movements and sufficient warmth.
7. A clean and cheerful house makes a happy home.
8. The mind is refreshed and invigorated by distractions and amusements, but abuse of them leads to dissipation, and dissipation to vice.
9. Cheerfulness makes love of life, and love of life is half of health. Sadness and discouragement hasten old age.
10. Do you gain your living by your intellect? Then do not allow your arms and legs to grow stiff. Do you earn your bread by your pick-ax? Do not forget to cultivate your mind.—Equitable Record.
A Catholic Professor of Theology Baptized at Rome
By CHARLES T. EVERSON
CHARLES T. EVERSON
The truth, through the blessing of God, is winning victories in this center of Catholicism.
Last April I had the privilege of baptizing and receiving into our little church at Rome a professor of Latin and Greek in the best college of Rome, a school patronized by the aristocracy of the city. He is one of the finest Latin scholars here, which means much when we remember that we are at the headquarters of the Latin Church.
Late one night, after I had retired, I was informed that a gentleman wished to speak with me. I arose and dressed myself and entered the parlor to find there a gentleman of tall stature and strong personality. He stated his case in a few words. He said that he had no hope of eternal life, and from what he knew of this world he believed that the next one would be very beautiful. “Now, pastor,” he said, “if you can give me the assurance of being saved in God’s everlasting kingdom, I shall be eternally grateful to you, and that is all I ask, and the only reason for which I am here.” Then he added, “I wish to put myself at your disposition as a child of five years that you may teach me what I must do.”
When he spoke these words, there was a deep earnestness in them, and his face looked as if he were carrying the world on his shoulders. A man so humble, I thought to myself, surely can get help from the Lord. I appointed a time for him to come to study the truth. He wanted to come every day, but I was not able at the time to teach him so often. I might say that the reason he had confidence in me was because a friend of his, a young officer, who, having studied with me, had been greatly impressed with the truth, told him, when he found him seeking in vain for light, that he would bring him to a person whom he might embrace with open arms, for he was a man who knew the Bible. He also told him that I taught the prophecies. “Well,” said the professor, “I do not know about the prophecies, they are obscure, but at any rate I want to see him if there is any help for me.”
I first assured him that I could eliminate the church of Rome from the list of the possible true churches in two studies. This declaration pleased him very much as he saw we had something definite to offer him.
I succeeded, with chapters 2 and 7 of Daniel, in showing him that the Catholic Church is not the true church. But I saw that he did not need simply argument, but the deep movings of the Spirit of God to help him; for at the first study I had with him he prayed so pathetically for the Lord to give him the hope, the joy, and the peace that other Christians spoke of having, and which he did not possess. I gave him “Steps to Christ” at the close of the study, and told him to read it without losing a single word. When he returned next time, he told me that he thought the author of that book must have been inspired, for otherwise she could not have adapted the words so well to the needs of the human heart. He now began to get a glimpse of a sweeter life. I gave him eight chapters of the “Desire of Ages” that Sister Chiellini translated, and he read them eagerly.
ONE OF THE HISTORIC VILLAS OF ROME
He continued to grow in the precious truths day by day, and his countenance beamed when he told me, “Now I can peacefully go if God calls me from this life, whereas before I was afraid.” One day he asked me what he must do to unite with our people, and I told him that he must be baptized; he said that he was ready. Then I told him that we did not use tobacco nor liquor in our church, and in a few simple words I explained to him the reason, and he smiled and said, “How true that is, and to think I have lived so long before finding it out. I have a cigar in my pocket, but I will throw it away when I get down stairs.” At the next study he failed to appear, but at the following study he told me that he had been sick from the effects of stopping the tobacco and wine, for he had been a great smoker. But he persevered, and later said, “To-day I worked four and one-half hours without interruption, whereas when I was smoking, I could work only three hours at a time.”
His work is very exacting, for he is given the task outside of school of correcting Latin manuscript for the press, and it takes great care and ability to correct the Latin of a man capable of writing a book in Latin. In this he has also shown that stimulants are not essential for good mental effort. Then he had the question of the Sabbath to meet, as the college holds sessions on Sabbath. He presented the matter to the president, who said that he would not refuse him, but as it was a question of every Sabbath, he would have to present the matter to the faculty for their decision, and in the meantime would teach his classes for him on the Sabbath.
After his baptism he gave his testimony, which was very touching, and at the same time very beautiful. He was born of parents very strongly Catholic, and was educated for the priesthood. He rose, step by step, until he became professor of theology in one of the large Catholic seminaries where priests are educated. While there, doubt began to rise about a number of the Catholic doctrines, and especially that of transubstantiation. He studied out for himself that Christ was the word, and by eating the word we eat Christ, and not by eating the host. He communicated his views to the head of the seminary, who became very angry, and said that the Catholic Church never changes, for it is founded on God, and as God never changes, so the church never changes. There began then a disagreement between them, and the professor left his position. They tried to get him to return. They wished to call him before the Board of Inquisition and make him recant. He refused; for, as he told me, if he had complied, he would have been imprisoned in some old monastery. Knowing no other religion than the Catholic, when he left it he became an infidel, and believed no longer in God nor anything else. He told me that one can not imagine the despair in which he found himself during that time when he had no hope and no God.
While in Florence he began to meditate, and as he read a little tract that he found, the thought came to him that there must certainly be a God; so he came to Rome for the express purpose of studying what the other denominations teach. He secured a position as professor, and in the meantime studied about the different churches. He studied the Methodist doctrine a month, and also the Waldensian, but he found no help. Then he studied the Baptist religion for three months, but still he was hopeless and full of doubt. They offered to baptize him, but he said he was not convinced, and therefore would not be baptized. He told me that one of the strong reasons that decided him against that church was because he did not see Christ in the members.
Then he came to us, and we all have seen the great change that has come over him. His countenance bespeaks of the joy and peace of heaven. Even the Baptist pastor whom he visited afterward, said that he had never before14seen such a change in a man, and remarked that he was better than they are. However, he did not know that the professor had been among us and had learned the truth. They had hoped to make a professor of him in their seminary, so I was told by one of the students.
During the time that he was studying with me, he was called upon by what purported to be a committee of citizens, but which proved to be a committee of dignitaries of the Church of Rome who wished to speak with him. They offered him a position as editor of one of the large Catholic reviews. He told them that in the past he had worked along those lines, but now he did not believe in that faith. They replied that he should not let that stand in his way, as this was a great position with a large salary. He said he would never sell himself, and that ended the matter. The Catholic leaders tried before to regain him by offering him a good position while in Florence, for they knew his ability. I pray that God may make him a power for the truth in this dark land.
Rome, Italy.
The Danish Conference
By Guy Dail
GUY DAIL
THE European summer meetings began with the twenty-sixth annual session of the Danish Conference, which was held at Frederikshavn on the Baltic, June 14-20. To Seventh-day Adventists throughout the world, this place is well known, for it is near here that the Frydenstrand Sanitarium is located—the institution recently taken over by the Danish Conference from the Scandinavian Philanthropic Society.
Almost the first words spoken to us as we entered the city, were: “We are having a splendid meeting, the best we have had for years. There has not been the least friction in any of our conference proceedings, and a wonderful spirit of harmony and co-operation has been present with us. The people seem pleased with the policy adopted by the conference committee, and are only anxious that the Lord shall continue to bless our efforts. The sanitarium is full, and some of the very nicest people of Denmark are our guests. The most popular physician in his line, in all Denmark, with his family, is stopping with us. We are all of good courage.”
And now that the meeting has closed, we can state that the report as just given proved true, right up to the end. Indeed, each day revealed more evidences of the existence of a cordial spirit. Although all regretted very much the absence of the president, Elder P. A. Hansen, who is temporarily detained in Iowa by the serious condition of his wife's health, yet Elder J. C. Raft, the vice-president, took right hold, with the committee, and the measures considered elicited hearty and unanimous support.
Of the nineteen Danish churches, all but one were represented. Sixty-three delegates were in attendance, and over three hundred of our brethren came to the meeting, making this the largest gathering we have yet had in this field, and, so far as I can learn, this has been one of the very best conference sessions we have ever had in all Scandinavia.
Of the resolutions taken, we would refer to the following: an expression of gratitude to God for his care over the work the past year; a hearty invitation to return, and an expression of the deepest sympathy in his affliction, was voted the absent president; an approval of the conference committee's action in bringing about the transfer of the Frydenstrand Sanitarium; an acknowledgment of the value of Christian education, and the necessity of selling “Christ's Object Lessons” for the benefit of the school work, and the assistance of a school to be conducted the coming winter, when a special missionary course for the benefit of those wishing to engage in the work will be offered; and a vote to establish a permanent educational fund, from which means may be loaned deserving students, at the discretion of the conference committee.
Special attention was given to the First-day offering system. Sunday, Elder Conradi spoke of our mission work in Africa, but took up no collection; Monday, although the first day had passed, it was found agreeable to the delegates to cast their vote in favor of renewed faithfulness in the plan, by contributing to the First-day offering fund; about twenty-two kroner was collected as a beginning (3.70 kroner make $1). Last year (1904) the seven hundred and eighteen members of Denmark raised only about one hundred kroner First-day offerings, so they thought it was really time that this matter receive serious consideration, and that, too, in a practical manner.
A new legal constitution was adopted, which provides, among other things, for the operation of a depository and publishing house. Heretofore, the book business of Denmark has been conducted under a private name. This will now be changed, so that the conference shall own and conduct this business. The figures for the canvassing work were very encouraging. There was a time not long ago, when some felt that the day for selling our books in Denmark was past; there were too many difficulties to overcome, and our books were already quite largely circulated. Well, that year, 1902, the sales amounted to 12,200 kroner; the next year to 18,000 kroner; and in 1904 to 26,700 kroner.
Growth in membership is a factor dealt with. Although there had been sixty-six baptisms in the year, yet the net gain had been only twenty-one, making their membership seven hundred and eighteen. Some thought was given to the methods of our brethren working in the ministry. It was felt that more earnestness ought to be put into this branch, and that the proposed plan of assigning a worker a certain field, for which he must be held accountable, would work much better than to allow
too much liberty to travel here and there, without remaining long enough in any one place to bring an effort to a fruitful close. Such a system will be adopted the coming year.
The health and sanitarium work is prospering. The Skodsborg institution is full to overflowing, and is doing well. The efforts of Drs. Nelson and Ottosen, and their coworkers, have certainly been blessed of God. Both men have had to labor against great odds, but both rendered most cheering reports of the success the Lord has given the medical missionary department. The health paper has doubled its circulation in Denmark the past year, its list of subscribers in this field alone being fifteen thousand. The united manner in which the brethren have taken hold of the Frederikshavn Sanitarium, to place it on the right basis, is very encouraging.
The conference tithe for the year was 22,128.87 kroner, about two thousand kroner more than for 1903. The tithe report was read to a very interested and animated audience. Some churches which had a poorer showing than the previous year, may have been neglectful in sending their tithe into the treasury early enough; at any rate, the concern which the delegates manifested at unfavorable comparisons in the payment of tithe, was a very good sign to us that another year they would try to do still better.
The same officers were chosen as last year, with the exception that the conference treasurer was chosen as one member of the committee, and that there were two additional members added to the committee—Brethren Muderspach and Henriksen. The Danish Conference Committee now contains seven members.
One very interesting experience was that of the visit the delegates made to the Frydenstrand Sanitarium. They were delighted with the clean, well-furnished condition of the place, its airy rooms, and agreeable surroundings, overlooking, as it does, the sea on the one side, and stretches of meadow and forest on the other.
Sabbath, which was a day of great spiritual refreshing, eleven were baptized a little distance north of Frydenstrand. This was a season of rejoicing to all.
The meetings were held in one of the best halls in the town. More than eighteen kroner more than was required was donated for its rental. The labors of Brother O. A. Olsen, as well as of Brother Conradi and the local ministers, were blessed of God to the good of the congregation. Brother Conradi could not be present before Sabbath morning, but remained until Wednesday; Brother Olsen came Friday morning, and left Monday for the meeting in Sweden.
The day has seemed to dawn for the Danish Conference. Its financial troubles are now a matter of the past. The conference stands well. The institutions are in a place where they will pull out all right. We believe that the very near future will show a greater work in this15field than it has ever known. May God be with the work and with the workers, and may he bless every effort they make in the right direction. Brethren, do not forget the country of the Danes, with its two and one-half million people,—an educated, intelligent people,—a people under whose flag and protection modern missions were planted in far-off India,—a people who will yet, if thoroughly aroused, send forth many workers into the regions beyond.
Frederikshavn, Denmark.
Minnesota: Senjen
By GEO. L. BUDD.
Minnesota
SENJEN.—The work at Senjen is still onward. Since my last report I have had the privilege of burying seven dear souls in the watery grave, making, in all, twenty-four who have been baptized; four others have joined the church who had formerly been members of other churches, making a total of twenty-eight members in all. Surely the Lord has wrought wonderfully for the people of this place. We still hope for others. We now have a comfortable church eighteen by twenty-eight feet, nearly finished. I desire to be remembered by God’s people. GEO. L. BUDD.
Southern Jamaica
By HUBERT FLETCHER
At the dawning of the bright and beautiful morning of July 9 a small company of believers could be seen wending their way down the rugged, winding mountain path that led to the sea about one thousand feet below. There seven precious souls were buried with their Lord in baptism. Three of these were from the Top Hill company, where we have just closed a series of tent-meetings, and four from the Southfield church.
We have removed the tent from Top Hill to the district of Morning Side. We planned to start our meetings on the twenty-third. The tent was able to accommodate only about one fourth of the congregation. We find the people quite willing to listen to the message, also very friendly.
We have an organized Sabbath-school at Top Hill, with a membership of eleven. There is still a work to be done in that place. The people are willing to attend the meetings, and express their regret at the removal of the tent. They are slow in accepting new views, but several express their intention to obey the Lord. For these reasons we purpose to build a meeting-house on the land we bought, that the Sabbath-school and the Sunday night meetings may be continued.
We have already most of the materials, and expect to raise the building soon. This is one of the most difficult places in the island to build, as the people are poor, and lumber is scarce; but the Lord is opening the way for us in a marked manner. To him be all the praise. HUBERT FLETCHER.
Louisiana
By S. B. HORTON
WE are glad to report some progress in this State. Since our return from the General Conference we have been planning a tent effort in behalf of New Orleans, a long-neglected city, when we consider its importance as a center. Because of the desire to make an effort consistent with the importance of this large city, we delayed, hoping to secure better talent and a larger force; but our committee finally decided that we should go to work with the facilities at hand. Accordingly, we pitched tent in a residence part of the city, and began meetings on June 23. The meetings were fairly well attended, notice of the services and synopses of sermons appeared in the local press, and God has given some fruit for the labor thus far. Five united with the church recently, and about eight others will, we believe, accept the message. A week ago we pitched a tent in another part of the city, and we are encouraged to look for additions to the church. Among those attending our services are some Catholics, one having been baptized recently.
The work for the colored people is also assuming good proportions. A number have been attending our meetings, and some are keeping the Sabbath. Sister Edmonia White is located here as a Bible worker in their behalf, and is doing excellent work. We hope to organize a church for them soon.
I suppose that some will ask, who may be reading the reports true and untrue about the yellow fever, if things are not in a demoralized condition in New Orleans, preventing anything like public meetings. I will say that the scare and panic outside of New Orleans is largely unwarranted. There have been about five hundred cases of yellow fever since its discovery, confined mostly to the Italian quarter, some of whom had been working on a fruit vessel coming from a South American port, which passed up16the river unadvisedly, bringing a patient and some stegomyia fasciata mosquitoes, so it is maintained. About ninety deaths have occurred thus far, and the outlook, while it is to be viewed with seriousness, does not warrant the wholesale panic which has been engendered by unsupported and evil reports. The citizens are putting forth efforts to prevent its spread and to stamp it out, which at this writing give promise of success. We expect to continue our tent-meetings all summer, believing that the Lord will overrule to his own glory and the salvation of souls.
It is well that we had not planned definitely for a camp-meeting at this time, for the quarantine restrictions would have brought hardship and perplexity to our people in attendance. We will therefore have our annual meeting in the fall or winter.
S. B. HORTON.
West Virginia
By T. H. PAINTER
I AM now back in my field of labor again. I was at home after the conference till July 24, taking physical exercise for my health. Sabbath, July 8, I was with the church at Stanley, Va., in quarterly meeting. It was good to be there. I went to Keyser, W. Va., July 25, and visited our Sabbath-keepers there. Most of them are of good courage in the Lord. There are two nearly ready for baptism, and I expect to attend to it at my next visit.
I also held meetings with the Elk Garden church for ten days. This church has been passing through much discouragement, some having given up the truth, and differences existing between others. But by faithful labor, practical preaching, and seeking the Lord most earnestly, hearts were touched, the power that bound them was removed, and those who had not spoken to each other for a long while, embraced each other and wept aloud. We then united in that humble ordinance, and they washed each other's feet. O how good to see all united in love! This was the first quarterly meeting this church has held for a long time. Two desire baptism. If this church will seek God earnestly, there will be others added to their number soon.
I now go to Clarksburg to get ready for camp-meeting. My courage in the Lord is good, and I press on for the prize that awaits all the faithful.
T. H. PAINTER.
Mission Notes
THE British government of the Sudan has prohibited the sale of liquor to the natives.
THE Sunday-schools of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in twenty-seven yearly Lenten offerings, have given to missions the sum of $1,469,077.60.
THE agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society in Japan calls for expansion of Bible work in that empire. He holds that the needs of Japan at this moment are greater than those of any European country.
THE Baptist Missionary Society (England) has built a new steamer for its work on the Kongo River. She is named the “Endeavorer,” and was launched on the Thames in February, amid the plaudits of quite a number of Endeavorers.
At the end of 1904, the C. M. S. had on its roll 981 missionaries. Of these, 572 are supplied with salaries wholly or in part without drawing on the general funds of the society, 101 of them having gone out wholly or in part at their own expense.
IN China last year the total number of copies of Scripture circulated was 1,086,670. Of these, 34,873 were free grants made for special purposes, which leaves the actual sales well over a million copies. This far outstrips all previous records.
DURING 1904 more than nine thousand persons, over six thousand of whom were adults, were baptized in connection with the C. M. S. mission in Uganda. There are now 18,484 pupils and 50,574 baptized Christians in the whole Uganda protectorate.
DR. DE FOREST has written again and again of his astonishment at the number of fine Christian officers he meets among the Japanese troops in Manchuria. At Yenkow a Japanese lieutenant-colonel spoke with him to the soldiers, and men tired out with hard work came to hear, saying that they preferred to hear preaching rather than to seek amusement elsewhere.
