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Review and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 7.

The Commonplace
Earlier text: The Moving Pillar

Comparative Statement of the Ten-Cent-a-Week Fund by Union and Local Conferences

By W. T. Knox

For Year Ending Dec. 31, 1910

Atlantic Union Conference
Membership Amt. at 10c a Mem. Amount Raised Amount Short Amount Over
Central New England 1,191 $6,193.20 $6,405.39 ... $212.19
Greater New York 926 4,815.20 6,286.53 ... 1,471.33
Maine 417 2,168.40 1,739.74 $428.66 ...
New York 888 4,617.60 4,027.18 590.42 ...
Northern New England 429 2,230.80 2,626.53 ... 395.73
Southern New England 520 2,704.00 2,712.26 ... 8.26
Western New York 732 3,806.40 4,268.82 ... 462.42
Totals 5,103 26,535.60 28,066.45 1,019.08 2,549.93
Canadian Union Conference
Membership Amt. at 10c a Mem. Amount Raised Amount Short Amount Over
Maritime 261 1,357.20 1,012.01 345.19 ...
Ontario 414 2,152.80 3,722.47 ... 1,569.67
Quebec 160 832.00 827.42 4.58 ...
Newfoundland 51 265.20 312.18 ... 46.98
Totals 886 4,607.20 5,874.08 349.77 1,616.65
Central Union Conference
Membership Amt. at 10c a Mem. Amount Raised Amount Short Amount Over
Colorado 2,000 10,400.00 8,574.82 1,825.18 ...
East Kansas 3,051 15,865.20 13,627.25 2,237.95 ...
Nebraska 2,340 12,168.00 13,516.22 ... 1,348.22
North Missouri 606 3,151.20 3,192.28 ... 41.08
Southern Missouri 822 4,274.40 2,729.82 1,544.58 ...
Western Colorado 390 2,028.00 2,585.24 ... 557.24
Wyoming 425 2,210.00 2,115.67 94.33 ...
St. Louis Mission Field ... ... 191.14 ... 191.14
Totals 9,634 50,096.80 46,532.44 5,702.04 2,137.68
Columbia Union Conference
Membership Amt. at 10c a Mem. Amount Raised Amount Short Amount Over
Chesapeake 566 2,943.20 1,550.46 1,392.74 ...
District of Columbia 672 3,494.40 3,487.55 6.85 ...
Eastern Pennsylvania 1,105 5,746.00 5,778.51 ... 32.51
New Jersey 610 3,172.00 4,577.40 ... 1,405.40
Ohio 2,086 10,847.20 9,774.44 1,072.76 ...
Virginia 435 2,262.00 1,181.91 1,080.09 ...
West Pennsylvania 821 4,269.20 2,751.28 1,517.92 ...
West Virginia 159 826.80 579.70 247.10 ...
Totals 6,454 33,560.80 29,681.25 5,317.46 1,437.91
Lake Union Conference
Membership Amt. at 10c a Mem. Amount Raised Amount Short Amount Over
East Michigan 1,860 9,672.00 6,064.21 3,607.79 ...
Indiana 1,913 9,947.60 5,065.06 4,882.54 ...
Northern Illinois 1,385 7,202.00 4,947.14 2,254.86 ...
North Michigan 880 4,576.00 2,099.20 2,476.80 ...
Southern Illinois 582 3,026.40 2,335.22 691.18 ...
West Michigan 2,846 14,799.20 14,543.43 255.77 ...
Wisconsin 2,924 15,204.80 7,868.56 7,336.24 ...
Totals 12,390 64,428.00 42,922.82 21,505.18 ...
Northern Union Conference
Membership Amt. at 10c a Mem. Amount Raised Amount Short Amount Over
Iowa 2,468 12,833.60 10,749.31 2,084.29 ...
Minnesota 1,500 7,800.00 8,170.27 ... 370.27
North Dakota 1,018 5,293.60 7,488.38 ... 2,194.78
South Dakota 950 4,940.00 5,019.85 ... 79.85
Totals 5,936 30,867.20 31,427.81 2,084.29 2,644.90
North Pacific Union Conference
Membership Amt. at 10c a Mem. Amount Raised Amount Short Amount Over
Montana 432 2,246.40 2,774.63 ... 528.23
Southern Idaho 536 2,787.20 2,417.35 369.85 ...
Upper Columbia 1,720 8,944.00 10,523.23 ... 1,579.23
Western Oregon 1,842 9,578.40 8,109.30 1,469.10 ...
Western Washington 1,483 7,711.60 7,898.06 ... 186.46
Alaska 4 20.80 43.79 ... 22.99
Totals 6,017 31,288.40 31,766.36 1,838.95 2,316.91
Southeastern Union Conference
Membership Amt. at 10c a Mem. Amount Raised Amount Short Amount Over
Cumberland 540 2,808.00 2,815.60 ... 7.60
Florida 525 2,730.00 2,745.94 ... 15.94
Georgia 301 1,565.20 1,934.16 ... 368.96
North Carolina 318 1,653.60 1,552.74 100.86 ...
South Carolina 217 1,128.40 767.97 360.43 ...
Bahama Mission ... ... 43.44 ... 43.44
Totals 1,901 9,885.20 9,859.85 461.29 435.94
Pacific Union Conference
Membership Amt. at 10c a Mem. Amount Raised Amount Short Amount Over
Arizona 290 $1,508.00 $1,159.09 $348.91 ...
California 4,945 25,714.00 22,189.87 3,524.13 ...
Southern California 2,521 13,109.20 13,862.66 ... $753.46
Utah 200 1,040.00 657.66 382.34 ...
Totals 7,956 41,371.20 37,869.28 4,255.38 753.46
Southern Union Conference
Membership Amt. at 10c a Mem. Amount Raised Amount Short Amount Over
Alabama 106 551.20 899.53 ... 348.33
Kentucky 175 910.00 711.59 198.41 ...
Louisiana 242 1,258.40 1,193.32 65.08 ...
Mississippi 180 936.00 380.45 555.55 ...
Tennessee River 536 2,787.20 2,339.50 447.70 ...
Southern Union Mission 360 1,872.00 899.61 972.39 ...
Totals 1,599 8,314.80 6,424.00 2,239.13 348.33
Southwestern Union Conference
Membership Amt. at 10c a Mem. Amount Raised Amount Short Amount Over
Arkansas 553 2,875.60 1,107.51 1,768.09 ...
New Mexico 340 1,768.00 1,246.54 521.46 ...
North Texas 1,522 7,914.40 4,529.92 2,284.48 ...
Oklahoma 2,008 10,441.60 9,216.18 1,225.42 ...
West Texas 225 1,170.00 532.94 637.06 ...
Southwestern Un. Mission ... ... 133.44 ... 133.44
Totals 4,648 24,169.60 16,766.53 7,536.51 133.44
Western Canadian Union Conference
Membership Amt. at 10c a Mem. Amount Raised Amount Short Amount Over
Alberta 337 1,752.40 2,571.74 ... 819.34
British Columbia 297 1,544.40 2,457.52 ... 913.12
Manitoba 200 1,040.00 973.32 66.68 ...
Saskatchewan 84 436.80 1,928.51 ... 1,491.71
Totals 918 4,773.60 7,931.09 66.68 3,224.17
Miscellaneous
Membership Amt. at 10c a Mem. Amount Raised Amount Short Amount Over
... ... 5,305.61 ... 5,305.61
Grand totals
Membership Amt. at 10c a Mem. Amount Raised Amount Short Amount Over
Grand totals 63,442 $329,898.40 $300,427.57 $52,375.76 $22,904.93

Summary

Membership Amt. at 10c a Mem. Amount Raised Amount Short Amount Over
Atlantic 5,103 26,535.60 28,066.45 1,019.08 2,549.93
Canadian 886 4,607.20 5,874.08 349.77 1,616.65
Central 9,634 50,096.80 46,532.44 5,702.04 2,137.68
Columbia 6,454 33,560.80 29,681.25 5,317.46 1,437.91
Lake 12,390 64,428.00 42,922.82 21,505.18 ...
Northern 5,936 30,867.20 31,427.81 2,084.29 2,644.90
North Pacific 6,017 31,288.40 31,766.36 1,838.95 2,316.91
Pacific 7,956 41,371.20 37,869.28 4,255.38 753.46
Southeastern 1,901 9,885.20 9,859.85 461.29 435.94
Southern 1,599 8,314.80 6,424.00 2,239.13 348.33
Southwestern 4,648 24,169.60 16,766.53 7,536.51 133.44
Western Canadian 918 4,773.60 7,931.09 66.68 3,224.17
Miscellaneous ... ... 5,305.61 ... 5,305.61
Totals 63,442 $329,898.40 $300,427.57 $52,375.76 $22,904.93
(Signed) W. T. Knox, Treasurer.

Naval Activity Among the Great Powers

‘THE year 1911 promises to be a record one for naval activity among the great powers; no fewer than thirty-six dreadnaughts are expected to be launched during the year, an average of one ship every ten days. At present only thirty-eight of the dreadnaught type are in the water, completing and completed, and this is the result of more than five years’ work. In one year alone, from now till December 31 next, this number will thus be almost doubled. Of the vessels to be launched this year, eleven will be British. Next to Britain comes Germany, with seven ships, this number including three which should, according to the original plan, have been launched in 1910.

Russian Railway Workers Strike

ADDED to the horrors of the plague in Manchuria, it is reported that 8,000 Russian workmen on the Eastern Chinese Railway, fearing the disease, have gone on a strike. This only seems to complicate still more seriously the terrible situation existing in that part of the world.

Unprofitable Education

Speaking of the enforcement of the Lord's Day act in Canada, and the efforts of its friends to prevent the desecration of the Sunday sabbath, the Christian Statesman of January says:—
We of the United States could learn something of our Canadian neighbors in this connection.
If we desire to learn lessons in religious persecution, we do not need to stop with our Canadian neighbors. We can go back to the grand masters of the past. We can go back to the inauguration of the Sunday crusade in the third and fourth centuries, and trace down, step by step, the efforts which were made through blood and fire and Inquisition torture to compel men to give their adherence to human institutions. But the real lover of truth and righteousness will obtain from these evil days of the past, lessons quite at variance with those the Christian Statesman would have us learn. He will learn the lessons of religious toleration, of civil and religious liberty, of granting to every man his rights according to the dictates of his own conscience. These are the true lessons which we should learn from the past. These are the lessons which the American colonists sought to demonstrate to the world, and which they have given to their children, in Canada and the United States alike, as a precious heritage.

The Only Authority

DISCUSSING the question as to whether or not Venus is inhabited, the Washington Post of January 20 says:— In our system there are numerous planets much larger than the earth; and why should they not be inhabited by beings as much superior to us as their worlds are larger than ours? Arcturus is a sun infinitely larger than our sun, and doubtless planets revolve around it a million of miles in diameter. What were they made for if not for habitation? And beyond the system of which Arcturus is the center, there are other systems, no doubt, as greatly superior to that as that is to ours. It staggers our minds to try to contemplate the universe, if such a weak term is adequate definition of it. The universe is all; but how can you compute all of that which has neither beginning nor ending? The stupendous genius who wrote the book of Job in the Holy Bible asked, “If a man die, shall he live again?” Revealed religion answers in the affirmative, and there is no rational course for our poor humanity to take but to accept the revelation of the Scriptures.
The prophet states (Isa. 45:18) that this earth was not formed in vain; it was created in order to be inhabited. If this is true of this little earth, we may justly conclude that it is true of the many other planets filling God’s universe. As the Post says, the only rational course for poor humanity to take is to accept the revelation of the Scriptures. Idle speculation accomplishes little. We may allow the imagination to run riot, and seek to penetrate into the unknown; but the great door of the invisible world does not swing outward. We can not peer through its portals. Only as the Scriptures of truth reveal the plan of God in the creation of the universe and the final destiny of the human family, can we form any sort of estimate as to what the future will be.

The Growth of Moving-Picture Shows

The year 1908 was one of phenomenal growth in amusements. With the beginning of 1909, there were 10,000 moving-picture shows in the United States, with a daily attendance of 3,000,000. The estimated expenditure by the people was $57,500,000 for the year. At the present time fully 4,000,000 persons visit these shows daily, and the shows have increased to 13,000. There is paid out for their support by the public an average of seven cents each, or more than $102,000,000 a year. About $100,000,000 is invested in the moving-picture-show business. Last year $18,000,000 worth of motion-films were sold. The cost of obtaining motion-pictures is often enormous. To obtain one picture of a railroad train and an incident connected with the same, a company leased a small railroad near New York City, with all its equipment, for one day.

Cape Cod Canal Cutting

This is a day of canal cutting. After the coasting-boats have rounded its stormy point for three centuries, Cape Cod is being cut through, close up to the Massachusetts mainland.

Now Is the Time

By A. J. HAYSMER

THERE are times in the history of the work of God when certain fields demand immediate attention and prompt working. I am fully convinced that this is true of the work for the colored people of this country, as I read the messages that have come to us in the last fifteen years. The reason given for this is because “elements are at work that will close the field to this message.”
It would be pleasing to the enemy if he could prevent us from realizing the importance of the situation until he has had time to entirely close the work. The Lord calls upon us to take up this work with renewed earnestness, and that without delay. The following extracts from volume nine of the Testimonies show the great importance of this work:—
“The powers of hell are working with all their ingenuity to prevent the proclamation of the last message of mercy among the colored people.”
“The Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the world; and in many places it is impossible now to do that work which could have been done for the colored people in past years.”
“For many years I have borne a heavy burden in behalf of the Negro race. My heart has ached as I have seen the feeling against this race growing stronger and still stronger, and I have seen that many Seventh-day Adventists are apparently unable to understand the necessity for an earnest work being done quickly. Years are passing into eternity with apparently little done to help those who were recently a race of slaves.”
“Most decided efforts should be made to educate and train colored men and women to labor as missionaries in the Southern States of America. Christian colored students should be preparing to give the truth to their own race.”
“There is the greatest need for all kinds of missionary work in the South. Without delay workers must be prepared for this field. Our people should provide a fund for the education of men and women in the Southern States, who, being accustomed to the climate, can work there without endangering their health. Promising young men and women should be educated to become teachers. They should have the very best advantages. Schoolhouses and meetinghouses should be built in different places, and teachers employed.”
“Our churches in the North, as well as in the South, should do what they can to help support the school work for the colored children. The schools already established should be faithfully maintained. The establishment of new schools will require additional funds. Let all our brethren and sisters do their part whole-heartedly to place these schools on vantage-ground.”
Now is the time to talk courage and hope, and redouble our efforts to finish the work. God is blessing the efforts put forth. Over three hundred accepted the truth last year. Our workers are of good courage, and pressing forward to do a greater work this year.
We need the moral and financial help of all our people.
A. J. HAYSMER.

Annual Meeting of the Pacific Press Publishing Association

By C. H. Jones

The seventh annual meeting of the members of the Pacific Press Publishing Association was held at the office of the company in Mountain View, Cal., Monday, Jan. 23, 1911, at 10 A. M. There was a large attendance, and everything passed off pleasantly and harmoniously, several stating that this was one of the best and most interesting meetings of the kind they ever attended.
The report from the treasurer showed the past fiscal year to have been one of the most prosperous in the history of the institution, the volume of business amounting to over $388,000, and the net gain of the association to $21,967.62. During the past year the indebtedness of the institution has been reduced about fifteen thousand dollars, and at the same time the assets have been increased over ten thousand dollars. At the present time the assets amount to $263,255.40, the net worth being $116,556.95.
This association operates three branch offices,—one at Kansas City, Mo.; one at Portland, Ore.; and one at Calgary, Alberta, Canada. All these are in a prosperous condition.
The following-named persons were elected to act as a board of directors for the ensuing year: H. W. Cottrell, C. H. Jones, H. G. Childs, M. C. Wilcox, H. H. Hall, G. A. Irwin, R. A. Underwood, E. T. Russell, C. W. Flaiz, E. E. Andross, J. O. Corliss, A. O. Tait, B. M. Shull.
At a meeting of the newly elected board of directors, they organized as follows: H. W. Cottrell, president; C. H. Jones, vice-president and general manager; H. G. Childs, secretary and treasurer; J. J. Ireland, auditor.
Other appointments were made as follows: H. H. Hall, manager book department; James Cochran, manager Kansas City Branch; J. F. Beatty, manager Portland Branch; W. V. Sample, manager Canadian Branch; M. C. Wilcox, editor Signs of the Times weekly; L. A. Reed, associate editor; L. A. Reed, editor Signs of the Times Monthly; M. C. Wilcox, associate editor; Kathrina B. Wilcox, editor Our Little Friend; M. C. Wilcox, associate editor.
The following resolutions were adopted:—
“1. Resolved, That we deem it eminently fitting that we as a body publicly express our gratitude to the Father of all mercies for the spiritual blessing and light he has bestowed upon us during the last year; for the preservation of the health and strength of the workers in the Pacific Press; and for the abundant blessings he has given in the sale of our publications, not alone in the home field, but also in the hitherto almost untried Spanish field; and that we hereby consecrate ourselves anew to him and his cause for better service in the year to come.
“Whereas, There is such a great demand for the extension of gospel truth in the Oriental fields; and whereas, we are anxious to do all we can to extend to them a knowledge of the divine Redeemer; therefore,—
“2. Resolved, That we purchase with one tenth of our net profits a suitable printing-press, or some other machinery equivalent in value, to be decided by the incoming board, for use in that densely populated country.
“3. Resolved, That Article 10, Section 1, paragraph 2 of the by-laws be amended so as to include the Western Canadian Union Conference immediately after the North Pacific Union Conference.
“Whereas, The present make-up of our pioneer paper, the Signs of the Times, with its variety of message-filled articles, and the covering of the message in a limited series, especially adapts it to missionary work with our neighbors as well as for a teacher in the home: and,—
“Whereas, There is greater need than ever that we endeavor to reach our neighbors and humanity in general ‘while it is called to-day;’ therefore,—
“4. Resolved, That we earnestly ask our State tract societies and churches to extend the circulation of this paper, as far as consistent, (a) By clubs taken by churches and individuals; (b) by placing it in free public libraries and reading-rooms wherever such opportunity offers; and (c) by encouraging individuals to send it to their neighbors and friends during the time of a series or longer.
“5. Resolved, That we ask our State tract societies to aid us in increasing the individual subscription list of the Signs of the Times by the use of the premium book ‘Questions and Answers,’ at the price of two dollars a year for the book and the paper.
“6. Resolved, That we hereby express to the General Conference Committee and the brethren assembled in the late council at Washington, D. C., our appreciation of their action in selecting the Signs of the Times as the medium to be used in the next Harvest Ingathering campaign, and that we promise the committee our hearty co-operation.
“Whereas, It is now incumbent upon us as a people to reach those in the highways and hedges who know not the truth, to say to those who stand at the turning of the way the words of wisdom that shall compel them to come in; and,—
“Whereas, The Signs of the Times Monthly, with its message-filled pages, offers special means of reaching many of those who otherwise will not receive the truth, at the same time giving opportunity to our people to do self-supporting work, and work that will water their own souls; therefore,—
“7. Resolved, That we urgently request our conference tract societies to continue their earnest endeavors to secure agents for the monthly Signs; and that our people everywhere be invited toengage in the work of selling this periodical.
“Whereas, Our message-filled tracts have been conveniently arranged in assorted one-dollar and five-dollar packages for the use of our workers at reduced prices; and,—
“Whereas, A booklet has been prepared giving our entire list of tracts as well as convenient topical lists, with clear and helpful instruction as to their practical use; therefore,—
“8. Resolved, That we urge their wider circulation, that they may be indeed scattered like the leaves of autumn in soul-saving work.
“9. Resolved, That we approve of the action taken by the board of directors in the removal of our Canadian Branch office from Regina, Saskatchewan, to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the purchase of a lot, and the erection of a warehouse.
“11. Resolved, That the board of directors give careful consideration to the question of purchasing a lot and erecting a warehouse both in Kansas City, Mo., and in Portland, Ore.; and that they be authorized to purchase and build in one or both of the above-named places, if they deem it advisable to do so.
“12. Resolved, That we approve of the recommendations adopted by the General Conference Committee at its last session, concerning the publishing work, the payment of royalty, etc.”
C. H. JONES.

The Temperance "Instructor"

By G. B. Thompson

The circulation of the INSTRUCTOR affords our young people a splendid opportunity to do a good work in behalf of temperance. The manufacture and sale of intoxicating drink constitutes one of the greatest evils in the world. The rum traffic is indeed the overshadowing curse.
Through indulgence of the appetite for intoxicating beverages, thousands have been robbed of a spotless character. The insane asylums are thronged with thousands of wrecks, worse than dead, whose reason is dethroned through this evil. It transforms sober, industrious, virtuous citizens into drunkards, paupers, and beggars, filling the almshouses with once industrious citizens, to be supported by public charity. Intemperance in rum trains the young in infidelity, dissipation, ignorance, lewdness, and every other conceivable vice. It incites otherwise peaceable communities to riot, robbery, and bloodshed. It multiplies accidents and incurable diseases. It changes loving, indulgent fathers into fiends, mothers into widows, and makes children orphans. Look at the pawnshop, the poorhouse, the police court, the hospital, the penitentiary, and the gallows as samples of its awful work. No work in behalf of temperance can be complete unless we lift our voice against this monstrous evil. The circulation of the INSTRUCTOR is one way we can help check this stream which is sweeping unnumbered victims over its Niagara of destruction.
Our people in the New South Wales (Australia) Conference last year engaged in a strong temperance campaign. It was not carried on entirely by the young people, but they were a factor in it. Years ago we were instructed that we are not to stand aloof from other temperance workers, but to unite with them, and we would see good results. Our people in Australia did this, and the Lord blessed them.
The question was one of local option. Although we have only about six hundred Sabbath-keepers in this conference, a special edition of the Australasian Signs of the Times was published for the campaign, and one hundred twenty thousand copies were circulated. Tens of thousands of pages of tracts were also specially prepared for the occasion. Both papers and tracts were given away. The money to pay for all this literature was raised by contributions solicited from persons not of our faith. Twenty-five hundred dollars was thus raised, some of the friends giving as much as fifty dollars to help in this campaign against the Moloch of strong drink. This campaign resulted in greatly extending our influence, and bringing our work before the most influential and educated class of people. Leading temperance workers spoke at our camp-meeting, some of whom were persons of note.
Think what the thousands of young people in this country might do in a united effort in this matter. A great work has been done with former Temperance specials of the INSTRUCTOR; but a much greater work ought to be accomplished this year. Why not plan to double the circulation of this forthcoming special over all previous numbers? In the starving children, the hopeless epileptics, the neglected homes, the broken-hearted wives, the distracted parents, the chattering imbeciles, the ragged loafers all about us as the result of strong drink, we can find our inspiration.
G. B. THOMPSON.

What the Workers Say

AGAIN we have the privilege of catching a few of the notes of courage that float in from the workers out in the wide harvest-fields. Read them with a heart open to divine impressions as to what you may do to save the young people about you. The first is from Sister Margaret Shanks, of—

Ontario

"One of the most obvious signs of the times is seen in the way our young people are relating themselves to the closing message. It is plain from the Scriptures that the youth are to act a part in speeding the tidings of the coming Saviour to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. They are responding nobly to the call of God for service. The Missionary Volunteer society is a practical training-school for our youth. The main point is to attract their attention to our great work, and keep it there; this can be done as they are led to work for others. In doing this work they broaden the distance between themselves and the world. The Reading Courses are also an important factor in this Missionary Volunteer training-school. More young people see the necessity this year of a systematic course of reading than ever before. The Morning Watch Calendar is a good friend to those who treat it in a friendly way, and most of our young people are well acquainted with it. While visiting our school recently, I was agreeably surprised at the morning meal to hear nearly all the students repeat the verse for the day from the Morning Watch Calendar. The young people's work at camp-meeting has helped our youth in two ways: (1) Through it some have become interested in school; and (2) others have been led to take an active part in missionary work."

Southern New England

Brother C. H. Reimers, Missionary Volunteer secretary of this conference, writes: "Although the young people in our conference are few, and widely scattered, the effort which they put forth to attend the weekly meetings is a proof that the Missionary Volunteer Society is a source of blessing to them. This department affords our youth much help in their preparation for service in the Master's vineyard. The Morning Watch helps them to form the habit of taking time each morning for study, meditation, and prayer. This we know is the secret of success in the Christian life. Some of our members learn by heart the verse for each day. We have greatly appreciated the lessons on Bible doctrines in the INSTRUCTOR, and are striving for the Standard of Attainment. It has been said that 'without the love of books the richest man is poor;' so I must testify to the value of the Missionary Volunteer Reading Courses. These courses are enjoyed more and more by old as well as young. They help us to value and use the spare moments, and increase our desire for good books. The Missionary Volunteer work also encourages and helps our young people to gain an education. We desire the good will and encouragement of the older church-members and also of the ministry. A large part of the work in this closing message must be done by our young people; therefore we must be up and doing."

Western Washington

From this far Western conference, Sister Sophrona Dodge writes: "To enlist our young people for service, and to harness their energies for active work in behalf of the third angel's message, is the ultimate object of the Missionary Volunteer movement. Many of our young people do not realize what they are capable of doing until their ability has been demonstrated through the Missionary Volunteer society. In this way some have been encouraged to enter our schools to obtain a better preparation for carrying on the work. The Reading Courses help our youth to utilize time which otherwise might be wasted, and also to fix their minds upon that which is noble and elevating. The Morning Watch Calendar is a constant reminder of the Christian's duty, and prepares us to meet the temptations of the day. The quiet hour alone with the Saviour in study and meditation upon the Word, is indeed the secret of a happy Christian life. I trust our young people may experience this during the coming year. Not nearly all has been accomplished that should be, but I feel confident that this work in behalf of the young people is helping to turn their attention away from the attractions of the world, and direct them toward the one great thing to live for at this time,—the spreading of the third angel's message."

British Columbia

Words of courage come from Sister Birdie Conway, of the British Columbia Conference: "The Lord is blessing the Missionary Volunteer work, and I firmly believe that it will be a great factor in helping to spread the message quickly. Our youth have been doing some good work with the Harvest Ingathering number of the REVIEW. One society takes quite a large club of the Signs, and the young people meet, and wrap and address them in connection with the missionary meetings. Over five thousand tracts were distributed by our band members among the visitors at the International Apple Show. We are hoping for some good results from this effort. Thirty-six have enrolled in the Reading Courses."

Western Oregon

R. W. Airey writes of the work in the Western Oregon Conference: "My heart is made to rejoice as I go from society to society in our conference, when I note the way in which the Missionary Volunteer work is encouraging and holding our young people. The interest they show in the society lessons in the Instructor, especially those on mission fields, is very marked. Our good Reading Courses and the Morning Watch Calendar are accomplishing much for our youth."

Eastern Pennsylvania

Of the work in this conference Sister Myrtle A. Bristol, the Missionary Volunteer secretary, says: "The Missionary Volunteer work has become a distinct and indispensable factor in the training of our youth. The young people recognize themselves, individually, as links in the great chain of young people, and they like the association. They gather inspiration from belonging to a body having for its aim the proclamation of this message to the world. The experience gained in missionary visits to the poor and sick, and through missionary correspondence, is brightening their Christian life, and proving an inspiration to the older church-members as well. We find a hearty response from our youth in taking up the Standard of Attainment studies and the Reading Courses. The Morning Watch Calendar is also doing a great work in aiding our young people to acquire the habit of daily, personal devotion to Bible study. These various departments are all strengthening them in a determination to fit themselves for better service."

Northern New England

From Mrs. W. H. Holden: "I feel that the Missionary Volunteer work is helping to hold and train the youth in our conference. Through it they are gaining a deeper Christian experience. This gives them a greater love for the truth, and a desire to have a part in giving it to others, and it also shows them the need of quickly warning the world of the coming of the Saviour. The Reading Courses are giving our young people a desire for good reading and for improving their spare time; further than this, they are creating in the youth an ambition to accomplish something in the world. The Morning Watch has encouraged daily Bible study, which has proved a safeguard against yielding to temptations. The Missionary Volunteer work has caused a deeper interest in our camp-meetings on the part of the young people, and has prompted them to attend. They say that the young people's meetings are the best part of the camp-meeting."

Iowa

Brother H. H. Howard sends the following good word from this conference: "The Missionary Volunteer work is doing much in Iowa to hold and train our youth. It furnishes them definite plans for labor, and urges them into service. While working for others, they become stronger themselves, and thus advance in the cause of God. How thankful I am for our Missionary Volunteer Reading Courses, and I am still more thankful as I see a growing demand for them. Those who have read the books in one course are usually the first to enroll the coming year. Thus the habit of reading good books is formed.
Nothing can be more desirable than to have our youth cultivate a taste for good literature. We can not speak too highly of the work done for the young people by the Morning Watch Calendar. Its influence has been far-reaching. I know of young men and women who have received spiritual blessings that they would not have to-day, had they not devoted a few moments in the early morning to the Morning Watch texts."
As we see what others are doing for our young people, and note the blessed results, let us resolve to be more faithful and earnest in our efforts to save them to this work and for the Master's kingdom. M. E.

M. G. HUFFMAN

By M. G. Huffman

Kansas

DOWNS.—For over twenty-five years, I have been actively engaged in the promulgation of this last message of warning. The rays of light of the third angel’s message, which began to shine over sixty years ago, have pierced through the darkness into nearly every nation on the globe. Surely the message has gone with leaps and bounds, and we can rejoice and take courage to see that all things foretell the restitution of all things, even in this present generation. I praise God for his matchless love, and for the privilege of having a humble part in his vineyard.
I have now spent over one year in Kansas, and the Lord has greatly blessed my efforts in this field. A number are rejoicing in the light of present truth as the result of the efforts put forth.
A few months ago we began to agitate the advisability of establishing an academy for the western part of the State. One brother gave forty acres of valuable land. We circulated a subscription paper among the business men of Downs, Portis, and Osborne, and they contributed sixteen hundred dollars to the enterprise. We gave out the contract for a building 40 x 40 feet, three stories high, including the basement, for five thousand dollars. The building was dedicated Nov. 12, 1910. A good school is now in progress, with an enrolment of between forty and fifty students. The Lord is blessing, and the spiritual atmosphere of the school is excellent. The cause in all its different departments is onward in the West Kansas Conference. We are all of good courage, and praise the Lord for the truth.

M. G. HUFFMAN

New Members at Santa Cruz

Six new members have united with the church at Santa Cruz, Cal., three of whom have just accepted the truth.

The Morning Watch Calendar

By Jennie R. Bates

A COPY of the Morning Watch Calendar was several years ago given to a little girl who seemed interested in some I was mailing out; and while I was near, she would come each morning to read the text with me. Some weeks later her mother told me that the child said to her, “Mama, the Bible doesn’t open as quick for you as it does for auntie.” Then I knew that the texts had been read daily. I had longed to help the mother, who had been kind to me in many ways, but who had not allowed any one to speak to her on the matter of personal religion. A copy of “Steps to Christ” was sent her on her birthday, and word came that it made things plainer than anything she had read. Some conversation on these good things led at last to our kneeling in prayer together; and when we arose, she said, “It is the first time I have knelt since a child.”
A new Bible was purchased and used through the first year, also “Christ’s Object Lessons” and some of our good papers. To-day that mother loves the Lord, and finds comfort in prayer and the blessed Bible, while the little girl keeps her busy with questions, and enjoys Our Little Friend.
The opening wedge was a little Morning Watch Calendar. Have you sent any of these booklets out this year? Jesus will surely bless the seed thus sown.
JENNIE R. BATES.

Young People's Work

By M. E. Kern; Matilda Erickson

Conducted by the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department of the General Conference
M. E. KERN Secretary
MATILDA ERICKSON Corresponding Secretary

Overlooking Small Things

We plead for privilege to serve; With outstretched, open arms we wait, Prepared to stand, nor shrink nor swerve From 'neath the load, however great, Love casts upon us in the guise Of martyrdom and sacrifice.
And standing thus, expectant aye Of burdens heavy to uphold, We oft o'erlook from day to day The smaller duties manifold That slip between our upturned palms,— Sweet sympathies and blessed alms.
— Selected.

The Science of Living Together

“The greatest science men can study is the science of living with other men. There is no other thing that is so taxing, requires so much education, so much wisdom, so much practise, as to live together. We study how to control the forces of nature; but the forces of human nature are more difficult still. There is no art that is finer than the art of being at peace with our neighbors, national and individual.”

Christian Action Must Not Be Individual

CHRISTIAN action must not be individual action only. There have always been Christians who have acted apart from others; this is an anomaly, a sickly exception.—D’Aubigne.
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