Your ShelfYour Projects

Review and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 18.

Life—Death—Immortality

Review and Herald

May 4, 1905

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · May 4, 1905

Life—Death—Immortality

By Mrs. H. I. Morse-Farnum

(A May Reverie at South Lancaster, Mass.)
MRS. H. I. MORSE-FARNUM
THE cherry-blooms of singing May,     The trees of tender hue, The fragrant, purpling lilac spray,     Yon arch of cloudless blue. The apple-trees in pink and snow     (Anear dark evergreen), Where tree and shrub with carols flow,     As happy birds careen,— All, all explain and paraphrase     The love and tender care Appealing to our wond'ring gaze     In beauty everywhere.
Yea, from the rounded velvet hills     Unto the river's flow, This shimm'ring morn with fragrance fills,     As fair the flowers glow. Yon dainty petals droop and weight     Their chestnut trees adown. Where in the background rise in state     The spires of Clinton town. These ancient elms on either side     The broad and shady street Stretch miles away; in stately pride     Their topmost branches meet.
'Tis o'er and o'er that distant years     Brought forth this vernal sky; Grim spoiler's retinue appears,     And all these beauties die. Then other beings loved these streams     (Gliding by forever) Whose life was transient, too, as seems     The never resting river. There, near the locomotive's track,     Are stones bedecked with moss, And letters quaintly bringing back     The story of their loss. Those word-lines hint of multitude     Whose mold'ring tombs we see; An ancient one is plainly grooved     With "sixteen eighty-three."
To-day this land is full of song,     Aglow with roseate ray, As if no pain or death or wrong     Had ever marred the May. In this aroma song and bloom,     In valley, plain, and hill,
Peterboro, Ontario.
In sighing pine-trees' grateful gloom     And each wee songster's trill, Footprints of pristine glory trace!     Spell out the plan of God, That earth should be a sinless place,     No grave to break the sod; And more; no chill and blighting frost,     No plaintive autumn-tide, Nor tear for priceless treasures lost,     As when our dear ones died.
Lo, that great plan proceeds apace!     As knowledge lights the land, His wondrous agencies take place,     Hast'ning finale grand, When evil's woful train must die,     Pure joy its astral burn. And from the flaming, parted sky     The Prince of Peace return! 'Tis then beloved forms in death—     So many hid away— Will live again, as blooms the earth     In this sweet time of May.
Though rest and desolation wait     The worn earth's tott'ring form, While through the pearl and golden gate,     All sheltered from the storm, A ransomed host from ev'ry clime,     In everlasting bliss, Reach home, and ever-summer-time,     Beyond the gales of this. Then will the old earth lay aside     The mantle of its woe, And song and bloom on every side     Abide, as long ago.
Redeemer and redeemed return     (Probation-time no more); Bright hopes in grand fruition burn,     And every ill is o'er. The mourner and the suff'rer come,     The homeless and the old, Sharing the many-mansioned home,     Treading the streets of gold! Decay or blight can never fall,     Snow-drift or scorching sun! Immortal glory crowning all,     The trial-time is done.

Great Nations of To-day

ONE of the best and most appropriate works to circulate at the present time, on account of the Japanese and Russian war and the critical complications resulting therefrom in the East, is “The Great Nations of To-day.” This pamphlet, containing 257 pages, reveals the causes of the movements of the nations at the present time, together with a clear presentation of their rise, relations, careers, and their destiny, in connection with a clear, concise treatise on the Seven Trumpets, the Three Woes, Babylon, the Beast of Revelation 13 and Its Image, the Commandments, the Hour of God's Judgment Come, and the Setting Up of the Everlasting Kingdom.
While the public is studying the situation in the far East, it is a most favorable time to interest them in a work like “Great Nations of To-day.”
The regular retail price is 25 cents a copy; 40 per cent discount to agents.

The Story of Daniel the Prophet

ONE of the best books published for the young. In the first place, the title of the book is attractive to young minds. All young people delight in stories; and the “Story of Daniel” is one of the most thrilling, interesting, and profitable on record. In the study of “The Story of Daniel the Prophet” every person can only be benefited by the practical lessons taught in connection with this biographical, historical, and prophetical work, as it sets the life of the prophet Daniel in an entirely new light, yet in a pleasing style, portraying the experience gained by Daniel in the extremes of captivity in his early life, and later of honor from the hands of earthly monarchs, illustrating the possibility of the exemplification of Christian principles and practises in all business transactions. One of the most beautiful and valuable lessons is revealed in the life of Daniel and his close connection with God. With the portrayal of this consecrated life, all the vital principles of the gospel message of our time are given.
The rise and fall of nations as outlined in the prophecies of the book of Daniel are carefully delineated, while the light contained on the sanctuary question is of great interest and value to every student of prophecy.
The book is the work of one of the oldest and most experienced workers in connection with the Adventist denomination,—one who is thoroughly qualified to present so important a subject as the life of one of the greatest prophets of the Scriptures. His work ought to be in the homes of all of the people; and ought to have a large circulation among all classes.
Bound in half cloth, appropriately illustrated; price, $1, post-paid.

Heralds of the Morning

ONE of the most important publications for general distribution at the present time is “Heralds of the Morning.” This work is a treatise on the meaning of the social and political problems of the present time and the significance of the great phenomena in nature, portraying the marvelous record of the nineteenth century,—the wonderful advance in the sciences and arts, the development of national resources, the prevalence of crime, the perfection of death-dealing instruments of war, the suppressed anger of nations, the disturbed condition of the nations,—and citing scriptures that declare these to be signs of the coming of the King of kings.
The object of the book is to set forth the prophetic signs, with their present, partial fulfilment in the appalling loss of life by murder, suicide, political and social troubles, dissatisfaction between the rich and poor, strikes and fires, wars and rumors of wars, as the great signs of the end of all earthly kingdoms, and the setting up of the everlasting kingdom.
The book has just been revised, and greatly improved in contents, illustrations, and new cover design. Bound in durable cloth, with marbled edges; price, $1.50. Regular discounts to agents.

Our Paradise Home

THOUGH this little book is only about a year old, 60,000 copies have been sold, and still the demand for it is good. Wherever it is offered for sale, it is readily received. People who read it speak highly of it. It is just the book to purchase and loan to neighbors. Many of the readers of the REVIEW have sold it in their localities. Some one in all the churches should make a house-to-house canvass for it. Thousands should be sold during the present season.
This little work treats many Biblical subjects in a way that causes the people to be delighted when they read it. It is proving to be one of the best aids to our canvassers and Bible workers, who are able to place a copy of this book containing many of the principal truths of the third angel’s message in nearly every house visited.
Bound in board and cloth binding, with a beautiful, attractive cover design, 25 and 50 cents.

The New Edition of the Empire Series

THE new edition of “The Empires of the Bible,” “Great Empires of Prophecy,” and “Ecclesiastical Empire” is now ready. This new edition is printed on better paper and bound in uniform binding, so that the three volumes now form a neat and most valuable set.
As an introduction to the whole series there is printed at the beginning of the first volume an essay that is of especial value on the—

“Philosophy of History”

At the educational convention held at College View in June, 1903, an address was given by Elder Alonzo T. Jones on “The Philosophy of History.” The convention voted that this address should be printed in pamphlet form, and also inserted in the next edition of “Empires of the Bible,” as an introduction to the “Empire Series of Histories.” This has now been done.
To those who have copies of the present edition of the “Empires of the Bible” the “Philosophy of History” in pamphlet form will be a great help. Those who buy the new edition of the book get the “Philosophy of History” in the book itself.
Everybody should have the “Philosophy of History.”
Price, 10 cents, post-paid.

Publishers' Page

Conducted by the Department of Circulation of the Review and Herald Publishing Association

The May Number of Life and Health Now Ready

By Editor

THE May issue of Life and Health will be found one of the most interesting and practical numbers. The cover is very neat, and its illustration, a group of cattle standing in a clear stream of pure water, under the printed question.

"Do We Need Spring Tonics?"

which impresses an important and seasonable lesson from nature.
This question is answered in the first article, by F. M. Rossiter, M. D. The doctor clearly impresses the fact that nature supplies all the natural and physiological tonics ever required for man as well as for animals. Associated with this important topic is an article on—

"Physical Effects of Improper Dress"

by Mrs. E. G. White, showing that many maladies are increased by the improper manner of dress, and recommending proper and practical methods for clothing the human body.

A Pen Picture of a Patent Medicine Vender's Victim

taken from real life, and illustrating how thousands of the poor and weak are being deceived and robbed of their lives through mere greed and man's inhumanity to man.

If You Are Nervous

Practical instruction for thousands who are nervous, giving simple yet potent remedies that can be applied by the patient at home; and also valuable information on—

The Nutritive Value of Prepared Cereal Products

These articles, separate and apart from the volume of other good things the May number contains, are worth more than the yearly subscription price of the journal, and they are what the people need, and would be glad to receive if they only knew of them.
Who will help to give this “meat in due season” to the thousands who are waiting for it, and dying because they do not have it?
Twenty-five or more copies will be sent to one address for 2½ cents a copy, post-paid. These can be easily and readily sold for five cents a copy. Many who have only limited spare time are disposing of a hundred copies each month. Many agents who spend all their time in selling Life and Health dispose of four or five hundred copies a week. Every reader of the REVIEW should at once subscribe for this health messenger.
Single subscription is 50 cents a year. Address Life and Health, 222 North Capitol St., Washington, D. C.

How to Order the Review and Herald

By Editor

Order of Review & Herald, Washington, D. C.; Battle Creek, Mich.; Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal.; Kansas City, Mo.; Southern Publishing Assn., Nashville, Tenn.; or your State Tract Society.

Editorial

By Editor

We Shall Know

In that city whose light is the glory of God we shall comprehend many things that are perplexing to us here. After the problem of sin is solved, and the trail of the serpent is no more, we may see the hand of love in some dealings which seem now to involve unnecessary hardship. The cup of present bitterness may be only the necessary preparation for quaffing the cup of future sweetness. When a dear friend is laid to rest, when a loved companion is taken from us, when a faithful worker suffers martyrdom at the post of duty, then when for the time we are almost crushed and overwhelmed, the unaided reason can not satisfy the questionings of a troubled spirit, and it is only in the divine revelation, the Word of our God, that we can find comfort and hope. The glory shining from the cross of Calvary pierces the darkness, and in its light we read: “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” Where natural sight fails, faith extends the vision beyond the bounds of time, and things are viewed in their eternal setting. The look into the open grave is not the last look.
“There will be a glorious dawn; We shall meet to part no never, On the resurrection morn.”
Much has been revealed to us, and more we shall know when this mortal puts on immortality. Yet a little while and many mysteries will become plain, and trying experiences will be justified. We shall know.

Signs of Life

The unmistakable evidences of life are now being exhibited on every side in this northern hemisphere. The fields are carpeted with uncounted spires of grass. The trees are rapidly putting forth their leaves. Many flowers are already brightening the landscape with their blossoms of varied colors. All nature is putting on her summer attire. But this apparently sudden change is the result of a preparation made during a time of little outward indication of any activity. Nevertheless it would not be pleasing to God or man if the life should always so work in secret that the outward evidences of transforming power should be lacking in this spring season. So it is in the experience of individuals and movements. Some definite results are expected. A Christian ought to bear fruit to the glory of God; otherwise his religion is a mere intellectual philosophy. A church ought to exert a positive influence for practical righteousness in a community; otherwise it may degenerate into a mere social club of rather an exclusive sort. A denomination which has any valid excuse for existence ought to be able to show that the interests of the kingdom of Christ have actually been advanced, and that the coming of the Redeemer has been really hastened, through its instrumentality. A paper which represents a live movement ought to report some concrete work and present proofs of progress. The ability to criticize these who are doing something, and to show up any supposed mistakes, is at best simply the proof of a perverted life and a misapplied energy. There are some professedly reform movements which seem to have hardly sufficient strength to stop, even when their failure is manifest. Their only hope appears to be in attaching themselves to the weak places in other movements, and in thus maintaining the appearance of an existence. Sooner or later the individual and the movement that are unable to exhibit any genuine signs of life will fade away into oblivion. This is natural and inevitable.

The Message of Another Missionary Grave

By William Ambrose Spicer

It is sad news that comes to us from over the sea this week. One of our little band of Honan pioneer workers, Dr. Maude Thompson Miller, has laid down her life for China’s millions. Dr. Harry Miller’s letter bearing the sad tidings shows how a heart crushed with personal sorrow may still be strong in God. The burden of his soul is that none shall count the price of life itself too precious to pay for the evangelization of China and the hastening of the coming of Christ. And it was our sister’s prayer that if she could not live for the work she loved, God would somehow use even her death to roll the burden for China upon hearts in the home land.
In a special way the workers pressing the battle in the outmost bounds belong to all the family of believers in the home lands. Their joys, their sorrows, their work, and their triumphs belong to us all who stand by them with our prayers and our means. Our hearts are wrung with grief at this news from far Honan, but we know that with one voice the family of believers will send the message back to China that by the grace of God this new grave shall but mark the way still deeper into Inland China, and strengthen our hearts and quicken our steps in the finishing of the work.
Our sister was a noble, womanly soul, devoted to God, loyal to this cause, well equipped by training for service, and physically strong. Her heart had been drawn out for the children of China, especially since the loss of two little twin babes of her own. Brother Miller writes:—
One of the things that touched my heart most during the experiences of the last two weeks was the sorrow of some of the children. When one little girl was told that Mrs. Miller could not recover, the little one was overwhelmed with grief. She would not eat, and begged her mother to kneel down and pray with her for God to heal “Cin-ion,” as she called her. The child’s mother broke down and wept when she heard the sad news. These are some of the monuments Maude has left behind, which count more than anything artificial that I could erect. After my wife’s death this little girl came to comfort me. She sat by my side, her eyes full of tears, unable to speak. Finally I asked her if she knew that Mrs. Miller was asleep. “Yes,” she said, “it is exceedingly bad. At my home I cried for Mrs. Miller.” May God bless the seed sown in thehearts of the children of Shang-tsai Hsien by Mrs. Miller, that they may bring forth a glorious harvest, is my prayer.
Sister Miller died March 14. Of her last days and her last messages concerning the work our brother writes:—
During the last six weeks of her illness she thought much about the new earth and the New Jerusalem, and was strongly impressed that Christ’s coming was very near. She would often quote passages from the book of Revelation, which book she could repeat from beginning to end.
Among her last words she left this message for her young friends in America: She hoped none of them would become fearful at her experience, but would be inspired to take up the work in these difficult fields, and stand by it until the work is finished, and the harvest reaped.
To the Mission Board she said: “I gladly give my life for the work in China. It would have been a pleasure for me to labor until the work was finished, but if my work is ended for this people whom I love, I hope others will take up the burden.”
Her desire concerning myself was: She wanted me to remain at my post of duty until Christ should come to gather the faithful.
It was no struggle for her to face death, and it was in a most peaceful and quiet way that she died, being conscious until within two hours of her death. How much I miss her only my Saviour knows; but God is good, and he is my strength. Her last words were: “I will meet you in the New Jerusalem.” So the hope of the resurrection has become very dear to me.
It was a life truly and nobly lived, and now there comes her call from the very verge of eternity—a sweet, clear, ringing appeal to us to throw our lives and our all into the work of carrying this message to the waiting millions.
Dr. Miller, from the depth of his sorrow, can read God’s providence only in the light of the fact that there is danger of a lagging progress toward the fields, and the Lord must needs allow some precious lives to be taken in order to call attention to the work that must be done even though it cost the life. He says:—
God could have healed her, even as we saw Sister Pilquist raised up by prayer a year ago. She fully believed he would restore her. But he had some wise purpose in allowing the sacrifice, which I can not help but believe will somehow be China’s gain, great though the present loss is. A few things we must recognize. She died of an ailment peculiar to this climate, as was the case with Brother Watson in Africa. Coming just before the beginning of the General Conference in Washington, it must surely direct the attention of this representative body to these needy fields in the far East. God does not cause a life to be sacrificed if anything else will avail. The strongest appeals were not sufficient: a consecrated life must be laid down to arouse us who are in the field as well as our brethren in America to push the battle to the front in these neglected fields. There is no reason why she should not have recovered, for she had good nursing, every equipment necessary to treat her, nourishing food, and a comfortable room. But she willingly laid down her work when convinced it was the Father’s will.
Is it true that we need these experiences to arouse us to such efforts for the regions beyond as we have never made before? May God forgive us, if so. And may this life laid on the altar of sacrifice be not laid down in vain.
Just one further extract from Dr. Miller’s letter we must share with our readers:—
Mrs. Miller’s request was that she should be laid away in the Chinese clothes that she had worn, and that very little money should be spent in her burial. She wanted the money spent for the living, for it is very precious over here to help the poor children that she loved. I purchased a little plat of ground outside the city wall for the grave. We had to carry the coffin to the place of burial in the late hours of the night, as there would otherwise have been so many people following us that we could not have done it. So a mound of earth will mark the resting-place of one of the first messengers of this truth to Central China. There is nothing of faltering or weakness in this story of service. Let seventy-five thousand believers say what shall be the response to such appeals as come to us in these times to press the battle to the finish. The only basis of comradeship in such a work is in the life surrendered, with all that we can command of strength and means and powers devoted to the finishing of the work. Does it pay? Read the answer in the messages our sister sent us as she stood face to face with eternity. There is nothing worth while save the cause of our coming King. And that is worth everything. W. A. S.

Living Up to Present Light

“It is no use to go on studying the Scriptures for more light or expect the Holy Spirit to illuminate his page if you are not living up to the light which you already possess. The student of the Scriptures must seek to know more in order that he may do better.”

Revivals and the “New Evangelism”

By L. A. S.

“THERE is a growing conviction among thoughtful people in America that the typical religious revival has had its day.” So says Mr. Frederick Morgan Davenport in an article contributed to The Outlook, on “the Religious Revival and the New Evangelism.” Mr. Davenport thinks it is just as well that the “typical religious revival” should have passed out of date, and presents an argument to show the superiority of the “new evangelism” as a method of leading the soul to God, the “guiding principle” of which “is the psychological insight of the Head Master of Christianity, that the child is born from above when he is first born into the world, if we have eyes to see it, and skill to lead the way in the divine unfolding.”
This is a denial of the necessity of the “new birth;” there is no need of a “new birth” for that which is already “born from above.” The stress which the Saviour, in his conversation with Nicodemus, laid on the new birth as a prerequisite to seeing the kingdom of God, shows how fundamentally opposed is the new evangelism to the old gospel which was the basis of the revivals of former days.
Speaking further of the “new evangelism,” which is to take the place of the old-time revival, Mr. Davenport says that “the appeal to fear, that central prop of the old revivalism, will be employed no more,” and in place of the doctrine upon which the appeal to fear was based, will be the teaching “that punishment does not await the verdict of an eternal assize, but that every hour of his life a man is at the judgment-seat, and every day he lays up penalty in character.”
Other doctrines which have become popular in the churches have contributed to make the old-time revival impossible of repetition to-day, especially the doctrines of evolution and antinomianism. If there was no fall of a “first Adam,” there can be no necessity of a restoration by a “second Adam;” nor can one picture in his mind an old-time revival based on the doctrine that the law of God has been abolished. The sense of guilt from the condemnation of the law—condemnation to death without any human possibility of escape—prepared the penitent sinner in the old-time experience to appreciate the redemption purchased for him by the sacrifice on thecross, and to rejoice in so great deliverance, and give thanks and praise to the Source of these inestimable blessings.
These were the essential features of the old-time revival, and they were absolutely dependent on the old-time doctrines of the fall, of condemnation of sin by a holy and immutable law, expressed in the decalogue, and of deliverance through the sacrifice and merits of an all-sufficient Saviour, which were emphasized by the old-time evangelists.
Without these old-time doctrines there can be no basis for a genuine revival, and therefore there is no occasion for wonder that since the churches began to give ear to teachings by which these doctrines were set aside, their history has been unmarked by any general movement for the conversion of souls. The last great revival wave swept over the churches more than half a century ago. Another great religious awakening of the kind has been talked about, expected, and awaited, but it has not come; and it will not come, because it can not.
It is true that in places there are genuine revivals even now, but only where the old-time doctrines still find a place in the religious belief of the people. A great revival movement in Wales, which appears to bear the fruit of genuine conversions, has for some months been drawing the attention of the religious world. It is reported to be wholly based on the presentation of the love of God, little or no attention being given in it to the doctrine of hell and future punishment. The love of God, however, is realized only through an appreciation of the fact it is bestowed on guilty, lost sinners, who without it would be doomed to death as violators of his holy law. It brings hope, light, and peace to those whose condition without it would be one of hopelessness and dark despair. Thus the presentation of the law and of divine justice and wrath is necessary to the proper presentation and comprehension of the love of God which is given to the world in Christ. A revival movement which is based on any other presentation of God’s love than this does not rest on a solid foundation, and will bear no permanent fruit.
A true revival is not an appeal to, and a play upon, the emotions. While the emotions are deeply stirred, the real work is that of a conviction of soul which is based upon a recognition of facts, some present and some historical. It is an intelligent belief which moves the Christian to surrender himself to God, and the emotional part of his experience is dependent upon, and is of no value apart from, this conviction of the mind.
The one message in the world to-day which does embody all the doctrines from which the old-time revivals derived their force, is the third angel’s message. This movement alone is squarely opposed to all that atheistic and spiritualistic teaching which would sweep away the foundation of the old gospel of Paul, of Luther, and of Wesley. This message is in itself a great revival movement, and in this message, and only thus, is the great world-wide revival movement which has so long been due, to be realized.
But while belief in the old-time doctrines has been largely lost, there remains the emotionalism of human nature, and its susceptibility to various influences not from above, to serve as a basis for a deceptive revivalism which will not bear the fruit of genuine conversion. That revivals of this sort will come there can be no doubt. They will not be omitted from Satan’s list of last-day deceptions. They may follow and claim to be a part of a real spiritual quickening, and only that knowledge which is derived from faith in the Word of God enables one to discern between the true and the false,—between the work of the Spirit of God and the work of lying spirits which are abroad in the world. “To the law and to the testimony,” is the test by which the Christian is to judge them. “If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” More and more will the truth of God be the Christian’s shield and buckler against the deceptions which are the special weapons of the adversary in these latter days.
L. A. S.

A Spontaneous Movement

By Arthur G. Daniells

It would seem ungrateful on the part of those bearing responsibilities in the work at Washington should we fail to make reference to the remarkable movement just now going on to raise funds for erecting the buildings at our headquarters, and for the great, unworked mission fields. This move is wonderfully encouraging to us. It is wholly spontaneous so far as any plan, or even thought, on our part is concerned. Those who inaugurated it called it a “Surprise Party Movement.” It is truly such to us.
Of course a movement of this character could not be carried on successfully without becoming well known to us all. The workers at Washington will not, therefore, be taken altogether by surprise by the delegates when they present their gifts at the conference; but their spontaneous, hearty, enthusiastic movement is a new and surprising manifestation of the profound confidence they have that God has led in the establishment of the headquarters of his cause at this place.
The experience of coming to Washington has been a series of surprises all the way along. The first suggestion by Sister White to investigate the advantages of Washington was a surprise. The conviction that stole over us, while investigating the city and District, that this was the place, was a greater surprise. The clear, positive assurance from the spirit of prophecy that we should come here, while not a surprise at the moment it came, has been a remarkable and surprising revelation of divine leading. The gladness that filled the hearts of our people the world over, as soon as they heard of the decision to come here, was a great surprise. The world-wide response for means to build has been a constant surprise, as the letters containing gifts have come month after month from nearly all the countries of the world. And now this spontaneous, sympathetic movement that started on the Pacific coast, and has swept to the Atlantic, to send by the delegates gifts for the work at headquarters, and for needy mission fields, is a delightful, heart-cheering surprise.
Letters of encouragement and assurance are coming from brethren in leading positions in all parts of the field.
Elder Moon, president of the Lake Union Conference, says:—
With reference to the work undertaken by Sister White and Elder W. C. White and others, for the advancement of the work in Washington, I do not know what we shall be able to accomplish in the Lake Union Conference. The time is so very short after receiving the letters from them, that I fear we shall not be able to accomplish much before the time of the conference; but then it will be good at any time, and we shall do what we can to help you.
Elder Stone, president of the Indiana Conference, writes:—
I will write you a few lines this morning to let you know what we are doing to assist in the work in Washington. The next issue of our conference paper will be almost wholly devoted to the matter of raising funds to complete the One Hundred Thousand Dollar Fund. In addition to this, we are to make a special effort Sabbath, May 6, in all our churches in the conference. We shall write to all our church elders, and try to have them give the Washington work special consideration, and ask for just as large donations as our people can possibly make.
Elder H. W. Decker, one of our oldest pioneers, writes a warm-hearted letter from Portland, Ore. He says:—
I am in full sympathy with the Washington work, and have full confidence in the management. Recently I have been collecting money for the One Hundred Thousand Dollar Fund, and although the people have donated quite liberally heretofore, yet I find a ready response to the last urgent call. I have already collected several hundred dollars, which will be sent by our delegate.
In behalf of our good brethren who have inaugurated the movement, and the cause which it is designed to help, I desire to suggest to the ministers and church officers who do not come to the General Conference, to keep this goodwork going while your conference president and some of your ministers are at the conference. It will not be necessary for the work of soliciting and making gifts to cease simply because a few of the brethren come to the conference. While this important meeting is in session, let the people of God bestir themselves. Let the ministers who remain on the field of battle show what God can do through them to forward this work. Let the church elders show that God can use them to raise thousands of dollars for this cause.
We should never forget the source from which this whole arrangement for establishing our work at Washington has come. It is not a pet scheme of any man or any committee. The General Conference officers are not responsible for it; but we believe in it with all our hearts. We gladly take our share of responsibility in carrying out the instruction that has come to us through the spirit of prophecy. We rejoice that thousands are with us in this stand. Let the good work go on.
A. G. DANIELLS.

The Semiannual Offering for Foreign Missions

By I. H. Evans

Not only has the annual offering for foreign missions become a strong factor in supplying funds for the support of our foreign mission work, but also the semiannual offering has not infrequently supplied some needy field with funds, without which it must have suffered great financial embarrassment.
Twice was Christiania succored, once Australia, while both the General Conference Association and the Mission Board have received funds from this donation which has brought relief to their exhausted treasuries.
The annual offering comes at the close of the year, when the treasury is nearly empty, and all the fields generally short of their appropriations. Besides this, the audits have to be reckoned with, which means several thousand dollars more to be paid out of the annual offering. When the audits have all been met, we find that the treasury is again low, and often the Mission Board is short of funds before midsummer arrives.
The midsummer offering is greatly needed by the Mission Board for the maintenance of our workers abroad. In the past this offering has reached as high as twelve thousand dollars. This means much when the pay-roll of the Mission Board reaches nearly two hundred thousand dollars per annum.
The General Conference Committee has appointed Sabbath, July 1, as the day on which to take this offering. Up to April 10, there has been received on annual offerings for 1904, the sum of $35,570.92. This is considerably short of what was received on the offering in 1903, but we hope to receive several thousand dollars more on the 1904 offering. Be this as it may, the Mission Board will be in desperate need of additional resources before the season closes.
Could we make the donation on July 1 reach twenty thousand dollars, it would be none too much to carry even our present corps of laborers; but our present corps of laborers should be largely increased. Many fields must have additional laborers sent to them, or else the work can not be carried forward with strength and vigor. It is not alone the opening of new places, but also the sending of additional forces to those already entered that will make our work progress rapidly, and build up solidly. Some of our workers have failing health, and will have to be recalled. Others must be sent to the field at once to take their places. New missions must be opened in various parts of Asia and Africa, and thus the call to the Mission Board for men and means for these various fields comes with ever-increasing intensity. Last year we came short of having sufficient funds with which to carry forward our evangelical work. We ought to have sufficient funds in the treasury to carry the evangelical work through the year, without embarrassment or shortage in any way.
The fourth of July is a noisy, boisterous day for many people in the United States. This day stands first among our national holidays. Millions of dollars are spent on this day by the American people in wanton pleasure, in a way that does not bring any lasting benefit or blessing to any one. To such, it is a day of pleasure and revelry; but God's people do not care for the sensual pleasures which this day is supposed to supply. Rejoicing in our national independence, and respecting our country and its laws as but few people do, still we feel that our nation is neither helped nor honored by this wanton pleasure, nor by the spending of considerable sums of money for selfish gratification.
It is, therefore, with pleasure and satisfaction that God's people can take the money which other people spend in the ways of the world, and consecrate it to the cause of God.
When we consider that demands for help are increasing year by year; that fields a few years ago absolutely sealed, so far as preaching our message was concerned, are presenting opportunities for work; that open doors are upon every hand; that calls are coming from every field, and nation, and tongue, saying, “Send us help,” I say, when we consider all these, and remember that this message must go to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, it demands of us a serious, intense, and earnest effort.
Surely God expects and demands that we shall answer these Macedonian cries. The means with which to answer these calls must be near at hand. If the Spirit of God has prepared the hearts of eunuchs to receive his truth, he must have his Philips ready to teach them the way of life.
These open doors are God's voice to his people. Could he speak in plainer tones for us to arise, and finish the work committed to our charge, than in these multitudinous calls, appealing for the light of the gospel?
Let us remember that July 1 will soon be here. Each one should plan to have ready upon this day a suitable offering consecrated to the carrying forward of the mission work in foreign fields. The Mission Board will see that envelopes are supplied for each church upon this occasion.
Let us all look forward to this day with confidence and hope that God will give us generous hearts, and make it possible for us to contribute a liberal offering for the support of his work.
I. H. EVANS.
Continue reading: A Request in Behalf of the Coming Conference