WHAT WILL BECOME OF CHINA, AS TAUGHT BY THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE?
By Stephen N. Haskell
The gospel of Christ is not an abstract idea of faith and love independent of other truths, but is a system of truths revealing Christ as the central thought of all truth. There are no truths concerning the welfare of man, whose principles are not taught in the three angels' messages of Rev. 14: 6-12. These messages recognize the welfare of all who dwell upon the earth, even “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” God beholds in the three angels' messages the interests of every person upon the face of the earth.
God is the author of nations. Their origin was at the time of the dispersion, when God said, “Let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth.” Gen. 11: 7-9. God broke up Nimrod's plan of having one universal head over the nations of the earth; for this plan would result in hindering the advance of the gospel.
In this formation of nations God had a wise purpose. He “made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being.” Acts 17: 25-28.
The heavenly watcher guards the interests of every nation. Dan. 4: 13-17, 23-27, 34-37. “He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again. He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way. . . . He maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.” Job 12: 23-25.
God divided the earth among nations that the gospel might be more readily taught by his people. “He set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel” (Deut. 32: 7-9), to give them the light and knowledge of God. When nations fully reject the gospel of Jesus Christ, and by excluding the gospel from their territory, cease to be of any service in advancing the interests of Christ's kingdom, they become like Pharaoh, of whom it is written: “Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath passed the time appointed.” Jer. 46: 17.
“The third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man,” etc. Rev. 14: 9. Here are two expressions which show that the message is to reach every individual in every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. It is shown by the expression “loud voice” (see Rev. 19: 17); and also “if any man.” But what does the angel say to every man in every nation, kindred, tongue, and people?—“If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.” Rev. 14: 9, 10.
“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Rev. 13: 11-17.
From this scripture we learn several important truths, which should be well considered:—
1. The warning is against yielding submission to two powers only,—the beast and the image-beast.
2. As the message goes to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, these two powers have power to enforce obedience in every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
3. These two powers become the leading spirits that will control men's consciences ALL OVER THE WORLD.
4. They lead all the world “and their armies, . . . to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.” Rev. 19: 11-19.
5. These two powers only are mentioned as going into the lake of fire at the second coming of Christ. The nations of the earth are marshaled under them. “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” Rev. 19: 20; compare with Rev. 13: 12-14.
6. It will also be seen that all the nations of the earth are not only under the control of these two powers,—the beast and the image-beast,—but they themselves are distinct powers, even unto the end, as they go into the lake of fire entirely separate.
7. The dragon, or paganism, becomes a part or parcel of the ten-horned beast, as “the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. . . . And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast.” Rev. 13: 2-4. Also, the dragon power is manifested in the beast that has the two horns like a lamb, when he speaks; for “he spake as a dragon.” Verse 11. Is not here paganism clothed by professed Christianity in the papacy; while the two-horned beast “had two horns like a lamb,” yet “he spake as a dragon”? He professes the freedom of Christianity, even while he is issuing his draconic laws.
8. The bond of union between paganism, papacy, and Protestantism is the mark of the beast—Sunday—mentioned in the Third Angel's Message.
Who are these wonderful powers that lead in the final conflict between truth and error, that dare to trample underfoot the rights of conscience, and thus make war with him who said, “He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye”? Zech. 2: 8. This battle is not only foretold, but the results are plainly recorded. These powers are the ten-horned beast and the two-horned beast of Revelation 13.
What will then become of China, when these two powers dictate to the consciences of all mankind? Will it not, like every other nation, come under some one or all of the European Powers, which represent the ten-horned beast in its two phases of character, pagan and papal? S. N. H.
THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST IN JAPAN.
By B. O. Wade
Paul wrote that in the last days men would be “traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” That the existing conditions in the ecclesiastical, social, and political circles of Japan meet this description should be apparent to the most casual observer. It is only necessary to cull a few facts from the abundance of evidence on hand to show that the policy that turned the United States from her original declarations is being pursued in Japan. For thus it is written: She shall say “to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast.” In this homage to the papacy the United States will not be alone.
Concerning “many of the leading events of modern Japanese history,” a prominent leader declares, “It would not be boasting to say that the missionary has been no insignificant factor.” “It was a missionary that God raised up to interpret for Commodore Perry;” and from such arguments prayer-meetings have been held, councils called, and committees appointed to wait on the government, and to say that “in separating religion from all schools receiving privileges from the state, the government was striking a blow on the mouth of those who knew Japan better, and had been here longer, than many of those in high positions or offices; and who, more than any other, secured the Treaty Revision.” The result was that the government adhered to the principle that it was under no obligation to favor graduates of mission schools who desired to compete with those of the state institutions. Here the matter was dropped, the mission schools feeling greatly insulted, and the government being not a little plagued by the world’s criticism.
This skirmish was scarcely over when the entire nation was stirred by the “Law of Religions,” originally intended to secure favor for Buddhism, but ultimately requiring Buddhist capital to defeat it, and prevent Christianity from securing “the benefits of the odds in its handicap race with Buddhism.” The bill was defeated February 18, 1900, by one hundred and twenty-one votes against one hundred. “The prevailing idea of those who voted against the bill, appears to have been that, in view of the importance of the matter contained therein, it would be advisable to keep the question open for twelve months more.” It was generally regretted that the explanation of the bill “was not intrusted to a more competent official, for then some of the wavering members would undoubtedly have been gained over to vote for it.”
The law as a whole was supported by the press. The prevailing idea in the bill was the adjustment of all disputes in ecclesiastical circles by a “Religious Council” appointed by the government. It is believed “that a similar measure in a simpler form will be introduced at the next session of the Diet,” by which time the present investigation may have healed the wounds of the hurt ones, and the money question have been buried.
The end to be gained by all this, as brought out by an editorial and “An Inconsistency” in some of the magazines and dailies, as well as by the teaching of the ages, is the “Sabbath and Society.” One important consideration in this agitation is the absence of the “civil” plea, it being advocated that the government should act as a parental and leading factor in the readjustment and development of a moral standard.
A movement, regarded as the “greatest desideratum of the moment, for the purpose of national evangelization on a large scale,” is also on foot, and requires only twenty thousand dollars to start it on the run. The Catholic press, in summing up the educational, church, and state problems, maintains “that in Europe and America the attempt to divest education of all religious elements has failed,” and the only method for an adjustment of differences is “to bow to the church that distinguishes between truth and error.” In a book of two hundred and ten pages it discusses the state question, affirming that “genuine morality is the sole basis of national prosperity,” and “that nothing can take the place of a religion whose truth has been conclusively proved as a foundation for everything to rest on.”
To meet and expose this whole system, God, in his love, has prepared a message, and intrusted it to men for proclamation. What is that message? You tell. Who are the people? You tell. Socrates said: “That man is idle who can undertake anything better than he is now doing.” Are you idle? B. O. WADE.
Tokyo, Japan.
American Rule in Manila Compared With Spanish
In the Independent, Mr. Poultney Bigelow, writing of the difference between Spanish and American rule in Manila, and giving the word of a gentleman who “stands at the top of the mercantile community in the far East,” says: “I asked him if he thought the American officials were worse than the Spanish ones. He said: ‘Yes; the Spaniards were content with smaller bribes. . . . The present state of things eclipses anything we have suffered from the Spaniards, whom we were accustomed to look upon as first-class obstructionists.’”
And, says Mr. Bigelow: “During my short stay in Manila, there were already signs that the professional politician was about to inaugurate his rule there; but merchants treated the matter hopefully, thinking that a better system would prevail so soon as peace was established.”
BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE SUMMER SCHOOL.
By M. Bessie DeGraw
But little has been said in public concerning the work of the summer school conducted in Battle Creek. Nevertheless the work has gone steadily on, and the hand of God is in it. July 20 about one hundred and twenty young persons met in conference in this city. Many of these were teachers who remained only three weeks, and have since been visiting churches in various parts of the district, distributing educational literature, in the interest of the schools.
One young man, working in Michigan, cleared, in one month, over twenty-five dollars, selling “Christ’s Object Lessons” and “Living Fountains.”
Between fifty and sixty students remained through the summer school. A careful examination was given at the opening of the term, and students deficient in the common branches were given an opportunity to strengthen these weak points. The principles of Christian education were studied, “Living Fountains” being the text-book. The Bible as the basis of the common branches received attention, and special stress was laid on the matter of discipline, and proficiency in teaching the common branches, following the Lord’s plan of teaching according to physiological principles and basing all instruction on the eternal truths of his word.
A class of noble young persons will enter the church schools this fall. They go forth with a spirit of sacrifice, and a love for God and the lambs of the flock. May they receive a hearty welcome in the churches, and may God’s blessing attend their work. A list of the churches having schools and the teachers filling these positions will appear in the October issue of the Training School Advocate.
An advance step, which speaks well for the interest in Christian education, has been taken by several States in this district. At the Green Bay camp-meeting Miss Lottie Farrell, of Littlewolf, Wis., was elected superintendent of the church schools of Wisconsin. The location of teachers in that State is now in the hands of Sister Farrell, and churches that desire to open schools should correspond with her.
At the Kankakee camp-meeting a board of education was elected to look after the Illinois educational interests. This includes the church-school work and such industrial schools as may be started in the State. In the absence of another competent person to act as superintendent, Elder N. W. Kauble, president of the Conference, will have oversight of the schools for the present. All correspondence concerning school matters for the State of Illinois should be addressed to Elder N. W. Kauble, Sheridan, Ill.
The people of Michigan have put the educational work in the hands of a board of five, to be composed of at least two members of the Conference Committee, one member of the college faculty, and the other two to be chosen from the membership at large. S. M. Butler, 627 S. Ingalls St., Ann Arbor, Mich., is acting superintendent. Brother Butler’s work with the Sabbath-schools makes him acquainted with the needs of the State churches. Correspondence concerning school matters for Michigan will hereafter be addressed to him.
Cedar Lake Academy will reopen this fall.
All these things are encouraging, and show that Christian education is now recognized as a part of the Third Angel’s Message.
M. BESSIE DEGRAW.
ITALY
By J. D. Geymet
TORRE PELLICE.—For several years I have been alone in the Piedmont Valleys, trying to sell, here and there, our literature. Occasionally we have had a short visit from Brother Holser, and lately one from Brother Conradi.
It is almost impossible for one who has not visited this country, to realize the difficulties that a canvasser must here overcome. In some places the people are very poor. For a hard day's work they receive only twenty-five cents, while sugar costs sixteen cents a pound, kerosene eighteen cents a liter—about a quart. On account of this extreme poverty, they do not readily spend even one cent for reading-matter.
Another difficulty is that about one fifth of the people can not read, and not half can understand what they do read, neither in French nor in Italian, as the dialect is not the same in hardly any two villages. The latter are very small, and far apart, and one has to travel over poor roads to go from one place to another. Sometimes I have to walk through very narrow passes, and uphill for three or four hours, before reaching one of the villages, at an altitude of fifteen hundred meters, about five thousand feet.
I write to the REVIEW because I have good news. I believe that the work of the message is assuming a new phase. The Central European Conference sent Elder Curdy here, and a general desire to hear present truth was created by our first public effort.
I think that the Lord led us in the selection of the location for this series of meetings, which was held in a village in the Val de St. Martin, named Pomaret, the best place we could secure. At the beginning, there was some prejudice against us; but after the first two meetings, the house was too small to contain all who came. As the effort was made in March and April, many persons from the villages in the upper parts of the mountains, were in the place, tilling their vineyards in the Pomaret. On returning to their homes, they spoke so highly of our sermons that the officers became interested in the work, and sent us word to come to their place, to preach the same things, giving us the use of the best places they had at their command.
As the people of the Pomaret were working in their fields early and late, and many who love the truth were too tired to attend the lectures, some having to walk several miles to come to our hall, we deemed it best not to present the Sabbath question before autumn, although many know that we are Seventh-day Adventists. However, we decided to partially answer the calls from the mountains. Consequently, we left Pomaret the last Sunday in April, and after a four-hours' walk, arrived in Macel, or Massel, an interesting place in the Waldensian history. It is in one of the hamlets of this place, called Balsilia, that seven hundred of those people resisted successfully, for a time, twenty-five thousand soldiers who thirsted for their blood. We visited the spot where they escaped during the night, when they could no longer resist their enemies. For eight miles the road leading to Massel is narrow, and out of repair. The cars can not go there. All burdens are carried on the shoulders. A river, called Germanasca, rolls its foaming billows at the bottom of the abyss along which the road is made. The sight of those high and rocky mountains is grand; and to one who knows the history of the Waldenses, almost every one of those large stones speaks of the faithfulness, sufferings, and earnest prayers of those by whose blood12the stones were stained, as well as of the cruelty of the Moloch whose modern name is “religious legislation.”
We advertised our meeting by going to the public service in the morning. In the evening the school-room was filled to its utmost capacity for our meeting, and the following day we moved into a larger place, to accommodate our hearers. We were then invited to another hamlet, and offered a large room for meetings, and one for ourselves,—a generous hospitality; for the people are very poor. Every person in the place was present, except the pastor and a sick man, and we had a blessed time. For one hour and a half they listened attentively to the word. When the sermon was over, anxious ones asked us questions for more than an hour. There was such an enthusiasm in the audience that some proposed to build a chapel for our use, one volunteering to give the necessary timber.
We left the place thankful to God for the blessing we had enjoyed, but not without promising those good people that we would call again as soon as possible. On our way, we were asked to stop at other places; but as I had taken a bad cold, and felt ill, I was anxious to return home quickly, to have the benefit of the most common conveniences of life. In these villages, if one is cold, there is but one place to go—the stable. It is there that people spend the winter season. Many even sleep there, with cows, goats, sheep, etc. But do not think that the stable is clean. The manure is kept there during the whole winter, and taken out only in the spring.
After a six-hours' trip, through the snow for some distance, we reached Praly, a place fifteen hundred meters above the sea. Although tired, we had a good meeting the evening of our arrival, and another on the following day. We were earnestly requested to go to several other places; but as we already have doors open before us for more than three years, with our present forces (we are only two workers for Italy, and one is here for only two months), we do not deem it wise to go farther.
If we had money, it would be very desirable that some of the intelligent young men who accept the truth here, go with our ministers as assistants. They would thus have the opportunity to develop eventually into workers. In this way, one might always go into new fields, with the young men, the others staying to mature the interest.
J. D. GEYMET.
THE MISSIONARY READING CIRCLE.
By L. Flora Plummer
Those who are in charge of the Reading Circle work have recently met in council, and formulated plans for the future. Some changes have been made, which will be to the advantage of all. Last year many of our people felt that they had not time to give thorough study to two Circle lessons each week, and consequently one or the other was neglected. The present arrangement permits both series of lessons—those on the message and those on the field—to be carried as easily as only one was followed last year. The plan is as follows:—
But one lesson will be published each week. Each month there will be three lessons in Bible study and one on the field. As the second Sabbath in each month has been for some time devoted to the needs of the field, the week that ends on the second Sabbath of each month will be the one in which the lesson on the field is studied. During the other weeks the Bible lesson will be studied. The first lesson under this new arrangement will be on the field, will appear in the REVIEW of October 2, and will be studied during the week of October 7-13. The next lesson will be a Bible study, to be learned the following week. The lessons will be published in both the REVIEW and the Missionary Magazine; and the Instructor, as heretofore, will contain notes of interest upon the lessons. The Bible lessons will be upon the book of Revelation, with “Thoughts on Revelation,” of the Berean Library, as the text-book. Accompanying the questions upon the Bible lessons, and forming a part of the lessons, will be a series of articles by Elder S. N. Haskell. These articles will make the studies up to date in every particular, and will add greatly to the interest. The Missionary Magazine is the text-book used for the field studies, and the articles to be studied have been especially prepared for the purpose. The Reading-Circle lessons are designed primarily for home study. If convenient, review meetings may be held to advantage, but these should not meet until after the lesson has been studied in the home.
We can not but believe that the Reading Circle plan is in harmony with the special instruction given of the Lord to his people. Over and over again we have been admonished to study the “distinct message for this time.” The book of Revelation has been named as one that should now receive our most careful study. More importance than is realized, is attached to the study of the field. The following are solemn words: “Unless your hearts are touched as you see the situation in foreign fields, the last message of mercy to be given to the world will be restricted, and the work which God would have done will be left undone.”
How shall we “see” the situation if we will not read nor hear of it when we have the opportunity? And how shall our hearts be touched if we do not see the situation? Who is there of us that would willingly “restrict” the work of God? No one, I am sure. Let us, then, arouse ourselves to the excellent opportunities afforded by these lessons, and study them earnestly, not simply for the knowledge we ourselves shall gain, but as a preparation for active work in the harvest field. There is no time to delay. The studies will begin at once. Every effort should be put forth so that the first lessons may not pass by before we are ready. May the Lord impress upon each one his duty in this matter.
MRS. L. FLORA PLUMMER.
SWITZERLAND
By John Norton Loughborough
The Central European Conference and camp-meeting was held August 3-13, at Lausanne, Switzerland. Our camp was situated on the northeast side of Lake Geneva, several hundred feet above the lake. From this place we had a fair view of its beautiful blue waters, and of the Alps, rising in majesty from the immediate edge of the southwest shore. A fountain, fed by pure spring-water from the mountains, constantly flowed by the side of our camp.
Fifty camping tents and two meeting tents constituted our cotton city. About two hundred of our people, mostly French, were gathered in the camp. Services in French and German were held each evening in the respective tents, but during the day the congregations were amalgamated; and when English was spoken, two interpreters translated at the same time, one to the French, and the other, in a lower tone, to the Germans.
The business of the Conference was transacted harmoniously. The reports were as follows: Number of churches in the Conference, 23; members, 708; churches added during the year, 2; new members added, 33. Tithe paid during the year, $5 349.10. Sabbath-school contributions, $561.22. Of this there was given to mission work $504.85. Number of canvassers, 12. Their book sales amounted to $4,776.70. Loss at the publishing house, $102.
The report of the Institute Sanitaire at Basel, showed a small financial loss. This was owing to the fact that the institution, the last year, has carried the expense of a nurses' class of fourteen. Of these, six graduated from the two-years' course, July 26. They were of five nationalities,—German, French, Hollandish, Swiss, and Armenian. The patronage of the institution was better than that of the previous year. About one in ten of all the patients since the institution opened, five years ago, has accepted the truth. Their health paper has a large circulation, and is more than paying its way. The food factory furnished a net profit for the year of over one thousand dollars.
At the Conference, plans were laid for pushing the work of the message more vigorously, especially in France. The attending laborers from without the Conference were Brother O. A. Olsen, president of the European Union Conference; Brother Andross, of England; and the writer. The preaching services were well attended by the citizens of Lausanne, several of whom acknowledge the truth. One of them was of the seven who were baptized the last Sabbath of the meeting. May the message make still greater progress in the Central European Conference.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
THE ARKANSAS CAMP-MEETING.
By S. H. Lane
The Arkansas camp-meeting was held at Booneville, in the central part of the State, August 9-20; and though one of the best ever held in this State, was not largely attended, there being less than one hundred camped on the grounds. This is excusable, however, as nearly all our people live in the northern part of the State. The citizens who attended were deeply interested in that which was presented, and the message was proclaimed with no uncertain sound. The perfect harmony prevailing among the members of this Conference, is delightful. Fault-finding, criticism, and discord are things of the past, and all now seem to be earnest and united in their endeavor to forward God's work.
The membership has been increased by several score, and four new churches were added to the Conference. The tithe has been increased about four hundred dollars, and the tract society has been enabled to pay all its bills, and reduce its debt. Fourteen persons were baptized before the meeting closed. Elder A. E. Field was re-elected president of the Conference. The meetings were characterized by several efforts, in which a goodly number made a start, for the first time, in the service of the Master. Quite a corps of canvassers entered the field to sell our literature, and a colporteur wagon is soon to be started.
Elders R. M. Kilgore, superintendent of the district, H. Shultz, and J. E. Jayne, and the writer were present. A deep interest was manifested in our foreign missions, and the district canvassing agent gave some valuable instruction in regard to the home work. All returned to their homes, with renewed zeal and courage, which will certainly result in an advance movement in the work throughout the State. The social seasons were especially good, and the entire meeting was a rich feast of spiritual things.
S. H. LANE.
THE NEW YORK CAMP-MEETING.
By M. C. Wilcox
This meeting was held from August 30 to September 10, on the Wayne County fair ground, at Lyons, a beautiful little town in western central New York. Though devoid of shade, the site was excellent for the time of year, and the little dust at the beginning of the meeting was laid by timely showers. About seventy-five tents were pitched, and nearly five hundred persons were in attendance, a goodly representation coming from all parts of the State except the northern and eastern. The following churches were admitted to the Conference: Vienna, 25 members; Norwich, 17 members; Sidney, 11 members; Gorham, 17 members. The name of the Lancaster church was changed to Alden.
The Conference is in a good financial condition. The tithe for the last year amounted to $11,608, being three thousand dollars more than that of the previous year. First-day offerings had an increase of eight hundred dollars, and the annual offerings, four hundred dollars. Five hundred dollars (tithe) was voted for the support of a laborer in foreign fields, and eleven dollars a week, during the school year, for a teacher in South Lancaster Academy.
Resolutions on the following topics, all of which were considered in Conference meetings, were passed: The support of the Missionary Magazine; earnest and aggressive work with the Signs of the Times, Sentinel of Liberty, and our pamphlets and tracts; the Berean Reading Circles; ten-cent-a-week plan for the support of foreign missions; the general plan for lifting the debt on our educational institutions; the necessity of greater interest in the canvassing work; the duty of ministers, church elders, and librarians to seek out and develop talent lying dormant in our churches; and the organization of young people's societies wherever practicable.
These resolutions were freely, fully, and enthusiastically discussed, especially those referring to aggressive missionary work. The remarks of the general laborers were not only interesting and instructive, but were cheering testimonies of actual experience in the field. One brother had just driven from Virginia. Before starting, he purchased a number of copies of the Quarter-Centennial issue of the Signs of the Times, at a cent a copy, and had only eighty-five cents left after paying for them. By the sale of these papers he paid his expenses on the way, and had ten dollars in his pocket when he reached Lyons. Several other testimonies just as interesting were given.
The following general laborers were present: H. W. Cottrell, superintendent of the district; Professors P. T. Magan and Frederick Griggs, representatives of the educational work; I. H. Evans, in the interest of foreign missions; Allen Moon, of the Religious Liberty work; S. N. Curtis, manager of the New York branch of the Pacific Press, in the interest of the publishing and the canvassing work; and the writer. A free discussion upon these various lines of work brought out valuable instruction and many helpful suggestions, which were all well received. The preaching was practical, the evenings being devoted to the special truths of the message, in which subject the townspeople were interested. Many discouraged souls were revived, those who knew not the Saviour found him, and there were about twenty-seven baptized in the river near by.
The Conference officers for the coming year are: President, Geo. B. Thompson; Vice-President, A. O. Burrill; Secretary, T. E. Bowen; Treasurer, F. E. Price; other members of the Executive Committee, J. W. Raymond, S. B. Whitney, and Geo. R. Lesch. Tract Society: President, G. B. Thompson. Sabbath-School Association: President, A. O. Burrill; Secretary, Delia Thompson.
The following persons received credentials: G. B. Thompson, F. Peabody, S. B. Whitney, D. A. Ball, H. L. Bristol, J. B. Stow, Geo. R. Lesch, J. W. Raymond, A. O. Burrill, P. Z. Kinne, C. O. Taylor, H. H. Wilcox, F. Wheeler. Ministerial licenses were granted to B. E. Tefft, T. E. Bowen, B. E. Fisk, Earnest Raymond, W. J. Boynton, F. H. Hicks, and Mrs. Lulu Wightman. Missionary licenses to Mary Millington, Rose F. Mead, and Mary E. Simkin.
On the whole, it was an excellent meeting, which the writer greatly enjoyed, not alone for the freedom of spirit manifested, but for the privilege of renewing old and making new acquaintances. At times the Lord specially interposed to hold in check unruly elements, and to heal the sick. More earnest prayer would have brought more power. God permits difficulties to come upon us that we may learn how to seek him through the difficulty, and so develop persevering, living faith.
The old Empire State is a great and fruitful field for the labor to which God calls his people. If they hold Heaven's blessings for themselves alone, they will wither and die. If they yield themselves to God's will, he will baptize them for service. He pours out his Spirit upon his people for no other purpose.
M. C. WILCOX.
LOUISIANA
By M. G. Huffman
SINCE my last report I have labored at Bastrop, Marthaville, and Mansfield. May 10 I began a series of tent-meetings in Bastrop. From the first, the attendance and interest were both good, and as a result of our efforts, much prejudice was removed. A few decided to walk in the light as God is in the light, and others I believe will soon obey. Brother Grant Priddy was with me part of the time, helping in the tent, visiting and holding Bible readings. We put thousands of pages of literature into the hands of the people, and received in contributions $20.13.
The people were sorry to have us leave, and some of Bastrop's leading men gave us a cordial invitation to return, promising that we should have a place in which to hold our meetings. I made many pleasant acquaintances, whom I will not soon forget. The meetings closed June 24.
July 13-22 I attended the camp-meeting at Marthaville. The Lord blessed our efforts, and we had one of the best meetings I ever attended. Elder S. B. Horton and I remained about two weeks after the camp broke up. A goodly number of Sabbath-keepers were living in and around Marthaville, and we organized a church with a membership of twenty-four. Others will soon unite with them. A great621deal of sickness was in the town and vicinity; and we were called upon to conduct five or six funeral services. Among this number was that of our dearly beloved brother, M. N. Ballard, who will long be remembered for his many cheerful testimonies and kindly admonitions during the camp-meeting. He was laid away August 5, to await the coming of the Life-giver. The sympathy of all is extended to Sister Ballard.
Elder Horton and I then came to Mansfield, pitched our tents, and began meetings the evening of August 7, with about one hundred persons present. The attendance has increased, until now we have a large audience each night. We are presenting the Sabbath truth, and some have become so deeply interested that we believe they will obey. We are placing reading-matter in the hands of the people, and are of good courage in the Lord.
M. G. HUFFMAN.
Michigan Tract Society.
By E. I. Beebe
THE business of the year amounts to $18,300.98. The present worth of the society is $9,032.41; number of members, 7,022; reports, 1,106; letters written, 1,119; Bible readings given, 1,147; periodicals distributed, 56,729; pages of books and tracts distributed, 540,238. Contributions received, $3,242.83. Resolutions were adopted urging all to devote one Sabbath in each month to the consideration of the foreign mission work; to take up the studies of the Missionary Reading Circle; to subscribe for the Missionary Magazine; to adopt the plan of systematic giving of at least ten cents a week for the work of the Foreign Mission Board; and recommending that a corps of competent canvassers be placed in the Northern Peninsula the ensuing year. The officers elected for the ensuing year are as follows: President, J. D. Gowell; Vice-President, Eugene Leland; Secretary and Treasurer, E. I. Beebe; Missionary Agent, S. E. Wright.
E. I. BEEBE, Sec.
GREEN BAY (WIS.) CAMP-MEETING.
By W. S. Shreve
A local camp-meeting was held at Green Bay, August 20-26, and although the usual crowd was not present, on account of heavy rains, the Lord came near and blessed his people as they listened to the stirring truths presented by his servants. The preaching was both practical and doctrinal.
Fifty tents were pitched, and occupied by about two hundred and seventy-five persons. Elder L. A. Hoopes was with us during the entire meeting, and Drs. Paulson and Giesel, and Professor Magan were with us part of the time, together with some of the State laborers. As the different phases of the message were presented, there was manifested a willingness on the part of the people to co-operate in carrying it forward. Nearly two hundred and fifty dollars in money and pledges was raised for the tent and camp-meeting fund. Twenty-two persons were buried with Christ in baptism. The outside attendance was good; and our people returned to their homes feeling that the Lord had visited his people.