p. 24 | Review and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 17. (4/25/1912)

The “Titanic” Disaster

ON the night of April 14 occurred what is generally regarded as the most fearful marine disaster in the history of the world. The greatest steamship ever built, on her first trip across the Atlantic from England to New York City, while sailing at twenty-six miles an hour, collided with a gigantic iceberg, which so demolished the lower portion of her hull that in less than four hours the icy waters of the Atlantic had engulfed her and 1,595 of her passengers and crew. Had it not been for the wireless telegraph and the calmness of the sea, the other 739 would doubtless have lost their lives also. The harrowing details of this awful tragedy have cast a gloom over the world. It is impossible even for eye-witnesses to give an adequate portrayal of the terrible occurrence, and no one can do justice to what is entailed in such a catastrophe. There is no word of censure heard as to the personal conduct of the ship’s officers. Brave men were they all, and there was no lack of heroism, either, on the part of passengers. The censure falls upon the owners and directors of the vessel, who are believed to be responsible for its taking the shorter northern route and maintaining high speed when they knew of the danger and had received warnings of the proximity of icebergs. A desire to make a record for the increased business it would bring seems to have been the paramount consideration on the part of the owners of the line. The races of these ocean greyhounds is a race with death, and dollars are given more consideration than human lives. This appalling catastrophe is a striking illustration of the tendencies of the times. The god of gold seems to have dethroned the Deity himself in the hearts of many of earth’s millions. Luxury and speed are the chief considerations in transatlantic traffic, and all at the expense of life, and all for the purpose of winning more trade and piling up more millions. We offer our sincerest sympathy to all who mourn their loved ones who perished in the foundering of the “Titanic.”

News from Burma and Magazine Agents

Word comes from Brother H. H. Votaw, Burma, that another Karen is keeping the Sabbath. It will be of interest to all to know that a definite appointment has been made, and a young man and his wife have been asked by the Mission Board to enter upon work among the Karens. It is hoped they will be able to respond to the call soon, and thus answer this long-standing appeal for help for these very interesting people among whom Judson began his gospel work.

As Elder E. E. Miles, the field agent of the Massachusetts Conference, puts it: “Our agents who handle the ten-cent magazines clear a profit of 150 per cent on their investment each month, or 1,800 per cent a year!” Agents for the Ladies’ Home Journal pay eleven cents a copy for that magazine, which they sell for fifteen cents, and they succeed well.

Amy Boardman Leaves India

MISS AMY BOARDMAN, after four years’ service in India, sailed the first of March for Africa. She has been connected with the treatment-rooms in Calcutta most of the time while in India.

Wheeler Joins Argentina Training School

At the time of the South American Union Conference, in Chile, Elder W. W. Wheeler, of Ecuador, was asked to connect with the training-school at Diamante, Argentina.

Adventists and the Eastern Question

A LONG and well-written article has appeared in one of the Moulmein papers about the belief of the Adventists on the Eastern question. This may be a result of the press bureau work in America.

The Meads Arrive in India

WALTER S. MEAD writes from Lucknow, March 20, telling of the safe arrival of himself and his wife in India. It having been decided for Brother and Sister Mead to enter upon the study of Hindustani, they expected to go on in a few days to Dehra Dun, to join Brother and Sister Burgess in their work for the millions of Hindustani-speaking people in North India.

Missionary Meetings in Argentina

PASTOR C. E. KNIGHT, writing from Buenos Aires, March 11, says: "Brother Spicer will arrive here from Uruguay to-morrow. He passed through Buenos Aires last week and held one meeting. We will start for Diamante day after to-morrow, where we shall hold meetings for two days. The railroad conditions are such that he can not follow out his schedule exactly, and consequently we are not having as many meetings as at first planned."

Medical Missionary Work in Burma

MRS. OLLIE OBERHOLTZER-TORNBLAD, M. D., who has been connected so long with the work in Burma, writes that she expects to be in Washington, D. C., during July and August. She and her husband are opening treatment-rooms in the Shan States, and desire to spend some time in a sanitarium in the United States, studying the best methods. After spending the winter in California they hope to return to the mountains of Upper Burma, to carry on medical missionary work among the Karens.

A Subscription to Protestant Magazine

REV. H. R. L., Pennsylvania: “Enclosed please find twenty-five cents for one year's subscription to the Protestant Magazine. I find this magazine not only logical, but timely and precise.”

Church Subscriptions for Protestant Magazine

ONE letter from the Northern California-Nevada Missionary Society, just received, contains one hundred seventy-five yearly subscriptions for the Protestant Magazine, secured by the librarian of the Lodi church. Are there not other churches that will do likewise?

Sunday Mail Delivery Legislation

DURING the consideration of the Post-office Appropriation Bill (H. R. 21279) in the committee of the whole House on April 16, Representative Mann introduced the following amendment: “Provided, that hereafter post-offices shall not be open on Sunday for the purpose of delivering mail to the public.” It will be remembered that Mr. Mann introduced a measure (H. R. 9433) looking to this end during the last session of Congress, but it was referred to the Committee on Post-offices, where it still remains without action. The bill as amended, if passed by Congress, commits that body to Sunday legislation. We are in hopes that it will not go through in its present shape.

Missionaries Depart for South Africa

C. L. BOWEN, with his wife and two children, sailed last week Thursday on the "Cedric," from New York, for their field in South Africa, after spending two years at the Foreign Mission Seminary in preparation. They have been appointed by the South African Union Conference to locate in Southeastern Rhodesia, assisting Elder M. C. Sturdevant in his new mission at Tsungwesi. The past few months have been spent in Western New York among relatives, this being their former home. Miss Lavinia Leisching also accompanies them, returning to her home in South Africa, after spending some time at South Lancaster Academy. Although not under appointment to mission work now, later she may enter some South African mission field.

District of Columbia, Notice!

By J. L. McElhany; A. J. Bristol

THE first annual meeting of the constituency of the District of Columbia Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists will be held in the Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1210 Twelfth St., N. W., Washington, D. C., Monday, May 13, 1912, at 10 A. M., for the purpose of electing the officers of the association and transacting any other business that may come before the meeting. The annual meeting of the District of Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will be held at the same place and for a similar purpose on May 12 and 13, 1912. Each church in the conference is entitled to one delegate without regard to numbers, and an additional delegate for every ten members.

J. L. McElhany, President; A. J. Bristol, Secretary.

AN AVENUE OF PEPPER-TREES ON LOMA LINDA SANITARIUM GROUNDS