Earlier text: A Terrible AdmissionThe Orange Free State Conference, South Africa
By HERBERT J. EDMED
The second annual meeting of the Orange Free State Conference was held at Kroonstad, April 3-12, under specially favorable auspices. It being the first meeting of the kind since the organization of the conference last year, there was a great deal of interest shown in it. The location chosen was a beautiful one; the river banks, shaded with willow and wild mimosa trees, afforded privacy for seeking God. From the start, a spirit to seek the Lord was manifest. Kroonstad being a pleasure resort, the conference made good use of the canvas bungalows built by the city; and with a good supply of tents, lent by the Cape Colony Conference, and hired rooms, the eighty or more delegates found very acceptable accommodation. The day the meeting opened, when the camp was about ready, a terrific storm arose, threatening destruction to the large pavilion. The stakes were forced out of the ground, and one side of the tent stood only by being held up. In the meantime the fury of the storm resolved itself into a bombardment of hail. The hailstones were very large, some of them being almost as large as ordinary hen’s eggs. There was no damage, however, and we began the first meeting on time. Besides the ministers and workers connected with the conference, there were present Pastors W. B. White and O. K. Butler, Brother G. H. Clark, Brother and Sister Silsbee, and the writer. All the races in the conference were well represented, but no racial questions arose. Perfect harmony characterized the camp. Young people’s meetings and children’s meetings were carried on simultaneously with the other devotional services. Very thorough work was done in seeking the Lord for personal victory over besetments of long and strong standing. The first meetings gave a demonstration of the mighty movings of the Holy Spirit, and the camp seemed daily to build up, until every one was rejoicing in the consciousness of complete surrender to God. The mayor and the town clerk visited the camp, and dined with us, expressing their appreciation of the plans, as well as of the vegetarian repast. The reports showed encouraging progress the past year, the finances being in a healthy condition. Plans were laid for a stronger aggressive campaign the coming year. Pastor O. K. Butler was elected president; Pastor David Groenewald,17secretary and treasurer; Arthur Shone was voted to take the State missionary secretaryship; and Mrs. A. P. Tarr, with Miss C. Cloete as assistant, is to care for the Sabbath school interests. Mrs. O. K. Butler is young people’s and educational secretary. Pastor D. F. Tarr was released for work in the Cape Colony Conference, and Pastor George Shone joined the work in the Free State Conference. Among the specific items reported, we might mention that their tithe receipts for the year amounted to $5,136; weekly offerings, $175; Sabbath school offerings, $220; Thirteenth Sabbath Offerings, $75; besides several liberal offerings toward local enterprises. The sum of $70 was taken up at the two Sabbath school sessions held at the meeting, and over $350 was raised toward the expense of the camp. The writer has never attended a more spiritual and heart-searching meeting than this, and the victorious and united spirit in which the delegates returned to their homes gives us confidence that the coming year is full of hope and happiness for the Orange Free State Conference. Our Father
By N. W. VINCENT
Past all that we have understood,
Our Father is supremely good;
His holiness let all adore,
Our God, our all, forevermore. All-wise is God; to him is known
All worlds, all creatures — each his own.
All things to him must open be:
His blissful home, eternity. Omnipotent is God, alone
Unmoved his high eternal throne;
He can destroy, he can create;
Our Father is supremely great. All finite traits, all thoughts above,
Our Father is immortal love;
So is his Son, the “joy of heaven,”
To whom be equal worship given! Southern Oregon Camp Meeting
By A. M. Dart
THE Southern Oregon camp meeting was held in Roseburg, Oregon, May 14-24, 1914, in a most delightful place for a camp meeting. The camp was pitched on a grassy spot, surrounded by tall, stately trees. Near by runs the Umpqua River, with water so clear that a small pebble can be plainly seen at a depth of several feet. This meeting was characterized by the deep movings of the Spirit of God in as full measure, I think, as any meeting I have ever attended. I am quite certain that the ratio of victorious individuals of all ages, to the total number in attendance, was greater than at any other place I have been. Truly the shout of victory arose from Israel's camp. There was no excitement nor undue enthusiasm, but a deliberate surrender to God and an intelligent grasp of his promises. Instruction was easy to give because gratefully received. There was considerable disappointment because no one was present from the General Conference, but the more praise to God in that no one allowed this to shut out the blessing he had for us. Those present and contributing to the success of the meeting, aside from the local workers, were: Elder C. W. Flaiz, president of the union; Dr. W. B. Holden; W. R. Beatty; Prof. E. C. Kellogg; Miss Della Burroway, a missionary on furlough from India; and the writer. The business of the conference was conducted with marked harmony, and seemed to detract in no way from the spiritual interests of the meeting. Elder F. S. Bunch, who has held the presidency of the conference since it was organized four years ago, retired with the respect and high esteem of the entire conference constituency, to take up work in Walla Walla College. Elder T. G. Bunch was elected president. We are confident that the effects of this good meeting will be felt throughout the entire field, and our prayers and good wishes go with the new president—his first charge of this kind—and with the conference management as a whole. Neighborhood Missionary Work
By GEO. O. STATES.
I HAD an experience the last Sabbath in May which I wish to relate. Six years ago a stranger came into our neighborhood and rented a farm close to my place. I soon visited the family, and found they were without God or hope. From that time until they moved away this spring, I frequently visited them and gave them reading matter. Friday, May 28, while I was irrigating my orchard, I was strongly impressed that I must visit them again. They now live several miles away, and it was after four o’clock before I could start. I reached their home just before the Sabbath, very weary, as I had walked much of the way. The man, with the help of two little boys, was looking after nearly eighty acres of wheat and alfalfa, besides the usual farm work. Those acquainted with an irrigated country will realize something of the amount of work involved. It was 9 P. M. before the chores were done. They at once began asking questions regarding the true seventh day. I found that a minister had made them a three-hour visit two nights before, and had tried to show them that Sunday was the true seventh day, and that sprinkling was just as much baptism as is immersion. They asked me questions, and I read Bible answers; and before I knew it, it was eleven o’clock. I at once retired. Soon after, I became very nervous, and feared I should have but little rest that night. I said: “Lord, thou knowest that I did not intend to transgress the laws of health, but here is this family hungering for the third angel’s message. I am thy servant, and am here giving them thy truth; and now, Lord, give me rest.” I at once went to sleep, and in the morning awoke so refreshed that before I knew it I was singing, “Wonderful peace.” After breakfast I gave them a reading on our definite message, in which they were intensely interested. They had asked their minister to explain the third angel’s message and the mark of the beast. He told them the book of Revelation was a sealed book, and there was no use of worrying over what God had sealed. I told them how sorry I was to have lived so near them for six years and not have had health to even sit down and read the Bible with them and give them God’s message. The woman said, “Elder States, you do not know the good you did us as from time to time you dropped in with reading matter and spoke a few words.” As it was time to start for meeting, I asked to pray with them. As we bowed, the woman said, “Now, children, Elder States is going to talk to the Lord; listen to every word he says.” I surely felt the divine presence, and not only were the children listening, but the Lord was truly there. As I prayed, asking that the Lord would touch their hearts, that Christ would come and reign in that home, and that they might understand his truth, there was weeping, and the father was quietly saying, Amen. The woman told me as I bade them good-by that she had been keeping the Sabbath ever since they moved to the place where they now live; and the man said, “Elder States, I have not sworn for over five months.” They urged me18to visit them as often as my health would permit, and promised to arrange to attend meetings and to send the children to Sabbath school. This experience has certainly been an encouragement to me, and I know God has used me in my affliction for the advancement of his work. It is nearly twenty-nine years since I, with my family, came to Colorado. Sabbath, Nov. 7, 1885, I got several Sabbath keepers together and held the first Seventh-day Adventist meeting in what now comprises the Western Colorado Conference. We now have seventeen churches, with a membership of four hundred and sixty-five. While my labors have taken me over much of Colorado, southern Wyoming, Arizona, and Utah, still what is called Surface Creek Mesa has always been my home. Over twenty years ago an effort was made to erect a church here, but it did not succeed. Our church numbers thirty-four, and we have two lots in a fine location, paid for, and quite a little material and money on hand. Our church building will be of cement, twenty-six by thirty-four feet, with octagon corners. There will be a basement for church school. If this message is going in other places as rapidly as here in my old home, it will soon swell into the loud cry. Courage, brethren and sisters, the city is almost in sight; I can almost see its pearly gates. And then we who have looked for it for so long shall hear the words, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Since the union conference in Baltimore, Elder R. T. Baer and the writer have conducted a two weeks’ meeting at Pondsville, Md., where a new church building stands as a monument for God. This church was in process of construction for some time, but it was only recently completed. It is beautifully situated on the mountain side, a few rods from a good, clear mountain spring, and in the midst of quite a thickly populated district. The “no-debt policy” has characterized the erection of this church. Hence it was given to the Lord free from encumbrance. The dedication took place on Sunday, June 7, 1914, at three o’clock, when Elder R. T. Baer preached the dedicatory sermon to a large and appreciative audience. The Pondsville church has passed through some very hard struggles, which we hope may never be repeated. Only recently it was called upon to lay away to rest one of its charter members, Brother John Swope, who was highly respected by the entire community and is greatly missed. There are many indications that this experience of the past two weeks will mark a new epoch in the history of this church, that old things have passed away, and that the victories gained during the meetings will be only the beginning of a series of victories, until the church is purified and made white, ready to meet the Lord when he returns.
S. T. SHADEL. BROOKLYN.—“Mighty to save.” This expression, found in Isa. 63:1, has of late been to me a word of great encouragement. “The cities of today are fast becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah.” If it were not for Christ, the mighty Saviour, we should find ourselves defeated in our work in these large cities. It is not the minister, it is not the Bible worker, but the God who first designs the salvation, and afterward uses the worker to work it out. The message is winning victories through the efforts we are putting forth among the Germans in Brooklyn. During the last nine months we have baptized twenty-six persons, who have united with the church. Miss Meyer and Miss Wagner have assisted as Bible workers. Miss Voth was also with us for about six months, and the church has rendered valuable help in the work of soul winning. The Brooklyn German church gave during the year 1913 about twenty-five cents a week per member for missions, and the indications are that they will do just as well during the year 1914. The church is also very faithful in tithe and offerings. Such evidences of the progress of the message cheer the heart of the city worker greatly, and should lead us all to look with favor upon the city work, by means of which churches are raised up in the large cities of the East. Some of the most loyal Seventh-day Adventists are developed in these city churches. Strike While the Iron Is Hot
By E. A. SUTHERLAND
SOLOMON tells us that there is “a time to every purpose under the heaven,” and fortunate are the people who can do the right thing at the right time. An eleven days’ march from the camp at Mt. Sinai would have put the children of Israel in the Promised Land; they took forty years to make the trip. The same principle holds true today. The world is compared to a vineyard of ripened grapes. Some varieties ripen earlier than others. The wise fruitman gathers the earlier varieties first. Some fields of grain ripen ahead of others, and the wise farmer reaps the early ripening grain before the later grain. To the disciples the Saviour said, “Look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” And then in telling them how to harvest the world, he directed them to go to Jerusalem, then to Judea, then to Samaria, and then to the uttermost parts of the world. In the great movement to reach the world with the last message, the South is our Judea or our Samaria. And everything seems to point to the fact that the South is now ready for this very message. Politically and socially the South is ready for the gospel. The doors are open to all who have a truth to proclaim. Forty years or more have passed since the attention of this people was directed to the needs of the Southern field. At that time we could not see the things that would shortly come to pass, but the Lord knew, even in that early day, that the eyes of the whole world would soon be directed to this part of the United States. The opening of the Panama Canal has made the Western Hemisphere the center of the world’s interest. This is just the beginning of events that will unite the Occident and the Orient preparatory to the culmination of the world’s history, and in these closing years God has wanted his people to stand as light bearers. A few days ago, in connection with one of the highland schools of the South, in a little center where a few families are holding up the light of truth, a community meeting was held in the interest of health, sanitation, and education. This brought together the very best people of the community for the study of vital principles. One of the speakers was a member of the State board of health. And as that physician told those people in the simplest way the great truths of the gospel of health, one could not help wishing that many more of our own people were in a place to unite in such a movement for the uplift of the people about us. There are many indications that the time is ripe for carrying health principles to the South, and that our people should open sanitariums and treatment rooms in many places. The indications are just as strong that we should spare no effort to establish schools. This is the time for us to lead out according to the instruction the Lord has given us through the spirit of prophecy. When the summer school was in session last August, the teachers from the highland schools who met in convention at Madison, received the following letter from the head of the United States Department of Education, Dr. P. P. Claxton, who had then recently visited a number of the highland schools as well as the training school at Madison. Dr. Claxton wrote as follows:— “I wish very much that it were possible for me to be present at the meeting of teachers and nurses of the hill schools which you are holding at Madison this week. I am greatly interested in the work which these schools are doing. The work which you are doing at Madison is remarkable and worthy of high praise. If you succeed permanently in maintaining the school on its present basis, it cannot fail to accomplish great good. The work which you are doing is highly practical, and seems to me to be based on important fundamental principles of education. The same is true of the small schools which I visited, and I shall watch their progress with the greatest interest. I believe that you will succeed in accomplishing what you have in mind. “All education must grow out of the life of the people educated. You and the teachers you are sending out are wisely recognizing this principle. In order to educate children, parents must be educated also. All real education must be education of the whole community, and it must take hold of the life which the people live, making them more intelligent about this life. It is difficult and practically impossible to attain better conditions until existing conditions are understood. “All the schools we visited are in primitive and backward country districts where the people own their homes, though the land is not fertile. Therefore the education must be simple in its nature. The fact that the people are simple farmers and own their own homes gives to the schools an opportunity which they could not have in communities made up of large landholders and homeless tenants. The fact that the people own their homes makes the kind of work you do still more important. The practical knowledge of farming, gardening, orcharding, and care of live stock can all be applied to advantage in the home.” That was the doctor’s message to the teachers. It comes from the highest educational authority in the country; and strange as it may seem, the very wording reminds one of the instruction given to us as a people concerning the school work we are to do in the Southland. It is certainly the opportune time for us to start schools. Shall we strike while the iron is hot? E. A. SUTHERLAND. Michigan
By W. A. Westworth
BATTLE CREEK.—The first of last December, in answer to an urgent call, the writer came to Battle Creek, leaving his work in Pittsburgh, Pa. While there are many conditions to meet and influences at work here, still we believe that Battle Creek presents as hopeful a field as any place of like size that has been worked for years, that can be found anywhere in the great field. Leaving behind any differences, we have endeavored to hold up the standard of the third angel's message without fear or favor, and God has blessed the work, and souls have been led to the Saviour. The Sabbath attendance has increased until at the present time there are about two hundred more persons in attendance than there were six months ago, giving us from 650 to 700 each week. Another hopeful feature has been the awakening which is seen among the townspeople regarding the truth for this time. Those who have been here for many years say that for thirty or forty years there has not been so much interest manifested to hear the message as there has been during the past winter, and there are constant accessions to our numbers. All through the winter and till the present time services have been held on Sunday evenings, which have been largely attended, and these services have now been established as a regular part of our work. Even in the hot weather, when the park across the street is attracting many, the attendance has been maintained. A large attendance from the sanitarium, of both patients and workers, supports our work. Financially the Lord has blessed the work. A comparative statement of the tithe receipts for the past six months shows that tithe amounting to $6,678.48 has been paid in, as compared with $4,879.76 for the same six months last year, a gain of $1,780.72. The mission offerings are not where they should be, but are showing a steady growth. The debt on the Tabernacle has been a burden which for a number of years has been hard for the church to carry, inasmuch as the regular output for the support of the church building, and the school maintained by the church, calls for about $350 a month. These running expenses have been well maintained this year, and we close with a small surplus. At the recent meeting of the union conference here, in consideration of the help that the conference rendered when the debt was incurred, and in consideration of the advantage to the union in19having the Tabernacle here, the union agreed to raise $4,000 toward the liquidation of one half the debt, and the church agreed to raise the remainder. Pledges covering the full amount have been secured, and a goodly portion has already been paid. So in a short time we expect to be entirely free from any incumbrance. The prospects for the future are good. The only drawback seems to be the lack of suitable help to care for the ever-increasing interests. But we know that the Father's hand is leading, and we fully believe that here where the headquarters of our work were established and maintained for so long a time, God has a work which he will foster till the end. Pray for the work in Battle Creek. The Eastern Canadian Union Conference and Maritime Camp Meeting
By W. W. EASTMAN
The seventh biennial Eastern Canadian Union conference was held at Moncton, New Brunswick, June 4-14. The large tent was pitched on a plot of ground near the business section of the city, where the meetings for the most part were held. A good supply of our literature was attractively arranged in a neat and commodious book tent near by; also a dining tent, where meals were served on the cafeteria plan. The delegates and visitors were provided with rooms and sleeping accommodations by the brethren and sisters and friends in the city, in their own homes, free of charge. There was an attendance of about one hundred and twenty-five of our people, and the evening meetings were especially well attended by the people of the city, who gave good attention to the word spoken. A series of meetings had previously been held by Elder Hare, president of the Maritime Conference, and an interest aroused, which no doubt contributed to the attendance. The weather was rather cold, so much so that several days during the meeting the congregation was obliged to retire to the church several blocks away, where a good fire added to the comfort of the worshipers. The preaching services were conducted by Elder G. B. Thompson, the different ministers in the union, and the writer, and were of a practical nature during the day, adapted to the needs of our people, while the topics of the evening meetings were on doctrinal subjects. Considerable time was devoted to the study of the colporteur and home missionary work, and the part the printed page is to act in finishing the work. Already our brethren are taking hold of these lines of work with renewed energy, and the prospects are good for a general revival throughout the union. The reports rendered were encouraging, showing a good growth in membership, in tithe, and in offerings to missions. The union, having raised its twenty cents a week per member the past two years, pledged itself by resolutions to put forth strong efforts to raise at least that amount this year. The business of the union passed off harmoniously. Elder M. N. Campbell was again elected president, and T. D. Gibson secretary and treasurer. The Maritime conference and annual camp meeting were held in connection with the union meeting. Elder M. M. Hare was again elected president, and Miss Lulu Van Buskirk secretary and treasurer. W. W. EASTMAN. Colporteur Work in Ontario
By Joseph Capman
As a result of an institute held at Buena Vista Academy April 6-13, by Elder M. N. Campbell, president of the Eastern Canadian Union Conference; Elder M. C. Kirkendall, president of the Ontario Conference; T. D. Gibson, secretary and treasurer of the Canadian Publishing Association; and Joseph Capman, field agent for Ontario, a good, strong force of student canvassers is in the field this summer. The young men have taken the large books, and have gone into the country to work among the farmers. All are doing good work, and some have done remarkably well. One young man, Howard J. Capman, earned his scholarship in eight days. His report last week amounted to $118.60 worth of orders (including helps) for “Great Controversy.” Another young man, Reginald Gage, sent in a report amounting to $110.25 for five days' work with “Great Controversy.” These speak well for this field, as these boys have had very little experience in the work. I find that this is a splendid field for our large books. The farmers as a rule are well-to-do. They are very genial and courteous, thinking nothing of giving a meal or keeping a person overnight, if he appears respectable and is engaged in an honorable business. Then, too, the country is thickly settled, and is practically virgin soil for our large books. I feel quite confident that all the boys will be successful in earning their scholarships in this splendid field. Brother C. D. Terwilleger and wife have taken a band of young lady student canvassers from the academy, and are canvassing the large cities and towns. They are in Toronto at present, and are doing good work. They plan to visit all the principal cities and towns in western Ontario with our truth-filled magazines. I can see a spirit of earnestness and activity coming into our ranks. Many are engaged in the sale of our periodicals and books, while some of our churches are engaged in a systematic distribution of tracts. Pray for us in this field. Week of Prayer in South America
As the week of prayer in the United States comes at the time of harvest in the South American Union Conference territory, it is necessary to have our week of prayer at another season. March and April are the most convenient months. This year it was held the last few days of March and the first of April. This season of prayer has often been a season of great refreshing to our people here. From word received thus far, this one just past has been the best in our history. I translate the following from a letter from one of our French brethren:—20 “Having read the week of prayer readings, and a paragraph in your article in the March number of La Revista, in which you affirm your faith in the speedy conclusion of this work, I am also very decidedly convinced that the end is near. In presenting this subject to the church here, a deep impression was made. The Spirit of God touched the hearts of the youth. Two were baptized. The brethren that were lukewarm returned to the Lord and renewed their covenant with God. It was one of the best weeks of prayer seasons that it has ever been my privilege to experience since I have been elder. Our Saviour be thanked that he loves us and always invites us to unite with his people. “We thank the conference for the visit of Elder S. Mangold. He helped much, and invited us to engage in personal missionary work, which will be the best means of calling the attention of our neighbors to this time in which we are living. I visited all with him personally, and we recognize that in truth it is a splendid method. The donations were more than 100 pesos ($42.45). We did not expect so much. Much more is promised to be paid in June. By this you can see how the Lord works in his own time, and we pray the Lord for his Spirit in order that we also may respond to his call for full consecration of life to his service.” J. W. WESTPHAL. Nevada Camp Meeting
By J. Adams Stevens
THE first camp meeting of the Nevada Mission was held in Reno, Nev., June 1-7. About one hundred of our people were in attendance from Nevada and the border counties of California. Elders E. E. Andross, president of the Pacific Union Conference, J. O. Corliss, Meade MacGuire, G. W. Reaser, and Prof. M. E. Cady were present during the meeting. The various interests of the message were presented. The program was essentially constructive, and the power of the closing message attended the preaching of the word. Seventeen candidates were baptized the last day of the meeting, and several will go forward in baptism soon. Some of these accepted the truth during this meeting, and others are deeply interested. Fifteen hundred and fifty dollars was raised to apply on the institutional indebtedness of the Pacific Union Conference. The Sabbath school offering amounted to twenty-four dollars. Plans were laid to develop the work rapidly in this new field. A committee was asked to select a site for an intermediate school, and it seems probable that five church schools will be operated the coming year. The Nevada Mission was organized about one year ago, with Elder A. G. Christiansen as superintendent. Elder Christiansen has accepted a call to the European Division, and the writer has been asked to take the superintendency. Brother J. S. Prout is the Young People’s Missionary Volunteer secretary, and Mrs. W. S. Holbrook educational and Sabbath school secretary. Minnesota Camp Meeting
By FREDERICK GRIGGS
THE fifty-third annual session of the Minnesota Conference was held in St. Paul June 4-14. The camp was very conveniently located on one of the main street car lines between St. Paul and Minneapolis. There was not, however, a very large attendance of the people of these cities, though our own people, both from the local churches and throughout the State, were well represented. An excellent spirit prevailed throughout the entire conference. This was particularly manifested in the forward movement of the home missionary work, the liberal offerings for mission and conference undertakings, and the spirit of revival and consecration. Over one thousand books were sold to our people, and large quantities of tracts and pamphlets were taken for use in the vicinity of their homes. A large number of subscriptions were taken for the REVIEW and other of our periodicals. Nearly $2,500 was raised for mission enterprises. The last Sabbath of the meeting, during a revival service, nearly four hundred came forward as a first step in the beginning of Christian life and in reconsecration, and in the afternoon fifty-one were baptized. There were several also who are to be baptized at their home churches. There was practically no change in the officers of the conference and the tract society, Elder G. W. Wells being again chosen president. The laborers in attendance at the meeting from outside the union conference were Elders W. T. Knox, F. W. Paap, S. Mortenson, Prof. H. A. Morrison, and the writer. Altogether, the meeting was of great benefit to the conference, and it will be the means of giving great impetus in the finishing of this message in its territory. FREDERICK GRIGGS.