Earlier text: The German-Swiss MeetingIndia
By Luther J. Burgess
ALMORA.—This is a pleasant and healthful station well up in the Himalaya Mountains. As the weather has been quite cool, we have been able to continue our work and study during the hottest part of the year. During the past week we finished the last of ten articles upon subjects of present truth to be printed in Hindi, in the form of a twenty-four-page booklet. The matter has been sent to Brother Little, at Karmatar, where printing in the native languages is being started, thus furnishing employment for the students at our school and orphanage. The Lord has especially helped us in preparing this booklet. At least twelve native men who have a knowledge of the Hindi language have helped in the translation; thus while receiving the truth, they have helped in preparing it for others. These men have not as yet taken their stand for the truth, but we trust that the leaven will work until the whole is leavened. This little booklet, the “Sanatan Susamachar,” will be neatly printed and illustrated, and we trust it will sell readily among Hindus, Mohammedans, and native Christians alike. The price will be one anna, or two cents, and we hope that by its sale the cost will be returned, and thus the way be opened to print another, for we hope that this small beginning in the publishing work among eighty millions of this language, may quickly grow until these people may see the light shining from the printed page. The language used in this booklet is simple and easy, and such as the common people understand, and will doubtless be a help to those who come to take up work among the Hindus. We would ask you to remember this matter at least once at your hour of family worship, that the Lord will accompany this effort with his Spirit and make it fruitful. We are both well and of good courage. We are glad to read the good reports in the REVIEW from the other parts of the field. LUTHER J. BURGESS. The Publishers' Convention
By E. R. Palmer
According to appointment the meeting of the members of the General Conference Publishing Department convened at Takoma Park, Washington, D. C., October 3-10. The General Conference Committee, together with many presidents of State conferences, had been in counsel during the week preceding the convention; and when the hour arrived for the convention to open, this large delegation joined enthusiastically with the special representatives of our publishing work, and contributed their strength, long experience, and enthusiasm to the work of the convention throughout the entire meeting. The convention was a grand success. In the opening devotional exercises the Spirit of the Lord came into the convention in a marked manner, and abode with us till its close. Many weighty questions were considered, but in every discussion there was a unity and strength and brotherly consideration of the various interests of our work which enabled the convention to arrive at unanimous conclusions. The convention was entertained at the Washington Training College. The conveniences of the school, the assembly rooms, and the comfortable facilities for entertainment, being placed at the service of the convention, were greatly appreciated, and contributed much to the success of the meeting. The following members of the General Conference Publishing Department were in attendance: W. C. White, C. H. Jones, E. R. Palmer, S. N. Curtiss, I. A. Ford, James Cochran, D. W. Reavis, B. B. Noftsger, F. E. Painter, A. F. Harrison, J. B. Blosser, J. S. James, W. L. Manfull, I. H. Evans, and W. A. Spicer. At the opening of the meeting a resolution was passed inviting union and State conference presidents, treasurers, general agents, State agents, and tract society and missionary secretaries, and all representatives of publishing houses and their branches, who were not members of the convention by appointment, to take active part in the deliberations. The following-named persons were present to represent their respective fields:— Atlantic Union: E. W. Farnsworth, S. N. Curtiss, H. W. Carr, F. E. Painter, F. F. Fry, T. D. Gibson, H. C. Wilcox, H. F. Ketring, W. J. Fitzgerald, W. A. Westworth, C. F. McVagh, J. R. Ebersole, F. H. De Vinney, W. B. Walters, D. W. Reavis, S. J. Hersum, Morris Lukens, T. E. Bowen, Frederick Griggs, R. D. Hottel, W. H. Zeidler, C. H. Edwards, V. H. Cook, E. J. Dryer, O. E. Reinke, E. R. Nutter, C. M. Snow, W. A. Colcord. Canadian Union: W. H. Thurston, Wm. Guthrie, B. B. Noftsger. Southern Union: Geo. I. Butler, J. S. Washburn, I. A. Ford, R. M. Kilgore, S. B. Horton, T. H. Jeys, W. A. Wilcox, A. F. Harrison, W. R. Burrow, A. J. Haysmer. Lake Union: Allen Moon, William Covert, H. H. Burkholder, I. D. Richardson, A. G. Haughey, L. H. Christian, C. E. Weaks, J. B. Blosser, C. McReynolds, A. J. Olsen, J. W. Mace, S. Mortenson. Northern Union: R. A. Underwood, C. M. Everest, I. S. James, W. L. Manfull, J. G. Walker, H. S. Shaw, E. G. Hayes. Central Union: A. T. Robinson, Jas. Cochran. Southwestern Union: C. N. Woodward, W. W. Eastman. Pacific Union: H. W. Cottrell, W. H. Covell, A. J. S. Bourdeau. General Conference: A. G. Daniells, G. A. Irwin, L. R. Conrad, W. A. Spicer, I. H. Evans, W. W. Prescott, W. C. White, C. H. Jones, G. B. Thompson, K. C. Russell, G. F. Haffner, Geo. F. Enoch, E. R. Palmer, J. L. Shaw. The following is a list of the principal topics considered by the convention:— 1. Chairman's Address:—
(a) The demands of the times in which we live.
(b) The work of the convention. 2. Secretary's Report:—
(a) The general progress of the publishing work.
(b) Questions needing special consideration by the convention. 3. Organization of Convention and Appointment of Session Committees. 4. Sphere and Work of the General Conference Publishing Department,—Paper by A. G. Daniells. 5. The Importance of the Publishing Work as an Evangelizing Agency,—Papers by A. G. Daniells, W. W. Prescott, G. A. Irwin, and E. W. Farnsworth, followed by general discussion. 6. Organization.
(a) In the church.
(b) In the conference or local mission field.
(c) In union conferences.
(d) In publishing houses.
(e) In foreign mission fields.
Paper by E. R. Palmer, followed by W. C. White, A. G. Daniells, G. A. Irwin, H. H. Hall, and others, in general discussion. 7. The Work of Our Publishing Houses:—
(a) Denominational work only, or denominational and commercial work mixed.
(b) Economical arrangements and facilities for printing, and broad, comprehensive plans for publishing.
(c) Co-operation between printing houses.
(d) Commercial relations to State tract societies.
(e) Conservative policy in publishing new books, tracts, and pamphlets.
Paper by C. H. Jones, followed in general discussion by S. N. Curtiss, I. A. Ford, James Cochran, and others. 8. How to Man and Equip a State Tract Society Office,—Paper by T. E. Bowen, followed by general discussion in which conference presidents and tract society secretaries were particularly requested to lead. 9. Business Methods and the Qualification of Secretaries,—Paper by H. H. Hall; general discussion, introduced by James Cochran, R. L. Pierce, and D. W. Reavis. 10. The Need of State and Union Conference Agents, and Their Qualifications,—Papers by C. N. Woodward and A. F. Harrison, followed in general discussion by G. A. Irwin, R. A. Underwood, and W. B. White. 11. What Constitutes a Well-Qualified and Equipped Canvasser, and What Methods Are the Most Economical and Effective for Giving the Necessary Training,—Papers by J. B. Blosser, W. H. Covell, and A. F. Harrison, followed by general discussion. 12. Our Colleges as Training-schools for Canvassers and Missionary Secretaries,—Papers by A. G. Daniells, Professor Lucas, and W. H. Covell, followed by general discussion. 13. How to Handle Agents in the Field.
(a) State Agent's Duties,—Paper by W. W. Eastman, followed in general discussion by J. S. James, F. E. Painter, and others.
(b) Tract Society Secretaries' Relation to the Canvasser,—Papers by H. H. Hall and T. E. Bowen.
(c) The Assistance that Can Be Given by Conference Presidents and their Committees,—Papers by W. J. Fitzgerald and W. W. Eastman, followed in general discussion by E. T. Russell and C. McReynolds. 14. Methods of Imparting Information:—
(a) Union and State conference papers.
(b) Neostyle and other duplicated letters.
(c) The reporting system.
Paper by J. S. James, followed in general discussion by F. F. Fry and J. B. Blosser. 15. Concentration of Effort in Selling Books, and the Number and Style of Bindings,—Paper by F. E. Painter, followed by18J. W. Mace, W. B. Walters, and R. L. Pierce. 16. Our Periodicals:—
(a) Their legitimate field.
(b) How to increase their circulation.
Paper by A. J. S. Bourdeau, followed by D. W. Reavis or State and I. A. Ford. 17. Forty-per-cent Books,—Paper by H. H. Hall. 18. How May the Tract and Missionary Work Be Revived among Lay Members,—Paper by A. J. S. Bourdeau, followed by general discussion, in which the tract society secretaries were invited to lead. 19. Missionary Campaign,—Paper by D. W. Reavis, followed by general discussion. 20. Special Need of Publications and Facilities in Foreign Fields,—Paper by W. A. Spicer, followed by general discussion. 21. How to Supply Publications in Foreign Languages in the United States:—
(a) German, Swedish, Danish, and Finnish.
(b) Spanish.
(c) French and Italian.
(d) Chinese and Japanese.
(e) Yiddish.
(f) Other Languages.
Paper by G. A. Irwin, followed by general discussion by E. T. Russell, H. H. Hall, W. C. White, James Cochran, F. C. Gilbert, and others. 22. New Publications:—
(a) Examination of manuscripts.
(b) The publication of new books.
(c) Authors as publishers, advertisers, and agents of their own books.
Papers by W. C. White, W. W. Prescott, M. C. Wilcox, E. R. Palmer, and W. A. Colcord, followed by general discussion. 23. Needs and Work of the Southern Publishing Association.—Papers by G. I. Butler, I. A. Ford, and A. F. Harrison, followed by general discussion. 24. News and Work of the International Publishing Association,—Papers by E. T. Russell and A. T. Robinson. 25. Needs and Work of the Canadian Publishing Association,—Papers by W. H. Thurston and B. B. Noftsger. 26. Other Miscellaneous Topics to Be Presented by Members of the Convention. Other subjects were discussed, as will appear in the Bulletin of these meetings, which will be issued in a few days. In future numbers of the REVIEW we will endeavor to give our readers some of the most valuable papers presented on the various phases of the publishing and tract and missionary work. It was decided to issue the proceedings of the convention in pamphlet form. The most important papers, and a digest of practically all the discussions, will be published. Doubtless this report will contain between two and three hundred pages, and will be furnished to conferences, tract societies, and individuals at ten cents a copy, net. The Bulletin will cost considerably more than this, but the General Conference has generously undertaken to act as publishers, and contribute the remainder of the expense for the benefit of thousands of our people who will wish to enjoy some of the good things we have here received. Orders should be sent to any of our publishing houses or State tract societies. With all our hearts we thank God for the privileges of this convention. It has been pronounced by all present as the most successful publishers' meeting we have ever held. The interest and enthusiasm were beyond description. The attendance was large at all the meetings, and the interest was well sustained till the close. The interest taken in this meeting, and the fact that such a large number of representative men joined in the close study of the various phases of our publishing work, give promise of better and more prosperous days. May the Lord's blessing attend these representatives of our work as they go to their several fields, and may those who could not be present catch the inspiration of the hour, and all join in building up the publishing work. E. R. PALMER,
Sec. Gen. Conf. Publishing Dept. The Cumberland Conference Camp-Meeting
By K. C. Russell
THIS meeting was held in the grove in the suburbs of the beautiful and thriving city of Knoxville, Tenn., September 6-16. It was my privilege to spend only a little over a day at this meeting, which embraced the first Sabbath. In view of my brief stay with them I was accorded the privilege of conducting all the services on that day. The Lord greatly added his blessing to the words which were spoken during the forenoon service, as about forty souls responded to the call that was made for those who desired to get rid of the sins that had been holding them in bondage. In the afternoon I spoke on the World-wide Mission Field, after which a collection was taken up for this work. It was evident that the Holy Spirit had been working with many in a practical way, for, notwithstanding the small congregation present, there was an aggregate of $174.75 given in cash and pledges. The attendance from the outside at the evening service was excellent. Elder S. B. Horton, president of the Louisiana Conference, was at this meeting, and remained throughout the greater part of it. This was not a business session of the conference, so the services were devoted to the spiritual interests of those present, and to a consideration of the different phases of the work of God for these times. K. C. RUSSELL. W. W. MILLER
By W. W. Miller
CALCUTTA.—Dr. Ingersoll and I went to Bombay to meet Dr. Marsh and the two nurses. We found them all well, and glad to be in India. They have rented rooms, and will soon have them ready for work. I want to assure you that we appreciate all the consecrated help we can get, for our needs are many and great. We shall now look forward to the coming of Brother and Sister Shaw. Then who will be the next? Brethren Little, Barlow, and Mookerjee, and I went to Gopalgunj, to see how the work was progressing there. On the way we distributed many tracts and papers. We found the people ready to read, and glad to get the literature. On our arrival at Gopalgunj we were somewhat surprised to see six buildings up, and occupied by several families. Hundreds of people come to their place in Gopalgunj, and thus have an opportunity to hear the truth. Many seem interested, and between two and three hundred profess to be keeping the Sabbath, but we feel that it is best to wait awhile before baptizing any. Many have been employed on the buildings. On learning that we were expected in Gopalgunj, different villages sent delegates to meet us. These delegates said they would select worthy men, send them to Gopalgunj for instruction, and pay their expenses there, that they might be fitted to return to their villages and preach this new truth. We were well treated by all. The chief men of the village paid us a visit, to show their respect and to wish us Godspeed. How much we felt the need of the spirit of discernment, that we might know who were really in earnest. We have large problems before us in this work; for it has just begun, and who is sufficient for these things? The famine is spreading in that district. One week there were three thousand without food. Two men were in jail because they had stolen rice to feed their hungry families. We drained our pockets of the little we had, but it did not go very far. The work is moving onward, and our enemies are helping to spread the truth by opposing us wherever we go. The Sabbath question has been discussed again in two of the leading papers in this city. A native man remarked that it seemed so strange to him that Christians were divided on which day should be kept. I am glad to say that we are all well, and standing the heat much better than last year. For this we are very thankful. KULING.—We are now in Mt. Kuling—thirty-five hundred feet above sea-level—where about one thousand missionaries and other foreigners spend the hot summer months. The heat on the plain is so intense that those foreigners who stay there can do scarcely anything for two months but to try to keep well, and contend with a trying, emaciating disease, and at the best lose considerable health and strength. Rent and food are very expensive here; but health is worth more than money. We never take a step without first ascertaining the Lord’s will; and, praise be to his name, every child of God can enjoy the privilege of John 14:21. God wanted us to come here, where we can study hard all summer, and have great opportunity for missionary work. Most of the missionaries are as set against the truth as the ministers are at home; but thanks be to God, a few are sincere. We are giving them the truth. Some will reject it. We are praying earnestly that some may accept it. On the twelfth of July we met in Lo Shan, to consider some very important matters in connection with our work. Of the first importance was our press work. We all realize that the printed page is going to be an important factor in giving the closing message to this people—as in America, so here. A little while ago our teacher handed our Chinese paper to a Chinese professor in a Methodist college. It contained an article on the Sabbath. The professor became interested in the Sabbath question, and came to us for more light on the subject. This is only one instance of what the printed page may do. Those who are able to read are willing to read anything, and have plenty of time to do it. Our press is now twenty miles from the railroad, which necessitates, in many ways, a considerable outlay of precious time and money. For many reasons, it was unanimously decided to build for the press in Sin Iang Cheo, a large city situated on the railroad, and thus also open up a new mission station there. That would leave the Shang-tsai Hsien Mission station vacant, as Dr. H. W. Miller and Brother and Sister Allum are associated with the press work. As we were two families in Lo Shan, the brethren, by a unanimous vote, invited us to take charge of the Shang-tsai Hsien Mission station. So our address henceforward is Shang-tsai Hsien, Honan, Via Hankow, China.19 We are bending all our efforts to get our press in good working order. Much present truth should be printed quickly. We are thankful for the few hundred dollars we have received already. God is behind this step, and we are sure that he will move on generous hearts to give us all we need. When I think of all these great cities and villages, teeming with people who have never heard a word of this all-important message—350,000,000 Mandarin-speaking people—and only a few to give them the third angel’s message, can you wonder that I can not write an article without uttering the Macedonian cry? The early Christians collected in Jerusalem, until the Lord scattered them by a severe persecution. We are plainly told by the spirit of prophecy that God has begun to pour out his judgments upon the earth, preparatory to the coming of our dear Lord. And we see this with our own eyes. He lets these judgments fall for two purposes: One is to arouse his people to give the closing message quickly to the waiting heathen. It seems to me that the San Francisco disaster ought to speak to our people in thunder tones. Although we have not had the privilege to read the special number of the Signs, yet it affected us in distant China in such a way that we shall never forget it. How much more blessed it is to give your means and service as a free-will offering, than to wait until circumstances almost force you to carry the message to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” The day will soon come when all our energies and means must be used in finishing the work in the mission field. A Baptism in Chile
By Frank H. Westphal
JULY 27, 1906, I came to Nueva Imperial. The Lord blessed our meetings. Five souls are requesting baptism, which will be administered as soon as the rainy season is past. In company with Brother Victor Thomann, we visited Bajo Imperial, now called Puerto Asenveda. We held meetings in the house of Brother Haraemachea every evening, and on Sabbath and Sunday. On the Sabbath we baptized seven souls who had lately embraced the Sabbath truth—a saddle maker and his wife, a shoemaker and his wife, another brother and his companion, and a young man who is a painter by trade. Two others sent in their request, and still others are interested. On the way to the water, the mother-in-law of the shoemaker followed him, and gave him five or six terrible blows with a strong stick. When her daughter came, she took her by the hair, and treated her cruelly. Some of the people on the high bank threw dirt on us, and several handfuls were thrown into my face. When the candidates entered the water, stones were thrown at them. None of us were hurt, for which we praise the Lord. We must, however, say that the majority of the people manifested good order. One Catholic lady said she did not know before that she belonged to such a corrupt church, and she showed an interest to study the truth, and in a short time requested baptism. We can see from this that when the eyes of the people are opened, they will quickly come out of Babylon, and unite with the commandment-keeping people of God. Brethren, remember the work in this field in your prayers. CHAS. T. EVERSON
By Chas. T. Everson
ROME.—The more I study this great truth, the more I am persuaded that we are occupying, not theoretically, but practically, a position that no one else fills in this world,—that of teaching the Bible in its simplicity to the people. The other denominations do not do this, and the best of them are uncertain of its value as divine revelation. But amid the doubts and mists that assail the people, there is one denomination that lifts its head, and to a man says, We believe that the Bible is all from God. This is the only distinct voice in the world that can be heard on this subject. It is plainly to be seen that we are filling a place, and fulfilling a prophecy. Just last evening I was forcibly impressed with that fact, when teaching a canon from the church of Rome—a very intellectual man, who comes to my home three times a week to study the truth with me. He was passing the hall one evening, and was led by curiosity to enter; he stood a moment near the door, then sat down, and listened to the study. He told me that he had never heard anything like that before, and the method of proving the Bible by the Bible impressed him so forcibly that he desired to arrange to continue the study. He is coming regularly, and each study makes him more contented and more certain of this truth. Last night we studied the subject of the new earth, and he seemed much comforted. After all, what these poor Catholics need is the comfort found in Christ. When this man first came to visit me, he told me that he thought the Italian people needed to get a clear religious conception from lectures on philosophy and religion; the whole Catholic religion consists of philosophical teachings. But the other evening he said, “I am beginning to feel a new experience entering into my life, a feeling of peace and tranquillity that I never knew before.” He added, “If I were to tell the people what they need, I should say they need to know more of God as Father, more of the religion of the heart, and more trust in Jesus.” He told me again yesterday that the knowledge that we have in the Bible is astonishing, and he never saw anything like it anywhere else. We are praying for him that God may lead him fully into the truth; for it means something for a man of his standing to take a firm stand for the message. The Church of Rome has just offered to reinstate him, with all his degrees and a better position, if he will return. So there are temptations brought to bear upon him. But God will bring him through, we pray. We expect to open up work this year at Turin, a city about the size of San Francisco before the earthquake. It is the ancient capital of the Italian reigning house, and is situated in a part of the country that bids fair to bring forth good results. Professor Fant will go there, and, assisted by a young man, will soon begin a series of meetings. We have already some Sabbath-keepers there, who will form a little nucleus, so that the work will not be so difficult. When I passed through on my way to the camp-meeting, I held some meetings in a private house, and had a good interest in the Bible studies. We have also begun a new campaign at Rome, with the prayer and faith that God will work mightily for us here the coming year. We have many studying the truth; and the truth is powerful. Many are becoming convinced of their duty, but thus far we have found great difficulty about the Sabbath question, because the country is poor, and work is scarce. But we know that God must have some solution of this problem, also, for this people. Some, when they are confronted with the serious difficulties, talk of going to America, as they think that there they can better find a way to observe the Sabbath. There is a young man now who is employed as accountant in the city government, who tells me that he sees no other way out of the difficulty than to go to America, and there he is sure he will find a way to obey the truth. The Earthquake in Valparaiso, Chile
By E. W. Thomann
TO-DAY I reached Valparaiso, coming from Terena, a city farther north, where I have labored for some time. Valparaiso has suffered, I think, comparatively more by the earthquake than did San Francisco, but the fire did not do so much harm. Probably two thousand persons were killed by the falling houses. The walls of most of the houses have fallen, or have large cracks, and many of the most costly buildings are completely destroyed. It is now six days since the earthquake, and the ruins are still burning. Martial law is in force. Many robbers have been shot down in the streets, and many for lesser crimes have been stabbed, as a lesson to others. After 6 P. M. nobody is allowed to walk in the street. Food is distributed quite freely, so the people are not suffering from hunger. Water is easily obtainable, as it runs in the streets, where the conduits are broken. Many people are injured. The panic has been horrible, and people still show their fear in face and manner. Our people are all alive, and have suffered comparatively little. Brother Steele was able to save nearly everything in his house, after the shock, before the fire reached the building, but the book depository burned, very little more than the account-books, typewriter, and a few small articles being saved. The house where we lived is still standing. Only one wall and pieces of others have fallen. We do not lose much. I am glad that it is not more, and am thankful to the Lord that he spared us. I came to prepare special articles for our paper, Senales. The press where we publish it has not suffered much, and we expect that the authorities will soon permit work in the houses again. The place where we had the paper stored for the Senales was not burned, neither was the office of the custom-house agent, so we hope to receive books that may be there.20 I hope this severe earthquake will help the message of the Lord, and soften many hearts to accept it. I am of good courage, and am confident that the Lord is coming soon. E. W. THOMANN. COLUMBUS.—It gives me pleasure to report that the blessing of God continues to attend our efforts here in this city. We are now entering upon our sixth month's work in the Berean Bible Institute, and during this time have had the pleasure of baptizing and receiving into church fellowship twenty-four precious souls. We are cheered to see new additions to our number nearly every week. We have had two baptismal services the past month, and have another set for October 20. Our Bible classes are largely attended by a good class of people, while several thousand persons are now entering upon the study of the Sabbath question from the printed lessons. During this time we have placed in the hands of the people of this city over 231,000 pages of the Signs, Family Bible Teacher, and tracts, besides a large number of books. In doing this our workers have made about 25,000 calls, besides giving scores of Bible readings. Our interest is very large, and we are unable with our corps of workers to respond to many of the demands for personal instruction. We feel to praise God for his great mercy in bearing with our faults and shortcomings, and pray for wisdom to do more faithful and effectual service for him during the next six months. Thus far the Lord has not only provided means to meet all our running expenses, but has enabled us to pay off a heavy debt incurred in starting this effort. I have been greatly surprised and delighted to see the ease with which an undertaking of this kind can be financed. My experience thus far has been sufficient to demonstrate to my mind beyond a shadow of doubt the feasibility of this method of working our large cities. Our efforts to warn the cities heretofore have been altogether too tame; our excuse has been, a lack of funds and workers. This is no longer an excuse, however, for we are demonstrating that a great portion of the money necessary to meet the expense of warning our large cities can be had from the citizens themselves. The people must hear this message; the question is, Will we lay hold of the means which God has placed within our grasp and put our work in the large cities on a basis equal to the task of warning every family? It can be done; it will be done. The need of the hour is men who have the courage and faith to take hold and do this work. Heretofore we have depended upon conferences for support, and on conference workers for help; but in an effort of this kind hundreds of our people who are not now under conference pay can work successfully and find support. Brethren and sisters, let us arise and finish the work. W. H. GRANGER. About one year ago, with six others, I withdrew from the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I feel sure that this was the wrong thing to do. I should have stayed in the church, and if trials were brought in because of the mistaken zeal of some one, I should have borne it with meekness. After I had withdrawn, I thought I must do something against the work of the denomination, and of course the wicked one would have me begin on the common point of assault, the spirit of prophecy. I circulated reading-matter that was very bitter against the work of Sister White, for which I am very sorry. It grieves me to think that I have used my influence against the servant of the Lord, who has given her life so unselfishly to the service of God. I do hope that Sister White and the denomination may forgive me, especially those to whom I have sent hurtful literature. I have carefully read both sides of the Battle Creek controversy. I naturally was in sympathy with Elder Jones; in fact, I furnished some money to help meet the expense of publishing his side of the question. I heard Elder Daniells examine Elder Jones's twenty-eight page letter. Surely I had to admit in my heart that it was handled honestly and faithfully. I attended the Boulder camp-meeting, August 24 to September 3, and heard Elder Daniells and others set forth unmistakable evidence in regard to the divine origin of the Testimonies. I felt sure I had reached the crisis in my experience, so I yielded, and made confession. I can not see any good reason why any one should oppose Sister White's work. I can account for it only on the ground that the dragon is wroth with the church. Surely her writings are the very essence of spirituality, even her enemies being judges. I do hope the Lord and all concerned may forgive me for all I have done in opposition to the truth of God. Yours in submission to the will and mind of God, W. J. KERR. North Carolina Camp-Meeting
By K. C. Russell
This meeting was held in the pretty little town of Highpoint, N. C., which is located on the main line of the Southern Railroad, between Washington, D. C., and Atlanta, Ga. The ride from Knoxville, Tenn., to Highpoint, N. C., is a most delightful one, as the route is very picturesque, running as it does through the valleys and around the hills of North Carolina. I reached Highpoint on Sunday afternoon. A large audience from the town had assembled for the regular afternoon service. It had been announced that I was to preach, and it was indeed a satisfaction to speak to such a large and interested audience on the signs of the times. I had the privilege of addressing the21people five times during my brief stay, speaking upon the Signs of the Times, The Image of the Beast, Spirit of Prophecy, The Work of the Religious Liberty Department, and Foreign Missions. I was gratified to learn that the Lord had been greatly blessing the work in this conference under the administration of Elder J. H. Jeys and his faithful corps of workers. We believe that the work in this conference is now so thoroughly established that its progress will be much greater in the future. Canvassing in North Carolina
By Horace G. Miller
I HAVE been canvassing for our books in North Carolina for two years and a half, and with the Lord's help have put many of our good books into the homes of this people. I find this a very needy field indeed, and the people are glad to get our books. The great majority do not know about Seventh-day Adventists and what they teach. Very few of our books have been placed in their homes except in towns and cities. There are thirty counties in this State that have never been canvassed, and in many more only a little has been done. Can books be sold in these counties? — Yes; I am in one of them, and know by actual experience. In four weeks in May I took orders to the amount of $165, and in August delivered ninety-four per cent of these orders. A brother in Wilmington, N. C., sold and delivered $455.10 worth of books in four months. The people treat us most kindly, not turning us off as a nuisance, but welcoming us as friends. Sometimes they ask to see my book. Are there not some of our dear brethren in the North who would like to come here and take one of these counties that has never been worked? Has not the Spirit of God been calling you to come South into a new field? and will you not heed that call? Do not the love of souls and the great need of this long-neglected field stir you to move out by faith and in the fear of God? If you are obedient to that call, you will be abundantly blessed, and in this field you may rescue some souls for God. If any further information is desired, please address me at Gastonia, N. C. HORACE G. MILLER, State Agent. “The Printed Page Shall Fall as the Autumn Leaves”
By W. A. R.
These words of prophecy are being fulfilled in Chicago at present. About six months ago Elder Wm. Covert, president of the Northern Illinois Conference, started a movement to purchase a small printing plant. This was successful; and the plant is located at present in the basement of the South Side (Forty-sixth Street) church, where the work is done. Pledges were made for the purchasing of the plant first; then pledges were asked for the furnishing of necessary supplies, such as electricity, paper, stock, ink, etc. A sufficient sum was realized to carry the work through the camp-meeting in Chicago, these pledges being monthly pledges of one dollar each. The mechanical work is being done by Brethren M. Ashdon and W. A. Ross, who have volunteered their services to the cause. These brethren go to the plant on Sundays and do whatever work is on file, and during the past ten weeks have done over two hundred dollars’ worth of work for the conference at the actual cost of material. The work done consists of thousands of tracts, invitations, and dodgers for the Chicago camp-meeting, and they are now engaged in similar work for the Galesburg camp-meeting. When these meetings are over, the full force of the plant will be used in printing tracts for free distribution all over Chicago, and that very wicked city will be surely and thoroughly warned by the printed page. These brethren claim a threefold blessing in this work: it is done with a plant consecrated wholly to God, in a building consecrated to God, and God’s special blessing is asked on the work each day before labor is begun. W. A. R. The twentieth and twenty-sixth days of July are the dates when the pilgrim worshippers of the Catholic Church in this country make their yearly pilgrimages to Limonade and Plain-du-Nord, two districts in this northern part of the republic. The devotees on these two occasions come from other towns, also, to carry out the obligation which, to them, is a sacred duty to be performed at the shrines of the idols of St. Jacques and St. Anne, which are the patron saints of these two places. On the night after the fête day of St. Jacques, a fire broke out in the house of the Catholic bishop, rapidly consuming it. This was a building of elaborate architecture, costing thirty thousand dollars. It appeared somewhat singular that the destructive element did not extend beyond the precinct of that structure. Such a phenomenal occurrence drew out the thoughts and opinions of many, to the extent that they considered the fire a punishment from God, on account of the criminal acts of the clergy. The superstitious among the adherents of the Catholic Church declared it was done by St. Jacques, as a revenge, because some years ago the priests had thrown out the old image, which was made in 1762, and had replaced it by a new one. This famous statue was rescued from its oblivion by the present president, to save it from a shameful end. He had it repaired, and restored it to its former position, with processional honors. Some days after the fire, the iron safe was opened, and it was found that the paper money was burned up. The bishop gathered the ashes, and sent them to the capital by two priests, to the officials. The present situation of the country is still an intricate tangle, which is a great tax on the administrative ability to clear, although some reform is spoken of. The late ex-president Salomon, in view of the country’s retrogression, was somewhat prophetic when he said, on leaving his country: “I am leaving you with a cigar lighted at both ends.” In the midst of all these difficulties, the truth is causing many calls to come from different quarters. These can not be attended to effectually, as Brother Isaac is the only handy French worker. Brother Tanner is making advancement in his study of the language. I do not think it would be any inconvenience if one of our French-speaking ministers would come over and help us for a while. Facing the whole matter, we can assert that the mighty third angel’s message is overstepping the apparent formidable embarrassments as petty obstructions, as it enters into the mountain fastnesses, carrying light and truth to the honest hearted among the hills and valleys. HENRY WILLIAMS. Cape Haytien.