Earlier text: The Great UndertowL. R. CONRADI
By L. R. CONRADI
From the European Division
With the new year 1913, the European Division started out with two additional unions, the Central European and the Danube Union Conferences, making a total of eight union conferences, two union mission fields, and eight local missions under general management. The first quarter’s summary is indeed ‘a promising omen for this year. Not less than 1,284 new members were received into church fellowship, and 1,107 of these were by baptism. This exceeds the additions in the same quarter of 1912 by 275. Our net gain was 655 against 529 last year. The largest net gain is shown by the West German Union, 242, with 340 additions. The next is the East German Union, having a net gain of 102, with 182 additions. Next come the General Conference missions in Africa, which show 81 gain and no loss whatever. The British Union added 119, with a net gain of 53. The Danube Union shows a net gain of 40, with 69 additions. The Latin Union, with 9 additions, has a net gain of 17, undoubtedly occasioned by accessions from other fields. The Scandinavian Union, with 47 additions, shows a net gain of 13. Three fields had losses. Though the Russian Union added 79 members, yet it shows a loss of 90. The Siberian Union added 10, and yet shows a loss of 4. The Levant Union added 2, and shows a loss of 1. These losses are partly accounted for by death, and 26 moved to America. As far as the financial outlook is concerned, our tithe also shows a steady increase. The reported tithe for the first quarter was $86,701, but $1,200 was overlooked by the Scandinavian Union, and so the total was really $88,000, or $14,000 more than for the same quarter last year. The average tithe per member has again increased this quarter. The same is true of the offerings, which total $19,166, or $2,500 more than last year, and average per member sixty-six cents against sixty-five cents last year. Our book sales also show an increase of $3,500. This increase is not so great when we take into consideration the increase in the number of our workers. In the same quarter of 1912 we had 165 ordained ministers, now we have 198, and our total number of gospel workers increased from 613 to 692. We are surely grateful to God for these additions to our working staff, and we hope and pray that as the old workers grow in efficiency, and the new workers multiply, we shall see greater results throughout the field. With the increase of our conferences and missions, the general meetings also multiply, and it is quite a study to so distribute them throughout the year that the few general laborers can attend most of them, and that too much of the preaching force may not be tied up by them. During the first quarter of the year we have arranged to hold the twenty conferences in Germany proper, and the union committee meetings and audits throughout Europe. While in the past I generally arranged my work so as to be able to attend at least some of the German conferences, it was impossible this time on account of my visit to Africa. However, by starting the meetings in the West German Union early, Elder H. F. Schuberth was able to attend some of them, and Elder I. T. Boettcher spent two months in assisting in these conferences.12The rest of the help was supplied locally. All these meetings were well attended by our own people, and in many places there was an excellent outside attendance. A good spirit seemed to prevail everywhere, and the same officers were reelected throughout. As Brother Guy Dail and I were busy in Africa until the last of January, we returned only in time for the union district and committee meetings. Reaching Naples February 17, I immediately proceeded to Gland, where the Latin Union committee was in session, and we had a very good time there. Arriving in Hamburg, I found the West German Union District meeting convening, the union committee meeting to follow immediately. There was a good attendance, and this union voted something like $10,000 surplus tithe to our mission treasury. March 6-9 the East German Union District held its session at Magdeburg. This meeting was also well attended, both by our own people and outsiders. The union committee meeting was held in Friedensau, and all the East German conferences came forward nobly with surplus tithe to the union. After strengthening the working capital of the many mission fields and dividing with the Danube Union, they also turned in a surplus of about $2,500 to the European Division Conference. From here I went immediately to Watford, where the British Union Committee met, and March 20-23 we held our district meeting in London. We were pleased to see so many of our people at this important meeting, and also such an excellent spirit prevailing. The work in this great city is making decided advancement since the district has been organized. The week following we were in Skodsborg, where we had the Scandinavian Union Committee meeting. Our last union meeting we held in St. Petersburg, April 9-13. The Lord indeed blessed us there. Elder Schuberth and I were in attendance from the outside, and all the members of the union committee were present. We so distributed throughout the city that we had three or four meetings every evening, and the halls were overcrowded. The work in this large city has made wonderful progress during the last few years since I have been there. Sunday I spent in Riga, and spoke several times to a crowded house. After thus making the round throughout the division, we had a meeting of the division committee from April 29 to May 1, and then took the boat for New York, continuing our work all the way across to the General Conference. Thus the first quarter of 1913 was in truth a busy time, but a blessed one. While we rejoice to see the number of members increasing throughout the union conferences in Europe, we are especially grateful that in this quarter not less than seventy-four souls were added in our oldest African field, the South Pare Mission, making a total of over one hundred members increase in East Africa. Though our workers have increased faster than ever, and we try to keep pace as far as possible with the general advance in the cost of living, we were very thankful that the means coming in in tithes and offerings, with the additional and surplus tithe from conferences, amounted to so much that there was even a balance in the treasury after settling all the accounts for 1912. Thus still greater plans could be laid for the advancement and extension of the work. We shall mention a few of the difficulties that have faced us. They seem to be increasing in different parts of the field. Our only depository in the Eastern Empire we found closed. Some of our canvassers in other fields were imprisoned, while many of our workers are under trial. In the Balkan States we were troubled and hindered by the cruel war. The uncertainty of political conditions in Europe also brought a financial depression. But in spite of all this our means increased, our institutions showed greater prosperity than ever, and there was a general advancement all along the line. But what might we see if we enjoyed the fulness of God’s Spirit and power, and were fully awake to his providences? Hupeh (China) General Meeting
By Frederick Lee
THERE were seventy-six believers in attendance at our meeting. To say the least, these are all grateful for a knowledge of this truth. They all plan for, and look forward to, these meetings just as we look forward to our camp-meetings at home. Some of these people began, several months ahead, to plan for their board during the meeting by giving a few coppers every week to our evangelist, who kept the money for them so they might be sure to have the right amount at the right time. As for their traveling expenses, they walked, some a distance of four hundred li [133 miles] each way. This they did in order that they might be able to testify to what the Lord has done for them, and also that they might gain a greater spiritual blessing. Indeed, these seasons are times of great refreshing to us all. Brethren get right with brethren, sins are confessed, heathen are converted, and many times scoffers are turned to praisers. They must also endure just as much ridicule and persecution for the truth's sake as any in the home land. Sometimes I feel they bear much more slander. Some Chinese Christians say they had to endure much more persecution when accepting the truth of the third angel's message than when they first accepted Christianity many years ago. We first planned to have our meeting across the river at Wuchang; but the last few days before the meeting were very unsettled over there. A plot had been laid to assassinate Li Yuan Hung, vice-president of the republic. The plot was discovered, and as a result a score or more were executed. The gates were closed at sunset and the streets patrolled at night. So at the last moment we changed the meeting-place to Hankow. We had to provide beds for about fifty persons, which were procured at the reasonable sum of $1.40. They were only coarse straw mats laid on the floor. We were glad to have Elder R. F. Cottrell and his wife to assist in the meeting. Our home is about two and one-half miles from the chapel, and it was not very convenient to go back and forth, as we have no street-cars. We rode in very poor jinrikishas, which would go bouncing and swinging first one way and then the other. When our wives went, we had to go through the trying ordeal of hiring chairs for them. Before a reasonable price can be agreed upon for one of these chairs, one must stand, surrounded by a dirty crowd, and coax and argue, and make a great stir with the chair-bearers. Often jinrikisha coolies will grab hold of us till we give them more money, though we know they have already been well paid. These things are very trying, especially as they are the rule and not the exception by any means. What we need is a chapel in a better location, so we shall not be obliged to pass through this dirty, wrangling crowd every time we go to our chapel. We hope to secure means with which to buy land and build a chapel. This is one of our many needs in this large metropolis of China. At this meeting our little company pledged and donated seventy-five dollars, Mexican (thirty-seven dollars gold). Our Sabbath-school donations for the last quarter were ten dollars gold. The average attendance was one hundred and thirty-four, the church-membership at that time being thirty-nine. This does not seem large, but when we consider that the average man does not earn more than ten cents a day, we are thankful that they are learning to give so well. We thank the Lord that twenty-one were baptized, Brother Cottrell performing the ceremony. Sixteen out of this number came to us direct from heathenism. We now have a church-membership of sixty, and plan to open a new station in the north of this province. The Lord has gone before us and opened a place where no work has been done; one of our workers will be sent there. The meeting, we believe, was a great blessing to all, and especially at our communion service heart seemed to meet heart. As confessions were made, these seventy souls, most of whom had some time bowed down to “wood and stone,” and who naturally would be hard to make of one purpose and heart, united as one, and God's quiet Spirit rested on all. As we sang to close our meeting, all hearts seemed to echo the song,— “Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love!
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.”
Now they have all scattered, some to their farming, others to their small business duties, still others to their hard toil of coolie work; yet all go forth as witnesses, with the hope of meeting Christ at his coming. Unwise Confidence
By M. L. H.
Much has been written on this subject, but not enough, for often one hears the cry, “Why didn’t I know?” “Why was not I told of the danger?” For such a one I will tell a bit of experience which was a warning to me and has helped me in helping others. I was a young widow returning home to my parents. Completely absorbed in my grief, I paid no attention to the other occupants of the car. At length my baby tugged at my sleeve to call attention to some candy in her chubby hand. “Nice man gave it to me.” Absent-minded, I turned my thoughts upon my own lonely condition. I was aroused by hearing baby say, “Why, don’t you know about my papa? Him’s dead, and dey put him in the cold ground.” Then I noticed a well-dressed man leaning across the aisle engaged in conversation with my little daughter. Drawing her to my side, I called her attention to objects to be seen through the window. “How did you happen to speak to the man, dear?” “Him asked me where my papa was, and I told him—” “Yes, but mother doesn’t talk to strange gentlemen in the train.” I was very young, and knew absolutely nothing of the tactics of such persons, but I felt that this action on the man’s part was ill-bred. I was brooding vaguely over the incident, when the same voice, close at hand, said, “Excuse me, madam, but do you not spend the night in El Paso?” “Well, as you are alone with your baby, may I not assist you to a good hotel? A friend of mine keeps one there, and I’d like to help him, and you, too”—all this with a winning smile. I hesitated, with an inborn dread of being unconventional. “No, thank you; baby does not cause me trouble,” I replied with an air of having closed the conversation. We were nearing the city; and in spite of the bustle of preparation, this man kept his seat until I arose to leave the car. Stooping quickly, he took my heavy suit case, and with a smiling “Allow me,” he was out of the car before I realized the situation. Naturally I followed my suit case, and reached the platform in time to see a cabby swing it up on his coach and to hear my “friend” say, “Turner House.” He turned toward me with outstretched hand to assist me in entering the carriage. By this time I had collected my senses enough to demand my suit case; but a policeman had to be called before it was delivered to me. My new acquaintance put on an aggrieved look and explained that I had completely misunderstood his kind intentions. Puzzled over the incident, I related it to my parents and brothers, who explained to me that this was one method of entrapping innocent girls and women into dens of vice. My first question was, “Why didn’t you tell me before? I might have believed him to be an honest man with a good heart endeavoring to help baby and me to a good hotel.” I resolved then and there that whenever I had the opportunity I would warn my sex against the advances of unknown men—yes, and women too, for they also are engaged in this pernicious business. A young friend was showing me a postal card signed “Jack.” She explained that she had met the young man en route to the city. He had helped her find a certain address, and now he was writing to her as familiarly as her brother would. No harm? In some cases we may see no apparent harmful results, but how dare we run the risk? A gentleman will always respect a lady; there are those who cannot be classed as either; it is of these we must beware. Children should be taught to avoid eating candy, cakes, or fruit offered them by strangers. A young man was persuaded to purchase some “headache tablets” of a vender. He did not regain consciousness for three weeks, when he awoke to find himself hundreds of miles from home, his shoes worn from his feet, his clothes in tatters, and his pockets empty. Many girls disappear annually or lose their virtue, and they cannot account for themselves. I feel that it is our plain duty to warn the young of the pitfalls yawning to receive them, although the subject is not one upon which we delight to dwell. It fills my heart with happiness to think of love, joy, peace, fruits of the Spirit; but we know that the tree of transgression is also bearing fruit, and a warning should be given against plucking its enticing, tempting product. Out of Date
By E. C. Silsbee
You may think it rather strange, sir,
That we love each other so,
That for this we both arrange, sir,
As we hurry to and fro;
But it’s so. E’en the little loving word, sir,
And the moment’s fond embrace—
How can we the time afford, sir,
Do you say, in life’s mad race?
By his grace. Do you leave such for the youth, sir,
Say—our married years are long—
That we’re old, too wise, in truth, sir,
And for us is not love’s song?
O, the wrong! See that darling baby boy, sir,
Whom his mother loves so dear!
Such, the master artist’s joy, sir;
Such the angels which are near
Would revere. Only husband, stern and wise (?), sir,
Guarding self so carefully,
Scarce would greet those loving eyes, sir,
Lest he lose his dignity.
Can it be? Yes, ’tis strange, but very true, sir,
Love excels the best of wine;
And we oft would it renew, sir;
It is heaven’s great ensign,
And divine. Kolo Mission, Basutoland, South Africa. “AN hour of triumph comes at last to those who watch and wait.” DON'T swallow milk fast and in such big gulps. Sip it slowly. Take four minutes at least to finish that glassful, and don't take more than a good teaspoonful at one sip. When milk goes into your stomach, it is instantly curdled into one big mass, on the outside of which only the juices of the stomach can work. If you drink it in little sips, each little sip is curdled by itself, and the whole glassful finally finds itself in a loose lump made up of little lumps, through, around, and among which the stomach's juices may percolate and dissolve the whole speedily and simultaneously. Many persons who like milk and know its value as a strength giver, think they cannot use it because it gives them indigestion. Most of them could use it freely if they would drink it only in the way I have described, or if they would better still, drink it hot. Hot milk seems to lose a great deal of its density; you would almost think it had been watered; and it also seems to lose much of its sweetness, which is cloying to some appetites. If the poor only knew and appreciated the value of milk taken in this way, I am sure there would not be so much beer drinking among them. There are thousands of hard-working scrub-women, washerwomen, factory-girls, and even shop-girls in this city, who drink beer with their meals because it gives a little stimulant to their tired bodies; they do not understand that it is only like applying a whip to a weary horse instead of giving him oats. If they only knew, they would find in this simple draft as much real strength as in a barrel of beer.—New York Tribune. The Message Among Foreigners in North America
By Ole Andres Olsen
FROM time to time the attention of the readers of the REVIEW has been called to the large percentage of foreigners among us. The annual influx of immigrants to the United States alone has been averaging one million and more a year. Then add to this the hundreds of thousands that come to Canada, and enormous figures are presented. Speaking of the United States alone, one writer has made the following statement: “If you were to divide these people into groups and put them into cities by themselves, you could have an Italian city as large as Minneapolis, containing 220,000 inhabitants; an Austro-Hungarian city the size of Detroit, 270,000; a Jewish city as large as Providence, R. I., with 180,000; and you would have one hundred cities of from 2,000 to 20,000 without an English-speaking person in them.” If this were only for one or two years it would be considerable, but this rate of influx has now continued for more than ten years, and there is no evidence of any abatement. Thus we have right here in North America a foreign mission field not second to any in the world; and a very unique and peculiar situation it is, for instead of one foreign tongue or nationality to deal with, we have them all. In an ordinary little camp-meeting, such as the recent one held at Bulyea, Saskatchewan, Canada, the message was preached in more than half a dozen languages. This is indeed a unique situation. But this is just as it should be, and comes as a fulfilment of the Saviour’s declaration that this gospel of the kingdom should be preached in all the world as a witness to all its people. This home foreign mission field is one of special interest. While we rejoice over the progress the gospel is making in foreign lands, we are glad to report some progress also among the foreigners in the home land. A beginning, though as yet small, has been made among a few of the many nationalities here. During April this year we had the pleasure of ordaining the first Hungarian minister in this country, Brother John Sivak, of New York. Recently at the camp-meeting at Bismarck, N. Dak., the writer enjoyed the privilege of participating in the ordination of S. G. Burley and J. A. Litwinenco, two Russian brethren, the first of this nationality to be ordained in this country; and later at the Saskatchewan, Canada, camp-meeting, he participated in the ordination of Brother Milan Ostoics, a Servian, the first of this nationality to be ordained to preach the closing message to the world. Thus during the present year four brethren of three different nationalities have been ordained to the gospel ministry in this closing work. This indeed is a source of much encouragement, and marks a decided advance in the work of the message among these people. But after all, this is only a small beginning after so many years. We ought to have had scores of laborers in not only half a dozen or so of the different tongues, but in all the sixty and more languages that are spoken by these nationalities. It is time that a more decided and earnest effort was made to extend the message among the foreigners of North America. They are not only as eligible to the gospel as are Americans, but also as ready to respond to the call when it comes to them in a language they can understand. May we be fully awakened to the importance and the needs of this home mission field among the many foreign nationalities, while conditions are as favorable as they now are. O. A. OLSEN. The West Side gospel tent-meetings in the city of Chicago opened Sunday evening, July 6, with an excellent attendance, which has continued every evening when the weather was at all favorable. On account of two severe storms it was impossible to carry on the regular services. This, of course, has hindered us to some extent in our work thus far. We also have had some extremely hot weather, the hottest that Chicago has experienced in years. One day no less than forty-eight persons died in this city as a result of the excessive heat that prevailed. Our tent is located in a part of the city where quite a per cent of the people are Protestants, and we are glad to report that those who are regularly attending our meetings seem to be a solid and substantial class. We feel convinced that the Lord in a very signal way led in our efforts thus far. At times in our preparation for these meetings it seemed as if we were going to be diverted in our plans, but at the last moment the Lord overruled and success followed. The Sabbath before our tent-meetings opened, there was an earnest call made to our people in Chicago to devote one Sabbath as a day of fasting and prayer in the interests of evangelistic work in Chicago during the coming summer. The day was generally observed, and as a result we are confident that great good will be accomplished. Not only will souls be saved as a result, but it will prove a great blessing to our people who have participated in this most important service. It has also been decided that every day between the hours of twelve and one our people should make the evangelistic work here a subject of special prayer. I am confident that when we can rally our people generally to join with our workers in assuming a part of the responsibility of this great work, it will prove a signal blessing to all concerned. We expect to introduce the Sabbath question in several days, and we most earnestly solicit the prayers of all our people who read this report, that God will send home like an arrow this great truth to the hearts of the people. Remember when writing your friends who you think may be interested to attend these meetings, that they are held at the corner of California and Wilcox Avenues, two blocks south of Madison Street, on the West Side. K. C. RUSSELL. Looking Backward
By M. E. Olsen
SOMETIMES it is well for us to look backward. When the Israelites of old were established in the land of promise; when they had entered into full possession of those houses which they had not built, and of those vineyards and olive groves which they had not planted, they forgot God, the Giver. And so it often is today. When the way is hard, we are tempted to complain; but when the early hardships are over and we are enjoying a season of prosperity, then we forget the God who delivered us, and in forgetting him put ourselves out of the channel where he can use us. We have come to a time in the history of this denomination when it is helpful for us to look back a little and recount the many providences of God in connection with the advent movement; yes, and to dwell on the spirit of earnest devotion and cheerful sacrifice that was manifested by the pioneers. Our work has grown to large dimensions. We have a strong organization, and we have large, well-manned institutions; but these things, however effective they may be as15means and instrumentalities, cannot in any way supply the place of personal initiative and personal devotion to the cause. The great thing today, as at the very beginning of the work, is the development of a people prepared for their Lord, and in this all-important matter we younger men and women can learn precious lessons from the fathers and mothers in Israel who are yet with us. During the last few weeks it has been my privilege to visit some of our oldest churches in order to interview old Sabbath-keepers and gain information to fill certain gaps in the denominational history upon which I am at work, and I have been repeatedly struck with the richness of the material which has never come to light in any of our books and papers. Truly we have a precious heritage in these noble pioneer workers and lay members, whose lives, some of them covering more than fifty years in this message, are still spared to remind us of the simplicity of aim and high-minded devotion to the work which characterized the founders of this movement. It is my warm appreciation of the help already received from these sources, and my desire to obtain more information and to get in touch with still others of the pioneers, that lead me to write this article. The book upon which I am at work will be our first complete denominational history, giving in their proper order all the most significant facts and incidents in the rise and development of this people from the first preaching of William Miller up to the present time. But the history aims to do more than this. It aims to give these facts in their proper setting, to give some insight into the spirit of the work in early days, and to show the providence of God guiding the minds of those who were called to be leaders in that critical, formative period, and thus placing a divine mold on the work. In fact, the book will be essentially an account of how God has called out a people in these last days, and how he is fitting them in a special sense to represent him in the world. Obviously, for such a history to be even reasonably complete and satisfactory, it is necessary that the writer should obtain the fullest possible information from the pioneers in the work, and from the old members of our churches throughout this country and in certain other parts of the world where the message had an early beginning. I would, therefore, earnestly request of members of the REVIEW family who have personal knowledge of incidents in our early work that throw light on those times and on the spirit of the workers, that they write out such experiences, however roughly, and send them to me. In many cases the incidents themselves may be trivial, but often little things are interesting because of the light they throw on matters of larger importance. I have received in response to the note appearing on the last page of the REVIEW some months ago a number of interesting communications, some of them from obscure members of the denomination whom I should otherwise not have come in touch with; and I feel sure that there is much other material of this character that ought to be sent in. I should be glad to have the writers, as far as possible, give dates and names of places and of persons involved, though in some cases the names may not be used in the history. I shall be especially glad to hear from such as have personal recollections of Joseph Bates, James White, J. N. Andrews, and others of our earliest workers. Another matter might be mentioned: It is perhaps not generally known that the General Conference is making a collection of old books, papers, photographs, and prints that have a connection with the beginnings of our work. These rare reminders of an earlier period are carefully arranged, and classified, and kept in a fire-proof vault, where they are accessible to those who wish to consult them. Any of our brethren and sisters who have any such articles in their possession and would like to have them placed in this little museum at the headquarters of our work are cordially invited to send them in. The photos and prints will be helpful in illustrating the history, and the publications will be of use as throwing light on the early phases of the message. Any information sent in response to the foregoing request should be addressed to the writer, at Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C., in care of the General Conference, under whose auspices the book is to be published. The work on the history, as well as the plans for illustrating it, being well under way, promptness on the part of our brethren will be appreciated. Let us unitedly pray that God's blessing may attend the effort to give this full and connected account of his dealings with this people, and that the book, when it comes out, may be a means of enlightenment to many honest inquirers as well as a source of encouragement to our own people, and a stimulus to greater endeavor on their part to give the message to the world. South Carolina
By C. G. MANNS
LEAVING Charleston, S. C., on the twenty-seventh of June, the writer spent ten days with the Lincolnville church. Meetings were held every night, and the interest was good. This church was organized the latter part of June, with a membership of seven. The church building and the lot on which it stands are paid for. The church in Orangeburg is at work. A lot on which to build a church has been purchased for three hundred dollars, a part of which has been paid. The church in Columbia is growing. Some new members are added nearly every Sabbath. The annual camp-meeting will be held here this year, September 4-14. We hope that every church in the conference will be represented. The writer spent three days with the church at Johnston. The hearts of our people were cheered by the communion service held on Sabbath, July 12. The believers are carrying forward the work earnestly, and hope soon to have their new church. The little company at Darlington is of good courage. The Sabbath-school has a membership of twelve, with a growing interest. Brother W. H. Abrams donated a lot to the church, and has erected a church building on it, eighteen by twenty feet. The cost was about five hundred dollars. Brother Abrams is doing Bible work from house to house, and has a good interest. We hope to have a tent-meeting soon for the Darlington company. C. G. MANNS. The Mothers’ Normal Department of the Fireside Correspondence School
For several years individual mothers whose children did not have access to a church-school have taught their children in their own homes. Church-school superintendents have encouraged and aided this work until probably every conference has one or more of these home schools. Good work has been done, but the need of systematic and specific help for these mothers has been increasingly felt. At the council of union conference educational secretaries, held at College View, Nebr., Dec. 5, 1911, this subject was given careful consideration, and it was recommended that a mothers’ normal school be organized, the instruction to be carried on through correspondence, under the direction of the Department of Education of the General Conference. In endeavoring to carry out this recommendation, the Department of Education sought for some time for a suitable person to take charge of this work,—a person at the same time a mother and a teacher. At last Mrs. C. C. Lewis was suggested. She had passed through all the experiences of a mother, and had for many years been connected with our schools as preceptress and teacher. During the years when, on account of the care of her small children, she was unable to engage in school work, she conducted a little paper for mothers, called Early Education, which attained a circulation of several thousand subscribers, and is still gratefully remembered by many mothers for the helpful hints it gave them in the early training of their children. These experiences combined to qualify her for the work suggested, and she has consented to take up this work for mothers, which will be a department of the Fireside Correspondence School. When completed, this department will embrace eight courses, or years, of study, only two of which can be offered at present. The others will be prepared as fast as the time will permit. 1. Early education. This course begins with the prospective mother, and tries to answer the questions of Manoah, “What shall we do unto the child that shall be born?” “How shall we order the child? and how shall we do unto him?” See Judges 13. It will direct the reading of the mother, and will aim to give her a just view of the meaning of motherhood, and to instruct her in the duties and responsibilities of that sacred office. It will go with her step by step during the first four years of the child’s life, and by means of reading, instruction, and personal correspondence will help to lay broad and firm and deep in the Christian religion the foundations of the child’s character. It will help the mother through kindergarten principles and methods to develop normally her child’s growing powers, and will prepare her for the time when more formal instruction should begin. It will give much attention to the formation of right habits. This course should be taken by mothers having children under five years of age. 2. First Grade. The work of the first course is here continued and the two blended happily together, so that there will be no break between them. The lessons will help the mother to guide the784child’s mind during the beginning of the period when more formal instruction is needed, and will conduct the child through the first grade of work, as outlined by the General Conference Department of Education, using as a basis the First Reader of the True Education Series. Two years are given to this grade, so as to avoid the possibility of overcrowding or cramming the child’s mind. But it may be taken in one year if the child is old enough and strong enough. The remaining courses will be continued, one for each grade, up to and including the seventh grade, where the regular work of the Correspondence School begins. During the first of these years the instruction will be directed to the mother, but will be transferred gradually to the child, all the lines of work in a grade being carried forward in the lessons together until the eighth grade is reached. Here the subjects will be separated, and the instruction will be continued in separate courses for different subjects, the lessons being directed personally to the child, now grown to be a youth. Mrs. Lewis would be glad to receive letters from interested parents and educators in regard to what grades are most needed at present, so as to determine what course of lessons to prepare next. These courses will be ready September 1. Enrolment should begin at once, that we may soon know how large the classes are to be. Other courses of the Correspondence School are open the year round. Pupils may begin at any time. Send for enrolment blanks and the new calendar containing full information. Other papers, please copy essential facts. Address C. C. Lewis, principal, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. SAVANNAH.—We are glad to report that the tent effort on the east of the city has met with much success during the past three weeks. An unusual interest has been manifested on the part of the people who live near the tent, and each night our large tent is filled with those who seem glad to know the true way. Last Sunday morning, twenty persons followed the blessed Lord in baptism, and since that time others have accepted the truth, and are willing to do all for Jesus. Our third annual camp-meeting for the colored people will convene in Savannah, August 28 to September 8. Delegates are expected from Austell, Atlanta, Macon, Brunswick, and Albany. Several tents will be erected on the grounds for the accommodation of the delegates, and for those who wish to camp. A special effort will be put forth to have strong preachers from other fields to add to our present force in the presentation of truth adapted to the occasion. We extend a cordial invitation to all our brethren and sisters to attend this meeting. If your faith is strong in God, and in the soon triumph of this message, you should come; your presence is needed. A commodious dining-tent will be conducted on the grounds. Thus all can be speedily served, and with as great a degree of economy as the individual may desire. Meals at fifteen cents each will be served. Delegates and all visiting brethren who expect to be supplied with tents or rooms, should write me at once. Pray for us, that the blessing of God may bring great progress in this field the coming year. J. W. MANNS.