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Review and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 36.

Christian, Onward!
Earlier text: Christian, Onward!

Catholicism and the Weakness of Protestantism

THE weakness of an apostate Protestantism is being recognized by the Roman Catholic Church, and its failure to fulfil its mission is being charged up to a refusal to accept the authority of the self-constituted interpreter of the Scriptures — the papacy. Thus The Catholic Mirror says:—
The breaking up of dogmatic religion outside the Catholic Church has been more rapid, possibly, of late years, but the seed was sown in the sixteenth century when the acceptance of an ultimate teaching authority was refused. Since then Protestantism has gone from bad to worse until at the present time the most dictatorial of its sects dares not, for fear of internal dissensions, condemn or ex-communicate its heterodox ministers. . . . The Protestantism of to-day has not cohesive power enough to retain its own members, let alone vitality and growth, and hence its members turn to political economy and sociology only to be disappointed, for however excellent these are, they are no substitute for religion. The religious struggle of the future will not be between Catholicism and Protestantism, as in the past, but between Catholicism and irreligion.
In this weakness of Protestantism, due to the departure from its own principles, Roman Catholicism will find its opportunity to reassert itself. There is, however, a message against both the beast and his image which will have the seal of divine power, and which will bring deliverance to those who accept it. Let the light and the power of this message be revealed.

The Theology Born of Modern Science

The men of this generation have “refused to have God in their knowledge,” and have devised a god in harmony with their own conceptions. They have accepted the hypotheses and conclusions of an infidel science in the place of the divine revelation, and have judged themselves wise enough to condemn the wisdom of God as manifested in the plan of salvation. They have become vain in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts have become darkened. As an illustration of the truthfulness of these startling declarations, we quote the following statement of the creed of “the theology born of modern science:” —
A god who is the life and soul of the universe — over all, through all, and in all. A world and a universe always existing, and forever expressing the will and purpose of the interpenetrating divine mind. A creator or purposer, whose plans have never been thwarted, and whose creatures have never successfully defied him, and whose will is being to-day, and in all time, superbly accomplished in the lifting of man to higher and higher spheres of thought and love. A salvation, not for the few, nor by arbitrary decree, nor by the blood of a sacrificed God, but the salvation of all who, by their own wills, co-operate with the infinitely good, beautiful, and true,—a salvation that is never complete, but always progressing. Jesus manifesting the purposiveness which has been expressed in all time and in all nature for righteousness,—a magnificent leader and atoner, bringing man face to face with the Father. A finality that consists not in heavens and hells, but in eternal progress, lighted up by the sun of eternal hope.
Such scientific theology as this can be maintained only by discarding the Biblical revelation, shutting our eyes to actual conditions about us, and substituting fancies for facts. It presents a god who is responsible by the direct action of his will for all the evil which now curses the world; it requires us to believe, in the face of the terrible facts which confront us, that man is being lifted to “higher and higher spheres of thought and love;” it demands assent to the whole scheme of evolution as the method of creating and upholding the universe; it teaches pantheism by making God and nature coexistent and inseparable; and under the figment of an impersonal god it really exalts man as his own savior, and advocates the divinity of humanity. Away with it!

The Kingdom

By L. D. Santee

“And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me.” Luke 22:29.
L. D. SANTEE
HEAVEN is a sea of splendor, In the kingdom; Eyes will gleam with love-light tender In the kingdom; Woe or sorrow cometh never, But the gladness is forever; Friends united, ne’er shall sever, In the kingdom.
In the blissful sea of glory, In the kingdom, We shall tell the dear old story, In the kingdom, How the Saviour died to save us, Of the countless gifts he gave us, Coming to the earth to have us In the kingdom.
No lives dull, and cold, and dreary, In the kingdom, No forms bowed, and worn, and weary, In the kingdom, But a life, supreme, eternal, An existence glad, supernal, Where are endless seasons vernal, In the kingdom.
Long we’ve watched, and prayed, and waited For the kingdom, Still our faith is unabated In the kingdom; For the Lord will come from heaven, For his saints redeemed, forgiven; Homes unending will be given In the kingdom.
We’ll forget earth’s toils and sadness, In the kingdom, In the joy of heaven’s gladness, In the kingdom; All the prophecies seem clearer, And the time of rest is nearer, And the “blessed hope” is dearer, Of the kingdom.
Dixon, Ill.

Correct Views Concerning the Testimonies

By Ellen G. White

A Reply to an Inquirer

(Concluded)
The statement which you quote from “Testimony,” No. 31, that “in these letters which I wrote, in the Testimonies I bear, I am presenting to you that which the Lord has presented to me. I do not write one article in the paper, expressing merely my own ideas. They are what God has opened before me in vision—the precious rays of light shining from the throne,” is correct. It is true concerning the articles in our papers and in the many volumes of my books. I have been instructed in accordance with the Word in the precepts of the law of God. I have been instructed in selecting from the lessons of Christ. Are not the positions taken in my writings in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ? If not, point it out to me.
To some of the questions you have asked, I am not to answer Yes or No. I must not make statements that can be misconstrued. I see and feel the peril of those who I have been instructed were endangering their souls at times by listening to deceptive representations regarding the messages that God has given me. Through many twistings and turnings and false reasonings on what I have written, they seek to vindicate their personal unbelief. I am sorry for my brethren who have been walking in the mist of suspicion and skepticism and false reasoning. I know that some of them would be blessed by messages of counsel if the clouds obscuring their spiritual vision could be driven back, and they could see aright. But they do not see clearly. Therefore I dare not communicate with them.
When the Spirit of God clears away the mysticism, there will be found just as complete comfort and faith and hope in the messages that I have been instructed to give as were found in them in years past.
Truth will surely bear away the victory. One who gave His life to ransom man from the delusions of Satan is not asleep, but watching. When his sheep turn away from following the voice of a stranger whose sheep they are not, they will rejoice in the life of Christ. The envious Pharisees misinterpreted the acts and words of Christ, which, if properly received, would have been beneficial to their spiritual understanding. Instead of admiring his goodness, they charged him, in the presence of his disciples, with impiety—“Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?” Instead of addressing our blessed Saviour himself, whose answer would at once have convicted them of their malice, they talked with the disciples, and made their charges where, as a leaven of evil, they would do great harm. If Christ had been an impious man he would have lost his hold upon the hearts of his believing followers. But because of their confidence in Christ, the disciples would not give ear to the insinuations of his wicked accusers.
Desiring to bring censure upon the disciples, these wicked accusers went again and again to Christ with the question, Why do thy disciples that which is not lawful? And when they judged our Lord to have transgressed, they spoke not to himself, but to his disciples, to plant the seeds of unbelief in the hearts of his followers. Thus they worked to bring in doubt and dissension. Every method was tried to bring doubt into the hearts of the little flock, that it might cause them to watch for something that would check the good and gracious work of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Work of this same character will be brought to bear upon true believers to-day. The Lord Jesus reads the heart; he discerns the intents and purposes of the thoughts of all men concerning himself and his believing disciples. He answers their thoughts concerning the fault-finding ones. “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” The insolent Pharisees had an exalted idea of their own piety and holiness, while they were ready to pass censure on the lives of others.
On one occasion those who were guilty of many secret sins, brought to Christ a woman who had been taken in sin. They thought that he would pronounce judgment against her, and then they could accuse him of taking judgment into his own hands. While they were presenting the case, Christ was busy writing on the sand. He said nothing, and when they pressed him for a decision, he was in no hurry to pronounce judgment. One after another came near to him to see what he was writing, and there in the sand they saw the record of their own sins. Then Christ said to them, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.” But not a stone was cast, and they went away, leaving the woman with him. He said to her, “Where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?” She said, “No man, Lord.” Christ answered, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
The Lord Jesus beheld the whole plot and the arrogance of the ones who had arranged it, who were worthy of condemnation and punishment, and when they saw that he knew their lives, they left and went out, having failed in their desire to bring about the condemnation of Christ.
Let no one complain. True religion is free from the exaltation of self. If we have not a sense of our interest, heart and mind and soul, in our Saviour, if we have not the grace and the intelligent Bible knowledge to apply to ourselves his merits and disposition of character, through the merits of the atonement, we shall obtain no ease, on assurance.
Bear in mind that it is none but God that can hold an argument with Satan. The sentiments of the enemy are to be met with a plain “Thus saith the Lord.” Human infirmity, I am instructed, will not be able to resist the devil. Always keep aloof from secret science. If the mind is once open to this evil, Satan has the mastery. Flee from this unequal conflict. Let it ever be our individual care to keep clear of Satan’s mysterious devisings. He will ever be making efforts to give power to secret science by which to overcome us, and then follows the sin of secret disobedience.
The law of the Lord is to be written on the heart. If it is not, we never obey it in truth. I am having deeply impressed upon my mind the history of the children of Israel while the awful presence of God was before them, as recorded in Ex. 19:16. “And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so all the people that was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and theystood at the nether part of the mount. And Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.”
This was the all-important occasion when God and angels came from heaven to the armies of Israel. Here was the law spoken in awful solemnity. The Lord God manifested himself to his people who were delivered out of Egyptian bondage. But this very people, while waiting before the mount for Moses to return, were tempted to doubt, by the suggestion of some that perplexities were arising, and notwithstanding the most solemn impressions that had been recently made upon their minds, they now by their attitude of questioning and doubt, invited the tempter to come in as an honored guest. Growing doubt soon led to a demand for a substitute for Moses.
Only a few days before, the presence of the Lord was manifest in such power that they were terribly afraid and asked that Moses might hear the words of God, and then speak the same to them. But now they wanted something present that they could depend upon.
They might, at this time, have been learning precious lessons, which the Lord was ready to give them, if they had trusted fully in him. But the result of their murmuring and unbelief, was that Aaron made them a golden calf to represent God. He proclaimed this idol to be God, and a great deal of enthusiasm was created over this false god. If instead of doing this, he had called to mind the wonderful deliverance which God had wrought for them, and every mind had been drawn upon to express gratitude to God for all his rich mercies in delivering his people from Egyptian bondage, they might have been placed on vantage-ground, to glorify the Lord God who had wrought such wonderful deliverance from degradation and slavery.
Mrs. E. G. White.

Growth in Bible Distribution

THE Bible in the World reports this remarkable advance in the circulation of the Scriptures the whole world over:—
“Two years ago we received tidings of a marked revival springing up in Madagascar. Last year the total sales in that island were 26,000 copies, against 15,000 copies the previous year; and during the first six months of 1905 the society granted a further supply of 10,000 Malagasy Bibles, 5,000 Testaments, and 10,000 Gospels in response to urgent requests from the missions in Madagascar.
“In Spain, despite the adverse conditions attending all Protestant work, 113,000 copies were circulated, against 88,000.
“In Greece, although the New Testament in modern Greek is prohibited, the output of Scriptures last year was nearly 13,000, against the previous total of 12,500.
“Central South Africa circulated nearly 32,000 copies, mostly Bibles and Testaments, against 24,000 in 1903.
“In Korea the circulation was 52,000, against 28,800 in 1903.
“North Malaysia reports an increase of 12,000, while the circulation in South Malaysia increased by 19,000 copies.”—Record of Christian Work.

A Plea for the Large Books

By E. R. Allen

E. R. ALLEN
I HAVE been watching with much interest the canvassers' reports from several States, both North and South, and from these I notice a strong tendency to handle the cheaper books. The question constantly arises, Why are not those books being sold which the spirit of prophecy has told us should be sold just now, namely, “Great Controversy,” “Daniel and the Revelation,” and “Patriarchs and Prophets”?
True, all our books are good books, and I doubt not many an agent consoles himself with this thought when urged by the Spirit of God to take up advanced work with the larger books. Some of the smaller books are splendid works for beginners in canvassing, and possibly quite appropriate for the more experienced agent to sell in certain localities. Yet it is my opinion that one who will read and understand the smaller works will also understand and be much more benefited by such books as “Great Controversy.”
To sell these cheaper books over a territory, and not follow with some work giving the whole message (which all must admit these books do not do), is as if one should put up a tent, preach a few sermons on general topics, the coming of Christ, etc., and remove to another place without saying anything about the Sabbath, the mark of the beast, and other important subjects treated so clearly and forcibly in the three books mentioned by the spirit of prophecy as “meat in due season,” just now. As late, I believe, as June, 1905, the Lord designated the three books which I have named as the books for the times.
Some may say the higher-priced books can not be sold, but this has been demonstrated to be untrue. The best binding of some of our smaller books is but little less than the drab cloth binding of “Great Controversy.” The majority of people who will pay the price for the former, can be induced to take the latter if properly shown.
One day lately I worked in a territory previously canvassed for one of these smaller books, and about the only good I could discern was that it had somewhat prepared the way for “Great Controversy,” of which I sold five. This result I believe will always follow, especially if the same agent will follow the cheaper with the more important works. If the State agents would see to it that every district worked with the cheap books was recanvassed a few months later with the books giving the whole message, our efforts to hasten the coming of Christ would not be so nearly lost. Are we really advancing the cause at all when we sell the cheaper books because we can make more money, or because we are afraid the people will not like the books which give the message with no uncertain sound?
I long to see the time when our more experienced agents will take to heart the lessons on pages 44 and 45 of “Manual for Canvassers,” and go forth with power to warn the world as quickly as possible, even though they do not make as much money, and even though they awaken the ire of the enemy by so doing.
“If our canvassers are controlled by the spirit of financial gain, if they circulate the books upon which they can make the most money, to the neglect of others that the people need, I ask, In what sense is theirs a missionary work? Where is the missionary spirit, the spirit of self-sacrifice? The work of the intelligent, God-fearing canvasser has been represented as equal to that of the gospel minister. Then should the canvasser feel at liberty, any more than the minister, to act from selfish motives? Should he be unfaithful to the principles of missionary work, and sell only those books that are cheapest and easiest to handle, neglecting to place before the people books which will give most light, because by so doing he can earn more money for himself? How is the missionary spirit here revealed? Has not the canvassing work ceased to be what it should be? How is it that no voice is raised to correct this state of things?”
If our work is not “equal to that of the gospel minister,” is it not because we are not “intelligent and God-fearing canvassers”? Let us not be satisfied with our attainments, but ever seek higher and wider fields of usefulness, and see to it that God himself is directing our steps and shaping our plans from day to day.
Lilesville, N. C.

The Bible’s Simplicity and Divine Wisdom

“THE Bible unfolds truth with a simplicity and an adaptation to the needs and longings of the human heart, that has astonished and charmed the most highly cultivated minds, while to the humble and uncultured, it also makes plain the way of life. ‘The wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.’ No child need mistake the path. Not one trembling seeker need fail of walking in pure and holy light. Yet the most simply stated truths lay hold upon themes elevated, far-reaching, infinitely beyond the power of human comprehension—mysteries that are the hiding of his glory—mysteries that overpower the mind in its research, while they inspire the sincere seeker for truth with reverence and faith. The more we search the Bible, the deeper is our conviction that it is the Word of the living God, and human reason bows before the majesty of divine wisdom.”

Special Funds

Tithes

Amount
Tithes paid by Sabbath-keepers in North American Union Conferences in 1905 $670,520.31
Tithes paid by Sabbath-keepers in all other fields 187,494.60
Grand total tithes paid in 1905 $858,014.91
Grand total tithes paid in 1904 691,819.33
Net increase for 1905 over 1904 $166,195.58
Average for each Sabbath-keeper in 1905 $9.83
Average for each Sabbath-keeper in 1904 $8.47
Increase per capita $1.36
Per cent of gain in tithes paid in 1905 over 1904 24.021

Offerings

Amount
Total offerings to missions, from all sources except Sabbath-school offerings $119,440.14
Sabbath-school offerings to foreign missions 49,894.97
Total offerings to missions from the entire world, for 1905 $169,335.11
Total of similar offerings for 1904 144,712.20
Net increase for 1905 $24,622.91
Per cent of increase for 1905 over 1904 17.01
Of the foregoing amount of offerings for 1905 there was contributed in North America $134,827.34
All other countries 34,507.77
Total $169,335.11

Special Funds

Amount
Tithes appropriated by North American Conferences for evangelistic work in mission fields in 1905 $79,557.81
Amount raised in all other countries 18,139.08
Total for 1905 $97,696.89
Grand total “offerings” as noted above $169,335.11
Total tithes and offerings contributed for mission fields in 1905 $267,032.00
Total of similar funds in 1904 227,743.31
Net increase for 1905 over 1904 $39,288.69

Contributions for Special Work

Amount
Contributed by North American Conferences for special work, such as support of orphanages, religious liberty work, work for colored people in the Southern States, etc., where the funds are sent outside the church, but not to a foreign mission field (reported incompletely, however) $95,232.75
Contributed by all other fields for similar purposes 12,453.10
Total contributions for special work in 1905 $107,685.85

Contributions for Local Church Work

Amount
Contributed by North American Conferences for local church work, such as distribution of literature, assisting needy poor, church expenses, and all other local missionary work or enterprises (reported incompletely, however) $17,964.69
Contributed by all other fields for similar purposes 9,198.34
Total for 1905 $27,163.03

Grand Totals

Amount
Total tithes from all the world in 1905 $858,014.91
Total offerings from all the world in 1905 169,335.11
Sabbath-school donations not included in offerings to missions, but expended by local Sabbath-schools and State associations (and in some cases donations to orphanages) 18,718.74
Total contributions for special work 107,685.85
Total contributions for local church work 27,163.03
Grand total of all funds raised by the Seventh-day Adventist denomination in 1905, for evangelistic work $1,180,917.64
Total amount of similar funds for 1904 856,714.28
Net increase for 1905 over 1904 $324,203.36
Per cent of increase 37.84
Average for each Sabbath-keeper in 1905 $13.52
Total Sabbath-keepers in North American Union Conferences 65,186
Total Sabbath-keepers in all other fields 22,125
Grand total 87,311
Tithe per capita in North America $10.29
Tithe per capita in other fields $8.47
Total tithes, offerings, and other funds raised in North American union conferences during 1905 $934,763.70
Total of similar funds in other countries 246,153.94
Grand total for 1905 $1,180,917.64
Per capita for North America $14.34
Per capita for all other countries $11.13

Statistical Report of Seventh-day Adventist Conferences and Missions

For the Year Ending Dec. 31, 1905—Table No. 1

The table reports, by conference and mission, the area, population, churches, membership, companies, Sabbath-keepers, Sabbath-schools, ministers, missionaries, book and periodical canvassers, laborers, educational work, tithe receipts, offerings, special-work contributions, local-church contributions, and book and periodical sales. The principal divisions are the North American Union Conferences, Australasian Union Conference, European Union Conferences, and Miscellaneous Union Conferences.
The statistical report continues through the conferences and missions, including the District of Columbia, Atlantic, Canadian, Southern, Lake, Northern, Central, Southwestern, and Pacific Union Conferences; the Australasian, German, Scandinavian, British, Latin, and Oriental Unions; and the South African, South American, and miscellaneous mission fields.

For the Year Ending Dec. 31, 1905—Table No. 1 (Continued)

The continued table gives the corresponding educational, tithe, offering, Sabbath-school, special-work, local-church, and publication figures for the remaining conferences and missions.

Statistical Report of Seventh-day Adventist Conferences and Missions

The report continues with the Oriental Union Mission, South African Union Conference, South American Union Mission, and Miscellaneous fields, followed by the Recapitulation of Conferences and Missions.

For the Year Ending Dec. 31, 1905—Table No. 1 (Concluded)

The concluding portion gives the totals for the several unions and missions and the grand totals for 1905 and 1904. For the North American Union Conferences the grand totals are: total Sabbath-keepers, 87,311; total tithe receipts, $858,014.91; amount of tithe appropriated to fields outside the conference, $97,696.89; total offerings to foreign missions, $119,440.14; total Sabbath-school offerings, $68,613.71; total Sabbath-school offerings to foreign missions, $49,894.97; total contributions for special work, $107,685.85; total contributions for local church work, $27,163.03; and retail value of books and periodicals sold, $548,067.03.

Summary of Statistical Reports, 1863 to 1905—Table No. 2

The summary presents, for each year from 1863 through 1905, the number of union and local conferences, missions, ministers, licentiates, licensed missionaries, canvassers, total laborers, churches, membership, Sabbath-keepers, tithe, per capita, offerings to missions, total Sabbath-school offerings, and book and periodical sales. The totals reported are: tithe for the years 1863–1905, $9,095,936.43; offerings to missions, $2,047,274.12; total Sabbath-school offerings, $756,838.42; book and periodical sales, $7,723,801.66; and grand total tithes and offerings, $11,143,210.55.

Foot-notes for Table No. 1

1. The tithe per capita is based upon the total Sabbath-keepers, and not upon the church-membership, for the reason that the funds come not from the members of churches alone, but from members of companies and from isolated persons as well. 2. A very true index of the growth of the work in each field is given in column 12, showing the per cent of gain in total Sabbath-keepers for 1905 compared with the standing for 1904. The decrease in each field is shown by an asterisk. 3. By “total laborers” in column 20 is meant the number of persons employed in the conference or mission field, including not only the four classes named, but all other persons not specified. 4. Former reports have given separate amounts received from annual offerings, First-day offerings, and miscellaneous offerings, to foreign missions. In this report all amounts received from these three sources are included in column 34, showing total offerings to missions, except the amount received from Sabbath-schools, which is reported separately in column 36. 5. In column 37 are shown, for the first time in this report, the amounts contributed for special lines of home mission work, such as for orphanages, religious liberty work, work for certain classes (as the colored people in the Southern field), or for any special line of work where the funds are sent outside the local church, but not into a foreign mission field. 6. Column 38, also a new column, in which is indicated the contributions for local church work, such as distribution of literature, assisting needy poor, church expenses, and all money collected in
local churches and expended in local missionary work or enterprises. Like the preceding column, the returns, as will be noted from Table No. 1, are incomplete, and being reported here for the first time, the comparisons with 1904 are not given. 7. The division of territory between the South Russian Conference and the Middle Russian and North Russian missions depends upon the language spoken, and not according to territorial lines. 8. Under General Conference are included those engaged in general labor, as well as the amount of tithes and offerings not accounted for elsewhere in this report. During 1905 the General Conference received on the $100,000 fund, $63,524.38, of which it is estimated that $50,000 was paid by individuals direct to the General Conference, and hence the latter amount is given here, because it is not reported by local conferences. 9. The four quarterly reports which the Sabbath-school Department has published for 1905 show $69,421.95 as total Sabbath-school contributions, and $48,974.42 as donations to missions. This annual report shows $68,613.71 and $49,894.97, respectively. The difference is partly because of a difference in the time of making out the reports. The annual report is intended to give only the amount received up to December 31. In making up the quarterly reports it frequently occurs that they are held for some time to include all that may be reported as belonging to that quarter. Another point which has a bearing on this apparent discrepancy is the fact that the quarterly reports which the Sabbath-school Department publishes contain reports from foreign fields one quarter behind those in the United States; hence, as the time of the two reports does not agree, the amounts can not be expected to agree.

Foot-notes for Table No. 2

1. Estimated conservatively. 2. By the term “mission” is meant a local field not yet organized into a conference, whether in the United States or elsewhere. 3. In the column showing total laborers are included all persons specified in preceding columns, as well as all other laborers not thus specified. 4. Beginning with 1900 the report shows the number of Sabbath-keepers, as well as the church-membership. The difference is made up of members of companies and isolated believers. From this point the tithe per capita is based on the Sabbath-keepers. 5. From 1874 to 1888 the offerings to missions is estimated. It is believed that this is done on a conservative basis. The term “missions” here does not necessarily mean foreign missions, although 1874 is the year when such work was entered upon by the denomination. The figures in this column include money from all sources, aside from tithes, used for evangelistic work in mission fields. If additional evidence were needed to show the wisdom of more thoroughly organizing the work throughout the world, as was counseled by the spirit of prophecy at the 1901 session of the General Conference, it is abundantly furnished in the foregoing report, which indicates that the progress of the work since 1901 has been at a very much more rapid and substantial rate than ever before in its history. Truly this cause is now moving forward with an impetus never before manifested, because the time has come to finish the work.

The Statistical Report for 1905

By H. E. Rogers

Statistical Report of Seventh-day Adventist Conferences and Missions For the Year Ending December 31, 1905

The Statistical Report for 1905

The following pages contain the statistical report for 1905, in which is shown the standing of our work in the various fields in detail, by groups, and the grand total. A report of this nature can not be compiled without receiving accurate returns from every field; consequently the publication of this report has been delayed until all these returns are in hand. A few delinquent secretaries have made it impossible to issue this report earlier.
Accurate figures have been secured from the entire world, with the exception of the mission fields of China, Central America, and Cuba. Conservative estimates for these fields are given, so that the entire report is complete, and represents numerically the standing of our work in progress at the close of 1905.
This report shows a great increase in almost every feature, being the largest report ever published by the denomination. The figures indicating this growth will bear careful study by those wishing to become informed regarding the present standing of this cause.
The report is compiled under two tables. Table No. 1 gives the same information that former reports have given, with the addition of some new items, to which reference is made in the foot-notes. The careful reader will observe that the greatest gains for the year have been in the amount of funds given for the support of the work. While it is true that figures can not always be taken as correctly representing the development of the work, yet in this case, the figures indicating the manner in which this cause is being sustained would seem to be a very true index of the way it is regarded by the believers in this message. Never before in the history of this cause has this people, throughout the entire world, exhibited greater loyalty than has been exemplified in the sacrifices made and the offerings given for the support of this work in its various phases. The total funds for 1905 are more than one-third greater than the amount given during 1904. This result will be very gratifying to every lover of this cause.
Table No. 2 shows, for each year, the principal items covered by the statistical reports from the time the General Conference was organized in 1863, to 1905. This table will help one to understand how this work has grown from a very small beginning, and one can not but note the ratio of increase in later years, as well as its present magnitude. As indicated in the table, it has been necessary in some cases, because of a failure to compile reports for certain years, to estimate, but this has always been done in a conservative manner.
In order that the leading features of the financial portion of Table No. 1 may be readily understood, there is given herewith a brief statement showing the total amounts contributed by the denomination for the entire world during 1905, compared with the amounts for 1904.
H. E. ROGERS, Statistical Secretary.

The Alabama Camp-Meeting

By K. C. Russell

This meeting was held at Attalla, August 16-26. Attalla is a town of about two thousand inhabitants, and is located in a valley at the southern extremity of Lookout Mountain. The camp was pitched upon a hill in a beautiful grove of pine-trees, from which one could look down upon the town and valley beneath.
The attendance of our people at this meeting was larger than was expected. The attendance of the citizens from the outside was excellent at the evening services, and much interest was manifested in the truths which were presented.
It was the purpose of those in charge of the meeting so to present the message that it would cover such lines of the truth and work as would be adapted to the great needs of our people in these most strenuous times.
The laborers who were in attendance from outside the conference were Elder R. M. Kilgore, Prof. J. E. Tenney, Dr. M. M. Martinson, Brother I. A. Ford, and the writer. It was a pleasure to meet the brethren and sisters of the Alabama Conference and note their devotion to the principles of the third angel's message. There was an interest on the part of all to obtain all the instruction possible upon every phase of the message for these times. The interest was also manifested by liberally responding to the various calls which were made for funds with which to support the cause.
On the Sabbath the Lord came very near in our revival service, and nearly all present responded to the call to seek the Lord in a special way to be delivered from sin.
There were in attendance a number of Seventh-day Baptists at this Sabbath service, and also a number of the members from a church belonging to the denomination that was organized by the Snook and Brinkerhoff faction that apostatized from the Seventh-day Adventists on the point of the spirit of prophecy in the State of Iowa years ago. The Spirit of God moved upon their hearts, and we hope that it may continue its work, and that they will yet see the truth in its beauty.
The work of the world-wide mission field was presented at an evening service when an excellent outside attendance was present to listen. By the way, we have taken occasion to present this several times this summer when we had a good attendance from the outside. We believe it has made a very favorable impression upon the people.
The religious liberty work was given its share of attention at this meeting, and there was a deep interest manifested on the part of our people in this feature of our work. The following resolution was passed, which indicates the attitude of the Alabama Conference concerning the spirit of prophecy at this time:— “Whereas, The time has come when Satan is seeking to bring doubts into the minds of many with reference to the spirit of prophecy's being in the church, and the real place it is to occupy; therefore,— “Resolved, That as a conference we express our confidence in the Testimonies of the Spirit, and our thankfulness to God for this special gift.”
Elder A. J. Haysmer was elected president of this conference for the ensuing year, and Sister Helen McKinnon secretary and treasurer. We feel confident that the work in this conference will make greater progress in the future than it has in the past. The financial report showed that there had been a gain in the tithe over last year, an aggregate to the amount of $1,049.19.
I trust that our people will remember often the work in this Southern field, and also the workers, who have so many difficulties to wrestle with in their efforts to advance the message.
K. C. RUSSELL.
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