p. 125 | Review and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 8. (2/20/1900)

Earlier text: Students Protest Rationalism at Boston University

TO WHICH CLASS DO YOU BELONG?

By L. A. Smith

THE religion of Jesus Christ divides the world into two great classes, and only two; and to which one of these a person belongs, is a question determined, not by his church membership, nor by his profession, but by the spirit that he has. “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Rom. 8:9.

If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he has another spirit; and there is only one other spirit that he can have. The only other spirit that has ever been manifested, from the first act in opposition to the Spirit of Christ down to the present time, is the spirit of self.

The first being who ever had the spirit of self was the devil; and every one since who has had the spirit of self has had the spirit of the devil.

The spirit of self got into the Christian church, and produced the papacy. Among the very disciples who followed Christ, the contest began as to who should be the greatest; and in the course of this contest, as it was afterward carried on in the Christian church, one man finally succeeded in exalting himself “above all that is called God, or that is worshiped,” taking the title “pope.” That marked the supreme point of possible self-exaltation; and ever since that was done, the pope has stood as the visible earthly head of the system that has been developed from the working of the spirit of self.

That system is the papacy, and is represented wherever the spirit of self is allowed to work. It includes every institution where the self-seeking spirit is exalted, and every person in whom that spirit rules. And this is plainly affirmed in the word of eternal truth; for of the papacy it is written: “All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Rev. 13:8.

Every self-serving person is included in that great antichristian system, whose earthly head sits in the Vatican at Rome. Are there any such persons in the Seventh-day Adventist Church?

Clearly, it is entirely possible for one to be professedly a believer in the seventh-day Sabbath, the second advent of Christ, and other Seventh-day Adventist doctrines, holding church membership with those who believe these doctrines, and even professedly working to advance the Third Angel’s Message, and yet be actually a part of the papacy. Lucifer had everything but the Spirit of Christ when he became the devil and the actual head of the papal system.

It is through the avenue of a wrong spirit that wrong doctrines come into the church. The “damnable heresies” were brought into the Christian church by men who sought to draw away disciples after themselves. Every false doctrine has its place in the temple of self-exaltation. The church that had been Christian became Babylon the Great, and it became necessary for Christians to separate themselves from it. But in time the same spirit crept into the separated body, and produced the same antichristian results. Great Babylon began to have daughters. And the process of separating from a church that had become dominated by the spirit of self-exaltation, forming a new body proclaiming God’s truth, and finally of falling under the domination of the same spirit, by which a new daughter was born to Babylon, went on through the centuries down to the rise of the Third Angel’s Message.

Are you a Seventh-day Adventist, a church-member in “good and regular standing,” acquainted with the doctrines, able to give the argument, and perhaps preaching it to public congregations? Do not flatter yourself any on this account. The question is, Do you have the Spirit of Christ? If not, you are only less consistent and less honest than the one who openly acknowledges membership in the papal church.

L. A. SMITH.

The Holy Spirit Changes Character

“The Holy Spirit operates the same the world over. When it is received into the heart, the whole character is changed.”

DO YOU EVER EXPECT TO BE BEHIND PRISON BARS?

By David Paulson

When a man enters a prison, at that moment the world becomes as dead to him as he does to the world. It is a domain that the message of the gospel has never succeeded in making any special impression upon, until recently. Each prison has a chaplain, who is appointed by the State. Some of them are certainly godly men, while others, from the very nature of the case, must necessarily be politicians; for the government is not supposed to be able to determine to any special extent the measure of a man’s spiritual fitness for such a position.

There are two persons who, during the last few years, have been specially instrumental, in the hands of God, of opening these prison doors to outside gospel influences. One is Mrs. Ballington Booth, of the American Volunteers, and the other is D. L. Moody, who has so recently passed away. These two workers, with their world-wide reputation as successful gospel workers, carried with them such a weight of influence that they secured an entrance everywhere, and thus broke down to a large extent this “middle wall of partition.”

The question is, Shall this golden opportunity be improved of carrying the gospel message to those behind prison bars? In nearly all instances literature that has a denominational flavor about it is more or less rigidly excluded. But there are thousands of men in prison who are thirsting for the simple story of a crucified Saviour, in whose cases, in many instances at least, it was apparently necessary for them to get into prison in order to have sufficient time to meditate about their own soul’s condition. These, having been awakened and stirred by the knowledge of a sin-pardoning Saviour, when the time for their release arrives, will come directly to those who have helped them, as our experience in Chicago has taught us. And that furnishes an excellent opportunity, if God is moving upon them in that direction, to teach them more fully the thrilling truths for this time.

Last summer forty-two thousand copies of one issue of the Life Boat were sent out to the prisons in the United States. From the remarkable results that can be traced directly to this number, it certainly seems that this issue must have gone out with the special benediction of heaven to accomplish a work for God. What are some of the results? A chaplain from one of the State prisons writes us: “We are grateful for the copies of the Prisoners’ Number of the Life Boat that we have received. No paper has awakened more interest than the number just distributed. As I passed from cell to cell last Sunday afternoon, I found many of the prisoners standing at the cell door with the Life Boat in their hands, eager to give some expression of appreciation concerning it.”

Another chaplain of an Eastern prison writes as follows: “My men throughout the prison were delighted with the paper, and are inquiring from time to time about it.”

Here is an extract from a letter written by a prisoner: “Having received from another prisoner one of the priceless little papers called the Life Boat, it has brought me to think of myself and my past life. And I find out that I can be saved, although I am behind prison bars. I know not when I shall get out, and I have not a friend on earth to give me one kind word, or write me a cheering letter. I had given up all hope until I read your little paper. May God bless you for putting it in my way.”

The following words were written by one of the oldest prison chaplains in the United States: “No literature has ever entered this prison, which has accomplished what the Life Boat has for the uplifting of the prisoners. The paper has been the means of transforming many desperate men in this prison.”

We are glad to say that not one man who has come to us as a direct result of this effort, or who has been paroled from the prisons, has shown himself in any way unworthy of the confidence or help we have extended to him. This is already beginning to disprove the popular notion, “Once a criminal always a criminal.” When the chaplains and wardens of the leading prisons of the United States are calling upon us to issue another similar number, it certainly behoves us not to fold our hands and ignore such a call. So it is planned to devote the March number particularly to the interests of prisons and prisoners, and to try to get out an issue sufficiently large to place one copy in the hands of every prisoner in every State prison in this country.

Don’t you suppose that your neighbor might be interested to help along this work? Tell him that five dollars will practically put a copy of this number into the hand of each prisoner in his State.

There is one prison alone in which forty men received an inspiration to live a Christian life as a result of the gospel message carried to them through the columns of the Life Boat. I quote from the Prison Missionary the following words: “We can say for this publication [the Life Boat] that we believe that it has done a vast amount of good in this prison. It receives a fair circulation here every month. The prisoners’ edition is most eagerly sought by the inmates. We have known men to ask us to send them the Life Boat when they would reject everything else in the line of religious literature. God bless the Life Boat. We wish that it could be read by many more of the inmates.”

The chaplain of one of the leading prisons in the United States came to our training-school in Chicago to meet the editors of the Life Boat, and to express his appreciation of the good work being done through this medium. Among other things, he said: “I like your idea of trying to save humanity. This morning I wish to thank you sincerely for the great work that you are doing all over the United States. Now, that is not an empty compliment. When one stands before thousands of men day after day, and sees how Satan has got hold of them, it is then that some of our theological ideas go up in smoke. Last May, when you issued the Prisoners’ Number of the Life Boat, one of the prisoners under my care came to me, and said: ‘Where can we get more of this kind of literature?’ The prisoners call the names, and talk of those whose life-history and conversion appear in the paper from time to time, and in many ways show their interest and appreciation of the Life Boat. Two months ago we paroled thirteen men, and when they came to my office to sign their parole papers, nine of the thirteen mentioned the special number of the Life Boat, saying that it had given them an impetus to a better life. I like the Life Boat, and think it my duty to give a hearty indorsement to this kind of work.”

Dear reader, if we continue to stand in defense of truth and righteousness in the trying times that are before us, have we any assurance that we may not ourselves sooner or later camp in a dismal prison cell? Should the Lord permit such an experience, would it not then add to our joy and satisfaction to know that we had done what we could to bring the good cheer of the gospel into the lives of those who occupied these cells before us?

DAVID PAULSON.

BRAZIL

By F. W. Spies

RIO DE JANEIRO.— We had long looked forward to the time when we might begin work among the natives of this large city. Finally the Lord so arranged matters that Brother Wm. Stein, a native brother, and his family, moved to this place, and on Saturday evening, October 21, we held the first service in the Portuguese language, in our home. But our house was so small that even the few families we had invited more than filled our rooms, and we were questioning how we should continue the meetings. At this juncture the Lord opened the way to secure a pleasant hall near by, for $7.50 a month; and in the same marvelous manner the use of an organ was obtained. We now hold two Portuguese services weekly, besides our Sabbath meetings.

But our hands are still tied. The people of this country are, with but few exceptions, Catholics, and are shy of Protestants, even afraid of them. The customs of the country are also conservative; hence we feel the need of literature in the tongue of the people, which may serve as an entering wedge, and open homes for us. We have no tract nor paper in the Portuguese tongue, and, in fact, nothing to give the people to read, and they are afraid of the Bible. We are, however, preparing manuscript for the first issue of our Portuguese paper planned long ago. But even when we shall have the matter prepared for the press, we do not know how long we must wait before we can print the first edition, because our funds are low.

What is true of literature is also true of a hymn book. We are translating a small collection of hymns from our hymn book, to be printed in a pamphlet, without tunes, but also for these there is no money available. In order that we may have the use of some of the hymns in our services, we have with much labor copied a few by hand. Likewise, while we have room for more chairs or benches in our hall, and we need more to accommodate all who come under favorable circumstances, lack of money obliges us to defer the purchase.

Still, though laboring thus under various disadvantages, we rejoice in the promise, ‘Lo, I am with you alway;’ and the fact that, in spite of the conservativeness and fear on the part of the people, some souls are becoming interested in the precious gospel shows that the Lord is at work, and we labor on in hope, knowing that ‘God is able to make all grace abound toward’ us, and that we ‘always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.’ Praise his name.

F. W. SPIES.

ATLANTIC CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.

By A. E. Place; C. H. Keslake

The tenth annual session of the Atlantic Conference was held in the Seventh-day Adventist church (No. 1), of Jersey City, N. J., Nov. 7–13, 1899. Since the division of the Conference, which was effected last April, there have been but three ministers, five licentiates, and two Bible workers laboring in this Conference. There were twelve churches with a total membership of seven hundred and fifty-eight. Two new churches were received, increasing the membership to seven hundred and ninety-nine. This, however, does not represent the net increase of membership in the Conference, as there have been added to the churches considerably over a hundred persons.

The officers elected for the ensuing year are as follows: President, A. E. Place; Vice-President, J. E. Jayne; Secretary, C. H. Keslake; Treasurer, L. T. Nicola; Custodian of Conference property, R. G. Patterson; Canvassing Agent, Geo. A. King. Conference Committee: A. E. Place, J. E. Jayne,

H. P. Vaughan, E. E. Franke, Geo. A. King. Atlantic Conference Association: A. E. Place, J. E. Jayne, H. P. Vaughan, E. E. Franke, Geo. A. King, S. N. Curtiss, C. H. Keslake.

Credentials were granted to A. E. Place, E. E. Franke, C. H. Keslake. The following-named persons received ministerial license: Geo. A. King, R. G. Patterson, Jesse C. Stevens, W. J. Tanner, Ferdinand Stoll, A. R. Bell. Missionary Credentials were granted to Mrs. M. A. Neale, Mrs. J. W. Rambo. Sister Rambo was also elected Secretary of the Reading Circle of this Conference.

The tract society, which last year was a separate organization, was made a branch of the Conference.

A. E. PLACE, Pres.

C. H. KESLAKE, Sec.

News and Notes

FOR WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 1900.

—The American flag has been raised over the Tatanes and Calagan islands.

—The United States Isthmian Canal Commission has arrived at Managua, Nicaragua.

—Tuesday, February 6, there was a total of 408 deaths from the plague, at Bombay, India.

—For the first time, February 12, the Chicago post-office observed Lincoln’s birthday as a legal holiday.

—A bill was introduced in the Senate, February 13, providing for a government cable to the Philippines, via Alaska.

—The dowager empress of China has abolished the study of European sciences in the schools throughout her empire.

—A dispatch states that “the mutiny of the Sudanese troops at Khartum [Egypt] is assuming serious proportions.”

—To prevent Russian control of trade in Persia, the Germans may join with Great Britain, and abandon interest in the Boers.

—Blizzards are raging in the Western States, the thermometer falling twenty-five degrees in as many minutes, at Springer, N. M.

—The laws of Japan prohibit women from becoming publishers or editors, as “the discharge of such work by females is neither becoming nor desirable.”

—A Berlin dispatch says that Dr. Leyds, the Transvaal agent, leaves that city very much dissatisfied because of the refusal of Emperor William to receive him. He will next go to St. Petersburg.

—Sunday is observed as a day of rest by mutual agreement between the besiegers and defenders of Mafeking, South Africa. The British indulge in cricket matches, and a band makes music in the market-square.

—The temperature dropped fifty degrees in fifteen hours at Chicago, February 8. This was the greatest fall in the city’s history. The wind blew sixty-two miles an hour, a velocity that has been exceeded but once.

—Destitution and deaths from starvation are on the increase in the famine-stricken district of India, in spite of the gigantic efforts for relief made by the British government, which is now feeding 4,000,000 natives. There will be no relief through the crops inside of four months.

—Terrible snowstorms prevail throughout Spain.

—A nautical “knot” is 6,080 feet; a mile, 5,280 feet.

—The Marquis of Queensbury died in London, February 2.

—The poor health of the shah of Persia causes his friends great uneasiness.

—Influenza is epidemic in Italy, and special prayers are offered in the churches for deliverance.

—The Maharajah of Jaipur, India, has given 100,000 rupees to the British South African war fund.

—Four “Christian scientists” are under arrest in Lincoln, Neb., for “violation of the health laws.”

—Lord Roberts has asked for 90,000 additional men to assist him in British operations in South Africa.

—Adalbert S. Hay, new United States consul to the Transvaal, has presented his credentials at Pretoria.

—About 600,000 trees are annually planted by Swedish school children, under the guidance of their teachers.

—Over 300 sparrows fell before the unerring aim of Battle Creek young lads last week.—Battle Creek Journal.

—In time of war, France is prepared to put 370 out of 1,000 of her population, in the field; Germany, 310; Russia, 210.

—In the effort to stamp out the plague in Honolulu, the Chinese quarters were burned, rendering 4,000 persons homeless.

—Prof. Herman Von Holst, of the University of Chicago, owing to precarious health, will go to Europe for a prolonged stay.

—It is said that the Boer forts at Pretoria are practically denuded of artillery, ninety guns having been sent to the front.

—Chili and Japan have completed a commercial treaty, and a steamer line will soon be established between the two countries.

—It is said that influenza is spreading throughout Germany, and that in Berlin there is hardly a family without sufferers therefrom.

—Employees of the Canadian Pacific Railway will give half a day’s pay to the patriotic fund for Canadian soldiers and their families.

—Monday, February 12, was celebrated quite generally throughout the United States, commemorating the birthday of Abraham Lincoln.

—The Independent says that “more than two hundred former officers of the French army are fighting on the side of the Boers,” in South Africa.

—According to official statistics transmitted to Congress by Secretary of War Root, there are in the United States 10,343,152 men available for military duty.

—At a recent meeting in the Royal Albert Hall, London, 10,000 persons protested against the use of the mass and confessional in the Church of England.

—Russia’s recent loan to Persia will be repaid by Persia’s giving Russia control of the customs. This virtually gives Persia over to Russian domination.

—The United States army appropriation bill for the coming year calls for an expenditure of $111,700,364, against $90,080,104 called for in the bill for the current year.

—United States Brigadier-General Kobbe has occupied the islands of Samar and Leyte, of the Philippine Group, and several new hemp ports are now opened in the islands.

—The Italian embassy has threatened to break diplomatic relations unless a young Italian girl, in the harem of a Turkish officer, is returned to the embassy in Constantinople.

—February 3 the Ways and Means Committee of the United States House of Representatives decided that the term “United States” applies only to the States that constitute the Federal Union.

—English and Japanese capitalists have secured the franchise for the first electric street-car line in China. The road will be three miles long, and will run through the most densely populated street in the world.

—The British, American, French, Italian, and German ministers have addressed a note to their foreign offices in China, asking that measures be taken by the Chinese authorities for the safety of missionaries.

—Louise Froebel, widow of the founder of the kindergarten system of teaching, has just died in Hamburg, Germany, at the age of eighty-five years. Froebel himself died in 1852, having, for many years, received only ridicule for advocating a system which, since his death, has become so widely used that his memory is held sacred by many nations.

—Advocates and opponents of woman suffrage were given a hearing before Congress, February 13. Mrs. Dodge, of New York City, anti-suffragist, presented the following conclusions: “We know that women are physically unable to perform the duties which men are compelled to perform under every well-regulated government. The enforcement of law involves not only the performance of jury duty, but in the last emergency the employment of military force, in neither of which can women discharge the responsibility of actual service.”

—By a $175,000 fire in Chicago, more than 400 people were recently thrown out of employment.

—The United States will hereafter issue bound books of postage stamps for convenience in warm weather.

—The strike in the Cramp shipyard, Philadelphia, in progress since last August, was declared off February 5.

—The Franco-American reciprocity treaty is arousing keen anxiety in Japan, the silk producers being especially alarmed.

—John D. Rockefeller has resigned the presidency of the Standard Oil Company of Ohio, his reasons being “the state of his health, and a desire to avoid being drawn into legal investigations of the company’s affairs.”

—Queen Victoria, who expends about $15,000 on Christmas toys for her grandchildren and the children of the court officials, each year, gave explicit instructions that no war toys were to be included in the gifts last Christmas.

—Prof. Henry A. Hazen, of the United States weather bureau, who was recently fatally injured by a fall from his bicycle, had been identified with the weather service of this government since 1881, and was regarded as an efficient forecaster.

—The year 1900 A. D. finds 856,000,000 of the human race still in heathen darkness. More than two thirds of the race are without any fixed hope for eternity. There are 170,000,000 Mohammedans, 190,000,000 Catholics, 84,000,000 Greek Church, 8,000,000 Jews, and only 116,000,000 Protestants.

—It is believed that England is about to transfer its far Eastern naval base from Wei-Hai-Wei, China, to Gaya Bay, Borneo. The British North Borneo Company will construct a railway sixty miles in length, connecting the harbor of Gaya with Brunei Bay, where coal exists in large quantities.

—It is reported from Lisbon, Portugal, under date of February 13, that the king has signed a protocol of a secret offensive and defensive alliance with England, with the approval of the leaders of the militant parties of both countries. If true, this may affect the neutrality of Delagoa Bay, and, hence, the advantage the Boers have taken from such neutrality.

—In the REVIEW for February 6 we stated that “a dispatch” said that “John Alexander Dowie has suffered a stroke of paralysis, and that his recovery is considered doubtful. The fact of his illness is being studiously withheld from his adherents.” Since then we have learned from persons who know, that what that dispatch said is false. Now we say, upon authority, that “he has the usual health, and preaches every Sunday.”

—It is said, by the Literary Digest, that “France is beginning to doubt the wisdom of holding international exhibitions, it being held that, in the anxiety to promote their success, it has often been found necessary to surrender political advantages. Some writers think the Fashoda matter would not have ended as it did were it not for the fear of injuring the exposition soon to open.” It is also said that “the amount invested in this great show is so large that it is thought its failure would be more disastrous than the collapse of the Panama Canal.”

DISTRICT 5.

By R. M. Kilgore

AFTER the council at Battle Creek, I visited my family at Graysville, Tenn., labored with the church two Sabbaths, and was with the Cove and Chattanooga churches one Sabbath each. During the working days I took necessary exercise, working with my hands, preparing for the winter.

At Springdale, Ark., December 1-4, I attended the Sabbath-school convention, and the council of the Arkansas Conference Committee. The action of the General Conference Committee concerning a change of State officers was ratified. The resignation of Elder C. McReynolds, as president, was accepted, and Elder A. E. Field was chosen to fill the vacancy, and Brother Palmer was selected to make the committee complete.

Driving by team about sixty-five miles eastward into the mountains, Elder Field and I reached Hilltop, Ark. The church here had, by its own action, disbanded itself, and was waiting to be properly reorganized, so they might be admitted into the Conference. This was accomplished, leaving a church there of thirteen members, all united in love for one another, and in all points of the message. Proper officers were elected. Elder Field remained to labor further with this and other companies in that part of the State, while I drove back to Springdale, through rain, mud, and, part of the time, a snowstorm, to meet other appointments. On my way west I stopped at Dallas, Tex.

December 15 I arrived at Tucson, Ariz., where I met Brother and Sister Williams and Brother and Sister Black, who have labored here for several months. Here I was pleased to meet Brother M. Serna, formerly a Methodist minister. This brother speaks Spanish, and he, with a large part of two congregations over which he presided, has accepted the Third Angel’s Message. A small company of English-speaking people have also accepted the message. I remained here over two Sabbaths, laboring for both classes, Brother Serna acting as interpreter while speaking to the Mexicans. The simplicity and readiness with which these persons received the word spoken was refreshing. They staggered not at the straight testimony. The love of the truth seemed to be an established principle with all of them, and to know God and Jesus Christ was their only desire. They accept the principles of temperance and health reform, and are practicing them as far as they can. As we set before them the duty of separation from the world, and the Bible standard of dress, as compared with the customs and “idolatrous practices of this degenerate age,” to which “we can not yield one inch,” we were all blessed, and the Spirit was present in power, softening our hearts. During the work of the organization of this church we came in contact with the “wedding ring” and the Chinese “cue.” This served as an object lesson, which will not be easily forgotten, as it so well illustrated the principles involved, upon which we were dwelling. When the heart is fully surrendered to the will and word of God, it is death to the customs, laws, and practices of this world. Brother Sam Kee had surrendered, dispensed with his cue, and was baptized, with seventeen other persons; and a church of twenty-three members was organized. The proper corps of officers was elected, and after ordination, the meeting closed with the celebration of the ordinances. It was good to be there.

Brethren Serna and Black and I then went about one hundred miles to labor for Brother Serna’s other flock, at Solomonville. These are all Spanish-Mexicans. We found them, also, ready to hear, and rejoicing in the truths of the Third Angel’s Message. For months they have stood stiffly for the truth, keeping the Sabbath, amid much opposition from their former brethren and kinsfolk, with an occasional visit of the workers from Tucson. The Bible is all the study book they have, and they make good use of it. It was indeed a pleasure to work for them publicly and from house to house, and by a constant round of Bible readings, teach them the way of the Lord more perfectly.

On the last Sunday, the meeting-house being occupied by other denominations, we went out by a riverside, and spoke to about fifty persons who resorted thither. There, under an Arizona sky, we spent the entire day in presenting the principles of the gospel in regard to the relations they should sustain to one another as members of the family, as members and officers of the church, and in carefully and “critically examining” each one as to his knowledge of God, of sin, and of the cleansing power of the blood of Christ. Seventeen persons were found ready, willing candidates for baptism and church fellowship. The service closed with their solemn burial by baptism into Christ’s death. As we led Brother Serna and his flock down into the water, and baptized them, pastor and people, a deep impression was made upon the minds of all present. Several others who had not previously decided, now expressed their regrets that they were not prepared to be baptized also.

For the closing meeting at night we returned to the meeting-house, where we completed the work of organization, and celebrated the ordinances, in which they all took part with rejoicing. It was indeed a blessed day. The meetings were all enjoyable occasions to me, as well as to them. They need, and must have, more literature in the Spanish language. May the Lord still bless the workers and these brethren and sisters. R. M. KILGORE.

FLORIDA CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.

By L. H. Crisler; Estelle R. Graham

The sixth annual session of the Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Lakeland, Nov. 3-12, 1899; only two meetings were held, at which Elder L. H. Crisler presided. Brother Allee was present, and assisted in counsel. Seventeen delegates, representing eight churches, were in attendance. Two new churches were added to the roll of churches,—one at Nocatee and one at Orlando, and the church at Eustis was disbanded on account of removals.

At Elder Crisler's earnest request, he was relieved from the burdens of Conference president. Officers for the following year were elected as follows: President, Irving Keck; Secretary, Mrs. Altana Keck; Treasurer, Florida Tract Society. Executive Committee: Irving Keck, L. H. Crisler, J. D. Heacock, A. M. Morrill, J. W. Clement.

Ministerial credentials were given to L. H. Crisler, M. G. Huffman, and M. L. Ivory. Brother Ivory received ordination during the Conference. Ministerial licenses were granted to C. B. Stephenson, A. C. Bird, Irving Keck. Missionary licenses were voted to C. P. Whitford, Josephine Grannis, Mrs. Estelle R. Graham, Mrs. Altana Keck, F. R. Lester, W. H. Maynard.

The importance of the tithe being kept sacred for the purpose for which God designed it, was again considered, and the Conference voted that this be done.

The meetings passed harmoniously, and we believe that God guided in the work that was done, and in the plans for future work.

L. H. CRISLER, Pres.

ESTELLE R. GRAHAM, Sec.

WASHINGTON

By W. C. F. Ward

The last of October I began meetings in the schoolhouse at Wallace, a small lumbering town, where, for a little over three weeks, I continued to labor with good results. A company of nine adults decided to obey, and a Sabbath-school of fourteen members was organized.

The Methodist minister opposed our position on the nature of man and the Sabbath question. His strongest argument in favor of Sunday was his false interpretation of the Greek of Matt. 28:1. I followed him with a review of his argument, and the Lord gave the truth a decided victory, which even its enemies admit. All who had begun to keep the Sabbath are more firmly established than before the opposition. W. C. F. WARD.

NEBRASKA

By GEO. H. SMITH

MORRILLVILLE.—Meetings have been held here in a country schoolhouse for about six weeks. This is the first series of meetings in this county. The Lord has blessed the effort. Eighteen persons have begun to obey God's commandments. All but two of these are heads of families. A good Sabbath-school is organized, and Brother L. V. Finster will continue the meetings while I attend quarterly meetings with the churches.

Other openings are ready to be entered on my return. GEO. H. SMITH.

Colorado.

By W. W. Hills; Chas. T. Everson

Colorado Springs.— We have just closed a profitable series of meetings at this place. We began to hold meetings here last September, and continued the effort for fourteen weeks, with marked interest and good attendance. Even after we had presented the special points of the truth, the interest was unabated, and the attendance was excellent. The church where the meetings were held, was in a remote quarter, making it harder to get a large hearing; but we went down town and held open-air meetings on the street corner just before the meetings at the church, and thus drew a good attendance at the meetings. These open-air services made our people well known in town, and were always favorably commented upon by those of other denominations. Ten persons united with the church during the series of meetings, and others are keeping the Sabbath, who will soon unite with us. We are of good courage in the Lord, and realize that to him belongs all the praise and glory.

W. W. Hills, Chas. T. Everson.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

By C. T. Shaffer

WASHINGTON.—I am now settled in this city, after nearly one year of wanderings in the work. I am doing self-supporting missionary work here with the Signs of the Times. I take monthly subscriptions, and am now using a club of three hundred and fifty copies. Although I have been at this work but a few weeks, I have received several requests for family Bible study. I am of good courage. Please find inclosed fifty cents for four-months’ subscription to the REVIEW AND HERALD. My present address is 655 Acker St., Washington, D. C. C. T. SHAFFER.

Battle Creek College.

By Alonzo T. Jones

Battle Creek College is the oldest educational institution of the denomination. It was built because the Lord said we should have an institution for the education of ministers and workers. An indebtedness of eighty thousand dollars hangs over this institution. This is not right, either in the sight of God or the sight of men. Our debts should be paid. If any would say that the debt is too great, and that it was incurred through mismanagement, we would have to admit that in large part that is so. Yet for all that, the debt is there, and has to be reckoned with, and should be provided for. Besides, the institution is not to blame, and should not be punished, because of the mistakes that men have made.

We do not say that any such thing as a grand rush should be made to raise this whole sum at once: we only say that this institution is justly entitled to a place in the attention, and to a share of the money, of the denomination. Many of the creditors are now in straightened circumstances, and are very much in need of their money. There is thus immediate need of eighteen thousand dollars. The college is now paying all running expenses; so that every dollar received, outside of tuitions, will go toward paying off the indebtedness.

Last spring a little company of students and teachers pledged over five thousand dollars. Sister E. G. White gives to the college all the proceeds on all the copies of a new book of hers, which is soon to appear, that shall be sold in this school district. Professor Magan contributes the proceeds of his book, “The Peril of the Republic.” In the REVIEW of Nov. 7, 1899, there was announced by the president of the General Conference the arrangement concluded in council, by which the college management is allowed to raise in contributions in this school district, not to exceed seven thousand dollars a year. In accordance with this arrangement, March 17 has been appointed as a day to be spent in prayer and in the consideration of the educational interests, as represented in Battle Creek College and its district. Attention is called to this now because now is the time to begin to pray. On that Sabbath, offerings will be taken for Battle Creek College. Now is the time to ask the Lord to tell you what your duty is in this matter.

You can give money; you can make wills and bequests; or if the college owes you, you can contribute a part or all of the amount. The college will be glad to receive help in any of these ways.

One friend, a sister who had a note against the college for one thousand dollars, has lately given all of it. There are others who can do likewise with their notes.

Reading-matter, or other information on the subject, will be sent to all who address the secretary, P. T. Magan, Battle Creek College, Battle Creek, Mich.

Alonzo T. Jones, President of the Board.

RECEIPTS FOR FRENCH TRACT FUND.

Formerly reported................................................ $188 95

Wanted

WANTED, at once, the name and address of every Seventh-day Adventist in your church who does not take the REVIEW. Address the editors.

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