Is there apparent reason for special prayer at this time? In propounding this question, it is not the intention to express a doubt. One way to find an answer to this question is for each individual to enter his closet, and there before God ask himself several questions. The following are merely suggestive: Am I walking in all the light of God? Has the world less hold on me than it had a year ago? Do I love the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ? Am I growing in love for mankind, notwithstanding the fact that wickedness abounds everywhere? Am I filled with longing to be instrumental in the hands of the Lord in saving souls in the kingdom of God? We may come a little nearer home and ask: Have I that abiding peace in my heart that is the result of a consciousness of sins forgiven, of having faithfully performed the will of God concerning me? Have I performed all that the Lord has enjoined upon me? When we have answered these questions, and many others not mentioned, we can then answer the query, Is there need of prayer?
After we have finished this personal work, we may then take a more extended view, and try, if we can, to solve these problems: Is the world growing better? Has there been a diminution of labor troubles the past12year, to remind us that the judgments of God are in the earth? Are the nations less angry, and is there evidence that strife is about to cease among nations, in order that God's people may have a peaceful time and many years in which to accomplish the work of warning the nations? Or is the contrary the fact? Have we discovered a new page of prophecy that proclaims the coming of the Lord delayed? If not, why this hesitancy on our part? Again, do we find peace and harmony in the ranks of the professed people of God? Is there no root of bitterness, no discordant note? Is the church rising higher and yet higher in faith, in love to God, in hope of the soon-coming Saviour, in brotherly love and love for lost mankind? Has she overridden every obstacle the enemy could place in her way, and is she now prepared to move on triumphantly to the ends of the earth, proclaiming to saint and sinner the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, until “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations,” and the end shall come? If we can answer all these satisfactorily, there is perhaps no need for a special season of prayer; but if not, is it not a fact that the more such seasons we can have, the better, until the church does reach the high plane marked out for her in the Holy Word? The Lord has not forsaken his people. On his side the picture is a bright one. He is only waiting for his people to get ready, and the ark will move, attended by the pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night. O that the coming season of prayer might be a joyful one!
The Week of Prayer
By E. W. Webster
From the Standpoint of the Missionary
E. W. WEBSTER
OUR customary week of prayer with its annual offerings is looked upon in a different light, probably, by our missionaries than it is by our people at home; and we feel that an effort should be made to get them to see it, as nearly as possible, as he sees it who is at the front, working directly with the difficulties of his field, with cramped means and burdened heart, yet rejoicing continually that he is at the front.
He is hundreds or thousands of miles away from home and friends in a jungle, or on a small island, with no hope of seeing any one of like nativity, or of like faith, only as he succeeds in getting the natives to see the truth; without the comforts of his former field of labor; with no companies or churches of dear brethren to assist or encourage him; no proper or fit place of meeting; no one to look to for a little financial aid if the usual monthly allowance should fail to reach him from the Mission Board, as it sometimes does, or to lift materially in carrying out some plan for pushing forward the work of the message. He stands practically alone with his God, his soul weighed down as a cart beneath sheaves with the burden of the work upon him, and open doors before him, constantly hoping and praying that the dear brethren at home who have sent him out will not forget him and the needs of his field, or fail to give a liberal offering to the Mission Board, without which his hands are tied, his work crippled, or even stopped, and he and his family compelled to face want in a cold world uninterested in him and his work, or actually opposed to it.
He thinks of the comfortable homes, fine houses and barns, orchards and fields, flocks and herds, the full granaries and pantries and cellars. He sees the carpeted floors, the glowing grate, the shelves of books, the files of papers, the easy chairs in which the family are so cozily seated around a cheery light, reading their Bibles, books, and papers; but he does not long for these, nor wish himself back in that comfort. He then looks about him upon the want and woe and poverty, the misery and suffering, the terrible darkness of sin, with its degradation, in those he has come to help, and his heart yearns to help them to see the precious light of truth before it is forever too late; and he is cheered with the thought that surely his brethren at home upon whom he is depending for his support must be interested in his field, from the cheering reports he sends to the REVIEW from time to time, and are even now perhaps planning or actually giving a liberal offering for his work.
He is not disheartened at the great difference in his surroundings and those of his brethren whom he has left behind. His duties press heavily upon him from early morning till late at night, long after others are asleep. His strength and nerve and mind have been on the stretch for long hours, and as he thinks of what the Lord has done for some poor soul during the day, he offers a word of praise to him who has been near him in his work, and is happy that he has a part and place in that mission, and feels the double assurance that he will yet see much accomplished for these poor people. He has had no desire to be back enjoying the comforts of those dear ones he has been thinking of to-night. This is a precious experience; he wishes to remain where he is, and labor on till Jesus comes.
He continues his thoughts: “Here is this mission house for which the Board is obliged to pay enough rent in the course of only a few years to build a good church and mission building, if only some one would advance the money. Much might have been saved if we had only had it all at once to start with. The truth will never have its proper standing here until we have such a church. Its progress is constantly retarded without it. The believers here are too poor to build it. What shall we do? We also need tracts and papers to give to those who are too poor to buy. The Mission Board has already sent us all they can afford to for gratuitous distribution; but we need more. How shall we get them? How I wish that our brethren at home, with their plenty, could see our pressing needs and our poverty! I know they would help us at once. We need another minister from the States to help carry these heavy burdens. I could then have a little relief, and last a little longer in this work. As it is, I fear I shall wear out all too soon. The week of prayer with its annual offering is just coming on, I wonder if they will make a liberal offering at this time, so the Mission Board can help us out? Yes, I know, there is the ten-cent-a-week fund, and Sabbath-school donations, and special offerings all the year through for our mission work; but there are so many calls for these in so many other missions. I wonder if some of our dear people will not be led out by the Holy Spirit to give a special offering at this time for the Lord's work here? I feel sure that they would if I could only lay the matter before them as it is, and they could see one quarter of the needs of this field. I'll send a report to the REVIEW at once. May the Lord bless our faithful brethren at home, and as they read it, help them to see and sense how much we need help at this time.”
He goes on thinking of the many openings, where, if he only had a few extra dollars, he could open a new station, or, with a small amount more, employ a faithful native worker to help hasten on the message in his field, and in the world. He knows the Lord can not come until the work is finished in his field, and he longs to hasten it forward, that it may be completed by the time it is finished in other parts of the world, so that he will not be late, and cause a delay in the great “harvest home.” And here, at this late hour, his thoughts are interrupted by a native brother coming in, with an interested soul who has come for miles afoot, “to have the elder make this man see the third angel's message.” With a thrill of delight in his heart, he spends an hour or so with this newly interested soul, pointing out the clear Bible truth for these last days, and praying with him, until the record is made in heaven, “Another lost one found; another precious soul rejoicing in the truth; another heir of eternal salvation.”
My dear readers, this is not a fanciful or overdrawn picture. Years of actual experience in foreign fields brought many a season like the one here described; and what missionary of this people has not had the same? Who will take advantage of the coming week of prayer to deepen his own spirituality, cheer the hearts and help on the work of our faithful, sacrificing missionaries? The end is near. Act now. We must make the best use possible of this occasion. We shall not have many more of them to enjoy. Trouble is just ahead of us. We may never again have the opportunity of giving from such abundance as is in the land this year. The great conflict that is closing about us between capital and labor may very soon bring the time when we shall not be allowed to buy or sell. No doubt the Catholic Church will take advantage of its ability as the only power to arbitrate in these troubles to fasten itself upon the government, and we shall soon see its power displayed upon those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. While we have time and peace and prosperity, we should establish ourselves more firmly in that13character that will stand in the days to come, and also help our missions to become established upon a sound footing, so they will not fail entirely when the support of the people in America is cut off by the persecution and hard times that are surely coming sooner or later. Make the most of the remainder of 1903. May this coming season of prayer witness a mighty advance by this whole people in giving this message to the world in this generation.
Time to Sacrifice
By G. B. Thompson
G. B. THOMPSON
FIFTY-NINE full years have passed by with measured tread since our great High Priest entered into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, and opened the work of the investigative judgment. Of this fact there is not the slightest question. It can no more be doubted than the nativity of Christ. And somewhere in the annals of mortals preserved in the archives above, this solemn work of investigation is going on; and but little time more can elapse ere the lives of those now living will pass in review before the scrutiny of the eternal Judge, the work be finished, and the fiat go forth announcing that those who are holy must be holy still, and those who are unholy must so remain. The solemnity of the hour should startle us from slumber. Are we ready for the heavenly tribunal to take up our individual cases now, write up the verdict, and settle our destiny forever?
Fifty-nine full years have rolled by since the seventh trumpet began to sound. It is during the sounding of this trumpet that the “mystery of God should be finished,” and the kingdoms of this world “become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and, he shall reign forever.” How much longer will this be delayed?
One hundred and forty-eight full years have passed since the terrible Lisbon earthquake announced to mankind that the Lamb had opened the sixth seal. Under this seal the sun was to be darkened, the moon be turned to blood, the stars fall from heaven, and the seal of God, the Sabbath, be placed in the foreheads of God’s people. This is all fulfilled, or being fulfilled before our very eyes. The next event to take place is for the Lamb to open the seventh seal, and the prophetic half hour of silence begin in heaven.
How much longer before the Saviour will come as King of kings, surrounded with a galaxy of all the angels in heaven, to put the eternal period to sin, and gather the faithful to himself? Are we ready for this glorious hour to come?
Seventy full years have passed into eternity since the fulfilment of the signs in the heavens, when the stars fell to the earth like a fig tree casting its unripe fruit. The great Miller movement immediately following announced the end of the world, and held up to the gaze of all, these signs in the heavens. All who would, saw the signs, and the Lord has declared, “So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that he is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled.” Matt. 24: 33, 34.
The end is almost here, but the hours of human probation still linger, as though loath to depart forever. We still have an opportunity to give ourselves to the work, and to place all we have on the altar to be used to hasten the message to the ends of the earth, and finish the work. Then the Lord will come. This is no ordinary time. The issues of eternity are crowded into a remnant of time. We must move quickly; for the days of delay are over, thank the Lord. The work will be cut short in righteousness, and “the day of the Lord will come.” It hastens greatly.
The Orient, with its teeming millions of unwarned souls, appeals to us for help to finish the work. Must it call in vain? Africa, South America, the islands of the sea, and many large cities of our own country send in a Macedonian cry for aid. Shall we continue to send back word, We can not respond now? Now is the very time to respond; for the devil’s work is ripened off in all the earth, and only the work of God remains undone. But this must wait no longer. And when we go to regions beyond, something more is needed than to generalize. We must go with a definite message. With a loud voice we are to proclaim, The Lord is at the door. How many are ready to take such a definite message and go anywhere?
Money as well as talent, is needed. The time has surely come when the hoarded treasures over which we are stewards are to be laid on the altar,—not simply to give what we can spare, but that which involves a sacrifice, what we really need,—a shrinking of earthly possessions, a reducing of the bank account, a giving like the widow who cast in her all. She put in her living.
“I saw that if any held on to their property, and did not inquire duty of the Lord, he would not make duty known, and they would be permitted to keep their property, and in the time of trouble it would come up before them like a mountain to crush them, and they would try to dispose of it, but would not be able. I heard some mourn like this: ‘The cause was languishing, God’s people were starving for the truth, and we made no effort to supply the lack; now our property is useless. O that we had let it go, and laid up treasure in heaven!’”—Early Writings, page 48. These are sad words. The cause is now “languishing.” Shall we let go some property, or shall we hold on to it, and later utter the mournful cry recorded above?
“The angel said, ‘Destruction is coming like a mighty whirlwind.’ I begged of the angel to pity and to save those who loved this world, who were attached to their possessions, and were not willing to cut loose from them, and sacrifice to speed the messengers on their way to feed the hungry sheep who were perishing for want of spiritual food. As I viewed poor souls dying for want of the present truth, and some who professed to believe the truth were letting them die, by withholding the necessary means to carry forward the work of God, the sight was too painful, and I begged of the angel to remove it from me.”—Id., page 40.
“The suffering Jesus, his love so deep as to lead him to give his life for man, was again held up before me; also the lives of those who profess to be his followers, who had this world’s goods, but considered it so great a thing to help the cause of salvation. The angel said, ‘Can such enter heaven?’ Another angel answered, ‘No, never, never, never. Those who are not interested in the cause of God on earth can never sing the song of redeeming love above.’”—Id., page 41.
“God’s people are on trial before the heavenly universe; but the scantiness of their gifts and offerings, and the feebleness of their efforts in God’s service, mark them as unfaithful stewards.”—Appeal for Missions.
Will the “scantiness of our gifts” during the coming week of prayer continue to mark us as unfaithful, or will the reproach be removed?
Praying for Deliverance
By G. F. Watson
G. F. WATSON
NEVER in all the past history of the Seventh-day Adventist people was there a time of such moment as the present; and every year, until the close of the very last year, the work of this people will be greater and more difficult. This being true, we should seek strength from the only Source of strength; and when will there be a more favorable time than the time appointed, Dec. 12-19, 1903, when there will be companies and families of our people all over the world with their hearts and eyes turned toward the sanctuary of their God? “For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death.”
The eyes of a kind Father are turned toward this earth, and his ears are open to hear the groaning of those who would be delivered. O for deliverance! But who will be delivered?—Those who groan because of their sins. This time appointed for prayer should be to us as individuals a time of deliverance, and not only so, but a time when our gifts should be brought with gladness; for in this way we may send the blessing of light and life to those who now are in darkness and death. As our God hears our groaning and sends to us deliverance, so we should hear the groans of those in heathen lands, and send to them the truth that will deliver.
Full, complete, and eternal deliverance will come to the faithful ones just a little way from this. Dear brother and sister, the longest part of the road is behind us; but as we near the city at the end of the road, the battle will be more fierce, the enemy more determined, but our God will come, and will not tarry. The great work of a great God must be accomplished by a people made great by his divine presence. “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”
The Message in Japan
By F. W. Field
F. W. FIELD
The truth is gaining ground. At Tara and Wakamatsu near Nagasaki, far to the south, a father and daughter have begun to obey. At Kobe there is a good interest, and four have fully decided to obey the Lord. One of these has given up a good position, and is now on his way to his home province, some distance north of Tokyo, where he will labor to present the truth among his relatives and friends. One of our young men, who came from Wakamatsu last spring, has lately returned to his village home. His people were much opposed to his becoming a Christian; but now their prejudice has been removed, and they are much pleased with the change they see in the young man, and willingly listen to Bible instruction. He reports that several are deeply interested, and gladly receive the truths presented.
A VIEW IN YOKOHAMA
These are some of the evidences of progress that we see. At this writing we know of ten or eleven who have begun to observe the Sabbath, but who have not yet fully united with us. There are others much interested, and apparently just on the point of decision.
With sadness we have to report that several of our young men have yielded to the pressure brought to bear by relatives, and have compromised their faith. But we have hope that by patient labor and earnest prayer these may be restored.
The medical work in Kobe continues to prosper. Plans are being considered for enlarging the work, so as to reach a larger number of the Japanese people. We have every reason to believe that it was a wise move to establish our medical work in Kobe.
The work in Tokyo also presents encouraging features. Several students in my Bible class have shown a real interest in the truths of Christianity, as manifested by their regular attendance and earnest questions. Recently I was invited by a Japanese pastor to teach an English Bible class every Sunday morning. The services are held in his own house. I have accepted his invitation, and hope by this means to interest him in the truth, also to reach some of the students who attend. I have begun the distribution of our Japanese paper among them.
These are uneasy times in the far East. The strained relations between Japan and Russia over the Manchurian question still continue, though there are reports that active negotiations have been opened between the two governments. Our prayer is that the winds of war may be held a little longer, that the Lord's work be not hindered.
News From Barbados
By W. A. Sweany
W. A. SWEANY
Since my last report in the REVIEW, I spent a fortnight in Trinidad. I had a pleasant passage both ways, entirely free from seasickness. I touched at St. Vincent and Grenada, but could not go ashore on account of quarantine restrictions. At St. Vincent, Elder Van Deusen came aboard, and spent an hour with me, both going and returning. He was able to point out to me from the deck of the vessel the neat and substantial church building, almost finished, which he leaves there—a monument of his zeal, consecration, and liberality, and a witness of the message of truth for this generation. Like all the rest of our church buildings in this field, it is almost wholly the product of the means and muscle of the field laborers,—Brother Van Deusen alone, in this case, our people here being mostly poor in this world's goods.
While in Trinidad, I visited nearly all our churches and companies, as well as some of the many places of interest, including the wonderful pitch lake, over one hundred acres in extent, which supplies the world with pitch, and does not decrease. I found Elder Haysmer working beyond his strength on the new church building in Port of Spain. Brethren Enoch and Wellman were busy getting out the first number of our new field paper, The Caribbean Watchman, and I was enabled to bring home with me the Barbados quota.
On reaching Barbados, I found that it had imposed quarantine against Trinidad, where smallpox was then and still is raging, and as we had a case on board, we narrowly escaped two weeks' quarantine in the Pelican Island quarantine station. However, after fumigation, we were permitted to land, under written promise to pay one dollar a day for fourteen days, to the health officer, for inspection. On account of quarantine, the trip cost me about ten times the usual amount.
The work in Barbados is making some advancement in all the departments that are represented, and slowly, but surely and steadily, a people is being gathered out who keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. A few are baptized at each quarterly meeting, and the interest continues to grow deeper. Our public services are largely attended by intelligent, respectable people. Our monthly temperance meetings are especially interesting, and productive of good. Our little school is still proving a blessing to its patrons. The church-members engage quite generally in the sale of the Watchman. We sold five hundred of the first number, one thousand of the second, and fifteen hundred each of the later issues. In addition to its priceless worth as a messenger of mercy and truth, it is the finest publication in the West Indies, and has the largest circulation. It is a credit to the cause it represents, and a powerful factor for its advancement. Its large circulation is a surprise to all, as several religious organs have failed in this field, and several others barely maintain an existence.
Our health is good, sufficient to enable us to labor incessantly. Our endurance and strength is a wonder to all, as “Northerners” usually have to be very cautious in this climate. We are cautious—carefully following the light of the gospel of health, which enables us to work even harder here than we ever did before, which is necessary, as the need here is greater than we ever experienced before. In addition to the necessary work of caring for a large church, and the business correspondence and home duties, we hold cottage meetings and Bible readings daily with interested seekers after truth. And all around us, and throughout the island, are open doors that we can not enter.
Almost the whole island is yet to be evangelized with this message. The addition of one more laborer here would make15possible uninterrupted effort in the country parishes, which would speedily result in an ingathering of souls. We should hail with joy the coming of a strong, healthy, energetic young couple, having a knowledge of nursing and the health food work. No one can refrain from giving all to the cause, when once its needs are seen. We are glad to be here, and to give our all to the Master's service.
The North Russian Meeting
By Guy Dail
GUY DAIL
The North Russian meeting was held in Riga, October 6-10. This city was formerly numbered among the Hausa cities, and in appearance is really more German than Russian. It contains about three hundred thousand inhabitants, and for a long time was a haven for the oppressed and persecuted. We have ever regarded it as one of the freest cities in all Russia.
CITY OF RIGA
However, the Sabbath previous to our arrival the officers came into our church there, found preaching in German and Russian in progress, called for the passports of our Russian worker, Brother Juricksen, and the superintendent of the mission, Brother Gaede, took down the names and addresses of the twenty-two members present, and went to Brother Gaede’s house, searched it, and carried off his letters, reports, books, and papers, and took the passports from him and another of our ministers, and forbade their preaching until their cases were finally settled.
This action was not entirely a surprise, as there had lately appeared in the Lettish and Russian papers some very censorious articles against our work, and the very name of the street where our meetings were held had been given. Untrue members—backslidden members—are supposed to be the informers. Perils among false brethren are more to be dreaded in this land than are the efforts of our avowed enemies.
The charges against us are (1) collecting tithes; (2) having Russians in our meeting; (3) criticising other churches. Of these, of course the most serious is that of having native Russians (Greek Catholics) in our meeting.
Friday, the 9th, the case was to be handed over to the higher court, and Sabbath, the 10th, search was made to see whether the brethren were again assembled. While this interfered some with the order of the day, yet it did not entirely break up the meetings. The brethren met in two different companies, and God was present with them.
Thus the outlook for a general meeting was not the brightest when we arrived Tuesday morning. But the appointment had been given, and brethren for hundreds of miles around had come to hear the word, and have their souls refreshed. The way had been remarkably opened at a very late date for our place of meeting to be changed to an entirely opposite section of the city, and thirty or more from the other two churches and the ten companies of the North Russian Mission, with about an equal number of the Riga church, met behind closed doors in the mornings, and all but one of the evenings, to enjoy a feast of good things brought forth from the Scriptures, and to transact the necessary business of the mission.
In spite of all the difficulties that our workers must encounter here, this field shows a good growth. When it was organized two years ago, its membership was one hundred and eighty; now it is three hundred and eighty. One new church and five new companies were received into the mission at this meeting. The German, the Lettonian, the Esthonian, and the Polish nationalities are represented in the field. To insure greater safety to these nationalities, the native Russian brethren have been separated into a mission known as the Middle Russian Mission.
So expeditiously was all the business transacted, that by Friday afternoon all was out of the way. The ordination of Brother O. Wildgrube to the gospel ministry took place that morning, and that night two were baptized.
The Committee on Resolutions offered these recommendations, which were heartily adopted:—
“1. We would thank the Lord for the blessings, protection, and growth that have attended our work, and we feel grateful to the Mission Board and the German Union Conference for the financial assistance they have given us.
“2. In view of the need of more laborers, we would urge our brethren to be more faithful in the payment of their tithe.
“3. That we may assist our young people to attend the Friedensau school, we would advise that greater efforts be put forth to sell ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ and collect the required amount on the Material Fund.
“4. We recommend that our First-day offerings be dedicated to the German East African Mission, and urge our people to be as liberal as possible in supporting this fund.”
Ministerial licenses were given to D. P. Gaede and O. Wildgrube; the licentiates are J. Juricksen and K. Rempfert; the Bible workers, J. Sprohge, A. Rauk, and G. Lobsack.
The officers for the coming year are as follows: Director, D. P. Gaede; Secretary, J. Sprohge; Treasurer, A. Langholt; Tract and Missionary Secretary, K. Laubhan; Advisory Committee, D. P. Gaede, O. Wildgrube, K. Rempfert, F. Sander, J. Eberhardt.
The funds received during the year 1902 were as follows: tithe, $1,015.03; Sabbath-school offerings, $158.57; First-day offerings, $11.71; annual offerings, $25.42; book sales, $455.14.
We do not look upon the trials as an evidence of God’s displeasure, but we remember that our kind Father gives us the privilege of sharing in the sufferings of his Son, that we may hereafter be partakers of his glory. O that our Lord may find each of us faithful in finishing the work he has given us to do! Remember the eighteen million people of this field in your prayers and offerings. Don’t forget to ask God’s protection over our workers here; for they labor under constant danger from persecution and imprisonment.
Alexandrodar, Caucasus, Russia.
Progress of the Work in Mexico
THE work is making progress in Mexico, and the workers write that they see many indications that the Lord is leading. A Mexican lady with whom Bible readings have been held, has begun to observe the Sabbath.
Party Arrives Safely in Hamburg
A LETTER received from Dr. V. Pampaian announces the safe arrival of their party in Hamburg, October 25, after a very pleasant voyage. They are looking forward to soon being actively engaged in the work in their new field.
Progress in Costa Rica
BROTHER I. G. KNIGHT, writing after a two weeks' meeting in Colon, says that they now have twenty Sabbath-keepers at that place, but none have as yet been baptized. He says: “I have recently visited the interior about Port Limon. Truly the field is ripe for the harvest. I have never met people who were more ready to hear and accept the message with glad hearts. I baptized ten in Costa Rica, and organized a church of twenty-six members, and the interest continues. I have received from this part of the field about four hundred dollars in cash for book sales, tithes, and offerings. The brethren are very much in need of a building, which would give us a foothold in this vicinity as nothing else could. But they are poor, and will not be able to erect a building without help.”
L. R. CONRADI
By L. R. Conradi
Rumania
CONSTANTZA.— We are safely out of Russia, into a freer land. From our hotel windows we look out upon the billows of the Black Sea; and the various costumes abounding plainly tell us that we are now down in the Balkan, one of the great storm-centers in the world, where political feeling runs high. We had a very profitable trip in Russia. Elder Huenergardt spent four weeks on the Volga, then helped us in our general meeting in the south. This was a profitable meeting. The South Russian Conference had its meeting, and at the close we gave some time to counseling with the native Russian workers, of whom there are now four for one hundred millions of people. This is not a very large number. Some of the native Russians were also present, to have a part in the meeting held for them. In spite of difficulties, the work is onward. We expect a larger tithe this year than ever before.
L. R. CONRADI
J. W. BOYNTON
By J. W. Boynton
Alberta
PONOKA.—Since my last report I have spent a few days with the Harmattan church, where I had the pleasure of baptizing two dear souls. Five were received into the church at that time. The church school, which was conducted by Sister Carpenter, was giving good satisfaction to parents and pupils. The brethren planted a crop of potatoes last spring for the benefit of the church school, and we hope it will provide most of the funds to meet the expenses.
October 20-24 I visited the Rush Lake church. The brethren voted to build a small house for church and school purposes, and also to hold a four months' term of school as soon as Sister Carpenter completes her term at Harmattan. These churches are both small, and the members are poor, but they see the necessity of doing all they can to educate their children for the Master's work.
October 25 I went to Buffalo Lake, where I found Brother and Sister Frank Preston trying to hold up the light of truth. One man had begun to keep the Sabbath. After holding meetings for about two weeks, six more, including children, promised to walk in the way of God's commandments. In every case their attention was first drawn to the truth through literature they had received from friends or canvassers. For the past week the weather has been too cold to hold meetings; but I have visited from house to house, and have held Bible readings as far as possible in such a thinly populated place. This is over forty miles from a railroad, twenty miles from the nearest post-office, and as a result I have not been able to send or receive mail for the last four weeks; but, like Paul, we thank God, and take courage, as we see a few stepping into the light.
J. W. BOYNTON
Society Islands
By B. J. Cady
PAPEETE, TAHITI.—I have spent the last three months on Raiatea and Tahaa. I helped our people at Avera to get a little sugar mill started. We had but little cane this year, and made only about one ton of sugar and four hundred and fifty gallons of molasses. There will probably be considerable more next season. It was hard work this year, as we had to begin at the bottom, and work our way up.
I trust that our stay in Raiatea this time is not fruitless, in regard to our work for souls. One young man and his wife became much interested in the truth, and have gone into our home at Avera, and are studying English and the Bible. They are rejoicing in the light they have received, and say the Word of God is much plainer than ever before. There are about fifteen attending the school at the present time.
Our copra house was burned, with one ton of copra, a loss to us of not less than four hundred dollars. We could do nothing with copra-making until we had a new building, so had to erect one as soon as possible, to go on with our work. We need a new church in Raiatea, and are planning to build one this year. The children on our plantation are to plant a patch of sugar-cane, donating their work, and are to make the sugar, and the amount realized for it is to go toward the church. This year sugar is about eight cents a pound.
The Lord is surely blessing our efforts for the youth, and we trust that this will help much in advancing the Lord’s work here.
I am planning to make a trip to Pitcairn very soon, and shall also visit Mangareva and some other points in the Tuamotu Group, while on the way.
