Abo.— Since my last report we have held our yearly meeting in Helsingfors. About forty brethren and sisters were present. We had a good meeting. Elder Conradi was with us two days and a half, en route to St. Petersburg, Russia.
We are working on our Finnish song books, and have translated more than two hundred of the songs in the Swedish “Hymns and Tunes.” We found some already translated, so altogether we have about two hundred and fifty songs for this new book, which is now in the hands of the binders. As we do not have many members, the sale will not be large at first, therefore we have felt that we ought to do something to meet the expense. A crippled sister, who has lived with us since we took her out of the poorhouse, did a little fancy work, for which she received four marks. This she gave for the new song book. I mentioned this at the meeting, and in a few minutes17about three hundred marks was given, mostly in cash. This will help us in getting out our book, without much expense to the depository.
Elder Anderson was left in Helsingfors to follow up the interest which was created by the general meeting. A sister who was formerly a Salvation Army captain, but has kept the Sabbath for six or seven years, has now entered the Bible work, and is assisting in Helsingfors.
Here in Abo we had an excellent meeting last week, with a good attendance. I had two hundred handbills printed, and carried them myself to the homes of the people. Handbills are very expensive here, as there are not many job printers, and the large plants do not care for such work. The collections are small, and do not cover more than the fuel and light, not to speak of the hall rent. So we can not afford to advertise the meetings very often.
We have been hoping to have a school for our younger canvassers this winter, but do not know whether we can, as they can not afford to stop their work very long. We ask to be remembered in your prayers. JOHN HOFFMAN.
Porto Rico
By B. E. Connerly
MAYAGUEZ.—We have been on the island nine months, and are beginning to see some returns of the labor that has been put forth here. We have been able to sell a few books, but the prospect for success in the book work is anything but encouraging. There is now a mob of seven hundred men in the city, demanding of the mayor work or food. Rioting has begun in many places.
Our little paper has gone into every town with the silent message of truth, and, besides, many persons have been told in broken language that the Lord is coming soon, and that he calls upon his people to get ready for him. A great many are reading their Bibles. One man has quit using tobacco—a marvel here—and two men desire baptism. We believe the Lord has blessed the paper, and that it has spread the message much farther with much less expense than we could have done by traveling in the island.
Though not far from the home land, we find ourselves in a most difficult field, as indeed are all fields where Rome has for centuries bound the people in darkness and superstition. When safe in the home land, it is hard to realize the needs of a field like this, but our hearts are set that the message shall be given to Porto Rico. In spite of the apparently successful hindrances of Satan, we expect, through the power of God, that some precious souls will spend eternity in our Father's house because the faithful ones at home have sent us out with prayer and means to give the saving message.
B. E. CONNERLY.
B. HAGLE
By B. HAGLE
Michigan
We recently held a week's meeting with the church at Maple Grove. The subject dwelt upon was the work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart. Close self-examination led to confession, and feelings of bitterness were largely removed. Then the Lord could work. We spoke on the importance of following God's Word in all things, and the Lord worked in behalf of those who were sick among us. Brother Harding, the elder of the church, was under the doctor's care. The doctor told him there was no medicine that could reach his case. We visited him, and read the promises of God to him. He knew there was power in God's word to heal; but he felt he could not accept it in his case. As we continued to read the precious Word, his faith took hold of the promises for himself, and he requested that all the church meet at his house. Friday evening, at the beginning of the Sabbath, a goodly number came, and we talked on the importance of taking God at his word. Then we all knelt together, and asked the Lord to make our brother whole. After prayer, we anointed him in the name of the Lord. Two of Brother Harding's sons were present; one said, "If father is healed, I will never doubt God's word again." I believe if all would follow God's word, we should see more of his power to convince sinners. Next day (Sabbath) Brother Harding was present at the meeting, and testified of God's healing power. Sunday one of Brother Harding's son was buried in baptism.
Come, dear brethren and sisters, let us all taste and see that the Lord is good; his word is just as sure in our case as in the one here mentioned. The time has come for all of God's servants to be clothed with his power, and go forth to proclaim the message he gives. By God's assisting grace we expect to go forward until the Lord says the work is finished.
B. HAGLE
Atlantic Union Conference
By Hampton W. Cottrell; William A. Wilcox
The second biennial session of the Atlantic Union Conference was held according to appointment at South Lancaster, Mass., Nov. 4–11, 1903. A full delegation was present, representing each conference and institution in the union conference. Elders Daniells and Prescott were present during the last half of the session, and gave timely help in the preaching services and in counsel.
As the Pennsylvania and New England Conferences had been divided during the past year, the territory of the former Pennsylvania Conference was recognized as the Eastern and Western Pennsylvania Conferences, and as such was received into the union conference; and the Southern New England Conference was admitted as one of the conferences of the Atlantic Union Conference.
The Committee on Plans submitted the following recommendations, which were adopted:—
1. That F. E. Painter be seated as a delegate at large, representing the union conference.
2. That the Atlantic Union Conference Constitution be so amended as to adapt it to present conditions.
3. That all our churches enter at once upon a vigorous missionary campaign.
4. That during this campaign we endeavor to circulate not less than our pro rata share of one million copies of the special Capital and Labor number of The Signs of the Times.
5. That in connection with, and following, this effort on the special Signs, we endeavor to dispose of the remainder of our quota of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and to sell other of our smaller denominational publications.
6. That Article III of the Constitution be amended to read as follows:—
“The Atlantic Union Conference shall include all local conferences and mission fields in the following-named States; viz., Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland (Takoma Park township excepted), Virginia, and West Virginia.”
7. That Article VI of the Constitution be amended to read as follows:—
“Section 1.—The officers of this conference shall be a president, a secretary, a treasurer, a financial secretary, and an auditor, and an executive committee consisting of the president and secretary of the union conference, the president of each local conference in the union conference, one representative from each of the following lines of work; viz., educational, publishing, and medical missionary, and three other persons.”
8. That the conferences of the union (Vermont, New England, Virginia, and West Virginia excepted) be invited to become responsible for their pro rata share of $1,650; the same being the unassumed portion of the General Conference Association liabilities assumed by the Atlantic Union Conference in the year 1901. That this pro rata share be based upon the membership of the aforementioned conferences, Jan. 1, 1901, and reported on page 51 of the General Conference Bulletin for April of that year.
9. That as far as consistent in each local conference where a tract society department does not now exist, one be arranged for at as early a date as possible.
10. That such conferences have control of the book work within their respective territories, and that they establish a safe and practicable financial basis of dealing with canvassers.
11. That each such conference appoint and maintain a competent field secretary, and that he be given liberal moral and financial support, and the hearty sympathies and co-operation of conference committees, ministers, and people.
12. That steps be taken speedily by each conference, and all our ministers and church elders, to encourage suitable persons to engage permanently in the canvassing work.
13. That we indorse the action of the General Conference in adopting a cash basis; and that we follow the same policy in the conduct of the business of the Atlantic Union Conference.
14. That the ministers of the Atlantic Union Conference be urged to give more personal attention to perfecting and extending the organization of Sabbath-schools.
15. Whereas, We believe the Sabbath-schools are one of God’s appointed means for instructing his people in Bible knowledge; therefore,—
We recommend, That our workers urge upon all the necessity of connecting with either a church or State Sabbath-school, in harmony with the plans for the home department.
16. That our conferences recognize the Sabbath-school work to the extent of employing secretaries to devote the time necessary to the proper development of the work.
17. That Sabbath-school conventions be held as frequently as practicable.
18. We recommend to the favorable consideration of the Sabbath-school Department of the General Conference the advisability of preparing and publishing at an early date a series of topical lessons upon the vital points of present truth.
19. Resolved, That we suggest to each of our conferences composing the Atlantic Union Conference, the appointment of an educational secretary to look after the educational interests of the young people in that conference, whose duties shall be to obtain the name and address of every child and young person of school age in the conference, to open correspondence with all young people who attend our training school, become acquainted with the circumstances surrounding them, and with their purposes, so as to assist them in securing an education for, and connecting with, a definite line of our work, and to concern himself especially with the establishment and maintenance of church schools wherever they can be properly established and carried forward.
20. Resolved, That we urge upon all our ministers the importance of co-operating with this secretary in seeking out our young people of promising ability, and assisting them in any way possible in obtaining an education for our work.
21. Resolved, That a special effort be made to induce young men and women who have a right experience and apparent qualifications, to prepare for and enter the ministry and Bible work.
22. Resolved, That a more earnest effort be made to get the young people attending our union conference training school, into various lines of denominational work.
23. Whereas, It is a fact that the worst features of the papacy are embodied in our Sunday laws of to-day; and,—
24. Whereas, It is also a fact that there is at the present time a mighty advance movement of the Sunday-law forces throughout the country and the world, for the rigid enforcement of these wicked laws, and for new and more stringent Sunday legislation, the result of which will be to retard the work of the third angel’s message; and,—
25. Whereas, The Lord has plainly told us that we are not doing the will of God if we sit in quietude, doing nothing to preserve liberty of conscience; therefore,—
26. Resolved, That the Atlantic Union Conference take measures to extend the light to the people on this great subject.
27. Resolved, That literature be prepared adapted to the several States composing this conference, showing the unconstitutional character of these Sunday laws, that they are a denial to the people of the right of judgment as to which day of the week is the Sabbath, or Lord’s day, or whether any or all days of the week are sacred; which right lies at the basis of religious liberty, which is guaranteed to citizens in the Declaration of Rights of the different States, and,—
28. Resolved, That this literature be sent as far as possible to judges, State, county,18city, and town officials, and members of the legislatures.
29. Resolved, That literature be prepared for ministers, showing the unchristian character of Sunday laws; and for the Woman’s Christian Temperance Unions, showing that a day of idleness enforced upon the people creates a condition unfavorable to morality, and therefore against their work; and for the leaders of labor organizations, showing the tyranny of these laws; and that measures be adopted to distribute this literature in each of our conferences.
30. Resolved, That we indorse the Sentinel of Christian Liberty, and do what we can to aid in its circulation.
31. That the medical missionary work in all its features receive the same fostering care and financial support from the conference organizations, churches, and people that is given to other branches of our work.
32. That this branch of our work be made the medical missionary department of our conference organization.
33. That the general advisory work of this department in the union and State conferences be placed in the hands of department committees of suitable size and experience properly to develop the medical work.
34. That the real estate and personal property of the medical institutions created and supported by conferences be held in trust for said conferences by a legal corporation to be created by the conferences, and that the trustees of said corporation have the executive management of the institution belonging to the corporation of which they are trustees.
35. That the constituencies of departments and the executive committees afore mentioned, shall be elected by the conferences in session.
36. That nine persons be elected by this conference to be the advisory committee of the medical department of the Atlantic Union Conference.
37. We recommend, That we recognize the providence of God in the removal of the New England Sanitarium from South Lancaster to Melrose, and his blessing in re-establishing the institution in its new field; and that we pledge our hearty co-operation in sustaining and advancing its work.
38. (a) We recommend, That immediate steps be taken to procure a sufficient supply of the forthcoming special issue of the Signs on Capital and Labor, and appropriate tracts, to meet the present emergency in Boston.
(b) That conferences encourage contributions to the Missionary Acre Fund.
(c) That we request the board of trustees of the New England Sanitarium and Benevolent Association, and the International Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association, of Battle Creek, Mich., to transfer all real estate and other property of the New England Sanitarium located at Melrose, Mass., to a corporation to be created by the Central New England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, to hold sanitarium property for the aforementioned conference.
39. That the rate of wages allowed by the Auditing Committee to Atlantic Union Conference laborers for the past year, be the salary for the coming year; such rate being subject to change by the Executive Committee, whenever in their judgment a change is proper.
40. That we highly appreciate the excellent character of the Atlantic Union Gleaner; and believing that it would be helpful in every home, that its general circulation would materially assist in maintaining a strong bond of sympathy throughout the union, we therefore earnestly request all local conferences to do everything within their power to secure a subscription for it in every family in their respective conferences.
41. (a) We recommend, That this conference recognize and commend the good work being done by our faithful canvassing evangelists in the field; and that we show our appreciation of their services by offering them encouragement in every possible way; by frequent letters and words of encouragement expressing our interest in their work as shown in their reports, and letting them know that they have our sympathy and our prayers.
(b) That one or more canvassers’ institutes be held in each conference before June 1, 1904.
(c) That the conferences adopt a liberal policy in assisting canvassers in meeting the expenses incident to attending the institutes.
(d) That suitable ministerial help be furnished these institutes; and that when necessary, State agents from neighboring conferences be invited to assist in giving instruction.
(e) That each conference arrange for a special season of prayer and for consideration of the canvassing work in the churches, and that suitable readings be prepared by the State agent, president of the conference, and others, and furnished to the churches.
Recognizing in our church organ, the REVIEW AND HERALD, a strong factor in the presentation of the principles of the message for this time which should govern the lives and mold the hearts of believers; therefore,—
42. We earnestly urge all our people to give this paper a thorough, steady, and careful reading, that its molding influence may be manifest in their lives; and we ask our laborers to make earnest efforts to secure this desired result.
43. (a) That we grant the request of Virginia, Eastern Pennsylvania, and New Jersey Conferences for a cash appropriation of six hundred dollars each for 1904, to be paid in twelve equal instalments due the first of each calendar month of that year.
(b) That the title of Article VIII of the Constitution be amended to read, “Corporation Trustees, Departments, Committees, and Agents.”
44. Resolved, That we invite the academy board to take steps to have the academy property transferred from the stockholding corporation to one which shall be organized to hold this property.
45. That Article VIII of the Constitution be amended so as to read, “This conference shall authorize the creation of corporations necessary for the execution of its business or the operation of its institutions, and shall at each regular session elect the board of management of such institutions and enterprises as are or may be operated by this organization in accordance with the acts governing the same; and this conference shall operate such departments, and employ such committees, agents, ministers, missionaries, and make such distribution of laborers as may be necessary effectually to carry on its work. It shall also give credentials or licenses to such ministers as may be employed by the union conference.”
46. That we instruct the Conference Committee of the Atlantic Union Conference to appoint persons, as may be required by the laws of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, to form a corporation to hold the property of the South Lancaster Academy, providing the academy stockholders agree to make the transfer of the same, and providing the property can not be held by the Atlantic Union Conference Association.
The Committee on Nominations submitted the names of the following persons for officers of the Atlantic Union Conference:—
President, Hampton W. Cottrell; Secretary and Treasurer, William A. Wilcox; Executive Committee, in addition to the Atlantic Union Conference president, and secretary, and presidents of local conferences, we suggest as representatives of the educational, publishing, and medical missionary departments, the following-named persons: Frederick Griggs, George W. Palmer, C. C. Nicola, S. N. Curtiss, and F. E. Painter.
For members of the constituency of the Atlantic Union Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists, for a term of two years, the following-named persons were elected to take the places of those whose terms of office expire at this session: Hampton W. Cottrell, William A. Wilcox, Frederick Griggs, George W. Palmer, J. Edward Jayne, Dwight B. Parmelee, and Preston F. Bicknell; for advisory committee for the advancement of the medical missionary work in the Atlantic Union Conference, Drs. C. C. Nicola, A. J. Read, and A. R. Satterlee; J. R. Scott, of Washington, the head physician of the Washington Sanitarium, Elders J. E. Jayne and M. D. Mattson, Dr. E. H. M. Sell; for auditor of Atlantic Union Conference, J. E. Jayne.
The following persons were chosen as officers and board of trustees of the Atlantic Union Conference Association: President, Hampton W. Cottrell; Secretary and Treasurer, William A. Wilcox; Auditor, J. Edward Jayne; Board of Trustees, Miles D. Mattson, Albert E. Place, J. Edward Jayne, Hampton W. Cottrell, George W. Palmer, William A. Wilcox, Preston F. Bicknell.
To complete the Atlantic Union Conference Committee list, E. E. Miles. For members of the Atlantic Union Conference constituency, Edgar E. Miles, J. Edward Jayne, George W. Palmer, Frederick Griggs, Charles C. Nicola, William A. Wilcox, Hampton W. Cottrell, Preston F. Bicknell, Charles H. Edwards.
The Committee on Credentials and Licenses submitted the following:—
That credentials be renewed to H. W. Cottrell, S. N. Haskell, and E. E. Franke, that F. E. Painter receive ministerial license, and that missionary credentials be granted to Mrs. S. N. Haskell and J. L. Johnson.
The Committee on Distribution of Labor presented the following:—
1. That Elder H. C. Basney make Western Pennsylvania his field of labor.
2. That in harmony with the request of the president of the New York Conference, Capt. J. L. Johnson make Buffalo Harbor and vicinity his field of labor during the summer of 1904.
3. That Elder S. G. Huntington be invited to connect with the work in West Virginia.
4. That the Western Pennsylvania Conference send one of its ministers into the West Virginia Conference, and pay his salary for one year.
5. That the Virginia and West Virginia Conferences negotiate in counsel with the executive of the Atlantic Union Conference for an exchange of laborers.
A good spirit characterized all our counsels, and we can but believe that a new inspiration was received for the work before us.
H. W. COTTRELL, Pres.,
W. A. WILCOX, Sec.
J. M. HYATT
By J. M. Hyatt
Africa
GOLD COAST.—Some are taking a great interest in our work. Some of the most influential people of the place are reading our papers. They express themselves as being greatly pleased with them. One is the wife of one of the wealthiest natives on the Coast. He is in England at present, but is expected home next month.
We had a very bad sea yesterday. There were nine persons drowned, although there was no wind. The sea became rough, and the small boats were wrecked in trying to land passengers from the steamers. People are very much aroused over it. We are trying to show them that it is a token of the coming day, before which time even worse things will happen. Storms are unknown here, so the people are not accustomed to such disasters; but we expect they will come here before the end. There has not been a strong wind since I have been here.
This whole coast is being much stirred over hypnotism, which has been introduced during the last year. Many have asked me about it, as it was imported from America. Several have given it up, through reading the Signs. I wish to fill this place with literature, as those who can read, read everything they can get their hands on. Already other denominations are becoming stirred over the circulation of our papers in this place, and are warning their people to stay away from our meetings.
Last Sabbath a young man, one of the clerks in a large law firm, came to see me on business. He did not know that we kept the Sabbath, so we had a talk on the subject, and I gave him a Bible reading. He said that he could see that the seventh day was the Sabbath, and he thanked God for sending him to our home. He says that he will observe the day. He can do so, if he wishes, as his firm does not work on Saturday. Others are differently situated, and fear that should they keep the seventh day, they would lose their places.
We are truly glad to know that our people have at last moved their headquarters out of Battle Creek.
J. M. HYATT
An Opportunity for a Good Work in the South
By Othio C. Godsmark
THERE are openings for a good work to be done in nearly every place in the South; but the one that appeals to our reason as one that the Lord is especially pointing out at the present time is an opportunity in Earleyville, Tenn.
About one year ago Brother C. G. Howell, one of our former laborers in the Michigan conference, and his wife, Mrs. Elsie Westphal Howell, came to this portion of our Southern field, and began a school for the benefit of the people living among the mountains of eastern Tennessee. Brother Howell also preached in the neighborhood as time and opportunity permitted.
Their burden has been to establish an industrial school where the people could be taught not only the various branches of elementary knowledge, but also proper methods of cultivating the soil, and thus bettering their present condition. This plan has been encouraged by the generous donation of one hundred acres of land for this purpose, by Brother Ben Auten, one of our well-known members of the Iowa Conference.
It was our privilege to visit this interesting corner of our Cumberland Conference some time ago, and we were impressed that here was an opening to do good, and reach many honest-hearted19people with the truths of this last message.
It is to just such quiet corners as this that our people will be glad to retire, and find a refuge from the storms of strife and bloodshed that are fast gathering about our larger cities; and why not begin now to do a work for these people who are honest at heart, religiously inclined, and anxious to learn and know the truth?
Brother and Sister Howell are both earnest, devoted workers, both fully qualified for this special branch of our work, and are doing all that their means will permit. Just now they are getting out the rough timbers for their school building, depending upon the donations that personal friends, knowing of their good work, have kindly sent to them. This we believe to be right. The Lord has long been calling the attention of our people to the work here in the South, and we firmly believe that every dollar put here in this particular place will be money well invested in the bank of heaven.
They are not asking for expensive buildings, or even the ordinary home comforts of life that they enjoyed in the North; but we ask for them the immediate help of our brethren who prefer to know where their money goes, that they may be able to erect a few simple cabins in which to live, and teach this truth to the people in that section of the country.
With but little opportunity for learning, and shut off from the world as they are, these simple-minded, honest-hearted people earnestly grasp just such opportunities as Brother and Sister Howell are trying to place within their reach. Who will help them in their self-sacrificing efforts to carry this message to the very homes of the people here in this long-neglected South land? May God bless the givers. Address C. G. Howell, Earleyville, Tenn.; and, brethren, while you help in this effort at Earleyville, remember in your prayers the earnest workers here in the South who left the strong conferences of the North, and came here to do the work for these days in this Southern field.
OTHIO C. GODSMARK,President of Cumberland Conference.
Aikain Vartija
By L. Johnson
Our little paper Aikain Vartija, in the Finnish language is published at Helsingfors, Finland. It is the only paper in the world in that language which brings the message of God for this time to its readers. Therefore it ought to reach all who speak that language. Our brethren have just issued a special number which contains select matter upon the main points of our faith, and they ask us to help them to bring this to the three hundred thousand Finlanders who reside in this country. This we ought to do. Let us therefore as many as have Finnish neighbors, or are acquainted with any of that nationality, send for as many papers as we can use, and see that all get a copy. In this way we may be instruments in the hands of the Lord to bring the light to some soul that we may soon see shine as the sun in the kingdom of our God.
The writer has been in Finland many times, and is convinced that there are persons of that nationality just as upright as those of any other nation on the earth. They are a small, oppressed people, and they love their country, language, and freedom, as much as any nation.
Brethren and sisters, let us do what we can for them. The special number of Aikain Vartija should be ordered from the International Tract and Missionary Society, Jakaregatan 2, Helsingfors, Finland. The price is five cents a copy, when it is ordered in clubs. Do not forget to send for these papers.
L. JOHNSON.
Self-Supporting Missionary Work
By C. H. JONES
For years the Lord has been calling our attention to the importance of giving this message to the people in the large cities, and also showing us that this work has been sadly neglected. We quote the following from “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VII, page 40:—
“When I think of the cities in which so little has been done, in which there are so many thousands to be warned of the soon coming of the Saviour, I feel an intensity of desire to see men and women going forth to the work in the power of the Spirit, filled with Christ’s love for perishing souls. Those in our cities—living within the shadow of our doors—have been strangely neglected. Organized effort should now be put forth to give them the message of present truth. . . . We all need to be wide awake, that, as the way opens, we may advance the work in the large cities.”
We appreciate the fact that this is a difficult problem to deal with on account of the expense. In many of the large cities tent-meetings can not be held on account of local restrictions, and hall rent is almost prohibitive.
We are convinced that the work of warning the people in these large cities will have to be done largely through our publications, and if taken hold of in the right way, it can be made nearly or quite self-supporting.
Our pioneer paper, The Signs of the Times, can be used as an entering wedge. The special number on the subject of Capital and Labor will be a splendid one to begin with. Then let this be followed by the sale of the regular issues, securing subscriptions, and selling small books, tracts, and pamphlets. We have these covering almost every phase of the message.
Brother George A. King has been engaged in this work in New York City for many years. We quote the following from a letter recently received from him:—
“I think the time has come when we can work faster with the message by using The Signs of the Times as a pioneer for the book work as well as for Bible work and ministerial work. I have been working for several years on the difficult problem of reaching the people with books in these large Eastern cities. We have sold many thousands of dollars’ worth of books, and have done a good work, but I think it is clear now that for the future the Signs or some other paper will have to play an important part in our work here.”
As to the value of our periodicals, and especially The Signs of the Times, in this work, the following extracts from the Testimonies are right to the point:—
“Our missionary paper, The Signs of the Times, is doing its work everywhere, and is opening the way for the truth to be more fully presented.”
“Our brethren do not all see and realize the importance of this paper; if they did, they would feel greater personal interest to make it intensely interesting, and then to circulate it everywhere.”
“This silent preacher, the Signs, enriched with precious matter, should go forth on the wings of prayer, mingled with faith, that it may do its appointed work in shedding the light of truth upon those who are in the darkness of error.”
“It is a fact that the circulation of our papers is doing even a greater work than the living preacher can do.”
It is the purpose of the publishers to make The Signs of the Times all that its name implies, by calling attention to current events, and showing what they mean in the light of prophecy. The subject of Capital and Labor can not be exhausted in one number, and this question will be discussed in future issues. Then there will be articles covering every phase of the message, presented in such a way as not to create prejudice, thus making the Signs truly a pioneer paper.
The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few. Are there not those who will volunteer to take hold of this work in the large cities?
C. H. JONES.
Results of Earnest Effort
By Jas. Cochran
The following interesting experience was related by one of the workers for The Signs of the Times in Kansas City, Mo.: “There is no other work in which all may help a little, and receive such rich blessings, and have such good experiences as are to be had in working with the paper. Sister—and I took up this work one month ago. The first time we went out, we were rather timid, and did not think we could sell papers, but we found that the Lord strengthens those who desire to engage in work for him, and is able to bless their efforts even under trying circumstances. One night it rained very hard, and we scarcely knew whether to go back home or not, but we persevered in spite of the weather, and together we sold ninety-one Signs of the Times. We sold one hundred copies last Saturday night in about two hours.”
A brother ordered a club of twenty-five Signs of the Times five weeks ago. He is delivering them from house to house each week. He has added to his club until now he has sixty-five regular readers. Several of the readers are becoming deeply interested, and six of them have asked that a Bible worker come and study with them.
A church in one of the large cities of the Middle West mailed several thousand tracts from the office of publication, using as a mailing list the names in the “Blue Book.” This book contains the names of what is commonly termed the best class of people of the city. One of the Bible workers who followed up this work says: “The tracts, having preceded me, give a most excellent opportunity to introduce myself and work. I called on ten families to-day, and found that six of the number had read the tracts, and were pleased with the contents.”
These are a few of the many experiences our workers are meeting with. These experiences bring to our minds quite forcibly two things: first, they indicate the strong desire on the part of the people to know the truth for this time, and the power of God to save souls; and second, they prove that much may be accomplished20by spending a few hours each week in true service, placing in the homes these silent messengers.
“Individual, constant, united efforts will bring the reward of success. Those who desire to do a great deal of good in our world must be willing to do it in God’s way by doing little things. He who wishes to reach the loftiest heights of achievement by doing something great and wonderful, will fail of doing anything. With what anxiety for the salvation of souls we should be filled as we see human beings perishing in sin. Work is what the churches need. They need an unreserved consecration to service. Jesus wept over the obduracy of Jerusalem. Whose hearts break to-day because of the peril of those in darkness? Who among those who have received such great light and such rich gifts, mingle their tears with the tears of their Redeemer?”
Such words as those quoted above should set many to thinking, and stir hearts to greater activity in warning the people of the doom that awaits the world, and of a soon-coming Saviour.