p. 20 | Review and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 25. (6/22/1905)

Earlier text: The Improvement of the Ministry

Northern Illinois Camp-Meeting

By L. D. SANTEE

THIS important meeting is now in the past, though services are continued on the same grounds by Elder Luther Warren, assisted by a corps of workers. The camp was located on the corner of Cottage Grove and Seventieth Streets. In many ways we have been fortunate.

As our meeting followed the General Conference, many delegates visited us on their return from Washington. The following missionaries from foreign fields were among our visitors: Brethren Anderson, of China; Hyatt, of Africa; Wakeham, of Egypt; and Ketring, of South America. Each one reported his labors in “the regions beyond.” The meetings were well advertised. Fifty thousand notices were scattered on Decoration day. Again, at different stages of the meeting thousands of others were sent out.

Elder Luther Warren, the evangelist, who is to follow up the interest here in Chicago, had special charge of the spiritual interests of the meeting. Elder E. W. Farnsworth came on the third day, and after that he and Elder Warren did most of the preaching.

The Lord gave great liberty in the presentation of his Word. The attendance of our own people was largely of our brethren in the city. Among our visiting brethren were Elders McReynolds, Parmele, and Russell.

All branches of the work were considered. Every afternoon at 2:30 a lecture on health and how to preserve it was given. Brother Gilbert was here, and gave acceptable help. The Sabbath-school donations were sent to the Italian field.

As the result of practical preaching, many came up on higher ground than ever before. Confessions were made, and sins were put away. The appeal, or “Prepare to meet thy God,” was pressed home to the heart. Many began to serve the Lord. The program is, Study, and then put in practise what you have learned. The waters are troubled, and this promises to be the most earnest effort ever made in this city. Only God can measure the result.

L. D. SANTEE.

Burma

By H. H. Votaw

INSEIN.—We have been getting some translating done, and have an edition of five thousand tracts on the Sabbath to pay for just now. Some money is in sight, however. We are especially anxious to get suitable material covering the points of our faith, so that as we labor we can also leave reading-matter with the people.

I can hardly say I have a hold upon the work as yet. Conditions are very different here from those in the United States. We like Burma and the Burmese very much thus far. We pray constantly that God may keep love in our hearts for these poor souls. We work as far as we can for natives of India, too. They are very numerous here, and many understand English.

Yesterday we had all the servants attend Sabbath-school. This included Brother Hansen’s cook, Sister Harrison’s cook, our cook, and the man who cares for the compound and carries our water. Mrs. Votaw acted as teacher, and Sister Harrison as interpreter. Creation was the subject, and when the seventh day was studied about, one said, “God is a good Sahib. He gives you one day in a week for rest.” By being faithful in giving our servants rest, we have had a chance to witness for Jesus. One day our cook asked Mrs. Votaw to come and tell the neighbors’ cooks why we gave our servant a day of rest. She complied, and several servants gathered into a cook-house, and as she told of Jesus’ love, they all wept.

We aim to talk about Jesus Christ and his near return to every one of the large number of peddlers who come to our door with various articles to sell. We want to give the warning faithfully. God only knows which will prosper, this or that.

H. H. VOTAW.

Sharing With Mission Fields

By Elder F. M. Burg

Extract From the Annual Address of the President, Elder F. M. Burg, to the Western Oregon Conference

I WISH to submit at this point what has appealed to me very strongly during the past year, and with special force since attending the General Conference, where the needs of the vast world fields were presented in such a touching manner, and where was presented the necessity that such a policy be adopted in our work for the world as only can be regarded consistent with the extent of the field and the very little time we have in which to complete the work. In the first place, there ought to be a much larger tithe paid into the Lord's treasury than is being received at the present time. It was suggested at the General Conference, upon what I must regard as a reasonable estimate, that if a full tithe were paid, the amount now paid per capita ($10.74, amount in our conference) would be nearly, if not quite, doubled. If the question arises as to why there is not more nearly an adequate amount of tithe paid by our people, I feel safe in saying first, that not a few are wofully negligent of the solemn trust which they have before God in this. And in addition to this I submit that the shortage is due to a failure to understand the vital principles involved in the plan of tithe paying, and also the details of this question in its practical side. The servants of God as shepherds of the flock have a duty here which should be urged upon them, fully to instruct the members of our churches in this sacred duty, and to appeal with their God-given authority to the people to be faithful in this trust.

And I place before this conference with this what I believe before God to be a consistent and right policy—and the only consistent and right policy—in the appropriation of the tithe which is paid year after year into the treasury, namely, that our field is the world; and the vast multitudes afar from us, and who have not heard the first sound of this message, and who know not God, call as loudly to us as our own field, and even more loudly, for the labor which these funds can sustain. I do not think that we are true to our trust as stewards of the Lord's means if we consume on our own little territory the large sums of money which are paid into the treasury in tithes, when there are such vast multitudes of people perishing in darkness in the nations near and far; and since there is such a short time remaining to us in which to bring the warning message to them, should we not liberally share our resources of men and means with the fields where such darkness and sin appeal so strongly to us to give them the light we have?

In harmony with these recommendations I quote here a recommendation passed in the late General Conference session, and plead for its favorable recognition by this body of delegates:— “Whereas, The movement among the conferences to share laborers and tithes with mission fields has brought new

strength into the work, and great blessings at points where otherwise help could not have been placed, therefore,—

“Resolved, That we express appreciation and approval of this policy, and urge our churches to stand loyally by the conference officers in this effort, inasmuch as the conferences can do this work only as tithes are faithfully brought into the local treasury; and further,—

“Resolved, That we urge the continuance and extension of this plan of sharing paid laborers with needy fields by arrangement through the General Conference Committee; and further,—

“Resolved, That a determined effort be made to place experienced laborers supported by their home conferences in the needy fields of the South, also remembering the Canadian north, as well as fields abroad, so that this message may be quickly carried throughout all the earth, and the time hastened when believers in the home land of this movement and in the regions beyond may rejoice together in the triumph of the one great work of the third angel’s message.”

Central Africa

By Thomas H. Branch

NYASSALAND.—Our school is doing nicely. We have twenty-eight boys staying with us at the mission, and we have had quite a number of men working out their taxes. I have also a few of the young lads from the villages, who receive a shilling a month for their work. This enables them to buy their cloth, a little soap, and salt. The two out-schools are doing well, with a good attendance. Johane teaches one, and Maliniki the other. I have not been able to send two boys to each school, as I need them to help get the crops in. There is another large village that wants us to start a school. As yet I do not see my way clear to do so, but hope to in the near future.

I have a class of candidates desiring baptism, and I am taking them slowly, step by step, and teaching them concerning this ordinance, as I feel they should know what they are doing in taking this obligation upon themselves.

We gave our boys a holiday January 2, and allowed them to play and enjoy themselves with their friends who came from the villages, until 2 P. M. Then we had all that could, come on the veranda, and after a short talk to them, they all joined in the Lord’s prayer. Food was then passed to all. The menu was as follows: beans, squash, sweet potatoes, pineapples, and usima (stiff porridge). One of the boys then arose, and said a few words to them, after which they all arose, and in one voice said, “Thank you, Ama!” Then we dismissed them. Fathers, and mothers with little ones tied on their backs, went running home, just as the children did, saying, “We will come again soon.”

We are still of good courage, and trust in the promises of the Lord found in Joshua 1:8, 9.

THOMAS H. BRANCH.

Impressions at Knowlton (Quebec) Sanitarium

By C. V. S. Boettger

I HAVE recently become acquainted with the different advantages and disadvantages, opportunities, possibilities, and necessities of this sanitarium.

The brethren informed me regarding their arranged improvements. These consist of (1) the wiring of the whole building, thus giving a much-needed and superior facility for lighting, more lights and better ones; (2) the installing of a larger furnace. The present one is inadequate and too expensive in its running. It will be seen at once that both improvements mean safety and saving, although the immediate outlay is nearly one thousand dollars, if I am not mistaken in the amount given me. And as there is no reserve fund from which to draw, great economy, forethought, and judicious management must be exercised.

While the foregoing will undoubtedly be of great service and general benefit, it will, after all, affect only the shell of the work, and not the sanitarium and its office specifically.

The sanitarium has been established to promote spiritual work through human agencies. A Bible reader without a Bible would work at a disadvantage. A sanitarium without proper equipment or with incomplete facilities could not possibly do efficient work. Our sanitarium has an excellent superintendent, good nurses, and some appliances; but not sufficient equipment. It would take entirely too much space to go into details of the needs, or to point out the advantages of such an equipment; but suffice it to say that some apparatus of this kind is almost indispensable. The appliances are not too expensive or out of reach, but the present financial condition will not warrant the outlay.

The absence of these appliances means reduction in income; their presence, proportioned additional income. Now, while there is a constant need, or cry, for aid here and there, can we not put our shoulder to the wheel and give a lift? My suggestion is that the different pieces of apparatus might be obtained from the different churches. In this way we surely could obtain the necessary help. Now let us make an effort to help the sanitarium,—help those in charge as well as those who go there to seek help,—and I am sure the Lord will help us all.

Give this matter your careful and prayerful consideration, and if you think of a better plan, let us know it. Any member of the sanitarium Board of Managers will be grateful to hear and note your interest. Further particulars may be learned from Dr. White, Elder Rickard, or Elder Farnsworth.

I am sure the Lord wants us to be at our best, to do our best. He will impress you and direct you, and his blessings will continually attend you.—C. V. S. Boettger, in Canadian Union Messenger.

From Australia to America

By E. H. Gates

ACCOMPANIED by my wife, I left Australia for the General Conference, January 23. Our first stop was at Fiji. Most of the workers in this mission came together to counsel with reference to the proposed school for native youth, as well as to discuss other matters.

For two years or more we have been working to establish a school where our native young men might be educated for workers in the islands of Melanesia, which are still to a large extent in savagery. Only a few months ago we sent Brother S. W. Carr, an Avondale school student, as teacher, to Fiji. The brethren had looked over different islands to secure a proper site for a school, but had not found anything desirable. Soon after my arrival we made an extended trip in the mission launch, and on the island of Ovalau, sixty miles north of Suva, we found just what we wanted, and it was much better than we had expected to find.

We did not need a large tract of land for the school, but were not able to lease a small one, and so secured the place already mentioned, containing probably five hundred acres, for what thirty or forty acres would have cost. The land is suitable for raising yams, taro, and bananas, which are staple articles with the natives. It has several hundred bearing cocoanut trees, which will supply the students with food, and give enough income to largely pay the land rental. A more suitable place could hardly have been secured in the Fiji group.

The work of planting, and preparing the place for occupancy, has begun. Brother Fulton’s large house at Suva Vou will be taken down, and made into two houses at Viro, the name of the new school location. Some of the students are already planting their yam and taro patches, and building their native houses.

On another island the native brethren

of one of our churches, who expect to send students to the school, are planting yams for the use of students. The school is located about fourteen miles from a large town, thus avoiding the danger of the vile associations of such places.

The printing-press will be removed from Suva Vou to Viro, and capable students will be instructed in the art of printing.

A tract society was organized for the Fiji mission, and a librarian appointed. A good-sized club of Signs is taken by the society, most of which are taken and paid for by the people of the town.

From Fiji I went to Samoa, and spent a few weeks. The sanitarium there is having a fair patronage. I had the privilege of baptizing one man at that place. A half-caste man began to keep the Sabbath while I was there. His first knowledge of the truth was received by reading “Daniel and the Revelation,” a copy of which he bought of Brother Floding. I sold some books, and took orders for three periodicals. On our voyage from Fiji to Vancouver, we were able to interest a few persons in the truth. On arriving at Honolulu, we secured a copy of “Christ’s Object Lessons” and “Daniel and the Revelation,” which were purchased by two of the passengers. One man in particular showed the deepest interest in all phases of the truth that we were able to place before him.

E. H. GATES.

Quebec

By Geo. H. Skinner

MONTREAL.—The enemy of all righteousness has the start of us in this city, and rooted deep in the hearts of the people are the rituals and dogmas of error. There are some very earnest persons in the little church here. They are willing to co-operate with us, and we shall soon be well started upon our work. We expect to rent a hall for meetings soon.

This field is in need of earnest work, and of the prayers of God’s people. We hope another man may be sent here soon.

I am interested in reading the reports from Washington. May God bless the work there.

GEO. H. SKINNER.

North England

By Edwin E. Andross

LEICESTER.—I never was more profoundly convinced that we are rapidly nearing the end of our journey. I am sure we have not awakened to this fact any too soon. With the events that are taking place in Russia, in addition to all that has gone before in all the world, every soul should be aroused.

I find that the hearts of men are being awakened just now, and it is not so difficult to get their ears as it has been. How long this opportunity will last, I do not know. In our recent meeting in Nottingham, where Brother McCord and I held a fortnight’s mission, the interest was excellent, and he writes me that one hundred adults listened to the exposition of the Sabbath question Sunday evening with rapt attention. Brother McCord is following up this effort. O that the message might be proclaimed in all the two hundred and fifty cities of our conference at once! Be assured that we are with you in all that makes for the advancement of this glorious message in its simplicity.

E. E. ANDROSS.

Manitoba

By Alva A.; Mrs. Stewart

MINIOTA.— It has been nearly a year since we came to this place, and many things indicate that we have but a short time in which to give the message. A few days ago we were startled, when spending two days with petitions for religious freedom, to find so many in favor of religious persecution, if need be, to enforce more stringent “sabbath” observance. In that length of time, the day of which was spent in town, sufficient names could be obtained for all two petitions.

Mr. Gamble, of Ottawa, Kan., who is well known to most of our people, has made a tour of Manitoba, and is now, I believe, doing the same in Ontario. Evening Journal (St. Thomas, Ontario) devoted the first column of its issue of March 7 to a report of his meeting held in that city. This much will be of interest, as it fulfils some of the things we are told to expect: “To one sect is ascribed in large measure the coming of thousands of men to work on Sabbath. By means of this sect, was secured legislation for securing to men Sunday rest, and of securing for ourselves legislation permitting them to work on Sunday, so that they might rest on their Saturday sabbath. . . . By means of a chart he showed that Sunday sabbath was the true creation sabbath, and that the Saturday sabbath had no basis in Scripture, either in the Old Testament or in the New. . . . Christ rose from the dead on Sunday, creation sabbath. He sustained the identity of Sunday with the seventh day of the week, by many lines of argument, using the chart.”

As to our own work: we have sold a number of books, have done all the house-to-house work we could, and have given a good many Bible readings and talks, distributed all the reading-matter we have in the form of tracts and papers; but only a few seem really interested, and none have taken their stand for the truth.

If any readers of this have any tracts, papers, or books that might be a help to those not of our faith, we shall be very glad to receive them. ALVA A. AND MRS. STEWART.

Arizona

The third annual conference of Seventh-day Adventists of Arizona was held at Phoenix, April 4-9.

What seemed a most favorable happening was the good weather, which changed to heavy raining after the meetings were closed.

The attendance was smaller than was expected a few weeks before the meetings began, but a spirit of courage was seen throughout.

Financially the conference has made advancement during the year, the amount of tithe being $1,705.65, or about three hundred dollars more than for the previous year.

The Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association, of which the active institution is the Arizona Sanitarium, has been enjoying a measure of prosperity, and is gradually reducing its indebtedness. Plans are now being laid for a broadening of this line of work.

The officers chosen were: President, C. E. Knight; secretary, Mrs. M. T. Poston; treasurer, Arizona Sanitarium.

Executive Committee: C. E. Knight, J. E. Bond, M. Serna, H. A. Dow, and a member to be supplied.

Medical Missionary Board: C. E. Knight, E. C. Bond, A. J. Netherington, M. T. Poston, Ellen Johnson, H. A. Dow, Eugene Brown.

Trustees of Arizona Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists: C. E. Knight, E. C. Bond, Eugene A. Brown, M. Serna, H. A. Dow.

Credentials were granted to C. E. Knight, J. E. Bond, M. Serna.

Ministerial License: Walter G. Bond, B. F. Gowdy, Mrs. J. E. Bond.

Missionary License: Dr. E. C. Bond, Alejandro DeYbarra, M. T. Poston, Augusta DeAngeles.—Pacific Union Recorder.

The Emmanuel Children's Home

By Mrs. A. C. Ames.

My article in a recent number of the REVIEW having brought me many letters telling of little orphans in need of homes, I would like to say a few words to the brethren and sisters in general, as I have not the time to write so many personal letters.

The Emmanuel Children's Home can not take and keep all the little orphans brought to its notice. Among all the applications that have been made for children from the Home, there has never, to my knowledge, been a single one from among our own people; but there have been a number of applications for the admission of Adventist children to the Home.

This does not look right to me. It seems to me that if the hearts of the professed children of God were burdened for the salvation of souls as they should be, there would be a gathering in of these little orphans, and they would be brought up in the truth, instead of in later years having to be converted to it by our ministers. There are few consecrated women among our people who could not take an active part in this work if they would. To be sure, it is not all pleasant work, but—“the servant is not greater than his lord.” When our Saviour was on earth, he did not look for the pleasantest work he could find, neither did he settle down in a nice home, and keep the world's poor outside his door. No, indeed!

He went out among the lowest of humanity, and I do not suppose, when some care-worn, tired mother brought her little children to him, he drew back with a look of disgust. No, he took them, and when they were hungry, he fed them, instead of asking some one else to do it.

Now, brethren and sisters, do you think our hearts are in the condition God wants them to be when we close our doors to the little homeless outcasts? “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Do you want to shut the Saviour out? If not, do not shut out his little ones; for he is a friend to the friendless, and will never leave nor forsake them in their helplessness.

The time is soon coming when we shall be called to give an account of our doings. Let it not be said to us, “Thou art weighed in the balance, and art found wanting,” because we failed to

bestir ourselves and do the work the Master left for us when he took his journey into a far country; for he will return, and will reward us according to our works.

It is not the design of the Emmanuel Children's Home to in any way take the place of the Haskell Home, or to conflict with its work. Our Home is especially for the world's orphans, and draws its support from the world, but we believe the Lord will be pleased to have these little ones placed in homes where they may be taught the truth.

MRS. A. C. AMES.

Actions of the General Conference Committee

By William Ambrose Spicer

Some further items from the minutes of the General Conference Committee, in session in Washington after the General Conference, will be of interest. It was voted,—

That the publishing department take charge of arranging for and inaugurating the fall and winter missionary campaign.

That Elder E. W. Snyder and his wife be encouraged to connect with some tent or evangelistic work in the States for the summer, and that, if the way is open, they later be encouraged to engage in Bible and colporteur work in Cuba.

That we request Elder J. H. Evans to plan to visit South America next year, in response to the urgent request for an officer of the General Conference to join the South American believers in their general meetings.

That we request Elder W. J. Tanner, of Jamaica, to make Hayti his field of labor.

That the following be the dates of the five general offerings to be taken in all the churches, according to the recommendation of the General Conference:—

Week of prayer, December, annual offering for missions.

First Sabbath in February, religious liberty work.

First Sabbath in April, orphans of the Haskell Home and similar institutions.

First Sabbath in July, midsummer offering for missions.

First Sabbath in October, for work among the colored people.

The auditing of the General Conference workers' accounts was completed, and many other matters of detail were considered.

W. A. SPICER, Secretary.

Bermuda

By JAMES A. MORROW

HAMILTON.—It is just two years since my wife and I came to this place. Twenty-three have accepted the message during this time, most of whom stand firm. Four who accepted the truth here returned to South Africa, to kindle lights in that part of the field. A recent letter from one of these informs me that he has been able to lead several to accept the message. This last month I met a few interesting cases among the wives of soldiers.

Financially the Lord has surely blessed us. I feel confident that the receipts in the field will enable us to run until the first of September without calling upon the general treasury. Last Sabbath I announced both here and at Cawl (where our new company is) that we would take up a special offering for the One Hundred Thousand Dollar Fund. Last night one of our new Sabbath-keepers, a poor man, handed me his offering. Upon examination, I found it was one pound. I feel sure that we shall be able to forward at least one dollar for each of our Sabbath-keepers in Bermuda by the next mail.

It still remains a difficult problem to obtain places in which to hold public meetings. Most of our work is from house to house. The family, so deeply interested when I last wrote, seemed to stagger when they saw the cross. These are some of the sad experiences.

There are evidences that the island is being stirred by the message. Three Methodist ministers have spoken six times upon the Sabbath question within the last three months.

We praise God for what he has wrought through us despite all our sins and failures, and we yield our hearts more fully to him. We love God and this message more than any earthly thing. We are daily looking to him for guidance. Surely our time to work is short.

JAMES A. MORROW.

Religious Liberty Notes

By W. A. COLCORD

OPPOSING the enforcement of Sunday observance by law, the Brooklyn Eagle says: “The attempt to serve religion through the law has invariably failed. The church must win rather than force.”

Congress having provided for it at the last session, the Washington (D. C.) public library will be open on Sundays on and after July 2 of this year.

“Governor Hanly is determined that all officials over whom he has any control shall enforce the [Sunday] law in their respective communities, or he will know the reason why,” says the Tipton (Ind.) Advocate.

“War upon Sunday shops and theaters,” was declared by the Polk County Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, at their annual meeting held at Des Moines, Iowa, May 16. A resolution was adopted for the strict enforcement of the Sunday-closing laws. It is the intention of the union to prosecute “every shopkeeper in Des Moines who violates the sabbath.”

June 5 Brother Tom C. Hege was brought before Mayor Eaton, of Winston, N. C., and fined twenty-five dollars and $2.40 costs, on a charge of keeping his place of business open on Sunday. Refusing to pay these, he was sent to jail. The next day, in an interview with him, the mayor told him that he would “send him to the roads” if he did not pay his fine. Hearing of this, some of the men of the place “swore, and said this should never be.” A friend became responsible for the fine and costs, and Brother Hege was released.

Rev. Charles E. Locke, of the Hanson Place Methodist Episcopal church of Brooklyn, N. Y., describes that city as “in the choking grip of irreverence and desecration,” and says “the city of churches has become a city of sabbath desecration.” Instead of millionaires endowing colleges and libraries, he asks: “How would it do for some beneficent man to endow a bureau for the enforcement of law and the passage of better laws?”

In the Washington Post of April 3, 1905, Mr. W. F. Crafts admitted that there had been a few instances where observers of the seventh day had been fined and imprisoned for violation of the Sunday laws in some of the “backward States.” According to this there must be a large number of “backward States” in the Union, for in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas, fifteen States in all, observers of the seventh day have been prosecuted under Sunday laws. This is an unwitting argument as to the actual truth that the whole modern effort to protect Sunday, and to enforce Sunday observance, by law, is a backward movement.

The annual meeting of the Sabbath Association of Illinois was held in Chicago, May 18, 1905. The association adopted an “Address to the People,” in which it emphasizes the absolute necessity of sabbath rest in the interests of health, church life, and public morals. “The seven-day toil to which men are subjected,” it states, “is destructive to home life, an injury to the nervous system, a deprivation of religious privilege, and therefore a cause of physical, mental, and moral wreckage.” It therefore earnestly entreats publishers of Sunday papers and presidents and officers of railways to “step out on the law of God,” and “dare to be peculiar for the sake of humanity.” If men had the courage to “step out on the law of God” and really be “peculiar,” they would cease keeping Sunday altogether, and would observe the day enjoined in the law of God. The address further says: “The association earnestly requests the President of the United States and the two Houses of Congress to so alter the regulations of the mail service that no mail shall be handled on the Lord’s day.” This is especially urged because it is stated that “the example of the government in requiring of its servants violations of the law of God and the interests of man, will be especially harmful by reason of the position which the government occupies in the nation.” The address further calls attention to the fact that “a sabbath pay-day has been established on the Isthmus of Panama for the employees on the canal,” and calls the attention of President Roosevelt to the fact, and respectfully requests him to take proper action in the matter.

W. A. COLCORD.

A Testimony to Healing

By MRS. F. E. ROBERT.

WITH the hope that it may be an encouragement to others in affliction, especially to those separated as we are from our own physicians and nurses, I give this brief testimony of my healing.

On the twenty-fifth of November last I was prostrated with a severe attack of bronchitis. The disease made rapid

advancement, and in spite of all we were able to do, it was very evident that pneumonia must follow unless something more effectual could be done at once.

To call a physician who would administer drugs, we were very reluctant to do, yet our situation was extremely perplexing, knowing, as we did, that my vitality was far too low to cope with that dread disease.

Suddenly it seemed as if some one really spoke to me these words, “You will not die; God will raise you up.” I at once began to praise him, and was perfectly happy and restful.

At my request some of the brethren were called in to carry out the instructions in the fifth chapter of James. I received a wonderful blessing, and was soon able to be up a part of the time. But it seemed that our faith was to be more severely tried; for I was again stricken down, with complications which made the case even more critical than at first. My heart was in such a condition that it seemed almost impossible for me to rally again. But our faith held fast the promise that had been given me. Many of our friends urged medical assistance, but the contemplation always brought darkness to us, and we determined to trust God alone. As day after day passed, my strength became less, and I could not stand the least exertion. Digestion failed entirely, and at times I would be held for hours in a death-like chill that nothing could seem to check. However, my hope always grew brighter, and my confidence was strengthened by sweet communion with the Lord during sleepless nights.

Finally, on Friday, January 6, just six weeks from the day my sickness began, it seemed that the climax had come. It was as if all the contending forces had been summoned for a last struggle. All my strength was exhausted, and my sufferings were intense. My husband repeated promises and prayed with me much of the time till evening, when relief was given, and I was assured that the test had been sufficient, and I should now have the desired blessing. We praised God for the victory. I asked him, if it were his will, to let the blessing come softly upon me during the night, so that I might be well and free to enjoy the Sabbath. I was left alone for the night, and soon fell restfully to sleep, but it was not long till I was awakened by sensations as of gentle, soothing waves of electricity passing over my body. I at once recognized this to be the workings of God, thanked him for it, and again went to sleep. The same was repeated several times during the night, and when morning came, I realized that the work had been done. My husband joined with me in a season of thanksgiving and praise, after which I arose in the name and strength of the Lord, dressed, walked about the house, and ate a hearty breakfast, and remained up during the day with my family—a Sabbath never to be forgotten in our home. My strength and flesh rapidly returned, and I was soon able to resume all my household duties.

An unwavering faith in the promises has never failed to bring sure and speedy victory when tried or tempted, and I praise God for the mighty power of his Word.

MRS. F. E. ROBERT.

Paris, France, March 21, 1905.

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