WASHINGTON.—The writer recently had the privilege of presenting in Howard University, the sacred obligation of the Sabbath commandment, and the satisfaction and restfulness of soul experienced by all who yield their lives to God.
Four defenders of the Sunday sabbath were allowed to give their views first, each of which was, in the main, a duplicate of the others; then I presented the claims of the true Sabbath. I stated that I believed that every one who spoke, and all who had not spoken, were honest in their observance of the Sabbath as they understood it. I told them that I stood precisely in their attitude eight years ago, but when I was led to investigate the foundations of my faith, I saw that I was sacrilegiously desecrating the Sabbath of Jehovah. By using the most positive texts, the subject was discussed with increasing interest. The professor of the chair of political economy and elocution was present, and after my remarks, which lasted until the bell for dismissal rang, he rose to say that he respected my views, but he was afraid that I might be classed along with those whose views drew from Paul the statement, “Ye observe days . . . I am afraid of you.”
I, however, am not afraid of the effect his views had on the audience; for after the meeting, while standing in his presence, a promising young Spaniard grasped my hand, giving me the warmest hand-shake I have had for many a day, saying, as he did so, “You are a man. That message will move the world.” Others also expressed an interest in what they had heard.
On my return home, when I knelt to present to God those in whose hearts the seed had been sown, the first thought the Spirit suggested was, that God might let sin die out in me, that his words might always have free course.
W. S. CONNOLLY.
Farm Schools for the Colored People
By E. A. Sutherland
ONE of the great problems facing the people giving the last message is the race problem of the Southern States; and the only solution to this problem is the truth of the third angel's message. The people who are giving this message are in a measure responsible for the present situation in the Southern States. Immediately after the war our people should have established all through the South many industrial schools for the education of the freed men; but instead of this, schools of another character were started at that time, and the education given was largely of a literary nature. After a period of forty years, many honest people in the South have concluded that book education for the negro is a failure. They believe that it has neither developed the character that was in the old slave-trained negro, nor has it made more practical and skilled workmen. Instead of inculcating these virtues, it is felt by many that an overestimation of his own ability and position is the result to the negro of a purely literary training. Theoretical education created a desire in the minds of many colored people to be placed on an equality with the whites in matters social and political. This desire of the colored people is bitterly opposed by the whites, and a new problem known as the social problem is largely the result.
The negro race in a special sense is adapted to the land. They need teachers who are farmers and builders, who are skilful in treating the sick, in cooking, and who understand the things that should be taught in order to develop Christian characters and perfect Christian homes.
It is a great work to teach these people to read, so that they can read the instruction from the Bible, that by the sweat of their faces they should earn their bread and till the ground; but it is a greater work to show them by a personal example how to perform this feat. A great many of them are anxious to learn practical every-day lessons. To illustrate, I will give a few experiences that I have had with them.
Several years ago, while setting out some fruit-trees, I was visited by a colored man. He seemed deeply interested in what I was doing. I knew he had a little land of his own, and I asked him some questions about his fruit-trees. He told me that he had neither fruit-trees nor berries upon his land; that he did not know how to plant them. I gave him a few simple lessons on the necessity of making a hole of the proper size for the trees, showed him how to place the roots so that they would not be cramped, and how to press the dirt around about them. That evening he came to me, stating that he had talked the matter over with his wife, and that they both wished to put out some trees. He asked me if I would sell him some of our trees. I sold him about a dozen fruit-trees, and also showed him how to plant some strawberries.17I passed by this man's place a few days ago, and was much pleased to see that he had continued his interest in planting trees since that time. The array of peach- and other fruit-trees blooming in this colored man's little field was a pretty sight. They were growing where the thorn-tree had previously reigned. In this case the desert had been made to blossom as the rose.
An old colored man nearly seventy years of age wanted a little home. He was encouraged to save his money, with which he purchased one acre. I visited his little farm a short time ago. He had been removing the rock from his land for a year. He had sold many cords of rock to the county to be crushed for roads. Yet he had so much left that he built on his little place nearly one hundred rods of rock fence, cutting the place into four lots. Everything about his premises was very neat, even though his little hut was made of scraps of lumber that he had been able to secure by working for white people at cracking rock for two cents a bushel.
The daily fare for the average Alabama negro is found, in the United States Bulletin of the Agricultural Department, No. 38, to be corn-meal baked on the flat surface of a hoe, and salt pork sliced thin and fried until very brown and much of the grease fried out. Molasses from cane or sorghum is added to this fat, making what is known as “sap,” which is eaten with the corn-bread. Hot water sweetened with molasses is used as a beverage. This bill of fare is the kind of food that is eaten three times a day during the entire year, varied at times with collards and with turnips, with which fat bacon has been boiled to add richness to the dish. One characteristic of the cooking is that all foods are fried whenever possible, causing a very large per cent of the people to suffer from indigestion in some form.
There are many obstacles standing in the way of negroes owning their own homes and land. There is much prejudice on the part of white people against their possessing property, as it gives less opportunity to the employer to oppress. There is also a prejudice against selling land to colored people, because it lowers the value of real estate around the negroes' homes. It is generally necessary for the negro to pay from four to five times as much for a piece of land as a white man. I have known of many instances where negroes have paid one hundred dollars for an acre of stony land that was not worth ten dollars; but some are so anxious to have homes—some spot which they may call their own—that they are willing to purchase even at this unreasonable price.
How thankful we should be that the Lord has given us light on this great question. He has told us plainly that training-schools should be established to train teachers to go into neighborhoods and establish little schools upon the land to do this very work.
The Oakwood Industrial school at Huntsville, Ala., with its fine farm, is doing a splendid work in this line. Just at this time this school is endeavoring to strengthen its teaching facilities by adding a sanitarium to its equipment. This will enable them not only to relieve the sick, but to do a most important work of training students in medical missionary lines.
For a number of years the Southern Missionary Society has been establishing many schools among these people. It is said that wherever a school has been established, a company of believers has been raised up who are intelligently practising the truth.
Hillcrest School Farm is a new institution about five miles out of Nashville, Tenn., established to train colored teachers to go among their people to open up farm mission schools. Hillcrest is rapidly getting into a position where it may be a strong factor in this great work.
The Nashville (Tenn.) Sanitarium for colored people has recently been established in a very favorable portion of the city of Nashville. This institution is not fully equipped, because money has not come in for the purpose. It will be an agent in our educational scheme for training competent workers. The sanitarium is affiliated with these other schools, and we trust will soon be in a position to do an advanced work in training medical missionaries.
If our brethren and sisters in the North could only understand the sacrifice that is being made by those who devote themselves to this work, they certainly would feel it a great privilege to provide the little money necessary to equip these institutions in a simple way that they may be prepared to speedily do the work which Christ will do before he comes in glory. We believe that the words the Lord has spoken concerning this work, will be fulfilled, for the word of God will not return to him void, but will accomplish that thing whereto he sends it.
E. A. SUTHERLAND.
Argentina
By C. E. Knight
SINCE the first of the year, I, with my family, have become settled in what we hope is a home for us until at least the end of 1909. In deciding upon it, we did so with reference to providing a room for the nurses who would be located in Buenos Aires, although they did not arrive until several weeks later. In this building there is also a large room which the church has for its meetings. We thus have a good place for all by jointly taking the house.
The nurses, with the exception of Miss Hansen, are at the school in Entre Rios studying the language for a few months, and I hear that they are progressing well. Dr. G. B. Replogle has not arrived yet, but we have been watching the boats closely for more than a week. We do not know by what boat he will come.
Since we are obliged to give some time each day to language study, we are not able to accomplish nearly as much as we desire, and we are somewhat surprised that so many openings for work and demands upon us should be seen so soon after arriving. We are able to converse quite intelligently in Spanish, but two or three months more will find us better prepared to labor for those speaking and understanding Spanish only.
The summer has been a pleasant one, although very warm at times. As the autumn days have now come, the weather is beautiful and the temperature agreeable. We long to be able to help in the many needy places in this large field, and as we see how easily people can be brought together in a meeting, it makes us feel rather impatient to know that we must study more before we can give them the truth. We are of good courage ourselves, and thank God for his love as it is constantly manifested to us. Dr. R. H. Habenicht and others left two weeks ago for the States. We shall await with interest the General Conference Bulletin, and pray that much will be accomplished as the result of that meeting.
C. E. KNIGHT.
Medical and Bible Work in Karmatar
By B. M. FULLER.
KARMATAR.—The first few weeks after returning from conference were spent in getting settled and taking up the work again. The month of January was cold, and the number of patients was small, as every one enjoys better health during the cold season. But this month we have had our hands full, and have been more than busy. Calls to come and see the sick have come from every side. We have felt at times that we needed to be in several different places at once. Last Friday we were called to attend a patient sixteen miles away. We started, but before we reached our destination, the sixteen miles turned to twenty-nine miles. We were two days and nights in the bullock cart, and were very thankful to reach home again. As we passed through the different villages, the people brought their sick out for us to heal, many cases being chronic and of long standing, and many cripples. It made our hearts very sad, and we longed for the power to heal that Christ gave to his disciples.
We were very much disappointed when Dr. H. C. Menkel passed through without stopping, as we had several cases waiting for operations, and we had planned to have him perform them. Miss Burroway is enjoying her Bible work. She finds many people willing to listen. She has opened one school, and expects to open another in a short time. We are of good courage, but feel our need of drawing closer to God, that he may continue to bless us. B. M. FULLER.
Missionary Volunteer Convention at Fernando, Cal.
By E. S. Ballenger
This convention was well attended. A good spirit prevailed, and we believe it means advance for the Volunteer work in this conference. The gathering at Fernando was a union of the Missionary Volunteer societies of our conference and a council of the secretaries of the Pacific Union Conference. The time of the convention, March 2-7, was fixed so as to accommodate Prof. M. E. Kern on his tour of the Western conferences. About one hundred fifty delegates were present, and they were all entertained by the Fernando Academy and church. The first meeting was held Tuesday evening, and over seventy-five of the delegates were present. The Fernando Academy suspended all work, except some of the early morning classes, and the entire school joined the delegates, making a company of nearly three hundred young people. Prof. I. C. Colcord represented Northern California, and Miss Maggie Fletcher the Utah Conference. Elder H. G. Thurston, of Arizona, expected to be present, but he was detained to watch the progress of the Sunday law before the Territorial legislature.
We were favored with the help of the two Bible teachers, Elders E. J. Hibbard, of Fernando Academy, and R. S. Owen, of Loma Linda medical school. Elder Luther Warren and Prof. M. E. Kern, together with Brother J. N. Anderson and Miss Ida Thompson, of China; N. Z. Town, of South America; and Prof. Clifford Howell, of the Cumberland Industrial School of Daylight, Tenn., afforded a very pleasing and profitable variety of instruction. No small portion of the time was given to the consideration of the foreign fields, and a lively interest was manifested by the young people in the opening doors in fields abroad. More than a score of the young people are making definite preparation to enter the foreign fields.
The delegates were encouraged to learn that nearly one fourth of all members of the reading course in the United States were in Southern California. In addition to this18to this, over one thousand are reading the Bible through this year.
Among the leading themes was Personal Work and How to Do It. In addition to the usual presentation of the subject by talk and paper, a more effective presentation was by actual personal work. Revival services were held each day with good results.
The young people reported good results from the use of the Missionary Volunteer Bulletin, which this conference published last fall as an assistance to more thorough study of the Bible, and a help to memorizing gems of Scripture.
Quite an amount of time was spent by the council in considering the plan of organization. It developed that the societies of Southern California had not given much attention to organization, but had directed their energies to getting all to work. There was some division of opinion regarding the admission of young people to membership who were not members of the church.
Among the definite actions of the council was one positively against the practise of having our children sell our literature on the streets of cities and towns. The council advised the publication by the general department of a vest-pocket manual, or bulletin, to assist in the study of the cardinal points of our faith and in memorizing Scripture.
The Pacific Union Recorder gave nearly the whole of one issue to the proceedings of the council and convention.
E. S. BALLENGER,
Retiring Secretary.
India
By Mrs. J. L. Shaw
LUCKNOW.—February 13, just before the evening service, three tourists from France and Belgium were passing to Banks Road, and their attention was attracted by the sign, “Seventh-day Adventist Meeting Hall.” They at once came in to inquire who Seventh-day Adventists were, and what they believed. They said they had toured England and the United States, and had never heard of Seventh-day Adventists before, and they were anxious to know just what the name stood for.
During the few minutes’ visit, they asked many questions, and seemed especially impressed with the idea of Christ’s soon coming. On leaving, they were given several tracts, such as, “Fundamental Principles of Seventh-day Adventists,” “Is the End Near?” “Signs of Christ’s Coming,” “Which Day Do You Keep, and Why?”
Had it not been for the sign, “Seventh-day Adventist Meeting Hall,” these intelligent people might have only associated Lucknow with the scenes of the mutiny. As it is, their interest was at least aroused by the notice of the meetings, and let us pray that as they read the little tracts, their hearts may be impressed by the simple truths.
MRS. J. L. SHAW.
Bethel (Wis.) Academy
By C. McREYNOLDS
MANY of the readers of the REVIEW have fresh in memory the calamity that came to Bethel (Wis.) Academy two years ago last January, in the burning of its school building, also the ladies' dormitory, the power-house, and laundry. Since then the means have been raised to buy the materials, and the teachers and students have erected one of the best and most comfortable dormitories for the ladies to be found in any of our school or college plants, including also kitchen and dining-room and treatment-rooms for the entire school; also power-house and laundry in a separate building. They have installed a complete water and heating plant also. But the class work has been carried on in temporary quarters all the time for more than two years, because we did not have the means to build a schoolhouse. After experiencing some disappointments in the plans for building that were matured last fall, we decided to ask our people to all co-operate by paying for the cement blocks with which to construct the schoolhouse. It required five thousand blocks. The amount of money needed (in addition to the materials on hand) to construct the building and furnish it is three thousand dollars; this makes an average cost of sixty cents a block. This plan was made known to our people, and old and young, youth and children, are taking hold of it. By the time this report has reached its readers, most of the blocks will be sold. No blocks will be laid until they are sold. So every dollar of the cost will be provided for before the building is started. The blocks are being made on the ground, and we will be ready to begin laying them as soon as all are sold. Non-resident members who read this are invited to purchase at least a few blocks, and thus to have a part in re-establishing Bethel Academy on solid footing. You can pay for them on or before August 15. Blocks are sixty cents apiece. Send all orders or cash to Wisconsin Conference, Box 57, Grand Rapids, Wis.
C. McREYNOLDS, President.
Camp-Meeting at Belize, British Honduras
By G. B. Thompson
BRITISH HONDURAS is a crown colony of Great Britain, located on the eastern side of the peninsula of Yucatan. Belize, where the camp-meeting was held, is the capital, and contains a population of about ten thousand inhabitants.
RIVER VIEW — BELIZE, BRITISH HONDURAS
The annual session of the Central American Conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting. The attendance of our own people was not very large. The greater part of the membership is in the Bay Islands, and the getting together in a meeting in such widely scattered territory, with transportation facilities not the best, is a much greater task than in the United States. But a number came from the islands, and from various places on the mainland, so that all parts of the field were represented.
From the very first, a sense of the need of spiritual help was felt, and all earnestly sought the Lord for victory over sin. The Lord heard the prayers of his people, and brought new courage and hope into hearts.
The attendance, however, from the city was excellent. Many were unable to obtain seats at some of the evening services. From the first the stirring, testing truths of the message were presented, and many seemed deeply interested; some of these, we believe, will obey.
Many difficulties have to be met and overcome in this field. The influence of Catholicism has blighted things for many long years in the larger part of the territory. Yet in spite of the difficulties, the message is making its way. Some have embraced the truth during the year. A school has also been opened at Guatemala City. Brother and Sister W. E. Hancock have recently been called to connect with it as teachers, and are doing good work. It is hoped that through the influence of the school an opening will be made for the truth. There is also a school on the island of Bonacca, and Brother and Sister C. N. Harvey accompanied me from New Orleans to the camp-meeting on their way to teach this school.
Much has been accomplished during the past year through the distribution of our literature. The work in these fields must be largely carried forward by means of literature. Plans were laid at this meeting looking toward a wide and systematic distribution in the future of books, tracts, and papers in both the English and Spanish languages. The removal of the printing-office from Trinidad to Colon, Panama, together with a mail service which is improving, will greatly facilitate matters in this direction.
The business of the conference was given careful consideration, and was marked with unity. On account of the health of Sister E. L. Cardey being such that it was practically impossible for her to live in that field, it was thought best that Brother Cardey be relieved of the responsibilities of the conference, and the West Indian Union Conference was asked to send some one to the field to take charge of the work. While all felt sorry to have Brother and Sister Cardey leave the field, it seemed to be the only wise thing to do, under the circumstances. Brother C. E. Morgan was elected treasurer, and Sister Alma Osgood Sabbath-school secretary.
Elder U. Bender, president of the West Indian Union Conference, also attended the meeting, and his labors were much appreciated. April 16 we sailed from Belize on the "Harry L. Inge" for New Orleans. We had for companions in the cabin a Catholic bishop and a Jesuit priest. We had some interesting conversation during the voyage. They admitted the Catholic Church changed the Sabbath, and argued that the Bible in the hands of the common people was a dangerous book, for they could not understand it.
Personally, I enjoyed the meeting at Belize, and feel hopeful for the future of the work in that field.
G. B. THOMPSON.
Meetings at Port Lavaca
A SERIES of meetings just closed at Port Lavacca, Tex., resulted in establishing two persons in the truth.
Five Take a Stand at Brownstown
UNDER the labors of Elder J. B. Locken, five have taken a firm stand for the truth at Brownstown, Ill. Others are deeply interested.
Our Department Work at General Conference
By E. R. P.
LITTLE by little the General Conference Publishing Department has been increasing its membership during the past four years, until now there are forty-five members, representing our leading publishing houses and their branches both at home and abroad, and the union conferences, and organized mission fields, besides several general men. Nearly all these members are to be present at the General Conference.
Arrangements have been made for considerable attention to be given to the publishing work at this important time. A large tent about twenty-five by forty feet is to be fitted up as department headquarters. The tent will be supplied with blackboards, charts, desks, and tables, and it is hoped that there will be a good exhibit of samples of our literature from many of the publishing houses and in many languages.
A convention meeting will be held from eight to nine o'clock each morning of the Conference, at which time topics covering all features of institutional and field work will be discussed. This will be a new feature in a General Conference, and we trust it will be a very practical one.
Two evenings will be set apart for illustrated stereopticon reports of the progress of the publishing work. One evening will be devoted to the rise and progress of the work during the past sixty-four years, and the second evening to reports from publishing houses and mission fields. A large number of lantern slides have already been prepared for this purpose. Besides these special features, there will be the usual official reports in Conference, and the discussion of resolutions.
In these meetings we shall ever keep20in mind our brave, rapidly growing army of canvassers out at the front, and shall do all we can in the interests of the work in which they are engaged. Many times we shall wish that they might all be present to enjoy the meetings.
The General Conference Bulletin will contain quite full reports. Every canvasser should subscribe for the Bulletin, and get as much benefit as possible from these published reports. E. R. P.
A Record-Breaking Tithe
By A. T. Robinson
THE tithe received at this office for the quarter ending March 31 was $11,770.33. This is $3,761.13 more than was received during the corresponding quarter last year, and is the largest amount ever paid in one quarter in the Nebraska Conference.
A few weeks ago we sent out a letter to the church treasurers, asking them to get an expression from their respective churches, as to how they felt about donating one third of all the tithe received this year to foreign missions, sending it on at the close of each quarter. Forty-three letters have thus far been received in response, every one of which states that the members of the churches are in the most hearty sympathy with such a proposition. At the time of our workers’ meeting, this matter was carefully considered by the conference committee and district superintendents, and the proposition received a unanimous vote. Later it was submitted to the whole body of the conference workers, and voted by them.
After paying $1,177.03 tithe to the Central Union Conference, we will have the nice little sum of $3,531.10, with which to gladden the hearts of the Mission Board, and will still have only $146.08 less for our home work than we had last year. Surely the Lord anticipated our desire to send the one third to foreign missions, and the promise, “Give, and it shall be given unto you,” is literally fulfilled in this case. The tithe of the first quarter of the year has heretofore been the smallest one of the whole year. If it should be so this year, we shall surely have a wonderful tithe. We felt sure all our brethren and sisters would be pleased to know the facts.— A. T. Robinson, in Nebraska Reporter.
New Mexico
By Effie P. Ditto
LAKE ARTHUR.—Our work began in this place about three years ago, with a family Sabbath-school. Later, tent-meetings were held. When the tent effort closed, our work for a time seemed at a standstill; but the Lord moved upon us to undertake the work of building a little house to his name, where we might have a permanent place of worship. A meeting was called, and after a precious season of prayer, in which the Spirit of God was manifest, a unanimous vote was given to proceed. A subscription was taken, and we found that the Lord had prepared the way before us.
The lumber was hauled to the ground Dec. 1, 1908, and work commenced at once. The building was completed Jan. 1, 1909, thirty days after beginning work.
A sister church in Illinois aided us in getting our first Sabbath-school supplies and literature for free distribution. Now we are self-supporting, and our weekly offerings go into the missionary fund.
We have midweek prayer-meeting, young people's meeting, children's weekly prayer-meeting, and meeting on Sabbath mornings. We are held together by these meetings and strengthened and encouraged.
Our Sabbath-school home is small and humble, but perhaps it is better than our Saviour enjoyed while on earth. We have done what we could, and trust it is acceptable to God. Our little house stands before us free,—all indebtedness paid on lot and building, ready to dedicate to the Lord.
I must not leave unmentioned the work of the children. Each Monday evening finds them supplying with our literature all who will read. Since last July they have distributed about five thousand pages of periodicals, besides numerous tracts.
March 27, 1909, we organized into a company. If the history of the work here should be written a little time hence, I pray it may tell of a church organization and of a church-school, both in spiritual vigor, as the outgrowth of our little Sabbath-school. This is the burden of our prayers.
EFFIE P. DITTO.
Medford (Ore.) Sabbath-School Convention
By Maud C. Van Dorfy
SABBATH, March 27, there was held in the Medford church a Sabbath-school convention of one session, lasting only a little more than an hour. The Ashland, Grants Pass, and Phoenix Sabbath-schools were invited to join the Medford Sabbath-school, so together we had a very interesting program. Each school was given its part in the program. A number of excellent papers were presented, and some very interesting points touched upon. The program consisted in part of special music, a beautiful song was sung by a number of little girls, and some good quotations were read from “Testimonies on Sabbath-school Work.”
Each school represented had a paper prepared, giving the story of its rise and progress. Some of these schools have struggled through rather discouraging times, but now seem to be in a promising condition.
Perhaps one point emphasized more than any other was how to make our Sabbath-schools more interesting and profitable. After a few brief remarks on the different points discussed, a donation was taken up for the mission fields. A selection from “Christ in Song” closed the program.
MAUD C. VAN DORFY.
Trying It Again
By J. S. Killen
HAVING been engaged for some months in building the two churches and the parsonage in Asheville, N. C., I find it a great pleasure to be out among the people again, telling the old story.
There is room enough in these mountains for many workers for many years. I would like to stand by some of our young canvassers who are afraid to start out alone. I began this work about fifteen years ago. Although this is a dull season of the year, in nine hours I sold for cash, nine copies of “Seer of Patmos” and twenty-two of “New Testament Primer.” I tried again, and in twenty-three hours sold ten copies of “Seer of Patmos” and thirty-five of “New Testament Primer;” I also received seven orders for the former book.
I promised the Lord in my youth that I would be faithful in carrying this precious truth, and to-day I renew my vow.
If you wish to join us in working for precious souls in North Carolina, please write to Brother H. B. Tilden, 212 Whorton St., Greensboro, N. C.
J. S. KILLEN.
Elk Point (S. D.) Industrial Academy
By J. B. CLYMER.
THE work is moving along nicely this spring term, only our force is materially lessened by a number being called home to help on the farms. We had expected this, and several had come with the understanding that they could not stay through the spring term. Yet they wanted to come and get what they could, and we tried to give them such a taste that they will want to attend the next entire school year, and some have said they should bend everything possible toward that end.
Elder O. M. Kittle has been working with the church and school together, and as a result some have decided to take their stand for the Lord, for which we are very grateful. This leaves but a few of the younger members of the school who have not yet made a start in the service of Christ, and we have hopes that some of them will do so before the term closes.
J. B. CLYMER.
The Publishing Work
Conducted under the auspices of the General Conference Publishing Department.
