The first Sabbath-keeper in Bahia, like other natives, was born and reared a Roman Catholic. Many years ago he read the ten commandments in a Bible that by some means fell into his hands for a few minutes. Although reading this only once, the fourth commandment made a strong impression on his mind, and he wondered that people kept Domingo (the Portuguese word for the first day of the week) while the commandment required people to keep Sabbado. (In the Portuguese language the seventh day of the week has the Scriptural name Sabbado, or Sabbath.)
GOVERNMENT BUILDING, CITY OF BAHIA
Later on, he became interested in the study of Spiritualism, but never believed its main teachings, such as the possibility of communicating with the dead. About this time the Baptists tried to win him to their views, and among other things recommended him to read 1 Corinthians 15. As he was reading the last part of this chapter, the great truth flashed through his mind that sin, which is the transgression of the law, is the cause of all the world's ills, and along with this was presented to him the duty of keeping the Sabbath, although in that chapter the Sabbath is not mentioned, and he had not had his attention called to it by any one, aside from having once read the fourth commandment years ago. He resolved at once to obey the commandment. This was in June, 1904; but although he had accepted for himself the Sabbath truth and tried to show it to his family, he had no knowledge that the Sabbath was being kept by others, supposing that he was the only one in the world who was keeping it, aside from the Jews. What was therefore his surprise and joy to learn, a few months later, that there was a people keeping the Sabbath; and at once he began to correspond with them. This brother has since labored here, and as a result of his labors several others have accepted the truth.
This shows how true is the promise of the Lord that his word shall not return to him empty, but shall accomplish that for which he sends it. It also reveals that the Lord is working on hearts by his Spirit, and that he is getting ready to finish his work quickly. May all his people consecrate themselves to him, so that he can work through them with power to carry the message to the ends of the earth.
Bahia, Brazil.
How the Truth Has Made Its Way in Russia
By H. J. LOEBSACK
Reminiscences of the Days of Our Imprisonment—No. 3
How the Truth Has Made Its Way in Russia
H. J. LOEBSACK
FROM Taganash, we went back on the same road, by way of Tschihir, where we met with the brethren in a very profitable meeting held by Brother G. Tetz, as “prisoners for the truth’s sake,” to Perekop, where Brethren Conradi and Perk were taken prisoners six years before. We stayed overnight at Tartarenau, and went from place to place under the guidance of different officers and coach drivers. In one village we met a Separatist minister to whom we had sold books in the Don territory, but he, too, was fleeing, for the police were after him.
The Ispravnik (district supervisor) released us immediately on our own signature until the time of the judicial examination. As we came out into the street, we felt so completely transformed that, unmindful of ourselves and all about us, we shouted for joy. It was as if we had been transported to a better world. The sun did not seem the same sun at all, and the snow seemed whiter than usual. We had sown in tears, and reaped in joy. It was more than a full compensation for what we had suffered, a heavenly recompense for earthly sorrow.
Our books were examined by a Roman Catholic priest who received no pay for his services from the police, and consequently gave a favorable report of the books. A sample of each kind was sent to the governor, who returned them without proscribing them; so in this way we obtained our first legal permission to circulate our books in the district of Perekop, and by this means we were enabled to distribute them in the entire territory and in the district of Odessa.
In the winter of 1895, Brother Tetz and I visited in Bessarabia. In the colony of Tarutino, one Friday evening while at meeting, we were arrested. The chief of police delivered us over to the custody of the guard in his own house, because the prison was being remodeled. The guard was a Christian, and gave us his own bed to sleep in, while he slept near the door. May the Lord reward him for it. We were examined, and because the first of the fifteen witnesses summoned had declared our discourse to be consistently orthodox, the others were sent home, and after Brother Kleist had paid our bail, we were given the liberty to stay where we chose. We had a month’s freedom in the village, in which to make visits as prisoners and hold Bible readings until the returns and passports arrived from headquarters, and we were free.
Caucasus, Russia.
Don't Forget Your Foreign Neighbor
By HANSIGNE STRUNGE
TO-DAY it is our privilege to work for the salvation of others. We are granted the privilege of bearing this blessed truth to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples. It is this work that we as a people are doing now; but O, how much there is yet to do!
A wide field is open for us in this great country. There are large cities and many smaller places into which this truth has never entered, and we who have the heavenly light are the ones to light up such places with the truth. You may perhaps have neighbors who do not know anything of what you believe. They are strangers in this country. You can not speak understandingly to them, nor they to you; and even though they have been in this country for a few years, and may understand English to a certain extent, this truth can not be truly appreciated by many of them unless brought to them in their mother tongue.
Suppose, dear American brother and sister, that you had gone to a foreign country, had learned to speak the language of that country, so you could just get along; which language do you think would always be the dearest, sweetest, and most natural to you? And if you had to decide important matters, do you not think you would want them presented to you in your own language, so that you could clearly comprehend all? I know you would; and so likewise with your foreign brother and sister.
We are going to have them settle a matter of eternal importance, one which embraces both heaven and earth,—the matter of this precious truth, on which all our lives depend. We want to bring it to the thousands of our fellow men in this country who do not understand English very well. They can not experience that real joy and happiness which should follow this message unless they have the opportunity of studying it in their own tongue. For that reason we extend a hearty invitation to all our American brethren and sisters to help us in our work. We Danish-Norwegian workers are anxious to reach all of our nationalities. Will you stand by us? If you can not speak understandingly with them, try to get our good Danish-Norwegian paper Evangeliets Sendebud, and hand it to them. In some neighborhoods there may be quite a number of Danish-Norwegian people. If you can not induce them to subscribe for the paper themselves, it would then be a good idea for you individually (if you can not get others to join you) to take a club of the Sendebud with which to do missionary work among such neighbors. In other cases you could do a good work by paying for one or more subscriptions. If you do not feel able to do that, and if you still want to do something for your foreign brother and sister, please send us their names and addresses, and we will try to do what we can.
Now is the time to work. The long winter evenings have just begun. This week our special number will be issued, giving you the best opportunity to introduce our paper. After this begins a new series of very attractive articles with beautiful illustrations. They will be of great interest to every Danish-Norwegian man and woman, and we expect our dear American brethren to help us in taking hold of this work. Many of them did nobly with our summer series, which proved a great success; but while we have been doing our very best in the past for our papers, our improved facilities now enable us to make our papers the best they have ever been; so please give them a wide circulation. Our price is as usual, $1.25 for one year, and 65 cents for six months. In clubs of ten we give a good reduction. Let all, both young and old, take some part in this blessed gospel work for our foreign brothers. Address International Publishing Association, College View, Neb.
DEHRA DUN.—As we have just closed our season’s work in Dehra Dun, we will send in a few items, as the brethren may be interested to know how the Lord is blessing us. About fourteen have attended our Bible studies, some for only about a week, and others for two months. They have come from various places, from one to four hundred miles distant. Now most of them have returned, and we earnestly hope that they have carried some seeds of truth with them.
Brother Masih, who has studied the message quite thoroughly, was baptized the latter part of September, and has now returned home.
Brother Camphor, an earnest Hindustani young man, who has been studying with us for about two months, is rejoicing in the light of present truth, and has requested baptism. We trust that before this report is in print, he will have taken this step and become one of us.
Brother Henry Scott, after studying with us for about two months, was called away by a telegram from his sister. There was no reason stated in the telegram, but he afterward learned that it was only a plan of his relatives to prevent him from studying longer with us. We have since received two letters from him, and he is still holding onto the truth, and endeavoring to give the light to others.
Brother John Last has been with us for several weeks, studying and preaching in public places, in the bazaars and elsewhere. All classes, Hindus, Mohammedans, and Christians, have listened to his earnest words of warning, and have been constrained to confess that his message is true. He has had some very interesting experiences among both high and low, and we believe that his work will not be in vain.
Amar Nath has been working with good success in Meerut, selling the Hindi pamphlet “Sanatan Susamachar.” He reports a thousand sold during September. The following is a translation of one of his recent letters, which may be of interest:—
“I have been enabled to sell a thousand of the pamphlets ‘Sanatan Susamachar’ during the past month, and have received a great blessing from the Lord. Please send me four thousand more of the Hindi pamphlets, five thousand of the Persian Urdu, and two hundred of ‘Christ’s Second Coming’ in English, as there are many English-speaking people here.
“If I can be allowed a helper, I want to open a book shop and reading-room in this place, that many may learn of this truth. If our papers and some of our English books could be kept here, I am sure that many could be sold, and I give my promise that many will be sold. There is great hope for the work in this place.”
Brother Hardy spent about a month studying with Brother Hansen, and about the same length of time with us in Dehra. He has now returned home to the Bijnor District, and sends back encouraging reports of openings for work there.
Brother David has attended our Bible lessons quite regularly. He is a retired government employee, and is the head of a large family. He accepts every point as he sees it from the Scripture, and is also desirous of having his family study the message with him. We hope that he may soon be firmly established.
Although our studies have been given mostly in the Hindustani language, we have had the regular attendance of one European and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Beck. Several weeks ago he gave up his tobacco and destroyed his pipe, although he has used it for a long time, and is now an elderly man. The Lord convicted him in regard to the matter, and gave him the strength to put away the vile habit. He has also accepted the other points of truth which have been presented to him, and has resolved to keep the Sabbath. We feel to rejoice over the victory he has gained, and hope the Lord will keep him faithful.
We have just received from the press a new tract in Hindustani. It is a translation of one of the English tracts, “The New Testament Sabbath.” It was carefully and prayerfully translated by a Hindustani brother in Agra. As we read it in this new language, it seems more forcible than the original, and we believe the Lord surely directed the mind of the translator.
One Sunday morning, not long ago, I received the following telegram from Hardwar, a famous Hindu city not far from Dehra Dun: “Please come tomorrow; urgent work.” I rolled up two blankets, took my Bible, and went on the next train. There are two brothers in Hardwar, at present preaching under the direction of another mission, who have been studying the truth, and are about convinced and wish more instruction. There is also a Hindu Sadhu who seems to be seeking for light. We hope to take our tent and spend a few days there soon, and then visit other places where an interest is springing up, and we trust that you will remember us in your prayers, that we may have wisdom and strength to go wherever the Lord opens the way, and help to hasten on the work of the message. The time has18surely come in India when there shall be delay no longer.
The running expenses of our school during the season have not been very large, although it has been necessary to pay the traveling expenses of those who have come long distances, as they are, as a rule, unable to pay their expenses themselves. This, however, as well as our own personal expenses, has all been supplied through means which the Lord has sent us from various sources, including funds raised by Brother and Sister Haskell through the Bible Training School, and also donations which have been sent to us by brethren and sisters in America who are interested in the Hindustani work. I am sure that all our Hindustani brethren who have been with us during the past few months unite in thanking those who have been led to assist in the work here, and who have doubtless sacrificed in order to open the way for these brethren to receive the light of present truth.
The work seems to be growing very rapidly, and an interest is springing up in many places among the Hindustani people in the north of India, and we trust that the brethren in the home land will send up their prayers daily to the Lord of the harvest that he will raise up many earnest, faithful laborers in this field. L. J. Burgess.
China
By P. J. LAIRD
CHANG-SHA.—You may be interested to hear that a new railway survey is now in progress between Wu-chang and Chang-sha. The idea is to begin at each end, and meet at Yo-chau, in the center. A foreigner has come to Chang-sha to operate on the latter section; so we should expect something tangible in the way of results.
October 21 the edict to close all public opium dens was enforced at Chang-sha. This is a plain proof of the power and ability of the Chinese officials to enforce their demands when it suits their convenience. It also reflects credit on the populace; for there must have been at least a certain willingness on their part, or the houses of ill-fame would not have been shut so promptly. If they wish to continue smoking, they must now buy the crude opium, then prepare and smoke it in secret; hence, the larger numbers to be seen going to the shops and buying their own opium. Some less fortunate victims, unable to indulge in their pernicious habit, have committed suicide by hanging at the outer gates of official residences. The numbers may increase, if the regulations are rigidly enforced. The government is assisting a few to break off the habit by the use of nostrums.
A young man of the Methodist Episcopal mission has been most regular in attendance at all Bible classes for nearly three months. He seems to accept present truth as it comes to him. Last week he accepted a call to teach English in a local school, and went on trial. The first day, he states, the students so strongly objected to being taught by a Chinese Christian, that the engagement fell through. After this man has received further instruction in the various points of the message, we trust he will request baptism, and join with us. He has already expressed a desire to sell books; but we prefer to go slowly.
Brother Chang Kangheo returned last Sunday from his trip to Yung-chau. He was absent a month, during which time he experienced much of the blessing of the Lord. Wet weather rather militated against successful sales of books, but he disposed of four hundred tracts. God grant they may bring light and life to some hearts. News of our work had preceded him. At Heng-chau he had an interesting time with an evangelist. This man had an old tract in Chinese, which applied to Sunday many texts on the Sabbath. After a few days of Bible study together, he was convinced that we have the Bible on our side.
At Ki-yang an evangelist and his wife were visited who had called on us when passing through Chang-sha earlier in the year. The lady has attained to the uncommon position of teacher, but did not seem to be affected by the honor. Prayer has been offered that they may be led into the truth and have a desire to assist others to hear it. They had not been long at Ki-yang when our brother arrived, and found them discouraged. By request, he preached at their Sunday service, basing his remarks on Matt. 18: 1-6; 1 Thess. 4: 14-18; John 14: 1-3, which comforted them not a little. Further instruction was given, and tracts left. Returning from Yung-chau, another brief visit was paid, when they were urged to study the Scriptures, and put their trust in our never-failing God and Father. Yesterday a copy of a tract just translated was sent them.
At Yung-chau, Brother Chang met Liu Chengshan, the man who came with a deputation last Christmas, pleading for us to go and open up work at Yung-chau. This man joined my old mission about four years ago, and as far as I know has lived a straight life ever since. He has done his best to foster interest among the little company that attend the services held at his house on the Sabbath and other days. On the whole, the report of this little company is good. They were visited in their homes, and exhorted to stand together and be faithful. Brother Chang held Bible readings with them on the subjects of the resurrection, the nature of man, how to obtain the righteousness of Christ, God's love to man, and the Sabbath. Let us pray that God may open their eyes to behold wondrous things out of his law, and that they may obey in all things. None of the company have, as yet, got so far as to close their shops on the Sabbath.
We rejoice to know that our dear brethren and sisters have so nobly responded to the appeal for the press at Sin-yang. Most of the interest in Hunan has been the result of prayer, and the circulation of but one tract in Chinese, and it is but logical to expect greater blessings when our press is in running order. Prayer is asked that colporteurs may be raised up to push this message in China.
Many are trying to poison the minds of the people against God's message for these last days. But nothing can stay the onward march of the everlasting gospel. O for the power of God to burn up all the dross in our lives and conduct, lest while bringing blessing to others, we ourselves should be castaways!
P. J. LAIRD.
Central America
By E. L. Cardey
BONACCA, BAY ISLANDS.—This summer I have been trying to push the work forward in the English-speaking part of this field. The Lord is surely blessing the effort in a marked way. I have just finished a two-weeks' meeting in this part of the island (Bonacca), and the results are good. Fifteen went forward in baptism yesterday, while several others have begun to keep the Sabbath, and I trust will go forward in that rite later. For a while it seemed as if this whole place would accept the truth; but I was taken down with the fever in the midst of the meetings, and in the meantime bitter opposition set in. Some who have begun to keep the Sabbath do so under great trial and opposition; yet the Lord has greatly blessed these meetings, and many backsliders have been reclaimed to the truth. Thus this church, which has been quite dead, starts out anew again. I have baptized, in all, forty-nine here this summer. Thus you see the work in this field is going forward. These, remember, are not backsliders, for out of all this number not one had ever been baptized before; they are new to the truth. The harvest is ripe in these islands, and I am just gathering the fruits of other men's labor in seed sowing.
We are trying to raise money to buy tents to hold a camp-meeting in this field next spring. At one meeting here the other evening we raised, with the blackboard19plan, two hundred dollars; and the next day that amount was paid in, and twenty-five dollars more. Thus we are looking forward to a good camp-meeting next spring, when some of the General Conference brethren will visit us.
I go from here to the north side of this island, where already a good interest awaits me. I trust the Lord will bless this effort also. I find that I am not fever proof, but believe that with God's help I can control it so that it will not get the best of me. It indeed is a great trial for me to carry on the work here with my family so far away, and only those who are called to pass through the experience can rightly appreciate it. Yet I am thankful for hardships, for my Master had more than I can ever have. And the thought that the work is almost finished buoys one up in trial. Pray for the work here, that it may go forward.
E. L. CARDEY.
Mississippi
By James Bellinger
AMORY.— No doubt many readers of the REVIEW know something of our effort to establish an industrial school in the State of Mississippi. This at Amory is the only one of its kind in the State.
It has taken some time and effort to do what has been done so far, but we feel that a good beginning has been made, and we can only thank our Heavenly Father for his help and blessing. We are all much interested in this good work, and earnestly pray that it may be a help to the cause of God. Because of lack of help and means the work of building has moved slowly. Being in a warm country, however, we have been able to make good use of a few tents. Our school is now being held in a tent. We hope soon to be in our new building, which is twenty-five by sixty feet, three stories high. The lower floor will be used for schoolroom and dining-room, and the two upper floors will be occupied by students and teachers. We began school with ten students, and by Thursday morning we shall have twenty bright young people who have a desire to fit themselves for usefulness in the Lord's work, and thus help to hasten the glad day when Jesus will come.
Should there be any young men or women (white) in the State of Mississippi who would like to avail themselves of this opportunity to obtain a Christian education, I shall be glad to correspond with them. My address is Amory, Miss. None need apply but those who are free, or are willing to be, from all bad habits, and who are willing to abide by the rules of the school.
The charges are ten dollars a month. Work will be furnished to all who are large enough to earn their way. Cash must be paid for children and those not able to make their expenses.
JAMES BELLINGER.
Somabula Mission
By W. C. WALSTON
SEPTEMBER 22, I left Solusi to join Brother and Sister Butterfield, at Buluwayo, and reached here September 25. We found the mission family all well, and we received a hearty welcome. It has been a long time since I have received such a hand-shake as when we arrived here.
We found preparations going busily on for the expected change of laborers, Brother and Sister Armitage, Sister Mabel Japha, and eight of the native boys and girls intending to leave as soon as possible for Maranatha Mission. The first Sabbath after our arrival we had a baptismal service. Three candidates went forward, and the presence of God was certainly with us. One hundred twenty-five witnessed the scene.
The school seems to be in a prosperous condition, also the general work of the mission. There are more students in the school, and more land under cultivation, than last year. October 14 we took Brother and Sister Armitage to Gwelo, en route to their new field. With those going with them, and those who went to the station to bid them good-by, there were twenty in the party. We reached Gwelo with no incident except that one of the girls stepped on a scorpion, which stung her foot. We were fortunate in having some snake-bite antidote with us, which was administered, and she was again able to travel. We had to say good-by, sad as it was to do so, and separate when the time came for us to go our different ways. It was difficult for the children to give up those who had so long been their teachers and had stood between them and heathendom. Those returning to the mission wept for some distance as we journeyed along in the moonlight. We camped during part of the night near where the lions killed some cattle only a few nights before. As I lay rolled up in my blankets, I wondered if we would receive a friendly call from the lions. We reached the mission in safety the next day, and now the realities of mission life are settling down on us, and with the Lord's help and guidance we are trying to do faithfully the work devolving upon us.
Brother and Sister Butterfield are getting into line like faithful soldiers, and seem to enjoy their work very much. We are very busy, and are seemingly getting along nicely. Do not forget to pray for the missions and the workers.
W. C. WALSTON.
Asia Minor
By Z. G. BAHARIAN
ON. my recent trip I stayed in Erzingan sixteen days, or until the seventh of October. Only one of the brethren there humbled himself to study the Bible with me, and his mind was cleared from the modern deception sent as a flood into this field from Egypt. The other four hardened their hearts, and remained by their decision not to study the Bible or pray together. I baptized the one brother October 6.
The newly established Association of United Armenian and Protestant Young People in Erzingan attracted my special attention. Their hearts were moved toward me when I went to their meetings and helped them in their Bible study. Three Sundays they invited me to preach to them. The last Sunday is one to be remembered. My carrier had told me that we should depart that morning. When these young people heard that, their hearts were very sad. But for some reason the carrier was delayed, so I went to their meeting again, and helped them. I promised to send reading-matter to them, and to answer their questions by letter.
Arriving in Eguin, I received letters from the field. Two of these were from our minister, Alexan Buzugherian, who had gone from Adana to Aksaray in the province of Iconium. God has opened a way for him to go there and establish our brethren in the truth, their minds being troubled by the modern deception. He wrote that he had been very successful in his mission; the brethren saw the truth very clearly.
When he applied to the government to have his teskeret visied that he might go to Nevsher, the chief of police called him to his office, and after asking several questions, detained him several days. They then inquired of the governor of Adana concerning him, and decided to send him to Adana, sending a soldier to accompany him. Reaching that place, he was taken before the governor. He testified boldly, and the anger of that official was stirred against him, and he commanded the police to deliver him to the court of justice, to be tried and punished. The policeman who had sanctioned his going to Aksaray was very kind to him, and did not imprison him until the day of his trial.
September 14 was the day of the trial before the court. He was called, and through God's help, bore a good testimony. He was found guilty, and sentenced to imprisonment for one week, because he had continued to preach the third angel's message when the government had forbidden it. This brother was my companion in the case at Ourfa, where we were cleared. He is of good courage to endure. Let your prayers go up to God for such workers.
Z. G. BAHARIAN.
Jamestown Exposition, Hampton Roads, Va.
By M. S. BABCOCK
To the many brethren and sisters, from Canada to Mexico and the Gulf and from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, who have contributed so liberally of printed matter for use at the Jamestown Exposition, those of “like faith” in the “Old Dominion” send greeting, with heartfelt thanks for the valuable help; and to you and all interested I wish to present some facts and figures touching the action of the Virginia Conference in the matter.
In August, 1906, the Virginia Conference at its annual conference session voted to ask the General Conference, the Atlantic Union Conference, and adjacent conferences, to join the Virginia Conference in such manner as thought most advisable unitedly to profit by the opportunity the exposition afforded to present the truths of the third angel’s message to the people of the world who visited the exposition grounds. The General Conference decided to furnish a capable man to take charge of the work to the close of the exposition, with all moral assistance it could render. The Review and Herald Publishing Association also agreed to supply all printed matter it could, especially copies of Life and Health and Liberty.
Many industries were represented at the exposition, and in its vicinity are many centers of trade, with multitudes of ships going and coming continually to and from all parts of the world.
The better to understand the need, in February, 1907, the executive committee of the State conference visited the grounds. As the expense would be great and the conference had no means, without aid from others, the committee decided finally not to locate anywhere inside the grounds, but at some near point, supplying many centers on land and vessels on water, and doing personal work as the way opened and help and supplies of literature permitted.
The last of April the General Conference sent Brother Geo. A. Stevens, of Washington, D. C., under direction of the Virginia Conference, to take charge of and open up the work.
Brother Stevens located his family at Hampton, and put in ten reading-racks in favorable locations. For some time little literature came in, and Brother Stevens used some received for local20work by local brethren, and visited from house to house and point to point on the Bay. The brother who had charge of the health food exhibit on the exposition grounds took an active part in distributing large quantities of reading-matter to the thousands who passed from day to day.
After the first month printed matter in quantities began to arrive from many points far and near. This has been judiciously used in the racks and on the reading tables in several reading-rooms, in the barracks of the soldiers in Fortress Monroe; at Hampton and Newport News; on different war-ships lying in the harbor; at the twenty State buildings; army and navy club building, and different exhibit buildings; in Woman’s Christian Temperance Union building; women’s and children’s building on the grounds, and on excursion boats, besides being handed out to individuals. Each of these points was visited once each week.
What is the result of all this effort? — God alone can tell. Many instances of immediate results could be given did space permit. At every place the matter left was readily taken and read by a good class of people. Only once or twice were any of the tracts found anywhere on the parks or streets on the exposition grounds or elsewhere. Many seemed eager to read them, and to have more of them. The United States officers on land and on battle-ships were very courteous, and the latter passed Brother Stevens and the printed matter at all times aboard the vessels. He has held Bible readings in different places as a result of his work with the literature.
On the first day of August I joined the work here, to continue the tent effort and supervise the work of our people in the vicinity of the Bay. In that capacity I have kept close watch of the amount and character of the work in and about the exposition. I heartily indorse these efforts, and believe them worthy of commendation in the Lord.
In the great judgment day I am sure those who have helped by supplying literature in such abundance, will have cause to praise God for the results accomplished. M. S. BABCOCK.
Alabama
By W. S. Cruzan
MOBILE.—A general meeting was held for this church November 1-4, at Semmes, Ala., not far from Mobile. Elder A. J. Haysmer, conference president, was with us, and we expected Elder Smith Sharp, but other duties prevented his attendance. The services were well attended by our own people. Time was devoted to the reading of Testimonies that had been received too late for reading at our camp-meeting. The spiritual interest of the meeting was good, and the needs of the cause, when presented, met with a hearty response, and quite a sum was raised in cash and pledges for the $150,000 fund and other funds.
The home missionary spirit was revived, and a club of twenty-five copies of the Watchman was subscribed for, and one hundred copies of the special number were ordered. A club of thirty-five copies of Liberty was subscribed for to send to the officials of Mobile County and city. Several sets of Family Bible Teacher were taken for use among neighbors and friends. At the close of the meeting all expressed themselves as being greatly benefited and encouraged.
W. S. CRUZAN.
Sheltering the Homeless
By D. T. SHIREMAN
SINCE starting our work here at Toluca, N. C., we have received many letters containing requests for homes for orphan children, and we find it impossible to take all for whom requests are made. We should be glad to send these letters to persons who would interest themselves in such needy ones. It makes us sad to have to say, “No, we can not take you to our home.” Doubtless the writer’s early experience helps him to sympathize with these needy cases, having been deprived of his parents from four years of age and becoming a homeless wanderer, having no place that he can look back to and call it home. Those who enjoy a home, with parents, brothers, and sisters, spending happy days in school, can not realize the condition of many of these homeless ones.
The Lord has given us instruction in Isaiah, making plain our duty toward these unfortunates, and setting forth some of the most precious promises in the whole Bible. We are not simply to live for ourselves, but for the good of our fellow beings also. “Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh.” Isa. 58:7.
No one is excused from doing this kind of work. The writer of these lines could relate many interesting experiences in taking into his home the destitute, both old and young, sheltering them for months, the Lord sending the means to supply all our needs. Let us read the Lord’s promises to those who do such work: “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee, the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.” Verse 8. What more could we ask? We read again: “If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”
Let us take the Lord at his word, and do the blessed work he has given us to do. Every soul saved through our instrumentality will cause us eternal rejoicing. Let us not faint in the service of the Lord. D. T. SHIREMAN.
