It is with pleasure we tell of the good things which took place at this year's camp meeting for the West Pennsylvania Conference. It was held in Homestead, a suburban city about thirty-five miles from Pittsburgh. The attendance was unusually large. Sixty tents were pitched on the grounds, and the great pavilion which had been used for the tent effort in Pittsburgh, was divided into twenty apartments; but these were not enough. It was necessary to rent about twenty rooms in the vicinity. The attendance kept increasing until the number recorded in the last Sabbath school of the camp meeting was 425.
Undoubtedly the large meetings held in the Pitt Theater at Pittsburgh, followed by the excellent tent effort, had sent a wave of enthusiasm throughout the conference, which rolled back in a large attendance of persons filled with the spirit of devotion and liberality. The revival services saw many claiming a new-found hope in God. The spirit of rejoicing and devotion pervaded the camp.
We were favored throughout the meeting with the labors of Elder George F. Enoch. For part time we had also with us, in addition to the regular Union and local conference laborers, Elders A. G. Daniels and C. S. Longacre.
When the weather permitted, there was a good attendance from the city of Pittsburgh, about an hour's ride on the trolley. Some of those who heretofore had been uncertain and hesitating, accepted the truth at this camp meeting. The spirit of liberality was such that the gifts at this assembly doubled the record of any previous occasion. When the new administration building for the Columbia Union was presented, the brethren liberally subscribed in cash and pledges about $1,300. The foreign mission donations of the last Sabbath school and of the offering in response to the call Sunday morning, brought in more than $2,000.
Elder F. H. Robbins was reelected president of the conference, while a new secretary, Dr. H. S. Brown, was chosen to fill the place made vacant by the resignation of H. K. Hackman. The report of the president showed splendid progress in all lines of conference work during the past year. We are pleased to say that the West Pennsylvania Conference has now passed the one-thousand mark in her membership. This gives promise of a new era of growth.
B. G. WILKINSON.
West Texas Camp Meeting
By C. M. Sorenson
The camp meeting for the West Texas Conference was held in Clyde, Tex. This was a central location, easy of access, and all the churches were represented. The attendance was good throughout the meeting.
The reports showed encouraging increase in all departments. Two new churches were received into the conference. The book work, under the leadership of Brother T. J. Hooper, was in good condition. Meetings for the colporteurs were held under the leadership of Brother A. F. Harrison, the Union Conference agent.
The meeting was characterized by a revival spirit from the very beginning. It was an inspiring sight to see the readiness with which the people consecrated themselves and their possessions to the advancement of the work. The conference was somewhat behind in the mission offerings. When the call was made for means, almost double the amount asked for was given in cash and pledges. There was no excitement, but the people arose, one after the other, and dedicated themselves and their means to God. That meeting was one of the most spiritual services.
Although Clyde is a small place, the attendance of those not of our faith was very good indeed. The leading people of the community were present night after night, and some came in from the country. The message of God was received with readiness by many. On the last Sunday eighteen were baptized.
The officers had the confidence of the people. Elder C. J. Buhalts and the other officers were reelected. There was a resolution passed requesting the Southwestern Union Conference to make arrangements at the fall council for the uniting of the West Texas Conference with the New Mexico Conference. It was thought that the united conference, with its larger constituency, would allow stronger work in departmental lines.
The recently elected Union president, Elder J. W. Christian, was present at the meeting. His services were much appreciated. The other laborers from the Union were Brethren A. F. Harrison and W. L. Adams and Prof. W. E. Nelson. The latter, together with Brother Adams, labored for the young people. The General and North American Division Conferences were represented by Prof. J. L. Shaw and the writer.
C. M. SORENSON.
The Horoscope
By C. S. Longacre
WE are glad to report that the cases of two of our brethren which were carried over into the September term of court in Gallatin, Tenn., because of a former mistrial for Sunday-law violations, were dismissed last week without further trial by the court. All five cases have gone on record as dismissed by the court because of insufficient evidence to convict by jury trial. The public sentiment was strongly in favor of our brethren. This is a great victory for the truth in Tennessee, and let God be praised for it. May all our brethren everywhere continue to live in such a manner before their neighbors as to make them their friends.
The religious forces are organizing to get Congress to enact the Jones compulsory Sunday-observance bill for the District of Columbia, now pending before that body. Resolutions were passed by the Presbyterian presbytery of Washington, D. C., at a recent session, requesting the presbyteries of all the States to call on their Senators and Congressmen before the coming election in November, and urge them to pledge themselves to pass during the next session of Congress the above-mentioned Sunday bill. The inclosed resolutions have been sent to all the presbyteries throughout the United States by the clerk of the presbytery of Washington, D. C., who is the pastor of the Presbyterian church in Takoma Park, Washington, D. C.:—
“Resolved, That Presbyterians, grateful for the deep regard for the Sabbath that has come to them by inheritance and training from Scotland, should everywhere consider themselves under special obligation to lead in defense of the imperiled Sabbath, especially as there are very few Sabbath-defense organizations other than the churches, united for the safeguarding of this divine and humane institution; and—
“Resolved, That as the District of Columbia is the only Christian commonwealth in the world, except California, that has no Sunday-rest law; and as it is the nation’s capital, and in its population includes a nearly pro rata portion of the population of every State as resident members of the government, we appeal to all true Americans, and especially to Christians, individually or by deputations, to see their Senators and Representatives while they are at home, to ask their support in the next session of Congress, to the Jones Sunday-rest bill, which provides for the suspension on Sunday of such unnecessary work and business in the District of Columbia as is forbidden in all the States, save California. We submit, their delegations in Congress should give to their own citizen residents in Washington such Sunday rest as their State gives when they are at home; and—
“Resolved, That the stated clerk shall send a copy of these resolutions to the local press and to all presbyteries, asking them to take similar action, and to urge their Senators and Congressmen to support this and other pending moral measures.
“The above is a true copy of the action of the presbytery of Washington City, in session in Washington, D. C., Sept. 11, 1916, and is hereby sent to each presbytery of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., through the stated clerks.
“Attest “Stated Clerk.
“Takoma Park, D. C., Sept. 15, 1916.”
This resolution and letter reveals the fact that the presbytery of Washington, D. C., is planning a distinctly religious propaganda throughout the United States, with the expressed purpose of engrafting the “Sabbath” of “Scotland” as a “divine institution” upon the citizens in the District of Columbia. Of course, they have the liberty to ask their Congressmen to enact all the tenets of the Presbyterian Church into civil law, and make them a part of the fundamental law of the land, if they so elect. It is not the first time Presbyterians have tried such a scheme. It worked for a while in Scotland, but even Scotland had to repudiate the scheme. We doubt very much whether our Congressmen are ready and willing to adopt the Puritan or Scottish Sunday blue laws at the present time. However, the proposed scheme reveals the fact that some of the religious organizations in this country are determined to get Congress committed to the subject of religious legislation, and that they will spare no efforts to accomplish their end.
Our people should make it their business to call on their Senators and Congressmen while they are at home, or write them a letter setting forth the dangers of religious legislation, so as to counteract the influence of the demands of the Presbyterians for the compulsory observance of a Scottish Sunday.
The last Liberty Extra sets forth the wrong principle involved in the Jones Sunday-rest bill, and the circulation of this Extra ought to be continued, and the petitions of protest be sent to Congress until March 4, 1917. We must not be found sleeping on guard while the enemy is wide awake. We must put forth special efforts to defend our Constitutional rights from this time forth, or our liberties will soon be taken from us and our work be greatly hindered. Let us rally, and prepare for the coming conflict. Our watchword must be “Preparedness for the finishing of the Lord’s work”.
C. S. LONGACRE.
A Letter of Thanksgiving
Brother F. A. Detamore sends a letter he received from a young man in Java who first attended Brother Richard Sisley’s night school, and later began to keep the Sabbath. His letter follows:—
“I am glad to tell you that last Sabbath, February 5, I was baptized at Sitoe Awi, and I am feeling now very happy, because I have obeyed the ordinance of baptism.
“I realize that I cannot put great confidence in being baptized, as it is only an ordinance by which I show to the world my faith in a crucified and risen Saviour; and it further indicates to them that I am dead to the world, and have risen from the watery grave to walk in newness of life.
“I am very thankful that the Lord has opened the way for me to keep the Sabbath. My employers have given me the opportunity to work on Sunday instead of the Sabbath, without deducting anything from my salary.
“It gives me pleasure to let you know that my mother is more reconciled to my living up to the principles laid down in the Bible, and I am praying that God will bless her with the desire to live up to the truth. I shall try to influence her by my life to do so.
“I am enjoying meeting with the brethren on the Sabbath, and also in studying my Bible, and Sister White’s writings whenever I have opportunity.
“Will you kindly remember me in your prayer, that I may become a good witness for the Saviour before my unconverted fellow laborers in the office, and that I may daily receive grace that will enable me to pass the searching test of the judgment, so that I may be prepared to have a home in God’s everlasting kingdom?
“In Christian service,
“LIE EH LIANG,”
Religious Liberty Department
By C. S. Longacre
C. S. LONGACRE - - N. Am. Div. Secretary
The Manila Institute
By C. E. Weaks
One of the most interesting institutes that it was ever my privilege to attend was held in Manila, Philippine Islands, during the first ten days of July. About twenty colporteurs from the Tagalog-speaking portion of the island of Luzon were present, besides the native Tagalog evangelists, who have nearly all been colporteurs in the past and are still enthusiastic supporters of this work. The instructors were Pastor L. V. Finster, the superintendent of our work on the islands; Brother W. E. Lanier, the field secretary, and the writer. The meetings were held in the basement of Brother Finster’s house, as we have no regular church building in the city of Manila. With the ceiling only a few inches above our heads, the July tropical heat was not very pleasant, but this did not detract from the interest. We began our meetings at nine o’clock sharp every morning, and continued them until five-thirty in the evening. A cook had been engaged to serve the midday meal right on the premises, so it was possible to get in a full day of hard work.
COLPORTEURS’ INSTITUTE AT MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Never have I seen a class of colporteurs enter more eagerly into the spirit of this work. Several in attendance were those who had been in the field for some time and had assisted in making the splendid Philippine record of $12,000 for 1915. Some had been in the work but a short time, while others were new in the truth and were going out for their first experience in God’s service. In fact, a number were from the large company of one hundred and seventy that have recently accepted the truth in the city of San Pablo as the result of a seven months’ effort by one of our Filipino evangelists. One of these new converts had been a salesman for the Singer Sewing Machine Company; another is an artist with a studio in the city; another lacked just six months of completing a law course when the truth found him. Thus it will be seen that we are getting18men into this work who are accustomed to meeting men, and from such, when consecrated to God and to this work, we can expect success. From the reports now coming in from those who attended the institute, we believe that the ten days of study were days well spent, and that they will mean much to the advancement of the work in the islands.
For years it was thought by many that our native Filipino brethren would never be able to make a success of the colporteur work. Roman Catholicism still rules in the islands. The idea of native boys going to these people and selling them religious books seemed out of the question. But the colporteur work is ordained of God to act its part in carrying the message to every nation. It is not dependent upon outward conditions and special territories. Today we see the Filipino boys going out with such books as “Thoughts on Daniel,” “The Coming King,” and “The World’s Crisis,” and making records that would not be bad in the homelands. While I was in Manila, this report came in from one young man: “56 hours; value, $141 gold.” While this is the best record made thus far, the one-hundred-dollar mark has been reached several times. Think of this in a Roman Catholic field where the average man earns but from thirty to fifty cents a day!
While the colporteur work is progressing in the Philippines, thus far our efforts have been largely confined to the Tagalog field. Other great districts containing millions of unwarned souls are largely untouched, with the exception of what has been done in Spanish and English. A small work has been started in Cebuan, Panayano, and Ilocano, but it is only a start. Great areas lie undeveloped in these fields. Then there are the other large untouched portions that have not even been reached with our literature. What a fine field it is for an enthusiastic bookman! Here is a work started that is already as large as many of the home fields have. Nearly thirty canvassers are at work. Others will be started in as fast as they can be properly trained. Then there are the great unentered fields awaiting the coming of workers. The only books thus far that have been circulated in the vernaculars are “Thoughts on Daniel,” “The Coming King,” and “The World’s Crisis.” The man who has that field to develop may well consider himself fortunate.
Dr. Carlos Fattebert is working on a health book now. We all know what a wonderful field for a health book lies before us in Catholic lands. While I was there, we talked over the matter of a religious book to follow their present books in the Tagalog field, and we all felt that “Patriarchs and Prophets” in an abridged form would make a good one. These people have great respect for things ancient. Even the Mohammedans have high regard for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Before leaving the islands, it was my privilege to visit some of the churches in Luzon. The work in that island is going forward by leaps and bounds. Nearly three hundred have been baptized thus far this year. That would be a good yearly gain for a conference in the homeland. One hundred and seventy have come out as a result of a single effort by one of our native brethren at San Pablo, a city one hundred miles interior from Manila. It is interesting to note19that this large effort was started by a colporteur who went to the city to sell books. He had not worked long when an interest sprang up. Soon several families were keeping the Sabbath, and an evangelist was sent to follow up the interest. A dozen or more were baptized, and the interest continued to spread until the worker was sent who brought out the large company already mentioned. I was at this place two days, and stayed with the first family that accepted the message through reading the books sold by the colporteur.
Now the evangelist who raised up the large company has gone to other places, while the colporteur who started the work in San Pablo has been put into the ministry and is carrying forward the effort. Prospects are that others will take their stand.
Truly the Lord is blessing the work in the Philippines, and we must hasten on more laborers to gather the fast ripening grain. The present force are working beyond their strength, but how can they hold back with such a large harvest to be gathered? C. E. WEAKS.
“This epistle was written by Paul from Corinth, A. D. 52, to the church at Thessalonica, which consisted of Jews, Jewish proselytes, and converts from heathenism. On their second missionary tour Paul and Silas visited Thessalonica (now called Saloniki), which was and still is an important and prosperous commercial city and seaport, after having been driven from Philippi. Great success attended the preaching of the gospel, some of the Jews believed, and ‘of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.’ The special object of the epistle was to encourage and strengthen the newly formed church, the apostle having been compelled to leave Thessalonica on account of persecutions from the unbelieving Jews. Timothy was sent from Athens to establish the believers, and to comfort them under afflictions; and the good tidings brought by him of their faith and love, coupled with the insuperable difficulties in the way of a personal visit, induced Paul to write this letter. The language used is very tender and affectionate, and well calculated to inspire the converts with hope and joy. Note especially the prominence given to the second advent, the details of which are more fully and succinctly given than in any other of Paul’s writings.”—Dr. Anderson.
The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians
“This epistle was written by Paul from Corinth shortly after the first letter. Its special design was to counteract some erroneous expectations concerning the immediate nearness of the second advent. After referring to the gathering together of the church to the Lord Jesus Christ, the apostle tells them that certain important events were to take place prior to the Lord’s coming with his people; and he dwells especially on the revelation of the ‘man of sin,’ giving full details of his character and actings in the last days. Notice that the second advent of Messiah is referred to, with more or less amplitude of detail, in every chapter of both these epistles.”—Id.
The Epistle to the Galatians
On his second missionary journey, while detained by sickness in the Roman province of Galatia, Paul had raised up a number of churches. About 280 B. C. this territory was settled by fugitive Gauls, driven out of Italy and Greece; and their descendants, with a mingling of Greeks, Romans, and Jews, formed the population in Paul’s day. The people, perhaps owing to the influence of their Gallic ancestry, are described as “susceptible of quick impressions and sudden changes, with a fickleness equal to their courage and enthusiasm, and a constant liability to that disunion which is the fruit of excessive vanity.”
A few years after Paul’s visit certain Jewish teachers who professed Christianity visited the Galatian churches, and introduced false doctrines among them. They ignored the decisions of the church council held a few years before in Jerusalem, and urged the Galatian Christians to enforce certain ceremonies that they held as essential. The believers not being thoroughly grounded in the truth, and having little tenacity of purpose, a critical situation arose among them, which threatened to disrupt the churches.
It was this situation, word of which reached Paul, probably while in Corinth, that led him to write with his own hand the earnest letter to the Galatians. “He indignantly rebukes his children in Christ for their sudden alienation from him and from the truth; vindicates his authority, and his teachings as an apostle, by showing that he received them from Christ himself; and forcibly presents the great doctrine of Christianity—justification by faith—with its relations to the law on the one hand and to holy living on the other.”
“The apostle’s earnest words of entreaty were not fruitless. The Holy Spirit wrought with mighty power, and many whose feet had wandered into strange paths returned to their former faith in the gospel.” For nine hundred years the churches of Galatia were mentioned in ecclesiastical history.
“Since the days of Luther,” says Meyer, “the epistle to the Galatians has always been held in high esteem as the gospel’s banner of freedom. To it and the epistle to the Romans we owe most directly the springing up and development of the ideas and energies of the Reformation.”
Missionary Volunteer Department
M. E. KERN — — — — Secretary
MATILDA ERICKSON — — Assistant Secretary
MRS. I. H. EVANS — — — Office Secretary
MEADE MACGUIRE }
C. L. BENSON } — — Field Secretaries
J. F. SIMON }
No Insurance for Happiness or Prosperity
“THERE is no insurance society for the perpetuation of happiness or prosperity either.”
Looking Is Seeing
“LOOKING is seeing. It may be afar off, still it is seeing.”
Publishing Department
N. Z. TOWN General Secretary
W. W. EASTMAN N. Am. Div. Secretary
We are glad to be able to present to the readers of the Review another encouraging summary of our colporteur work. It will be seen at a glance that the gain for August over the same month last year is more than $24,000; and this in spite of the fact that quite a number of reports from the foreign fields are not in.
It is encouraging to see the reports that are coming in from the Central American and South American fields, some parts of these fields having only recently been entered by our work. The prosperity attending our workers clearly indicates that the fields are ripe for work. The Mission Board is receiving urgent appeals for men to act as leaders in the book work. Truly there never has been a time in the history of the advent message when there was a greater demand for our literature.
The gain for the North American Division is larger this month than during any preceding month of the year, every Union, except the Eastern Canadian,20showing a gain. We thank the Lord for his prospering hand in our colporteur work, and we believe we shall continue to see the work advance as we near the end, for, as has been said, the work is in a large degree to be accomplished through our publishing houses.
W. W. EASTMAN.
Comparative Summary of Foreign Periodicals
January, 1915, 448,128 copies, value $13,166.23; January, 1916, 375,259 copies, value $13,774.74.
February, 1915, 403,134 copies, value $11,357.55; February, 1916, 577,282 copies, value $14,480.57.
March, 1915, 467,626 copies, value $18,243.92; March, 1916, 350,291 copies, value $35,029.10.
April, 1915, 418,884 copies, value $10,001.96; April, 1916, 365,373 copies, value $11,086.68.
May, 1915, 595,740 copies, value $18,200.94; May, 1916, 196,084 copies, value $6,803.98.
June, 1915, 215,051 copies, value $7,974.76; June, 1916, 349,164 copies, value $10,731.82.
July, 1915, 561,531 copies, value $11,627.60; July, 1916, 451,581 copies, value $12,985.33.
August, 1915, 451,249 copies, value $11,301.47; August, 1916, 197,383 copies, value $6,073.76.
The Opening of Our Schools
By W. E. Howell
THESE are stirring times in our schools. Not hundreds but thousands of our children and youth are gathering at our educational centers for the opening of a new year. Brief word has been received from all our colleges and one or two other schools. It is of the most encouraging nature. Here is the gist of it, the figures representing the enrolment during the first week in the academic and college grades:—
Pacific Union College, the first to open with 240, considerably above any previous record.
Walla Walla College, with 204, which is 25 more than a year ago. It was necessary to organize a separate college Sabbath school, as the church would not hold all.
Union College, with an enrolment larger than last year, last year’s being quite an increase over previous years. “A large number of earnest young men and women,” says the president.
Emmanuel Missionary College, with 233, as compared with 209 last year. “A very fine company of young people,” writes the president, “earnest, devoted, and quite mature.” The first Friday evening testimonies “rang clear with a determination to adopt the motto of the school to make ‘First Things First.’”
Washington Missionary College, with 207, about the same as last year, with every prospect of a rapid increase. The young men express eagerness to start work on the new college building to relieve the congestion. Some of them had to stand during the opening exercises.
South Lancaster Academy, with 255, the largest enrolment in its history and the largest next to Union College this year. Below the ninth grade are 71 more. Every ninth-grade class is held in two divisions, the New Testament history numbering 100, and the most advanced history 20. “The young people,” says the principal, “are of a fine type, the faculty is of good courage, and we are all hopeful of a year filled with blessings.”
Eastern Canadian Missionary Seminary, with 43, and students still coming in. This school is now carrying fourteen grades, and serving as the training school for the Union.
Graysville Academy, with a total enrolment of 70 at the end of nine days. As the Southern Junior College has been moved to its new location at Ooltewah, near Chattanooga, the original name of the local school of ten grades has been revived. The principal writes, “Our school is running nicely so far, and I really think we shall have a good, strong school.”
As the school graduates of last year have been so fully assigned to important work in the mission fields and at home, it is truly gratifying to see these institutions open so well for another year’s work in the developing of workers. There is every evidence that the coming school year will be the best in our educational history.
