Earlier text: Hawaiian MissionThe Virginia Camp Meeting
By B. G. Wilkinson
THE annual session of the Virginia Conference was held in connection with its general assembly at Richmond, Va., Nov. 10-15, 1914. At this meeting there were many signs which seemed to indicate that there are better days ahead for this field. During the last two months about ninety-five persons have been added to the church. Some of these new members were present at this good meeting. At Yale about fifty-five have recently embraced the truth, among them a Mennonite minister with his flock of forty members. These latter are mostly Russians. We were glad indeed to greet these brethren, and witness their earnest faith and deep devotion to the truth. There was a splendid attendance from the outside. The interest in the city of Richmond seemed deeper and fresher and more promising than ever before. Elder W. C. Moffett has recently been elected president of the conference. Quite a change has taken place in the laboring force. There was a good spirit of harmony and cooperation. We greatly enjoyed the presence of Elder L. H. Evans. We also had with us Brother De Fluiter, who gave good assistance in the music, and Brother Burgan, who helped in the public press work. About $600 in cash and pledges was raised for the foreign mission work. There was a splendid spirit of revival with all the brethren the last Sabbath of the meeting. We expect to see many evidences of the Lord's blessing in this field the coming year. Can We Trust God?
By Della Burroway
As I was preparing to leave Alberta, Canada, I felt that I must go by Eatonville, Wash., to see Sister Little, who lost her husband and two children in India. Upon inquiry at the station, I learned that it would cost fourteen dollars more than to go direct. I hesitated because of the expense, but something persuaded me to buy my ticket by way of Eatonville. I had been asked to stop at a small town in Alberta and speak on India. When I arrived there, I found Baptists, Mennonites, and Seventh-day Adventists planning to hold a union missionary meeting in the Baptist church. Our leader said to me: “I should rather not ask for a collection, for I am very anxious to overcome prejudice here.” At the close of my talk the Mennonite minister arose and said: “A missionary meeting is not complete without a collection. I move we take up a collection to help this sister on her traveling expenses.” Just fourteen dollars was raised, which I accepted, knowing that God sent it for that very purpose. Trinidad, West Indies
By L. RASHFORD
OCTOBER 7 I made a visit to Grenada, where I was located nine months ago. Plans were laid for this visit two months earlier, but I was obliged to delay my trip, owing to an attack of malarial fever, which laid me down in bed the same day I should have started, and which was so severe that had it not been for God’s mercy and the kindness of those who cared for me during the suffering, I must have been laid away. During my stay of fifteen days, eleven persons decided to obey the Lord, and there is fair promise of others, as some are still weighing the matter. A baptismal class has been organized. On my return trip I shall spend some time in preparing them for baptism. The meetings were well attended, and on two occasions the church was so crowded that it was very warm. But what does it matter if one suffers from heat, when souls crowd in to hear and obey the Lord? The present war is doing much to stir the hearts of some. I went over to Carriacou, an island north of Grenada. Here we have a neat chapel erected by Brother Pearl, who spent some time on the island. Some who had given up the truth promised to return, and it was good to hear their prayers. Conditions everywhere give unmistakable evidence of a soon-coming Saviour. “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” L. RASHFORD. The Seventh Annual Convention of Self-Supporting Workers
By M. Bessie De Graw
AT sundown, Friday evening, October 9, there gathered in Gotzian Hall, the assembly room of the Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute, between one hundred and fifty and two hundred persons — delegates from the various rural schools and mission centers of the South, and friends and interested patrons of the self-supporting work in the South. In spite of the fact that the convention was held later in the season than usual, a large number of the highland schools were represented. Among those who attended the meetings were: Elder W. C. White; Dr. Newton Evans, president of the Loma Linda Medical College; Sister Josephine Gotzian; Dr. H. P. Parker and Brother Nis Hansen, of the Pacific Coast; Drs. David and Mary Paulson, of the Hinsdale Sanitarium; Prof. Frederick Griggs, secretary of the Educational Department of the North American Division; Mrs. Robert Scott, of Montclair, N. J.; Elder S. E. Wight, president of the Southern Union Conference; and a number of the local conference workers. The first session was the vesper service Sabbath evening. Ringing testimonies were given concerning the blessings which have attended the work in various parts of the field during the past year, and the spirit of loyalty and cooperation which is felt toward all departments of the work was voiced by a number of those in attendance. Professor Griggs occupied the hour following, impressing upon his hearers that the Lord’s work in all ages has been carried forward by men imbued with the idea that they had a special mission in life. Sabbath was an interesting day. Elder W. C. White gave a stirring talk in the morning on the test of discipleship, which is love for one another. The work of the Sabbath school, and the wonderful opportunities offered in the Sunday school work in highland districts, were discussed by those who have had practical experience in such schools. Every hour of the day was filled with good things. A large company gathered each morning for the five o’clock service, which was a devotional meeting. Those who are spending their lives in pioneer service in out-of-the-way places, find that they need a constant connection with the great Source of life. There is something about their very work that binds them close to the Master, and some of the keenest experiences I have ever heard related came from the lips of men and women who are giving their all to the spread of the third angel’s message in these stirring days. The medical work came in for a large share of attention. Elder White gave a very interesting talk, showing the growth of our present medical institutions from the simplest beginnings when the present message started. There is a call through the spirit of prophecy for a return to simple methods. It seems that the Spirit of God is calling for medical workers in all parts of the world, and as human suffering is relieved, souls are made tender for the reception of the gospel. There is need of a strong class of medical evangelists, and definite steps were taken at this time to start a training class in the Madison school which will prepare men and women to do medical evangelistic work. The work in the self-supporting mission centers of the South is varied in its nature. These centers find need of ministerial help. The canvasser has his place, for the people are eager for literature containing the truth. The children, and adults also, need teaching. There is a call for the day school, and a call for the night school. The trained nurse is a veritable angel in these communities. The farmer and the mechanic have their part. And it is intensely interesting to listen to the testimonies that are given by such a company of workers as one meets at the annual convention; for all these interests are represented. The delegates listened with much pleasure to a very practical lecture on health, by Dr. Olin West, secretary of the State board of health, and they were equally interested in the practical instruction given by Mr. Neal, of the United States Department of Agriculture. It is impossible to give in the limited space of such a report, any adequate idea of the work covered by the convention. The general expression was that it was good to be here. The work is growing. The nearer we come to the end, the more imperative is the demand for such work as this. It becomes evident that the Spirit of God foresaw the troublous times in which we are now living, and has been preparing Sabbath keepers to carry the truth in this and foreign fields largely in a self-supporting way. He is bringing this work into favor, not only with men and women whose hearts have been touched with the love of the third angel’s message, but with men in high places, so that the work will be able to go with greater speed than ever before. This last fact is illustrated by the following statements from Dr. P. P. Claxton, United States Commissioner of Education, who, after coming in direct touch with the work of the highland schools and the training school at Madison, wrote to the delegates assembled in convention as follows:— “I wish very much it were possible for me to be present at the meeting of teachers and nurses of the hill schools which you are holding at Madison. I am greatly interested in the work which these schools are doing. The work which you are doing at Madison is remarkable and worthy of high praise. If you succeed in permanently maintaining the school on its present basis, it cannot fail to accomplish great good. The work which you are doing is highly practicable, and seems to me to be based on important fundamental principles of education. The same is true of the small schools which I visited, and I shall watch their progress with the greatest interest. I believe that you will succeed in accomplishing what you have in mind.” Washington, D. C.
By J. M. Campbell
In order to strengthen the interests of the work in behalf of the colored believers in Washington, to cheer and uplift them, to invigorate the spiritual life, and deepen the Christ spirit as it relates both to missionary effort and to unfeigned love of the brethren, the idea was conceived, and duly put into effect November 9-15, of holding a church missionary, Sabbath school, and young people's convention. This convention was held at the People's (Seventh-day Adventist) Church, Tenth and V Streets N. W. We are glad to report that the convention was a success in every sense of the word. Among the visitors, whose counsel and instruction were helpful, inspiring, and greatly appreciated, were: Elders James K. Humphrey, of New York City; A. N. Durrant, Pittsburgh, Pa.; T. H. Branch, Philadelphia, Pa.; F. H. Seeney, Wilmington, Del.; Gustavus P. Rodgers, Baltimore, Md.; C. H. Wilkerson, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Prof. M. E. Kern, general secretary Young People's Missionary Volunteer Society; Mrs. L. Flora Plummer, of the Sabbath School Department; Elder F. W. Paap and Miss E. M. Graham, of the Home Missionary Department; Elder R. E. Harter, our conference president, and Mrs. R. E. Harter, our conference Sabbath school secretary. Lay members from the various cities already mentioned were also present, many of whom read excellent papers. A well-arranged program was rendered. Interesting papers and discussions were the features of the morning and afternoon sessions, preaching services being conducted each night. The interest at these services was extremely good, and it was decided to continue them a week longer, Elder Humphrey remaining to assist. Stony hearts were subdued, confessions made, backsliders reclaimed, and sinners converted. As one of the results of this effort, twenty-six persons (some previously instructed, and several young people) are now awaiting baptism. We thank the Lord for this. Truly the Spirit of God accompanied the work of the convention throughout, and a profitable time was enjoyed by all. Brotherly love prevailed, and each received a clearer vision of his responsibilities and duties; vows of consecration were renewed; and the influence of this convention will be sure to extend a long way into the future, and be productive of much fruit to the glory and praise of God.
J. M. CAMPBELL. Elder R. W. Parmele, president of the Louisiana Conference, says in a recent letter: “I believe that the Review should be in the hands of every Seventh-day Adventist. I have often observed, in visiting our people, that the isolated Sabbath keeper who takes the Review and reads it weekly is much more nearly abreast of the message than a Sabbath keeper in a church who does not take the paper, be his church privileges ever so good. I regret that more of our people in this conference are not subscribers, and shall do my utmost to get them to take the paper.” Harvest Ingathering in Minneapolis
Elder Stemple White, sending an article for the REVIEW, reports that twenty-two persons have been added to our church in Minneapolis, Minn., since the first of July. Of these, seventeen have been baptized. He says: “The Harvest Ingathering work is on, and we are encouraging all to be workers together with God. At our Sabbath services I am taking up topical studies on the church and its work. It looks as if we were nearing the last mile of the way. Our courage is good.” Baptisms in the United States and Canada
It is encouraging to note that during the third quarter this year, 2,435 believers united with the church by baptism in the United States and Canada, as reported by the statistical secretary. The Last Reservists Called Out
By E. M. Graham
The daily newspapers announce that some of the countries engaged in the great war have called out their last reserves. In one country the schools are closed because the teachers have been called to the war. The safety of the country is considered more important than anything else. In the Lord’s plans for his people, he has never made provision for there being any reservists. He has always intended that every one of his followers should always be an active soldier. But some of his people do not seem to have understood this, and they have placed themselves in the ranks of the reserves. Jesus foresaw this, and he spoke a parable which foretells the call which is now going through the length and breadth of the land. “And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.” Matt. 20: 6, 7. This eleventh-hour call is designed to call out the last of these reservists, and to give them their last opportunity to enter into the active service which the Lord makes his test of their loyalty to him. Matt. 25: 45. When the reservists of any country are in a foreign land, a call is sent to them to come to the help of their own country, at any time when they are needed. Should they fail to respond within a given time, they lose forever all the rights of citizenship in their native land. They cannot own property nor inherit it. They are considered to have forfeited all their claims because of their disloyalty. In the same way the Lord regards the refusal or neglect of his calls by those who profess to be citizens of the heavenly kingdom as disloyalty to him, and a reason why they have no part in that kingdom to which they profess to belong. These are matters which concern us all, and each one should see where he stands, and whether he has taken his place in the ranks of the active workers. If there are any who have not, are they ready to take the consequences? Does not the love of the Lord call out any response in their hearts? There are some who are willing, but who do not know what they can do. We call their attention to the home missionary campaign, which has adopted for its winter work three simple plans, which can be followed by almost every member. The first is a plan of lending tracts. To help in this plan, a set of tracts has been selected. These cover the leading points of truth, and are so arranged as to give the least disputed subjects first. They are put into envelopes all ready for lending. One complete set can be purchased for 25 cents. With one package ten houses can be worked each for ten weeks, provided the tracts are kept clean. The first week, No. 1 envelope is left at a house, and called for the following week, when No. 2 is left in its place, and No. 1 is taken to the next house; and so on, week by week, until all the tracts are in use. This is a very simple plan, and can be used by the most timid and backward, for the envelopes and tracts do the talking. How many will at once order a 25-cent set of tracts for this plan? It has saved souls in the past, and will in the future. The second plan is to have every Sabbath keeper, as far as possible, take and use two copies of the Signs of the Times each week. If taken through the church, at club rates, they can be obtained for 60 cents a copy for six months, or $1.20 for a year. This means only a payment of 5 cents a week to the church missionary secretary, a sum which almost every member can manage. These papers can be sold, given, or lent. A good way to use them is as samples with which to secure subscriptions. A sister in one conference has already secured 137 subscriptions. The papers are full of matter on the present-day issues, the very things in which the people are interested; and so they are easy to sell. How many who have not already subscribed will do so now? Remember these papers can go where a minister cannot go, and they can do a work he cannot do. Continual evidences are coming in of their value as soul-saving agencies. How many will help to send these papers forth to do their God-appointed work? Then there is the Berean Library, a set of some of our best books in inexpensive form, for lending, selling, and giving. No one can say now, “No man hath hired us.” The Lord’s call hires every one, the wages are eternal life, the implements are the literature to be circulated, and other plans for giving the message. For the first eight weeks of the special campaign with the weekly Signs, subscriptions for 17,605 copies were received, for which we are glad; but what are they among 71,000 believers?—About one copy to four members. With the subscriptions unexpired, the average may be about one copy to two members. We can surely do better than that with a paper that has proved so effective in soul saving. The Holy Spirit is everywhere seeking for channels through which to reach the honest souls that are yet in darkness. Will not many more of our people help to supply this pressing demand by circulating more of these missionary papers? Do not forget that there are no idlers in the vineyard. They are all outside. The Call to Service
By F. W. Paap
The call to service now sounding throughout our ranks is being nobly responded to on the part of many. World-war conditions serve to arouse God's people and to deepen the longing in every heart for the ushering in of that bright and glorious day when pain and tears and death and sighs will be no more. What a few realize in this direction is what we want every Seventh-day Adventist to know. “God expects personal service from every one to whom he has intrusted a knowledge of the truth for this time.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, page 30. “It is an eternal law of Jehovah that he who accepts the truth that the world needs is to make it his first work to proclaim this truth.”—Id., Vol. VII, page 13. We wish that every church in the North American Division would do as well as did the Northside German church of Chicago. The following is taken from a letter just received from the leader, Brother David Voth:— “Last Sabbath the Northside German church of Chicago had its Harvest Ingathering program. At the close of the program the money that had been solicited by the church members was collected, which amounted to $202.16. Our church has fifty-one members, so we raised almost four dollars a member. We made up our part of the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund for the whole year, and about fifty dollars more. Last Sabbath was a happy day to our church. We all rejoiced because we had a part in the Lord's work.” We trust that our dear people everywhere will make good at this needy and most opportune time. Now is the time to labor. Soon it will be too late. May the spirit of Israel's God, the spirit of service, rest upon this people. We are surely nearing the end. May we all be ready for the midnight call. “Church Officers’ Gazette”
By F. W. Paap
IN the Heaven-appointed call to universal action now sounding throughout our ranks, we feel that the greatest possible care must be exercised. It is imperative that every advance move shall be made with no possibility of retreat. To secure just such results, our home missionary campaign monitor, the Church Officers’ Gazette, is constantly scouring the horizon and keeping as well a near-by lookout to meet every contingency. We feel that in a time like this when such a great awakening is coming among God’s people, every leader should be abreast with every call; so much depends upon the leaders. To meet the growing demands from all sections of the field, Elder I. H. Evans is preparing special matter that will reach our leaders everywhere through the columns of the Church Officers’ Gazette. This, with special suggestive programs and other general and special articles covering all phases of church work and missionary activities, will make the Gazette indispensable to every leader in this great cause. The only way that you can fully appreciate the value of this campaign, or road guide, is to study it carefully from month to month. You will be constantly up-to-date, and the work will prosper under your direction. The price is 50 cents a year, or 35 cents if ordered in clubs of two or more copies. My Endeavor
By Leigh Mitchell Hodges
My endeavor: To be true — first to myself — and just and merciful. To be kind and faithful in the little things. To be brave with the bad, openly grateful for good, always moderate. To seek the best, content with what I find; placing principles above persons and right above riches. Of fear, none; of pain, enough to make my joys stand out; of pity, some; of work, a plenty; of faith in God and man, much; of love, all.— Leigh Mitchell Hodges. Home Missionary Department
E. M. GRAHAM - - - - General Secretary F. W. PAAP - - - N. Am. Div. Secretary The Missionary Volunteer Programs for 1915
By M. E. K.
“Our only safeguard against the wiles of Satan is to study the Scriptures diligently, to have an intelligent understanding of the reasons of our faith, and faithfully to perform every known duty.” — Mrs. E. G. White, in Review and Herald, Nov. 19, 1908. Considering this fact, and the accumulating evidences of the nearness of the end (and in harmony with requests from all parts of the field), it has been decided to offer a series of studies in Bible doctrines for our Missionary Volunteer programs for 1915. These studies are of great importance at this time. The preparedness of the warring nations depends on well-trained men, big guns, and the morale of the army. Our own preparedness for the spiritual warfare depends on strength of soul, powerful spiritual weapons, and assurance of victory. And all these come from the study of the Bible. It has been truly said that “no life can come to its best into which there has not been built mighty convictions, mighty decisions, and the inspiration of great ideals and hopes.” And these we know come from the Bible. We have a great work to do. The Bible is our message, our inspiration, and our guide. “Every one who really knows the Bible is a crusader,” fighting against the things that spoil human life and unfit men for heaven. How important then, from every standpoint, that our young people know the great outlines of truth. The lessons, which will appear in the Church Officers’ Gazette, will be somewhat different from previous lessons, and are designed to form the basis for talks on studies. Again we read: “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and his teaching in our past history.”—General Conference Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 2, page 24. Another part of our programs this year will be a study of our missionary history, beginning in 1874. A brief sketch of the work of Seventh-day Adventists in every missionary country, and the forces now on the field, will be given. A series of outline wall maps of mission countries is being prepared to be used by the societies in studying the mission fields. The young people will indicate boundaries of mission territory, and will place stars on the maps representing all mission stations. In the Gazette we shall furnish notes and incidents showing the providences of God in our missionary advance. Nothing, except it be study of the Bible, is more important or more interesting than a study like this. Lord Salisbury once advised men to study large maps and not confine their attention to small localities. Of all people, this injunction is important to us who are to carry a message from God to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. We need large vision. We must think in large terms. We must “attempt great things for God, and expect great things from God.” If our young people are to have a part in the work and triumph of the church, they must burn with zeal for the missionary cause. And “missionary facts are the fuel which feed the missionary fires.” In all our Missionary Volunteer work we are very dependent on the coöperation of parents and church officers. If they understand the plans which are in operation for the salvation and training of the youth and give them their hearty support, that gives the young people courage and confidence. In this matter we solicit the help of all our people in getting all our societies to take up these studies, and in encouraging those who take part in the programs to give talks where talks are called for. Nothing will kill the interest in a program quicker than to have all the parts read. When a reading is presented, it should be so thoroughly studied that it can be presented without the slightest hesitation and with proper emphasis.
M. E. K. “On one of the highways near the heart of London's city stand two great publishing houses. The one is that of the Times newspaper and the other is that of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Over the first is a clock and a figure of Father Time, suggestive of things transient and passing. On the facade of the other is an open Bible with the words of my text inscribed thereon, ‘The Word of the Lord endureth forever;’ a reminder, in the midst of transient and passing and perishing things, of the things that abide.” These facts are very suggestive. Newspapers are records of the events of time. The Bible is a revelation of the great principles of eternity. Newspapers record the doings of sinful men; the Bible presents a remedy for sin and the way into life's greatest values. Newspapers are only for the passing hour. The Bible is a book for all time. And yet, to which do we give the more time? That may seem a queer question to ask Seventh-day Adventists. But will you, dear reader,—you who believe in the soon coming of Jesus,—will you please keep count for a week and see with which you spend more time, the newspaper or the Bible? “But,” says one, “I have learned the relative value of things. I usually read only the headlines of the newspapers. I spend my leisure on science, the romance of the achievements of this wonderful age.” This is a wonderful age in material progress, and science is worth studying—if its study does not crowd out time for study of life's highest values, but is made contributory to them. Secretary Bryan recently said: “In all matters except in the science of how to live, man has made wonderful progress. The mastery of the mind over the forces of nature seems almost complete, so far do we surpass the ancients in harnessing the water, the wind, and the lightning. “For ages the rivers plunged down the mountains' sides and exhausted their energies without any appreciable contribution to man's service; now they are estimated as so many units of horsepower and we find that their fretting and foaming was merely a language which they employed to tell us of their strength and of their willingness to work for us. And while falling water is becoming each day a larger factor in burden bearing, water, in the form of steam, is revolutionizing the transportation methods of the world. “The wind, which first whispered its secret of strength to the flapping sail, is now turning the wheel at the well. “Lightning, the dread demon that, from the dawn of creation, has been rushing down its zigzag path through the clouds as if intent only upon spreading death, has been metamorphosed into an errand boy, and brings us illumination from the sun, and carries our messages around the globe. “Inventive genius has multiplied the power of a human arm and supplied the masses with comforts of which the rich did not dare to dream a few centuries ago. Science is ferreting out the hidden causes of disease and teaching us how to prolong life. In every line, except in the line of character building, the world seems to have been made over; but the marvelous changes by which old things have become new only emphasize the fact that man, too, must be born again, while they show how impotent are material things to touch the soul of man and transform him into a spiritual being. Wherever the moral standard is being lifted up, wherever life is becoming larger in the vision that directs it and richer in its fruitage, the improvement is traceable to the Bible and to the influence of the God and Christ of whom the Bible tells.” Is it not clear that the Bible should have first place in our hearts and in our study? All answer, Yes. What we need is power to help us make it so. To help our young people (and all others who desire) to become more familiar with the Bible, the Bible Year Course has been planned. Week by week assignments will be made in the Instructor, together with short introductions to the books of the Bible and a few helpful notes. This will begin in the Instructor of January 5. We appeal to our parents, adult church members, ministers, and workers to present to our young people the great value of the plan. And a good way to promote the plan is to adopt it yourselves. A Special Day of Prayer
By M. E. K.
THIS number of the REVIEW will find our people in the midst of the week of prayer. It can be truly said that never have we observed so important a week of prayer. The leaders of our General and North American Division Conferences, in their fall council, felt so solicitous in regard to the salvation of our young people that they appointed one day of the week of prayer, Friday, December 18, as a special day of prayer for our youth. And let us remember that “prayer is power. Through prayer God does things which would not otherwise be done. When he says, If ye ask I will do, he clearly hints that if we do not ask there will be some lack of his doing. This is a great mystery, but it is also a great fact. . . . Christ, speaking of the friend who came at midnight for bread, said,20‘Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.’ Christ clearly teaches that some things which God does not give simply from the fact of being a God of grace and because he is our friend, he does give because of our importunity.” O church of the living God! is there anything more important than that we should now importune God for the outpouring of his Spirit upon our youth? Jesus in heaven, who when on earth said to Peter, “Feed my lambs,” will hear and answer. Then let us pray, and let us invite the young to give their lives to God. Missionary Volunteer Department
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| M. E. KERN |
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| C. L. BENSON |
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Assistant Secretary |
| MATILDA ERICKSON |
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N. Am. Div. Secretary |
| MEADE MACGUIRE |
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N. Am. Div. Field Secretary |
Ministerial Reading Course
By W. E. H.
WILL all who have completed the reading of the three books in the course for 1914 please send in their reports on these books if they have not already done so? All who have not yet completed the reading may send in their reports, with brief estimates of the book, as soon as the reading is finished. It is our plan to issue credit cards for 1914, showing the books read. We shall begin sending these out January 1, and desire all the reports possible to be in by that date. All who receive credit cards for 1914 will be regarded as charter members of the Ministerial Reading Course. We should like to see our charter list include every one who has been reading on the course the past year. Our new course for 1915 is now ready. The reading recommended by the General Conference Committee is as follows:— “Medical Science of Today,” by Wilmott Evans, M. D., 324 pages. The magazine Christian Education, to be used for promoting and supplementing the course. “Gospel Workers,” the new book by Mrs. E. G. White, about 500 pages. “The Minister as Shepherd,” by Charles Edward Jefferson, 229 pages. “History of the Ancient World,” by George Stephen Goodspeed, 483 pages. These books are arranged above in the order in which they should be read. The first book, “Medical Science of Today,” was adopted in harmony with an action of the autumn council that we include a book on medical science to be recommended by the Medical Department. The author of the book says: “The object of this book is to give a simple explanation of some of the main principles on which are based the medicine and surgery of the present time. It has been written for non-medical readers.” Among the chapter headings are found these: “Causes of Disease,” “Germs,” “Immunity,” “Vaccination,” “Diagnosis,” “Arrest of Hemorrhage,” “Malaria,” “Rôle of Insects in the Production of Disease,” “Industrial Diseases,” “Medicine of the Future.” The book is illustrated, and bears date of 1912. The magazine Christian Education, as the organ of the General Conference Department of Education, will be used to promote and supplement the course. It will contain notes of progress, reading notes, comments, citations, illustrations, to accompany the course, as also items of interest from readers and articles on the improvement of the ministry. “Gospel Workers” will be a revision and enlargement of the old book by that name. Those who are familiar with the old book know how great an uplift it was toward efficiency in gospel labor. There is good reason to believe this one will be still better. “The Minister as Shepherd” is by the author of a valuable series of books, such as “Quiet Hints to Growing Preachers” and “The Character of Jesus.” The book is highly spiritual, and presents the shepherd idea in Scripture and history, and the minister-shepherd’s work, opportunity, temptations, and reward. “History of the Ancient World” presents in attractive, authoritative style the history of a period which, without the genius of its author, might be rather dry, but a period which is of deep interest to the Bible student. It gives a “Preliminary Survey” to each historical epoch, numerous maps, diagrams, and illustrations, and a good bibliography for supplementary reading, bringing the history down to the time of Charlemagne, A. D. 800. Through the interested cooperation of the Review and Herald, the Department of Education is able to make excellent terms on the reading matter for 1915, as follows:— OFFER ONE.—To all who send cash for the year’s reading in one order, we will send the four books and the magazine for $5, postpaid. If ordered separately, the total cost will be $6.40. OFFER TWO.—To all who prefer to order in two installments, we will send “Medical Science of Today,” the educational magazine, and “Gospel Workers” for $3; and “The Minister as Shepherd” and “History of the Ancient World” for $2.50; a total of $5.50. This is a reduction of 90 cents from the cost if ordered separately. In order to become a member of the Ministerial Reading Course, send in your name and address for registration, and your order for the reading matter as explained above. Members are asked to report on each book when finished, giving a brief estimate of its value to the reader. Registration blanks will be sent to all members of the course for 1914, and to all others on request. Address all orders and all correspondence to General Conference Department of Education, Takoma Park, D. C. Among the Schools
By F. G.
A RECENT visit to our schools in New England and Canada revealed a very encouraging condition of the school work in this part of the country. South Lancaster Academy has the largest enrollment that it has ever had at this time of year, and this is the more remarkable owing to the fact that on account of the war many of the factories in the portion of the United States from which the students of this academy come are closed. South Lancaster Academy is continually strengthening its work. The fine normal school building which has been erected and equipped during the last two years is a great addition to the work of the school. The new physical and chemical laboratories greatly strengthen this phase of the work. There is a spirit of progress and thrift manifested throughout all that pertains to the school. At Williamsdale, Nova Scotia, we found the work in a very flourishing condition. The class work being conducted is strong and thorough. The spirit in the school is a most commendable one. Already there has been a large baptism, and there is a noticeable spirit of industry and sobriety on the part of the students. The farm has produced well this past year, and there is every evidence that the school will make a good financial showing as the result of this year's work. And here, again, this is the more commendable in view of the fact that the war conditions have prevented a number of students from attending the school. The people in this part of Canada have reason to be grateful for this good school. The union conference school for the Eastern Canadian Union is at Oshawa, Ontario. It is very beautifully situated on about 235 acres of excellent farming and grazing land. The building is on an elevation overlooking Lake Ontario, the city of Oshawa, and a fine reach of farm lands. It is excellently adapted to its work, provision being made for separate dormitories for the young men and women, as well as for the classrooms. The outlook for this school is indeed a bright one. The Fernwood Academy, located at Quaker Bridge, N. Y., has a full complement of students, and the same earnest spirit is found here as in our other schools. The accommodations for the school at this place are inadequate to the demands made upon it. The dormitory provisions have not been sufficient for the enrollment this year, and it has been necessary to place students in homes in the vicinity. These schools, which we have visited, seem to be in keeping with the reports which we are receiving from our schools throughout the North American Division. There is a large increase in attendance, and a splendid spirit of consecration. J. L. SHAW General Secretary E. GRIGGS N. Am. Div. Secretary W. E. HOWELL N. Am. Div. Asst. Secretary