Earlier text: Nearer, My God, to TheeNorfolk Island
By A. H. Ferris
WE have been encouraged and stimulated by the visit of Brother and Sister C. H. Parker, who were followed on the next boat by Brother and Sister S. W. Carr. Our little company here had been in expectancy for a long while, and gladly welcomed the visitors. We have had quite a good attendance on Sunday nights to hear Brother Parker; and on Sabbaths his direct appeals to the members of the church have had a good effect. The Spirit of the Lord has drawn graciously near to us, and on the occasion of Brother Sidney Nobbs's ordination as deacon, quite a good impression was made throughout the entire island, many expressing themselves as desirous of attaining higher ground. We have been busy holding cottage meetings in the different homes, several new homes being opened to us. We are also holding meetings in a hall, which are well attended. We pray that the Lord will bless the efforts put forth, and that precious souls will be added to his commandment-keeping people. Our young people's working class is still progressing, quite a number coming to learn painting, etc., in aid of missions. We have studies on present truth with these young people, and trust that the seed sown may yet have good effect. Our cooking class is still attended by the prominent women of the island. We give health lectures on these occasions, which are well received. Brother Carr will help in this while he remains here. Our children have quite interesting meetings on Sunday afternoons, reporting their weekly missionary work, such as tract distribution, visits, Christian Help work. We endeavor to teach them Bible principles in Bible-story form, encouraging them to discuss the story. The weather has been dry, and the mission live stock has suffered somewhat. Our water-supply became almost exhausted, but good rains have fallen, freshening up the grass, and filling our17tanks. We thank the Lord for answering our prayers. There is much sickness on the island. Two members of our church are seriously ill. Brother Carr is in demand, and quite busy giving treatments. The work on Lord Howe Island is hopeful. I visited there in December, and had a number of meetings and studies, and left a good interest. I am returning again now, to try further to develop the interest. I ask your prayers on behalf of this work. On board the "Makambo" on Sunday evening I secured the captain's permission to hold a meeting in the saloon. Quite a number came together. The Lord helped me, and a good interest was manifested as I gave a study on the history of the world in prophecy, hanging my charts on the port-hole curtains. Several expressed themselves as seeing something that they had never seen before, and I am sure the impression was good. I had opportunity to distribute literature the next day. May God bless all our workers, and water the seed sown. We are all well and of good courage. Progress of the Message in Chile
THE following extracts are taken from Elder F. H. Westphal's address at the session of the Chile Conference recently held in Santiago:— "I can say with Samuel, 'Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.' We have plain evidence that the Lord has been in the work from the beginning in Chile. "About eighteen years have passed since the first laborers came to this country from the United States. They labored under great difficulties, yet from the very first the Lord gave success to his cause. Brother F. W. Bishop is with us still, helping to forward the work in its present stage. Brother Thomas Davis worked faithfully until the time of his death, Nov. 28, 1911. With the banner of truth in his hands, and with a profound interest until the end, he died in the first line of battle. He was director of the colporteur work. We believe Brother Davis will be in the kingdom to meet his loved ones, and that his crown will contain many bright stars to make it beautiful. "According to the treasurer's report, there was a gain last year in tithe of $520, and in Sabbath-school offerings of $270. "The membership has increased during the past year, so that now we have 463 church-members [394 members being reported in 1910]. "We praise the Lord for the prosperity that has attended us. Now we need to attack the enemy with more energy. There are left Conception, Valdivia, Punta Arenas, Nutafagasta, and many other cities that need to be evangelized with the message of the third angel. "The colporteurs have worked with courage, and have covered a large territory. They have placed many thousands of pages of books, papers, and tracts in the hands of the people. The preachers have worked without ceasing to plant the truth among the people. The members of the churches are firm in the faith, and are gaining souls for the Saviour. "Our school at Pua has also had a year of prosperity. Fifty-seven were enrolled during the past year. The school had to be closed two months on account of smallpox, but only two students had the disease." The Awakening South
By M. Bessie DeGraw
Forty years or more ago, the Lord, through the spirit of prophecy, called upon Sabbath-keepers of the United States to consider the great needs of their closest mission field, the Southern States. At that time this section lay broken and bleeding, apparently in a helpless and almost hopeless condition, as a result of the long struggle between the North and the South. But in that weakened condition, God saw the making of a great commonwealth to which this message must be given, and through which a mighty work might be done for other parts of the world. It is evident that Sabbath-keepers did not see in this field what their Lord saw; for they have been slow, very slow, about responding to the call. The Testimonies tell us that we have not done what we might have done. They tell us that hundreds of families should move South to live out the truth in places where the every-day life-work of the Christian will have a telling effect. The whole country is now awakening to the fact that the South is really alive, that it is a factor in history worth considering. Only recently one of the Washington, D. C., papers devoted an entire section to the educational and agricultural recovery of the South. The front page of that same issue made a most vigorous call to men and women of all classes and professions to come South to help in the general growth and prosperity. I would not argue that our people should use these methods, but certainly in this matter we have another illustration of the Saviour's words that children of the world are wiser in their generation than the people of God. Had our people given a hearty response to the call forty years ago, they might to-day be in the lead of this great Southern movement, and be recognized as the greatest missionary people in the world; for the men who to-day, in the educational conferences of the South, talk of the South's recovery are advocating the very principles of education,—free rural schools of an industrial nature,—the very system of education given us as a people forty years ago. A little work has been started in the South, but it is such a little work compared with what it should be! Now as educators are calling in clarion tones to all the country, "On to the South!" we should lift our voices and call aloud to Seventh-day Adventists everywhere, "Come South!" Have you read that farmers, mechanics, tradesmen of various sorts, men of extended education, and men of more limited education can each find a place in the South where his talent can be used, and better still, where his talent will increase? The South needs you. You also need the South, and the experiences which come as a result of pioneer work. Here, we are told, is the best training ground in all the world for foreign mission workers. The Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute, Madison, Tenn., is preparing workers for this field. Its young people receive a practical education that fits them to take a farm and make of it a school center, or to carry on medical missionary work, or to preach the gospel (every teacher should also be a preacher in the South), or to canvass, or to do city mission work. During the coming summer term—June 23 to August 31—unequaled advantages are offered those who desire a speedy preparation for self-supporting missionary work. Are you interested? Particulars will be sent upon request. Now seems to be the time for work in the South, and we all should cooperate to meet the situation. There is a time for everything under the sun. Now is the time to work the South. Triumphs in the Canvassing Field
By Walter Harper
I FEEL it indeed a privilege and a joy to recite how wonderfully the Master has blessed my efforts in Arizona. Nov. 27, 1911, I left my home in Loma Linda, Cal., for this field. Since that time I have delivered over $1,100 worth of books. This total does not include the helps and small books that I disposed of, such as "Ministry of Healing," "Coming King," and "Steps to Christ." By the grace of God I have just finished a new canvass, taking orders for more than $860 worth of books and helps to be delivered within the next few weeks. I have spent to-day (Sabbath) in fasting and prayer, seeking God's help in my coming delivery, and asking that the seed thus sown may bring forth fruit for the kingdom. By the latter part of May, I hope to return home for a much-needed rest. Remember the canvassers in your prayers. We need your help in this way. Tonga Islands
By G. G. Stewart
FROM Nukualofa, Tonga, Elder G. G. Stewart writes: "We have had a very hard gale since we have been here. One little girl spoke of it as 'half a hurricane.' None of us care to see the other half. The ground everywhere is strewn with green coconuts. Many trees were broken down; one of the large ones in our yard was broken off at the ground. Many natives' houses were blown over. We are glad that so little damage was done to the mission property. The bananas suffered a great deal, the outhouses are all down, the wash-house was moved off from its foundation, and one sheet of iron taken off from the veranda of the mission house; but we are thankful that greater damage was not done. The wind continued to blow very hard for two nights and one day. The weather is now pleasant. There was a long dry spell here, but plenty of rain fell just after we arrived, so things are looking well." Work, Not Worry
By Phillips Brooks
HERE is my work to do, not to worry over. My work, I say; but if I can know that it is not my work, but God's, should I not cast away my restlessness, even while I work on more faithfully and untiringly than ever? — Phillips Brooks. Christian Liberty
By Editor
Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of the Rights of Conscience
Conducted by the Religious Liberty Bureau
W. W. PRESCOTT - - - - - Secretary
S. B. HORTON - - - Corresponding Secretary Religious Liberty Work in California
At the recent session of the Pacific Union Conference, held in Los Angeles, Cal., March 21-26, considerable attention was devoted to the proposed religious liberty campaign in the State of California, and the following resolutions relating thereto were adopted:— "Whereas, There are organizations now uniting forces to establish by civil enactment a universal rule of religious confederacy; and,— "Whereas, The late adoption of initiative and referendum has brought to the people of California and Arizona the right of individual expression in this matter; and,— "Whereas, Many of the common people who will be called to vote upon the question have not studied the sure results to follow the adoption of such a proposition; therefore,— "3. Resolved, That we indorse the early production of literature suitable for general circulation, such as, (1) leaflets to be scattered like the leaves of autumn; (2) a pamphlet of the same nature, and perhaps a larger book, to sell at a small price, to be placed in the hands of those who circulate these leaflets, to enable the workers to meet expenses; and that the regulation of the production of this literature be entrusted to a permanent council, to be chosen by the conference committee for this purpose. "Whereas, The six weeks' Religious Liberty Series of the Signs of the Times, beginning May 21, filled with excellent matter, as it will be, is admirably adapted to enlighten the people regarding religious liberty and its meaning; therefore,— "4. Resolved, That we urge all our people within the California conferences to put forth special effort to give this series the widest possible circulation. "Whereas, The right of franchise has been granted to the women of California, and their aid is being solicited in behalf of the passage of a Sunday law at the coming November election; therefore,— "5. Resolved, That this conference be authorized to secure, as may seem consistent to its executive, the proper person or persons to organize and carry forward a vigorous campaign of religious liberty education among the various associations of women of the State of California, in preparation for the coming issue. "Whereas, The people of the back country districts of California are important factors in a political campaign; and,— "Whereas, Their judgment of the issues in question is largely based on special appeals to their preferences, without placing before them possible or probable counter-truths; therefore,— "6. Resolved, That we thoroughly instruct our people concerning the importance of this issue, and definitely district the territory; and that we give special attention to reaching the people of the back country districts with literature and by other means; and that certain workers in each local conference be assigned to the prosecution of this work, under the direction of the executive officers of the respective conferences. "For the instruction of the people in the centers of population, in the principles of religious liberty,— "7. We recommend, That competent speakers be sent to our larger cities to rally the people, and also to hold short institutes for the instruction of workers that can visit outlying districts with the message of truth. Where possible we suggest that street meetings be held. "8. We recommend, That in connection with these campaigns in behalf of religious liberty, persons who are qualified for it be secured and encouraged to prepare suitable matter for the public press. "Whereas, There is a possibility that in the coming campaign for religious liberty, emergencies will arise demanding quick action, which may involve considerable expense; therefore,— "9. Resolved, That the union conference committee be requested to appoint a council of six persons, so located as to be easily brought together, to act with the religious liberty secretary in preparing matter and in formulating plans for such occasions, and so save unnecessary embarrassment to that particular department of the work." Religious Instruction in the Public Schools
By Editor
IN the New York Times of April 7, 1912, there appeared a statement to the effect that ex-Controller Bird S. Coler had published two pamphlets in which he deprecated the elimination of sectarian religious teaching from public schools. Mr. Coler recommended that "the state take supervision of all schools, public and private, insist upon character and competence in instructors, and then pay each school upon a per capita basis for the secular education furnished." This proposal is in perfect harmony with what is demanded by the Roman Catholic hierarchy, and it has been defended by at least one Roman Catholic paper. In the Times of April 27, there appeared, in opposition to Mr. Coler's proposal, the letter which follows:— "To the Editor of the New York Times. "The Times to-day [April 29] quotes Bird S. Coler to the effect that the introduction into the schools of various kinds of instruction touching every-day life has excluded religious teaching. 'God was crowded out,' he says, and he attributes this result to the intrusion of the 'socialistic theory of state supervision.' Perhaps he is giving socialistic doctrines too much credit; perhaps the curtailment of religious indoctrination in the schools is due, in part at least, to a lingering respect for the Constitution and the secular ideal which gave to us the First Amendment to that great code of fundamental law; perhaps some of our educational authorities are not in Mr. Coler's company in wholly forgetting that the union of church and state is medieval, unjust, and dangerous. "If a Christian majority rightfully may tax minorities of Jews, Mohammedans, and freethinkers for the propagation of the specific dogmas of Christianity, why may not a majority of Catholics rightfully tax a minority of Methodists or Presbyterians for the propagation of the specific doctrines of Catholicism, or a majority of Baptists rightfully tax a minority of Catholics for the propagation of the specific tenets of the Baptist Church? "May one pertinently suggest without impertinence that Mr. Coler might do well to make a serious attempt to acquaint himself with the fundamental principles of secular justice?" The Cooperation Called for in Our Young People's Work
By A. G. Daniells
THIS hour is to be devoted to a study of the interests and needs of the young people in our ranks. I have been requested to state the ways by which all the factors of influence in our cause may cooperate in an earnest endeavor to win our young people to Christ, bind them19to this movement, and educate and train them for efficient service. This question is one of very great importance,—one that involves the well-being of our young people, the joy and courage of their parents, and the progress of our cause. Through the spirit of prophecy we are told that the Lord "calls for whole armies of young men and young women who are large-hearted and large-minded, who have a deep love for Christ and the truth, to enter his service." During the past three months I have visited many of our colleges, academies, and State schools; and as I have talked with the teachers and students of these institutions, the value of our young people as a great denominational asset has been greatly enlarged in my mind, and the importance of working for them has received new emphasis. I feel that we ought to give the welfare of our young people serious consideration. We ought to take them into our thoughts, our plans, and our prayers as we never have before. Many, I am sorry to say, are slipping away from us. I can not believe that this should be our experience. It seems to me that a message that has laid hold of the hearts of the parents of these children as this message has done, and has led them to give up their business positions and financial prospects, and has separated them from their old social and church associations, ought to hold their children whom they have brought up in the truth. Why should not a message that can move people from their old moorings and bring them into this movement, hold their children who have never had any other associations than those of our message? I believe it can. But I am afraid that in our great efforts to reach those who do not know this message, we have not been working as we should for those who are already with us. Then let us turn our hearts to our young people, and do all we possibly can to bind them to this cause. When we do this, I believe we shall hold them. Every earnest effort we put forth in this direction brings most encouraging results. While a revival was being conducted in one of our colleges, the teacher of the normal department came to me and requested me to hold meetings with the children in her department. I found the children very restless, and in my first meeting I could scarcely hold their attention. The next day it was but little better, and the teacher was much disappointed. The third day I suggested to the children that we have a season of prayer at the beginning of the meeting, and I requested them to keep as still as they could, and to pray with me that the Lord would help them to be good. I had not prayed long until those children began to weep and sob. I scarcely knew what it meant. When we arose from prayer, they continued weeping. I asked them if they did not want to give their hearts to God, and immediately a lad got up and said that he wanted to be good, and then turned to the teacher and asked her to forgive him for having made her so much trouble. One after another did the same. Finally, the teacher stopped them, and said: "Children, I don't want you to confess to me and ask my forgiveness; I want to confess to you and ask you to forgive me for not having loved you more in the past. This morning I love you so much that I can not remember that you have ever done anything wrong. Last night I prayed all night that God would save you." Before that meeting closed, every child took a stand to be a Christian. The Lord wrought a marvelous change in their hearts. The secret of that wonderful work was revealed by the teacher when she said that she loved them, and prayed all night for them. I believe that this is the secret of holding all our young people to our cause. We must love them, and pray and work for them. As I have looked upon the bright, active, ambitious young people in our schools, and have realized that they are now passing through the most critical period of life, it has greatly impressed me with the importance of doing earnest work for them just now, when they need help to form true ideals and to make right decisions. I wish here to state briefly some of the things which it seems to me would be a help to our young people:— 1. A study of their needs and interests by those of more mature years and experience. Our young people are not themselves able to judge of their most important needs and highest interests. The men and women who have passed the period of youth, and have come to the more sober experiences of life, are best qualified to judge and to give good counsel. It was this consideration that led to the creation of the Young People's Department. One of the great objects of this department is to give very careful study to the interests and needs of our young people, from the time they begin to grasp the meaning of things until they are finally located in permanent service. In the reorganization of our work, we have made many changes, and have set on foot important movements, but no other has given me the satisfaction that the creation of this Young People's Department has. I can not look upon our young people without having my heart greatly stirred. When I see how easy it is to turn from the right road into the wrong one; when I see the many allurements of the world; when I hear the sad wail from fathers and mothers at our camp-meetings, because their children have wandered from the cause, and hear their earnest pleas for us to pray for their return, I feel that the Young People's Department is one of the most important features of our work. In view of this important work, I appeal to conference officers, ministers, and church elders to take hold of it in hearty, active, positive cooperation. It should not require pressure from without to lead us to do all in our power to make the work of this Young People's Department effective. A realization of the worth of these souls should cause us to put forth most earnest endeavors to carry into effect the plans of the department. 2. Wise plans and practical movements to meet their needs. We must not only have a keen realization of the needs of the young people, but, like men seeking to rescue those who are in danger of perishing in some great disaster, we must do something of a practical character to meet their needs. It is not enough to stand on the seashore and feel sorry for people who are going down; we must throw out the life-line; we must launch the life-boat; we must do something to rescue them. It is not enough for us to talk about the needs of our young people. We must put forth heroic efforts to help them. I fear we are not awake to the importance of this matter. The denomination has endeavored to launch enterprises, which it has felt are necessary to save our young people and hold them to the cause. Literature has been provided. Courses of reading have been outlined. Plans have been formed to reach every young person in our ranks, but these must have the cooperation of the ministers of this denomination in order to be effective. There must be cooperation on the part of all our organizations and institutions,—schools, sanitariums, and publishing houses,—and of the parents as well. 3. Practical instruction on how to work for the young. It requires great wisdom to work effectively for young people. Neither old nor young can do this work without careful study. Many must be taught how to work; they can not accomplish much without instruction and training. We are endeavoring to give this help through the Young People's Department. 4. Unceasing efforts in their behalf. From some source there must continually be exerted a strong influence for unceasing effort in behalf of the young. I am sure that if all our ministers and conference officers would give their hearty support to these plans, urging our people to take them to heart, keeping them before our churches and especially the parents of our young people, we should see wonderful results. I believe that the great majority of our young people can be led to consecrate their lives to the Lord's work. 5. Placing before them true ideals of life and service. Here, then, is needed especially the cooperation of the ministry. Young people do not know what to choose for themselves. They need wise, careful direction in shaping their ideals. The great majority of them make wrong decisions simply because they are not instructed regarding the right course to pursue. Our Young People's Department was organized to place before the thirty thousand young people in our denomination right ideals, right incentives, right purposes; and it greatly needs the cooperation of all our ministers and parents. It is worth everything to a boy to have a man in whom he has confidence place before him right ideals. Who can do that work as well as the minister to whom the young look for good counsel? 6. Wise and firm direction to their energies. It is not repression of their activities that young people need, but direction. A good supply of energy which manifests itself in constant activity is a precious gift from God. It is needed for the accomplishment of things, and should be fostered and trained. But how many attempt to repress the activities of the young instead of making earnest efforts to direct them wisely. The young people's department is making every effort to both stimulate and direct the energies of our young men and women, and we earnestly desire the cooperation of all our workers. 7. Training, while young, in the Master's service. If we would lead our young people to love to work for Christ, we should teach them how to work while they are young. There is no better way of binding our youth to the cause of God than to get them to work for others.20Earnest endeavors to save others have a reflex action. Our young people who are working earnestly to lead others to Christ are not wandering away from the fold. Twenty years ago I baptized a company of children in the Adelaide church, in South Australia. Before leaving them I organized a young people's band for the purpose of training these youth to work for the Lord. I think there were ten or twelve in the band. They were all young — from ten to fifteen years of age. We organized for work, and gave every one something to do. I was surprised to see how cheerfully and actively all took hold of the work. Every time I visited this church, I would meet the band and hear their reports, and give them all the encouragement and instruction I could. It is a great satisfaction to me now after twenty years have passed, to know that nearly every charter member of that band is in this message, and most of them are active workers, giving their lives to the advancement of this cause. Nothing we can do for our children and youth will bring such large and cheering results as faithful endeavor to train them in service while they are young. 8. Influencing them to enter school and lay a good foundation for their life-work. It is gratifying to know that there are more than twenty thousand of our children and young people receiving a Christian education in our denominational schools, yet there are thousands not in our schools who might be induced to enter them if they were counseled by our ministers and workers to do so. This should not be done in a merely professional way. It is not always necessary to call a meeting for the purpose of talking on the subject of education, to impress upon our young people the need of attending our schools. The strongest influence we can exert over them is to talk with them personally and privately. One great object of our Young People's Department is to create a desire on the part of our young people to secure an education for successful work in the cause of God. The cooperation of our ministers and parents in this work is greatly needed, and will place thousands of our young people in our schools who are now letting the years go by without securing the education they so much need. 9. Locating them in permanent service. We must not stop when we have induced our young people to enter our schools. We must not cease our efforts on the day of their graduation. It is then that they must decide what they are to do in the future, and we must help them to make right decisions. Ministers should take an interest in locating these young people in permanent work for God. Conference committees should make every possible effort to open the way for them. It is safe to say that hundreds of our young people who have left our schools, have turned to some commercial enterprise because there seemed to be no place for them in the Lord's work. These considerations make a strong appeal to the union and local conference organizations to cooperate with the General Conference in its endeavors to help our young people; they appeal to ministers and church officers to join the local, union, and General conferences in this great work; they appeal to the managing boards of our schools, sanitariums, and publishing houses for hearty cooperation; and they appeal to us all to put forth new endeavors in behalf of the young people of this denomination. Church Missionary Work
By Editor
Suggestive Program for Fourth Sabbath Service
SONG: "Christ in Song," new edition, No. 622. READING: "The Cooperation Called for in Young People's Work," by A. G. Daniells. SONG: "Christ in Song," No. 693. SYMPOSIUM: "What the Young People's Society Has Done for Me." READING: Letter from conference Missionary Volunteer secretary. RECITATION: "The Call of the Hour," by C. M. Snow. READING: "For Such a Time as This," by M. E. Kern (this article is in the Youth's Instructor of May 14). SONG: "Christ in Song," No. 480. (Not to be read publicly). Sabbath, May 25, appointed by the General Conference Committee as Young People's day, should be a great blessing to your church. The work to receive special consideration at that time is an important one, and grows more and more interesting as it spreads over the world, gripping the hearts of thousands of young people and leading them forth in Christian service. The readings on the program for Young People's day should be assigned as early as May 18. The symposium can be presented impressively by having the paragraphs read by different individuals. Do not feel that all the paragraphs must be used in your meeting; select only six or eight for public reading. As the symposium refers to various phases of the Missionary Volunteer work, it may be well to mention here that the Standard of Attainment membership is about 250, and is growing steadily. About 2,000 young people in this country are members of the Reading Courses. This year 25,000 Morning Watch Calendars were circulated. That is more than four times as many as were sold for 1908.