To His disciples Jesus said, when He appeared to them walking on the water, “It is I; be not afraid.” And when they heard His voice and knew that it was their Lord and not a strange apparition that was coming to them, their fears vanished, and their hearts went out to Him in joyful welcome.
The disciples were not afraid, because they knew Jesus. They were His followers; they had been often in His company, had shared His experiences, and had espoused His doctrine and principles. To them the presence of Jesus had ever been their assurance of peace and safety; His word to them had ever been, “Be not afraid.” To strangers the assurance, “It is I,” would have brought no comfort.
This same Jesus was crucified, rose from the dead, and ascended to the throne of God; and this same Jesus shall come again, “in power and great glory,” attended by the hosts of heaven, to judge the earth in righteousness. A fire shall devour before Him, and all peoples of the earth shall wail in terror at His coming. The earth itself shall reel to and fro like a drunken man, and shall quake at the sound of His voice. Out of His mouth shall go a sharp sword that shall smite the nations, and He shall seize the kingdoms of the world, and “dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” He shall tread the “wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” On earth shall be heard a universal cry to the rocks and mountains, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne!”
It is the same Jesus that spoke to the troubled disciples on the Sea of Galilee; and to all who know Him the same word will come: “It is I; be not afraid.” The trouble with the wicked will be that they know Him not. They have never made His acquaintance. They have never cared for His company. Their hearts have not responded to His words. He is to them a strange Being, and the words, “It is I,” if He should utter them then, would only add to their terror. He is the last person the world will wish to behold.
But the followers of Christ know Him, and they know His power. They have become acquainted with that power in their salvation from sin. They have experienced God’s exceeding “power to us-ward, . . . which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead.” The power of God has been their salvation; and therefore, when they see that power shown in tossing hills and mountains through the air and shaking the heavens and the earth, they will not be terrified. They will know it is the same power to which they owe their deliverance from Egyptian bondage. As the plagues sent upon Egypt were to the Israelites but joyful tokens of coming freedom, so will the judgments of God at the last day be to the saints the tokens of God’s working in their behalf, and the coming consummation of their hopes.
All who will now become acquainted with Jesus, will know Him as the unfailing source of their joy, comfort, and safety. To all such He will be what He was to His disciples that stormy night on Galilee. He will be this to them at all times, for He is always the same, “yesterday, and to-day, and forever.” Therefore it is of paramount importance to all of us to become acquainted with Him now. Then we shall be acquainted with Him in the day of His coming; and it will be worth everything to us to know Him then. “Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace.” Then there will be peace between you and Him in the day of Judgment. L. A. S.
A GOOD RATING.
By A. J. B.
To protect themselves from irresponsible buyers, most merchants keep within easy reach what is known as a book of “retail reports,” or “book of rating,” in which may be found the name and business record—in brief, to be sure—of every customer in the county. These rating books are published by commercial companies who make it a business to visit every merchant and secure from him the name of every customer, together with his credit standing.
So thorough is the work done by these companies that it is possible for any merchant who rents a rating book for his county to have furnished to him “special reports on any customer, prospective customer, or newcomer to the county,” whether he be a farmer or a city resident.
Certain letters and figures indicate not only whether an individual is good for credit or bad for credit, but also whether he is prompt or slow, or whether he can be trusted for a large or a small amount of credit. For example, the letter “A” after a man’s name indicates that said individual is “prompt pay and good for large credit;” the letter “B,” that he is “prompt pay and good for moderate credit;” the letter “C,” that he is “prompt pay and good for small credit.”
When a name is followed by “L,” it means that the person is “slow to pay but good for large credit;”590when it is followed by “M,” it indicates that in his business deals he has been “slow pay but good for moderate credit;” while “S” means “slow pay but good for small credit.” The worst rating of all is indicated by the letter “X,” which means that those who have dealt with the individual “cannot recommend credit.” What is called a “large” credit ranges from $200 to $500; a “moderate” credit, from $50 to $200; and a “small” credit, from $5 to $50. It often happens that two or more letters follow a name, according to the number of merchants with whom the person has traded. Should two, three, or five merchants report the same thing concerning an individual, the figure 2, 3, or 5, as the case might be, is found after the letter indicating his rating.
It is known that heaven has at least two books of rating. In John’s description of the Judgment day (Revelation 20) it is written that “the books were opened.” Then it says that “another book was opened, which is the book of life;” and again, that “the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” Doubtless the records kept by the merchants of earth often coincide, in their estimate of honesty or dishonesty, with those faultless ratings kept by our guardian angels.
He who is faithful in his accounts with God and with man, need have no fear of the second death nor of the Judgment day. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Daniel, all had a good rating in God’s sight. Of Abraham God could say, “I know him.” The record of Daniel’s business dealings was such that even his enemies at court, “the presidents and princes,” who in their envy “sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom,” “could find none occasion nor fault.” His rating was perfect. It is essential for every Christian to have a good rating, both in the books of earth and in those above which will be opened at the last day. A. J. B.
WHY DOCTORS DRUG.
By A. J. B.
It is gratifying to note that of late years some honest doctors are beginning to come to their senses regarding the harmful and cruel practice of administering drugs for every human ailment. A few of these reformers are endeavoring to counter-educate the people, and to turn the tide against the promiscuous use of drugs. Nature alone is the true restorer, and if unencumbered with those poisons, will be able to throw off the disease.
In a recent address made before the British Medical Association, Dr. James F. Goodhart, an eminent English authority on medicine, answered the question, “Why do we give drugs?” by saying that drugs are often given, “not because the disease demands it, but because the patient is not happy till he gets it,” and that “the drugs are sometimes given to hide our ignorance or to mark time while we watch and wait; they are given sometimes as a gambler on the Stock Exchange speculates in ‘futures.’”
How long will patients permit themselves to be thus experimented upon? Common sense should teach any sick person that by taking a drug, he is introducing into his weakened system another disease, which nature will be obliged to throw off, or overcome, before recovery can ensue. There is no short-cut road back to health, through the use of drugs. It generally takes about as long to really cure a disease as it does to contract it.
All that drugs can possibly do is to cut off the line of communication from the seat of pain or disease, to the brain. But to think that they actually cure or remove the cause of any disease, is as foolish as it would be for the inhabitants of any country to imagine themselves rid of an invading army simply because they had cut all the telegraph wires. Drugs are liars. They tell the brain that everything is all right, whereas the disease itself is there all the time. Trust only nature’s simple restoratives.
A. J. B.
Editorial Notes.
By L. A. S.
PUT sinners into a paradise, and they would not rest satisfied until they had converted it into a hell. Hell is the natural choice of the carnal mind, hence the existence of such a place cannot be blamed on the Almighty. The Lord gives the wicked only what they choose, and adds death to it to make their choice more tolerable.
JESUS CHRIST is the Tree of Life to which the descendants of Adam have had access since the expulsion from Eden.
THE Lord wills that we should be “strengthened with all might,” but not that we may exhibit it for our own glory, but only that we may manifest it “unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness.” We need not ask the Lord for strength unless we are willing to meet trials. The strength of the Almighty must be exercised according to the will of the Omniscient.
IT was in the fiery furnace that the three Hebrew captives met with One who was “like the Son of God,” and had the most blessed experience of their lives. That meeting made the fiery furnace the best place they were ever in. And so may we, if we have living faith, meet God in the furnace of “fiery trial.”
BECAUSE the devil leads his captives with a loose rope, they imagine they have great freedom; but they are at liberty to go only where the devil wants them to.
THE service of the Lord is not slavery, but the only thing that frees man from slavery. The Lord will have no one in heaven who does not possess perfect freedom to do as he pleases. L. A. S.
“CHRISTIAN SCIENCE” NONENTITIES.
By L. A. S.
According to an authority on the doctrines of “Christian Science,” Mr. Alfred Farlow, of the “First Church of Christ, Scientist,” Boston, Mass., who is quoted in the Literary Digest of August 24, evil is a “nonentity.” “It is an error,” he declares, “to believe that sin, which is not of God, is an entity.” He also quotes Mrs. Eddy, the leader and chief authority in this new “science”; hence the truth of Mrs. Eddy’s statement, “To believe sin is real, is itself sin.” Disease, being an evil, is likewise held to be a nonentity. Hence when a person is sick, he is not sick, etc.
“To believe that sin is real, is itself sin,” we are authoritatively informed. But if sin is unreal, any belief which would be sin must be unreal, hence there could be no real belief that sin is real. And if all evil is imaginary, it can make no possible difference whether one believes sickness to be imaginary or not; his belief can be only good if it is real, since all evil is unreal. Thus “Christian science” simply contradicts itself.
But “Christian science” makes nonentities of other things besides sin and sickness. It quotes the text in I John—“All unrighteousness is sin”—in justification of its teaching, but it never quotes that other definition of sin given in John’s epistle—“Sin is the transgression of the law.” This is a Scriptural declaration that sin is real—very real indeed. It is as real as the law of God. But if sin is unreal, the law of God is unreal. It is one of the nonentities set forth by this teaching. Nor does “Christian science” inform us to the contrary. It does not present before us the claims of the decalogue. It devotes no time to lifting up before the world this great standard of righteousness. It spends no time telling of human accountability before God. Likewise it dispenses with the Judgment; this becomes an unreality, together with sin and the law. It is another addition to the list of “Christian science” nonentities.
The list might be further extended, but this will suffice. What authority is it that thus seeks to do away with the law of God and the Judgment? What cause is being served by this teaching? We become suspicious of the source of these doctrines. We know a power which is openly at war with the law of God; which proclaims that it has been done away, has been changed, etc. Must not this new attack on the law emanate from the same source? Must it not be the product of the same mind, sent out into the world to serve the same evil cause? We cannot reasonably come to any other conclusion. This is the earmark of all that which comes from the evil one. But that which is from God magnifies His law and makes it honorable. L. A. S.
THE DEFINITE SABBATH DAY.
By L. A. S.
As regards the necessity of a definite weekly Sabbath day, it is said by those who adhere to the observance of Sunday:—
“Some one day in the week must be chosen, and all men must abide by that day. . . . Business would be in a state of utter confusion, and many would suffer if the adherents of different religions were to select different days of rest.”
Was it not necessary, then, that the Sabbath appointed by the Lord for all the world should be a definite day of the week? And did He not set apart a definite day? Has He not as much wisdom as man has to discern what is necessary to the prosperity and convenience of His own creatures? Men pretend to think that the Creator’s Sabbath is an indefinite day,—merely any one day in seven,—but out of their own mouth they are convicted of dishonesty. They never contend for an indefinite Sabbath day save when in search of something to justify them in disregarding the definite seventh day. Every “Sabbath law” that men have devised specifies a definite day to be observed, and the indefinite seventh-day theory is never allowed a grain’s weight in the courts of law. No intelligent man really believes in it or ever offers it for any purpose but to serve the ends of sophistry. L. A. S.
CALVARY
By T. Whittle
T. WHITTLE.
(Brisbane, Australia.)
How strange and solemn are the scenes
On Calvary displayed;
How deep and sacred are the themes
By them to man conveyed.
From Sinai’s majestic peak,
Deep, threatening thunders roll;
They all with awful voices speak
Fear to the guilty soul.
But there on Calvary, behold
The vengeful lightning fall;
True to His covenant of old,
Christ bears the sins of all.
There in the sinner’s place He stands,
Though pure and sinless He,
Nailed to the cross with outstretched hands,
The soul’s deep need, the plea.
What wondrous grace is there revealed!
What blessings there bestowed,
Since the first sinful soul was healed,
And lost its heavy load!
There Love, in glorious sacrifice,
Its consummation wrought,
Higher than human mind could rise,
Beyond angelic thought.
And shall that token from on high,
That pledge, be given in vain?
Will man with cold, unfeeling eye,
Pass by in proud disdain?
Nay! let the earth, and sea, and sky,
The glorious heavens above,
And all that dwell within them vie,
Confessing Jesus’ love.
Let Jesus’ name exalted be:
Earth has no sweeter sound;
Heaven’s deepest, richest harmony,
In Jesus’ name is found.
SOUTH AFRICA.
By J. V. Willson; Mrs. J. V. Willson
KIMBERLEY.—Since our last report, we have had a varied experience. After the siege of one hundred and twenty-four days, our creditors began pressing us for payment of accounts. Just as we were at the last extremity, the South African Conference came to our rescue, and relieved us of all the debts. Then we thought we were happy. To be sure, our rooms were inadequate, or poor, but we decided we could make them do. The Lord thought otherwise. He sent a tremendous rain of twenty-four hours' duration, which wet up our soft walls; and then followed a two weeks' rain, which finished the walls. We had to either take them down or let them fall, so we went at it without any money, but rich in faith. In digging for new foundations, we found about forty diamonds, which helped pay expenses. The people have contributed about $2,000, and soon we will have a good set of bath and treatment rooms—good solid sides of hard brick, new iron roof, tile floors, and hard-finished walls.
It has been remarkable how the Lord has helped us. We went to the Hon. C. J. Rhodes, the uncrowned king of South Africa, and he gave us $500. The diamond dealers have each given $125, the town council $250, and many of the people of influence have helped us liberally. The other day we needed $200 to pay help, and had only $15. We asked the Lord to direct us to the right men, and started out. The first man gave us $26, the next $250, the next $52, another $52, and another $26, making $406 in all. We hope soon to be in a position to do a good work here.
Sister Amelia Webster, from Franklin Co., N. Y., is with us, giving Bible readings, visiting the sick, and giving treatments. Her work is a great help to us. The Lord is very near us. We see much work to do, and are happy in doing it. The leading people of the town are getting much interested in our work—more so than ever before. We hope to hold that interest and increase it. Our courage is good. MR. AND MRS. J. V. WILLSON.
COLORADO
By Geo. O. States
HOTCHKISS AND PAONIA.—In company with Brother William Kennedy and my wife and daughter I began tent-meetings in Hotchkiss, June 15. We continued meetings nearly every night until July 21, with scarcely any interest. One sister, who had accepted the truth through the faithful labors of the Crawford church, was baptized and united with that church.
July 26 we began tent-meetings at Paonia, which is in one of the finest fruit valleys in the State. We held meetings nearly every night until August 25. Soon after we came here, Brother Kennedy left to assist in preparations for the camp-meeting. During all my work here I received much help from Brother C. A. Frederick, the editor of the Paonia Gazette. Sabbath, the 24th, was a good day, and at the close of a practical talk I organized a class of ten members. The following Sunday we repaired to the river, where five dear souls followed their Lord in the ordinance of baptism. Others will go forward in this rite later.
On account of the fruit fair and the extremely busy time, it was thought best to discontinue the meetings for a few weeks. I never saw people more willing to take hold of the testing points of our truth. One brother, who had used tobacco since a child, went to the Lord for strength, and to His praise the appetite was taken away. Gold rings were willingly taken off. Brother and Sister Frederick, who have been here for about a year, feel much encouraged over the results of the work, and I expect to return after camp-meeting to hold services in the surrounding schoolhouses.
I have remembered our good REVIEW, and have secured three yearly subscriptions for it, and one each for the Signs, Good Health, and Echoes.
GEO. O. STATES.
THE OKLAHOMA CAMP-MEETING.
By R. C. Porter
This meeting was held, according to appointment, at Enid, a town in the strip that was opened eight years ago. It is a beautiful little city of about three thousand inhabitants, composed mostly of Northern people. The camp was located in a beautiful square where a public school building is soon to be erected. It was easy of access from the residence portion of the city, and the attendance was good. Some inconvenience was experienced in the preparation of the camp on account of the delay of freight. The tents, books, and other necessary supplies were shipped from Oklahoma City, via El Reno Junction. On account of the recent opening, and the heavy exports of wheat, there was a perfect blockade of freight. In spite of all efforts that could be made, the children's tent and about half a dozen family tents were all that could be obtained for the first two days of the meeting. It was refreshing to see with what good cheer women slept out of doors on the ground, praising the Lord for the privilege of attending a camp-meeting under such favorable circumstances. About 5 P. M. on Friday the first shipment of tents (minus the poles) reached the grounds. Within two and one-half hours the large pavilion was up and seated, and the cotton city was in readiness to welcome the Sabbath with a praise service.
There were about six hundred camped upon the grounds. Most of the campers came with teams. The long, dusty, fatiguing journey, with so many changes of water, caused sickness in the encampment, and the Drs. Paulson, with their faithful nurses, were kept busy every day, and sometimes at night, answering calls for relief. They even went sixteen miles into the country to answer an urgent call. Through it all there was no serious illness, and best of all, no murmuring. Dr. Paulson's lectures on the principles of physical righteousness, and both physical and spiritual preparation for the coming of Christ, were favorably received both by citizens and by those encamped. Sister Paulson's women's meeting, in which she gave lessons on hygiene in the home, simple treatments, and healthful dress, were highly appreciated. Professors Lewis and Giddings and Elder Spicer labored effectively in the interests of the Sabbath-school, the educational work, and the young people's work. Five church schools will be started, and about a dozen students will attend Keene Academy. Brethren Philips and Nordyke, assisted by Elder Rees, did excellent work with the canvassers, thirty-six of whom will go into the field to carry the message to the people. Brother Caviness, the district auditor, was on the grounds. He is doing efficient work in his line. Elders Shultz and Westphal were in attendance from abroad to labor for the Germans; and Elders McReynolds, Rees, and Parmele, and the writer associated with the previously mentioned laborers, together with the Conference laborers, in the general interests of the work.
Eight churches were received into the Conference. Six of these were largely composed of Sabbath-keepers who had recently come from Kansas and other States. The book sales for the past year amounted to about ten thousand dollars. Collections upon the ground were as follows: For camp-meeting fund, $182.58; for charity fund, $29.63; foreign missions, $159.29. The campers were about equally divided between the German and the English, and one spirit characterized the work of all. The revival work was deep and spiritual, resulting in the baptism of thirty-nine candidates. Elder U. Dake was ordained to the gospel ministry. There was more personal work done in this meeting than I have usually seen, and the fruit was excellent. Elder Spicer's labors in this work were very much blessed to the salvation of souls. A deep interest was taken in plans to sell “Christ's Object Lessons.” Elder G. G. Rupert was elected president of the Conference, and some other changes were made in the officers.
On the whole, the meeting was one of the most spiritual I have ever enjoyed. The interest in the city was such that it was thought best to arrange for a few weeks' services. May much fruit result from the labor of the coming year in this new field.
R. C. PORTER.
MINNESOTA
MISS TILLIE STILLER has just completed a very successful book delivery at Fergus Falls. She is now at Alexandria, taking orders.
BETWEEN April 10 and Aug. 17, 1901, 1,900 orders for “Coming King” were taken in Minnesota.
KENYON AND HARTLAND.—On finding that the interest was mostly among English-speaking people, it was determined that I should spend some time with the scattered Sabbath-keepers in this vicinity, while Brother Hanson continued the work in English. We have a Sabbath-school of thirty-five children, besides some older members. There is a good prospect of having a church organized in the near future. August 12 I left Kenyon, and visited the church at592Hartland. I was glad for the privilege of meeting with them on Sabbath and Sunday. God came near with His Holy Spirit. I have had the privilege of calling on old acquaintances, who manifested quite an interest in the truth. On Wednesday evening I met with the church at Albert Lea.
Since leaving Kenyon I have taken fourteen orders for “Christ’s Object Lesson.” May the Lord bless the seed sown to the salvation of souls.
H. STEEN.
INDIA
By Luther J. Burgess
CALCUTTA.—I arrived safely in India, June 25. I came directly to Calcutta, and am working in the office. I have begun the study of the language, and at the same time find many good opportunities to work for English-speaking natives, of whom there are many. Am very busy at present, so I will only say, The Lord is greatly blessing me, and I am happy in His service. There is a great field here, and multitudes are hungry for the bread of life.
Pray for me, brethren, that the Lord may give me wisdom in my work. May the Lord bless you all. Grace and peace be with you; farewell.
LUTHER J. BURGESS.
GRAND CANE (LA.) CAMP-MEETING.
By A. H. King
The camp-meeting held at Grand Cane, La., August 15–24, was a success in every respect. Our brethren were greatly encouraged and instructed, also the public interest was excellent. This being a local camp-meeting, the attendance of our brethren was small, yet the results, under the blessing of God, were by no means insignificant.
Elders S. B. Horton and C. A. Watkins, who constitute our ministerial force in this State, were the only ministers present. The Lord certainly blessed His servants in preaching the word and in giving instruction. The crowds that came from the town and surrounding country, at night, listened with intense interest, from the beginning of each discourse, nor moved from their seats until the last song was sung and the benediction pronounced. At first, there was much prejudice against us, but this vanished like mist before the morning sun as the truths of God’s word were presented. The camp was of easy access to the town, and in a most delightful grove. It was well lighted and presented a beautiful appearance at night, the torches lighting up the large tent and camp, with the dense foliage of the woods for a background. As the beautiful songs of Zion were sung, and the clear tones of the preacher were heard, it reminded one of the words in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 70: “A great work is to be accomplished by our camp-meetings. The Lord has specially honored these gatherings, which He has called holy convocations.”
One feature of this meeting was the interest manifested by the children, who had been taught, at a church school at Marthaville, by Sister Dart. They were quiet, orderly, and intelligent, and took part in the social meetings. Another feature that made this occasion a success was the readiness of all the brethren and sisters to take part in testimonies and prayer.
The tent has not been taken down, and meetings are being continued with good interest. This is a fruitful but needy field—one which has been sadly neglected. How true the words of Jesus: “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” John 4:35. Only one small tent company in this large State, where there ought to be five!—and that one so poorly supported that at times they are cramped for means to obtain the necessities of life. The drought has cut short the crops. One teacher has given up a position in a public high school, at ninety dollars a month, to teach in one of our church schools, at fifteen dollars. Another has been teaching for seven dollars a month. Think of these sacrifices, brethren,—you who have means at command and money in the bank lying idle.
This is indeed a beautiful country, with a fine climate and great resources in timber and cheap lands, well adapted to raising early fruit and vegetables, all kinds of grain, and cotton, and for grazing. Manufacturing is in its infancy, and railroads are built or in process of building everywhere. There are good markets right at home. Who will come and engage in these enterprises, and with their means and personal labor help build up the waste places? I thank God my lot has been cast among this people.
A. H. KING.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CAMP-MEETING AND CONFERENCE.
By W. T. Knox
A large number of the brethren in southern California met in camp-meeting at Los Angeles, August 8-18. There are between nine and ten hundred Sabbath-keepers in this portion of the State, at least seven hundred of whom were in attendance. The camp was situated about four miles from the center of town, but was easily reached by two systems of electric cars. The attendance from the city was good throughout, and much interest was manifested by many.
In addition to the laborers in this field, there were present Mrs. E. G. White, Elders M. C. Wilcox and N. C. McClure, and the writer. Brother S. C. Osborn and Sister C. R. King, of the Pacific Union Conference, were also in attendance, in the interest of the publishing and the Sabbath-school work respectively. The truths presented received a hearty response from the people, and much of the blessing of God was realized. The last Sabbath morning upon the grounds, fully one hundred and fifty gave themselves to the service of God or sought a fuller consecration; a large number of this company were taking their first step toward the Lord, as evidenced in the baptismal service which took place the following day, forty-one being buried with Christ in the water. Other applicants were requested to await their return to the home churches.
Consideration was given to the sanitarium work for this section. It is evident that there is no more promising field for this work than in southern California, as many thousands come here every year from all parts of the country, most of whom are in search of health. While something has been done in the past in the establishment of a small sanitarium and a vegetarian restaurant, yet it is only a beginning. It was decided that immediate steps should be taken to secure suitable buildings and facilities to meet the demands of this field.
During the State meeting held at Oakland in June, action was taken looking to the organization of a Conference for the southern portion of the State. In the Los Angeles meeting, this organization was completed, and the following officers were elected: President, Clarence Santee; Secretary, C. A. Pedicord; Treasurer, Belle P. Baker. Executive Committee: Clarence Santee, R. M. Healey, R. S. Owen, M. C. Morgan, F. B. Moran, T. S. Whitelock, and Truman Sterling. The territory of this new Conference includes all that portion of California lying south of the Tehachapi and Santa Ynez mountains. As previously stated, its membership is about one thousand, found principally in thirteen churches and two unorganized companies.
During the meeting the needs of the South were presented, and one hundred and sixty dollars was given to the work in that needy field. About ninety dollars was raised for camp-meeting expenses.
It is hoped that under the new organization and with the blessing of God the work in southern California will rapidly grow, and that all enterprises connected with it may be abundantly prospered. The office and headquarters of the Conference will be 516 S. Hill St., Los Angeles. W. T. KNOX.
KENTUCKY
By Wm. Lenker
The work is onward here in the mountains, though the laborers are few in comparison even to Gideon's little army; but our God is the same now as in Gideon's time, and He can work with few or with many; the work is not hard when the Lord prepares the way before us. In this rugged land the Lord has precious souls awaiting the truth, which will become jewels to shine as bright gems in some laborer's crown. Will it be yours? Will it be mine? Jesus says, “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be;” and it is written, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Now it is high time to sow for eternity, for soon this blessed privilege will be ended. Sometimes the way seems hard and the path rough and steep; but it is so good, as a person looks over the past, to know that the hard places only drove him nearer to God. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Is it a good time now to lay the armor down?—No, indeed! We are admonished: “Let us not be backward now. That which is to be done in warning the world must be done without delay. Let not the canvassing work be left to languish. Let the books containing the light on present truth be placed before as many as possible.” I know by experience that now, right now, there is a good demand for our books. Since my last report I have been able to work only a few weeks, and have taken over four hundred dollars' worth of orders; and in a letter recently received from my fellow laborer, Brother A. H. Baker, he said that in about three days he had secured seventy-five dollars' worth of orders. Surely the Lord is in the work. Why not, fellow canvassers, take courage, and fight the good fight of faith, and push the battle to the front as never before? I as well as others would be most miserable if we should have to stop before the battle is won. I enjoy putting in good long days. At times there seems to be so much to do that I canvass on Sunday, and find it quite as good as other days.
Brother, sister, in this eleventh hour has our Saviour ever knocked at the door of your heart, and said, “Why stand ye here all the day idle?” Is it not sad to think that when the Lord crowns every intelligent, well-directed effort with success, there should be such a dearth of canvassers?—only one where there should be a hundred! Do the ninety and nine see Anakims and Goliaths in the way? Why, brethren, one shall chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight. Isaiah says: “Ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands;” and Jesus tells us, “My yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Yoke in with us, dear reader, and your rich experience will verify to your own soul the truthfulness of our Saviour's words, and if faithful, we shall have a glorious crown.
Wm. Lenker.
THE CHURCH-SCHOOL WORK IN THE NORTHWESTERN AND SOUTHWESTERN UNION CONFERENCES.
By C. C. Lewis
I was appointed educational secretary of the Northwestern and Southwestern Union Conferences in May, but was not able to enter upon the duties of the office till June 18. Since that time, I have attended camp-meetings in South Dakota, Manitoba, Arkansas, Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma. I also attended the Educational Council at Berrien Springs, Mich.
Everywhere I find a deep interest in the church-school work, and a willingness to co-operate in the establishment of schools. Minnesota and Dakota seem to have taken the lead in the work. Both Conferences have had church-school superintendents for two years, and both held institutes for their teachers last year. One superintendent said he did not know how to hold an institute; but it did not seem right to let the teachers enter upon their work without any special preparation, and so he called them together, and they spent a week in praying, studying the Testimonies, and counseling together in regard to the work. The result was that they went to their schools full of faith and courage, and were generally successful. Minnesota had about twenty-five schools, and Dakota six or eight.
The other Conferences whose camp-meetings I have attended have formed educational departments, consisting of the church school, Sabbath-school, and Young People’s Work, and have selected superintendents. This is in harmony with the recommendation of the last General Conference, and it seems as though it would be wise for all to conform to this plan. The Conference president cannot do everything. He will, of course, advance the educational interests wherever he goes, but there is a clear gain in setting another mind to work upon these questions. Such a man should, generally, be a member of the Conference Committee; and while he need not, in small Conferences, spend all his time in visiting schools and churches, he can do much by correspondence, and can give instruction and information at general meetings.
It may be of interest to mention the names and the addresses of the superintendents already chosen: Minnesota, E. C. Catlin, of Kenyon; formerly a railroad agent, two years at Union College, three years in public-school work. South Dakota, J. W. Beach, of Willow Lake; an old teacher, later a successful farmer; now gives up his farming operations for love of the church-school work. Arkansas, D. E. Huffman, of Springdale; school-teacher, year or two at Union College; some experience in ministry in Kansas and Arkansas; principal of Springdale school; in ministry half the year. Kansas, B. E. Huffman, 118 E. 5th St., Topeka; brother of D. E. Huffman; school-teacher; licentiate of Kansas Conference. Oklahoma, C. Sorenson, Box 202, Oklahoma City; ordained minister, graduate of Keene Academy, several years president of Sabbath-school Association.
These are all young men,—from twenty-five to thirty-five years of age, perhaps,—full of courage and zeal for the cause of God, and having had experience in school work and in the ministry. Under the blessing of God, how can the church schools fail to be greatly helped by their labors? The other Conferences I have not heard from; but will they not receive a hint from the character of the superintendents already chosen? And shall not the next few weeks witness the appointment of able superintendents in all the Conferences as the preliminary step toward a vigorous campaign this fall and winter?
And right here the greatest need is felt by all our people,—the need of some definite plan of organization. Each Conference—each school, it might almost be said—is going its own way, if going at all. Some fear to move because of the lack of organization. They are not satisfied merely to keep moving; they want to know where they are going. All are willing to co-operate if they can only see what to operate and how to operate. After receiving the invitation to take the oversight of the church-school work in these two great Union Conferences, one of the first thoughts that came to my mind was, How can the work be so unified that all will labor, at least in a general way, along the same lines, to the same end? And almost immediately the answer came, Prepare a manual for parents and teachers that will give practical instruction concerning courses of study, text-books, and methods of teaching. And this is what I have been doing while attending camp-meetings, and studying the situation. Such a manual is nearly ready. In a few days it will be in the printer’s hands. I have tried to make something which is practical and usable. Untried theories have been omitted. The assistance and counsel of experienced teachers have been obtained. The manual is arranged in four parts. The first part sets forth the principles of Christian education and the object of such an education; the second part shows how to apply these principles in the home training of children until they are old enough to enter the church school; the third part gives a course of study and text-books for church schools, and tells how to teach each subject in every grade; and the fourth part answers practical questions concerning discipline, support of schools, selection of teachers, etc., etc.
The price of this manual is twenty-five cents, and those living in the Northwestern or Southwestern Union Conferences may order from their respective tract societies; those outside of these Conferences may order direct from the writer, at College View, Neb.
C. C. LEWIS,
Educational Sec. N. W. and S. W. U. C.