There is a great host of weary men and women toiling on through life toward the grave, who most sorely need, just now, the cheering words and helpful ministries which we can give. The incense is gathering to scatter about their coffins; but why should it not be scattered in the hard paths on which their feet to-day are treading. The kind words are lying in men's hearts unexpressed, trembling on their tongues unvoiced, which will be spoken by-and-by, when these weary ones are sleeping; but why should they not be spoken now when they are needed so much, and when their accents would give such cheer and hope? The flowers are growing to strew on their graves; but why not cut them now to brighten dreary lives and dark paths?
Many a good man goes through life, plain plodding, living obscurely, yet living a true Christian life, doing many a quiet kindness to his neighbors and friends, yet seldom hearing a word of commendation or praise. The vases, filled with the incense of affection, are kept sealed. The flowers are not cut from the stems. One day you stand by his coffin, and there are enough kind things said to have brightened every hour of his life, if only they had been said at the right time. There are enough flowers piled upon his casket to have kept his chamber filled with fragrance all through his years, if only they had been sent day by day. How his heavy heart would have thanked God, if, in the midst of his toils, burdens, and struggles, he could have heard a few of the words of affection and approval that are now wasted on ears that hear them not! How much happier he would have been in his weary days if he had known how many generous friends he had! But, poor man! he had to die before the appreciation could express itself. Then the gentle words spoken over his cold form he could not hear. The love blossomed out too late.—J. R. Miller.
“THE SUN” A SEPTUAGENARIAN
On September 3 the New York Sun celebrated its seventieth anniversary, remarks the Christian Advocate. There were seven daily morning papers in existence when it began. The Journal of Commerce is the only one which survives. The Sun has had a diversified political career, but at all times for more than fifty years has been edited with unsurpassed ability, variety, and pungency. It was founded by a job printer from Springfield, Mass., named Benjamin H. Day. With his own hand he worked off several hundred impressions of the seven-by-ten-inch newspaper.
The day that paper was founded there were only one-hundred and eighty-three miles of railroad in operation in the whole United States; one clerk in the New York post-office distributed the Northern mail and the Eastern mail as fast as they came in, and also “the great Northern mail.” The price of the Sun was one penny. The other seven newspapers were sold at six cents a copy. Their entire edition amounted to about eighteen thousand papers a day.
The advertisements in the first copy were all bogus; that is to say, Day copied them from other newspapers, to impart a business-like look to his own little sheet. When he started the paper it was only to advertise his job office and recover some of the prosperity that he had lost in the hard times of the cholera year. The Sun is seven years younger than the Christian Advocate, which celebrated its seventieth anniversary on Sept. 26, 1896.
A RICH MAN.
One of Thoreau’s quaint sayings was, “A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone.” On this basis there surely never were such opportunities for wealth as at the present time, when we are surrounded by beautiful, attractive, and tempting objects which are freely bought and used by our neighbors and acquaintances. To be able to resist temptations to buy things which we are just as well off without, and to indulge in amusements and recreations which are not for our physical or moral well-being; to be able to limit ourselves in regard to creditable indulgences—these are evidences of a strong character. One of the first and most important lessons which the mother of to-day must teach her child is to let things alone. When the baby has learned to admire the pretty flowers without picking them, to see candy, fruit, or other things which he knows “taste good” without putting them in his mouth; when the child has learned not to do things simply because “the other boys and girls” do them—then he can be trusted to go out into the world alone, for he can resist temptation. When such a boy grows to manhood his wants will be so few, his desires will be so well under control, that he will be indeed what Thoreau would call “a very rich man.”—The Congregationalist.
WHAT IS BEST?
By Nelia Snow
The happy child whose merry feet
Have led him far to-day,
Becomes, at last, as sets the sun,
E’en weary of his play;
And creeping back to welcome rest
Finds mother’s arms are always best.
The maid, allured by pleasure’s voice
To try life’s giddy dance,
Finds disappointment lurking there,
And wakes some day, perchance,
To know that life is more than jest,
And the quaint old homestead still is best.
The youth, ambitious, turns his eyes
Across the tossing sea,
Sees visions bright of wealth and fame,
And longs to wander free,
Yet learns, as ventures lose their zest,
The fatherland at last is best.
And he who tastes earth’s passing joys
Of passion, pride, and praise,
Finds, as the dial turns its course
To count life’s closing days,
That worldly honors give no rest,
Thy kingdom, Lord, is always best.
Portland, Maine.
NELIA SNOW.
MISSIONARY OPERATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA.
By G. W. Reaser
NO. 4.
Another condition in Africa which favors the early promulgation of the last message of salvation throughout the Dark Continent is the rapidity with which news is carried from one nation to another. While they do not have the ordinary telegraph and mail systems of civilization, yet there are means of communication between villages and nations by which news is carried with almost marvelous speed. Fleet messengers travel through the country and convey intelligence by word of mouth, and, as the time of the native is not occupied and pressed by the multiplicity of cares and passing events which congest modern civilization, they leave ample time at their disposal for full consideration and lengthy discussion of every new thing. In fact, as the wives and children of the men perform almost all of the labor necessary for the maintenance of the family, the fathers have but little to do save to hold extended conversations with their neighbors. One difficulty experienced in securing the attention of those who live within the limits of civilization to the matter of their own salvation, is the constant whirl of excitement, and the manifold attractions incident to modern civilization. The native of Africa, who lives in the simplicity of the “kraal” life, has none of these to distract his mind or to rivet his attention when the messenger of the Gospel arrives at his village.
It has been fully demonstrated that the truth concerning the Seventh-day Sabbath, travels with marvelous rapidity among the native tribes of Africa. The reason for this is two-fold. First, when God has a message to go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, He provides means for its transit from place to place; and, secondly, the natives, who have been taught by the example and precept of the missionaries that the first day of the week is to be observed as the Sabbath, are surprised to learn that the Bible teaches that the seventh day is the Sabbath of Jehovah. Believing that
What The Bible Teaches Must Be True,
for they are not inclined to question the teachings of the sacred Book as do their white brethren, and learning that at least some Bible Christians observe the Seventh-day Sabbath, they are concerned to learn the truth of the matter. As no Bible authority can be given which proves the first day of the week a rest day to supplant the Sabbath of Jehovah, it is not easy for the missionaries to satisfy their minds on this point, without teaching them to observe the true Sabbath. The truth, as it is in Jesus, will be so fully implanted in the hearts of many of the inhabitants of “darkest Africa” that they will be found among God’s commandment-keeping people at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Devils' Peak, Cape Town, South Africa.
Certain restrictions are laid upon the Africans by the various colonial governments under which they live. Laws are in force which forbid the manufacture of “Kafir beer,” and the sale of intoxicating drinks to the natives; also which deny them the privilege of possessing firearms, assegais, or other implements of war. All natives who are employed in the cities of Natal are required to purchase license tags for the privilege, and these they must be able to produce at the demand of any policeman, or be compelled to go to jail. The reason for some of these restrictions is that there is a degree of fear on the part of the European population in South Africa that, if the natives are educated, permitted the use of guns and other weapons of war, and allowed to congregate at pleasure in the cities, there would be much crime and frequent dangerous uprisings, as, numerically, they are many times as strong as are the whites. In fact, it is freely stated by government officials that the only thing which prevents a general uprising of all of the native tribes of South Africa is the lack of organization and unanimity of action. These elements of weakness among the natives, safeguard the lives of the white population, while they also prove that, altho some twenty-five missionary societies have been operating in South Africa for scores of years, yet only a small per cent of the natives are converted. There is small ground for hope that the millennium will dawn in Africa prior to the close of probation for all the human family.
A False Charge.
One thing that makes the lot of the missionary in Africa more trying than it elsewhere would be, is the general charge, made by the non-Christian whites, that the missionaries are responsible for the moral corruption of the natives. Certain it is that, like the aborigines of New Zealand, there is, at present, greater degradation among the natives of South Africa than before the dawn of civilization upon the land, and, while in rare, isolated instances, so-called missionaries may have responsibility for having assisted in the production of this sorrowful condition, yet, on the whole, the charge is false. The true explanation of the situation is, without doubt, found in the fact that, with the discovery and pioneer occupation of every new country,
A Class of Adventurers
precede the advent of the missionary and civilization, and, throwing off all restraint, have been Satan’s instruments for the moral pollution of the natives. This is evidently Satan’s method of counteracting the work of the messengers of the Gospel. How like Satan, to charge the servants of the Lord with the crime of his own agents. The writer could cite instances where so-called respectable men left homes and families in Europe, and, going to the frontier of Africa, while trading with the natives to secure their goods, to be exchanged for gold, selected one or more native wives, and, without the marriage ceremony, lived with them for years; then, leaving wives and half-caste children behind, returned to their white families, who were kept in ignorance of the shameful course of the husband and father.
There is a strange enmity between African tribes, which makes the members of one nation despise those of another, and which sometimes causes difficulty at the mission schools, and perplexity to the missionaries. Some missionaries are inclined to the opinion that only the members of one-tribe can be successfully and harmoniously taught at the same school.
Aside from the differences in language the natives distinguish each other as to tribal relations by ear marks, each tribe having its own peculiar mark.
The Eating Habits of the Natives
may be worthy of notice. The staple food with all of them is mush, or, more properly, porridge, called by the Kafirs, paap. Cornmeal porridge is mealie paap. The ground serves as a place to cook the food over an open fire, and also as seats and table when the meal is prepared. The porridge is made as stiff as possible, and, when cooked, the whole family, each with a stick instead of fork, spoon, or knife, eat out of the common kettle in which the food is prepared. It is expected that all strangers present will help themselves without invitation; and whoever does not satisfy his hunger has only himself to blame.13
While the common diet of the natives is composed of grains and fruit, when it can be secured, they are all passionately fond of meat, and it matters not whether the carcass be freshly slaughtered, or whether decomposition be far advanced; whether the animal was a victim of disease or of the knife; it is all one to the “raw” native. In the absence of “clean” animals, monkeys and baboons are eaten with relish, altho the men are rather ashamed of this near approach to cannibalism, and attribute the eating of such food to the boys. They will set almost innumerable deadfalls to catch even the smallest animals (as they are denied the use of weapons) with which they might secure larger game.
During a conversation, through an interpreter, with an old native chief in Matabeleland, the writer asked if he could remember when large game, as elephants, lions, buffaloes, rhinoceros, etc., were plentiful in his country. His face lighted with joy and his whole being seemed animated as he related the experiences of his early life in catching these denizens of the forest and jungle, and the great feasts which followed a “big catch.” When an animal falls into the hands of a family of natives, and is to be used for food, certain peculiar rules are understood and observed as to the division of the carcass. The men have their particular portions, of which the women and children are forbidden to partake. The parts of the animal that are supposed to produce the best brawn and muscle, and which they consider are best calculated to form the diet of, and develop warriors, is assigned to the men, while the women and children must take what is left.
In addition to the corruption of the natives by ungodly men, heretofore mentioned, the example set before them by many enlightened (?) Europeans is shameful. It is not an uncommon occurrence to see a drunken white man held in a jinrikisha by a friend, and, to escape the police and a night in prison, the Zulu who draws the vehicle is directed to the abode of the man under the influence of liquor. Perhaps, after all, one need not go to the native Africans to ferret out and bring to light the depths of degradation.
G. W. REASER.
Advice to Young Missionaries.
Rev. Henry Jessup, D.D., who was nearly fifty years a missionary in Syria, gives the following bits of wise counsel:—
When Christ says, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel,” He also says, “Lo, I am with you alway.” Our Master calls us to tread no path that He has not Himself already trod or that He is not ready to tread with us. I gladly bear testimony to the fact that Jesus Christ our Lord is a faithful promiser. He is with us always, and He never will leave us.
1. Your success as missionaries will depend on your likeness to Christ. A Christlike character is always lovable. Heathen, Mohammedans, and other non-Christian people know the difference between a Christlike man and a selfish, haughty, unsympathizing man. If men love the messenger, they will learn to love the message. If a herald of the truth wishes to win men’s minds, let him first win their hearts. The logic of controversial argument never convinced men half so much as the godly lives of Christian believers.
2. Be courteous to all. The Golden Rule is the key to true courtesy. Treat the people as you wish to be treated. A Christian should be a model of courtesy, as were Christ and St. Paul. The late Rev. Gerald F. Dale, Jr., was styled by Dr. A. A. Hodge, of Princeton, “the model scholar, the model Christian, and the model gentleman of Princeton.” He won his way to the hearts of the townsmen and peasantry of Syria as he would have done to the polished people of his native Philadelphia. Be assured that no gifts, graces, or talents are superfluous on mission fields.
3. Be willing to go where you are sent. Neither the Board of Missions nor the mission to which you are going will be likely to designate you to a post where you can not do good work for the Master. But be willing to go anywhere.
4. Let us go forth as hopeful laborers. A class once graduated in Cambridge consisting of three men, “a mystic, a skeptic, and a dyspeptic.” The missionary work does not want pessimists who, like cuttlefish, darken all the waters around them with inky blackness. Mr. Moody said, at the meeting of the American Board of Madison, Wis., in 1894: “Pessimists have no place in the Christian pulpit. We want hopeful men.” And we can say with equal truth, pessimists have no place in the foreign missionary work. We want hopeful men in this glorious, aggressive warfare. There is quite enough to weigh you down without carrying lead in your hat.
5. Let us go with level-headed Christian common sense. Nothing will supplant the want of this. A misplaced and misnamed “missionary” in India once wrote home to his friends that he could get on well enough but for the miserable natives, who kept crowding into his house; but he had succeeded in getting a bulldog, and hoped to keep them off.
6. Again, as you enter on your work, begin humbly. The message you bring is divine, but the messenger is human. You are a stranger in a strange land. You can not speak a word of the language. The people think that because you do not know their language you do not know anything. They pity you, and perhaps despise you. You will be wise if you gracefully accept the situation, and take the attitude of a learner, not only in language, but in social customs, business relations, and even in regard to their religion. The three years spent in language study will be no loss. If you could plunge into your work on your first arrival, knowing the language, but knowing nothing of the habits, prejudices, customs, courtesies, proprieties, religions, tenets, superstitions, and national tastes of the peoples, you would make more enemies in a month than you could unmake in years. Your blunders would be associated with you in the minds of the people, and they would give you a nickname which you could not shake off. A stranger in any land needs to walk cautiously, especially if he comes as an avowed reformer.—Missionary Review.
SOUTH AFRICAN MISSIONS.
By Lewis E. Glenn
(Lewis E. Glenn, in Pentecost Herald.)
There are many difficulties that confront the Christian world with regard to real successful evangelization in different parts of the dark continent. Hundreds of precious lives of some of the most noble-hearted men and women have been sacrificed for Africa's redemption and still it remains the DARK continent. Many lives were sacrificed through experimenting on self-supporting or industrial missions, which increased the exposure of the missionaries to the deadly climate, and they were laid in their graves before ever being able to strike one successful blow at heathenism, except by the holy example of self-sacrifice. Foreign missions everywhere must be the fruit of the self-denial of Christians in the home land. The sinful neglect and selfishness of the professed people of God is responsible for the fact that more than half of the human race are still heathen, and millions of them never heard of Christ.
If South Africa especially receives the advantages of the free Gospel of Jesus it must be when Christians at home are willing to sacrifice of their means to the extent that the few consecrated missionaries who do go will be enabled to devote their time and energies to evangelizing the heathen, and not be required to spend their fast fleeting months in self support or their lives be shortened through sheer neglect of Christians at home. Africa must be reached; the dust of its scores of martyrs is pleading for consecrated men and women to take up the noble work from which they have had such an honorable discharge. Millions of devil-driven, lust-inflamed and miserable human beings cry by their groans and wretched lives, if not by word of mouth, to the professed followers of Christ: “Come over and help us.” Hundreds of self-sacrificing laborers are buried in its sands, and hundreds more are either laboring there or are ready to go. Who, by their self-denial, will send of their means to the help of these missionaries to the end that their lives might thereby be made more useful or prolonged?
Money as a Lever for Service
Do NOT be a slave to money; but use money as a lever to help you serve something greater than yourself.—Success.
THY WILL BE DONE.
“THY will be done! Ah, what do I say,
As my lips repeat it from day to day?
I journey ever, but do not know
Whence I came or whither I go.
A power I may not understand
Is ever my guide through this unknown land;
The One who leads me I can not see,
But I ask that His will may be done in me.”
CHINESE OFFICIAL ON MISSIONARIES.
The New York Independent of August 6 published an extended and interesting interview with his Excellency, Sir Chentung Liang Cheng, the new envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of China to this country. After speaking of the long and distinguished history of his own country and the changes that have taken place in the last generation, owing to the introduction of western ideas, he says:—
“It is to this ancient land and to this conservative people that the heralds of the Christian religion have come, and, without a moment’s hesitation, it will be conceded that to them belongs the major part of the credit for opening China’s closed doors. The missionaries have penetrated far into the heart of the country and have invariably been the frontiersmen for trade and commerce. The unselfish devotion, perhaps in some cases tinctured with bigotry of sect, but, notwithstanding, a most admirable, unselfish devotion has characterized the labors of the missionaries of China. While in a state of progress the work must have seemed discouragingly slow, yet, looking at it as a whole, at this time the zealous and philanthropic boards of America and England who have sent out their representatives must see much reason for encouragement. The conservatism of the Chinese makes them slow in accepting any innovations, and it speaks volumes for the perseverance of the missionaries as well as for the excellent results of their endeavors that some twenty different denominations are working successfully throughout the kingdom. . . . The Chinese as a nation are eager for instruction, and perhaps this fact underlies much of the success of these missionaries. Many of the mission schools are of a high standard and command universal respect.”
The minister speaks in appreciative terms of the work of the Young Men’s Christian Association and of the Christian Endeavor Society in China, and adds: “But that which undoubtedly, above all else, has made the way for the missions are the medical missionaries and the hospitals which they have established. The highest class of people patronize these foreign hospitals.” This will be interesting reading to those who, during the past three or four years, have seemed to take delight in declaring that missionaries are accomplishing nothing in China, and that they are despised by all classes, and especially by the educated. This unsolicited testimony from a Chinese of such rank and education as Sir Chentung Liang Cheng can not fail to have weight with all except those who reject all evidence that is in favor of the missionaries and their work.—Missionary Herald.
OUR WORK AND WORKERS.
WORK has been commenced on a new church building at Anderson, Ind.
THROUGHOUT the churches of the United States, November 20 and 21 have been set apart for missionary conventions, the whole designed to be a general missionary rally.
IN the Indiana Reporter, Brother Enoch C. Swartz tells of meetings held in Fair Oaks and says: “The Methodists here are very kind and liberal in the letting of the house and taking care of it, all free of charge.” The good will of the people has secured a most encouraging attendance.
THE last pull for the liquidation of the debt on the house of worship of the Second Washington, D. C., Church fell a little short. At the last report, October 29, there was lacking $535. So there is still opportunity for those who have not yet invested in the noble enterprise, or for others to do a little more. It is especially desirable that this matter be closed by the first of the new year. If there should be any surplus, it will be applied to the institutions connected with the new headquarters of the General Conference in that vicinity. The church property itself will belong to the General Conference when paid for. Send contributions to this office, or direct to J. S. Washburn, 1728 Fourteenth Street, Washington, D. C.
(1) “And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that served the king by course, and the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers, and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valor, unto Jerusalem. (2) Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: as for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and for the footstool of our God; and I had made ready for the building. (3) But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build a house for My name, because thou art a man of war, and hast shed blood. (4) Howbeit Jehovah, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever: for He hath chosen Judah to be prince; and in the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father He took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel; (5) and of all my sons (for Jehovah hath given me many sons), He hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of Jehovah over Israel. (6) And He said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father. (7) And I will establish his kingdom forever, if he be constant to do My commandments and Mine ordinances, as at this day. (8) Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of Jehovah, and in the audience of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of Jehovah your God; that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever. (9) “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Jehovah searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts. If thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off forever. (10) Take heed now; for Jehovah hath chosen thee to build a house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.”
Golden Text.—“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart.” Prov. 3:5.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What great assembly did King David call together? Verse 1. (2) What had led to the calling of all these prominent men? Note 1. (3) What unusual position did the king take before the assembly? What did he say was in his heart? What steps had he already taken? Verse 2. Note 2. (4) But what had God said about it? Verse 3. Note 3. (5) What had God chosen David to be? From what tribe and what family had he been chosen? Verse 4; 1 Sam. 16:11-13. (6) Whom had the Lord chosen to succeed David on the throne? Verse 5. (7) For what other duty had Solomon been chosen? What further honor was to be bestowed on him? Verse 6. Note 4. (8) What promise was made concerning Solomon's kingdom? On what condition? Verse 7. Note 5. (9) What witnesses did David invoke as to what he was about to say? Then what admonition did he give to the assembly? Verse 8. (10) What counsel was then given to Solomon? What is said of the Lord's knowledge of men? Then what promise followed? And what warning? Verse 9. (11) What further admonition was given to Solomon? Verse 10.
NOTES.
1. David was now an old man. His wars and other heavy cares and anxieties had left him well worn out before the age of seventy. The question of his successor was no doubt a leading topic. After the death of Absalom, Adonijah was the natural heir to the throne, but, under divine direction, David had selected Solomon, the son of Bathsheba, the former wife of Uriah. Taking advantage of David's increasing infirmity, Adonijah had been displaying royal style, with chariots and a large retinue of servants and other followers. When he thought the time propitious, he invited his adherents, with all the king's sons (excepting Solomon) to a banquet. Amid the festivities, the cry was raised, “Long live King Adonijah!” But Nathan, the prophet, heard of the proceedings, and brought the matter to the attention of the king. Then followed the proceedings recorded in this lesson.
2. Building a house for the Lord was a purpose very dear to the heart of David. He had accomplished about everything else that he deemed in the line of his mission as king. “The footstool of our God.”—The Lord says, “The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool.” Isa. 66:1. The sanctuary was deemed the Lord's earthly dwelling-place. See Ex. 25:8; Lam. 2:1. It was here where His name was, because here was His covenant, the place of His law.
3. An important principle is enunciated in the refusal to allow David to build the house of God. He had been a great shedder of blood, and a house built by him would appear somewhat like a monument to carnal victories, rather than a dwelling-place of the God of peace. David had done a necessary work in destroying the enemies of Israel, but it was a bloody work made necessary by the departure of Israel from right paths. The man of war could not legitimately take a leading part in the peaceable work of the Lord. This house was to be a resting-place for the ark of the covenant, and, many years before, it had been demonstrated that the ark of the Lord could have no connection with carnal warfare. That was settled when the sons of Eli carried it onto the battle-field. David had fulfilled his mission, but it was not a mission that had qualified him for the work on hand. The odor of human blood was on his garments. The “all-around man” principle has its limitations in spiritual as well as temporal matters.
4. Solomon was a man of peace. His name signifies “peaceful.” The work of the Lord signifies “peace on earth, good-will toward men”—not warfare upon men. The resting-place of the covenant, with its mercy-seat, said to all the nations, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
5. “If He Be Constant.”—Solomon did not remain constant, but the kingdom was allowed to remain intact until his son Rehoboam came to the throne, then the results of Solomon's apostasy (which was emphasized by his son) were shown in the loss of ten tribes. Constancy to do His commandments is always a condition of full success in the cause of the Lord. Solomon was spared and Judah was spared because of the Lord's word to David. 2 Sam. 7:5, 13-16; 1 Kings 11:9-13.
News from the Field
A STATE convention for young people is to be held at Kansas City, Mo., November 27-30.
A CHURCH organization was effected at Rocky Ford, Col., October 31, by Dr. W. W. Hills.
FIVE candidates were baptized recently by Brother J. F. Jenson, at Calhan, Col., making fourteen in that field during the summer.
THE organization of a Sabbath-school at Estancia, N. M. with fifteen members, is reported in Echoes from the Field, by Brother H. L. Hoover.
A CLASS of six nurses were graduated from Mount View Sanitarium, Spokane, Wash., October 3. There were four young women and two young men.
As a result of meetings held in North Denver, Col., by Brother G. W. Anglebarger and others, sixteen persons have accepted the message as presented.
BROTHER F. I. RICHARDSON, accompanied by his wife, arrived in this city on the 8th inst., and called at this office. He recently returned from Jamaica, where he spent about six years in mission work. He has also served two years in South Africa. He is now on an independent recuperating tour, and will spend some time in Southern California, and promises some missionary articles for the SIGNS.
THE brethren throughout California, as well as those in Georgia, will sympathize deeply with Brother H. F. Courter in the bereavement caused by the death of his wife, Carrie W. Courter, who died at Decatur, Ga., October 23. Brother Courter is vice-president of Georgia Conference, but is laboring under pay of California Conference. In addition to his bereavement, he suffered the inconvenience of being robbed of $130 a few days afterward.
In the Southern Illinois Herald we note a letter from Brother R. B. Craig, of Peoria, in which he says: “We have at last secured a very suitable building for sanitarium work. It is a brick structure, centrally located, and by very slight changes can be well adapted to treatments and sanitarium work. It is now being used as a boarding-house. Those who own it furnished it very nicely some years ago to be used as a home for working girls. They have donated the furniture, provided we make our own repairs, such as repapering, painting, and so on.”
A REPORT to the Review from Brother J. B. Beckner, of Kingston, Jamaica, says: “I have just returned from a trip to the west end of the island. I baptized twelve during this time. Brother Tanner baptized thirteen while he was away. The John’s Hall church is now finished, and ready for service. Two others are being worked upon. The frame of the Glen Goffe house is up. We are putting forth every effort to carry our burdens. The Lord is truly blessing our efforts, both financially and spiritually. But we are beginning to feel the effects of the storm, and look for very close times here for the next six months. Native food is scarce, and has nearly trebled in price. We are of good courage.”
HOW TO INTEREST THE BOYS.
By Editor
ARTICLES have often been written on “How to Save the Boys” and this is a subject of vital interest to every parent. One good way to save them is to plan for their instruction, entertainment, and pleasure. To furnish helpful suggestions for active, wide-awake boys, the Youth’s Instructor is now publishing a series of articles under the general title of “Around the Work-Table.”
These articles are written by Edison Driver, of California. Boys who are growing up will be interested in these lessons by a grown-up boy. Boys who would like to do things, if they knew how, will find detailed instructions, fully illustrated, by one who “knows how” to do things.
A few of the articles are as follows:—
“The Climbing Sailor, and How Sailors Make Him.”
“How Ice is Made.”
“Grandpa Talks about Centrifugal Force.”
“How to Make a Simple Weaving Machine.”
“Knots and Strings.”
“Simple Experiments in Science.”
“A Simple Electric Machine.”
Every boy will want to read these articles and make the experiments. No expensive apparatus is needed, but simply the tools and materials which boys usually have at hand or can easily procure.
Give the boys a chance to read this series by subscribing now for the Instructor.
The first article of the “Work-Table” series appeared in the Instructor of Nov. 17, 1903, and we offer to send this number and all the remaining issues of 1903 free to every new subscriber who sends us 75 cents for the paper for the year 1904. Address,
YOUTH’S INSTRUCTOR,
222 N. Capitol St., Washington, D. C.
WANTED
Copies of the Sabbath School Worker (issues of 1900 and 1901) will be thankfully received by Hattie E. Ohm, Box 285, Fargo, N. Dakota.
