I was riding on the train through the eastern section of North Carolina. Nothing can be flatter than that portion of the country, unless it be the religious experience of some people. The rain was pouring down fast, and for a person so inclined, not a better day and place for the blues could be found. Looking out of the car window brought nothing more interesting to view than pine trees, bony mules, and razor-back hogs. Groups of men, white and black, gathered at each station to see the train arrive and depart. Each passenger that entered brought in more damp, moisture, and blues.
Two men at last came in and took the seat in front of me. Shortly after, one of them took a bottle from his pocket, pulled the cork, and handed the bottle to his companion. He took a drink, and the smell of liquor filled the car. Then the first one took a drink, and back and forth the bottle passed, until at last it was empty and they were full. Then one of them commenced swearing, and such blaspheming I never heard in all my life. It made the very air blue; women shrank back, while the heads of men were uplifted to see where the stream of profanity came from. It went on for some time, until I began talking to myself. I always did like to talk to a sensible man.
"Henry, that man belongs to the devil."
"There is no doubt about that," I replied.
"He is not ashamed of it."
"Not a bit ashamed."
"To whom do you belong?"
"I belong to the Lord Jesus Christ."
"Are you glad or sorry?"
"I am glad—very glad."
"Who in the car knows that man belongs to the devil?"
"Everybody knows that, for he has not kept it a secret."
"Who in the car knows that you belong to the Lord Jesus?"
"Why, no one knows it, for you see I am a stranger around here."
"Are you willing they should know to whom you belong?"
"Yes; I am willing."
"Very well; will you let them know it?"
I thought a moment, and then said, "By the help of my Master, I will."
Then, straightening up and taking a good breath, I began singing in a voice that could be heard by all in the car:—
"There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel's veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains."
Before I had finished the first verse and chorus, the passengers had crowded down around me, and the blasphemer had turned round and looked at me with a face resembling a thunder cloud. As I finished the chorus, he said, "What are you doing?"
"I am singing," I replied.
"Well," said he, "any fool can understand that."
"I am glad you understood it."
"What are you singing?"
"I am singing the religion of the Lord Jesus."
"Well, you quit."
"Quit what?"
"Quit singing your religion on the cars."
"I guess not," I replied; "I don't belong to the Quit family; my name is Mead. For the last half hour you have been standing by your master; now for the next half hour I am going to stand up for my Master."
"Who is my master?"
"The devil is your master, while Christ is mine. I am as proud of my Master as you are of yours. Now I am going to have my turn, if the passengers don't object."
A chorus of voices cried out, "Sing on, stranger; we like that."
I sang on, and as the next verse was finished, the blasphemer turned his face away, and I saw nothing of him after that but the back of his head, and that was the handsomest part of him. He left the train soon after, and I'm glad to say I've never seen him since. Song after song followed, and I soon had other voices to help me. When the song service ended, an old man came to me, put out his hand, and said, "Sir, I owe you thanks and a confession."
"Thanks for what?"
"Thanks for rebuking that blasphemer."
"Don't thank me for that, but give thanks to my Master. I try to stand up for him wherever I am. What about the confession?"
"I am in my eighty-third year. I have been a preacher of the gospel for over sixty years. When I heard that man swearing so, I wanted to rebuke him. I rose from my seat two or three times to do so, but my courage failed. I have not much longer to live, but never again will I refuse to show my colors anywhere."—Rev. C. H. Mead.
THE POWER OF LOVE.
By John W. Kirton
BY JOHN W. KIRTON, LL.D.
LITTLE Harry Baker was enjoying a game with his school companions in the garden during the half holiday from school duties, when his father came to the door and in a harsh tone of authority called to him:—
"Here, Harry, I want you."
For a moment or two Harry did not seem to notice what his father said, but continued to play.
"Do you hear what I say?" shouted his father even more sternly than before. "Come this very minute."
With reluctant steps and sad-looking face Harry left his companions and approached his father as if afraid to come near him.
"Come, lift your feet a little quicker," said his father sharply. "When I speak I expect to be obeyed instantly, so don't come creeping along like a snail, but make haste. Take this note to Mr. Francis, and run as fast as you can, and don't let the grass grow under your feet on the way. Now look sharp and be back as quick as you can."
Taking the note from his father's hand, Harry moved away at a slow pace, with a cloud upon his face, which indicated that he was not by any means pleased or anxious to show his respect for his father's command. Observing this, his father called out with even more sternness:—
"Is that doing as I ordered? Didn't I tell you to be quick? Mind, if you are not back again within half an hour I will give you the cane about your back."
The boy, thus warned, made some show of quickening his pace, but evidently his feelings were hurt by his father's harsh words. By nature he inherited some of the qualities of pride and stubbornness which marked his father's character, and which, when once aroused, would lead him to act as if he was utterly careless, or fearless of the consequences. In this case he certainly felt that he had been treated unkindly and unjustly, and therefore realized that a wrong had been done to him. These feelings deepened as the distance increased between him and his companions whom he had left at play.538
"I declare I never had to do with such a disobedient boy," said Mr. Baker to his friend Mr. Archer, who was waiting for him to complete an order which he had given; "he seems to take no notice of what I say to him; my words make scarcely any impression on him."
"Perhaps it is because they are not the right kind of words," replied Mr. Archer.
"Right kind of words! What kind of words ought a father to use towards his child when he requires a thing to be done?"
"Kind ones," was Mr. Archer's quiet answer. "They are always more powerful than harsh ones. They are like the gentle rain and the refreshing dews, while harsh ones bend and break like the wild tempest. Kind words call forth and develop loving affections, while harsh ones harden the heart and blight all the nobler aspirations of a young spirit. Try your boy with kind words, and you will find they will prove a hundred-fold more powerful, or I shall be very much mistaken."
For a moment or two Mr. Baker felt hurt by this faithful rebuke from his friend, but better thoughts prevailed, and he said:—
"Thank you; I will try your plan. My own thus far certainly has failed."
"Do, and let me know the result," said Mr. Archer, as, taking up his parcel, he went on his way.
"I begin to think Archer is right," said Mr. Baker to himself as he went back into his office behind the shop. "I certainly should not like to be spoken to as harshly as I speak to the boy, or to be ordered about as inconsiderately as I in this and other cases have done. I really must 'set a watch carefully over the words of my mouth,' or I may completely drive him into open defiance of my authority."
Occupied with such thoughts, the time quickly and profitably passed away, but he became more and more convinced of the wisdom of trying the effect of kind words. Looking up at the clock he saw an hour had gone since the boy was sent, and a passing feeling of anger sprang up within him, but the faithful words of Mr. Archer rose to his mind, and he checked them by exclaiming:—
"No; I certainly will give the thing a fair trial. I've tried the other kind long enough to know it fails. And if this plan works no better, I shall feel satisfied in giving the boy up to take his own course."
Just then Harry's steps were heard, and he came slowly in, with a face and manner manifesting fear in every way. He knew he had lingered much longer on the way than he ought to have done, and expected, therefore, the threatened punishment would be his lot. Inwardly, however, he had resolved to receive it in a spirit of angry defiance. Having reported the result of his errand, he waited for the expected outburst of anger and reproach. To his surprise, however, he heard his father say, in a cheerful and kindly tone of voice:—
"That's a good boy. You have done well. You can go and play again until tea time."
Harry could scarcely believe his ears. To be praised for doing reluctantly and so slowly what he had done was more than he could understand. The more he thought of it the greater became his surprise. He felt and knew he had disobeyed his father in spirit and in act, and he was unhappy. Harsh words had clouded his mind and aroused his anger, but kind words had subdued him. Instead of joining his companions, he went and sat down in a quiet corner of an arbor in the garden by himself. Tears at length burst from his eyes as he realized his acts of disobedience, and he wished he could go and tell his father how sorry he was. While thus occupied he heard his father, in a strange kind of voice, gently call:—
"Harry, Harry, my boy!"
"Did you call, father?" he replied, coming out of the little arbor where he had been sitting.
"Yes. I am sorry to call you away again so soon, but Mr. Thomas wants this parcel taken to the station to catch the next train, and there is not a moment to lose. Will you run with it, please?"
"Yes, with pleasure," said Harry, and off he started, looking delighted, and manifesting no hesitation to hurry as quickly as his feet would carry him.
"There is no doubt about the truth of Archer's words, that's evident," said Mr. Baker as he saw his son bounding down the street with a light step. "There is a mighty power in a kind word. God grant that I may never forget the lesson. It is easier to draw than to drive, that's certain. What a pity I have not seen this before. How much sunshine it would have brought into our home and his heart, and how much sorrow it would have hindered from crossing our path! It is true 'kind words will never die,' while harsh words stir up anger in a thousand ways."
While thus musing, Harry came back, and, with a bright and happy face, entered the office, saying, "Can I do any other thing for you, father?"
"Yes, my boy. Come and kiss me and help me to be a loving and kind father, instead of a harsh and unkind one."
And they both wept tears of joy as they each realized the magic power of the loving spirit which had taken possession of their hearts.—Christian Commonwealth.
THE MAN WITH A GRUDGE.
THERE was once a man who bore a grudge,
Stoutly he bore it many a year;
"Beware!" said the parson. He answered,
"Fudge!
Well it becomes me; never fear.
"Men for this world, and saints for heaven;
'Give as you get' is a good old rule;
My loaf shall rise with a livelier leaven;
Too much of meekness shows a fool."
The longer he bore it, the more it grew,
Grew his grudge, as he trudged along,
Till in sight of the pearly gate he drew,
And heard within it a wondrous song.
The shining porter said, "Walk in."
He sought to do so; the gate was straight;
Hard he struggled his way to win;
The way was narrow; the grudge was great.
He turned in haste then to lay it down;
He strove to tear it away—to cut;
But it had fast to his heart strings grown.
"Oh, wait!" he cried; but the door was shut.
—Int. Good Templar.
Pillars in the Temple of God
"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of God." Weak Christians are poor stuff to make pillars of. Men who tumble at every little accident are not worth much to sustain the Lord's temple. The strong ones who can resist temptation are put in the responsible place of pillars. What an honor to be thus trusted! But all may be strong in God.—Selected.
SUNDAY LAWS ARE "JEWISH."
"SATURDAY," the Bible Sabbath, is rejected because it is "Jewish." Men say, "It belonged to the old dispensation, and is unfit for the new gospel era." It is sufficient answer to note the fact that Christ loved and kept it, that he rejected what was "Jewish" about it; he Christianized and fitted it for the dispensation which he founded, and in which he is the central figure, the all in all.
But inconsistency could scarcely go farther than it does when those who reject the Sabbath because it is "Jewish" and "legal" rush to the Old Testament and the Jewish system as the foundation for Sunday legislation. "Nehemiah's Sunday law, Nehemiah as a model mayor, Nehemiah as bold reformer, to be imitated by all men in authority," appears almost every week in the columns of Sabbath Reform publications. Thus the men who sneer at the narrowness of those who go back to Moses for their Sabbath, build the whole structure of their "Civil American sabbath" on the narrowest State Church theocratic system of the Mosaic dispensation.
Christ founded Christianity upon the broad spiritual platform,—"My kingdom is not of this world." Paganism, perverting true Christianity, united Church and State, made Christianity a "civil institution," and put its "venerable day of the sun" in the place of the Sabbath as Christ left it.—Evangel and Sabbath Outlook.
THE POISON OF TONGUES.
By Ruth Merriam
"Yes, I have found a treasure this time. Esther has been with us a month, and she is all I could ask."
Mrs. Surrey's friend laughed. "What is a month? Remember it is the new broom that sweeps clean."
Mrs. Surrey was sunning herself in the thought of her good fortune, as she started out for a call one afternoon.
The friend she had wished to see was not at home, and, having in mind some necessary sewing, she returned home. She sat down at her sewing table without delay, noting carelessly that the children were talking on the veranda. They were out of her sight, because the blind of the end window was closed.
She had sewed some minutes, keeping company with her own thoughts, before it occurred to her that the children's high-pitched chatter was replaced by Esther's low voice, softened somewhat beyond its custom. A word caught her attention; her sewing slipped to the floor; she slid without noise to the window, listening, with frightened face close against the blind.
Upon the eager attention of the four children the trusted Esther was pouring a stream of filthy information and anecdote. An occasional laugh or comment in answer betrayed that the occasion was not alone of its kind.
The mother's energy was paralyzed for a few seconds by the unexpectedness of the affair. Truly, Esther had found a use for her magnetic power over the children, in compelling them to keep silence in regard to these lessons in evil—these children whose hearts had once been open for the mother to read.
Mrs. Surrey went to the side door, forcing herself to speak naturally.
"Gertrude, had you not better practice your hour before it is any later? Mrs. Bruce was not at home, so I came back again. And, Charley, will you do an errand in town for me?"
She went back to her sewing, the younger children following her, while the older ones went away as bidden. The eyes of the mistress and maid had met, and Esther knew that a reckoning would follow as soon as the little ones should be absorbed in their play.
Esther being dismissed, Mrs. Surrey set about administering antidotes to the poison. An earnest little chat, a renewal of confidence between mother and child, a few warnings, removed danger in the case of the little ones.
But for ten-year-old Charley and thoughtful Gertrude there was but one sure antidote—TRUTH.
Mrs. Surrey had not been one to withhold timely information. Yet she was reminded by this accident that she had erred on the side of reticence.
Suppositions may not always be profitless. What if Mrs. Surrey had not so soon discovered the poison at work in her family? What if she had been less wise in the matter of antidotes? What if her children had not been prepared for scientific truths by familiarity with natural laws at work in fields, garden, sky, and water? What if poison has touched your children, while you thought them safe?
—Ruth Merriam.
SUMMER FOODS FOR CHILDREN.
IN a recent number we give the Philadelphia Board of Health rules for the care of infants in hot weather. The board also sends out, with the stamp of its approval, the following recipes for special forms of diet for little children:—
1. Boiled Flour or Flour Ball.—Take one quart of good flour; tie it up in a pudding bag so tightly as to make a firm, solid mass; put it into a pot of boiling water early in the morning and boil until bedtime. Then take it out and let it dry. In the morning, peel off from the surface and throw away the thin rind of dough, and, with a nutmeg grater, grate down the hard, dry mass into a powder. Of this, from one to three teaspoonfuls may be used by first rubbing it into a paste with a little milk, then adding to it about a pint of milk, and finally by bringing the whole to just the boiling point. It must be given through a nursing bottle.
2. Boiled Bran Meal or Unbolted Flour.—An excellent food for children who are costive may be made by using bran meal or unbolted flour, instead of the white flour, preparing it as above directed.
3. Rice Water, Barley Water, etc.—Wash four tablespoonfuls of rice; put it into two quarts of water, with a little salt, and boil down to one quart, and then add sugar and a little nutmeg. This makes a pleasant drink.
A pint or half pint of milk added to the rice water before it is taken from the fire gives a nourishing food suitable for cases of diarrhea.
Barley, sago, tapioca, or cracked corn may be prepared in the same way.—Christian Advocate.
A RUINED LIFE.
ONE of the best Greek scholars in New York is a guard on the 6th Avenue elevated road. One morning I was rewarded by meeting the learned man. I asked him, "How does it happen," showing him my card, "that you, a Greek scholar of first rank, should be doing such work as this?" He looked at me sadly, and his red face grew more flushed than usual; "I was the best Hellenist of my year at Dublin," he said. "My Greek is still what it used to be, but my career has been ruined by whisky."—Selected.
Renewing Our Strength
WHEN an acre of ground has produced long and well, we let it lie fallow for a season; when a razor has seen long service and refuses to hold an edge, the barber lays it away for a few weeks, and the edge comes back of its own accord. We bestow thoughtful care upon inanimate objects, but none upon ourselves. What a robust people, what a nation of thinkers we might be if we would only lay ourselves upon the shelf occasionally and renew our edge!—Selected.
WOMAN'S LOT IN SIAM.
THE QUEEN OF SIAM.
A PLEASANT song beginning with a high note and coming down to a plaintive, soothing falsetto, heard on every hand in Bangkok, is the lullaby of a Siamese mother over her little one asleep in its cradle. A Siamese cradle is called a play. It consists of a frame, from the four sides of which hangs a netting, woven like a fish net, the lower edges of which are fastened to a board which forms the bottom of the cradle. This is hung by a rope from the ceiling of the house, or from a frame made for the purpose, and thus it is easily swung to and fro. The little one in its mother's arms is a Siamese girl baby. If you follow her up through the various steps of life to motherhood or to great grandmotherhood, you will get briefly woman's life in this strange land.
SIAMESE WOMEN PLOWING RICE FIELDS.
A Siamese girl baby is usually pretty enough for anybody. She has a much better and warmer place in the hearts of her parents than do little girls in China, for Siamese parents really love their children. A natural question is, "What is baby's name?" Translated into English a girl's name may be Bright, Change, Color, Pearl, etc. Siamese girls, as well as the boys, are not bothered with clothing until they reach 7 or 8 years of age, but they have anklets and bracelets and necklaces put upon them. These articles are made of brass, silver, or gold. The girl's hair is all shaved off her head, except, it may be, a tuft or two at the back and always a tuft on top, reaching to the forehead. This topknot is not cut off until the child is from 11 to 13 years of age. It is a superstitious belief of the Siamese that evil of some kind may befall the child if this is cut before the proper time.
When the time comes for the hair cutting, or kon chuk, a Siamese theater is hired and sometimes also a Chinese play, and they have a great time celebrating the important event. Buddhist priests say their prayers, guns are fired to frighten away the evil spirits, and a priest, or some other man appointed, shaves off this tuft with a razor. Then a white cotton cord is placed about the head to insure prosperity. Sometimes, while the child is still wearing the topknot, a circle of white beads or white flowers is placed about it, and it must be confessed it looks pretty and tidy.
These little girls begin while very young to use the betel. This is composed of an acrid leaf rolled up, with red lime spread on it, an astringent nut, sometimes also astringent bark, and some tobacco. When this is chewed it makes the saliva very red or reddish pink. Thus the girls' tongues and teeth and lips are discolored. Their excuse for chewing this wretched mess is that it keeps their mouths sweet. These young women assist in all the employments of Siamese life except a few of the trades, and even in many of these they are efficient helpers.
The next important step in the Siamese girl's life, after she parts with her topknot, is her marriage. This is brought about by means of various ceremonies. Frequently there is a go-between. It must be determined in what years the couple were born, for if she was born in the year of the timid rabbit, and he in the year of the dog, it would not do for them to join hands, for he might devour her. Should she have been born in the year of the tiger and he in the year of the chicken, who knows what might happen to the poor fellow? When their years are found not to be incompatible, it must be ascertained whether the girl is favorable to the project.
When there are sufficient means, feastings and other ceremonies are held. And, of course, the priests must be on hand to chant their prayers. The sum of money agreed upon is handed over by the young man. Some old persons give wise advise, and, the great event ended, they are husband and wife. According to Siamese notions, if she is faithful she becomes a real helpmate. If she belongs in ordinary walks, she is expected to help in all that is done. If he is a blacksmith, she may work the bellows, or even handle the sledge. If he is a brickmaker, she does her full share at that. If he is a worker in earthenware, she is as skillful as he. If he is a farmer, she plows, helps plant, reaps, helps thresh, and then helps take the grain to market. She can row a boat; she is also an excellent saleswoman. The markets are alive with the women at their stands, behind which they squat, for a Siamese seldom stands when he can sit down, and a good part of the time does not care to sit, if it is as convenient to lie down.
Thus one girl in married life does her full, in many cases more than her full share, in supporting the family.
Woman in Siam is favored above most of her oriental sisters. She is not condemned to wear the veil. She is not despised, nor is she treated as a mere animal. She is not condemned to wait while her husband and children eat the best of the meal, but she can sit with them. In the higher walks of life, the husband often eats alone. She goes to the holiday celebrations and sacred day doings with her husband. In the home she has more than a father's influence.
NATIVES AS YOU FIND THEM AMONG THE POOR.
Yet it must be said the Siamese woman has her troubles, which should enlist the sympathies and call forth the prayers of her Christian sisters in America. Her husband can cast her off when he chooses. He can leave her and enter the priesthood, and upon leaving the priesthood take her back again or take another, just as he pleases. He can take her children from her. He can chastise her and no one interferes. Often she is left at home, to do alone what is to be done in caring for the cattle, cutting the wood, and carrying the water, while her big, lazy husband is off at the gambling house, drinking stand, or chicken fight. But it is sad to say very many of the women are inveterate gamblers themselves. She takes the principal parts in the theaters, both in the singing and acting.
In the upper ranks the women dress nicely, have the luxuries of life, have almost nothing to do and are well treated, according to Siamese customs. Many of them have exquisite, rich complexions, and are very pretty. As the Siamese woman passes on to old age, she receives much consideration and respect, and is laid away at last with honors.
Woman is sharing in the progress which is being made in Siam. Many more women can read now than a few years ago. They are glad to get our books, and many of them buy them. Women will have more and more influence as to the education of the children, for it does seem sometimes that the mother cares more for this than the father does.
Siam has homes and affectionate wives and mothers. Siam has a term to express our word family; it is khrawp khrooa. Siam has a word for home; it is ban. The Siamese man who is industrious has a home to go to and an affectionate wife and glad children to meet him. What is needed in Siam to-day is more schools. Let the people be educated, for they are intelligent, able to learn readily, and accurate in their pronunciation of English. You never hear pigeon English spoken in Siam.
Americans first introduced schools. Americans first introduced steam rice mills and steam sawmills. An American established the first hospital. The first medical class was established by an American, and is now conducted by him. Americans have done more than any other nation to establish a friendly feeling and confidence with most of the foreign powers. Americans do not harass the Siamese or covet any of their territory. In the king's own words, 'They bring peace and good will.'—San Francisco Chronicle.
THE HARVEST.
By Interior
THE harvest dawn is near;
The year delays not long;
And he who sows with many a tear
Shall reap with many a song.
Sad to his toil he goes,
His seed with weeping leaves;
But he shall come at twilight's close,
And bring his golden sheaves.
—Interior.
FIELD NOTES.
ELDER A. P. HEACOCK is holding tent meetings at Gurley, Alabama, and reports encouragingly of the prospect.
ELDER WM. INGS reports a very encouraging work in Reno, Nevada, to the great good of the church in that place.
CLEAN copies of the Review, Signs and American Sentinel will be used in missionary work if sent postpaid to Larzell Bernard, Salem, Oregon.
ONE of the features of the recent camp meeting near Portage, Wisconsin, was the baptism of fifteen persons one evening in Silver Lake by torchlight.
THERE are now three tents in the Illinois field, one at Rock Island, one at Rockford City, and one at Enfield, and one in the southeastern part of the State.
THREE sisters were in New York two weeks ago, en route to foreign fields. Sister E. Hiva Starr goes to South Africa, and Sisters Jennie Owen and Mattie Sharp to London.
AT the recent session of the Iowa Conference the following officers were elected for the coming year: President, E. G. Olsen; Secretary, C. W. Smouse; Treasurer, C. F. Stevens; Conference Committee, E. G. Olsen, Mathew Larson, C. A. Washburn, Jacob Shively, C. M. Gardner.541
THE Southern Review says the work on the school building at Graysville, Tennessee, is progressing finely. The design is to have it ready for occupancy at the beginning of the next school term.
BRETHREN J. W. COLLIE and C. P. Whitford report an unusual interest in the tent meetings at Oakland, Florida. It is a small village, but nearly all the people attend, excepting only a few representative Presbyterians.
PROFESSOR F. S. HAFFORD, of Healdsburg College, is spending his summer vacation in advocating health and temperance in connection with educational interests. In Red Bluff and Woodland he succeeded in interesting the religious people of other denominations, and was invited to occupy their pulpits.
FROM the Ohio State meeting recently held at Yellow Springs, five tent companies went out to engage in the work. At this meeting several of our brethren were entertained by citizens not of our faith, and Elder Lindsey was invited to speak both in the Christian Church and in one of the M. E. Churches.
ELDER C. H. KESLAKE reports the baptism of seven candidates at Findlay, Ohio, and eight at Toledo. He also reports that a sister who had suffered a long time with a disabled hand, and was about to have it amputated, decided to take the disabled member to the Great Surgeon, and the prayer of faith was answered, so that she could go about her usual duties.
BROTHER E. C. CHAPMAN and wife, who went out as missionaries on the last voyage of the Pitcairn, have located permanently at Papeete, Tahiti, instead of going to the Fiji Islands, as formerly arranged. They join Elder Read and wife, and it is designed to do a publishing work in the Tahitian language. They have secured a good dwelling house, large enough to accommodate both families, at a mere nominal rental, thus showing that in every locality the Lord will provide. Paul did a great work in a "hired house" in Rome, although a prisoner.
UNION COLLEGE AND THE DES MOINES MEETING.
By George C. Tenney
AFTER having attended the camp meeting at Milton, Oregon, our party returned to the East, via the "Short Line." The trip was uneventful except for the ordinary circumstances of such a long ride. Our destination was the annual camp meeting and conference at Des Moines, Iowa. In company with Brother H. C. Lacey I broke the journey in Nebraska, in order to spend a day at Union College, located near Lincoln. There is no feature of any work which affords us greater satisfaction than the progress made in the educational branch. This progress is manifested in an increase of the number of schools, and more particularly in the increased devotion and earnestness with which the youth among us are embracing the opportunity of obtaining an education to fit themselves for a part in the work of God.
Union College has sprung into existence within the last three years. The circumstances of its inception are familiar to many, perhaps to most of our readers. But with a knowledge of all these circumstances as they have been given through various reports, a very pleasant surprise awaits the interested visitor to College View. The site is an elevated portion of prairie, five or six miles southeast of the city. The air is doubtless very pure in quality, and as to quantity, there is not much ground for complaint of scarcity. In the brief time mentioned, a pleasant village surrounding a twenty-acre campus has come into existence. The campus contains three large buildings; the central and largest one is for school purposes. The south hall is a lady's dormitory and the north has hitherto been used as a home for the students in the foreign departments, and a dormitory for English-speaking young men. Besides these is a large boiler house in the rear. The sum of $170,000 has been expended upon the place, and it is very evident the money has been well invested and judiciously expended. The buildings face the west and though not extravagant or ornate in their adornment they are pleasing in outline and within are neat, capacious, and well adapted to their purpose. Some changes are contemplated in the home arrangements, which will bring the different departments into one family, a step that will doubtless meet with general favor.
We were pleased to find the school in session, and to witness the cheerful, earnest spirit which characterized the students, the unity and peace that everywhere prevailed. Nearly all have given their hearts to God, with their lives and strength, to do his will. There have been nearly one hundred baptisms of students in the past year, and before the year shall end it is expected that that number will be fully reached. There are one hundred and ten of the students preparing to enter the canvassing field during vacation, and over two hundred have some branch of God's work in view in their studies.
This school is the center of interest for a large section. The influence it will exert cannot be estimated. For this and similar institutions we should not cease to give thanks to God, and to pray his blessing upon them continually.
A workers' meeting had preceded the camp meeting at Des Moines, and when we reached there the latter was two or three days advanced. The situation was in a pleasant grove, two and one-half miles from the center of the city. Two hundred and thirteen tents were on the ground. The attendance at the Sabbath school on the last Sabbath was over 1,600, more than twice as large as the year before. During the camp meeting Elder O. A. Olsen, A. T. Jones, J. H. Durland, and E. W. Farnsworth were the principal laborers, though others were in attendance upon the workers' meeting. This was spoken of as an interesting meeting and profitable time.
The meetings on the last Sabbath were solemn and impressive. The power of God was manifested in a large degree, and many found peace in believing. At the close of the afternoon services three brethren, C. W. Gardener, Wm. Everhardt, and Geo. Watson, were ordained to the work of the ministry by prayer and imposition of hands. The Spirit of God was present to testify of the acceptability of the work. Some of wide experience thought it the best day they had ever seen. On Sunday forenoon the rain prevented a large outside attendance. In fact not many strangers came during the day, doubtless on account of the wet weather and ground. In the morning an opportunity was given for subscriptions to the mission funds, and about $2,400 was raised. The Sabbath school offering the day before came to nearly $150, as I was informed. On Monday baptism was administered to ninety candidates.
The meeting closed on Monday evening, June 5, though quite a large number took their departure during the day. Altogether there was a deep feeling of satisfaction with the people as they departed for their homes. It had been good to be there, and thus another stage in the heavenward journey is marked. May none of the steps be retraced.
G. C. TENNEY.
THE MEDICAL MISSIONARY.
By John Harvey Kellogg
(J. H. KELLOGG, M. D., EDITOR.)
A TWENTY-FOUR page monthly journal, devoted to the various phases of medical missionary and benevolent work. It contains each month also articles of general interest on mission fields, and items of missionary intelligence. Each number is illustrated.
Published by S. D. A. Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association.
Price, 25 cents per year. Address Medical Missionary, Battle Creek, Mich.
