—Mount Vesuvius, after a month or more of comparative quiet, has again resumed activity. A huge volume of flame and smoke is arising from large fissures at the summit of the crater.
—At the session of the Russian Douma, December 28, a famine appropriation of $7,500,000 was made. This sum will be immediately available for relief in twelve provinces, but additional help will be necessary later on.
—A joint naval demonstration against Turkey has been suggested by the powers that are now negotiating regarding the refusal of Turkey to accept the collective note of the powers recommending judicial and financial reforms in Macedonia.
—Fears are entertained for the Canadian Pacific Line steamer, “Mount Royal,” which left Antwerp, Germany, December 7 for St. John, N. B., having more than 400 persons aboard. No word had been received from her when she was ten days overdue.
—The trial in St. Petersburg, Russia, of 169 members of the first Douma, who published from Viborg, Finland, a manifesto after the Douma was dissolved, has resulted in the conviction of 167 on the charge of “reasonable practises.” They were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment; but have appealed to the Senate.
—John D. Rockefeller has added $2,191,000 to his gifts to Chicago University, which brings the total of his benefactions to this institution up to more than $23,000,000. In this connection it is interesting to note that statistics for the year 1907 show that known gifts of wealthy persons for various philanthropic purposes for the year were $148,902,130.
—A strike of the street-car employees at Muncie, Ind., followed the refusal of the traction company to renew the wage agreement that has been in effect for five years. Mobs attacked the cars run by strike breakers on three successive days, demolishing the cars and injuring 16 persons. The police have made 100 arrests, and the governor has ordered out the militia, and declared martial law.
—A series of revivals is planned to be held in every county of Kansas during 1908. Hundreds of ministers of various denominations, assisted by numerous evangelists, will conduct these meetings. The movement will be under the supervision of a board composed of two preachers and two laymen from each denomination. This board has already been organized with fifteen denominations represented.
—A street fight between three firemen and scores of Japanese at Vancouver, British Columbia, on New Year’s day in which the firemen were severely wounded, has revived bitter racial feeling. Two thousand Japanese are said to be armed to resist the slightest interference, and at a meeting of the Vancouver trades and labor council it was seriously proposed that, if there was no legal means by which the police could disarm the Japanese, the laboring men should arm themselves for cases of emergency.
Greater New York
By C. H. Edwards
The work in Greater New York is advancing slowly, but steadily. While we have not seen accomplished all that we had desired, or all that we ought to have seen, yet we can but feel grateful to our Heavenly Father for the measure of success that has attended the efforts of his servants during recent years.
At the present time we have about eight hundred Sabbath-keepers, who compose twenty-one church organizations. These churches are divided into the following nationalities: thirteen English, two colored, two German, one Scandinavian, one Swedish, one Italian, and one Bohemian.
At a recent union meeting in the city the following nationalities were represented: American, English, Irish, Scotch, Swiss, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Slav, Jew, Bohemian, Russian, Filipino, Swede, Dane, Norwegian, Finn, West Indian, and Chinese.
During the last year one hundred eighty believers have been added to our membership, and five new churches were admitted to the conference; and there are three or four companies at this writing awaiting organization.
During the past summer six tent-meetings were held with varying success.
Surely the dear Lord has blessed his servants abundantly, when we think that in the past four years the conference has considerably more than doubled itself. Over five hundred believers have united with us during that time, and eleven churches have been accepted into conference membership.
In the last two years we have started work among the Italians, the Spaniards, the Bohemians, and the Chinese.
We already have one Italian church of about twenty-five members, and in a few days will organize another of about twelve souls. We also have one Bohemian-Slavish church of nearly twenty members, and others are about ready for baptism.
The Spanish and Chinese work is moving very slowly indeed; but the harvest is sure at last.
Our tithes and offerings have grown steadily in proportion to the growth of membership. The following figures will illustrate this growth for four years:—
During the year 1904, we received $13,490.60; the following year, 1905, we received $15,814.09, a gain of $2,323.49. The next year brought us $19,564.90, a gain over the previous year of $3,750.81. The past year, 1907, has given us the sum of $23,658.02, a gain over the year before of $4,093.12. Thus in four years our receipts jumped from $13,490.60 to $23,658.02, a gain of $10,167.42.
The tithe alone for 1907 amounts to $19,808.83; this, allowing a membership of 800, would give an average of $24.76 a member, but as only about seventy-five per cent pay tithes, we have an average of nearly $33.
For this gain in membership and finances we wish to emphatically repudiate any personal credit to ourselves. The work has been so desperately perplexing, and the efforts so feeble, we feel assured that to the Lord belongs the honor and glory for what has been accomplished.
Our workers have labored faithfully and loyally; they have sacrificed at every step, and thus the Lord has blessed their efforts.
C. H. EDWARDS.
The Sanitarium in Friedensau, Germany
By E. Meyer
In the very heart of Germany, far removed from the noise and bustle of the city, is a small place which has been attracting more and more attention during the last six years, for it is here that the Friedensau Sanitarium was erected in the summer of 1901. Surrounding the institution, and protecting it on every side, are fine forests of pine, so intersected with lanes and roads that it is possible for the pedestrian to abundantly enjoy the pure, fresh air, heavily laden with the aroma of the woods; while the eye is pleased with the ever-changing panorama of color—here the tender green of a miniature forest of saplings, yonder the foliage of a lot of more somber-clad trees whose size and strength tell you that they have weathered the storms of many winters. The hare, the squirrel, the deer, and the cuckoo inhabit the woodland, and they all make the visitor aware of their presence. The quiet beauty of the landscape is enhanced by the Ihle, a branch of the Elbe, which flows along a few hundred steps from the sanitarium building. On the right bank of this stream are inviting footpaths, decorated now and then with hidden bowers, where the convalescent may spend many a pleasant hour.
The sanitarium was built upon the highest point of land in the settlement, although the sandy soil makes dampness almost impossible, as the heaviest rainfall quickly flows off. Within the last few years a park has been laid out before the sanitarium buildings, and this adds much to the attractiveness of the grounds. The full benefits of this piece of landscape-gardening will be reaped in later years. Aside from the fountains, grottoes, and arbors, there is a miniature mountain landscape, with an artificial spring emptying its waters into an artificial lake that is alive with sporting fish of various kinds.
The Friedensau Sanitarium was opened under the superintendency of Dr. A. J. Hoenes, who accepted the call to come from the States in 1899. It fell to him to educate a staff of male and female nurses, whom he had to train in our principles,—principles altogether too little known in this field,—teaching them our manner of living and of treating the sick.
Soon after the sanitarium opened, patients and guests began to come—and ever in greater numbers: during 1902 there were 108 patients; in 1903, 140; in 1904, 165; in 1905, 247; in 1906, 300; and in 1907, 328 received treatment. In addition to these, many have spent their vacations here, and others have visited us simply in quest of medical advice. These guests have come from all parts of Germany, from Russia, Scandinavia, England, France; from Austria-Hungary and the countries around the Mediterranean; from Asia; from America; and from Africa. Our best season is during the summer, when both of the sanitarium physicians have their hands full.
Since the institution was founded, eighty-two nurses have been trained here. The larger number of these are employed in Germany, but some are in Russia, Austria-Hungary, Palestine, and Africa, acting as medical missionaries in the cause of their Master. Not only is it the aim of these nurses to give treatments; they use some of their free time in the circulation of our literature—the German Good Health, and the German “Ministry of Healing,” a book which has proved a great blessing to many. Accompanying their regular reports, our nurses frequently speak of the precious experiences they have in spreading the principles contained in these works, and in the sale of the publications themselves.
There are now forty nurses in training, whose course extends from two to two and a half years. We are happy that our nurses can attend the Friedensau Industrial School, located near the sanitarium; here they attend the classes of competent teachers; they secure a theoretical course, and they gain a thorough knowledge of the Holy Scriptures.
FRIEDENSAU SANITARIUM
Last August the work suffered a great loss by the return of Dr. Hoenes to America. Dr. E. Meyer, his former assistant, was chosen medical superintendent; Dr. A. W. Peterson is associated with him, and is especially engaged in holding health and temperance lectures, and in looking after the nurses engaged in the field work. The matron is Miss Helen Bartel; business manager, W. Krum; treasurer, P. Brandt. The legal owner of the property is the “Deutscher Verein für Gesundheitspflege.”
Our increased patronage has compelled us to make a number of additions to the sanitarium building, the last of which was made this autumn, so we now can accommodate sixty-six patients. We rejoice that the Lord has so richly blessed his work. We trust that his weak instruments at this place may be filled with his wisdom, meekness, patience, and love for humanity, so that the light of the third angel’s message may be shed abroad in Germany and in the surrounding countries through this instrumentality of his planting. Many of our former patients have been brought to a knowledge of the precious truth during their stay here. Others write us letters expressing their gratitude and happiness that they have learned of the principles we teach. So writes, for example, an aged professor who was with us for a short time:—
“As I made up my mind to take treatment at Friedensau, I thought I should come into contact with just such a sanitarium as one finds everywhere—that the chief thing would be business, merely. But I can now state that he who leaves Friedensau does so with regret; and he can always look back with pleasure upon the days he spent there; for the management earnestly care for their guests. It is no wonder that my digestion, which had been impaired for thirty-five years, has been so much improved, and also that my bodily powers, happy disposition, and joy of living have been restored, and that I, after a six weeks’ stay, felt like a new man. I, who am seventy years of age, could then keep step with all the younger guests in the gymnastic exercises; I could walk about barefoot for an hour before breakfast, in the woods, without being wearied; and my old trouble, cold feet, disappeared. Similar results, experienced by other guests, are due not only to the proper course of medical treatment, but also to the benevolent and unselfish execution of their duties on the part of the nurses, who are actuated in their work by a genuine spirit of Christian love for the good of humanity.”
Although such results are a great incentive to us to strive for greater perfection in our work, yet that which constrains us the most is the command of the Saviour: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” Our greatest reward, aside from the appreciative look of the patient, is to be the everlasting reward given us in that glad day when Christ appears. We trust for his help in our difficulties. We hope our brethren and sisters in other lands will remember us in their prayers. May the Lord bless his world-wide work.
E. MEYER, M. D.
Medical Missionary Department
Conducted by the Medical Department of the General Conference
W. A. GEORGE, M. D., - - - Chairman
W. A. RUBLE, M. D., - - - Secretary
Paradise Valley Sanitarium, National City, Cal.
By J. J. Wessels
THE week of prayer was much enjoyed by the workers at this institution. We had meetings every evening, when the reading was given. The inspiring words brought new courage and zeal to all, and a desire to do everything possible to assist in hurrying the blessed message of truth to the uttermost parts of the earth, so as to hasten the Master’s coming.
All realized that the best way to prepare to become successful foreign missionaries is to be successful Spirit-filled home missionaries. There is no place where more good can be done than in an institution of this kind, provided all the workers are devoted, as this work was established for the sole purpose of saving souls.
We were visited by Elder W. M. Healey, of the San Diego church, and Elder H. W. Cottrell, president of the Pacific Union Conference, during the week.
J. J. WESSELS.
Preserving the Individuality of Pupils
We should not destroy the individuality of our pupils. We should seek to preserve it by removing those elements which are unpleasant, and by developing those which are right and agreeable. The most effective means of removing the unlovely is to develop the pleasing—working upon positive lines. We should never flatter, but we should very often commend. A wise old teamster once said that he had learned that oats were the best whips for his horses. No two pupils are alike, and so all must be treated differently. Not that there should be different school regulations for different children, but there needs to be different means of dealing with each in the observance of these same regulations. No grander work is given to man than that of dealing wisely, kindly, and well with the developing mind of the child.
The Financial Problem
By Editor
THERE is no problem confronting our educational institutions more perplexing than that of their finances. Nearly all our schools have had difficulties, more or less serious, with this question. We have undertaken enterprises upon a larger scale than were justified by the results. We have expected the Lord to supply our needs and to make effective our plans. We felt that we were exercising faith, but the results would make it appear that we exercised presumption. We have this satisfaction, however: we were honestly doing what we thought to be for the best.
It can not be disputed that our schools are, in the nature of the case, perplexing financial problems. However, these problems can and must be solved. The solution may be summed up in this: we must raise the price of board, room, and tuition until our income covers all necessary and legitimate expenditures. Another means of financial success is to have accurate financial statements at regular, stated intervals. One of the most prolific sources of failure in conducting the business of our schools is a lack of proper financial statements. Then there are always the “leaks,” to be most carefully guarded against and stopped. It is, however, possible to spend more energy in curtailing expenses than in developing the resources of the school. We have thousands of children and youth who are not in our schools. If these were brought to attend, it would assist very materially in making the schools a financial success. We should profit by our past failures, but we must not become discouraged. We must make the school a financial success, for there is no lesson that we can teach our students that will be of more value than this one.
A Lesson in Finance
THE balance sheet of the Avondale School for Christian Workers, located at Cooranbong, N. S. W., Australia, shows that the school gained £887 14s. 2d., or approximately forty-four hundred dollars over its expenses during the last year. The school owes £1884 4s. 2d., and has owing to it £1888 11s. 8½d., so that it is practically out of debt. It pays interest on only £500 of its indebtedness, and it is confidently expected that this interest-bearing indebtedness will be removed this coming year. We all greatly rejoice in the material prosperity of this school, situated in this important field. It is to be noted that this prosperity is due to a great extent to heeding carefully the instruction of the spirit of prophecy in the matter of establishing and maintaining industries. The enrolment this past year has been something above two hundred, and during this time there has been paid the students for labor in the various industries over fifteen thousand dollars. It is well known that this school is situated in a semitropical country, that the land can be worked during nearly the whole year, and that it does not have to meet the heavy expenses incident to rigorous winters, as do many of our schools. Nevertheless this is a most commendable showing of business management, and witnesses well to the value of industries as a financial aid. It will pay our schools to heed most closely the counsel which the Lord has given concerning the importance23and benefits of industrial education. The managers of each school need to study most carefully the possibilities of various industries. One school may succeed admirably in certain industries which would be a failure in other localities, owing to local conditions. If we study and learn, see our errors, and profit wisely by them, we shall succeed.
Love as the Key to Teaching Success
CHRIST was enabled to do his wonderful work on earth because of the love which he bore for those for whom he labored. Likewise will the teacher who loves most do best. Do you feel your work a failure? Ask yourself the candid question, “Do I love my pupils?” Give yourself a candid answer. If you find that you must answer this question in the negative, then rest not satisfied until you have found that love. It brings not only success, but a most wonderful peace.
Rising Above Failure
A FAILURE is a stone. It falls upon us and crushes us, or we rise on it, and thus become the higher. Peter denied his Lord in his hour of greatest grief and humiliation. What an awful failure for one to make who had been so favored as had Peter! But he took a wise course regarding it. He truly repented and gave himself anew to his Saviour. With blinding tears he sought the garden where his Lord had so greatly suffered but a few hours before. This failure might have crushed Peter. Judas's failure crushed him. But Peter chose the wise course. He left the garden a humbled and changed man. There had come into his life a marvelous power. Thousands were converted by his preaching. So are we to deal with every mistake. Be strong and of good courage.
A New Year in Education
1908
A NEW year has come to us. With it have come new opportunities. We may well form new resolutions and put forth new efforts to attain greater proficiency in our work. During the past year our educational work has grown in common with all other departments of our message. But, in view of the fact that we are nearer the end of our opportunities to work, we must accomplish far more during this new year than we did in the one now passed into history. The rapid advance of this message into the remote places, and its soon finishing in all the earth, depend very much upon the efficiency of our schools. So it is very fitting that all our educational workers should form one large resolution to make our department of this great work count for much more during the year before us than during any previous year. May God hasten the work greatly because of greater conscientiousness on our part in all we find to do.
The School at Rome
By C. T. Everson
[This school is established for the purpose of enabling our workers to become acquainted with the people, that they may present the message to them. Gospel work can not be carried on in Rome as in most other places. But few of the students of the school are of our faith.—F. G.]
The school work at Rome is making good progress. We now have over eighty students in the school, and new ones are coming every day, so that by the end of this month I am sure we shall have one hundred students. We are giving special attention to the school work.
We have seven teachers now in the school, counting myself, and Mrs. Everson, who contributes her services. Professor Orlando teaches in the day-school, Professor Borghese in the school of music and the night-school, Sister Schell, Mrs. Everson, and myself in English, Sister Rochat in French, and Miss Doncker in German. Of course I do not teach as much as the others, as my time is so well occupied in other ways, but I am endeavoring to bring this work as soon as possible to a self-supporting basis, that thus we may have a strong center of influence for our work here, without burdening the conference. We have already done considerable in this direction, but will need some special help in the beginning, so that we may advertise the school and gain a reputation for it. Once the reputation of the school is established, it will not be so difficult a matter. Naturally it takes some good hard work to wake up these people. Things move slowly in these old nations, and especially in one like Italy. Here the energy and life of the nation have been stifled by the papacy, which takes special pains to keep the people in ignorance. So a school proposition is not an easy project. However, we have reason to be thankful to God for the progress made thus far. Last month we took in from tuitions nearly sixty dollars, which we consider a good beginning in a country like this.
We have a day-school in which we accept the students who come from the public schools. They remain with us every day from two to six in the afternoon, except Sabbath and Sunday, and thus we get in close contact with them and their parents. They have assistance in their lessons, and are thus enabled to present themselves at their schools with their lessons prepared. The help that we give them is such as the parents are often unable to provide.
In this department we have a splendid course of physical culture, which we hope to make a prominent feature of the school. The government is much interested in the introduction of physical culture into the public schools, and has a special committee working on this problem. With the splendid system which we have, and of which the others are ignorant, we can do a good work. We will prepare our pupils so that they can make a good showing, and then we shall give an exhibition of the physical culture work.
Then we have our night-school, where those who have had to leave school early in order to make a living, can come and take up their studies and prepare themselves for greater usefulness in life. In this department we have policemen, mechanics, tradesmen, etc.
Our music work is developing satisfactorily, and promises to be an important feature of the school.
In our school of languages we teach French, German, and English. There is a great interest manifested in this school, and many are enrolling in it. There is an awakening all over the world in the study of languages at the present time. Just now all Rome is talking about our school, as the result of a striking advertisement on the American order. Every one has read it, and comments very favorably on it. It was an advertisement that reads as follows—
“‘An Englishman Amazed’ [in large head letters].”
“‘But you have been in England?’ said an Englishman to an Italian student.
“‘No, I have never been outside of Italy,’ he replied.
“‘Can it be possible, and yet you speak English so well?’
“‘Yes, sir; I learned it all at Petrarch School [the name of our school], 185 Cavour St., where they teach French and German by the same method.’”
“‘Why, that is remarkable; but, however, they charge a good deal?’”
“‘On the contrary, very little—only three francs a month.’”
“‘Can it be possible?’”
“‘Yes, sir; and the school also furnishes beautiful, large class rooms.’”
“‘Why, I am amazed to hear that there exists at Rome such a school, that offers so many advantages for that price. I must go and visit it.’”
“‘Well, don’t forget the address—185 Cavour St.’”
“‘O, I won’t forget it; thank you. Good day.’”
“‘Good-by, sir.’”
We had this poster, about two and a half yards long, pasted all over town, along all the principal thoroughfares; and in fact the company put two on the side of the large Jesuit church, where Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, is buried. It made a big stir in town, and that day the door-bell of the school was continually ringing. Many new pupils have been enrolled. One of the students of our school said that the morning when the poster came out, he was passing a prominent street corner, where he saw a big crowd gathered. He at first took it to be a street fakir performing tricks, but afterward he saw the people intently reading our poster.
C. T. EVERSON.
An Appeal
By J. W. Manns
THE object of this appeal is to lead our young people to consider that “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” The work before us is great; and the laborers are few. Young people, you should enter our schools, which have been provided by the mercy of God. Seek the wisdom of God, which is able to make you wise unto salvation. Receive that instruction that will qualify you for gospel service. Our schools provide facilities whereby young persons24may obtain an education under influences that are favorable to the development of Christian character. These schools are to prepare and qualify them to assist in carrying the threefold gospel message of Rev. 14:6-14 to the entire world in the present generation. “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” I trust this appeal will touch the hearts of all who love the cause of Christ.
J. W. MANNS.
Discipline
Whether right or wrong, a teacher's work is generally measured by the order which he preserves in his school, and in the conduct of his pupils going to and from school. Not every one is fitted to command. There is perhaps no form of examination to be given to a teacher to test his ability in this direction before he undertakes his work. But while in his work, every teacher is, in this respect, as in others, under constant examination. He himself should be his most critical examiner. Only by so being, can he become a good disciplinarian.
He alone is fitted to command who can obey. The greatest failures in discipline are due to the fact that the teacher does not hold himself to the same standard of obedience as that to which he wishes to hold his pupils. To illustrate, he gives a certain direction, and certainly, at the time he gives it, he expects to have it obeyed. The pupils, when it is given, have none other than the spirit of obedience, but they straightway forget the instruction which he has given. They, however, forget it no sooner perhaps than does the teacher. After a time, he arouses to the fact that his wishes are being disregarded, and punishment follows. Care on his part might have prevented this disobedience; but he forgot, and so did his pupils; and the pupils suffer.
The good disciplinarian is the one who is moved by principle in the making of all his requirements. His requests are based not upon whim, but upon a proper understanding of the relation existing between pupils in their associations one with another. Were there only one pupil in a school, the question of discipline would be limited, owing to the fact that this one pupil has all the rights and privileges of the place, and of the teacher's effort; but as soon as a second pupil comes, his rights and privileges are divided; and the larger the number of pupils, the smaller is his share of the teacher's efforts, and the greater his need of sharing with others. All requirements must be based upon consideration for the common good of each and every student. When this is the case, and when proper explanation is given, and the judgment and good-will of the pupil is appealed to, discipline is made easier.
The World's Education Versus Christian Education
By Nora B. Ammon
The Japanese government began, a number of years ago, to send its young men to the schools of other nations. A few years later they returned to it as teachers, doctors, lawyers, statesmen, warriors, architects, and civil engineers. As the result of the work of these students, railroads have crept over their land; buildings have grown higher; navy yards have taken their place along the coasts; schools have been built; and Japan now stands, as the result of education, a world power. The army which the United States sustains in the Philippines is not accomplishing more, perhaps, to bring civilization with all its benefits to those islands than is the system of public schools which is being introduced. Worldly education leads to worldly citizenship, and there is no other logical result. But if we as Christians depend upon worldly education, our altars will be robbed, our sanctuaries deserted, our ministers will lack power, and our missionaries zeal. We shall transplant to the beds of the world's conservatories our rarest plants to blossom for a master who will use them for his own pleasure.
“God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him.” And though that image has grown faint and marred, our Father has never lost sight of his own. “Render . . . unto God the things that are God's.” We can render to him nothing but that which is his own—all our children. He asks us to plant them in the vineyard of the Lord, where the Heavenly Gardener can care for them, where in the great harvest day their fruit will be after its kind—in the image of God.
The apostles and prophets claimed their citizenship in the world to come. They looked for a city whose builder and maker was God. They taught the faith of Jesus; they studied to show themselves approved unto God; they stood between the inhabitants of this world and their ruin, pointing them to a better country. They taught all to behold the beauty of their Father's kingdom. Joseph and Daniel, though engaged in the busy marts of Egypt and Babylonia, did not join in the intrigues of the politicians around them. Their political views were changed by the views which they entertained of the better country, and they were true citizens of that land, though abiding for the time being in this. They so conducted the affairs of this world's kingdoms that they led men to acknowledge their God as the King above all kings.
Which shall we choose for ourselves and our children, worldly citizenship with its temporal reward and peace, or the heavenly with an everlasting habitation in an earth made new? Which shall we trust to bear its fruit in our families? For remember its seed is in itself, and the harvest comes surely to the sower. Surely we will choose that education which leads to the everlasting citizenship of heaven.
Mrs. Nora B. Ammon.
Preparation for China
By E. H. WILBUR
CHINA is a vast country. It has about five times as many people as the United States. Out of twenty-two provinces only four have Seventh-day Adventist mission stations, and in these only a small beginning has been made. This message must be carried not only to every province, but to every part of these provinces, and that right early. While we feel thankful to God for the good beginning that has been made in the five years that our workers have been in China, yet in the future the message must be proclaimed in this land with a hundred times greater power, for “the night is far spent, the day is at hand.” We must have many more volunteers for this field, and all should have a preparation before coming. I had my heart set on China for four years before I was permitted to come, but the Lord knew that I was not prepared to come. We are glad to hear of the establishment of the Foreign Mission Seminary at Washington, and hope hundreds of our young people will take advantage of the opportunities it offers to fit them for the world’s harvest-field.
In China the Lord is preparing the way for our workers. New schools are being opened by the government. Steamships and railroads are being built, that it may be possible for our workers to go quickly from place to place with the message, and that the people may be prepared to receive it.
In suggesting what constitutes a proper preparation for this field, I would mention, first, the importance of a thorough conversion, and a love for this truth more than for anything else in this world. In order to love the truth we must become acquainted with it. In conversation with Elder S. H. Lane, eight years ago, I told him of my desire to go to China. His reply is well worth considering. He said, in substance: “Get our books and study thoroughly the doctrines we hold as a people.” One of the best ways of becoming familiar with the doctrines is by teaching them to others. This will make it necessary for one first to sit down and study them out for himself. Before going to a foreign land as a Bible teacher one ought to have some experience in teaching the Bible at home. As a beginning for this kind of work there is nothing better than the experience of teaching Bible in the Sabbath-school. The teacher who through love for the members of his Sabbath-school class can mingle tears with his prayers in their behalf, will learn to know what it means to work for the salvation of souls. We must have definite persons in mind and work untiringly for their salvation. When these have received the truth, they, in turn, will work for others. This is the Saviour’s own plan of spreading a knowledge of the gospel. May the Lord speedily prepare many of our young people for the regions beyond.
E. H. WILBUR.
The Need of Answering the Macedonian Call
By M. W. Lewis
“AND a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” The Lord had commissioned his Holy Spirit to visit the people of that country to prepare the way for the entrance of the gospel; and when he saw a favorable opportunity, he made it known to the apostle Paul by means of a vision, so that he might see the situation and the opportune moment to introduce the gospel message in that land.
Now let this experience of the apostle Paul, and the Macedonian cry, “Come over . . . and help us,” serve to illustrate the true situation in our work as it is to-day: (1) God is sending forth his Holy Spirit into every nation on the globe, preparing the nations all over the world to receive our missionaries favorably. (2) Paul was educated, not only in the sciences of that day, but he was educated in the Old Testament Scriptures. They proved a great blessing to him and to his work in turning many people from darkness to light. (3) He responded at once to the call to go into Macedonia as a missionary; so it should be now, for the call is extremely urgent for men and women to go into the different parts of the world, and thus respond to the Macedonian cry, “Come over . . . and help us,” which is bursting forth from every land. (4) As the spirit of prophecy was manifest in those days, pointing out the fields that should be entered, so it is to-day. The spirit of prophecy has been urging upon this people for many years the importance25of educational institutions where young men and women could be qualified to go into other countries, and thus carry the light of this closing message to the entire world.
We are unable to supply the demand made upon us at this time for laborers, for the call comes not only from Macedonia, but from every kindred, tongue, people, and nation on the face of the globe. We should have more Hannahs giving their children to their Saviour for service. We should have more Samuels giving their young hearts to the Lord to be used in saving souls. There should be more Isaiahs crying out, “Here am I; send me.” May God roll the burden of souls upon us as a people, and enable us to respond to this Macedonian call for laborers.
M. W. LEWIS.
Work
By Thomas Murphy
Work is one of the greatest blessings our Creator has bestowed upon the human family. It is a heaven-born gift to all mankind. Work was first given to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. The Lord intended that these two should set an example for all to follow. It was with a wise purpose that our Father gave us the blessing of work. Work is not a curse, as some suppose, but a blessing to every one who performs it with his might. Listen to the words of Jesus: “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.”
When the Lord touched Isaiah’s lips with a live coal from off the altar, he could then exclaim, “Here am I; send me.” He did not ask about the climate nor the environment, but gave himself to the Lord, knowing that the Lord would give him the right work and send him to the right place.
Who among the young men and women, both white and colored, will give themselves to the Lord to-day to be used anywhere he wills to place them? Shall we longer procrastinate? We may all hear these sweet and loving words pronounced upon us when he comes: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” But to those who have done nothing for the Lord, he will exclaim, “Depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” May the work of each of us be just as the Lord would have it, and not as we think best. THOMAS MURPHY.
