p. 19 | Review and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 50. (12/15/1910)

General Conference Committee Council

By William Ambrose Spicer

November 23 to December 4

Second Report

As stated in last week’s report, much of the time in the earlier days of the council was given to papers and general discussions on the topic of city work.

Evangelistic Work in the Cities

The following actions were taken in regard to city evangelization, summing up the general plan of campaign:—

1. From a careful study of the many messages of instruction that have come to us, urging the immediate working of the cities, it is our deep conviction that this is a pressing call to this whole denomination to arouse, and earnestly and quickly proclaim God’s last message to the masses in every part of the world.

2. In view of the special mention of the cities in the eastern part of North America, we feel that most earnest efforts should now be made to proclaim our message in these cities.

3. Resolved, That it is our belief that this city evangelistic work in North America should be carried on, and supported by, the believers and the regular conference funds in the American conferences, without drawing upon the ten-cent-a-week fund of the General Conference.

Whereas, The membership of our people, the staff of workers, and the funds in the Eastern conferences are altogether inadequate for the work we are now called to do in the cities of these conferences; therefore,—

4. Resolved, That we earnestly request the stronger conferences in the West, where so much efficient labor has been bestowed during the last half-century, to assist the Eastern conferences, just as far as consistent, with workers and means.

Although the papers that have been read at this council call for a large staff of workers, many facilities, and a large amount of means to carry on an ideal effort in the large cities,—

5. We recommend, That most earnest efforts be made by all conferences in behalf of their large cities, with the laborers, means, and facilities they have, even if these do not reach the highest ideal set before us.

Believing that the medical and evangelistic efforts should be more closely combined in all our city work,—

6. We recommend, That in our sanitariums this missionary idea be kept prominently before the students, and that as far as possible nurses, after graduation, be encouraged to spend at least six months in connection with some training center in one of our large cities, and engage in medical missionary work.

7. We recommend, That our sanitariums aim, as far as possible, to arrange their work by securing sufficient competent help so that physicians can spend as much time as possible in medical evangelistic work in the cities.

8. We recommend, That conferences in which are located large cities plan to open one or more small training centers, where workers of various kinds can receive an all-round training in city work; these homes to be under the supervision of competent superintendents. We suggest that wherever possible to provide suitable facilities, a small treatment-room be connected with the training center, and a large room for lectures, demonstrations, Bible readings, etc.

Whereas, The gospel plan is that two and two should go forth into the gospel field, uniting their labors in harmony and Christian unity, developing the interest with more than one talent; therefore,—

9. We would counsel our conferences to give careful attention and thought to this divine arrangement in the prosecution of the work.

10. Resolved, That where conditions are favorable, the special efforts in our largest cities be so conducted as to accomplish as much as possible in the training of the younger conference laborers and laymen,—

(a) Through the participation by the less experienced preachers in the visiting, Bible work, distribution and sale of literature, and the musical work of the effort.

(b) Through the participation of trained nurses and Bible workers, who by attendance at the evening services can be a help in the singing and visiting; who could also receive daily regular instruction in Bible study and methods of labor, and who would devote a part of each day to very earnest and well-directed labor among the people.

leaders in local evangelistic effort, who could take part, as far as their experience and circumstances warrant, in the same work as the Bible workers and missionary nurses.

Whereas, There is a great dearth of laborers, and the demands upon the workers now in the field are constantly increasing; and in view of the emphatic calls that have been coming to us from the spirit of prophecy, urging our lay members into active service, and laying responsibility upon ministers to train church-members for this work; therefore,—

11. Resolved, That a systematic and far-reaching effort be made to so strengthen our local churches, and train their members for service, that they may continue to thrive and grow, even though the principal part of the time of the ministers and other conference employees be taken away from them, and devoted to the united efforts in the largest cities; and, further,—

12. Resolved, That to this end conventions be held at times and places wisely selected, where faithful instruction shall be given respecting their duties to—

(a) Church elders, deacons, treasurers, missionary secretaries, and clerks.

(b) Leaders in the Sabbath-school and young people’s work.

13. We recommend, That the needs of our cities be kept before the students in our schools; and that some of the most mature and promising students be encouraged during vacations and after graduation to connect with the city training-schools, and assist in carrying forward the periodical work, Bible work, etc., and at the same time receive the instruction which will enable them to become efficient city workers.

14. We recommend, That members of the school faculties of our various schools be encouraged to act the same part in active work in cities, in order that they may be able to impart to the school the spirit which will make it an effective agency for the development of missionaries.

15. Resolved, That it is the privilege and duty of the members composing the conferences in which the large Eastern cities are located, to raise a special city evangelistic fund by donations as liberal as they are able to make, to assist in carrying forward the broad and expensive work for which the Spirit of God is calling.

In view of the difficulty of securing a large attendance of the public at our meetings in the large cities, where there are so many counter-attractions; and in view of the great value of well-directed Bible work in private families and cottage gatherings; therefore,—

16. We recommend, That earnest efforts be made to train a large number of efficient Bible workers to aid in carrying forward this city evangelistic work.

It is impossible here to give any outline of the discussion of these resolutions. The sum of it all was the deep conviction that God is calling for a move upon the unworked portions of the fields, and that the power of his salvation and his guiding hand will be seen as all hearts respond to the call to go forward.

Miscellaneous Actions

Among items and recommendations of a miscellaneous character may be listed the following:—

That a small manual be prepared at once on “Church Organization and Missionary Work,” outlining the duties of all church officers, their proper choice and election, and simple methods of home tract and missionary work.

That the North American Foreign Department be encouraged to associate a few young French workers with Elder G. G. Roth’s work in New England, with a view of building up a force of laborers among that nationality.

That the effort for the Jewish people be definitely added to the North American Foreign Department work, Elder F. C. Gilbert to act as leader in this branch of effort.

Approval was given to the plans of the North American Foreign Department for a council of leading workers among foreigners in America, to open in Chicago, December 27.

That the Harvest Ingathering campaign, which has borne so good fruit in gifts for missions and in acquainting the public with our missionary operations, be continued in the autumn of 1911.

That the Bahama Islands, which have been a mission field of the Southeastern Union, be transferred to the General Conference oversight, on account of the fact that there are no certain lines of mail and shipping communication between the islands and the Southeast; this transfer to go into effect Jan. 1, 1911.

Further report of the council must be deferred till next week. While the council closed the evening of the fourth, much of the detail consideration of requests from the fields had to be left for the minority quorum to deal with. The situation was reviewed, however, and the agenda paper—the paper listing “things to be done”—was recognized as calling only for actually urgent needs in the fields.

With mission resources exhausted for the present, it was evident that only one by one, as the funds come in, can the calls be answered; but all the council, local and union officers and workers generally, united in giving reassuring word to our missionaries abroad that gifts will come flowing in from the believers, and from conferences as well, and ere long more help shall go forward.

W. A. SPICER, Secretary.

Important Resolutions Adopted at the Recent General Conference Committee Council

By Arthur G. Daniells

OWING to the great importance of some of the questions to be dealt with at the fall council of the General Conference Committee, and the effect the decisions regarding these questions would have upon our work, the executive officers of the General Conference Committee were authorized to request the union conference presidents to invite as many of their local conference presidents and leading ministers as they thought best to attend this meeting.

Ninety-four persons were registered as representatives to the council. Twenty-three were members of the General Conference Committee, and came from all parts of the States and Canada. These included all the presidents of union conferences in North America. Thirty-two presidents of local conferences were present. Twenty-five ministers came to the meeting, mainly in the interests of the city work, which was to receive special attention. The remaining fourteen were nearly all representatives of different lines of departmental work. Thus it will be seen that the council was not only large, but very representative of both the field and the work. This was what was needed and desired.

It was plain to all, as soon as the character and scope of the work to be done were outlined, that we were surely called to much earnest prayer and hard work. There was a general feeling that we had come to a crisis in the onward march of our cause, and that the decisions arrived at in the council would have a far-reaching influence. With this conviction, the brethren gave themselves to earnest, prayerful endeavor for the cause to which they are devoting their lives. The results of their work, as far as recommendations may express them, will be published in the REVIEW. These recommendations will bear careful study.

In this article I wish to call special attention to the recommendations for providing the necessary funds for the support of home and foreign missions. Number two reads as follows:—

2. That urgent and very active effort in all conferences be made to bring up mission offerings for this and every succeeding year, to an average of at least ten cents a week a member.

This recommendation, as defined, discussed, and adopted by the whole body, means much to the cause. The plan of raising ten cents a week for each member was fully adopted at the last session of the General Conference, and the appropriations for our world-wide work were made on the understanding that every conference in North America would raise its full share of the whole amount provided for by this plan. With this understanding the Mission Board proceeded to carry out the forward policy of the General Conference. But many of the conferences failed to raise the ten cents a week for each member; consequently the General Conference treasury ran out of funds, and not only the Mission Board, but every field receiving appropriations, was thrown into great perplexity and trouble. The treasurer was instructed to borrow, but the pressure became so great that he could send to the mission fields only half the

regular funds they had been receiving.

This put our missionaries in a very hard place. Some were brought into serious perplexities. Of course, all plans for hastening recruits from the home field had to be called off. This, very briefly and mildly expressed, was the situation when the council convened.

The Mission Board, having passed through a number of financial crises, did not become panic-stricken, but the members did feel that something should be done to save the denomination from such painful, injurious, and almost perilous experiences. So, when the council opened, one of the important questions that came to the front for final settlement was this: Is it the duty of each conference to raise the full amount of its share of the ten-cent-a-week fund, or will any amount it may chance to raise meet the full measure of its actual responsibility?

The answer finally given by the whole body of representatives present, was that every conference should each year raise and send to the General Conference treasury its full amount of ten cents a week for every member in the conference. It was agreed by all that only on this basis could there possibly be any certainty of financial support to either the Mission Board or the home and foreign fields. Only on this understanding can any definite plans be laid with assurance that they will be carried out. For instance, the amount due from the ten-cent-a-week plan for the year 1910 is $329,898.40. More than that sum is called for by the fields. At the beginning of the year the Mission Board planned for the expenditure of that full amount, and nearly $75,000 more to be paid by conferences from their tithes. But during the first nine months of the present year the conferences fell short $47,650.15 in the ten-cent-a-week offerings. This compelled the Board to borrow that amount, or change its plans when it was too late to do so without great loss and disappointment.

Therefore, after a most earnest and thorough study of the whole question, and a free, full discussion in the open council, it was agreed by all that hereafter it should be understood by every conference that the raising of its full amount of ten cents a week for every member is a sacred obligation, that can not be set aside nor neglected without bringing great perplexity and serious loss to both home and foreign fields.

It was with this understanding that number five of the recommendations was adopted. The provision made by that part of the resolution was this:—

5. That we request all conferences in North America receiving a tithe of less than ten thousand dollars, to pay, beginning Jan. 1, 1911, from five per cent to ten per cent of their tithe, according to their ability, to the General Conference for mission fields; and all conferences receiving ten thousand dollars and more, to pay from ten per cent to twenty-five per cent, according to their ability; and that this plan be regarded as a permanent arrangement, upon which the General Conference may depend for the prosecution of its work.

The arrangement made by this provision for the conferences of North America receiving a liberal tithe to share this with mission fields, is not the first suggestion of this kind. A resolution was passed at the last session of the General Conference requesting our conferences which could do so to share from one fourth to one third of their tithes with the mission fields. But this has not been done to any large extent the past year or more. A few have cheerfully shared what God has given them.

What the council felt was necessary was to make some arrangement by which every conference would pay something, so that the Mission Board would be as sure of an income as the conferences themselves are. This provision does not fix a definite total amount to be paid by all the conferences, and therefore does not give an exact, definite basis upon which to plan. But it does give assurance that something will be paid by every conference, and by basing our reckoning on the minimum amount to be paid, we shall be able to make appropriations with safety.

As already stated, both of these recommendations were passed with the fullest understanding that it is absolutely necessary for such definite arrangements to be made and carried out by all the conferences, in order to carry on the extensive missionary enterprises of the denomination.

All the organized conferences have a sure, regular income upon which to base their expenditures. Why should it not be the same with the Mission Board in maintaining and enlarging its missionary operations? It should be so, and it must be so in order to do a strong work, and to save frequent financial crises. And now it is to be so, by the carrying out of these two provisions adopted at this recent council. This is an advance step, for which every lover of this cause will be profoundly grateful. It will rejoice the heart of every missionary in both home and foreign fields.

A. G. DANIELLS.

Misdirected Sympathy

By F. M. W.

Too much appreciation can not be expressed of the excellent work done throughout the world by various societies in the protection of the brute creation and in the alleviation of their sufferings. The truly kind heart will not cause needless pain to the least of God's creatures. The Scriptures declare that the righteous man is merciful to his beast. But while dumb creatures have their place, and should be treated with consideration, the disposition manifested by some to treat them with human consideration is distasteful in the extreme. Pet dogs are fondled and caressed with a consideration which should be shown only to the human family. This is the more deplorable when it is considered that on every side are needy children longing for a home, and denied even the ordinary comforts of life. These are left to suffer, and sometimes to starve, while sentimental women shower unnatural love and affection upon some dumb brute. These are the days “without natural affection,” spoken of by the apostle. Let us treat our dumb companions with kindly consideration; but let us remember that there are hearts around us hungering for kind words and loving smiles,—little acts which have to do with the making of character for eternity, and which would be largely lost upon some little poodle or pug-nose dog. F. M. W.

After the Revival, What?

By Editor

Of late there has been a great heralding of the wonderful results attending some of the great revival efforts in different parts of the country. We would indeed that some of these startling claims might be truthfully verified. It is to be feared, however, that oftentimes they are greatly exaggerated. Speaking of the recent Chapman-Alexander revival in Chicago, the Northwestern Christian Advocate of November 30 says:—

As a campaign it left nothing to be desired. . . . Mr. Chapman himself thinks that no city has responded more promptly, more sympathetically, than Chicago. What of it all? Of the general result nothing can be definitely asserted for some time yet. When matters have quieted down a little, and the churches have resumed their normal operations, it will then be possible to get some data which should be illuminating and instructive. Until then one must be content to say that in view of the manifest success of the campaign just as a campaign, it ought to show the mass revival method at its best. If the resultsare meager as tested by increase of church-membership or of evangelistic zeal, there will be great reluctance in the future to make another such experiment. There are many devout and earnest ministers who seriously doubt the value of such a campaign. Their claim is that the circumstances under which the Christian appeal is made are too sensational to allow of deep conviction, and that mass movements are not in themselves favorable to individual reflection and decision.

Note and Comment

The consumption of beer in the British Isles in 1909-10 fell off 412,100 barrels, a decline of 1¾ per cent. Since 1900-01 the decrease has been 18 per cent, and has not been made up by any increase in consumption of spirits, which has declined even more rapidly,—47 per cent in ten years,—so that apparently the man who drank a glass of spirits in 1900 now takes barely half a glass.

Ten Years of Naval Expenditure

Every year witnesses a marked increase in national expenditure for army and navy equipment. The nations of earth are vying with one another in their wild preparation for the coming conflict. A recent number of the Philadelphia Public Ledger furnishes the following figures of naval expenditures and the amount of new construction, in tons, on the part of seven leading nations for the last decade:—

	NAVAL EXPENDITURE 1900-1910	NEW CONSTRUCTION TONS
Great Britain..	$1,695,000,000	1,486,800
France ........	645,000,000	366,400
Russia ........	550,000,000	293,000
Germany .......	680,000,000	621,700
Italy ..........	290,000,000	120,000
United States..	1,110,000,000	603,100
Japan ..........	285,000,000	97,000

It will be seen that the British expenditures are still more than twice those of Germany, and that in this decade the United States spent far more than any of the powers except Great Britain. The tables in detail show also that the increase from 1901 to 1910 was most marked in the cases of Germany and the United States, the advance in the case of Germany having been from $47,000,000 to $106,000,000, and in our own case from $80,000,000 to $137,000,000. France maintained its budget at about $62,500,000 annually until 1909, when the total was swelled to $75,000,000. The yearly aggregates for both Russia and Japan fluctuated during the decade, for pretty obvious reasons, and Italy’s outlays increased from $24,500,000 to $36,500,000.

The prophecy of Joel is meeting a rapid fulfilment. The nations of earth have been awakened, and are rapidly preparing instruments of death and destruction to use in the last great struggle for supremacy. We are to see in this growing spirit a sign of the end, and be admonished by its significance.

Increase of Suicides

IN proportion as men depart from God, and lose out of their lives the peace and hope which love imparts, will they become reckless in their living, and indifferent as to the future. Sin and disease have been sowing for years, expecting a bounteous harvest; and the fearful fruit of their work becomes more and more manifest as time goes on. Of the marked increase of suicides during the last few years, the Philadelphia Press speaks as follows:—

Few days are without a suicide; and the number, in proportion to the total number living, steadily grows. This is true not only of this city and of this State, but it is true of the country. The number of suicides annually reported by the Census Bureau for the part of the United States reporting about one half the total population, is as follows:—

YEAR	SUICIDES	NO. PER 100,000
Av. ’01-’05	4,548	14.0
1904	4,912	14.8
1905	5,438	16.1
1906	5,853	14.3
1907	6,745	16.2
1908	8,332	18.5

This is appalling,—in ten years the number of suicides reported has been almost doubled! Part of this is due to fuller reports, but not all. The suicides per 100,000 of population settle this. Ten years ago, in 1900, the proportion of suicides per 100,000 of population was only 11.5. In 1908 it was 18.5, or sixty per cent greater. In other words, where, in 1900, out of 10,000 people about one person a year committed suicide, in 1908 almost two, on the average, sought to take their lives. By 1912 or so, in the United States, at the rate of increase in suicides, every 5,000 persons will be furnishing a suicide a year. From being, fifty years ago, a country with the smallest proportion of suicides, the United States is becoming a country with a larger proportion of suicides than other lands.

The President at Mass

UNDER this head, the New York Weekly Witness of Nov. 30, 1910, speaks of the recent Thanksgiving mass held in Washington, which was attended by so many officials of the various governments:—

This official attendance at mass is much to be regretted. It is likely to be greatly misunderstood by the people and the governments of Catholic countries in both hemispheres, which are struggling to rid themselves of papal domination. Nominally, at least, several of these Latin-American nations recognize the Pope’s temporal power by maintaining the diplomatic representatives at Rome accredited to the Vatican. The Latin-American diplomats in Washington are probably Roman Catholics, in name at least, and their presence at a service of their own church was natural enough. But, whether the American people recognize the fact or not, the peoples of France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy know that the material and political greatness of this republic is due to the essentially Protestant principles upon which all her institutions are founded, and that the immense difference between North America and South America in progressiveness is due chiefly to the open Bible and our political system built upon it. Good ground will they have for amazement that, while they are struggling to reach the liberties possessed by this country, political expediency should cause the head of our government to do homage—in appearance at least—to the very despotism against which they are in rebellion.

A Church in Chains

This church, according to the Independent of November 24, is the professed church of Christ when she is hampered by alliance with the state. Of the experience of the papal church in Spain, this journal says:—

It is reported that the Vatican will find itself able to renew negotiations with Spain for the amendment of the concordat. This is not good news for Spain or for the church. The desirable thing is that there be no concordat, and no agreement nor relation of the government with any church. Pure, utter, complete separation is far better for both, such as we have. It is where there is no concordat that relations are the happiest. Cardinal Vannutelli has gone back to Rome, and reported enthusiastically as to the attitude of the church in Canada and the United States. But in neither country is there any concordat.

Would indeed that all men might learn that a union of church and state accords no strength, either to the church or to the state. Each is stronger when left to operate in the particular sphere set for it by our divine Lord.

The Value of Sound Doctrine

Of the value of sound doctrine and right belief, the Northwestern Christian Advocate has this to say:—

Right belief is the spring of right living; and right living is the end of all religion. It may be the fashion in our day to depreciate the preaching of “doctrine;” but, in the main, as a man believeth, so is he. Mr. Carlyle was wont to preach “sincerity” as the sufficient virtue. No matter what a man believes, he would say, just so he is sincere. Nevertheless, a man may be sincerely wrong; and being wrong, sincerity can do nothing for him by way of remedy. One going in the wrong direction, however sincerely, never reaches home. Sincerity is a fundamental, but not the all-sufficient virtue. Some years ago a favorite phrase on people’s lips was, “An ounce of charity will outweigh a ton of doctrine.” But for the doctrine, there never would have been the charity. Men and women are not natively and irresistibly charitable. It was the doctrine of the brotherhood of man in the common Fatherhood of God which first made man think of charity sufficiently to become charitable.

The test of all truth is the Word of God. Men’s opinions count for but little. The Word is the standard by which every life will be judged at last; it should, therefore, be the rule of living. This should be ever borne in mind in these days of many “doctrines” as well as of many delusions. There is a jargon of voices sounding about us, each professing light, some claiming an authority above the plain written Word. The leadings of God’s Spirit will always agree with the teachings of the Scriptures. Any spirit which leads contrariwise is from other than a divine source.

I Need Thee Now

By C. P. Bollman

C. P. BOLLMAN

Blest Saviour, thou hast chosen me, And wooed and won my love; I therefore daily turn to thee, As coteward turns the dove.

I trust in thee, most precious Lord, On thee I now rely; I know thou wilt not fail me, Lord, E'en when I come to die.

But most of all I need thee now; 'Tis living tries the soul; And so I ask thee, Lord, to guide, And make me fully whole.

Heal thou the wounds that sin has made, Wash out each crimson spot; This done, I care not where I am, Nor yet how hard my lot.

O Lord, I love the blessed hope That I shall see thy face; I prize this more than richest store Without thy sovereign grace!

Nashville, Tenn.

Gendia Mission Station, British East Africa

By A. A. Carscallen

I AM at present spending a month away from the station, on a tour through the country. I write home to the workers at the mission every few days. It does me good to see each of the boys that I have with me send a little letter to the boys at the mission. And when the mail-carrier returns, they show as much interest in their little notes from their companion students as we ever do when the European and American mails arrive. As the other children of the district see that our boys can read and write, they also wish to be able to do the same, and we now have a good school of boys and girls who really wish to learn.

During our four years here we have not lost a worker; that is, not one of our workers who has come out here has died or been sent back to Europe because of illness, or in any other way taken from the field. For this we are very thankful to our Heavenly Father, and we trust that our lives and health may still be precious in his sight, that we may be spared to do his work in this dark and needy field.

I should add that I have never had a better trip through this country than the one I am now taking. Some of the old men express joy over what I have told them about God. They ask me to come back, that they may call in all the old men to hear of God, and how he loves and wants to save us all. Our faith in this message is strong, and we hope to triumph with it.

A. A. CARSCALLEN.

Unprecedented Extravagance

By J. N. Q.

The psalmist prayed that God would grant unto him neither riches nor poverty, and his example in this respect is worthy of emulation. These days are days of extremes, especially in the matter of wealth. A mania to make money, coupled with a love of display, has taken possession of thousands. In the current number of the Farm Journal this trait is thus presented:—

The country seems bent upon a course of unprecedented extravagance, which grows in proportion to the increase in agricultural wealth. Take the diamond as an example. This is absolutely a luxury, and it serves no other purpose than to please the fancy and tickle the vanity of the owner. The importation of diamonds into the United States increased from fourteen million dollars in 1900 to over forty seven million dollars in 1910, and an enormous amount of money is now locked up in these gems. Nor is their possession confined to the rich, as in former times. In these days of the instalment house, everybody can wear diamonds; and payments upon the engagement ring sometimes continue long after the honeymoon is over.

Every precious stone was the covering of Lucifer when he came from the hands of his Maker, and he was thus clothed that he might reflect the glory of God. Sin is a perversion of God's purposes, and the wearing of precious stones now is to glorify the creature. Their use is unbecoming the believer in Jesus Christ.

J. N. Q.

Violating the Pure Food Law

By J. N. Q.

THE spirit of selfishness reveals itself in various ways, and a rehearsal of these would necessitate considerable space. A recent revealing of it in Philadelphia is worthy of note, as it met with a deserved rebuke on the part of the authorities of that city. A commission merchant who sold eggs unfit for food was sentenced to three months in the county prison for violation of the pure food law, and the senior member of another firm was fined five hundred dollars on the same charge. In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Barrett said:—

The people of Pennsylvania demand pure food; and, as far as able, the court must see that they obtain it. You have had a fair trial, and the jury has convicted you of selling rotten eggs. You sold them deliberately and intentionally and to make a profit, showing an indifference as to whether or not the public would be injured. The big wholesaler and the little retailer stand on the same plane before this court. It must be understood that the law against the sale of impure foods is not a dead issue.

Several other violations of the pure food law were dealt with by the same court, and it is to be hoped that the effect on those who handle the food supply of the city will be salutary.

J. N. Q.

Manila, Philippine Islands

By R. A. Caldwell

A FEW days ago I made a start with our first book in the native language, “Thoughts on the Book of Daniel.” The best day I received upward of twenty orders. I believe the book will meet with a good reception from the people who speak this dialect.

The first month after my return from our visit to Shanghai, China, I completed the unfinished city territory with “Coming King” in Spanish, and obtained nearly two hundred orders. I worked mostly among the offices, where the young men receive a fair salary, and are thus in a position to buy.

We were glad to find upon our return that the work had been advancing under the efforts of an aggressive laborer. We are looking forward to the visit of Elder I. H. Evans, and also hope we shall have some new workers before very long. Shall we hope in vain?

R. A. CALDWELL

A Memorial Year

By W. H. WILD

Forty years ago our people held their first camp-meeting at Oneida, N. Y. There were present Elder James White, Mrs. E. G. White, and Elders J. H. Waggoner, J. N. Andrews, and M. E. Cornell. At the camp-meeting, my wife, myself, and others were baptized by Elder Andrews; hence this year marks forty years of association with the remnant which “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

I had many rich experiences in those early days. Well do I remember how, with Elder Wm. J. Boynton, who is now laboring in Washington, I sought the Lord for his earnest blessing. Together we would go to a little grove at the foot of a high mountain, where no human eye could see, and no human ear could hear, and holy angels would meet with us there. With one mind we would prostrate ourselves in the presence of God, and pour forth our whole soul in praise and admiration to him who suffered so much for us.

O, that I could see a revival of that unfeigned love, that deep searching of heart, that humbleness of mind, that plainness of dress, which distinguished the advent people from the world in those days! In all our ranks you could not find one person who had been baptized, adorning himself, as many do now, with gold rings, gold chains, and Babylonish garments. No; they believed the Bible and the Testimonies, both of which forbid the wearing of such things.

At the close of the Oneida camp-meeting, while I was watching Brother White pack his books, he gave me one of the prophetic charts, also a chart of God's law, saying that I would be able to use them to good advantage. This I have endeavored to do in presenting the blessed truths ever since that time.

W. H. WILD.

Bahama Islands

By Samuel H. Coombs

NOVEMBER 11 I left Nassau with as many of our good books as I could carry to visit the island of Abaco, one of the group of nearly three thousand islands and cays in the Bahamas. Abaco lies about one hundred miles north of Nassau, which is the capital, or seat of government. Abaco, with two adjoining cays, has five small settlements, and, in all, about five thousand inhabitants. Four of these settlements I was able to visit on this trip; namely, Wilson City, Marsh Harbor, Hope Town, and Green Turtle Cay. Wilson City is the principal settlement. It has a large lumber mill, an American company having a large concession of pine timber land here. The population of these islands is largely colored. The government has established schools in the settlements, so the people are fairly intelligent; but as they are quite poor, it is impossible to sell any but our smaller books to them. I am glad to say that in each place visited I disposed of a number of this class of books, and also had some good personal talks and visits with them. The people are seemingly very religious, churches being in evidence everywhere, each small settlement being represented by five or six denominations; but I never saw a people more in need of the plain gospel truths of the Bible. I am thankful that the good books left with them will be the means of giving to some the third angel's message.

Elder W. A. Sweany has rented a hall in Nassau, where the message is presented three nights a week, the believers also meeting there for Sabbath services. On the twenty-fifth I leave again for Governor's Harbor, another of the island group.

SAMUEL H. COOMBS.

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