p. 20 | Review and Herald, Vol. 79, No. 15. (4/15/1902)

The Proving of Israel, Ancient and Modern

By P. T. Magan

(Continued from last week)

The hardships which they endured, and the fighting which they did, were a great blessing to Israel. Hence it is much written: ‘And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord, that he did for Israel.’

But no sooner were Joshua and the generation which lived contemporaneously with him dead and buried, than a different state of things began to come in. ‘And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash. And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim.’

The lot of this generation was far different from that of the one which preceded them. Mounting the stage of existence, they found themselves the inheritors of certain fundamental blessings. These were a legacy bequeathed to them by their hardy, brave, Christian ancestors. They found themselves in possession of a beautiful country, dotted with splendid cities which they had neither built nor conquered, and abounding in fertile fields and luxuriant vineyards which they had neither planted nor sown. They viewed their lot with satisfaction, and began to settle down to a life of ease and pleasure. There was no Jordan to cross; no hill of Hebron to storm. The brave but now departed Caleb, even at the ripe old age of eighty-five years, had driven out the sons of the giant Anak. Southern Canaan had been conquered, and the northern alliance broken. The tribes of Israel had dispersed to their possessions. The army was disbanded, and ‘it was looked upon as a difficult and doubtful undertaking to renew the war.’ Joshua had told these younger ones in Israel to complete the work of exterminating the heathen, so nobly begun by their fathers. ‘The Lord your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the Lord your God hath promised unto you. Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left.’

But this generation of Israel had a dislike for war. They were peacefully scattered, dwelling on their pleasant estates in the fairest country in the world. The army had disbanded, and they saw many reasons why the war should not be renewed. Therefore they made no vigorous effort to complete the conquest of the land. Satisfied with the territory already gained, their zeal soon flagged. The fear of their fathers was still in the hearts of their enemies; hence they were enabled to put them under tribute. ‘When Israel was strong, they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out.’ This was much more congenial to their tastes and inclinations than the hardships of war. It was the old story,—wealth bred luxury, and luxury bred vice; ‘and they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, . . . and the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel.’

The generation of Israel which conquered the promised land accomplished much work. According to the word of the Lord, they destroyed the great majority of the inhabitants of Canaan. Some, however, of the tribes and peoples were left unconquered. These were in the land at the time when Joshua and those who had borne arms with him passed away.

Undoubtedly this first generation of Israel should have cleared the land entirely of the heathen. But God bore with their shortcomings because of his great mercy, and all that they had done. To be sure, the second generation complained against Joshua and those with him because every heathen tribe had not been utterly crushed. They said that if their fathers had only done what the Lord told them to do, they would not now have so much trouble on their hands. They saw that if their fathers had followed the instruction of the Lord, they would not have left any heathen in the land to be a snare to them.

Now what they said may have been all true. Nevertheless God, who is all-wise, foresaw their apostasy, and purposely for their good did not deliver the nations into the hands of Joshua. God foresaw their indolence and their ease, and therefore he left these heathen tribes, so that the spirit of Christian warfare and work might be revived in Israel. Viewed from this standpoint, God wrought salvation for his people through their enemies. An apparent curse turned out to be a real blessing.

‘And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice; I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died: that through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not. Therefore the Lord left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua. Now these are the nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof; namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath. And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the Lord, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.’

Thus it appears that these tribes were purposely left by the Lord to test and to prove the generation of Israel which followed after Joshua and those who

had conquered the land. God turned the presence of Israel’s enemies into a blessing to them. The second generation was obliged to fight against these nations which were left. The faith and hardship which this warfare made necessary were the very things which this generation of Israel needed most. In the warfare with these tribes that remained, those who ‘had not known all the wars of Canaan,’—the wars when the land was first conquered,—were to be proved by the Lord whether they were true men or not. These were left for the benefit of Israel, to teach them war.

When this, the second generation of Israel dwelling in the land, found that they had to fight against these tribes which were left, their faith in God began to revive. Their need of God became very evident to them. Many of them were thus led to forsake their sins and to serve God faithfully so that he could bless them and give them the victory over their enemies.

P. T. MAGAN.

(To be concluded)

The Spirit of Nehemiah

By Edward Alexander Sutherland

(Continued from last week)

EVERY man was given a definite work. There were some, however, who professed to be interested, but who took no active part. Sanballat mocked the working Jews, saying: “What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they make an end in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.” Neh. 4: 1–3.

Nehemiah sought God earnestly during this discouraging time, and his faith and unswerving courage had its effect. It is written: “So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together . . . for the people had a mind to work.”

There were certain Jews also who, instead of coming up to help the Lord’s work, were creating opposition and talking discouragement. We find that certain Jews who dwelt by Sanballat and Tobiah, came to Nehemiah, and said unto him ten times, that if Nehemiah did not cease crowding the work so hard, Sanballat and Tobiah would make trouble for them all.

Was Nehemiah discouraged and frightened by this miserable treachery of those who professed to believe the word of God?—No! To his followers he said, “Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” Neh. 4: 14.

There was no disposition on the part of Nehemiah and those who had the spirit of work, to prolong for months that which could be done in a few weeks. They were so determined to accomplish the task that, for a few days, the work lasted from the dawning of the morning till the stars appeared at night, and none of them put off their clothes, except to have them washed. Neh. 4: 21–23.

When Sanballat and Tobiah saw that they could not frighten Nehemiah from his work, they tried another plan. They begged for an interview. They said, “Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages.” But of what use was it to Nehemiah to counsel with such men? He sent back the message: “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?” After receiving this straightforward message, Sanballat and Tobiah sent again four times, begging for an interview, in order that they might discourage him in his effort to build the walls. Neh. 6: 1–3.

When Sanballat and Tobiah saw that Nehemiah and his men would not counsel, they then wrote an open letter to Nehemiah, in which it was stated that they—Sanballat and Tobiah—had heard it reported that Nehemiah was planning a rebellion against the king of Persia, and that he (Nehemiah) intended to be king of the Jews. They begged Nehemiah to come and talk the matter over. This last message meant much to Nehemiah and his associates. If Sanballat and Tobiah should send the report to the Persian king, it might cause the work to cease. Through it all, Nehemiah’s only relief was in prayer: “O God, strengthen my hands.” Neh. 6: 4–9.

Still other attempts were made to thwart the work of Nehemiah. A man purporting to be a prophet came to him, urging him to flee into the temple for protection from a night attack that would be made by Sanballat and Tobiah. Note Nehemiah’s answer and the result: “I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in. And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me. My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.” Neh. 6: 10–14.

In the midst of such opposing forces, the building of the wall was completed. But even with this recounting of difficulties, I have not mentioned all, for the most perplexing opposition came from Jews,—nobles, in fact, who should have upheld the hands of Nehemiah in his aggressive work, but who were, on the contrary, secretly allied to Sanballat and Tobiah. These nobles, or leaders, kept others in an unsettled state of mind by writing letters and carrying false reports. The exact wording of the Scriptures is, “They reported his [Tobiah’s] good deeds before me [Nehemiah], and uttered my matters to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.” Neh. 6: 17–19.

E. A. SUTHERLAND.

(To be concluded)

The Lord’s Plan

By Ellen G. White

THERE are, in the divine providence, particular periods when we must arise in response to the call of God and make use of our means, our time, our intellect, our whole being, body, soul, and spirit, in fulfilling his requirements. The present is such a time as this. The interests of God’s cause are at stake. The Lord’s institutions are in peril. Because of the terrible burden of debt under which our schools are struggling, the work is hindered on every side. In our great necessity, God has made a way through the difficulty, and has invited us to co-operate with him in accomplishing his purpose. It was his plan that the book, “Christ’s Object Lessons,” should be given for the relief of our schools, and he calls upon his people to do their part in placing this book before the world. In this he is testing his people and his institutions, to see if they will work together and be of one mind in self-denial and self-sacrifice.

Mrs. E. G. White.

Good News from Oklahoma

ELDER G. G. RUPERT, president of the Oklahoma Conference, reports that the Oklahoma quota of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” consisting of five thousand copies, is now all in the hands of the people, with the exception of about three hundred books. He also states that during the last six months the sales on other denominational books in Oklahoma, aside from the work on “Christ’s Object Lessons,” have been twice as large as during the nine months previous. This is right, and as it ought to be. Wherever the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons” is carried on in the right way, there will be an increase in the sale of other books.

Donors to the Relief of the Schools

The Total Cash received on the Relief of the Schools Fund up to April 4, is $40,129.20.

NAME	AMOUNT
M. L. Poole	$ 5 00
S. J. Calkin	2 00
C. H. Jones	10 00
G. A. Larson	5 00
G. B. Collett	2 00
O. L. Coy	1 00
D. D. Wall	10 00
Nebraska	3 24
M. Nethery	250 00
L. P. Loy	50 00
N. M. Stevens	3 00
C. Hughes	50
P. H. Poland	5 00
A. M. Kilgore	1 00
J. Dunn	5 00
L. S. Lauritson	5 00
H. Peterson	2 00
Norwalk (Ohio) church	5 00
M. L. Locke	5 00
Wm. Kerr	2 00
C. La Barr	5 00
Hattie Barr	5 00
G. Schneider	5 00
W. Shroder	10 00
E. E. Koegler	2 00
Emma Emmons	1 55
G. T. Lay	99 85
M. V. Taylor	25 00
A. F. Tenney	1 00
T. H. Branch	5 00

I Know

By Frances Ridley Havergal

I KNOW the crimson stain of sin, Defiling all without, within; But now rejoicingly I know That He has washed me white as snow; I praise him for the crimson tide, Because I know that Jesus died.

I know the helpless, helpless plaint, “The whole head sick, the whole heart faint;” But now I trust his touch of grace, That meets so perfectly my case— So tenderly, so truly deals, Because I know that Jesus heals. —Frances Ridley Havergal.

Current Mention

— Cholera continues to spread in the Philippine Islands.

— Two barges with their crews are reported lost in a gale off the New Jersey coast, April 9.

— A strike of union bricklayers has begun at Chicago, the men demanding fifty-five cents an hour pay.

— President Roosevelt was a visitor at the Charlestown exposition, April 8, where he was warmly welcomed by the managers and the populace.

— Miss Ellen Stone, the kidnapped missionary, was among the passengers that arrived at New York City on the “Deutschland,” April 10.

— Italy has sentenced an anarchist named Malatesta to five months’ imprisonment for writing articles applauding the murder of President McKinley.

— The Rev. T. De Witt Talmage is critically ill at his home in Washington, D. C., and a fatal termination of the case is expected by those at his bedside.

— It is reported from Pretoria that peace has been arranged in South Africa, the Boer leaders who have been in conference having accepted the British terms. The nature of these terms is not yet disclosed.

— Five members of a sheriff’s posse in Hancock County, Tenn., were killed while the posse was making an arrest of a desperate character who was wanted on a charge of murder. The criminal was assisted by his friends in resisting arrest.

— The State of Washington has joined in the fight to prevent the combine of the Great Northern and Northern Pacific Railways, the attorney-general of the State having asked leave of the supreme court of the United States to begin suit against the railways to this end.

— At Lawton, O. T., white residents expelled forty negroes after a fierce fight, April 6, one negro being fatally hurt. The negroes armed themselves, and a race war seemed imminent, to avert which a call was sent to the governor for troops. The trouble grew out of an attempt of the negroes to vote at an election, April 1.

— The Belgian government is reported to be seriously alarmed at the attitude of the people, who are bent on securing universal suffrage. Serious rioting has occurred in Brussels, and the government fears a repetition of the disturbances of 1893 and 1899, when a revolution was narrowly averted. The militia reserves are suspected of sympathizing with the rioters.

— The longest and most powerful chain ever constructed, so it is claimed, was recently finished at Lebanon, Pa., the headquarters of the Standard Chain Company. It was made for the Eastern Shipbuilding Company of New London, Conn., and a duplicate will be made for the same company, the two great chains to be used on two large steamships which are to run between San Francisco and ports of Japan. The chain is 330 fathoms in length, and was tested by being subjected to a strain of 600,000 pounds.

— The Sunday-closing law was strictly enforced in New York City, Sunday, April 6.

— A New York millionaire and bank president, Mr. Warner Van Norden, recently made a rather sensational address to a company of clergymen in New York City, in which he declared that large churches did not save souls, and advised that ministers devote more time to the work of rescuing millionaires from selfish greed.

— The State of Virginia has followed the lead of Alabama in making a constitutional provision shutting illiterate negroes away from the polls, while allowing suffrage to illiterate whites. There is a plain provision of the national Constitution which forbids such discrimination, declaring that “the right of the citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any State, on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”

— The lower house of Congress, on April 7, re-enacted the Chinese exclusion law, with amendments to the original measure which considerably increased its drastic character. Not only pure-blooded Chinese, but all Chinese of mixed blood, are now barred under this law, and the law is extended to the Philippines and other island possessions of the United States, excluding the Chinese from these likewise. Nor can Chinese laborers in the American colonies come into the United States.

— While Cuba is to become nominally an independent country on the twentieth day of the coming May, the general opinion prevails, if newspapers speak the truth, that even this nominal independence will be short-lived, and that in a few years’ time at the most, Cuba will be annexed to the United States. The fact that the United States is virtually the guardian of the island, and that American interests in Cuba must be greatly extended under the opportunities now open, makes this forecast of its political status a practical certainty.

— Among the ideas which the late Cecil Rhodes entertained and had in view as the primary end of his ambition, if we may believe the statements made by his nearest associates, was that of a combination of English and American millionaires in a secret society modeled after the Jesuit order, for controlling the world under an Anglo-American alliance. Rich men were to leave their money to this society instead of to “undeserving relatives.” Most of us can see little reason why the world should be brought any more under the dominance of wealth than it is already.

— A statute has been recently passed by the Alabama Legislature which it is thought may in some degree provide a legal substitute for lynching in that State. It authorizes the circuit courts to hold special sessions for the trial of prisoners charged with criminal assault. The first case under this new law was tried March 31, the prisoner being a negro. A special grand jury was impaneled, which in half an hour presented an indictment; the court was convened in special session, and the conviction of the prisoner, with sentence of hanging, speedily followed.

— A dispatch dated at London, April 5, gives the following particulars touching the will of the late Cecil Rhodes: “The will of the Right-Hon. Cecil J. Rhodes provides for the establishment of colonial scholarships; for two scholarships to each of the present States and Territories of the United States, and for five scholarships for students of German birth. All the scholarships are for education at Oxford. The German students are to be nominated by Emperor William. Commenting on his bequest, Mr. Rhodes, in a codicil telegraphed from South Africa, said: ‘For a good understanding between England, Germany, and the United States will secure the peace of the world, and educational relations form the strongest tie.’”

A Debt of Gratitude

By R. A. Underwood

FOR several years it has seemed to me a wise and reasonable thing to turn the Battle Creek College over to the medical branch of this cause.

Providence has favored this move, and now at this time when the medical work has been crippled by recent heavy loss by fire, it is opportune that every Seventh-day Adventist should show his interest in the principles of health reform and the medical work by helping to raise a fund to purchase the college building, and give it, free of debt, to the medical work. God has given this people a favorable opportunity to show their appreciation of the medical work.

A few days ago I met a prominent physician in a Pennsylvania city. I soon learned that he was much interested in our work as a people. He had read Good Health, “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,” “Great Controversy,” “Christ’s Object Lessons,” etc. In conversation at the table, I asked him what first attracted his attention to our work and people. (His table was spread with health foods.) He replied, “These health foods, while I was in the medical college, first led me to investigate your work and doctrine.” From these his mind had been led to the subject of Christ’s coming, the Sabbath, and kindred truths for this time. There are many cases of a similar character.

Sometimes we forget what we formerly paid for tobacco, tea, coffee, drugs, etc. When we think of the money saved by this people by adopting right principles of living, to say nothing of the suffering avoided, we ought to be a grateful people.

Indeed, we owe it as a debt of gratitude to God and to our fellow men cheerfully and quickly to raise a sum sufficient to purchase the Battle Creek College, and give it, free of debt, to the medical college, which, under God, is raised up to carry this reform to the ends of the earth.

If we have no land to set apart to raise a crop for this purpose, we can appropriate some part of our income as a thank offering for deliverance from the gall and bitterness of intemperance. God will use this gift to raise a beacon light that shall shine to the uttermost parts of the earth. R. A. UNDERWOOD.

NOTICES AND APPOINTMENTS

Publications Wanted

Mrs. M. M. Hall, Archdale, N. C., REVIEW, Signs, etc.

J. W. Buckland, Box 236, Great Bend, Kan., Little Friend, Instructor, REVIEW, Signs, Life Boat.

Obituaries

“I am the resurrection and the life.”—Jesus.

HASKINS.—Died at her home in Jamestown, N. Y., April 1, 1902, of cancer, Mrs. Amy Haskins, aged 73 years. Sister Haskins was a believer in the third angel's message for a long time. She united with the Jamestown church in 1895, and was ever a consistent member. She leaves two sons and two daughters. Funeral services were conducted by the writer; text, Rev. 14:13—her own selection. J. B. Strow.

CROFOOT.—Died at his home at Burt, Mich., March 31, 1902, of heart disease, Brother Phillip Crofoot, aged 67 years, 8 months, 13 hours old. He was a lover of the truth, and died in the hope of the first resurrection. A few comforting remarks were made by the Methodist minister at the home of the deceased. W. S. DIFFIN.

DUKE.—Died at Gilbertson, Wyo., March 23, 1902, Brother D. V. Duke, aged 46 years, 6 months, 4 days. Brother Duke died with bright hope of a part in the first resurrection. He had recently accepted present truth under the labors of Brother E. L. Cook, and the writer who spoke words of comfort at the funeral, from Rev. 14:13. J. W. BEAMS.

STEIN.—Mrs. Bertha Stein was born in Germany; died at the St. Helena (Cal.) Sanitarium, March 31, 1902, aged 65 years. She suffered long with rheumatism and other diseases. She had been a firm believer in the last message for several years, and gave freely of her means to advance the cause. Service and burial at St. Helena. Text, Ps. 116:15. H. A. ST. JOHN.

PRUSSIA.—Died at Golden Springs, Neb., March 29, 1902, of pneumonia, Sister Emma Prussia, aged 60 years, lacking one day. Six children and many friends are left to mourn their loss. She was a believer in the Lord's message for to-day. We laid her away to rest in the blessed hope of a part in the first resurrection. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer. W. B. HILL.

LEMON.—Fell asleep in Jesus, March 18, 1902, as the result of an injury causing abscess on the brain, my husband, Edward G. Lemon, aged about forty-three years. He accepted the truth over seven years ago, during a tent meeting at De Soto, Mo., held by my father, Elder A. P. Hescock. Through all his sufferings his trust in God never wavered. He often remarked that he would rather lay down his life than disobey God. In the absence of a minister, Sister Cora Rapp, a Bible worker from St. Louis, conducted the services, using some of his favorite texts. Mrs. E. G. LEMON.

CASE.—Abner Case, the subject of this notice, lost his life in the fire which consumed the Sanitarium, at Battle Creek, Mich., the morning of Feb. 18, 1902, being in his eighty-seventh year. He was converted in early years, and joined the Christian Church; later he united with the Methodist Church. Seventeen years ago he was united in marriage with the widow of Jackson Morehouse, and at the time of his death was faithfully observing the Sabbath with his devoted wife, who has been a Sabbath-keeper over forty years. Brother Case's Christian life was one of special devotion to the Master. It is said of him that from his early Christian experience to his death he never allowed a day to pass under any circumstances without seeking God in prayer three times. The remains were sent to Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y., where funeral services were conducted by the writer, assisted by the resident Baptist minister. It was a most solemn and impressive occasion. The attendance was large, and the floral contributions were beautiful. May heaven sustain and comfort those who mourn the death of our brother. J. W. RAYMOND.

Many Conferences in Line on the Missionary Acre Work

By P. T. Magan

ALREADY letters are beginning to come in from union conference and conference presidents all over the country in favor of the Missionary Acre work. Never have we had more hearty responses than have been received in this matter.

Elder W. T. Knox writes that the Pacific Union Conference will push this work to its utmost ability, feeling sure of success.

Elder H. W. Decker, president of the North Pacific Conference, writes as follows:—

“I have received your letter of the 11th, and have read it with more than usual interest. I am in hearty accord with what you have written. I have felt for a long time that the medical missionary branch of the work has not had the sympathy and support that it should have from this denomination. I remember when Dr. Kellogg stood pleading with tears for our people to respond in some degree to this branch of the work, if it was only to permit some young people to go to the Sanitarium to be trained without expense to the conference.

“The work has struggled on under the greatest disadvantages, but the Lord has vindicated it so that every fair-minded person can see that God's hand is in it in a remarkable degree.

“I will act upon your suggestions concerning the Missionary Acre Fund, and will do all I can to carry them out in the North Pacific Conference.”

From the Eastern Union Conference comes a cheery letter from the president, H. W. Cottrell, saying:—

“I am with you to do whatever appears to be the best thing for the Sanitarium interest at this special time. I think the well-working of the ‘acre’ business at this time will be as good a thing as can be done by us. I am ready to do all in my power to make the most of the undertaking. Of course you are aware that the farming business is a minor resource in the greater part of this conference. However, I will do my best to strike the principle from every quarter.”

The Pennsylvania president speaks in no uncertain tones. Writing under date of March 18, Elder R. A. Underwood says:—

“Your communication touching the matter of help for the medical school meets my hearty approval. I will do what I can to work up the Missionary Acre Fund in Pennsylvania. If we had more farmers, we would be in a position to make a stronger effort, or perhaps a more effective effort, but we will do the best we can.”

From West Virginia Elder S. M. Cobb writes:—

“This ‘acre’ work has my sympathies and best wishes, as well as my labors and prayers. I am for the up-building of the Lord’s work in all its branches. I regard the medical missionary work as the right arm of the message, and as such I mean to stand by it and give it the support it deserves.”

Iowa, always energetic and loyal, sounds a similar note. Elder L. F. Starr, president of the conference, writes:—

“Your long letter of the 14th inst. is at hand. I have tried fully to sense the situation of the medical phase of the work. I believe I am in harmony with it. I shall write an article for our State paper concerning the Missionary Acre Fund. I will talk this work wherever I go among the churches, and will instruct the ministers and workers to do the same. I believe that Iowa did something last year toward this enterprise. We are anxious to see our medical college fully established, and believe that Iowa will take hold nobly.”

Despite the discouraging financial outlook in Missouri and Nebraska, Elders Rees and Nelson, presidents of these conferences, write with courage and hope. The former says:—

“I indorse all that you say in your letter relative to the Missionary Acre Fund, and I am sure it is all right.”

Elder Nelson writes in regard to the Missionary Acre Fund:—

“I am willing to have it worked up in this State, but the prospect for a crop here this year is not very flattering. We have not had any rain, and very little snow, but some terrible wind storms, so it seems quite discouraging. But we can do something. The people are willing to take hold and lift whenever they see it is needed, and it does seem that it is needed at present very much.”

In the Kansas Conference the work has already begun. Elder E. T. Russell, the president, has written Elder Lane, the chairman of the Missionary Acre Committee, to come to that State as soon as he can. In a letter written March 25, he says:—

“I have recently been attending some general meetings throughout the State, and have placed the matter of the Missionary Acre work before our brethren, and believe that quite a number will take hold of it; and as a result you will receive donations from Kansas next fall.”

From across the border Elder J. W. Collie, president of the Ontario Conference, writes:—

“I wish to assure you that I am in hearty sympathy with any move to assist the medical missionary work according to the Missionary Acre plan suggested in your appeal. We had so much matter that we were obliged to insert in this coming issue of our paper, that it was impossible to insert your article; but I have written a short notice, and we will do all in our power to have Ontario do her share in the enterprise. I shall be glad to have Elder Lane visit our churches wherever there is a farming community, and will esteem it a privilege to assist him in every way possible.”

Thus everywhere, with no exception, is the Missionary Acre movement meeting with hearty assurance of support from a large number of Christian men of influence, whose word is as good as their bond. The work of clearing away the debts on the schools already established, or of founding new schools without debt, is one filled with peace, hope, and joy.

Things look bright in the Missionary Acre work. Backed up by a loyal army of over one hundred thousand strong, victory and freedom from debt are absolute certainties. So strong are the currents of Christian life in the hearts of God’s people, that it looks as if the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and two may yet be the long-looked-for year of jubilee.

P. T. MAGAN.

Wanted

A good position is offered to a thoroughly competent and experienced kindergarten teacher, who is able to conduct a normal class in kindergarten methods and all that pertains to child culture. Address at once, Mrs. E. H. Whitney, Sanitarium, Battle Creek, Mich.

Notice !

By Bert Glasscock

THE annual meeting of the constituency of the Nebraska Sanitarium will be held in the main office of the association, at College View, Neb., April 22, 1902, at 9 A. M., at which time the board of trustees will be elected for the ensuing year; also vacancies in the constituency will be filled. BERT GLASSCOCK, Sec.

Change of Date

By J. G. Lamson

OWING to the change of the location of the Michigan State meeting from Cedar Lake to Charlotte, it is thought best to begin the Spring term at Cedar Lake Academy, May 5, instead of May 12. This term will close July 25. There will be an excellent opportunity to review the common branches at small expense. If interested, write immediately. J. G. LAMSON, Principal.

Addresses

THE address of Elder L. D. Santee is changed from 7115 St. Lawrence St., to 4247 Wabash Ave., Chicago.

Address of Augustin J. Bourdeau

THE address of Augustin J. Bourdeau is care of California Tract Society, 301 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, Cal.

Sister Florence Danielson

ANY one knowing the whereabouts of Sister Florence Danielson will confer a favor upon the Blair church by writing to Mrs. G. A. Kirkle, Blair, Neb.

Advance Arrangements Required

Notice!

THE undersigned wish to state to the public that it is absolutely necessary that those who are planning to come to the Sanitarium, or the Medical Missionary College, should write in advance of coming, and make necessary arrangements. It is not sufficient simply to write giving notice of coming, but arrangements should actually be made with those in charge of the work. It has for several years been customary for those who had friends at the Sanitarium to write and notify their friends of their coming. Such a notice is not adequate, and the management of the institution desire to say that, after this date, they cannot receive any with the exception of those with whom they have previously corresponded. SANITARIUM.

Death of Elder O. S. Ferren

By N. P. Nelson

DIED near Albion, Neb., March 21, 1902, Elder O. S. Ferren, aged 52 years, 5 months. Brother Ferren accepted the truth thirty-three years ago, and has labored as a minister of the gospel over fifteen years, beginning his work in Kansas, and later removing to Wyoming. This field being added to the Nebraska Conference, Brother Ferren became connected with the work here, and was in charge of District 5. For a few weeks previous to his illness, he conducted a series of meetings near Albion. His death was caused by the forming of an abscess on the brain, which caused severe suffering for a time. He seemed to improve for a little while, and with characteristic energy he attempted to go on with the work; but the disease had gained too firm a hold, and he rapidly grew worse. His wife reached him only a few hours before his death. His remains were accompanied by his family to Big Horn, Wyo., their former home. Kind friends met them as they passed through Lincoln, and also at Sheridan. A large number of friends and neighbors assembled at the Congregational church at Big Horn, where services were conducted by Brother E. L. Cook, assisted by Elder Robinson, the Methodist minister. The text chosen for the occasion was Rev. 14:13. It can truly be said of him, "He died at his post." A wife and four children are left to mourn the death of an affectionate husband and father, but they sorrow not without hope. N. P. NELSON.

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