Earlier text: In Anterior TibetThe Battle Creek Institute
By G. W. Amadon
NOVEMBER 6-19 was the time allotted to this very important gathering. As related to the third angel’s message, Battle Creek is historic ground. Since 1855, when the Review Office was moved here from Rochester, N. Y., the mighty message from heaven has radiated from this point. Our educational and health work started in Battle Creek, and it was here that the publishing work received an impetus that has known no abatement to the present time. How fitting, then, in view of these considerations, and others that need not be mentioned, that a ministerial convention should be held in Battle Creek. As all should know, this grand meeting embraced the seven conferences of the Lake Union,—Wisconsin, Northern and Southern Illinois, Indiana, and East, West, and North Michigan. The general laborers at this institute were Elders A. G. Daniells, G. B. Thompson, and W. A. Spicer all the time, Elder I. H. Evans and Drs. Geo. Thomason and David Paulson for a few days, and later Elder G. B. Starr. All the presidents of the Lake Union conferences were in attendance; also Elder E. K. Slade, of Ohio. Elder Allen Moon, president of the Lake Union, presided at the sessions, and otherwise assisted. Prof. H. R. Salisbury, the head of the educational work of the denomination, was present during part of the convention, and assisted in the instruction given. Most of the ministers and Bible workers of the Lake Union and many canvassers were at this very important meeting. The program for the institute was a practical one, and was carried out with exactness. Seven sessions each day were held. Ever since the remarkable occasion at Philadelphia, months ago, the report of which brought such a thrill of joy to the readers of the REVIEW, we have been on the tiptoe of expectation looking for more and greater manifestations of the Spirit’s power among God’s people. We have been told that there was a like experience at Walla Walla, and that wherever the subject of the reception of the Holy Spirit is dwelt upon, this feature of the message is received with gladness. We are fully justified in stating that it was even thus at Battle Creek. The writer is doubly sure that at this meeting it was very easy for the servants of God to present such instruction as they brought from the treasure-house of the Scriptures. Most literally the word of God had free course, and those present felt that they were sitting in a heavenly place in Christ Jesus. In the absolute sense there was no doctrinal preaching at the institute. In all the public discourses, in all the Scriptural studies (and there were four each day—nearly fifty in all), and in the devotional exercises, the one great bent seemed to be, to be right with God, where the Holy Spirit could use the human instrument more effectively. At the close of one service a brother remarked, “I am so filled with a sense of God’s presence that probably I shall keep awake most of the night.” To this the response was in the words of the doxology, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.” This account of the Battle Creek institute should contain more than a casual reference to the labors of Brethren Daniells, Thompson, and Spicer, who had the brunt of the teaching on their shoulders. From the first meeting it was evident that these brethren felt that the occasion was one of momentous importance, and that in Christ’s stead they were instructing those who were charged with the most solemn message that God ever sent to the human race. Indeed, it seemed that in their labors they were like a cart pressed beneath the weight of the sheaves. Amos 2:13. Toward the close of the convention Elder Daniells said that if revival efforts did not follow this institute, there would be grave responsibilities resting on the ministers; and this was not stating it too strongly. From the very first day the alpha and omega of all the instruction seemed to be that the believers in this cause might “be filled with the Holy Spirit.” How often was this text, and many of like import, made use of: “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” It was literally, “line upon line,” “precept upon precept,” “here a little and there a little,” on this all-important subject, as the prophet says. Isa. 28:13. The interest increased as the time sped by, even to the very close, so that the scripture was fulfilled, “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof.” Eccl. 7:8. And what holy resolves filled16the hearts of all those who listened to the instruction poured forth from the platform. It was intensely soul-inspiring to listen to those earnest men of God. They had a message, and what a mighty convincing power attended its presentation! Paul to the Thessalonians wrote: “Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.” 1 Thess. 1:5. It was even so in this meeting. In such an article as this it is absolutely impossible to present verbatim reports of sermons or studies. A few condensed statements must suffice. Speaking of conditions in Russia, Elder Daniells, who lately visited that vast empire, said:— “We found the people there as ready as any other people in the world to engage in missionary work. We have 4,000 believers in Russia, with three organized conferences and six great mission fields. Their tithe amounts to about $25,000 a year, and some 800 persons are baptized each year. The Russians are a religious people, and this message is making more rapid progress in that difficult field than in any other country on the globe, unless it may be in China. Such facts should cause the hearts of Seventh-day Adventists everywhere to thrill with gratitude and joy. As evidence of the zeal and faithfulness of this people, a Russian minister who is now serving out a sentence in prison for his faith, has managed to bring the truths of the third angel’s message to more than forty of his fellow prisoners. Thus the word of God grows and multiplies as in the early church.” Acts 12:24. Elder Spicer, in one of his sermons, told his hearers of the beginning of this work, how that in 1845 Elder Joseph Bates, after much study and prayer, began to observe the Bible Sabbath; and in 1846 published the first Sabbath tract. In 1847 quite a company had taken their stand for this glorious truth, and in 1848 they were preparing to publish it. In 1849 the first Seventh-day Adventist paper was printed at Middletown, Conn., by the late Elder James White. Then “mightily grew the word of God,” as in the days of Paul. Acts 19:20. He said that a certain Methodist journal accused the Sabbath-keeping Adventists of having “a purpose to run the world.” The speaker confessed that the one object of this people is to run into all the world with this Heaven-sent message; and now we see God’s work fast approaching its completion. Elder Thompson in his telling studies on the reception of the Spirit said that the best book to study about the Holy Spirit is the Bible. We have an infallible guide in the Holy Spirit, which is the real vicar of Christ; when Jesus went up, the Comforter came down. It is absolutely of no use to preach without the Spirit. Quoting from “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IV, page 447, he read: “No one can tell how much is lost by attempting to preach without the unction of the Holy Spirit.” Our only safety is to be in continual communion with the Spirit. The Saviour said that he could do nothing of himself. That is the condition of all his servants. Christ’s first anointing for service was after his baptism; if Jesus needed that unction for service, how much more his followers! How truly all need that life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit! The promise is: “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord; his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” Hosea 6:3. On the evening of November 13, Dr. Thomason, recently from South Africa, gave a very practical lecture on the gospel of health. Among the many good things said here are a few excerpts:— To-day we see physical degeneracy on every hand. Recently in England two thirds of the men who applied for admission into the army were rejected because of physical unfitness. Last year in the same country 60,000 people died of tuberculosis, and 32,000 died of cancer. The number of persons who attain to great age is diminishing, and more subtle diseases are making inroads each year; such as, diseases of the liver, the tissues, kidneys, and heart. Kidney diseases alone have increased 1,500 per cent during the last fifty years. Mental diseases also are alarmingly on the increase. Insanity in a lifetime has increased 400 per cent, and feeble-mindedness is greatly increasing. In England alone there are 122,000 feeble-minded children, with 85,000 others who are as physically well as mentally deficient. This sad condition is largely attributable to pernicious habits of eating, drinking, and unsanitary living; and the use of liquor, that curse of curses, is responsible to a great degree for the present sad conditions of the race. Shall not Seventh-day Adventists, who have such a flood of light on health and temperance, take up this subject anew, and in all things be obedient to the heavenly message until Jesus comes? But alas, that the multitude of excellent things set forth at the institute can only be referred to in the main, and not given in detail to the readers. A full history of the convention would make a volume of several hundred pages. The writer has twenty-nine pages of closely prepared notes, which to this meeting are only as the chapter headings are to a book. Altogether too soon the convention reached the last day, and Elder Daniells, in the evening service of November 19, with words of timely importance to ministers, Bible workers, and others, brought the great Battle Creek Institute to its close. This notable gathering, which began in the Spirit, and continued in the Spirit, closed in the same blessed manner. It was indeed a godsend to the Lake Union Conference in general, and to the Battle Creek church locally. To God be all the praise. 1404 Lake View Avenue, St. Joseph, Mich. Shan States, of Burma
By Olive Tornbjad
It is now about two weeks since we arrived here with our household things, and we are stored away in camp until we can secure land for permanent use. I do not think a more ideal climate is to be found, and everything looks so beautiful since the rains. The villages here are noted for the bamboo, which is very pretty and graceful. The hill we have selected on which to build our home is of about 4,000 feet elevation, and has a rainfall of about 50 inches. In December, January, and February there are frequent frosts. The soil is very fertile, and the country rather sparsely settled, yet there are many large villages around. Heho, which is the market-place, has about 2,000 people; besides this there are a dozen villages in sight. The people are a mixture of Shan and Burmese; they speak Burmese, or a dialect of Burmese, and read Burmese. They are more simple-minded and not so lazy as the Burmans. Some are almost as I judge they were one hundred years ago. When I first came, I was a great curiosity; as they had never seen a white woman before. There has never been any mission work done here, although the Baptists have a mission station only a few miles distant, with a native pastor in charge. As far as I can tell, the people are very favorable toward Christianity, although I understand that the Sawbwa, the native ruler, is a bigoted Buddhist; but he is very friendly toward our work. He is anxious that better methods of agriculture be taught his people, and he looks favorably on the medical work and the teaching of women. He and the English government officials have expressed themselves as pleased that we are here, and that they will help us along — that we are just where we are needed. We arrived here on Tuesday, and were compelled to camp in our little two-room bamboo house. On Friday we got things partly straightened up, and announced there would be a Bible study Sabbath morning at nine o’clock. We threw mats down on the floor, and had our first Sabbath-school. Eighteen were present with us. Our lesson was Genesis I. Except one none had ever seen a Bible. It was a good day. Never did I feel that I needed the help of God more than I did that day as we bowed in prayer. A Faithful Helper
By D. W. Reavis
MANY, many are the appreciated statements coming to the REVIEW from those who have read it for sufficient time to realize its real value. As an illustration of what the REVIEW means to these, as well as to others who have not written, we quote the following:— “I have missed but three or four issues of the REVIEW since I began taking it, thirteen years ago. I think I could hardly live a good Christian life, and be without the REVIEW. It is all the help I have outside the Bible. One is so prone to forget and to drift away from a high plane of life, when there is not a constant reminder present. I am an isolated member, and have no church to attend. The REVIEW has faithfully made its appearance for the past thirteen years, and I constantly thank God for its helpful presence each week. It grows better and better year after year. Many thanks for your kindness in giving notice of the expiration of my subscription.” As time passes, and as the perplexities of the last days multiply, the importance of the REVIEW will be increased. Unless the members of our churches have something like the REVIEW with them all the time, they will sooner or later discover a falling away in their interests and faith. They should not be without this essential helper very long, else it will be harder in the future to save themselves to the truth. The REVIEW is accompanied by the same Spirit and power that are given to assist our individual workers throughout the world. It is reasonable that the Holy Spirit should accompany the REVIEW, inasmuch as it is one of the denominational mediums of communication,—a voice of the great advent movement in the world, a general messenger, bringing to all believers throughout the world encouraging reports of progress made,—providing spiritual food for all, and presenting new plans for extending the work. It reaches the majority of our members, and brings to these, week by week, new inspiration and fresh courage. So many communications giving assurance of this fact have reached the publishers that we must believe the Lord is directly and especially working through the REVIEW in unifying his people, cementing their interests, and strengthening their faith in the work he has committed to them. Let all those who have the REVIEW and enjoy its blessings, interest themselves in encouraging others to take it. Getting the REVIEW into the homes of our members will be profitable missionary work. A Follow-Up Work
By R. A. Underwood
OUR brethren and sisters are engaged in a campaign to gather funds for the mission fields, by the circulation of the missionary number of the Signs. They are visiting their neighbors and friends, and soliciting them for donations. Doubtless they will have many interesting experiences in this work. At the recent council in Washington a large committee appointed to consider the Sanitarium Relief campaign and the great work done by the sanitariums, made a number of recommendations. Among these were the following:— “1. We recommend, That this ‘Ministry of Healing’ campaign be prosecuted by our people with renewed vigor and earnestness until complete success crowns our efforts.” “5. We would recommend, That the week following the week of prayer, December 18-25, be set apart by all our people for placing ‘Ministry of Healing’ before the people, and we would recommend, that during this time other matters, so far as possible, be laid aside, and our efforts given to this work.” It was thought that the week following the week of prayer, or just about Christmas time, would be an opportune17season to place “Ministry of Healing” in the hands of the people. Many would purchase the book as a holiday gift for their friends. This nicely follows the work we have been doing with the Signs. There must be quite a number of copies of “Ministry of Healing” in the hands of our brethren at the present time unsold. Our effort should be to see that all these books are placed in the hands of the people, and the money sent in to the tract societies. Plans should also be laid to secure additional copies of the book, that this week may be one of success in placing it before the people. We need not repeat what has been said upon the importance of this work. Every one who has read the book knows something of its value. Spurious fads of healing are presented, often called “divine healing.” In every large railway depot one can find Christian Science literature scattered in all parts of it. Even upon the train, and every place one goes, he comes in contact with this literature. If those who have no gospel of hope to present better than the denial of the existence of sin, of disease, of death, of Christ’s suffering, are energetic and enthusiastic enough to circulate the vast amount of literature which Christian Scientists place before the people, should not Seventh-day Adventists, with the treasure of divine truth presented in a most pleasing and helpful manner, found in “Ministry of Healing,” seek much more to place it in the hands of the people who are exposed to this destructive deception of Christian Science? This is the opportunity to do what we can to save our fellow men from this awful delusion. Shall we not as church officers, as members, and as conference laborers arise as one man, and put forth vigorous effort at the time appointed to place “Ministry of Healing” in the homes of the people? The week of prayer is a splendid time of preparation for those who go out with consecrated hands and hearts in the sale of this splendid book. Let every one do his best to circulate this book. A Missionary Journey
By G. B. Starr
BEFORE leaving Boston for an unexpected trip to the West, it was our great joy to attend several revival services held at Tremont Temple, and witness and experience the working of the Holy Spirit upon hearts and minds. The spiritual interests of the several churches in Boston and its suburbs have been placed under the direction of a pastoral committee. This committee arranges for help in the various churches a month in advance. The ministers, Bible workers, and church elders are notified of the appointments, any of which are gladly yielded in favor of visiting brethren. The majority of the churches hold their services Sabbath morning, thus leaving the afternoon free for a general rally at Chipman Hall, Tremont Temple, where it is planned to have a warm, live revival service and social meeting. This service is conducted usually by two or three evangelists. After short, pointed discourses, the people are given an opportunity to take part. They gladly avail themselves of this privilege, and even strangers mingle their testimonies with those of the believers, in some instances taking their stand decidedly for the truth. We spent one day at the General Conference Council in Washington, D. C. All our requests for help were granted, including a ten days’ visit from Dr. Geo. Thomason to Boston, Melrose, and Portland, and a two days’ visit from Dr. Harvey W. Wiley, government analyst, to Melrose. Dr. Wiley will address the physicians of Boston during his visit to the New England Sanitarium. At Columbus, Ohio, we met four of my cousins whom I had not seen since childhood, including Prof. William McPherson, who is in charge of the department of chemistry in the Ohio State University. On Sabbath we were pleased to find our commodious church (which we were informed was free from debt) filled to the very doors. We enjoyed a precious outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the entire congregation coming forward, where we all united in presenting our requests for prayer to the Lord. Many offered thanksgiving and praise, and it was good to be there. Arriving in Chicago, we were most cordially received at the Hinsdale Sanitarium. Here we enjoyed sweet counsel with the physicians and nurses, and joined them in their interesting graduating exercises for the class of 1911. The motto of the class, “I was sick, and ye visited Me,” seemed very appropriate for medical missionary workers. The subject of the graduating address was “The Lord Hath Need of Them.” The speaker showed that the Lord calls for educated, trained talent, and that he has need of the most skilled workmen. We were greatly encouraged to find the large buildings at Thirty-third Place, which, under the hand of God we were instrumental in erecting over a quarter of a century ago, and which were dedicated to be a training-school for workers, rescued and turned anew into a training-school, with the combination which we believe God is calling for in all our large cities,—the union of the medical and the evangelical. At Lincoln, Nebr., the Lord gave us another baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the large congregation present at the Sabbath service was moved to join in seeking God for the rest which Christ alone can give, and for a fitness to yoke up with him in a house-to-house ministration in this Harvest Ingathering work. It was an impressive sight to see hundreds of Union College students, sanitarium workers, and others in the galleries of the church, join those in the body of the church in a season of earnest prayer and consecration. At Beatrice, Nebr., we spent more than two days with my aged father, whom we found improved in health, and happy and restful in hope of eternal life. We next visited the grave of my mother, in Iowa City, Iowa; and a boyhood friend devoted nearly the entire day to taking us in his carriage to visit a long list of friends, many of whom I had not seen for nearly forty years. Doors were thus opened for future missionary work. We count this as one of the most effective days spent in real missionary work. At Battle Creek, Mich., we were happily surprised to find the ministerial institute of the Lake Union Conference in session. An interesting congregation filled the Tabernacle, where Elders A. G. Daniells, W. A. Spicer, and G. B. Thompson were leading in earnest and profitable instruction. A good spirit pervaded the meetings,— a “hungry spirit,” which always makes it easy to work. We greatly enjoyed four days here, and were pleased to have a small part in the Bible workers’ councils before taking our train for Boston, Monday night, November 13. G. B. STARR. Asmara, East Africa
By Anol Grundset
To-day, on every government building, the above declaration is conspicuously placarded, and there is a rush on the part of all government officials to muster every white and native soldier into active service, stationing them at the seaports, and along the borders of the interior. Hundreds, yea thousands, are hurrying to the seaport of Massawa, the anticipated place of attack. Every available vehicle and dray is to-day in government service for the transfer of baggage, provisions, etc. O, that the same rush, zeal, and progressive energy visible in these earthly armies, might take full possession of us engaged in the last warfare to be waged against sin! We hear much in our day about patriotism. Dear fellow soldiers of the cross of Christ, are we zeal-inspired with patriotism for our heavenly country? Dear young brothers and sisters in the faith, what are you doing? Is your strength and life vitalized for Christ’s service? The most glorious opportunities ever afforded a company of young people now await you in sharing the joys and sorrows of the last organized gospel company gathering earth’s final harvest. Jesus is tenderly knocking at your heart’s door, asking for your unreserved service. It is worthy of your most thoughtful and serious attention and obedience. Ponder well the great needs of the millions of souls in heathen lands, as they send forth to you from aching hearts the message:— “Volunteers are wanted! hear the stirring call;
O, be swift to answer, comrades one and all;
Girding on your armor, haste to march away,
For the Lord is calling, ‘To the front to-day.’”
“Italy has declared war against Turkey. “I announce it to the colony. “No danger at present menaces Eritrea. But, should, through various vicissitudes of war, a danger arise, I, the officers, the troops, and the functionaries will be prompt to give all of ourselves for this country, baptized Italian by so much noble blood. “Of you one thing I beg: harmony. “And united let us direct our prayers for victory to our distant fatherland, to the king, to the fleet, which first advances to the danger, to the army, which will crown the great wish of all Italians: the vindication of the national dignity by the conquest of Tripoli and of Cyrenaica. Practical Work for Postgraduate Nurses
FEELING that the time has fully come when “medical missionary work is to be carried forward with an earnestness with which it has never yet been done,” the Washington Foreign Mission Seminary and Washington Sanitarium are offering not only elementary nursing work to all mission students, but a postgraduate nurses’ course to those who desire to go to the mission field to engage in medical missionary work in the large cities or in medical institutions. Three months out of the twelve which it takes to complete this course are devoted to practical hospital work in the Central Dispensary and Emergency Hospital of the city of Washington. While we hesitated somewhat to affiliate with another institution, we found good discipline prevalent in the hospital and home connected with it, and were able to make satisfactory arrangements concerning the Sabbath and with regard to our keeping in close touch with the nurses there. A graduate nurse who is just completing her work there, has this to say of its value to her:— “I believe the efficiency of any nurse would be materially increased for either city or foreign work by having had this training. During the first seven weeks of duty here, I served as general-duty nurse in the wards and private rooms; as supervisor of fourth floor; as night nurse of third floor, or senior night nurse; and emergency-room nurse. Ninety-one patients have been under my personal care and observation in the wards and private rooms. These have suffered from a large variety of ailments, consisting of fractures, dislocations, skin-graft, burns, skull concussions, gunshot, phenol- and bichlorid-poisoning, amputations, epilepsy, apoplexy, malaria, typhoid fever, pneumonia, appendicitis, alcoholism, morphinism, and hydrophobia. There were a number of miscellaneous cases which have been omitted from this list, but of no less interest to the medical profession. “It has been my privilege to redress a number of cases daily in the surgical dispensary. They return to the dispensary after having first aid in the emergency-room. Thus this clinic proves of great benefit in the after-treatment of wounds and the care of skin diseases, ulcers, burns, etc., which often have been first dressed under the most uncleanly conditions, and it is only by the faithful efforts of the physicians and nurses that the infection is overcome. “Nearly every case admitted to the hospital comes through the emergency-room, and here again the nurse in charge has the opportunity to observe closely the many varieties of cases admitted, in assisting in the dressings, and is often permitted actually to do the suturing herself. The physicians seem to place much confidence in our ability, and are anxious to teach us those things which will be of inestimable value to us in our future work. Thus opportunities are offered for actual experiences in this line of work, which will no doubt help us to care for similar cases on our own responsibility, if necessary. “In the operating-room the nurse has charge of instruments, sponges, solutions, and suture materials. As there is a daily average of from one to three operations, a large variety of work is done here, and she becomes accustomed to assisting many different physicians. “Clinics for children’s diseases, skin diseases, eye, ear, nose, and throat, chest, X-ray, and special clinics have daily hours, and nurses often assist the physicians. Thus we see an ever-changing class of patients, which broadens our knowledge by practical experience and observation. We have found the physicians, both internes and externes, to be men of good moral character, whom we greatly respect. “I would not consider this work from merely a medical view-point. Our influence as Christians and Seventh-day Adventists has had its weight, not only upon patients, but upon nurses and physicians with whom we are daily associated. Strict observance of health principles has excited some comment, and many times inquiry has been made concerning other doctrinal points of faith. It is hoped that the seeds of truth sown at the hospital may sometime spring into a new spiritual existence.” Excellent as this is, we trust that in the near future we shall have a dispensary of our own,—a missionary center from which we can work for the poor people of Washington. We believe that the Lord will prompt some one to furnish the means for thus completing our equipment for the training of all-round workers for the foreign fields, and for city mission work at home. To keep this work going, we must have four groups of nurses in the postgraduate course, a group to enter the hospital every three months. Our winter term begins December 14. There is yet opportunity for graduate nurses of good standing to enter at this time. If interested, write at once to M. E. Kern, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. GEORGE WOOD
By George Wood
BROTHER and Sister E. E. Thorpe, who were in Soember Wekas for more than two years, have removed to Batavia, where they are now located with Brother and Sister R. W. Munson and family. After their departure it was suggested that we connect with the work here; so our appointment practically began with the month of March. Our work is of a general character, such as treating poor and suffering Javanese, who come almost daily, while at other times we visit some of the numerous neighboring villages and give treatments or simple remedies to those who flock to us for assistance. Miss Tunheim has the care of the evangelical work in east Java, and spends her time partly in Surabaya and partly here, or in surrounding districts where she finds an opening. We have a school here, where children who come from the neighboring villages are taught to read and write in their own language. Its characters are somewhat difficult to learn, each one representing a syllable. Two sessions are carried on in the school, one from 8:30 A. M. to 12:30 noon, and the other from 6 P. M. to 8 P. M., the latter four times a week, and the former five. Arithmetic, simple geography, and physiology are also taught. Of course, we endeavor to teach the pupils as much Bible truth as their untrained minds can grasp. Our teacher is a young Javanese, who with his wife is located close by the mission home. A few are learning the Malay, using “Christ Our Saviour” and some simple lesson books such as are used in the government schools of Java. One lad reads from “Christ Our Saviour” very well, and the teacher, who is our instructor both in Javanese and Malay, assists the boy to translate what he reads into his own tongue. The Harvest Ingathering Plan of Work
By G. B. Starr
In many localities the plan has been adopted of making two visits with the Harvest Ingathering Signs, instead of one, no donations being solicited at the first visit. “Give, and it shall be given unto you,” is the motto adopted. Give information concerning the world-wide work; give an illustrated paper filled with good things, free; give a blessing in a kind, friendly, Christian visit, and then call again to answer questions and receive offerings that are freely and intelligently given. Instead of dimes or dollars, which might be gathered from strangers on a first visit, dollars and tens of dollars have been collected as a result of the second call. The Camden, N. J., church has recently added three persons to its membership. A Sabbath-school of seventeen members has recently been organized by Brother D. G. Stevenson at McDonald, Miss. The Ruston, La., tent effort closed October 29. Nine persons have decided to obey the truths presented during those meetings. The church at North Platte, Nebr., is rejoicing in the possession of a new church building, which was recently dedicated free from debt. Brother and Sister H. F. Taylor, who have been working at Delphi Falls, N. Y., report that one family has taken a firm stand for the truth. Elder M. G. Huffman has been laboring at Verdi, Kans. He reports that four persons have accepted the truth through his efforts, and that several others are interested. For four weeks a series of meetings has been in progress at Hanford, in the Central California Conference. Brother F. E. Brown has been in charge of the services, and as a result of the meetings six have united with the church. Several weeks ago twelve new believers were baptized at Eureka. Sabbath, November 4, the first Norwegian church in the State of Iowa was organized at Decorah, with a membership of thirteen. Elder E. G. Olsen recently baptized four persons at Waukon: As a result of the faithful labors of Brother George Seltzer, a church of thirteen members has been organized at Shellsburg. The Revised Scholarship Plans
By E. R. P.
At the autumn council of the General Conference Committee, consideration was given to a suggested change in our scholarship plans, which for a considerable time has been desired by the Educational Department. Since the scholarship arrangements are proving a great blessing to our young people, to the schools, and to the publishing work, and as it seems most desirable that all scholarships should be uniform, they were revised so as to meet with the hearty approval of both departments. The following resolution was adopted:— “Whereas, There has been more or less dissatisfaction on the part of the schools in regard to the present division of discounts on scholarships; therefore, “We recommend, That, beginning with 1912, the fifteen per cent allowed to agents on scholarships be divided equally between the schools and the publishing interests.” In harmony with this recommendation, the scholarships offered on the sale of subscription-books and magazines were revised to read as follows:— Subscription-Book Scholarships
“We recommend, (a) That all our denominational colleges, academies, and intermediate schools join with our publishing houses and State tract societies in offering scholarships at a discount of fifteen per cent to all who will earn such scholarships wholly by the sale of subscription-books, or such other denominational literature as may be agreed upon by the publishing house, the tract societies, and the schools in each union conference. “(b) That the schools make a discount of seven and one-half per cent from their regular charges, and that the publishing house, and the tract society in charge of the territory in which the canvassing is done, divide equally between them the remaining seven and one-half per cent, thus providing for the fifteen per cent mentioned in paragraph (a). “(c) That the State tract society in which the work is done by the student be the custodian of the scholarship funds, and turn over the money due any student on his scholarship, direct to the school wherever the student decides to attend. “(d) That any person desiring to earn a scholarship make satisfactory arrangements with the State tract society for doing so, and work in harmony with the regulations of the State tract society, in order to be entitled to these scholarship benefits. “(e) That any person be entitled at any time to draw from the State tract society the money due him on a scholarship, if he wishes to do so; but in such event, he would receive only the regular commission of fifty per cent on his sales, the same as other agents, it being understood that in drawing his money he withdraws from the scholarship endeavor, and places himself on the same basis as other agents. “(f) That all persons who have earned scholarships present to the managers of the schools which they wish to enter, satisfactory evidence that the full amount of a scholarship has been earned, in harmony with the regulations governing the scholarship plan. “(g) That persons who have earned at least one half of a scholarship be allowed to receive the benefits from the same on the same pro rata basis as outlined above. “(h) That in case any student, after having earned a scholarship, is unable, through sickness or other misfortune, to attend school, he may transfer his scholarship to any worthy person whom the officers of his State tract society can recommend, and the authorities of the school can accept as a student.” “We recommend, That our schools, tract societies, and publishing houses join in offering full-year and half-year scholarships at a discount of fifteen per cent from regular cash charges to all students who will earn such scholarships wholly by the sale of our ten-cent magazines, upon the following basis:— “(a) That the schools make a discount of seven and one-half per cent from their regular cash charges. “(b) That the tract society furnish the magazines to such prospective students at the regular agent’s rates; but when the required number of magazines has been sold, and the money necessary for a scholarship or a half scholarship has been deposited with the tract society by the student, to apply on said scholarship, the publishing house or houses issuing the magazines will credit to the tract society 26½ cents per 100 copies, and the tract society will credit the student with this amount and also an additional 26½ cents per 100 copies, making a total credit of 53 cents per 100 copies on the number of magazines required for the scholarship or half scholarship.” To ascertain the number of magazines to be sold for a scholarship, subtract fifteen per cent from the regular cash charges by the school for one year, and divide the remainder by six cents, the amount of profit on each magazine sold. “(c) That any person desiring to earn a scholarship shall arrange with the conference tract society for doing so, ordering all his supplies through the tract society, and working in harmony with its regulations. “(d) That in case any student, after having earned a scholarship, is unable, through sickness or other misfortune, to attend school, his scholarship may be transferred to any one whom the officers of the tract society may recommend, and whom the authorities of the school can accept as a student.” The above scholarship plans, as revised, will appear in the Publishers’ Manual to be issued early in 1912. We trust that all schools and union and State conferences will revise their scholarships, so that all will be upon the same basis so far as the percentages are concerned. If difficulty is experienced by any one in the effort to make these plans apply to the local situation, we will be pleased to give further explanations or to render any assistance we can, in order to bring all our scholarships upon a clear, uniform basis.