Review and Herald, Vol. 81, No. 13.
Testimonies for the Church, Volume VIIIPage 2
Earlier text: Being TrueW. A. SWEANY
By W. A. Sweany
ARIMA.—We left Barbados, Monday evening, January 18, and reached Trinidad early the next morning, after a very pleasant passage entirely free from seasickness. Mrs. Sweany and the children spent a week in the home of Elder Haysmer in Port of Spain, while he and I visited almost every part of the island, in search of a suitable place to locate. As soon as we reached Arima, we felt that the place was found. There was not an available house in town, but a family moved out the day before our goods came, so we obtained a suitable cottage for the low rent of eight dollars. We are now comfortably settled, and ready to pitch the tent and begin work. This is a Catholic stronghold, but we trust God for wisdom and ability to allay prejudice. I have visited and held meetings in all the companies, and have also visited a number of isolated members and interested ones. We can never regret having gone to Barbados. We were able, by hard work, careful planning and economy, and the assistance of friends interested through letters and appeals in the REVIEW, to minister to the mental, physical, and spiritual needs of a multitude. It was my privilege to baptize fifty-nine precious souls there, and many more were fully convinced and almost persuaded. The church building was renovated, repaired, painted, and enlarged, and a new schoolhouse added. By the grace of God, despite human weakness, ignorance, and blunders, some lasting good has been accomplished, and we fully commit all to him, in full assurance that he will establish the work of our hands so that we shall see some result of it in eternity. We are glad we came here. We see much work all around us, but we are well and of good courage. BOCAS DEL TORO.—Our time has been quite fully taken up in looking after the growing interest in this field, which is so large, with so small a force of workers. At the close of 1903 we had three organized churches with a membership of eighty-three (another was organized the first of this year). We have four other companies of Sabbath-keepers. The tithe for ten months amounted to $346.23, annual offerings to $24.50, weekly offerings to $248.69, book sales, minus commission to agents, to $677.74, making a total of $1,297.10. All our churches and companies report a good time during the week of prayer. It rained incessantly the entire week, but this did not shut out the blessing of the Lord. One brother writes from Costa Rica: "During the week of prayer, despite the inclement weather, we met at Brother Jones's every evening for worship, except on two occasions when it rained so heavily that no one could venture out. We bless God for the week of prayer. It has been the means of putting away all differences and dissensions from among us. The brethren were made to realize that if they are partakers of the promised blessing, they must put away divisions and strife, and be of one accord. It seems as if some of the readings were written especially for us, they were so well adapted to our17condition. The Lord is very near to us." I have just returned from a trip to Colon, where there is some excitement over the canal and political questions. While there, I baptized ten, and organized a church of fourteen members, Jan. 12, 1904. We now have a nice gasoline launch, so our work can be more extensively carried on this coming year. This will enable us to visit more of the islands, and sell more of our books. Now if we could prevail on our brethren in America to assist us to procure a suitable tent,—a square one about 10x30 feet,—we would feel that we were pretty well equipped for work. We are waiting anxiously for news of one of our ministers who is soon to be with us. We will push the work in this field, that there may be delay no longer. We feel sure that a little help the coming year will place us at such advantage that this field will be self-supporting. We ask your prayers. I. G. KNIGHT. When Bishop Thoburn went to India, thirty-eight years ago, a European gentleman pointed out to him a brick pillar, and said, “You might as well try to make a Christian out of that pillar as out of one of these people.” To-day there are in India nearly three million native Christians, and among them are doctors, lawyers, judges, editors, teachers, and business men.—Selected. MRS. E. C. PHIPPS
By Mrs. E. C. Phipps
CAPE HAITIEN.—I rejoice in the Lord that I can present myself to my brethren and sisters in the States as a sister in Christ. I am a native of Kingston, Jamaica, but have been living in Cape Haitien fifteen years. About five months after my arrival here, I received some reading-matter from Brother Williams. While reading the first tract, I felt strongly convinced of my ignorance of the truth. The Spirit of God strove with me without ceasing. My husband also was interested in the truth, but always said it would interfere with his business. At other times he would say, “There is no church here.” Nevertheless, my conscience troubled me so much that I grew careless in regard to Sunday, although I went to church regularly. At the death of my husband four years ago my conviction was strong, and I would have taken my feet off the fourth commandment then, but there was no church. I therefore continued as a member of the Wesleyan Church. But in the beginning of the year 1903, God in his mercy, through great trials, led me out of the path of darkness into the way of truth and light. My four children and I have been meeting with Brother and Sister Williams since the first Sabbath in January. We have happy times together. Come over and help us, is our cry. LET us advance on our knees.— Joseph Hardy Neesima. WHOEVER prays most, helps most.— William Goodell. PRAYER and missions are as inseparable as faith and works.— John R. Mott. He prays not at all in whose prayers there is no mention of the kingdom of God.— Jewish Proverb. PRAYER and pains, through faith in Jesus Christ, will do anything.— John Elliott. EVERY element in the missionary problem depends for its solution upon prayer.— Robt. E. Speer. HE who embraces in his prayer the widest circle of his fellow creatures is most in sympathy with the mind of God.— Dean Goulburn. UNPRAYED for, I feel like a diver at the bottom of a river with no air to breathe, or like a fireman on a blazing building with an empty hose.— James Gilmour. EVERY step in the progress of missions is directly traceable to prayer. It has been the preparation for every new triumph, and the secret of all our success.— Arthur T. Pierson. HE who faithfully prays at home does as much for foreign missions as the man on the field, for the nearest way to the heart of a Hindu or Chinaman is by way of the throne of God.— Eugene Stock. Honan, China
By Maude A. Miller
SIN TSAI HSIEN.—We are temporarily settled, expecting to remain in our present quarters until we learn the language. We are making some progress, as we can already buy our own provisions and tell our cook what to prepare for meals, and converse a little with our teacher. So we feel much encouraged. Our aim is to learn the language as soon as possible, at least sufficiently to be able to talk to the Chinese about Christ while we are treating them. Our city is about two hundred miles from Hankow, where we go for all our money, and anything outside of native products that we may want for food. We are trying to get along on native products the best we can. The main thing, of course, is rice, then peanuts, and eggs when we can get them. The peanuts are of a superior quality to those in the States. At present we can not obtain them, as the Chinese have them buried in the ground until spring. They make fine nut butter. We have a coarse quality of peas and beans, and meal. A malt extract is made from rice, which is very much like malt honey. We like it quite well. We hope soon to be able to make use of nearly all their foods, and be able to prepare them in an appetizing manner. We experiment as we have time from our study of the language. The time it takes to reach Hankow will give some conception of how far we are from civilization. It takes six days to go to Hankow and return — one day each way by rail, and two by cart. And such queer carts! We never saw anything like them in the States. They are two-wheeled, with narrow tires which are notched like the ordinary threshing-machine wheels. The carts have no springs. They are covered over the top with cloth. There are no seats, the passengers furnishing their own. Each cart will accommodate two persons besides the driver. When the donkeys jump the ditches, as they do sometimes, one wishes he were walking instead of riding. They usually travel forty or fifty miles a day. A not unusual sight is a mixed team — a donkey, a horse, and a water-buffalo, all yoked together. All kinds of work are done with this team. It is very cold here now. The Chinese use very little fuel, but wear heavy cotton padded garments underneath their outer garments. The children look very odd, indeed, with so much clothing. They can not get their little arms down at their sides, but stand with them extended outward. We foreigners — neiguai, as they call us — are the objects of the greatest curiosity. Men, women, and particularly boys, usually follow us every time we go out to walk. It is almost impossible to be alone here. In five minutes one can have an audience of two or three hundred people. The Chinese never have anything to do when a foreigner is about, but look at him. To be in China reminds one of Bible times; they have so many customs similar to those of ancient Israel. We never were of better courage than we are at the present time; for we have the assurance that we are just where God wants us to be. Southwestern Union Conference
By T. W. Field
The first session of the Southwestern Union Conference under its present organization was held at Keene, Tex., February 24 to March 2. The church at Keene had previously voted to entertain the delegates free of charge. The territory of this conference embraces Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, and the Indian Territory. The first business meeting was called at 10:30 A. M., February 25, Elder N. P. Nelson, president, presiding. This conference was attended by the presidents of all the conferences in the union, and by a majority of its ministers. From the first, the meeting was largely given to religious instruction and spiritual improvement. It was thought that if we could all draw near to God together, and be hewed and squared by his blessed truth, our spiritual perceptions would be greatly cleared, our hearts be made tender, and greater unity would result. The delegates and many of the people of the village met at six o'clock every morning to seek and praise the Lord. These were meetings of special interest; as the people sought God together, and confessed and put away sin, the Lord came near, and we enjoyed a spiritual feast. The instruction by Elders Daniells and Russell, and Elder and Sister Haskell, was greatly appreciated by all, and was blessed of the Lord. They occupied considerable of the time in giving practical spiritual instruction and Bible readings relative to the fundamental truths of the message, and in the consideration of the work as it was in the early days of the message. Many side issues and false doctrines and theories have sprung up, and have almost shaken the foundation of some. These things were dwelt on at length in this conference. It was plainly shown that the only salvation of this cause and people was in a return to the old landmarks of truth, to the grand old doctrines that have made us a separate people. The message given was that of the coming of the Lord and the finishing of the work in this generation. The medical work in the Southwestern Union Conference was made a department of the conference. A medical board of seven members was elected to take special care of this work. This department will receive assistance from the Southwestern Union Conference. We have two sanitariums in this conference,—one in Little Rock, Ark., with Dr. Green in charge; the other at Keene, Tex., under the supervision of Dr. Haskell. These two sanitariums are doing good work. We are confident that the medical work in these conferences will enter upon a new era, and will do its part in proclaiming the third angel's message. Due attention was also given to Keene Academy and its work. It was the general sentiment of the conference, after free discussion, that the work with “Christ's Object Lessons” should be finished by fall, and the debt on the academy cleared, so that we can join with others in singing the jubilee song. The academy is doing a good work this year. The work in all its branches was considered at this conference, and especially the work for the colored people. We are a weak conference, but we hope to be able soon to do some aggressive work. At the close of the conference, Brother and Sister Haskell remained with us. The burden of Elder Haskell's message was to show the relation the spirit of prophecy sustains to our work, and that according to the Scriptures the gifts would all be restored to the remnant church. Many testified that their faith was strengthened by this study of the gifts, especially as they saw the part the spirit of prophecy would act in the closing message for this time. Sister Haskell's instruction was appreciated by all. She gave us many valuable lessons on the sanctuary and its work, the hour of the judgment, and the antitypical day of atonement. Elder N. P. Nelson was unanimously elected president of the conference for the ensuing year. T. W. FIELD. Mississippi Conference Session
By F. R. Rogers
The third annual session of the Mississippi Conference convened at Vicksburg, Miss., Feb. 7-10, 1904. This was a very profitable season, and the first time in the history of the conference when all the churches were represented. The spirit of the message seemed to pervade all hearts. Plans were discussed whereby, with the small corps of workers, all openings for the truth might be filled, whether in court-house, school-house, meeting-house, hall, or private home. Success must be planned for and expected, and the conference voted that only those who were successful in bringing souls into the truth should receive support from the conference funds. Four new churches were admitted to the conference; namely, Vicksburg No. 2, Eschol, Greenville, and Columbus. The educational work is advancing. Encouraging reports were received from every school and Sabbath-school in the State. Five new Sabbath-schools have been organized within the last quarter, and are in a thriving condition. One very encouraging feature of the school work is that in every place where a mission school has been started, a church organization has been the result. Since Elder H. G. Thurston came to this field only a few months ago, he has not only talked aggressive work, but has demonstrated the fact that such work can be done, by bringing companies into the truth in each place where he has held meetings. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Conference President, H. G. Thurston; State Agent, H. H. Johnson; Superintendent of Church and Mission Schools, also Secretary of Sabbath-schools,18F. R. Rogers; Assistant Secretary of Sabbath-schools, Mrs. L. V. Crawford; Conference Secretary and Treasurer, F. R. Rogers; Conference Committee, H. G. Thurston, F. R. Rogers, H. H. Johnson, R. S. Owen, W. H. Sebastian. The new committee laid plans whereby the work may not cease while the conference debt of about twelve hundred dollars is being paid. The fields are white for the harvest, only waiting the tireless worker to gather the golden grain. As we saw the advancement that the work was making here, we could but think,— “Lo, the scenes of verdure brightening!
See the rising grain appear;
Look again! the fields are whitening.
For the harvest time is near.”
A New Experience
By GEO. O. STATES.
In visiting our churches, for some time past, it has been my custom to hold children's meetings, when there was opportunity to do so. The past winter I decided to hold a series of meetings in a place where the truth had never been presented. While visiting the people just before beginning my meetings, I called on a man, a justice of the peace, who told me that the little town was regarded as the toughest in eastern Colorado, that he was anxious to put a stop to the way young people had been disturbing religious meetings, and if I needed his help, to let him know. I thanked him, and told him I had had over eighteen years' experience in mining camps and cattle ranches in the West, and had been in tough places, but never had found it necessary to arrest any one. The first night some of the boys took the lap robes from the carriage of some people who had come several miles to attend the services; I told them to take some of our blankets, and I would find their robes the next day, which I quietly did. A week passed by; I did not reprimand the young people, and they began to look upon me as their friend. The first Friday after my meetings began, I visited the day-school, and gave a little talk to the children, telling them that the next day we would have a children's meeting, and for all the children to come, but if their parents came, they would have to take the back seats and listen, but not say anything. As a result the house was well filled with parents and children. The Lord blessed in teaching those children, many of whom had never had much religious instruction. I taught them, too, in simple language, the principles of the message. In teaching the children I gained access to the parents, and as I visited the homes, the children looked upon me as their friend. Two of those children began to keep the Sabbath, gave up the use of pork, and said they were Adventists. We expect to hold baptism at Wray at the time of our quarterly meeting in April, and that a bright little girl about eleven years old, with her mother, will make a start in the service of God. I believe my interest in the dear children has helped in reaching the older ones here. In my years of experience in the message I never had better order than here, and the children and young people show me the greatest respect. The people wonder why I have such good order in my meetings when other meetings have been broken up. I know it is in answer to prayer, and because the truth is presented in a simple way, so the young people and children can understand it. We find the same loving, guiding hand of God here in this far northern country, so different from America in customs and laws. We began the year of 1904 with the week of prayer, and found it a strength and help to God's chosen flock scattered abroad in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. In Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark, we have a mission school under the care of Brethren Christian and Murderspach, with about twenty pupils, many of whom will enter the canvassing work after the close of the school in April. The church there has also been strengthened by quite a large addition of believers, since Brother Christian began work there over a year ago. The fifteenth of January I left for a trip to Sweden, crossing on steamer from Frederikshavn to Goteborg, where several meetings were held. We felt the presence of the Holy Spirit, both in speaking and in hearing. From there I went to counsel with the conference committee assembled at Nyhyttan, where we have an industrial school. At this council many questions of interest were considered. I next went to Örebro, the place where children proclaimed the first angel's message. I visited the old Borg where these witnesses were punished. Here Brother Carlstrain is in charge of the health work started in that city. Quite a large company of believers is found there. As I went from that place, visiting churches in Sweden, I found that people were ready to hear, and hungering for more truth. At Stockholm we have a large church. Our depository located there is doing a good work. The canvassing work is prospering. Brother Emil Lind, with his long experience in that work, is pushing it to the front. Farther to the north, across the water, lies Finland. The work was started there several years ago by Elder O. Johnson, now the president of the Sweden Conference. Elder John Hoffman has, for about five years, been in charge of that field. I was indeed glad to meet the workers assembled in Helsingfors, where we were together a few days, studying and laying plans for future work. Brother Fred Andersen is holding meetings in Helsingfors with good interest. Some of the leading citizens are attending his meetings, and he is busy every day holding Bible studies with several in the city. The book department has revived under the careful and economical management of Brother Boettcher. Brother Hammer and his small corps of true colporteurs, are scattering the last warning truths all over the country, through books and periodicals. From the number of these silent messengers leaving the office, it looks as though there must be some souls who are hungering for the truth in Finland. From there I went to Hanga and Stockholm, and stopped over Sabbath and Sunday at Lindköping, where Elder Öberg is holding meetings. I was much encouraged to attend these meetings and study the Word of God with the little company of believers, who have recently accepted the word of salvation. In Weinge, where Brother B. Anderson lives, we held one meeting, which was well attended by the neighbors around. We also had one meeting with the little company at Halmstad. May the good work go forward in these countries. Even if the great waters separate one from another, the love of Christ is one and the same in every land and tongue. Yes, that boundless love makes caste, color, and language one in Christ Jesus. President Scandinavian U. C. Medical Work in Philadelphia
By A. J. Read
IN last week’s issue an account was given by Elder Daniells of the meeting convened by the Pennsylvania Conference with a view to taking up sanitarium and medical work in the city of Philadelphia. The importance of this third city in the Union as an educational center is, perhaps, one of the reasons why the Testimonies have indicated the necessity of having the work represented creditably here. There are gathered together in this city students from all parts of the world, including Japan, China, Russia, New Zealand, Africa, India, and in fact almost every country of note upon the face of the globe. The educators of these people are for the most part permanent residents of this city, who through physicians and also by direct contact come in touch with our work at the sanitarium, and often recommend others to come to us for treatment and help. Only a short time ago the writer19met a young man from Australia who had come to this country on the same boat with some of our brethren, and already had a favorable impression of the work we are doing as a people. He seemed pleased to know that we had a work here. Two young ladies from Australia called at the office the other day, and stated that they saw our name in the telephone book, and as they had known of our work favorably in Australia, felt as if they could come to us and ask for advice as they would of a countryman or relative. These young ladies are taking up studies in the city, and it is to be hoped that they can be helped in many ways, as well as receiving some fostering care from the institution. Similar instances occur frequently, showing the importance of an established work in this locality. The interest taken in our work by four of the best physicians in this city, who are also prominent educators in connection with three of the leading medical institutions here, is also a great encouragement to us. These men are sending patients to us, and are pleased with the institution and its work. Already the beginning of the work has drawn together a good-sized constituency, and the prospect before us is certainly encouraging. It seems proper that our Pennsylvania Conference should feel a desire to be more closely connected with this important work, and take steps to incorporate it in such a way that it will be very closely in touch with the brethren of this conference. Their financial inability to establish the work on a permanent footing makes the undertaking very embarrassing to them, but we believe that the importance of the field, the wonderful missionary opportunities afforded, and the Christian character of the work that is being accomplished, and can be accomplished, will appeal to the hearts of our brethren everywhere, and that they will come up to the help of the Lord in this important center. Already there has been generous response from some individuals according to their ability. The work has been started in faith, and there will be need of funds in the near future to meet the obligations which will arise. We trust that our brethren will stand by those who are putting their lives and best efforts into this work, and that the necessary means for carrying on successfully this important enterprise will be readily donated. If our brethren will thus co-operate with the workers here, I am sure there are a number of faithful souls, who, having received special training for this work, will give their lives to augment the means given, and thus carry into faithful and successful accomplishment the work of the right hand of the message in this great city of medical societies and educational institutions. Southern Texas
By Sumner B. Taft
I ARRIVED in Rio Grande, Tex., March 27, 1903. This city is on the Rio Grande River, which forms the boundary between Texas and Mexico. Here Catholicism has long held sway, but notwithstanding the moral darkness which has from the first settlement of the country brooded over this portion of the land, there are encouraging omens. The English schools, which have recently been established here, are educating the rising generation to think for themselves. Many are growing weary of burdensome forms, tired of the padia [priest] who is watchful over them in externals, even to the placing of a finger in making the sign of the cross, yet how careless of the state of the heart and of the life! Up to the present time I have received two hundred and seventy periodicals, tracts, and pamphlets. Most of these have been used in Rio Grande, Fort Ringgold, and Brownsville, only twenty-seven numbers of the REVIEW and Signs being reserved for use in Camargo, Mexico. Of all the tracts and pamphlets I have used, “Elihu on the Sabbath” has created the most interest. I have ordered some of those tracts from the Texas Tract Society, in order to meet the demand. Very few of the older Spanish people, of whom the population is chiefly composed, are able to read English. Some can read Spanish, but I have had only English papers. My work would be much more effective if I could have literature in both English and Spanish. Many are willing to read, and the demand for our literature is increasing. Meeting of the General Conference Publication Committee
By W. C. White; H. H. Hall
At the last General Conference provision was made for the selection of an advisory committee for the purpose of strengthening and unifying the production and circulation of denominational literature in North America. This committee, which has come to be known as the General Conference Publication Committee, was to be made up as follows: One member from the General Conference Committee, one from each union conference, one from each publishing house, and one from each branch office. Its first session was called March 2, 1904, at Omaha, Neb., and continued one week, fifteen meetings in all being held. The General Conference was represented by W. C. White; the Review and Herald, Washington, by S. N. Curtiss; the Atlantic Union Conference by F. E. Painter; Review and Herald, Battle Creek, by I. H. Evans; the Lake Union Conference by J. B. Blosser; the Southern Union Conference by J. E. White; the Southern Publishing Association by I. A. Ford; the Southwestern Union Conference by C. N. Woodward; the Central Union Conference by A. T. Robinson; the Kansas City Branch, Pacific Press, by James Cochran; the International Publishing Association by T. G. Johnson; the Northern Union Conference by C. M. Everest; the Pacific Union Conference and Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal., by H. H. Hall. C. H. Jones, of the Oakland Office of the Pacific Press; Geo. W. Pettit, of the Portland, Ore., Branch of said company; and E. R. Palmer, the secretary of the committee, were not present. As this session was held in connection with the Central Union Conference, and all our meetings were open, we had the counsel of a large number of experienced book men and conference officers. Among these were Elder W. W. Prescott, president of the Review and Herald Publishing Association of Washington, D. C.; C. H. Hardesty, agent of the Central Union Conference; P. T. Magan, of Emmanuel Missionary College; Elder A. G. Haughey, president of the Western Michigan Conference; D. W. Reavis, manager of the Circulating Department of the Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich., who acted as our secretary, pro tem; Frank Jencks, Kansas State agent; Brother Fairchild, Missouri State agent; G. Phillips, Colorado State agent; and Brother Hahn, Nebraska State agent. The one great theme that seemed uppermost in the minds of all was, “How can we assist in carrying this last warning message to the world in this generation?” Although much time was given to the discussion of details connected with methods and organization, yet the thoughtful observer saw in it all a determination to join heart and hand in carrying out this great aim. It was expected that men coming from every portion of the United States—men who had been on the “firing line,” so to speak—would have many problems to consider, and so they did. Here are some of them: How can we give our canvassers a better training for their work? How can we organize and train an army of resident canvassers? How can we assist in circulating literature in other languages? What should be the relation of such books as “Christ’s Object Lessons” to the general book business? What should be our attitude toward private publishers? Should there be a reduction in the styles of bindings of our large subscription books? What should be the basis of prices and discounts? Does tract society control of the book business yield the best results? As we studied over these and other questions hour after hour and day after day, earnest prayers ascended that we might be led to right conclusions, and that we might adopt such methods as would be acceptable to our brethren and sisters in the field. In fact, we decided at our very first meeting that all problems would be considered from the standpoint of the people in their homes rather than that of the factory. As we did so, we came closer and closer together, cherished plans were modified, and nearly every action taken was unanimous. A gathering of this kind would not be complete without the relation of incidents showing the influence and the results of the circulation of literature, and we wish each reader of the REVIEW might have listened to the accounts of how wonderfully God has used the printed page in carrying salvation to men. These experiences served not only to encourage us, but to keep ever before us the real object of our council. Much enthusiasm was manifested in the general plans laid for a great missionary campaign this fall, but of this we will speak later. We believe this meeting will result in a greater unity of effort, a wider circulation of the truth, and a great harvest of souls. W. C. WHITE, Chairman; H. H. HALL, Secretary. Literature for Louisville
By Otho C. Godsmark
Two years ago we wrote an appeal to our brethren through the REVIEW, asking that they kindly send us, for free distribution, boxes and barrels of clean papers, tracts, and such books as they could spare, that we might have something with which to begin our work here in this great city of the South. The response was so full and free that we were overstocked at the time, and had to write another appeal to have no more sent until we could dispose of what had already been received. We need not say that we appreciated this manifestation of interest in the Southern work on the part of our brethren and sisters throughout the North, East, and West. Besides the boxes and barrels of books, tracts, and papers that were so kindly sent, we also received several donations of money to help us in repairing the church building we had just purchased, which we were trying to get in shape so we could have a place for meetings, to which to invite others to hear this precious truth. All these blessings were received with thanksgiving, and the Lord, we believe, has blessed the givers as much as he has those who were the recipients of these gifts. We wish to thank all these for their remembrances of the work here in this part of the Southern field. We have succeeded in repairing our place of worship, and have held many excellent meetings in this house, and had many precious experiences. A number have accepted the truth, and are now rejoicing in it. These have come to us as the results of the Bible work done by my wife, who has been the only white Bible worker we have been able to place in this whole city. We have our building nearly half paid for; but the death of two of our prominent members this past year, makes the financial burden fall heavily upon those of us who are left. Now what we want is another supply of papers,—good, clean papers,—also tracts that are in shape to use, and all the bound books on present truth that can well be spared, even if they are among our first publications. Such as20will do, we use here in Louisville. Many we send out over the conference to our workers who need them, but can not afford to buy them. Of the books and tracts sent us before, many are now being eagerly and thoughtfully read among the mountains of eastern Kentucky. One of our missionaries, Brother J. W. Stein, has found his way up among those hills, and has there established a good company of believers who rejoice in the preciousness of this last message of mercy. They are glad, indeed, to get these old books, and when carefully read, they pass them on to their neighbors, and come together evenings to discuss the wonderful truths that they contain. If you will simply box or barrel up these books, papers, and tracts that are of little use to you, and will send them to us, being sure in every case to prepay the freight, we shall be glad to get them, and will see that they are put to some good use here in the South. Now please do not box up torn, dirty papers, many of them not our publications at all, and send them on for us to pay the freight, merely to throw them away because they are totally unfit to use anywhere. The most that were sent before were in good shape, freight prepaid, and we were glad, indeed, to get them. But we do not care to pay out money on such publications as The Ladies’ Home Journal, The Farm and Home, The Inland Printer, etc. We received quite a number of these before; but, of course, could not use them in our work. Send us such papers as The Southern Watchman, The Signs of the Times, THE REVIEW AND HERALD, Good Health, The Youth’s Instructor, etc. We had one tent pitched in eastern Kentucky last season, and expect to have two in the State this summer, one for the colored, and one for the white. We wish these papers and tracts, not only for Louisville, but also to place in these tents this coming season. Many of the books will be scattered among what is known as the “mountain whites” of eastern Kentucky. We shall be glad to receive these, also donations for our work here in Louisville, from our brethren anywhere. I ask an interest in your prayers, and I also pray that the blessing of the Lord may rest upon such as shall assist us in our great work here in the South. OTHO C. GODSMARK,
2005 Magazine St., Louisville, Ky.