It is apparent to one reading the book of Proverbs that Solomon had a working knowledge of domestic matters. Take, for example, verse 1 of chapter 14: “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” It is not to be understood that Solomon referred to the actual work of erecting or demolishing the house, but rather to the fact that the wise woman will not only retain that which comes legitimately into her hands, but by every proper method will seek to gain those things which thrift and economy indicate should be hers. Never will she by imprudence permit her substance to go to waste.
Her foolish neighbor gives loose rein to her wasteful propensities, actually plucking down her house with the hand that “throws out with a spoon faster than her husband can bring in with a cart.” Many a home has been mortgaged and sold because of the thriftlessness of the housekeeper.
Santurce, Porto Rico.
A Dewdrop
By J. R. Miller
A SINGLE dewdrop; as it quivers on a leaf on a June morning, mirrors and reflects the whole blue sky; yet what a miniature picture it gives of that vast expanse of heaven! So human fatherhood is a dewdrop which mirrors the divine Fatherhood; but it is only a picture compressed into minutest size, and with only dim, broken reflection of a glorious love which is infinite in its length and breadth and height and depth.—Dr. J. R. Miller.
Mission Notes
In November last Brother C. C. Belgrave, who has been connected with the Garhwal Industrial School, north India, writes that he was to enter upon evangelistic work, opening a new mission somewhere in the United Provinces.
In Bulgaria, a Bible colporteur called at a flour mill during the noon hour to sell the true “Bread of life.” The manager ordered him away, using abusive language. The colporteur did not give up, but returned the next day at the dinner hour to make another attempt. He was summoned into the manager’s countingroom. This time the manager was very gentlemanly in his manners, and purchased a Bible. The colporteur asked him why his treatment of him was so different from that of the day before. “Because,” said the manager, “I have heard about you Protestant colporteurs, and I wanted to see if you are all as patient as you are said to be. Now come, and we will go together and sell your books to my men.” The workmen took all the Bibles he had, and the worker for God departed with another valuable lesson in patience.
Argentine Conference and Camp Meeting
By Roscoe T. Baer
ROSCOE T. BAER
The fifteenth annual session of the Argentine Conference was held in connection with the camp meeting at Camarero, in the province of Entre Rios, Oct. 28 to Nov. 7, 1915. Two days prior to the beginning of the camp meeting the commencement exercises of the training school and sanitarium were held. In connection with the graduation of a large class of young people a very interesting program was given. In the evening the sanitarium gave another interesting program, with demonstrations to show how the medical missionary can aid in our great evangelistic work. A class of ten finished the three years’ course for nurses. Prof. H. U. Stevens, whom I knew in Union College, has charge of the training school, and Dr. Habenicht is superintendent of the sanitarium.
The conference meetings were held in a new tent which was pitched on the school grounds in Camarero. Thursday evening, October 28, was the first of the public services. A large number of our brethren and sisters were present. Friday the conference opened, and our people from all parts of the field kept coming until it became difficult to accommodate them. Many came long distances by team. The preaching was, in a large measure, for our own people, and the Lord witnessed to the word spoken.
Most excellent prayer and testimony meetings were held, in which the entire congregation took part. The Sabbath meetings were seasons of great blessing, and the Holy Spirit was present to convince and to convict. Special meetings were conducted for the young people, and those in charge say that the Lord wrought wonderfully for the youth. Hearts were turned to God, and the Missionary Volunteer department was greatly strengthened.
The treasurer’s report showed a splendid increase in tithe and offerings. The tithe for nine months of 1915 was more than for the entire year of 1914. The tract society also showed that the past year was a prosperous one for the sale of our literature. Thousands of copies of our missionary paper, El Atalaya, were sold, besides books, tracts, and Bibles. All this was encouraging to the delegates.
While the home missionary department is new here, we plan to bring this feature of our work prominently before our people. A program was rendered each afternoon, and the results were gratifying. Our people were instructed in methods of work, and they seemed anxious to get suggestions for doing a work that is to hasten the end. Resolutions covering this kind of work were adopted, which called for the publication of larger tracts in Spanish, and also for the publication of cheap leaflets that can be given away to the public.
Besides the regular force of conference workers, there was good help from the union conference. Brother F. L. Perry, of Uruguay, was with us, and also Brother Julio Ernst, of Paraguay. The labors of these brethren were appreciated. We had, in all, ten ordained ministers, who shared the burden of the preaching services. Brother N. Hansen, who has labored for several years in the conference, was ordained to the gospel ministry.
A good interest was shown in foreign missions, and the amount contributed for this work proved the liberality of our people here. Other calls were made, and $2,500 was raised for the work in this large field, and over $300 for the tent fund.
The meetings were conducted in two languages, the Germans occupying one half of the tent, and the Spanish-speaking people the other half. Able translators were present to help in the services, that the people might hear in their own language all that was presented by the different speakers. It was impressive to see English, German, French, Italian, and Russian families present, all at peace with one another because the Prince of Peace abides in their hearts.
The last Sabbath was a day long to be remembered because of the blessings it brought to all. The Lord blessed in the Sabbath morning service, and the entire congregation gave themselves anew to the Lord, after which a solemn ordination service was held. Following the afternoon meeting, fourteen persons were baptized in a beautiful stream near by.
The territorial lines of the Argentine Conference are greatly extended. This one conference is almost equal in size to three union conferences in North America. There are millions here for whom Christ died, and we need help in the gigantic undertaking of giving them the light. We solicit the prayers of the REVIEW readers to the end that many in this field now ripe for the harvest may in due time be garnered for the Lord.
Puno, Peru
By John M. Howell
JOHN M. HOWELL
WE are now located in two rooms of the mission house at Plateria. We are very well contented here. Of course, we have not many conveniences, but we believe this is where God wants us to be, and how can we help being contented?
Last Sabbath there were about five hundred people at church. They had much the same expression on their faces as people in the homeland. Since coming here I have had the opportunity of helping Brother Achenbach and Brother Stahl in three operations. One was a tumor on the eye, another gangrene in the foot, and the other was tuberculosis of the knee joint. Day before yesterday Brother Stahl let me perform a slight one myself. I painted the diseased portion with iodine, and then lanced the infected member with a knife. The patient never even flinched, and when I finished he took hold of my hand and thanked me heartily. I am glad for my stay at the Washington hospital, and for my little pocket case of instruments.
I enjoy working with Brother Stahl very much. There is nothing romantic about the work here, but we did not expect this, and the need is so great that it is a pleasure to endure the hard things for the sake of these poor downtrodden people.
Last Sabbath after meeting we visited the sick. One girl who was to have been baptized in December had died before we reached there, and they had her ready for burial. They carried the body out, and we gathered around it. Brother Stahl spoke a few words of comfort, telling them he believed the girl had accepted Christ as her Saviour from sin and that he believed she would have a part in the first resurrection. Then we had prayer, and left them to bury their dead.
We visited another place where the wife, who favors the mission, was sick. The husband has been bitterly opposed. After attending to the sick woman, Brother Stahl asked the husband’s permission to have prayer. He not only gave this, but even seemed pleased. In the prayer Brother Stahl prayed for the sick one, and then that the husband might investigate the truth and accept it.
By this time it was dark, and it was hard to find the way down the mountain to our home. Our horses had to jump fences, break down hedges, and walk narrow walls. I was very thankful for my experience of two years in Texas and New Mexico as a cowboy.
Why Judge?
By Pearl Waggoner
PEARL WAGGONER
WHY should we judge? We cannot
really know
That thing is so that merely strikes us so;
We mix so oft the real with what we
dream,
Forgetting all is not what it may seem.
And whether things appear as good, or
bad,
May rest so often on ourselves alone:
Our health, perchance, the kind of night
we had,
The ruts or customs into which we've
grown.
I chanced of late to glance, in idle mood,
Toward where methought a mountain
erstwhile stood:
The trees on the horizon were outlined,
But ne'er a trace of mountain loomed
behind.
Should I o'er my mistaken judgment
grieve?
Should I a stranger's verdict now be-
lieve,
Who, passing but this one time, might
declare
The scene all mountainless, the country
bare?
The morning after, as I looked again,
Its form once more was there, distinct
and plain;
Was it a miracle, this scene sublime?
Nay! it had been the same there all the
time.
And yet how oft the soul of man de-
lights
To judge his neighbor's life devoid of
heights!
We see the base; the rest, if we but
knew,
Above the clouds, perchance, is past our
view.
Let us keep faith! And though earth's
atmosphere
May change for us the look of some one
near,
Let us believe the best, and lo, some day
Our faith will triumph, mists all brushed
away.
There's only One who sees the inmost
soul,
The blessed Lord alone can read the
whole,
And none so kind, so merciful, as he;
He judges not; then why, O why should
we?
Unworthy all, alike we're saved by
grace,
Yet must his likeness bear, to see his
face;
Then, in the land no storms nor mists
shall mar,
We evermore shall see things as they are.
Teaching the Sabbath School Lesson
By Joyce M. Fields
JOYCE M. FIELDS
I HAVE found the eye-gate pictures in the Sabbath School Worker very helpful in teaching the weekly Sabbath school lesson to our five-year-old daughter; and thinking that perhaps some other mother might make profitable use of our method, I pass it on.
The articles used are an attractive composition book (and be sure it will endure usage), a box of colored crayons, and the Memory Verse Cards. I start the lessons on the second leaf of the book, thus leaving a blank page on the left-hand side. At the top of the right-hand page I write the subject of the lesson, the scripture text, and the memory verse. Just below I draw the pictures from the Worker, using colored crayons. We then study the lesson together; and after the small maid has gone over it a number of times with me, she takes the book to her father, explains the pictures, and tells him the story of the lesson. This helps her to remember, and we can find out if she has the right ideas on important points. When she can tell the story, I give her the Memory Verse Card.14and she pastes it on the blank page opposite the eye-gate picture.
This book is one of her most prized possessions. By this method she has been able to memorize all the verses for the last two quarters, with the references, and is very ambitious to learn more.
Grip and Pneumonia
By G. H. Heald
G. H. HEALD, M. D.
This winter the case incidence and the mortality from influenza and pneumonia are unusually high, and it behooves every one to avoid exposure if possible. The following rules are to the point:—
Avoid crowds whenever possible, especially stuffy street cars.
Do not remain in the vicinity of one who is coughing, unless it is absolutely necessary to do so.
Dress for the weather. Do not have too much on when indoors, especially in hot, ill-ventilated buildings; and be sure to have on enough when out of doors.
Be especially careful to keep the feet warm and dry.
Remembering that most infections enter the system through the mouth and nose, be careful to maintain a good hygiene of these orifices.
Bad teeth or other faulty dental conditions, chronic catarrhal condition, diseased tonsils, and the like, should have careful attention. It is well to wash the mouth and throat with some mild antiseptic, perhaps dilute peroxide of hydrogen, once or twice a day. If there is a catarrhal discharge, it is well to irrigate the nose by one of the approved methods, using a teaspoonful of baking soda or salt, or a mixture of the two, in a pint of water, and gently drawing the water through the nostrils.
Avoid all dietary indiscretions. Live on a moderate amount of well-selected food. “Keep the head cool, the feet warm, and the bowels open.”
If you find yourself contracting a cold, your best course is to go home and immediately go to bed. A foot bath or other hot treatment is good; but when not taking treatment, stay in bed until the cold is “broken.” You will save time thereby.
If you have a cough, do not expose others. Keep out of public places as much as possible.
Never spit on a sidewalk or crossing or on a floor.
Fig Tea
By Florence White Oster
FLORENCE WHITE OSTER
In Persia everybody drinks tea. As we travel through the country, all along the way we find tiny mud huts where tea is served. These tea rooms take the place of the coffeehouse, the lemonade stand, and the soda fountain or ice cream parlor in the United States. Every family, no matter how poor, will “set the samovar,” and serve you to a glass of tea when you are calling, even though you may stay but a few moments. It is considered very rude if you do not partake of this hospitality. When we first came to the country, we were quite at a loss to know what to do, for we were not only supposed to drink tea when calling, but we must also serve it when callers came to our home. We solved the problem by asking for plain hot water when away, and serving our callers fig tea.
Many of our friends have learned to like the substitute very much, and are now using it in their own homes, and serve it to us when we visit them. Perhaps some of the readers of this department could make use of fig tea, for it is really a wholesome beverage. We prepare it in this way:—
Wash and dice good white figs. Roast in the oven until a very dark brown. They are now ready for use, and may be put away in a dry place, and kept as long as necessary. Three or four pieces are needed for about six cups of tea. Put these into a teapot, and pour a little boiling water over them an hour or so before serving time. For use pour a few teaspoonfuls of this juice into each cup, and fill with boiling water. Add sugar and cream if desired.
Conducted by Mrs. I. H. Evans, Takoma Park, Washington D. C
By Mrs. I. H. Evans; Miss Lora E. Clement
Assisted by Miss Lora E. Clement
Through the columns of this department, hints will be given on all matters pertaining to the home life. Short articles and letters are solicited from home makers, telling of their everyday experiences,—their joys and sorrows, their failures and successes.
Where He Went
By William H. Ridgeway
A Personal Story
A MAN famous the country over walked into his office one day and said to his associates: “I am going away for a week or so, and I do not want you or any one else to know where I am. Don’t worry about me. I shall be here when I get back.” And he disappeared.
The man took the train for the town where his mother lived in the old home.
“Mother,” said he as he took her in his great strong arms, and kissed her, “I have come home to spend a week all alone with you. This time I have not come merely to kiss you how-de-do and good-by and go again, but to stay with you a bit. I want to go back to the old days and be just your boy again, and have you treat me as if I were a little fellow once more.”
The wise little mother asked no question of the big son upon whom his country had lavished success and fame, but merely said to him, “All right, dear.”
“And I mean just what I say, mother,” persisted the son. “I want you to be my ‘mother, dear,’ just as you used to be in the old days. I want you to make me the little pie-dough cakes on the back of the stove just as you used to do, and the turnovers in the oven. I want the dear old gingerbread horses with the raisin eyes. Cook me the eggs in the ashes. Cut me the nice warm bread with the brown crust and the molasses soaking away down into it, will you, mother?”
“I certainly will, my son,” gladly replied the mother, wondering much but asking nothing.
The next day the mother was surprised to see her famous son go down to the swimming hole and roll in the mud puddle on the clayey bank and splash around with the pickaninnies. Later he was in the sheds, where once again he crawled all over the old gin and tried to “skin the cat” on the pole. He would hitch up to the machine and let the Negro boys drive him around as he used to drive old Pete, the mule. He loafed around the cabins and started his old mammy or some Uncle Remus to telling again the stories of Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox, which Joel Chandler Harris has retold so well.
In the lazy afternoons, after a nap, he would throw himself down on the porch floor at his mother’s feet; and, putting his head up in her lap, where she could play with his hair and smooth his cheek, he would say: “Mother, tell me the old stories you used to tell me about Joseph and his coat, David and his sling, Daniel and the lions, Elijah and the chariot, Elisha and the bears, and all those.” And the mother did.
At other times he would go to the mantel and bring the “Bible book,” and say: “Here, mother, read me again the sweet old story that you used to read about the little Baby that was born in a stable, the angels that sang, and the wise men who brought gifts and who followed a star; and how he grew to be a man and went about doing good and making the world better; and how men killed him; and how he is now up in heaven, and wants your son to be a good boy.”
And the mother would.
When night would come and he had gone up to bed, he would call to her, “Come, mother, and tuck me in and hear me say my prayers.” And, like unto the days that had gone, he repeated:—
“Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
God bless mamma, and make me a good
little boy. Amen.”
Then he would say, “Now, mother, will you put the candle out in the hall, and hold my hand and sing me the song you used to sing?” And many a man knows what the mother sang:—
“I think when I read that sweet story of old,
When Jesus was here among men,
How he called little children, as lambs to
his fold—
I should like to have been with them
then.”
Thus for nearly two weeks the famous son lived his boyhood days over again in the old home with his mother. And then he went back to his work.
When he arrived at his office, he found waiting for him an invitation from the New England Society of New York to be the principal speaker at the society’s next dinner. He accepted the invitation, and went to New York and spoke.
His speech was called “The Old South and the New.” It thrilled the country from ocean to ocean. It was the first time the New South had had a chance to speak since the great conflict. And the words of the New South were words of love and perpetual peace. In this oration is that magnificent tribute to America’s great President, Abraham Lincoln.
Where did that inspired message come from? Said the orator afterwards: “When I found myself upon my feet, every nerve was strung as tight as a fiddle string, and all a-tingling. I knew then that God had given me a message for that assemblage. As soon as I opened my mouth, it came rushing forth.”
In the history of our country there have been three great orations, and they will be found side by side in every collection of masterpieces of eloquence. The first was by Patrick Henry, at Williamstown; the second by Abraham Lincoln, at Gettysburg; and the third by Henry W. Grady, at New York—the last by the man who went to his mother.
What induced Henry W. Grady to go back to his mother in her old home?
The reason is best told in another story:—
One evening after a meeting in Harrisburg, Pa., where I had told the above story, Mr. Harry McCormick came to me and said:—
“I was much interested in that story of yours about Mr. Grady. I think I am able to add the preface to it.”
“I was in Atlanta attending the international convention of the Young Men’s Christian Association. At the close of our conventions it is the custom for the men to take hold of hands, form a chain around the room, and sing ‘Blest be the tie that binds.’ Mr. Grady was there, and we asked him to join in with us. He refused, although we urged and insisted. He stood with bowed head, saying: ‘No, fellows, I can’t do it. I am sorry, but I can’t do it.’”
“The next day word came to our hotel that if it was not too much trouble, Mr. Grady would like to see Mr. Morse and some more of us at his office. When we got there, Mr. Grady met us with all the fine courtesy of the Southern gentleman, saying: ‘I hope you will pardon me for taking your valued time on the eve of your departure, but you noticed last night that I could not join hands with you and sing “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.” You fellows have something I do not have. I used to have it years ago, back home with my mother at Athens. But in the cruel war and the hurly-burly of a public life I fear it has got away from me. I want it back. I have asked you fellows to come here and tell me how I can get it back.’”
“We told him the old story. It was all we had to tell him.”
That day Henry W. Grady went back to his mother and to his God.—William H. Ridgeway.
If You Want to Be Loved
Don’t contradict people, even if you’re sure you are right.
Don’t be inquisitive about the affairs of even your most intimate friend.
Don’t underrate anything because you do not possess it.
Don’t believe that everybody else in the world is happier than you.
Don’t conclude that you have never had any opportunities in life.
Don’t believe all the evils you hear.
Don’t repeat gossip, even if it does interest a crowd.
Don’t jeer at anybody’s religious belief.
Learn to hide your aches and pains under a pleasant smile. Few care whether you have the earache, headache, or rheumatism.
Learn to attend to your own business—a very important point.
Do not try to be anything else but a gentleman or a gentlewoman; and that means one who has consideration for the whole world, and whose life is governed by the golden rule: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”—Christian World.
West Michigan
By C. F. McVAGH
THE Lord greatly blessed the work and workers in West Michigan during 1915. Our workers are of good courage, and the people and churches united and cooperating loyally. During 1914 there were baptized in the conference two hundred and twenty-two, and at the beginning of 1915 we asked the people and laborers to work and pray for three hundred souls during the year. We are glad to report that more than that number were baptized. We cannot yet give the full number in excess of our goal. Of course, it will be readily understood that in a conference graced by so many pioneers as West Michigan, the losses by death are heavy. Elder Langdon reports an average of more than one funeral a week in Battle Creek alone for all the time he has been there, so our net gains are small. The net gain for 1914 was only forty-one, and for 1915 only one hundred and fifteen. A comparison of results for the last three years shows good progress in all lines. A few figures may be of interest:—
Our membership in 1913 was 2,444; at the beginning of 1916 there were 2,862; net gain, 238.
Tithe for 1913, total, $38,347.88; per capita, $15.69. For 1914, total, $44,227.71; per capita, $17.23. For 1915, total, $48,051.25; per capita, $17.91. This shows a gain of nearly $10,000 in two years, and a gain per capita of $2.22 in the same time.
Total amount of Twenty-cent-a-week Fund sent forward in 1913, $15,752; in 1914, $20,389.29; in 1915, $29,205.62.
Total amount of Sabbath school offerings for missions in 1913, $6,295.99; in 1914, $7,805.40; in 1915, $9,175.47.
Total amount of literature sent out from the West Michigan Tract Society: 1913, $7,669.56; 1914, $12,704.15; 1915, $15,500.
The campaign for clearing the conference debts is proceeding satisfactorily. Elder Reefman has visited half the churches in the interest of the $6,000 we are asking the churches to raise, and if the remaining churches do as well, all the association debt and our share of the college and academy debts, will be cleared by next camp meeting time. The young people's work and school work show a healthy growth.
C. F. McVAGH.
The Atlantic Union Conference
By George B. Thompson
The eighth session of the Atlantic Union Conference was held at South Lancaster, Mass., Jan. 4-11, 1916. An effort was made to have all the ministers and other workers in the union present. About two hundred delegates and visitors were in attendance. These, with the students and other members of the church at South Lancaster, made a large congregation each evening. Aside from one meeting, at which the president of the union gave his annual opening address, and the necessary standing committees were appointed, the first four days of the meeting were devoted to institute work, the instruction being given by Elders A. G. Daniells and I. H. Evans and the writer. One hour each day was given to conference reports on various lines of work, and these were of such an encouraging character that they added greatly to the strength of the meeting. The keynote of the meeting was that of living a victorious Christian life through faith in Christ, and the responsibility which rests upon us to win souls to Christ.
The meeting was of a most spiritual nature. All present experienced a great spiritual uplift. It brought renewed courage and hope into the hearts of the faithful and untiring workers present, and a greater determination than ever before was expressed to give ourselves unreservedly to the work of rescuing souls from sin, before the curtain of life's drama drops and the Master's work is done. The nearness of the end, together with the tremendous work before us both at home and abroad, urges us forward to the greatest missionary endeavor possible, and we were impressed as never before with the responsibility of doing personal work for souls.
A strong missionary spirit was manifested throughout the meeting, for work both at home and abroad. The need of arousing all our churches to active missionary endeavor is sensed keenly, and the home missionary work is being pushed. The strong appeals by Elder Daniells, whose heart burns with a great burden for the benighted millions in heathen lands, stirred the large gathering present, and many from this field will doubtless be chosen from time to time to strengthen and enlarge the work in the regions beyond.
The annual meeting of the Review and Herald Publishing Association was held during the conference session. This brought to the meeting for a few days, among others, Elders F. M. Wilcox, E. R. Palmer, B. G. Wilkinson, and L. H. Christian, and Brethren I. A. Ford, E. L. Richmond, and R. Hook, Jr. We were all glad to have these brethren with us, and their presence and counsel, together with the uncommonly interesting and encouraging report of the work of the Review and Herald Publishing Association during the past year, gave new impetus and strength to the work of the conference.
The business deliberations of the conference were marked with the utmost unity. The reports rendered from the various conferences and departments were interesting, instructive, and encouraging. In the midst of many obstacles, and with a population crowded into large and wicked cities, the work has made most encouraging progress. A large number has been brought into the truth and the sale of literature shows a marked increase. Their greatest need is more strong, consecrated workers to push the work in the cities. The reports from the different conferences seemed of an especially encouraging nature. This is especially true of some conferences where the work for some years has seemed to go slowly. But in some of the older conferences, where the message has been established the longest, the greatest progress is being seen, showing that the time has come when the work of the message is returning to the East with power.
Elder R. D. Quinn was reelected president, and C. L. Kilgore secretary-treasurer. The other officers chosen were practically the same as formerly. A keynote of courage was sounded throughout the entire meeting, and all returned to their work with strong courage and hope for the future, notwithstanding the fact that the dark clouds looming up above the horizon indicate that a storm of unwonted power is soon to burst upon us, and that a work of great proportions must yet be done in the cities of this union.
The only thing that marred the joy of the meeting was the terrible news cabled to us that our much-loved brother and fellow laborer, Prof. H. R. Salisbury, was in all probability among those who perished when the “Persia” sank in the Mediterranean, while on his way home from the fall council. Many prayers were offered for those upon whom this sad blow will fall the hardest.
The outlook for the advancement of the work the coming year is good, and we hope more people will be brought to Christ than ever before in the history of the cause in this field.
G. B. THOMPSON.
Newspaper Activity in the Atlantic Union Conference
By Walter L. Burgan
It was a great pleasure to learn, while in attendance at the biennial session of the Atlantic Union Conference held in South Lancaster, Mass., that a large majority of the ministers and others engaged in public work have been using the newspapers to advantage in connection with their tent and hall efforts. From conversations held with a number of the brethren it was pointed out that as they continue to supply contributions to the editors, they get more acquainted with these men, and thus find it less difficult to secure the publication of reports dealing with various phases of the message.
Nearly all stated that the publicity given their efforts has been the means of increasing the attendance at the meetings, and has also aroused comment among others who did not attend. It was encouraging to hear the different workers state, in discussions on how to solve the problems of reaching the masses, that in their opinion the newspapers would play an important part in this work. In a symposium on city evangelistic work, in which several evangelists spoke, the question of giving the publicity to the message through both the news and the advertising columns, was an important one.
Almost all the workers agreed that the newspapers are now playing an important part in the spread of the message, and they were encouraged by the liberal manner in which the editors of their home papers have been receiving their contributions. Some showed the writer the long clippings of articles treating on various phases of the message. Not only were the articles published, but some16were considered important enough to command first-page positions. It was good to hear from some of our evangelists who had previously been backward about utilizing the public press, that they had been using their home papers to advantage. They had become acquainted with the editors, and through their friendly relation with these men, on each visit to the newspaper office they found them quite ready to publish the reports submitted to them.
Some of the brethren said that in times past they depended largely on the distribution of circulars to advertise their meetings, but that this method has been replaced to a very large degree by the advertising they now place in the newspapers. They find that advertising through the newspapers works two ways. These advertisements attract the attention of the readers, and also open an avenue for securing the publication of extracts of sermons with more willingness on the part of the editor than if the advertisements had not appeared.
It is the constant use of the papers that pays. It shows to the men in charge of the papers that our work is more than an adventure, and that our preachers mean to make the cause they are advocating and promoting a permanent thing. Our brethren now realize that editors, as well as any other person who is unacquainted with our denomination, must be informed; and when an editor gains confidence in the permanency of our movement, our brethren find him a valuable asset toward disseminating the different gospel truths we hold, among the thousands of homes where the papers circulate every day in the week.
Our evangelists in the Atlantic Union Conference gave numerous assurances that they will continue to use the newspapers in future efforts.
WALTER L. BURGAN.
The Beginning of the Foreign Mission Band of Walla Walla College
By W. B. Amundsen
[A report by Dr. Frederick M. Rossiter of the organization in 1890 of the first Foreign Mission Band at Battle Creek College, was published in the REVIEW of Aug. 21, 1913. Mrs. Ida Fischer Carnahan (née Jones) gave in the REVIEW of Sept. 16, 1915, a report of the first Foreign Mission Band at Union College. Miss Jones brought the idea with her from Battle Creek College. In the organization of the Foreign Mission Band at Walla Walla College, the helpful influence of Union College is seen. Thus the circle of good influence widens.—L. L. C.]
DURING the school year of 1906 and 1907, a few students who were deeply interested in foreign mission work and had a fixed purpose to become foreign missionaries, met together on Sabbath afternoons in the college library to study the foreign fields. Realizing the power that in prayer, they spent much time in communion with God. They realized also that to be foreign missionaries, they must begin their work at home and be real missionaries here; so they engaged in personal work for the unconverted in the school.
From time to time others became interested and joined the circle, although there was no regular organization until the following year. The Young People's Missionary Volunteer Society was doing good work, but the members of this circle had such a deep interest in foreign work that they thought a separate organization necessary. This first organization was effected after very earnest consideration. Elder H. A. Washburn, who was a member of the first Foreign Mission Band at Union College, gave valuable advice and instruction, and presented the idea of having a pledge and a declaration. This idea received serious, prayerful consideration before it was adopted. Professor M. E. Lady also took an active part in the organization, giving advice and dwelling at length on the object of the society. Consequently in November of 1907, what was known as the Foreign Missionary Volunteers was organized. The society existed under this name until in January of 1908, when the name was changed to the Foreign Mission Band. At this time the object of the band was changed somewhat, as was also the constitution. A declaration in the form of a pledge was also drawn up. To become a member it was necessary to sign this declaration. When opportunity was given those who wished to join, there were twenty-five who responded, these becoming charter members.
From this small beginning the band has grown until 235 names have been signed to the declaration. A large number of earnest, consecrated workers have gone out from this band to the foreign fields, and are spreading the good news of salvation in every available manner.
W. B. AMUNDSEN.
Santurce, Porto Rico
By D. D. Fitch
It gives me great pleasure to report that the week of prayer was not only recognized in Santurce, but also that the dear Lord came near by his Holy Spirit and touched hearts. Near the close of the week I felt impressed to present the covenant, and it was signed by twenty who had not been church members. Among this number is one man who has served as a native pastor for a number of years. Some time ago he purchased one of our books, but was told that it contained error. Consequently it was laid aside. Since then he has met other colporteurs, and has bought more books, and they have brought to his honest soul the light of present truth. Several times each week he visits our home, that the Word of God may be opened to him more fully.
The members of this church have nearly finished placing some of our literature in every home in Santurce, which means about six thousand pieces.
D. D. FITCH.
Simultala, India
By W. A. Barlow
A post card received a short time ago from a young student in the C. M. S. Mission school, at Bhagalpur, shows how God is working with the literature among the people of India. This young man I met on my tour among the students in Bhagalpur and the district last year, with our Urdu, Hindi, Bengali, Santali, and English papers and tracts. He says:—
“After a long time I am writing you a few lines about my condition; that I could not write you any letter before this because I was not here, and thought that you would not be there at the place where you told me. I hope that you will kindly send me a few books to sell, because here are many boys, Hindu and Mohammedan. So I hope that they will buy. When they will buy them I will send you the money, and if they don’t take them I will return you the books.
“I am yours faithfully,
“SANEY BROWN.”
I understand this is an Indian Christian student.
W. A. BARLOW.
Christian Life Is Ministry
By Robert E. Speer
Our Christian life is intended to be not a meditation, but a ministry.—Robert E. Speer.