Work!
Thank God for the might of it,
The ardor, the urge, the delight of it—
Work that springs from the heart’s desire,
Setting the brain and the soul on fire.
Oh, what is so good as the heat of it,
And what is so glad as the beat of it,
And what is so kind as the stern command,
Challenging brain and heart and hand?
Work!
Thank God for the pride of it,
For the beautiful, conquering tide of it,
Sweeping the life in its furious flood,
Thrilling the arteries, cleansing the blood,
Mastering stupor and dull despair,
Moving the dreamer to do and dare.
Oh, what is so good as the urge of it,
And what is so glad as the surge of it,
And what is so strong as the summons deep,
Rousing the torpid soul from sleep?
Work!
Thank God for the pace of it,
For the terrible, keen, swift race of it,
Fiery steeds in full control,
Nostrils aquiver to greet the goal.
Work, the power that drives behind,
Guiding the purposes, taming the mind,
Holding the runaway wishes back,
Reining the will to one steady track,
Speeding the energies faster, faster.
Triumphing over disaster.
Oh, what is so good as the pain of it?
And what is so great as the gain of it?
And what is so kind as the cruel goad,
Forcing us on through the rugged road?
Work!
Thank God for the swing of it,
For the clamoring, hammering ring of it,
Passion of labor daily hurled
On the mighty anvils of the world.
Oh, what is so fierce as the flame of it?
And what is so huge as the aim of it?
Thundering on through dearth and doubt,
Calling the plan of the Maker out,
Work, the Titan; Work, the friend,
Shaking the earth to a glorious end,
Draining the swamps and blasting the hills,
Doing whatever the Spirit wills—
Rending a continent apart,
To answer the dream of the Master heart,
Thank God for a world where none may shirk—
Thank God for the splendor of work!
— Angela Morgan, in New York Evening Mail.
JANUARY 31: Am I keeping the spirit as well as the letter of the ten commandments?
FEBRUARY 1: Does my life conform to the requirements of justice and humanity required by the moral law?
FEBRUARY 2: What is my attitude of heart toward God’s sanctuary?
FEBRUARY 3: What idols do I worship?
FEBRUARY 4: Do I come into real heart communion with God? What about being a willing giver for his sanctuary?
FEBRUARY 5: How is my soul temple adorned for his indwelling?
Sinai
The peninsula of Sinai is a triangle whose western side extends along the Gulf of Suez for about one hundred and ninety miles, and whose eastern border is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Akabah. The peninsula contains about 11,500 square miles, being somewhat larger than the State of Vermont. “A rugged mass of granite mountains occupies the body of the peninsula, the eastern and western ranges meeting in an angle at the south.”
“The Scripture use of the two names Sinai and Horeb [“dry”] is such as to make it probable that Horeb was the general name for the mountain group, and Sinai the name of the special summit on which Jehovah descended in fire and ‘talked with’ Israel.”
There has been considerable discussion as to which of the numerous peaks of the Sinai peninsula is the one from which the law was given. The general opinion, however, points to the northern peak of an isolated ridge, two miles long from northwest to southeast, and about a mile broad. This northern peak rises “high above all other mountains near it and in sight, and is so isolated from them by the plain and by deep and steep ravines, that bounds might have been set around it. At its very base lies the Wady-er-Rahah [“rest”], a plain two miles long from southeast to northwest, and a half mile wide, containing two million square yards available standing room, a space doubled by the valleys which open into it on the east.”
The Law Given
The giving of the law at Sinai was one of the most momentous events of earth’s history. “All eyes,” says one writer, “may well be turned to Exodus 20 and the sublime event therein recorded.”
“The law was not spoken at this time exclusively for the benefit of the Hebrews. God honored them by making them the guardians and keepers of his law, but it was to be held as a sacred trust for the whole world. The precepts of the decalogue are adapted to all mankind, and they were given for the instruction and government of all. Ten precepts, brief, comprehensive, and authoritative, cover the duty of man to God and to his fellow man; and all based upon the great fundamental principle of love. ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.’” —“Patriarchs and Prophets,” page 305.
Comfort of the Bible
“Weary human nature lays its head on the bosom of the divine Word, or it has nowhere to lay its head. Tremblers on the verge of the dark and terrible valley which parts the land of the living from the untried hereafter, take this hand of human tenderness yet godlike strength, or they totter into the gloom without prop or stay. They who look their last upon the beloved dead, listen to this voice of soothing and peace, or else death is no uplifting of everlasting doors, and no enfolding in everlasting arms, but an ending as appalling to the reason as to the senses, the usher to a charnel house whose highest faculties and noblest feelings lie crushed with the animal wreck, an infinite tragedy, maddening and sickening, a blackness of darkness forever.”—C. E. Stowe, “Origin and History of the Books of the Bible,” page 35.
The Bible First
“It is related of Alexander Duff, the great missionary to India, who spent his last years in teaching theology in New College, Edinburgh, that he loved to tell his students this story of his outward voyage to India. He was a great lover of the classics, and took special delight in the library of carefully selected volumes which friends had furnished as a part of his missionary outfit. In rounding the Cape of Good Hope the vessel was wrecked and nearly everything on board lost. As the passengers gathered about a fire on the beach a sailor brought to Dr. Duff a book which had been washed ashore and asked him if it was his. It proved to be his Bible, wrinkled and discolored by sea water, but still legible. He took it as an omen from heaven, and from that hour, though always a leader in education, he made the Bible central in his thought and study and teaching.”—“Why Read and Study the Bible?” page 13.
Missionary Volunteer Department
By M. E. Kern; C. L. Benson; Meade MacGuire
M. E. KERNGeneral and N. Am. Div. Secretary
C. L. BENSONAssistant Secretary
MEADE MACGUIREN. Am. Div. Field Secretary
The Sufficing Bible
By Amos R. Wells
WHEN I am tired, the Bible is my bed;
Or in the dark, the Bible is my light;
When I am hungry, it is vital bread;
Or fearful, it is armor for the fight.
When I am sick, ’tis healing medicine;
Or lonely, thronging friends I find
therein.
If I would work, the Bible is my tool;
Or play, it is a harp of happy sound;
If I am ignorant, it is my school;
If I am sinking, it is solid ground.
If I am cold, the Bible is my fire;
And it is wings, if boldly I aspire.
Should I be lost, the Bible is my guide;
Or naked, it is raiment rich and warm.
Am I imprisoned? it is ranges wide;
Or tempest-tossed? a shelter from the
storm.
Would I adventure, ’tis a gallant sea;
Or would I rest, it is a flowery lea.
Does gloom oppress? the Bible is a sun;
Or ugliness? it is a garden fair.
Am I athirst? how cool its currents run!
Or stifled? what a vivifying air!
Since thus thou givest of thyself to me,
How should I give myself, great Book,
to thee?
— Amos R. Wells.
A Special Help for the Bible Year
By M. E. Kern
THE interest that is being manifested in the Bible Year Course is very gratifying. An isolated sister writes, “The Bible Year study will be a great help to me, as well as a pleasure.” One of our ministers writes, “I am sending you inclosed herewith a number of names of those who say they intend to read the Bible through during 1916, following the outline in the REVIEW. While I have been reading the Bible and studying it for a good many years, yet I find it very helpful to read it through by course, and I have taken much pleasure in reading with others in this great Bible reading movement.”
Many of our people spend some time each day on the street cars. Others travel more or less, and could easily improve the time in reading the Bible, if they had a pocket Bible. But the whole Bible made small enough for the pocket has such fine print that it is trying on the eyes.
This problem has been solved. The American Bible Society publishes the whole Bible in thirty-one portions. These portions are 2¾ by 4¾ inches, printed in brevier type, and bound in flexible cloth, cut flush, with round corners and plain edges.
The entire set can be secured for $1, and with each set will be sent a little leather cover, in which to carry one portion. This cover can be obtained only with the set. For ten cents extra, the Review and Herald will stamp your name on the cover. The individual portions are five cents each. Order from your tract society.
Let those who will take up this course, send their names to their conference Missionary Volunteer secretary. Take up this matter with your church or Missionary Volunteer Society, and send in the names of those who definitely purpose to follow the course.
M. E. KERN.
Turning Life’s Sharp Corners Alone
“ELIZABETH STUART PHELPS has somewhere said that the sharpest corners in life have to be turned alone. Crises that arise within the soul itself are essentially solitary crises. No one of us can pull another through a secret spiritual conflict. The only one who can get close enough to help at such a time is God.”
Move On
“EVERYTHING in nature seems to have this sign on it, ‘Move On.’ Nothing stands still. Every atom in the universe is on the move. You must either move on or get run over.”
Self-Emptied to Be Spirit-Filled
“MEN who want to be Spirit-filled must be self-emptied.”
Home Missionary Experiences in the Regions Beyond
By Edith M. Graham
Japan
FROM a letter written by Sister Stacey we take the following interesting experiences:—
“When the spring weather commenced, I started to do a little canvassing with the Japanese paper. The Japanese buy very readily from foreigners, especially a foreign woman, even though she can say only a few words. In fact, it seems as if they buy just because she is a foreigner. Of course I cannot do much more than ask them to buy and tell them the price, and I leave the paper to tell its own message. I first tried this in the village near our compound when taking my little girl for a walk. A few days later we formed a band to go into the city one Monday morning. There were six Japanese sisters and three foreign sisters, including myself. In less than three hours after arriving on our territory, we had sold one hundred and eighty papers, besides tracts. The foreigners sold from forty-five to fifty copies, one sister, who had canvassed before, selling as many as twenty papers, while the Japanese averaged seven each. This illustrates how much easier it is for the foreigner.
“Another day Sister Herboltzheimer and I went out with one hundred and fifty-eight papers and fifty-five tracts, besides children’s Scripture cards for free distribution. It was a hot day, but we sold all, besides giving away all our cards. We both ran out of tracts early in the day. Tomorrow or the next day, my husband and I are going out together.
“In connection with our Tokio tent effort, we are printing each day, for use by the tent workers, a one-page synopsis of the sermon. The series will cover about thirty sermons or more, starting with the true God and creation, and ending with the leading truths of the message. I have often wished we had a series of leaflets like this, so that we could work up what we call at home ‘tract rounds.’ And now our sisters’ society has embraced the opportunity, and placed an order for five hundred of each to be printed extra for their use. Last Wednesday we took out the first number. There are twelve of us, but as three have to take a Japanese sister to act as interpreter, it reduces the number of our rounds to nine. We divided the main street of the village into rounds of about twelve houses each, and later we shall start another similar campaign among the people scattered about off the main road. The rest of our five hundred19papers of each number will be used for free distribution on trains, etc.
“It certainly did my heart good to see these sisters take up this line of work with such interest. I believe we should work to the end of encouraging all believers to take an active part in the giving of the message. It will mean their own salvation as well as the salvation of many others.”
South Africa
In South Africa, in the districts which are sparsely settled, our people have been working by missionary correspondence. About three thousand papers are sent out each month. These papers are bringing in many new subscriptions and words of appreciation. One person writes from far-away north, saying: “Is there no one in your society who could bring the message of light and truth to —? Souls are dying in the darkness, sorely in need of some bright worker. Religion is occupying the secondary place, or no place.”
From another letter we learn that “a gentleman wrote of his appreciation of the Sentinel which we had mailed to him, inclosing the subscription and asking for back numbers, as he was deeply interested in the clear teaching of the paper.
“This week a gentleman called at 56 Roeland Street, and asked if it was the office of the South African Sentinel. On receiving an affirmative reply, he stated that as he crossed one of Cape Town’s busy streets, he kicked against a magazine. On picking it up he found it to be the Sentinel. Though soiled with mud, he was able to find light that he had been seeking for years. He wanted a clean copy for himself, back numbers, and several copies for friends; and leaving his subscription, he carried away his prized magazines.
“While sitting in the barber’s chair recently, a brother was informed of, and advised to subscribe for, that ‘fine little paper, the South African Sentinel.’ The man recommended it because he had found it such splendid help. He was a Sunday-school teacher, and found the paper invaluable in preparing suitable instruction for his class. Then, too, it showed so clearly what the Bible teaches about current events. Said the barber, by way of emphasis, ‘I recommend that paper to all my customers. I cut General Botha’s hair when he attends Parliament, and I shall recommend it to him.’”
South America
“The Florida church has fixed the first Sunday of each month for a special canvass campaign with our missionary paper. The offices and printing plant shut down, and everybody is supposed to go out and sell papers. The first Sunday of this month we all went out and had a very successful and happy day.”
Our South American members are also carrying on missionary correspondence, and the following letter is one response received:—
“To the Argentine Tract Society.
“DEAR SIRS: I have just received a copy of the magazine El Atalaya, published by that society, and a letter from the same, which I hasten to answer.
“This paper has come to confirm my ideas which I had formed about the present condition of things in the world, and which I had been studying with the help of the book ‘Daniel and the Revelation,’ also published by that society, and the Holy Bible.
“As I find that this paper will help me to understand better the meaning of the prophecies, I should be grateful if you will kindly let me know the price of the subscription, so that I may contribute to the development of such a noble enterprise.”
These experiences are encouraging, for they show that in different parts of the world the church members are rallying to the standard of Prince Immanuel, to do their part in finishing the battle.
EDITH M. GRAHAM.
“All the Children of All the Churches”
By Frederick Griggs
THE gist of Daniel Webster’s reply in the Senate, Jan. 26, 1830, to Mr. Hayne, was that the federal government was in duty bound to use all its resources for the common good of all. Of education he says:—
“Have the United States no right, or, as a great and untaxed proprietor, are they under no obligation to contribute to an object thus calculated to promote the common good of all the proprietors, themselves included? And even with respect to education, which is the extreme case, let the question be considered. In the first place, as we have seen, it was made matter of compact with these States, that they should do their part to promote education. In the next place, our whole system of land laws proceeds on the idea that education is for the common good; because, in every division, a certain portion is uniformly reserved and appropriated for the use of schools. And, finally, have not these new States singularly strong claims, founded on the ground already stated, that the government is a great untaxed proprietor, in the ownership of the soil? It is a consideration of great importance, that probably there is in no part of the country, or of the world, so great call for the means of education, as in those new States, owing to the vast numbers of persons within those ages in which education and instruction are usually received, if received at all. This is the natural consequence of recency of settlement and rapid increase. The census of these States shows how great a proportion of the whole population occupies the classes between infancy and manhood. These are the wide fields, and here is the deep and quick soil for the seeds of knowledge and virtue; and this is the favored season, the very springtime for sowing them. Let them be disseminated without stint. Let them be scattered, broadcast, with a bountiful hand. Whatever the government can fairly do toward these objects, in my opinion ought to be done.”
This is correct reasoning for the state, and, by analogy, correct for the church. “Education is for the common good” of the whole body of men embraced within the federal government; hence the responsibility of the federal government to promote it, and to scatter the seeds of knowledge and virtue “broadcast” “without stint” and “with a bountiful hand.”
The government exists for the common good of all; so likewise the church. Whatever promotes the interest of all promotes the interest of the individual. The benefits of organization are obtained only when there is a just balance between giving and receiving. Here is a principle of life and growth. No individual receives for long who does not give. This is true of the individual, and it is true of any healthy organization.
The children of the parents of the church are embraced within the meaning and genius of the church organization, and every child is a heritage of God to the church as well as to the parent, consequently every church is obligated to concern itself to secure all those conditions which will best promote the welfare of every one within its borders, old or young, gray-haired or infant.
Upon this topic the spirit of prophecy speaks thus:—
“The church is asleep, and does not realize the magnitude of this matter of educating the children and youth. ‘Why,’ one says, ‘what is the need of being so particular to educate our youth thoroughly? It seems to me that if you take a few who have decided to follow a literary calling, or some other calling that requires a certain discipline, and give due attention to them, that is all that is necessary. It is not required that the whole mass of our youth be so well trained. Will not this answer every essential requirement?’ No, I answer, most decidedly not. What selection should we be able to make out of the numbers of our youth? How could we tell who would be the most promising, who would render the best service to God?”
“Who can determine which one of a family will prove to be efficient in the work of God? There should be general education of all its members, and all our youth should be permitted to have the blessings and privileges of an education at our schools, that they may be inspired to become laborers together with God. They all need an education that they may be fitted for usefulness, qualified for places of responsibility in both private and public life. There is a great necessity of making plans that there may be a large number of competent workers, and many should fit themselves as teachers, that others may be trained and disciplined for the great work of the future.
“The church should take in the situation, and by their influence and means seek to bring about this much-desired end. Let a fund be created by generous contributions for the establishment of schools for the advancement of educational work. We need men well trained, well educated, to work in the interests of the churches. They should present the fact that we cannot trust our youth to go to seminaries and colleges established by other denominations; that we must gather them into schools where their religious training shall not be neglected. God would not have us in any sense behind in educational work; our colleges should be far in advance in the highest kind of education.”—“Counsels to Teachers,” pages 42-45.
Duty begins at home; and this does not lessen our duty abroad, but increases it. The duty at home, recognized and discharged, gives greater ability to comply with the demands of duty abroad. Gather in all the children of the home church, that with them and through them we may the more effectively gather in the children of the foreign church.
In all the churches “a fund” should “be created by generous contributions for the establishment of schools for the advancement of educational work.” The first responsibility for the education of the child rests with its parents, the second with the church. But too often the church has not recognized its responsibility to foster and help in the education of its children, and because of this thousands of our children do not have church school privileges.
“All the children of all the churches” should become an educational maxim with us. This means that in all the churches where there are children, provision should be made for them to receive a Christian education. So let our educational watchword be:—
A Christian education for
“All the children of all the churches.”
FREDERICK GRIGGS.
Educational Department
FREDERICK GRIGGS - General SecretaryW. E. HOWELL - N. Am. Div. Asst. Secretary
Home Missionary Department
By E. M. Graham; F. W. Paap
E. M. GRAHAM — General SecretaryF. W. PAAP — N. Am. Div. Secretary
Visits to Sanitariums
By L. A. Hansen
THE writer's recent tour in the West included visits to the sanitariums in Boulder, Colo., and in Southern California. We found them in an encouraging condition. These same institutions were recently visited by the editor of the REVIEW, and his reports have appeared in former numbers of this paper.
Kansas
On my return trip I called at the Kansas Sanitarium, at Wichita. The institution was maintaining the record-breaking patronage which it had held for nearly a year. Not a room was vacant, and I had to choose between staying at a hotel or sharing a room with a guest.
The patronage of the Kansas Sanitarium is a representative one. The city of Wichita is contributing a liberal share of business, both of house patients and of transient treatment patrons. Some of the physicians and surgeons of the city are showing a growing friendliness to the institution, and are giving it support.
The additions to the building, made necessary by its growing work, are about completed. The new elevator is doing satisfactory service. Other improvements have been made.
The nurses graduating from the institution readily pass the State board examination, which speaks well for the training they are receiving. They are in demand for outside work.
Dr. L. A. Sutter, the superintendent, has been kept quite busy, carrying the entire medical work alone, besides assisting in teaching and in other lines. Dr. Josephine Andersen had just arrived at the time of my visit, to assist as the work demanded. R. L. Carson, the business manager, also had a full share of work. The Kansas Sanitarium is a busy place. The outlook for a prosperous business is good.
The Florida Sanitarium
As I saw the surroundings and general situation of the sanitarium at Orlando, Fla., I could not but thank God that we possess such beautiful places as this and others of our sanitarium locations. This goes far toward making these institutions ideal for their purpose. The Florida Sanitarium classes with the best of them.
Orlando, the county seat of Orange County, marks one of the prettiest parts of Florida. There are upwards of a thousand fresh-water lakes in the county, sixteen of them within the corporate limits of the city, and twenty-seven in the immediate vicinity. The lakes have a tempering effect upon the climate, cooling the summer heat and warming the sharp winds of winter, giving an equable climate the year round.
The city has a population of about ten thousand. This is increased in winter by the large number of tourists from the North, many of whom have erected handsome winter homes. The city improvements, in sewerage system, street pavement, etc., with the parks, churches, and institutions, make Orlando one of the most attractive cities of the South. The mean temperature for the past twenty years, by months, is given as from 59 degrees in January to 82 degrees in August. There is usually rain every month of the year. Cool, soft, pure water is abundant. Fruits and vegetables are plentiful. Malaria does not prevail.
Thus, natural conditions have given us a most favorable location for our sanitarium. Well-directed effort has added to its attractiveness, and general improvements have been made, until we now possess a place that is quite complete in all needed facilities and equipment. The new main building is beautifully located a little way from and overlooking Lake Estelle. The fine sun parlor on the ground floor is a delightful room for lounging, reading, and vesper services.
The original main building has been nicely improved. The dining room is located in this building, and is an attractive, restful room. The meals are good. A number of cottages, conveniently located, offer accommodations for those who desire rooms away from the main building.
The physicians, Drs. R. S. and Olive Ingersoll, are competent and have had much experience, both in this country and abroad. Facilities are ample for all general lines of medical and surgical practice. B. W. Spire, the business manager, has been connected with sanitarium work since its beginning in the South. He is untiring in his labors. A staff of efficient workers in all other necessary lines provide a full sanitarium service. Elder W. H. Heckman, president of the conference and chairman of the board, is in close touch with the institution and its needs, and is a strong supporter of its work.
It seems to me a proper thing to call the attention of our people in the Southern field to the fact that we have here an institution that is well prepared to care for a goodly number of sick people, both rich and poor. We can feel free to heartily recommend the Florida Sanitarium to those needing its services. It should have a larger patronage than it is now receiving.
This institution is fully worthy of the confidence and support of all. The management is a careful one. This is seen in many things about the place. Owing to a limited season for its principal patronage, it has unusual conditions with which to contend. Nevertheless the work has been fairly prosperous. With good, strong support from the Southern field all the time, the institution's work may be greatly strengthened.
L. A. HANSEN.
Medical Missionary Department
W. A. RUBLE, M. D. - - General Secretary
L. A. HANSEN - - Assistant Secretary
H. W. MILLER, M. D. - - N. Am. Div. Secretary
News and Miscellany
Notes and clippings from the daily and weekly press
— Tomasso Salvini, the world-famous Italian tragedian, died in Florence, Italy, on January 1, at the age of eighty-eight years, lacking one day.
— The largest shade tree which the American Genetic Association has been able to discover in the United States, is at Worthington, Ind., a sycamore 42 feet 3 inches in circumference.
— Figures indicating the growth of the antituberculosis campaign in the United States show that in the year 1905 about $5,000,000 was spent in this movement, while during the year 1915 over $22,500,000 was spent. These figures are part of the annual statistical statement of the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis.
— A clever carpenter at Medford, Mass., has spent ten years in constructing a small mahogany table which contains twenty-nine secret drawers. These drawers cannot be opened unless certain skilfully concealed buttons are pressed. Besides the twenty-nine drawers hidden in the table, there are two shelves, five covers, and one door. The table is two feet two inches square.
— There are already manifestations of opposition to the change in form of government in China from republic to monarchy. How serious the movement is remains to be shown. There is an uprising in the province of Yunnan, under the leadership of Tsai Ao, its former military governor, who is reputed to be acting in the interests of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, who was the first provisional president of the Chinese Republic.
— An adding machine which is four times as large as the ordinary machine, is described in Popular Mechanics. This machine is equipped to add figures which total within one unit of ten duodecillions, and can not only add, but can also subtract, multiply, and divide. It can handle forty columns of figures at one time, and in no way confuse the several results. The machine measures thirty-three inches in width, but weighs only thirty-five pounds.
— Gov. Winfield Scott Hammond, of Minnesota, died at Clinton, La., December 30, of a stroke of apoplexy, following an attack of ptomaine poisoning. He had been in the South about a week inspecting his extensive land and timber interests in Louisiana. Governor Hammond will be succeeded in office by the lieutenant governor, J. A. A. Burnquist. Governor Hammond was fifty-two years of age, and had held many important public offices in his State.
— The meeting of the Pan-American Scientific Congress in Washington was made an occasion for expressing political sentiments of amity and good will among the nations represented, as well as considering scientific and social subjects. The keynote of a desire for closer and definite unity as to matters of common interest was struck by Secretary of State Lansing in his opening address. He urged such an alliance, as to international relations, as would be expressed by the sentiment, “One for all, all for one.” There was an evident design to remove from the minds of the Latin-Americans any remnant of the formerly strongly held prejudice as to designs of overlordship entertained toward the South and Central American states by the United States. Mr. Lansing, in his address welcoming the Scientific Congress, said: “When we attempt to analyze pan-Americanism, we find the essential qualities are those of the family,—sympathy, helpfulness, and a sincere desire to see another grow in prosperity, absence of covetousness of another’s possessions, absence of jealousy of another’s prominence, and above all, absence of that spirit of intrigue which menaces the domestic peace of a neighbor. With all earnestness, therefore, I commend to you the thought of the American republics, twenty-one sovereign and independent nations, bound together by faith and justice, and firmly cemented by a sympathy which knows no superior and no inferior, but which recognizes only all equality and fraternity.”
Publishing Department
N. Z. TOWN . . . General Secretary
W. W. EASTMAN . . . N. Am. Div. Secretary
A Good Beginning in a New Field
BROTHER JOHN L. BROWN, who has recently gone to the republic of Salvador to pioneer the work in that field, writes as follows regarding the beginning he has been able to make:—
“I have made my first canvass here in Salvador, and the Lord greatly blessed the effort. The first man to whom I showed the book was an officer in the National Health Department. He was so interested in the book that he put down his name for ten copies, and then sealed the order with the government seal. The Lord is also helping me to secure recommendations from two of the leading doctors for the book. I am now trying to get an interview with the president of the republic. This is rather difficult, but I hope to succeed.”
Progress in Venezuela
Brother S. A. Oberg sends the following encouraging note regarding the progress which the colporteur work is making in Venezuela:—
“Since the beginning of this year we have sold over $2,500 worth of our large books in this field. In our first shipment of books, we ordered only 50 half morocco out of a total of 500. In our next, we ordered 150 of the half morocco, also 50 of the full morocco. In the last order which our native canvassers have sent me, they have asked for the last copy of the full morocco. We have three as good colporteurs as can be found anywhere, for which we thank the Lord. We also have two women who are selling books and doing Bible work. For these evidences of advancement we praise the Lord. We can see that he has set his hand to the finishing of the work in this very needy field, and in that glad day when the work is finished, I hope to see in the kingdom many of these dear ones with whom we have labored.”
Items From Brazil
ELDER F. W. SPIES, under date of Aug. 19, 1915, writes concerning the publishing work in the Brazilian Union as follows:—
“The other day I summed up our sales for the first six months of this year. The grand total is $9,000 United States gold as against $6,500 for the same time during 1914. Last year the Rio Grande do Sul Conference sold $3,000 worth of the $6,500, leaving only $3,500 for the year center and north of Brazil; this year Rio Grande sold only $1,500 worth during the first six months, owing to the fact that about all their workers and canvassers were attending the three months’ institute. This leaves $7,500 for the center and north for the first six months, where last year they sold only $3,500 worth, a gain of 128 per cent. As one contemplates the condition of the country, the drought, famine, and financial crisis, and then sees such progress, one cannot but marvel. But then this is the Lord’s work. We are hoping to reach the $20,000 mark this year.”
Reaching the Professional Classes
ELDER G. W. ANGLEBARGER sends the following note of progress from Denver, Colo. The last paragraph of this report emphasizes the importance of our having more colporteurs who can reach the professional classes with our large subscription books. Why should we not have scores of men in our colporteur work who are able to do just the kind of work Brother Pearson has been doing?
“The work and message in Denver are onward. Many are accepting the truth. Among them is a woman who is seventy-eight years of age. She had been reared a Catholic. Recently she left that church, and was seeking for the true way. She tried Christian Science and Millennial Dawnism, but did not find what she knew she needed. One day she was looking over the church notices in the Denver News, and saw our notice that we would speak the next Sunday night on ‘The One Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand.’ As that was a subject she wished to hear, she came to the service, and after hearing the discourse, she said, ‘This is the truth I am looking for.’ She has been coming regularly since, and has taken a decided stand for the truth. Next Sabbath she with others will receive Christian baptism. We have written a tract to meet the teachings of Russellism, entitled ‘Is the Millennium Already Here?’ We have 50,000 copies printed, and our members are putting them in the homes of the people.
“We are also pushing the Harvest Ingathering Signs. State Senator G. F. Pearson, who is a member of one of our churches, is canvassing the professional men of our city for ‘Daniel and the Revelation.’ He has sold over one hundred copies in just a few weeks to the most prominent men here, among them the governor, the lieutenant governor, the attorney-general, supreme judges, lawyers, doctors, etc. J. D. Rockefeller, Jr., who was visiting in Denver for a few days, was the one hundredth name on his list. He gave his order for a $5 book, and paid for it in advance. Brother Pearson did not think he could sell books, but the Lord impressed him to try. We are praying that these books will not only be read by these men, but will lead them into the light of God.”
N. Z. TOWN.
Publications Wanted
THE persons named below desire late, clean copies of our publications, sent postpaid, for use in missionary work. In sending publications care should be exercised to select only such as are free from soil and disfigurement. We have been credibly informed that some who oppose this movement and the truths which it represents answer these requests for literature, and are sending to our brethren and sisters in various parts of the country tracts and papers representing their opposition. Our workers should be careful not to confound this literature with our denominational publications, and thus unwittingly become agents in sending out matter not printed in the interests of the cause of truth.
Fred L. Burdick, Alvin, Tex.
James H. Thorne, Blue Plains, Washington, D. C.
H. L. Reese, R. F. D. 1, Lawrenceburg, Tenn.
Mrs. Carrie Dodge, R. F. D. 1, Harrisonville, Mo.
Mrs. Mary E. Hinds, 320 14th St., Rochelle, Ill.
Mrs. J. W. Jenssen, 40 Grove St., Ridgewood, N. J.
Mrs. A. D. Peckham, R. F. D. 2, Bolivar, N. Y. Continuous supply.
Mrs. J. H. Buel, Evansville, Ark. Only magazines and tracts desired.
M. Davis Smith, Box 304, Roswell, N. Mex. English and Spanish literature.
J. H. Downes, Y. M. C. A., Cornhill, London, E. C., England. Books, papers, and tracts.
Ina Kiefer, 2831 Third St., Oceanpark, Cal. Watchman, and Signs of the Times, weekly and monthly.