IN the Pacific Union Recorder Mrs. E. E. Parlin reports that four Greeks have accepted the Sabbath in San Francisco, through her Bible work. They have been corresponding with relatives in Greece, and have received word that three of these are already keeping the Sabbath in that country, while others are interested.
Death of Elder C. W. Olds
In Wisconsin particularly, but in all the field as well, friends will feel a personal loss in the death of Elder C. W. Olds, reported in our obituary columns this week. Elder Olds was a faithful laborer for many years, and to the last his testimony was one to inspire courage and confidence in the “blessed hope.” Many are growing old in this message, and it is time to hasten it on to the ends of the earth, that we may see its triumph.
Castle Resigns, Lashier Succeeds
ACTING under medical counsel, Brother C. H. Castle, for years secretary and treasurer of the North Pacific Union Conference, has resigned, and will locate in Southern California. Brother S. J. Lashier takes the work in the union conference. We trust the change will fully restore Brother Castle to rugged health.
Prayer Answered Through Mission Gift
A SISTER in California sent in five dollars for foreign missions. Accompanying the gift was the following note: “I will tell you of the wonderful experience I had in getting the money. Fifteen years ago I let a person have some money on a note. She was well able to pay the note, but would not, and I never expected to get it back. During the week of prayer I asked the Lord to put it into her heart to pay it, and the money came. I told the Lord that if she paid it, I would put five dollars of it into the foreign mission work. I praise Him for it, and am glad we have a Father who answers prayer.”
The Annual Religious Liberty Offering
By K. C. Russell
THE time for the next annual general religious liberty offering is Sabbath, Feb. 5, 1910.
In the past the offering has been exclusively for the work of the General Religious Liberty Department, but at the late session of the General Conference, it was decided to have this offering divided equally between the General, union, and local conferences. The following is a copy of the resolution passed at that time:—
“Whereas, Agitation for Sunday legislation is rapidly increasing in the United States and in Canada; and,—
“Whereas, The general annual collection of funds for the prosecution of religious liberty work has heretofore been exclusively for the use of the General Religious Liberty Department; therefore,—
“We recommend, That there be an equal division of funds to the General, union, and local conferences in the fields.”
Since it has been decided thus to divide this offering, we trust that the beneficiaries of the funds thus secured will do their very best to see to it that this year it shall amount to three times as much as any previous year.
We have heard the very encouraging, and indeed complimentary, expression that this division would in no wise lessen the amount realized by the General Department, and we are surely glad to hope that this will be so.
The necessity for funds to carry on our work was never more imperative than at the present time. The chief reason there are not secretaries constantly employed to give their entire time to this great work in all the union and local conferences is the lack of funds. This difficulty can be very largely, if not entirely, obviated if a special effort is put forth to make this offering what it might and should be.
There are already three religious measures in Congress, two of which are Sunday bills, and an almost universal agitation for increased Sunday legislation exists on the part of the clergy throughout the country.
This is therefore the time for conference and church officials to plan for this great annual offering.
K. C. RUSSELL.
Looking Forward to 1910
As we look back over 1909, we may thank God that, notwithstanding all the failures and the lacks, his blessings have been showered upon us, individually and as a people. And now, with 1910 before us, if God is pleased to give us another year of life, let us study to avoid the repetition of the mistakes, and lay hold of the great and precious promises for daily victory and overcoming grace. It is sure to be a great year in the onward progress of the message if we allow God to use us.
Subscription Rates for 1910
By Editor
In renewing for the year 1910, our subscribers will note the slight changes in the card of subscription rates, printed on the first editorial page. Announcement of this change has been made for several months. Small as this difference of a few cents a year is to the individual subscriber, it will prove a great consideration to the office in meeting the increased cost of paper and production. And the prosperity of the publishing houses is the prosperity of the cause.