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Review and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 17.

THE WORK
Earlier text: W. B. WHITE

Work Among the Jews

By F. C. Gilbert

ALTHOUGH it has been some time since we have reported the progress of the work among the Jewish people, we are glad to say that there have been some advancements made in this work during the past winter. While we should have been glad to do more than has been done, we are thankful to God that we see omens which indicate that the Spirit of the Lord is working upon the hearts of the Jews.
As a people, they are greatly divided in their religious views. Every man is a law unto himself. While the synagogues are uniting, while the newspapers are joining forces, while the Young Men's Hebrew Associations are combining, one needs but to read the Jewish publications to feel the influence of disintegration, and, from a religious viewpoint, there seems to be a strong tendency downward.
The rising generation is rapidly drifting away from everything Biblical and traditional. The orthodox Jews, those that remain, are crying out against the tendencies of the times, but the work of disintegration goes on. The reformed Jews are increasing in numbers; the orthodox Jews are decreasing; the younger class of Jews are breaking away almost altogether from things Jewish. One of the leading rabbis of the country in a recent address advocated the idea of doing away with the Yiddish, and substituting English for the vernacular of the Jews. Other rabbis are advocating marriages with the Gentiles, and it is surprising to note the number of Jews and Jewesses in our cities and towns who are married to Gentiles.
These conditions are not mere happenings; we believe that back of them all there is an overruling Providence. The Jew has come to see that there is something wrong with his religion. The last few decades have brought to him much information, and he has come to see that rabbinical Judaism is not true. He is in a condition to receive something different from what he has; but where can he get it? We are glad that the Lord never leaves a man unsatisfied who has an appetite for the truth.
Many letters have come to us this winter from different parts of the land telling of Jews who are interested in the truth or who have accepted the message, and from those who are inquiring for the ways of the Lord. It seems like a revelation to the Jew to learn about the Seventh-day Adventists, and when he hears our message, he is ready to tell his friends and neighbors.
Not long ago we learned of a Jewish family in Portland, Oregon, who was baptized into the truth. The father and husband wrote us a very encouraging letter, thanking God that he ever met Adventists. Not long since we learned of a young man in Chicago who accepted the Saviour, and recently a Jew in Scranton, Pa., asked for prayers at one of our Sabbath meetings.
While holding meetings in New York during the absence of Elder Everson, I noticed a number of Jews in attendance. Some of them came ten and twelve miles to hear the message. At the close of the service one night, an appeal was made for the unconverted to give themselves to the Lord, and a young Jewish woman who had been an infidel, raised her hand for prayers.
We held an open-air meeting a while ago in East Boston, and after the meeting a young man followed us. He went with us several miles to attend our services, and since then he has been at the Good Tidings Home twice. He was to have been married to a young Jewish lady a short time ago, but the girl's people learned that he was not so strict in his Judaism as a Jew is expected to be. It was a question of giving up the truth he had learned or giving up his fiancée. He gave her up, and is now on his way to the kingdom. He was at the Good Tidings Home a short time ago, and just before he left I asked him what he was going to do with the truth. He replied, "I suppose I shall have to accept it." He put a dollar in the Sabbath school collection, and seems quite happy to be among this people.
There are several things necessary to make more rapid strides, we believe, in this work among the Jews. They should know more about us as a denomination. The quicker we can devise plans to make known to them the views of this denomination, the sooner they will be ready to listen to the pure gospel message for this time, and we are confident that this kind of educational work among the Jews will accomplish far more than thousands of dollars would accomplish in holding meetings in halls or missions or in other methods of work.
The Jew is bitterly prejudiced against Christianity, but he loves Moses and the prophets. He loves the law, and he loves the Sabbath. He loves the divinely ordained oracles of God. Although he feels that he cannot live up to his religion, and is rapidly losing it, he loves it when he hears others speak of it, and this is especially true if he hears it from a Gentile. But he will not go to church or to a hall to hear it. He feels that to go into a church is wrong, and he feels condemned when he goes into a hall to hear about Jesus; but he is willing to listen to some one who preaches about the Sabbath and the prophets and what the Lord told the prophets. But to the Jew the prophets have nothing to do with Jesus, and the law has nothing to do with Sunday. He hates and despises missionaries and missionary work, because of what has been done to him by those who claim to be followers of Jesus, and because these same professed followers of Christ have largely repudiated the Old Testament. It must be apparent, therefore, that if the Jew can be made to see that the Christian religion is associated with the Sabbath, and the Messiahship of Jesus with the law of God, they will mean much to him. If our dear people everywhere could only appreciate what this means to our work among the Jews, greater efforts would be put forth to make our views known to the Jewish people everywhere, and there would be an arousing on the part of the Jews to make further investigations into this truth. For this we are hoping and praying.
We need more literature to carry on our work, and we need more workers. Our workers need to study how to gain access to the hearts of the Jews, and we believe that many Jews would respond. May God hasten the day when we shall see hundreds of Jews coming to the light of the blessed message of present truth. We hope that our people will pray for the work and the workers among this people. We need your prayers and your cooperation in this branch of the work of the Lord.
Our people would be helped much if they would read the Good Tidings of the Messiah, which is published to help them reach the Jews. Send for sample copies to Good Tidings, Concord, Mass., or to your tract society. A year's subscription is only twenty-five cents. Get some Jewish literature, and give it to the Jews. They will read it, and some will find their way back to their own Messiah.
May the Lord help us all to remember these poor lost sheep of Israel, and help bring many back into the fold of Christ.
F. C. GILBERT.

The Infirmity of Temper

By W. L. Watkinson, D. D.

An infirmity of temper is popularly accounted a mere peccadillo, but not by those who suffer through it. A crabbed or peppery saint is immensely discounted, although otherwise he is a walking decalogue. A big pot of ointment is spoiled by a very small fly.—W. L. Watkinson, D. D.

One Point at a Time

"THEN do not look disheartened On the work you have to do, And say that such a mighty task You never can get through; But just endeavor, day by day, Another point to gain, As soon as the mountain which you feared Will prove to be a plain."

The Living Present

By Frederic William Farrar

YESTERDAY is yours no longer; tomorrow may never be yours; but today is yours, the living present is yours, and in the living present you may stretch forward to the things that are before.—F. W. Farrar.

The Work in Savannah

By C. B. Stephenson

I HAD the privilege of attending the colporteurs' institute for the colored people held in Savannah, Ga., March 13-23. I spent several days in this institute, and was very much pleased to note the interest taken in the book department by the members of the church. At the close of the institute, thirteen signed the contract for territory. Of these a goodly number will devote their whole time to this work. It seems to me that this is a good beginning. It was demonstrated beyond all doubt that the colored people can make a success of canvassing.
There are thirteen working bands in the church. The city has been divided into districts, and every district has a captain. If I remember correctly, in the aggregate there were three hundred Bible readings given, besides books sold and visits made. Fifty attended church who had been invited by these bands. The whole city is being covered by these workers. It is their intention to visit every home and conduct Bible readings. They seem to have a burden for the people. This plan of work is being introduced in all our churches, and I am sure will result in the addition of members.
The work for the colored people of the South was never on a better basis. It is thoroughly organized, and the territory is being worked systematically.
While the mission school work is not so prominent as it was in certain sections of the field a few years ago, the work as a whole is conducted in a more permanent way. We have not so many mission schools, but we have more churches in our large cities, and church schools in connection with them as a rule.
In the Southeastern Union mission, the colored membership more than doubled during the last biennial period. The tithe during the same time increased $4,083.11 over the previous biennial period. Progress was also made in other unions.
The Oakwood Manual Training School is having its most encouraging year. Workers are being trained to enter the field. Several will be graduated from the academic course. Taking everything into consideration, we feel encouraged because of what has been accomplished.
C. B. STEPHENSON.

How to Study the Bible

By S. N. Haskell

THE Seventh-day Adventist minister should be the best informed on Bible subjects of any minister in the world. The times and the truth itself demand it. What may be said of the minister, applies with equal force to every Bible worker and to each lay member.
Jesus said, "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." John 5:39. "To search" does not mean to read occasionally or carelessly. Solomon says, "Incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." Prov. 2:1-5.
Timothy, who had been instructed in the Scriptures from his youth up, was counseled by the apostle as follows: "Strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." He then mentions Hymenæus and Philetus as examples of those who go off on a tangent, and make everything of one particular point. 2 Tim. 2:14-18. They evidently founded their argument on the fact that when Christ arose, he brought from the grave "many bodies of the saints which slept." Matt. 27:51-53. A more general knowledge of the Scriptures would have taught them the truth concerning the resurrection of the dead.
When Jesus walked with the disciples on their way to Emmaus, "beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke 24:25-27. He compared scripture with scripture, and showed that, like an English navy rope, the red thread of the cross runs through every inspired book. God's mind gave it all.
Inspiration cannot be counterfeited so that the spiritual Bible student cannot detect the counterfeit. Each inspired writer gives the same truth in a little different setting. To divide the Word aright is to see a perfect harmony in the scriptures; not merely to believe them as a matter of fact, but to be able to show the harmony from the scriptures themselves. There are no abstract truths in the Bible. Each and every truth has one common center.
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable" for four things: (1) "Doctrine;" (2) "reproof;" (3) "correction;" (4) "instruction in righteousness." 2 Tim. 3:16. A field of study is here presented that is inexhaustible. There is no place for the minister to rest satisfied with his attainments.
Before I went to India about twenty-five years ago, I thought I understood the Scriptures quite well. I could give the different lines of prophecy in Daniel and Revelation, explain the mark of the beast, prove the seventh-day Sabbath, and kindred truths; but as I became acquainted with experienced missionaries in that field and conversed with them, I soon found that they understood principles of Bible truth about which, it seemed to me, I knew nothing. Then and there I made up my mind that if the Lord spared my life a few years longer, I would be a more thorough Bible student.
The truth of God upon every point is like himself: "Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea." Job 11:7-9.
There is an infinity in every expression God has ever used in his Word. God saw the end from the beginning; he spoke for all time, to meet men in all conditions. "Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him." Eccl. 3:14. "There is no new thing under the sun." Eccl. 1:9. Men may truthfully say that they do not comprehend it; but it is true nevertheless.
God has given special messages at different times to meet men under special conditions; but each of those different messages is based on the eternal principles which are characteristic of God. This makes the Bible different from every other good book in the world. It bears the mark of infinity.
Truth continually unfolds; and the minister who has been graduated at some school, has his diploma in his pocket, and thinks he has a perfect knowledge of the Bible, needs to tarry at Jerusalem until he "be endued with power from on high." The more he gains in the knowledge of God, the more surely will he see that there is an infinity beyond. "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Prov. 4:18.
Whatever may be a minister's intellectual or literary acquirements, however many books he may have read for self-improvement, let him not for one moment think that he does not need to search the Scriptures daily for more light. More light will not overthrow old positions that have been dug out by earnest prayers and confirmed by the spirit of prophecy.
As a people, we are called to be students of prophecy. The third angel's message is not a new gospel, but it is the age-lasting gospel. It is a resetting of Bible truth, free from the error of tradition and the customs of the people. When ministers are at ease, satisfied with their present enlightenment, they can be assured that God is not with them. It is God's will that we should be ever moving forward, with increasing light shining upon God's Holy Word.
We are to be quickened according to the Word of God. "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." Ps. 119:130. The word comes to us from the throne of God: "Ye must be born again," "not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. . . . The word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." John 3:7; 1 Peter 1:22-25. We need a daily supply of the unfolding truths of God's Word just as surely as we need a daily supply of food to nourish our bodies.
There is no book that throws more light on the study of the Old Testament than "Patriarchs and Prophets;" and none that unfolds the truths of the New Testament more than "The Desire of Ages." God has mercifully given these two books to aid us in the understanding of the Scriptures. Then shall we not become familiar with the truths developed in them?
"God will work a work in our day that but few anticipate. He will raise up and exalt among us those who are taught rather by the unction of his Spirit than by the outward training of scientific institutions. These facilities are not to be despised nor condemned; they are ordained of God, but they can furnish only the exterior qualifications. God will manifest that he is not dependent on the learned, self-important mortals."—"Testimonies for the Church," Vol. V, page 82.
The man healed at Gadara had never heard a sermon from the lips of Christ or the disciples. His soul thirsted for knowledge, and he desired to go with Jesus. When the crowd constrained Jesus to leave their coasts, the man was about to enter the boat, "howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee. . . . And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel." Mark 5:19, 20. There is nothing obtained from books that can take the place of genuine Christian experience.
S. N. HASKELL.

Bahama Islands

By Jas. H. Smith

We are told by Solomon that "a good report maketh the bones fat." It has been said, too, that the financial condition of a church is a good index of its spiritual condition, and as we feel that the financial report of this mission field is a good one, we pass it along to gladden the hearts of the REVIEW.
In this field we have but one church. Most of its nineteen members are fully established in all points of the faith. They love the third angel's message, and desire above all things else to see it go to all the world. This is shown by their faithfulness in tithing, and by their liberal offerings. While they are poor in this world's goods, they are laying up treasure in heaven.
A reference to the church treasurer's books shows the following: Tithe for 1913, $656.61; Sabbath school offerings, $409.09; Annual Offering, $24.60; Harvest Ingathering, $26.13; amount contributed to church expense, $168.58; emergency fund, $34.10.
In addition to this, the little company has taken upon itself the burden of erecting a house of worship, which will be finished in April. This property is valued at $1,350. We have almost enough to complete the building, and hope to dedicate it free from debt.
As a result of the efforts of the past few months, several are keeping the Sabbath and becoming obedient to the other points of the faith as they learn them. These we hope to be able to receive into church fellowship soon.
In connection with our work here in Nassau, we are holding three meetings a week in Adelaide, a small settlement fourteen miles distant, on the opposite side of the island. The natives are very friendly and show great appreciation of the meetings. They are charcoal burners, and live in the most primitive manner. Very few can read or write. But as this "gospel of the kingdom" must go to all the world, it is due to them.
The Lord blesses us with health, and we find great enjoyment in his work. JAS. H. SMITH.

Decay of the Home

The following editorial appeared in the Religious Telescope, Feb. 26, 1913:—
"The home of today is not quite the same thing that it was thirty or even twenty years ago. To make such a suggestion is to run the risk of being labeled 'old-fashioned,' 'behind the times,' of being 'non-progressive,' which accusation, by the way, is supposed to carry with it especial contumely. But all the same, the home as an educator, as a character-forming institution, as a dwelling place, as a refuge against some of the ills of life, the stress, the fume, and the fret, is not held in such high esteem as formerly. One thing that is wanted is a renaissance of the home, of home life, — of all the sweet family and spiritual ties of the human circle; a belief in the potent power of human love and unselfishness as reflecting in some slight and imperfect measure the all-embracing love of God and the great and eternal sacrifice of his Son. From a renaissance of the home and home life might be derived not a little impetus toward a renaissance of church life. At all events, the decay of the home is fraught with many dangers both to the church and to the state, the sum total of which only the years yet to be can show."
The home is the foundation of our young people's work, and no movement for the salvation of our youth can succeed, only as it succeeds in helping the home to save her children.

Campion Academy, Loveland, Colo.

By W. A. Gosmer

The hearts of the workers at Campion were made glad by a recent visitation of the Holy Spirit. The situation previously was a difficult one, owing to indifference on the part of many of the young people. Brother H. A. Vandeman, one of our young conference laborers, was asked to spend a few days with the school. Under his labors, together with those of the faculty, a spirit of prayer came upon all who were on the Lord's side. Meetings were held every evening for a week.
The special blessing of God attended the work; and at the students' prayer and social meeting on Friday evening, the Lord revealed himself in mighty power for the conversion of souls. This was in many respects a remarkable meeting. Some who were not willing to surrender to God, left the service in haste, and went to their rooms. But there was no rest for them. Earnest prayers were being offered for them, and the Spirit of God was doing its office work upon their hearts. There was great rejoicing when, of their own accord, they returned to the place of meeting, and surrendered all to the Lord. Meanwhile the others were making confessions of past wrongs.
The meeting was twice dismissed, but many of the brethren and sisters who met with us did not leave. A very earnest prayer meeting was being conducted in an adjoining room, and few cared to leave. It was indeed good to be in a place hallowed by the special presence of God. The meeting was finally closed at about 1:30 A. M., and all felt that a great victory had been won. Souls that had been shackled by the enemy were set free. It was the writer's privilege to baptize twenty-two of these dear young people, many of whom we believe will become earnest workers for God.
From the reports of similar manifestations of the Spirit in other places, it seems that the latter rain is falling upon God's people, and that the time is not far distant when the Lord will finish this work. This is a serious, solemn time for all who recognize the day of their visitation. We have been told that in order to share the refreshing, we must obtain the victory. This means serious, earnest work in the battle with self; it means prayer and supplication, with the will on God's side, and his word in our hearts. It means that self must be subdued by the power of the Holy Spirit, and that Christ must take his rightful place in our hearts, thus enabling us to overcome all our tendencies to evil, and to perfect holiness in the fear of God. If we comply with the conditions, we shall receive the latter rain, which will prepare us for the trying times that are before the Lord's people. We are of good courage, and praise the Lord for all the blessings which he has bestowed upon us.
W. A. GOSMER.

Solusi Mission, Rhodesia

By W. C. Walston

We have had two years of partial drought, and it has been a setback to the country. We had good rains early in November, and every one thought we were going to have a good year; but we were soon disappointed, for dry weather set in, and we were obliged to put up our plows. For two months we waited for rain. The crops we were able to put in early were nearly ruined. The situation was a forcible reminder of the prophecy in Joel 1:16-20. We were very much perplexed, and day after day we presented our requests to God to send us the rain we needed. We feared that, in addition to the famine, our cattle would starve. The Lord heard our prayers, and we have recently had rain, and have been able to finish our plowing and planting, though of course it is very late. However, if we have a late season and plenty of rain from now on, we shall have a partial harvest. There is now enough feed for our stock, and all are looking well. W. C. Walston.

Something With Which to Fish for Souls

By E. M. Graham

Tracts are a valuable medium for spreading a knowledge of the truth, but they are not the only class of literature we have to use. We are called, as Peter was, to be fishers of men. All fish cannot be caught with the same bait, and all people cannot be reached with one kind of literature. Periodicals have an important place in our work.
"Our missionary paper [the Signs of the Times] is doing its work everywhere, and is opening the way for the truth to be more fully presented. This paper has been made a blessing to very many souls. . . . In the Christian world there are many starving for the bread of life. The Signs of the Times, laden with rich food, is a feast to many who are not of our faith. Our brethren do not all see and realize the importance of this paper; if they did, they would feel greater personal interest to circulate it everywhere.. . . If all would realize the necessity of doing to the utmost of their ability in the work of God, having a deep love for souls, feeling the burden of the work upon them, we should see hundreds engaged as active workers who have hitherto been dull and uninterested, accomplishing nothing. They have felt that there was nothing of importance in this tract and missionary work,—nothing worthy of their special interest. Yet it is a fact that the circulation of our papers is doing even a greater work than the living preacher can do. All can do something. Some can do more than others, but all should become intelligent as to how they can work most successfully and methodically in spreading the light of truth by scattering our publications."—"Missionary Work by Correspondence," pages 1-3.
The work in many foreign countries was started by the mailing of copies of the Signs of the Times to addresses obtained in various ways. Whole churches have been raised up in this and other countries through the circulation of periodicals. What is said in the above quotation from Mrs. E. G. White is equally true of other periodicals containing the truths of this message.

How to Use Periodicals

One excellent way to use the Signs of the Times weekly, and also other periodicals, is in a systematic house-to-house sale of them. The worker should first read the paper carefully, so as to get a knowledge of what it contains, and to pick out the selling points. The ability to do this will increase with practice. Before going out, he should pray earnestly that the Lord will send angels before him to open the hearts of the people to receive the paper. Work alone will not accomplish a great deal, neither will prayer alone do everything, but prayer and work will perform wonders.
Prepared in this way, the worker should go to his territory, and start with the first house in the first street, calling faithfully at every house, small and large. He should carry a notebook with him, in order to keep a record of his work. A good way to do this is: before starting out, let the worker head a page in the book with the name of the street where he intends to begin work, putting down at the left-hand side of the page the numbers, one on each line, if it is known how they run. This will leave the rest of the line for notes. If no one is at home, the word out may be put against that number. Empty houses should be noted. Where a paper is sold, that should be noted, and where one is refused. A moment or two between each call is sufficient to keep this record.
If a paper is refused one week, the worker should call again the following week, unless the refusal has been given in such a manner as to make it a lack of courtesy to call again. A simple, "No, we do not want that paper," leaves the worker free to offer another paper. Workers have been refused as many as four times by one person, and then have secured him as a regular buyer.
The worker should study ways of meeting the objections that may be made to buying the paper. He should prayerfully ponder over these objections, and think of ways in which they might have been met, so as to be ready for them the next time they are presented. If the worker is strongly tempted to miss a house or some houses for any reason, he may feel sure those are the very places where it is likely there are some honest souls. The only safe way is to call everywhere in the territory being worked.
Much of the worker's success will depend upon the real burden for souls which he feels. If he is selling papers because he feels a deep burden, an intense longing, to be the means of saving souls, those to whom he goes will feel the influence of this, because the Holy Spirit can work through such a person. The worker who goes forth with his heart filled with the Spirit of Christ will be an instrument in the Lord's hands for saving souls. E. M. GRAHAM.

Our Young People's Work

By I. H. Evans

I BELIEVE we have made only a start in this young people's work. We have not reached the goal; but the start is a splendid one, and we do not want to let it slip away from us. We must grapple with this young people's work and make it a success.
One difficulty met with is the frequent changes made in the General, union, and local offices. This has been a great hindrance to the progress of this work. Still, the Young People's Department has done a splendid work. It is carrying heavy responsibilities, and I am interested in it because of the fact that it is trying to save our young people from going to the world and destruction. I believe with all my heart that it is an agency blessed of God to bring young people to a realization of the needs of the work; and by suggestions and by plans that are made, it is keeping them from drifting into the world and giving up the truth.
It is painful to think of the large number of young people who are continually drifting out of our churches and out into the world. The Young People's Department has collected statistics, and out of more than 13,000 young people in this denomination between the ages of ten and twenty-five years, only about 6,000 are Adventists and church members, and over 7,000 are not in the church nor baptized, nor make any profession of religion.
The Young People's Department has set itself the task of bringing into the church this year 1,500 of our young people. That does not seem like a great number, but it would be practically one fifth of the entire number from the ages of ten to twenty-five that are not now church members. If the Young People's Department should during this year accomplish its set object, it would be a splendid work. It would comfort many a father's and many a mother's heart to have something done for their children. The Young People's Department, with its officers and secretaries, is taking hold in a definite way and putting forth every effort to bring the truth before these young people, and to bring to bear upon them every possible influence to win them to Christ.
I believe this department needs the warmest sympathy and the most hearty cooperation of the union, the local, and the General Conference officers. I am sure it will have the influence of the officers of the North American Division Conference to the limit of their ability. We are anxious to save our young people from the world. When we do that, we help in many things. We fill up our schools, for one thing. Just as soon as this Young People's Department gets hold of a young man, it begins to agitate reading and study; and at least sixty per cent of the boys and girls who have read some of the books in the Missionary Volunteer Reading Course and taken some of the other work, want to go on and get an education. There are a good many of our young people in our colleges and academies as a result of the work of this department.
The year 1913 was far more successful in increasing our church membership than the year 1912; but take 1912 as a basis, and we find that it cost this denomination practically from $900 to $1,000 for every person added to the church membership. If we save 1,500 of our young people this year, figuring entirely from a financial standpoint, we actually save our tithe in this country.
You will argue, some of you, that it costs money to run this department. This is true. It does take money to run this department. I suppose it would take from $50,000 to $75,000 if every conference would put a man into the field and keep him at work, but we are not doing that. In many of our conferences the educational secretary and the young people's secretary is the same person. It is recommended that when a conference has 1,500 or more Sabbath keepers, it shall have a young people's secretary, and allow him his time to work in that department. Those conferences below that number shall have the Educational and Young People's Departments combined. Now, brethren, if we can save 1,500 of our children with an investment of $40,000, which is about the present cost of running this department, I believe it will be an investment that will pay us better than any other.

If She Can, Cannot the Young People in Your Church?

By Mrs. L. T. Crisler

LAST week I received from a sixteen-year-old girl a neatly written paper giving some intelligent answers to the review questions on the book "From Exile to Overthrow." For the benefit of some who have been making excuses for not taking the Reading Course, I wish to tell you something of the busy life of this young girl as recently told me by a friend.
This energetic girl has worked hard under very great difficulties. She works regularly in a weaving mill. Living a long distance from the mill, and having to walk to and from work, she has to arise very early in the morning. With a mother in poor health, and younger children in the family, you can imagine some of the duties which would fall to the oldest daughter. Notwithstanding all this, she is faithfully observing the morning watch, and trying to commit the book of Romans to memory. Not satisfied with this, she is studying hard at night. She attends an arithmetic school two nights in the week, and is also trying to do some work in English. She kept her grammar, Morning Watch Calendar, and Bible at the mill, so that she might study during spare moments. Recently the superintendent asked her not to do this. She feels the loss of these moments for study. She has not given up her morning watch or her studies, but is improving her spare moments at night. We understand her father often tells her she has not time to read. Many visitors at the home on Sundays make it impossible for her to study, so, in order that she may be alone, she has been invited to spend her Sunday afternoons in this friend's room. The girl is very anxious to attend one of our schools, where she can be fitted for better service, and is willing to work her way through if possible.
MRS. L. T. CRISLER.

Reading Courses and Young People's Day

THE Reading Courses are doing splendidly. Last year the Missionary Volunteer Department sent out more than twelve times as many Reading Course certificates as in 1908, and almost six times as many gift books as in 1912. Encourage your young people to complete the Reading Course before laying their books aside. The last assignments for the 1913-14 courses appear in the Instructor dated April 28.
MAY 2 is Young People's Day. Do not fail to observe it. See the program in the Review of April 16.

Teachers' Institutes

By Clifford A. Russell

"If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct."
When we find our tools becoming dulled, or perchance find that the newly purchased blade is far from keen, it is neither time nor effort misspent to grind and whet the edge until, razor-like, it cuts its way through with the least possible waste of energy.
Our younger teachers need the personal contact and influence of those of more experience. Oftentimes we who are older in the work find that our minds become dulled, and need the awakening, the inspiration, the sharpening, that comes from the interchange of thought, method, plans, devices, made possible in a properly conducted institute. Most of all, we need a new vision, a greatly enlarged, broadened, deepened vision, of what God demands of a Christian teacher.
For some years this work has been carried on in the Lake Union Conference. This year an institute was conducted in each of the seven conferences constituting this union. In every case, the conference president manifested his interest in the betterment of our schools by taking an active part. Out of nearly one hundred church-school teachers, only five failed to attend. Besides this, nearly all the academy teachers were in attendance at some one of these institutes. The president of Emmanuel Missionary College attended two, and the normal director four, of these gatherings.
So thoroughly converted have our people become to the idea of conducting these institutes that the teacher's salary and his traveling expenses are paid.
At several of these institutes, an exhibition of school work, largely industrial, was arranged.
The devotional hours were greatly appreciated, and several closed with a heart-searching consecration service.
Very interesting as well as instructive hours were those devoted to a round-table discussion of perplexing school problems, and to the question box, which formed an important feature of each institute.
Special emphasis was placed upon such topics as,—
  • Consecration
  • Cooperation
  • The Teacher's Influence in the School, the Home, the Church
  • School Discipline
  • School Sanitation
  • Supervised Recreations
  • Special Methods and Devices
Some one has said: "It is a good thing, sometimes, for a man to climb up out of his rut, and take a look into the other man's rut." We are all likely to think our rut the best, the safest. But sometimes we discover that the other man is following a far better rut, or, to drop the figure, that another teacher has devised ways and means of conducting a school which are far superior to our own, while perhaps some of our plans are better than his. The institute brings together these teachers, each with his own ideals, and the result can but make for increased efficiency in our teachers and the betterment of our schools.
I speak from observation when I say emphatically, The institute pays! CLIFFORD A. RUSSELL.

The Dearest Gifts

"HEARTS that feel and eyes that smile are the dearest gifts that Heaven supplies."
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