p. 23 | Review and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 51. (12/21/1905)

Earlier text: The River Plate Conference

Religious Liberty Notes

By K. C. RUSSELL

The following extract from a letter from a gentleman in Iowa will be an encouragement to those who are distributing the religious liberty and other tracts: “While in your city, a stranger handed me a leaflet entitled ‘The Civil Sabbath, Nature of Sabbath Legislation.’ I am deeply interested in this work, for in my judgment the time is near when religious persecution will be enacted into a law, by the powers of darkness.”

Elder E. W. Webster truly said in an article he wrote for The State, of Columbia, S. C., under date of Nov. 22, 1905: “The Sabbath is purely a religious, not a civil, institution, and why is it any more nearly right to enforce its observance by civil law than to enforce baptism by the same law? Or the Lord’s Supper? The government of the United States, and of South Carolina, or of Columbia, were not formed for the purpose of enforcing religious usages or customs upon the people; the Constitution forbids it, and wisely so. Religion has to do with the thoughts and with the heart.”

Sunday afternoon, December 3, Elder W. A. Colcord met with the Free Discussion Society, of Baltimore, to discuss the question of “Religious Liberty and the Rights of Conscience.” Much interest was aroused in the subject, the meeting continuing for three hours. Many speeches were made pro and con, but mostly in favor of religious freedom. The question of Sunday legislation and a religious amendment to the Constitution were especially considered. Elder Colcord had the opening and closing speeches, and was given a hearty vote of thanks for his presentation of the subject.

Among the resolutions recently passed by the Texas Methodist Episcopal Conference on the question of Sunday observance are the following: “That we call out all candidates for the State legislature as to their attitude toward these forms of Sabbath desecration, and demand of those who receive our votes that they pledge themselves to give us relief from these evils.” “That we as a church representing 225,000 members in Texas, request our State legislature in its next session to pass such laws as will effectually prohibit these desecrations, and that this request be laid before the legislature by the committee mentioned.”

Kittanning, Pa., is having a taste of what will be experienced when the teaching of religion in the public schools is required by the state, as will be seen from the following from the Pittsburg Gazette: “December 7 (Special).—Prof. C. V. Smith, principal of the Kittanning academy, is in a quandary over a request from the Rev. Father L. A. Carroll, rector of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic church, that he be permitted to celebrate mass at the school. The academy is a county institution. The eight Protestant clergymen of the borough conduct the devotional exercises at the school in rotation.”

At the Methodist Episcopal Conference held in Sulphur Springs, Tex., Nov. 27, 1905, the Sabbath (Sunday) observance committee, in submitting their report, gave in their preamble the following argument that this is a Christian nation, and that it hinges on Sunday observance: “Ours is a Christian nation. Christian men met in council to found our nation. Christian men led our Revolutionary troops to victory, and Christian men laid down their lives on the battle-field for their country’s freedom. Our Constitution was built on the Christian Bible. From our legislative halls, from our chief executive, and from our supreme courts have come uniform declarations expressed, or implied, that ours is a Christian nation. This is settled. It is too late now to question it. But a Christian nation hinges on a Christian sabbath. Emerson says: ‘Sunday is the core of our civilization.’ Without it we could not have Christian worship, civilization, and institutions. Therefore nothing more vitally concerns our nation or the church of God than the perpetuation of the Sabbath of the Bible. Not only religion, but freedom for our common people, is at stake. The celebrated De Tocqueville once said: ‘France can never have America’s liberty until she has her sabbath.’”

In an article entitled “The Beginning of the End,” in the New York Indicator of December 6, by Elder J. W. Raymond, appeared the following, which is to the point: “Several years ago, Dr. Scudder, of Jersey City Tabernacle, gave vent to this utterance: ‘The church is going into politics, and it is going there to stay. Furthermore, the church is to become a powerful political factor, and will act as a unit on all great moral questions. I do not take it that the churches are to form a separate political party; on the contrary, they will stand outside all parties, but they will co-operate, and as one prodigious organization, make their demands upon existing parties, and have their wishes fulfilled. And that would be Rome (the papacy) right over again, an image to the beast alive and in operation. And who can fail to see in the late federation convention in New York City, with its five hundred delegates and a representation of twenty-one denominations, with a membership of eighteen million,—who can fail to see in this that which will be practically the very condition of things set forth by Dr. Scudder? And with this broad and towering federation front now before us, who can fail to see in the religio-political barometer of the times the sure incoming of the stormy time of Rev. 13:11-17 as its sequel?’”

K. C. RUSSELL.

Williamsdale Academy Opens

E. E. GARDNER, principal of the Williamsdale Academy, Williamsdale, Nova Scotia, reports that the academy opened the fifteenth of November with seventeen students.

A primary department has been formed, with Mrs. E. E. Gardner in charge. Mrs. Gardner also teaches instrumental music, and is preceptress of the school home. Mrs. William Guthrie is acting as matron.

Brother Gardner reports a spirit of courage at the opening of the school, with a bright outlook for the future.

Laurelwood Industrial School

By G. W. Pettit

This school is located at Gaston, Ore., about thirty-two miles southwest of Portland, in the center of the conference, as regards the number and membership of the churches.

In response to an urgent appeal for such a school, steps were taken at the conference of 1904 for its establishment. Accordingly the executive committee of the conference chose Elders F. M. Burg and G. W. Reaser and Brother G. W. Pettit as a committee to select a suitable location. After about four weeks of careful searching, the above place was chosen, being centrally located. At the head of a fertile valley, sixty-three acres of productive land, well watered and with plenty of good timber, was bought. Work began on the main building in August, 1904, and by November 3 they began school in poorly equipped quarters.

Prof. R. W. Airey, of the Gravelford Academy, our intermediate school in southern Oregon, was chosen principal, and Miss Irene Anderson assistant teacher, matron, and instructor in music. The school opened with eight students, but soon grew to twenty-eight. When school closed, all expenses of the year had been met, and a crop of sixteen or more acres put in without debt. During the year nearly every young person in the school experienced conversion to present truth, and was eager to prepare for service. We are glad to say several of them have been actively engaged in work during the past summer, and are now at the school, seeking a further preparation.

This year some improvements have been made. The main school building, twenty-eight by fifty feet, two stories in height, has been plastered throughout, a dormitory twenty-eight by forty-four feet, two and one-half stories high above the basement, has been built and plastered, and a good large barn put up. These improvements have been made this year without incurring debt.

The Lord has blessed us beyond our expectations. This year the school is full. The opening day twenty-five students were enrolled, and the beginning of the second month showed an enrolment of fifty-eight. All seem well satisfied, and with the four instructors employed, are working hard to make this another good year. Professor Airey is still principal, and Miss Clara Rogers has the church-school department and music, assisted by Miss Olive Perkins. Sister Alice Holt is matron.

Elder Burg, with the writer, spent Sabbath, November 4, at the school; and following his stirring discourse on the invitation of our Saviour, “Come,” about ten students gave their hearts to God. While we regard a thorough,

practical education as essential, yet the first aim of this school is spiritual growth.

The school is situated in the country, at the foot of the Chehalem Mountains, overlooking Wapato Lake. In the distance the blue outline of the Coast Range is etched against the sky. The nearest city of any size is nine miles distant. We hold that these conditions promote spiritual growth.

G. W. PETTIT, Educational Sec. Western Oregon Conf.

Christian Education

Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference.

FREDERICK GRIGGS, Chairman,

C. C. LEWIS, Secretary.

The Need of Reform in Our Schools

By F. G.

THERE needs to be a constant study of educational methods by all our teachers. We are in great danger of drifting into worldly plans, methods, and customs, thus losing sight of the important work which is committed to us. To lead all our teachers to thus depart from the pure work of the gospel, is the studied effort of the enemy of Christian education. There needs to be on the teacher's part a willingness to break away from any educational practises which do not have a bearing on the eternal interests of the children and youth.

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Here is a motto which should be a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path. The experiences of the Jews, and their conformity to the educational customs and practises of other nations, should be a warning lesson to us. There is danger of our being self-satisfied. There is danger of our losing sight of the instruction which the Lord has given us concerning the subjects to be taught and the manner of teaching them in our schools.

The work which is to be done in our schools is to be of the highest and most thorough character, but it is not to be patterned after worldly ideas, nor measured according to its standard. The Lord pronounces the wisdom of this world as foolishness, and the education which is to be given in our schools is not to be of this order.

Many of our people hold with great tenacity to educational ideas which are almost hoary with age. There is a feeling that in breaking away from these, we are adopting a weak and insufficient system of education which will not properly qualify their children to meet the world in an intelligent manner. But our schools should do such thorough work and be so well managed that this idea may be entirely eradicated, and that confidence and courage concerning our schools may take possession of the hearts of all our people. The leading physician in a county where one of our church-schools is established recently said that this school was by all means the very best school of its grade to be found in the whole county, and there should be no reason why a similar statement could not be made concerning all our church-schools.

Reformation does not mean annihilation. The purpose of reform is to make better. If the Lord is in the reform, it always tends to perfection. Let us see to it that the character building, the methods of teaching, and all the features of our schools are in harmony with the instruction which he has given us. F. G.

Current Mention

— The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association is concerned over recently gathered statistics which show that 132 leading manufacturing concerns of the country have been obliged, chiefly on account of tariff restrictions, to establish branch plants in Canada.

— The United States government is proceeding with the prosecution of the beef packers at Chicago, and proceedings have also been instituted at Philadelphia and Kansas City against shippers, freight agents, and others, on the charge of having procured or accepted rebates, indictments having been brought against these persons by federal grand juries.

— According to testimony given before the insurance investigating committee in New York concerning the Prudential Life Insurance Company, policyholders have paid in in premiums to this company since its organization $287,000,000, and during the same time have received back from the company $92,000,000, from which it appears that the balance of gain is heavily on the side of the company.

— The trouble between France and Venezuela has reached an acute stage. A Washington telegram says: “The Franco-Venezuelan situation has taken a decided turn for the worse, and to-day it was authoritatively stated that the French government will not tarry much longer in taking action against Venezuela if Castro continues to be obstinate. The French fleet is at Martinique, and is ready to go to Venezuela at any time the Paris government may see fit.”

— A committee of twenty appointed by the National Board of Fire Underwriters for the purpose of investigating risks in Manhattan has made a report in which it reaches the conclusion that fire protection in New York is wholly inadequate, and danger of a conflagration similar to that of Chicago and Baltimore hangs over the city. The committee also reports that New York City is threatened by a water famine, that the mains are no longer adequate, and that the fire-alarm system and the building laws are not what they should be.

— American residents of the Isle of Pines, lying south of Cuba and belonging to that republic, are organizing a revolt, with the apparent intention of bringing the island under the sovereignty of the United States. A letter from the president of the Isle of Pines Association, which is at the head of the movement, says: “The last mail from the United States brought additional guarantees of $40,000 in cash, and of men, and all the ammunition needed to defend our rights and uphold the American flag in this isle. This makes over $200,000 in cash, 6,000 men, and all the munitions needed should we elect to use force in maintaining the rights of Americans on American territory.”

— The Russian government has apparently decided on making a final effort to stay the tide of revolution, by the use of the severest measures of repression. The whole force of the Cossacks will, it is said, be mobilized if necessary to crush all opposition. The revolution is to be drowned in blood, and the concessions already made by the czar are to be set aside. The following view of the situation is given by the New York Sun: “The truth is that repression has begun, that revolution and reaction are already engaged in a death grapple; and that, in spite of Count Witte’s personal adherence to a conciliatory policy, preparations are making over his head to inaugurate a ‘White Terror’ and to drown the aspirations of Russian liberals in blood. The three most precious privileges granted by the czar’s manifesto of October 30, indispensable preliminaries to the realization of the promised representative institutions — freedom of speech, of the press, and of public meeting — have all been extinguished by the fiat of Minister of the Interior Durnovo, who no longer makes any pretense of obeying the ostensible premier. To him, and not to Count Witte, must be imputed the re-establishment of a censorship of the press, the arrest of Mr. Krustaleff and other members of the executive committee of the Workmen’s Council in St. Petersburg, the simultaneous arrest at Moscow of the employees of the post-office and the telegraph operators, and doubtless also the mowing down of railroad strikers at Riga by machine guns and artillery.” Count Witte’s resignation is expected.

The Story of Joseph

This popular and fast-selling little book, formerly sold on the same plan as “Christ’s Object Lessons,” is now being handled through the tract societies as a subscription book, the canvassers receiving a liberal commission for their work.

Every penny of the publisher’s and author’s profits from the sale of this book goes into the treasury of the Southern Missionary Society for the support of mission schools among the colored people of the South; therefore to sell “The Story of Joseph” is not only to bring to the children an excellent book, but at the same time to assist a very important branch of the cause in the Southern field.

Children can sell “The Story of Joseph”

as well as older people, and they should be encouraged to take up this work. Those who would like to engage in the sale of this book on a liberal commission should write to their tract society secretaries for a sample copy and terms to agents. Secretaries are invited to correspond with this office. Address the Southern Missionary Society, Edgefield, Tenn.

The Battle Creek Industrial Academy

By B. E. NICOLA

WE are now in the last week of the third month of the school year; and they have been very pleasant months. The attendance seems to be more largely those who have a special conviction in favor of the church-school work than formerly. Our enrolment is one hundred and sixty up to this time, with an actual attendance of one hundred and forty-six. We have six regular teachers and one cadet teacher now at work, and all are very busy. Our course of study provides for regular academic or high school work, including the twelfth year.

We do not advertise our school or its work outside of Battle Creek, and so have no attendance from a distance, and the majority of those who have left the school this year and last are those who have moved away from the place in harmony with the instruction in favor of such a step.

Eleven years of work are represented in this year's classes. A large per cent of our young people are pursuing some industries daily. About forty per cent of them are earning their own tuition, or more. For the few of the older ones who remain unemployed, we have organized what we call “Minuteman's Labor Bureau,” by which the academy receives calls for work from those who have work to be done, and appoints the students to go and do the work, their time being reported to the academy, which makes the collections, and credits the student accordingly; in this way a large number are encouraged to earn their tuition, even though their parents are in some cases able to pay it. Although the boy is not directly under the oversight of some teacher in doing the work, his teachers nevertheless become acquainted with his work, and are able to see the points of weakness, so that the commercial benefit is by no means to be considered the most of it.

The tuitions, which range from two dollars to four dollars, supply nearly the entire support of the school, the remaining part being made up by such other means as the church arranges. While tuition is charged, none are kept away on account of not being able to pay it. The per cent of those paying tuition this year is very much better than last.

We believe we have a strong corps of teachers. They are mostly women who have been tried for a number of years, and have proved their capability.

We are striving earnestly to make the school just what the Lord has intended by calling our church-schools into existence, both by the methods employed and by the text-books used, as well as by the study of the individual needs.

B. E. NICOLA.

NOTICES AND APPOINTMENTS

By CHAS. S. POTTS

Annual Meeting

NOTICE is hereby given that the fifth annual meeting of the stockholders of the Southern Publishing Association will be held Tuesday, Jan. 9, 1906, at 10 A. M., at the offices of the association, Nashville, Tenn., to elect a board of directors for the ensuing year, and to transact such other business as is connected with the association.

CHAS. S. POTTS, Secretary.

Notice!

MANY of the readers of the REVIEW will be glad to learn that the Sabbath-school lessons for our German, Danish-Norwegian, and Swedish brethren are printed in the three foreign papers, published at College View, Neb. These papers also contain the intermediate lessons for children, translated from The Youth’s Instructor. Write to the publishers for sample copies. Special rates on clubs for Sabbath-school and missionary work. Address the International Publishing Association, College View, Neb.

Obituaries

OLSEN.—Died at Tremonton, Utah, Oct. 12, 1905, Peter Henry Olsen, aged 12 years, 9 months, and 1 day. Death was due to a relapse while convalescing from typhoid fever. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer to a large audience. W. A. ALWAY.

GUINN.—Died at her home in Sedalia, Mo., Oct. 23, 1905, Sister Sybil Guinn, in the sixteenth year of her age. Sister Guinn gave her heart to God three years ago, and though a great sufferer during her illness, she was very patient and trustful. The funeral was largely attended. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer. R. C. PORTER.

KRINGEL.—Died in Milwaukee, Wis., Nov. 19, 1905, of heart failure, Henriette Kringel. She was born in Germany, Jan. 16, 1834, and accepted present truth in 1893. She was one of the most faithful workers in the Milwaukee German church. She alone ordered six hundred copies of the Hausfreund. Four sons remain to mourn their mother's death. The funeral sermon was given by the writer; text, Phil. 1: 23. H. GELLERT.

FRANENFELDER.—Died at the home of her daughter, in Madison, Wis., Nov. 7, 1905, of heart failure, Mrs. Regina Franenfelder, aged 72 years. The deceased was a member of the Monroe (Wis.) church. She leaves one son and two daughters to mourn their loss. The funeral service was conducted by the writer in the Monroe church, a large assembly of friends and neighbors being present; text, Ps. 17: 15. F. STEBBEDS.

CLARK.—Died at Los Angeles, Cal., Nov. 19, 1905, Mrs. Mary J. Clark, aged nearly 76 years. Early in life she became a Christian. She adopted the Adventist faith over forty years ago, and was one of the early members of the Los Angeles church. The only member of Sister Clark's family who survives her is a daughter, Sister Comfort, who deeply mourns her loss, but she has the blessed assurance that her mother sleeps in Jesus. G. W. REASER.

POPPINO.—Died at the Home for Incurables, Nov. 26, 1905, of heart-disease, Alice Poppino, of Cincinnati, Ohio, aged 50 years and 2 months. She was a consistent member of the Baptist Church for thirty years, and a faithful Seventh-day Adventist for several years. She had bright hopes for the future. On her dying bed she said she was ready to sleep until the Life-giver comes, and asked me to use John 11:25 as a basis for her funeral discourse. We laid her in Evergreen Cemetery, Newport, Ky., by her father's side. C. A. PEDICORD.

McCOLLOCH.—Died at Bells, Tex., Nov. 9, 1905, George E. McColloch, aged 77 years, 6 months, and 19 days. Father had been blind for several years, and his health had been very poor since last summer, but he bore his afflictions with great patience. He was converted to present truth under the labor of Elder R. M. Kilgore, about twenty-seven years ago. It was hard to give him up, but we are comforted with the hope that we shall meet in the new earth if we are faithful. Funeral service was conducted at the house by Rev. Hightower, pastor of M. E. church. MRS. ANNIE COLLIS.

MURRAY.—Died at her home at Flagstaff, Ariz., Nov. 11, 1905, of heart failure, Sister M. E. R. M. Murray, aged 63 years. She embraced present truth under the labors of Sister Ethel Bond. She lived a humble and consistent Christian life, beloved by all who knew her. She was twice married; first to Mr. Macking. This union was blessed with two children, a son and a daughter, who, with her second husband, Mr. James Murray, mourn her death. The funeral service was held at the Seventh-day Adventist church, conducted by the writer. F. I. RICHARDSON.

McNELEY.—Died near Rockford, Wash., Aug. 10, 1905, Sister M. McNeley. Sister McNeley was born in Johnson County, Missouri, Nov. 19, 1867, and was educated at Warrensburg State normal school, and for a number of years taught in her native State. She was converted in early life, and joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church when thirteen years of age. She lived a consistent Christian life. She leaves to mourn her loss, an aged father, a sister and a brother, a devoted husband and three children, besides other relatives and friends. The funeral service was conducted by the writer. C. E. FORD.

ROSS.—Died at his home in McLean, Saskatchewan, Nov. 28, 1905, of pleurisy, George Ross, aged 59 years and 20 days. Brother Ross accepted present truth in 1887 through reading The Signs of the Times, sent to him by a brother who was working in the Signs office. He lived the truth eight years before he enjoyed the privilege of meeting one of like precious faith. It was through the earnest entreaties of Brother Ross that workers were first sent to Manitoba and the Northwest Territories. Before his death he had the joy of seeing some of his neighbors accept the third angel's message, and of seeing all the members of his family living the truth. He left a wife and six children to mourn their loss. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer from Rev. 14: 13. F. H. CONWAY.

Business Notices

BRIEF business notices will be published in this department subject to the discretion of the publishers. A minimum charge of one dollar will be made for one insertion of forty words or less. Three cents a word will be charged for each additional word, and remittance must accompany each order. Initials and figures count as words. Name and address must be counted.

All persons unknown to the managers of this paper must send satisfactory written recommendations whenever submitting notices for insertion in this column.

In the case of poor persons who wish employment, the charge may be remitted, but in order to secure this concession a letter from the elder of the local church of which the advertiser is a member, or from one of our well-known ministers, must accompany the advertisement.

WANTED.—Employment in any line of common labor where it will be possible to observe the seventh-day Sabbath. Address G. A. Cramer, 5820 Pennsylvania Ave., Pittsburg, Pa.

WANTED.—Home for a strong, healthy thirteen year-old girl, in a good Seventh-day Adventist family. Western Washington or Oregon preferred. Address Elsie Hollinger, Dryad, Lewis Co., Wash.

WANTED.—Eight or ten strong healthy young ladies to wait table in the vegetarian cafe, Los Angeles, Cal.; they must be Sabbath-keepers. Address O. F. Conway, Manager, 259 South Hill St., Los Angeles, Cal.

WANTED.—Two good, experienced horse teamsters who have had experience in handling logs in woods and otherwise. None others need apply. Steady employment for right persons. Address Howard Mesick, Mesick, Mich.

WANTED.—On farm in middle Tennessee, in March next, young man or married couple. Seventh-day Adventist. Delightful climate, fine spring water; live with family; man must be good worker and well recommended. Address Mrs. G. W. Payne, Norfield, Miss.

FOR SALE.—Alfalfa extracted honey put up in cases of 120 lbs. net, at 8½ cents a lb. Also Mexican beans of the finest quality put up in sacks of 100 lbs., at $2.50 per sack. Cash with order. Address J. Q. Adams, R. F. D. 1, Manzanola, Colo.

EVERY reader should try our absolutely pure and rancid-proof peanut butter, only 10 cents a pound. We pay freight on 100 pounds or more east of Rocky Mountains, at 12 cents a pound. Address Vegetarian Meat Company, 309 Bond Building, Washington, D. C.

FOR SALE.—Pure vegetable cooking oil; odorless, fine shortener, good keeper, splendid substitute for olive-oil. Prices, freight prepaid east of Colorado, west of Ohio (to farther points ask for prices), one 5-gal. can, $3.50; two cans, $6.50; three cans, $9.25. Address R. H. Brock, Arkansas City, Kan.

Medical Missionary Training-School

By J. A. Burden

A SPECIAL training-school for medical missionaries will be organized the first of January, 1906, in connection with the Loma Linda Sanitarium of Southern California. It is designed to make this a training-school for all branches of medical missionary work, the nurses' course forming only one line of the studies. Those desiring to enter this training-school should send for further information at once. Address Loma Linda Training-school, Loma Linda (Redlands), Cal.

J. A. BURDEN.

To All Interested in Text-Books for Our Denominational Schools

By M. E. Kern; C. C. LEWIS

THE text-book committee appointed at the last General Conference desire once more to call the attention of authors and educational officers to the request of the committee that they report at once any text-books, either in manuscript form or in printed form, which they would like to have the committee examine. The committee would also request the educational secretaries of union conferences, and also of the State conferences, to write the secretary of the committee at once, making a statement of the different text-books that are used in their respective territories, and also expressing their opinion in regard to the satisfaction which each text-book is giving. The committee are tabulating information of this kind in order that they may be able to do thorough and permanent work, and they request that all who are interested in these matters report as soon as possible, giving the information desired, and addressing their letters to the secretary of the text-book committee. M. E. Kern, College View, Neb. C. C. LEWIS, Chairman.

Publications Wanted

[SPECIAL NOTE.—All who receive periodicals in answer to these calls are advised to examine them carefully before distributing them.—Ed.]

The following persons desire late, clean copies of our publications, post-paid:—

Mrs. L. Wightman, Purdy Block, Bath, N. Y., Signs.

C. F. Volz, R. F. D. 1, Nabb, Ind., periodicals and tracts.

Alice I. Slawson, Eufola, N. C., Signs, Instructor, Life Boat, and tracts.

Arthur C. Logan, Hollister, Cal., a large supply of our denominational literature.

Mrs. I. E. Moore, Apartado 35, Marianao, Cuba, Signs, Life and Health, Watchman.

W. A. Theo. Miller, 408 S. Thompson St., Sedalia, Mo., periodicals during the winter.

J. Mitchell, 234 E. Fifty-third St., New York City, N. Y., REVIEW, Signs, and Bible Training School.

School of the Occult

UNDER the heading “School of the Occult” it has been announced in the daily press that “a one-million-dollar university, of which the object will be the study of occult and psychic phenomena, the human soul, and all the arts and sciences of the ‘new thought,’ not recognized by established schools, will be built overlooking the Pacific, near Santa Barbara, Cal.”

The founder of this proposed university for the advancement of occultism, who is the wife of an ex-Congressman, makes the following statement concerning the project:—

It is intended the new school will be a twentieth-century institution for the unprejudiced discovery of every power of nature available for the benefit of man. It will make a scientific investigation of all so-called psychic phenomena, and will stimulate the invention of mechanical instruments capable of registering psycho-physical forces.

I believe that under the progress possible by such a university the time will come when we shall be able to furnish scientific proof of the existence of the soul, proof of which is yet lacking.

This is simply one more of the many indications now in evidence of the present strong trend toward spiritualism. Instead of looking to the Bible for instruction upon this subject, the appeal is made to so-called “scientific investigation,” the results of which will, of course, be regarded as authoritatively settling all the questions involved, even though they should contradict the testimony of the Scriptures. The modern home of the witch of Endor may yet be in the halls of culture and reform. Such wisdom is certainly “devilish.”

In a recent issue of the Sioux Falls (S. D.) Cataract there appeared an article, occupying two columns, signed by G. W. Rogers, which presented the Bible reasons to show that the Sabbath was never changed from the seventh to the first day of the week. Ten propositions, “each one sustained by the Bible,” were set forth in the article, and the attempt to change God’s law was made clear. Such presentations of the truth must do good.

Christmas and the New Birth

By Editor

The observance of the twenty-fifth day of December as a festival is of heathen origin, and was introduced into the church as a part of the experience of the apostasy. Nevertheless we need to emphasize the truth, although not upon any particular date, that “unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” The miraculous birth of Jesus is being denied by those who think “the inward light” a safer guide than the Word of God, and then, logically enough, they deny the experience of the new birth, and refer all operations of the Spirit to the principle of evolution. We do not accept the pagan legacy of a Christmas festival, but we do believe that “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us,” and we do believe that “except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God.”

From a note written to us by one of the readers of the REVIEW we take the following extract:—

When I read the words on the first page, “An Appeal to Seventh-day Adventists,” and considered what we are advised to pray for, as found in the sixth and seventh lines from the top and the sixth and seventh lines from the bottom of the appeal, “to wait earnestly upon the Lord for a quickening of our faith and zeal in this message,” “and to seek for a real revival of primitive religion among this people,” I said in my heart, “I am so glad I can agree with my brethren in what to pray for.” And when I read the article on the last page from the pen of dear Brother A. G. Daniells, exhorting us, “Brethren, the thing to do now is to pray,” I felt that made the agreement complete, and I and my house can enter upon this week of prayer with intelligence, and heart, for we can agree with God’s people in what to pray for.

We venture to hope that this letter represents the feelings of many of our brethren and sisters, and that all through the field the prayer is being offered, “It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.”

Week of Prayer in Battle Creek

ELDERS A. G. DANIELLS and G. A. Irwin spent the latter part of the week of prayer with the church in Battle Creek. They expected to remain as long as the situation there seemed to render it necessary.

General Conference Office Completed

THE General Conference office building at Takoma Park has been completed, and will be occupied at once. A suitable place in which to carry forward the work will be greatly appreciated after the experiences of the last two years.

The Way Magazine

By Editor

A copy of the new monthly magazine, The Way, edited by Brother Geo. McCready Price, has come to our desk. This magazine is published especially in the interests of the students of the colleges and universities in the United States, and is designed to establish in their minds the principles of the Christian faith. We hope it will succeed in accomplishing this purpose.

New Christian Liberty Department

By Editor

IN view of the renewed efforts to disseminate National Reform principles and to secure a National Reform amendment to the Constitution, it will evidently be necessary to devote more space in the REVIEW to information upon this subject, and to the consideration of the principles involved. We have therefore opened a new department this week, with the heading “Christian Liberty,” in which reports, notes, and comments pertaining to the current history of the rights of conscience will be found.

Bible Training School Circulation

By Editor

We are glad to learn that, with a special issue to be printed this month, the Bible Training School will have had a circulation of two hundred and forty-six thousand for the year 1905. Of the work accomplished and the enterprises to which those who have sold the papers have devoted the proceeds, Sister Haskell writes in a personal letter: “This has placed the message for the first time in thousands of homes, besides sending several students to school, supporting seven orphans, and sending Brother and Sister Burgess to India.”

Remember the Poor

ANOTHER year of bountiful harvests and wide-spread prosperity is drawing to a close. Not every one has shared in the general prosperity, however, and some of our people are in destitute circumstances, and can not spare the amount necessary, to renew their subscription for the REVIEW. Some have not felt able to take it during 1905. Are there any such cases in your church? If so, do you know any better missionary work that can be done than to pay for the paper yourself, and have it sent to one of these needy ones?

It is a good time to begin such subscriptions with the first number of the new year.

The Work Before Us

In planning for the missionary campaign, the General Conference, as well as the missionary committee, has outlined only such lines of work as may and should be carried on continuously. Notice how simple they are:—

1. The placing of the REVIEW AND HERALD in every Sabbath-keeping home in the United States.

2. The liberal circulation of message-filled tracts by every Seventh-day Adventist, using a pound of the Signs of the Times Leaflets (about eighteen tracts of each) as an entering wedge.

3. A general campaign in behalf of our missionary periodicals, The Signs of the Times, Watchman, Life and Health, and our foreign papers.

4. The development of the interest created by the sale of forty-per-cent books and the relief books, “Christ’s Object Lessons,” “Ministry of Healing,” and “Story of Joseph.”

5. All these lines of work to be followed by Bible readings, cottage meetings, missionary correspondence, etc.

There has been an encouraging response to the summons to service in this campaign, but none should become weary in well-doing. “A great work is to be done, and this work is entrusted to those who know the truth for this time.” If each one does his part, this “great work” can be quickly finished.