Earlier text: PERCY T. MAGANThe South Dakota Camp-Meeting
By G. B. Thompson
The annual camp-meeting and conference of the South Dakota Conference were held in the city of Sioux Falls, June 24 to July 4. The city granted the free use of a site known as “Seney Park,” and made other liberal contributions toward the meeting. The attendance of our people from the conference was very good. One hundred thirteen tents were pitched, and about five hundred were camped on the ground. Some were also present from Iowa. Services were held daily in three languages,—English, German, and Scandinavian. The business of the conference was characterized with the utmost unity, and with much spirituality. Careful consideration was given to the advancement of the work in the conference, and plans were laid concerning the future location of the Elk Point Academy, and aggressive work in other lines. There are more calls for labor than can be responded to, and the past year showed an encouraging increase in the number who have begun to keep the Sabbath. A deep interest was also shown in the advancement of the message in foreign fields. The Spirit of God is laying the burden of the work in the regions beyond upon his people here as well as elsewhere. The conference voted to turn over regularly to the Mission Board one fourth of its tithe. On the basis of the tithe received the past year this will be more than five thousand dollars for the coming year. We feel sure that the blessing of God will attend the step which is being taken by different conferences to set apart a definite portion of all tithe received for the support of the work in the needy mission fields. The last day of the meeting, while a deluge of rain was falling, an offering was taken for foreign missions, and about seventeen hundred dollars in cash and pledges was received. The conference then increased this amount by voting one thousand dollars from its surplus tithe in addition to the one fourth previously voted. A good spiritual work was wrought in the camp during the meeting. Several revival services were held, and a number of the youth gave themselves to the Lord for service. Twenty-six were baptized the last Sabbath of the meeting, and quite a number of others will be baptized in their home churches. The officers chosen for the coming year were about the same as for the past term. Elder J. W. Christian was re-elected president. Elder Christian is still considering the call to stand at the head of the Negro Department formed at the last General Conference; and should he feel clear to accept the place, the conference will release him. Prof. J. I. Beardsley, who has done excellent work the past year as educational and young people’s secretary, was released to accept an urgent call to act as principal of the academy in Alberta, Canada. Elders R. A. Underwood (president of the Northern Union Conference), J. T. Boettcher, P. T. Magan, Daniel Isaak, L. Johnson, August Anderson, J. N. Anderson, F. L. Perry, Brethren F. F. Byington (manager of the International Publishing Association), W. L. Manful, and T. D. Gibson, and the writer were present during some part of the meeting, and shared with the conference laborers in its burdens and blessings. Dr. C. P. Farnsworth, of the Chamberlain Sanitarium, attended the meeting, and gave much helpful instruction in medical lines. South Dakota is filled with a thrifty class of citizens, and has great natural resources. The message is rapidly gathering strength in this field. An excellent class of young, consecrated laborers is being brought into service, and the outlook for the work is encouraging. Those who attend the meeting left for their homes with renewed courage and confidence in the speedy triumph of the message. North Michigan Camp-Meeting
By Allen Moon
A LOCAL camp-meeting was held in the Northern Peninsula, on the banks of a beautiful bay of Lake Michigan, near the city of Gladstone, only a few miles from Escanaba. The camp was nicely arranged; and besides a number of family tents, there were three meeting tents, where services were held each day in as many different languages — English, French, and Swedish. Elder A. C. Bourdeau conducted the services in the French, Elders S. Mortensen and Stenberg in the Swedish, and Elder J. W. Westphal and others in the English. A fair interest was manifested by the people in the vicinity, especially by the Swedish people, and the meetings were well attended throughout. The interest created will be followed up by some of the laborers. Elder Westphal’s talks regarding the work in South America were well received by all, and the people responded liberally to the call for the support of the work in other lands. The spiritual interest was excellent, and all seemed to take a stronger hold on faith; and the truth seemed clearer and dearer to these people living in the land of copper. The location, the weather, and the circumstances attending this meeting, as well as the evidences of the nearness of the final consummation, all seemed to combine to make it an impressive occasion. The meeting closed Sunday night, June 27. Although this was a small meeting, the expense of holding it was fully met. The brethren in the Northern Peninsula of Michigan are full of courage in the Lord.
ALLEN MOON. Report of the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department
[Elder M. E. Kern presented to the General Conference, June 4, a report of the work of the Missionary Volunteer Department. The following is an abstract of the same.] Importance of Work for the Youth
An old minister in a Scottish church was told by a well-meaning deacon that surely his work was no longer owned and blessed of God; “for,” said the deacon, “during the past year but one person has been added to the church, and he only a boy.” “Only a boy!” but that boy was Robert Moffat, the noble missionary who brought a whole province under the influence of the gospel, tamed one of the most savage African chiefs, and gave the translated Bible to strange tribes. Let us not pass by the young, remembering that labor for them is “the highest kind of missionary work.” That this denomination is to do a special work for its children and youth is pointed out by Malachi the prophet, who, in the closing Old Testament prediction, portrays this last reformatory movement as the message of Elijah, which is to “turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.” In the year 1892 we were called upon, through the spirit of prophecy, to give attention to this matter. Other Testimonies followed in 1893 and 1894, in which the young people who love and fear God are called upon to organize themselves into companies of workers to labor for their unconverted friends, and for those who do not know the truth. This instruction was timely; for doubtless many of our young people are out in the world to-day, who might have been saved by well-directed efforts. The following statistics, gathered three years ago from fifty representative churches in the Middle West, to me are very significant, and constitute a loud call to greater diligence on our part. Fifty-eight per cent of the youth who are connected with our people are church-members; thirty-two per cent are said to be active Christians. About five times as many young women marry out of the truth as do young men, and about half of each class who do this give up16 the truth. Of all those who give up the truth, one third are those who marry outside the faith. Early History of the Young People's Work
Efforts were made in various places to follow the instruction of the Testimonies. In August, 1899, the Ohio Conference recognized this work by perfecting a State organization. In 1901 the General Conference held at Battle Creek, Mich., approved the plan of organizing young people's societies for more effectual missionary service, and the responsibility of general direction was given to the Sabbath-school Department. A simple plan of organization was soon perfected, and a manual of instruction prepared. Through the efforts that were put forth, the work gradually grew, and assumed a permanent form. In February, 1907, the General Conference Committee arranged that a General Conference Sabbath-school and Young People's Convention should be held during the summer, and in May of the same year, when the General Conference Council met in Gland, Switzerland, it was voted to organize the young people's work as a separate department. The convention arranged for was carefully planned, and held at Mount Vernon, Ohio, July 10-21, 1907. Here the new department, under the name of the “Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department,” was launched, and a very definite policy outlined for it to follow. These plans the present officers have endeavored to carry out. This chart, entitled “Training in Service,” presents a general outline of these efforts. A.— Devotional.
1. Consecration Services.
2. The Morning Watch Calendar.
B.— Educational.
1. The Youth's Instructor.
2. Society Lessons.
3. The Missionary Volunteer Reading Course.
4. Standard of Attainment.
5. Leaflet Series.
6. Libraries.
7. Camp-meetings and Institutes.
C.— Organized Missionary Effort.
1. Personal Evangelism.
2. Literature Work.
3. Christian Help Work.
4. Bible Readings and Cottage Meetings.
5. Temperance, Religious Liberty, etc.
6. Missionary Correspondence.
7. Christian Stewardship. Devotional and Educational
It is very evident that the first and greatest need of our young people is more devotion to God, and a more definite experience in the Christian life. Strong evangelistic effort is needed, that many of our young people who are unconverted may be brought to Christ. Moreover, we need to put forth more earnest efforts to hold what we gain. As among the means being used to this end, we mention our devotional meetings and the Morning Watch Calendar. Many have testified to the great value of this; and the increasing interest in it is shown from the fact that last year about six thousand copies of the Calendar were distributed, while this year successive editions were called for until fourteen thousand five hundred copies were used. The Youth's Instructor has been for more than fifty years perhaps the greatest single factor in the religious work for the children and youth of the denomination. It is now the organ of the Missionary Volunteer Department, and is doing a good work. The society lessons for some time have been on missions, alternating with health and temperance, religious liberty, and special subjects. The reading course, which was inaugurated at Mount Vernon, is a success, and is destined, I believe, to become a great power for good. It is an effort to establish in the lives of our young people the habit of systematic reading of good literature. About fifteen hundred are enrolled in the United States and Canada, and hundreds of others are following the course without enrolment. It has also been taken up in Australia. Our young people can not rightly represent the truth, giving a reason for our hope, unless they know the truth. And to fully appreciate the message they should know of the providences of God in connection with it. A call is issued to our Missionary Volunteers to inform themselves on the cardinal truths of the Scriptures, and on the history of this advent movement. They are asked to pass an examination in these subjects, thus reaching the standard of attainment. It will take time and perseverance to work up this excellent plan. The Mount Vernon convention laid on this department the duty of the selection and preparation of literature suitable for our young people. The need is very apparent. We live in a reading age. A liberal education can be obtained by the study of good books. Yet the world is flooded with cheap, sensational literature, which claims its victims by the thousands. We need a strong, wholesome literature, adapted to the needs of our young people, which will hold up true standards, and delineate the character which we must possess if we stand before the Son of man at his coming. A little has been done in the preparation of such literature; some is in process of preparation, and we have selected and recommended some already published. One of the most hopeful signs of the development of this work is the increased interest in the efficiency of our young people's work at camp-meetings. These great annual gatherings of our people are the golden harvest-times of the year, and are a great educational factor among us. Conventions and institutes are also doing much to build up the work. Organized Missionary Effort
The educational features of our work are largely means to an end. The organization called for by the spirit of prophecy is for work. “Will the young men and young women who really love Jesus, organize themselves as workers?” The Missionary Volunteer Society is a training-school for young Christians. Associated together under wise leadership appointed by the church, the young are built up in Christian life, by study and work. Without activity there can be no advancement. The greatest need of our young people to-day is that of wise leaders to devise ways and means of utilizing their talents, and leading them enthusiastically and steadily in Christian effort. It is the earnest determination of the Missionary Volunteer leaders to make personal work fundamental. This is the foundation. If we lack the spirit of heart-to-heart contact with souls, our mechanical efforts will be in vain.17 During the last four years, as shown by the reports, the organized work for our young people has had a steady growth. In March, 1906, there were 224 societies, with a membership of 4,871, giving $2,534.75 for foreign missions and $762 for home missions; in 1907 there were 272 societies, with a membership of 5,163, giving $3,894.70 for foreign missions, and $1,835.28 for home missions; in 1908, 346 societies, with a membership of 6,938, giving $7,029.42 for foreign missions, and $4,534.04 for home missions; in 1909, the number of societies had increased to 418, with a membership of 7,500, giving $7,898.73 for foreign missions, and $7,426.14 for home missions. The volume of missionary work likewise increased. Foreign Mission Seminary Scholarships
About one year ago the General Conference approved of a plan for this department to raise money for one hundred scholarships in the Washington Foreign Mission Seminary. This is to be a permanent fund, under the control of the General Conference Committee, to lend to recommended students who need a short course in the Seminary; that they may be hastened on into the needy mission fields. Our young people have taken hold of this matter very well where it has been presented to them, and twenty-seven hundred dollars has been received. As illustrations of what the young people are doing and can do, I will mention a few items. One conference in Australia raised during 1908 nearly six hundred dollars, giving three hundred ninety dollars toward the wages of a missionary, providing her also with a pony and saddle, also a new typewriter for the mission, an organ for the mountain home in Java, and the tuition for a Chinese student at Singapore. The young people of a conference in the United States raised more than five hundred dollars by making small investments, and giving the proceeds. One large society in this country is supporting a missionary and his wife in Africa. Another society provided two tons of coal, twenty dollars' worth of groceries, twenty bushels of potatoes, and one barrel of clothing for destitute poor. In 1907 a temperance number of the Instructor was published, and fifty-five thousand copies were sold. Last fall and winter we prepared a series of temperance lessons for the societies, and these were followed by another temperance number of the Instructor. With the better basis for interest in this work the young people took hold nobly, and more than one hundred thousand have been distributed, and another edition is on the press. Along with this work, temperance rallies have been held, and signers obtained to the temperance pledge. These items give us some conception of what our young people can do when properly organized for study and work. We have encouraged our young people by literature and personal effort to take up the plan of earning scholarships by selling denominational literature.18 Here is an outline of our plan of organization:—
1. General Conference Department.
Officers: Secretary, assistant secretary.
Committees: Other members representing all parts of the world.
2. Union Conference Department.
Officer: Secretary.
3. Local Conference Department.
Officer: Secretary.
(a) Conference Society.
Officer: Leader (the Conference Missionary Volunteer secretary).
Members: Isolated Missionary Volunteers.
(b) Local Societies.
Officers and Committees: Leader, assistant leader, secretary-treasurer, executive committee, such other officers, committees, or bands, as the needs of the work require.
Meetings: (1) Prayer and workers' meeting, all together or in small bands; (2) general meetings for all young people. The Mt. Vernon convention gave a new impetus to the work for our young people. To-day there are in the field more workers, and more efficient workers, giving attention to this work than ever before. When this department was organized, there were two union conference secretaries of young people's work. Now there are about a dozen. In nearly all the conferences, added attention is being given to it with most excellent results. Very little has been done by this department for lands outside of America, for two reasons. It is here in the home field that there is the greatest need, where we have a large army of unemployed young people. In most of the other fields the numbers are not so great, and all available young men and women are carefully looked after, and efforts made to get them into the work. The department officers, thus far, have not had time to give much attention to other fields; but when the work is better established here, this help should be rendered,—not to mold the work in other lands after the fashion of America, save only so far as is consistent with local conditions. We shall doubtless soon see the young people all over the world taking their place as earnest workers for the Lord. May the day be hastened when the hearts of parents and children shall be united in love, and our homes shall present a solid front against the enemy. AMOY.— We can not report many additions during the past year. Yet ten souls have been baptized, and several others are studying, and await the sacred rite. On the whole, I think the past year has been quite as good as any of the previous years; for the novelty of the advent doctrine has practically worn away, but the truth is still taking hold of the hearts of the people. By faith I can see a large Seventh-day Adventist church right here in the commercial city of Amoy, not far in the future. My prayers and efforts shall constantly be toward this end. We have recently secured a place here which is to be used as a chapel and quarters for an evangelist and family. I am much pleased over this development, as it is what I have been wanting for the past two years. Rent is high, and even half-way suitable locations are scarce, so this place was difficult to obtain. We pay one hundred sixty dollars Mexican annually in rental. This is considered not only reasonable, but cheap for Amoy. Only a few days ago I returned from a visit to all the out-stations, and expect soon to make the round again. The believers seemed alive to the gospel, and were ready and eager to learn more. LIMA.— We are so busy here now that we hardly get time to remember where we are, or that we have not always been here. God is blessing us with more than we can do. Constantly we receive letters from those who have read Señales, asking for more light. We have a club of two thousand of that paper now, and a club of one hundred Chinese papers. The latter sell readily at ten cents gold. We are going to increase this club to five hundred, as we have a large number of Chinese all along this coast.
Elder F. L. Perry’s leaving was the hardest separation I ever knew. Still I knew it was for his good. He has done good work here, and I am glad to drop into a work so well established. We hope you will not leave us here alone long. Just before Brother Perry left, I had the privilege of baptizing six fine young people. Five of them are now canvassing, and the other is the wife of one of these. As far as the field is concerned, the harvest is overripe, the fruit is beginning to fall. We are gathering what we can with the laborers and strength we have, but many are falling without the light which we are here to give. We need more men and more money. The door is open. From many places they are calling for us. I am glad I am here. I find the climate much less trying than that of Honduras, and we hope, by being careful, to keep up. We are never very strong, but some way we keep going. The children are well, growing, and learning Spanish. Mrs. Allen seems to be just as well as she was in Washington. I feel the need of the establishment of the medical work here; and to have a good nurse or physician would be a great relief to the minds of the laborers.
A. N. ALLEN. The Southern Idaho Camp-Meeting
By W. B. White
THE annual camp-meeting and conference for Southern Idaho was held at Payette, Idaho, June 18-27, and was the largest camp-meeting ever held in this conference. Thirty-seven tents were pitched. The last Sabbath the Sabbath-school had a membership of two hundred twenty-seven, and about sixty-five dollars was donated by the school for foreign missions. This conference is one of the few whose Sabbath-schools give all their donations to our foreign mission work. The laborers present from outside the conference were: Elder Wm. Healey, of Southern California; Elder F. W. Field, of Japan; Elder W. R. Smith, of Korea; Elder A. J. Breed; Brother Carl Weaks, our union conference canvassing agent; and the writer. Harmony prevailed throughout the meeting, and all seemed to desire more of the Spirit's power for service. The preaching was of a practical nature, showing the nearness of the end, the claims of God's law, and the necessity of surrendering the self-life that the fulness of the Spirit might be enjoyed in all our labors. A large number of young people of promise were present at this meeting, and daily services held for them were of an encouraging nature. The Southern Idaho Conference has a goodly heritage in her young people, and we are sure that from their number many will go out into the great harvest-field, to give their life service to God. In their early morning service of the last day of the camp-meeting, these young people gave, in cash and pledges, one hundred five dollars for the purchase of a young people's tent for camp-meeting and tent work; at the same hour about seven hundred dollars was donated by the adult members in the large pavilion for various enterprises. Work is now going forward on the new school building at Eagle, and it is the hope of this conference to open this school by October 1. Southern Idaho is a promising field, and we expect to see here a good, strong conference. Elder J. M. Willoughby was unanimously elected conference president, and we are sure he will have the hearty support of his brethren as he endeavors to build up the work in that field. All seemed much encouraged to press on till victory is won. A CHURCH of sixteen members was organized at Smithsburg, Md., May 8. With the exception of two, all are new believers. Others are keeping the Sabbath, and it is expected that they will unite with the church soon. June 13 nine were baptized in a stream near the home of the local elder, and the day before five were baptized at Hagerstown. While the church has been organized at Smithsburg less than a month, more than thirty dollars has been handed in as tithe. All the members of this little church are fully informed on all points of truth, and some are withstanding great opposition, but are bearing it with patience, and will come off “more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” In all, twenty-eight have been added to the Hagerstown church since Elder W. L. Adkins and the writer went there last July, and five or six more are keeping the Sabbath in the two places, who we expect will unite with the church in the near future. It has been a great pleasure to labor in these places, as the believers have greatly assisted, and perfect harmony prevails. I trust that they will ever retain this first love, and be zealous for the cause of present truth. I am now engaged in tent-meetings in Rochester, N. Y. J. F. PIPER. Two persons were baptized recently at Athens, Maine. ON June 19 eighteen persons were baptized at Hornell, N. Y. UPON Brother R. E. Burke's return from General Conference, he baptized six persons at Dubuque, Iowa. AT Anaheim, Cal., five have accepted the third angel's message, three of whom were baptized on a recent Sabbath. FIVE persons were baptized, and a church of seventeen members was organized, at Heiberger, Colo., on Sabbath, June 19. FOUR converts were baptized at Oakland, Cal., on a recent Sabbath, and seven others are to go forward in baptism soon. ELDER WILLIAM COVERT, of Illinois, says: “Three persons were baptized in the Forty-sixth Street Church [Chicago] on Sabbath, June 26. The same day two persons were baptized at Sheridan. Several candidates are ready for baptism at Streator. There are also three or four at Galesburg, and as many at Aledo awaiting the ordinance of baptism.” Notes of Progress
By E. R. P.
Following closely upon that excellent report from the Southwestern Union Conference, in which ninety-four agents averaged thirty-five hours’ work each in one week, comes another report for one week from western Canada, which deserves special attention. Out of nineteen agents, thirteen worked forty hours or more during the week. Six of these worked more than fifty hours, one worked sixty-three and one-half hours, and another worked seventy-two hours. Men work just such hours as these in working for wages, position, and honor in the world. What a blessed thing it is to see our canvassers working with the same enthusiasm and faithfulness for the Lord Jesus Christ! A letter just received from Brother J. A. P. Green, general agent of Mexico, brings the good news that during the previous week Brethren H. A. Robinson and W. A. Yarnell, who are just beginning the canvassing work in Mexico, reported respectively $124.75 and $124.25 sales during the week. This is doubtless Mexican money, which is worth about fifty per cent of United States gold. It is wonderful how the Lord is blessing our young men who are pioneering in the canvassing work in Mexico. In a few weeks Brother N. Z. Town, assistant secretary of the Publishing Department, expects to go to Mexico and hold a canvassers’ institute with these young men, and with a few more who have volunteered for service. As Brother Town speaks the Spanish, and is an experienced salesman, he will be able to give the canvassers much help in their institute. In response to urgent calls from South Africa for a general canvassing agent, the General Conference has recommended to them Brother G. H. Clark, field missionary agent of the Chesapeake Conference, and Brother Clark has accepted the call. It is hoped that he will be ready to sail by the first of August, so as to arrive in South Africa in time to conduct the institute before the school closes, and to organize their summer campaign, which should begin early in October. Brother Clark has been a faithful, successful leader for two years in the Chesapeake Conference; and as he goes to his new field of labor, he will have the confidence, prayers, and best wishes of the many friends he leaves behind. The rapid progress being made in the sale of our ten-cent magazines is one of the most cheering features of our publishing work. It is wonderfully encouraging to see our people, old and young, taking hold of this work and succeeding so well. A letter from the South brings the good news that the sale of the Watchman doubled during the month of June as compared with the month of May. The periodical department of the Review and Herald Office reports that the sale of the July number of Life and Health will reach eighty thousand copies. Nearly sixty thousand copies had already been sold on the first day of July, and orders are being received at the rate of about two thousand copies a day. Brother J. R. Ferren, circulating manager of the Signs of the Times Monthly, in a recent letter, says:— “The July number of the Signs is going very, very well. This is June 30, and orders for thirty-five thousand copies have been filled. We are sure of selling forty-five thousand, and I think fifty thousand copies. “Since the close of our school at Lodi, three young lady students have been working in Sacramento and Stockton. They are having excellent success. The two in Sacramento have sold upward of fifteen hundred papers, and the one in Stockton has sold one thousand. The last report from one of the young ladies says: ‘Last Wednesday I sold sixty copies, one to the county surveyor, one to the tax collector, and one to the jailer. Thursday I sold one hundred copies. I am certainly having some good experiences in this work.’ “This is an orphan girl who was graduated from the church-school this year, and had no way of continuing in a higher grade next year. I heard about her in Lodi, went and visited her, drilled her on a little canvass, and then took her out a day in Stockton. She sold sixty copies that first day. She has been out selling magazines every day since, and I think by this time has her scholarship half earned. “It is certainly encouraging to get hold of consecrated, earnest workers who will keep right at this work because of their love for giving the message. “Two church-school teachers from central California came up here a week ago, and are nicely started in their work with the Signs magazine in Oakland. From their reports they are enjoying their work and getting on nicely. “From the number of second orders we are receiving from some of those who are working for scholarships over in the central and eastern territory, we presume similar success is attending the work there. Surely the Lord is good to those who with determination take hold of work like this for a purpose. I am glad to have a little part in it.” The agents for these magazines enjoy their work very much, and nearly all of them do exceedingly well. The following quotation from a letter recently received from one of the beginners speaks for itself:— “Yesterday I sold fifty copies in four hours, and to-day forty copies in three hours. We are just learning how to sell. The people are so nice to us! Really I did not expect to be treated so well. We find some who are much interested. Most persons recognize the name of the magazine, but that makes no difference. I think this is the right time to work this place; the people seem to be ready for the truth. I have had long talks with a number who seem to be interested in the truth, and it is my desire that I may be able to drop a few words here and there, by God’s help, that may be a blessing to some one. “I just love to sell these magazines, for I know that the angels of God are with me. I would not give up the experience I have had in these two weeks for anything. I feel that I am living closer to God than ever before. I trust him more, and my faith is stronger.” This good work of selling our ten-cent magazines has opened an avenue whereby all who wish to devote their time directly and entirely to this grand and glorious work of soul saving may do so, and at the same time make their work self-supporting. May the Lord’s blessing rest richly upon the canvassers for our magazines, who are so earnestly pioneering this new line of work. Shall We Have a Church-School Next Year?
By F. G.
This is a question being asked by hundreds of parents. There can be only one answer in case it is within the realm of possibilities, and that an affirmative one; but oftentimes our ideas of our possibilities need more faith woven into them. Very plain things are given us through inspiration concerning this important question. The Lord through Moses told the children of Israel that they were to teach his words to their children: “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children.” “Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in19 the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?” Then again in the Testimonies it is written: ‘Wherever there are a few Sabbath-keepers, the parents should unite in providing a place for a day-school where their children and youth can be instructed. They should employ a Christian teacher, who, as a consecrated missionary, shall educate the children in such a way as to lead them to become missionaries. Let teachers be employed who will give a thorough education in the common branches, the Bible being made the foundation and the life of all study. Parents should gird on the armor, and by their own example teach their children to be missionaries. They should work while it is day; for “the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4. If they will put forth unselfish efforts, perseveringly teaching their children to bear responsibilities, the Lord will work with them.’ Surely this is good ground upon which to stand in this important work. The salvation of their children is the most important work which God has given to parents, and no self-denial is too great to accomplish this. Now is the time when each church should have its plans well laid for its school this coming year. Every effort should be made to secure the best teachers possible. Each member of the church should feel a sense of responsibility in this matter, whether he has children or not. It is the first duty of the church to care for the lambs of its flock; and this duty does not apply alone to parents, even though their responsibility be greatest. Let good accommodations be provided for the children. The building should be well ventilated and well lighted. There should be plenty of blackboard room, sufficient maps, a globe, and certain charts provided. There should be room for small school gardens, and every effort should be put forth to make the school a decided success. God will abundantly bless whole-hearted undertakings in this direction. Conducted under the auspices of the General Conference Publishing Department E. R. PALMER - - - - - Secretary
N. Z. TOWN - - - - - Assistant Secretary Christian Education
By Frederick Griggs
Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference FREDERICK GRIGGS - - - - Secretary Campaign Literature
By F. G.
At the recent council of the Department of Education, the following resolution was adopted:— “Whereas, The success of our home- and church-school work depends largely upon the attitude of the parents toward it, therefore,— “Resolved, That the departments of education, general and union, be authorized to conduct a campaign of education for parents, as follows:— “(a) By the circulation of Christian Education Leaflets. “(b) By sending out educational programs for conventions to be held in our churches one Sabbath in each quarter of the year, or as often as convenient, and,— “(c) By such other means as may be deemed advisable.” In accordance with this resolution, the department is issuing six leaflets upon the following subjects: “The Church-school,” “The Children Have Been Neglected,” “Separation From the World,” “The Source of Recruits,” “Our Line of Advance,” “Our Need.” These leaflets should be scattered far and wide. They should be read by every one of our people. They set forth the principles of our educational work. We want our parents, our churches, and our people as a whole to become thoroughly aroused upon this important matter. Our union conference secretaries and State superintendents should possess these leaflets, and should constantly use them in their correspondence. Other leaflets are being prepared, and will be rapidly brought out. We hope to have before long a substantial fund of campaign literature. F. G. Help for Home-Schools
By F. G.
THE following, taken from a letter from a mother, speaks for itself:— “I would like some information in regard to fitting myself to teach. We are the only Sabbath-keepers here. I have two children in the seventh grade. I taught them last year, but I feel the need of studying the latest methods and fitting myself so as to give them the very things they need. Please give me information, and tell me of the books I should use, and what I should do to help me to teach better.” This is a question which in one form or another is often asked by mothers anxious to help their children in their homes. No better suggestion can be given, than that those desiring this information purchase the “Church School Manual.” It can be obtained from tract societies. It contains not only the courses of study and the suggestions with reference to the best text-books, but a great deal of information relative to the methods to be pursued in teaching the various subjects, and helpful information concerning Christian education. This book should certainly be in the hands of every Christian father and mother. It will help not only those who are endeavoring to maintain home-schools, but all parents who have children in school; and indeed it is most helpful to parents who have children at all. The price is fifty cents. Let all obtain it. It will greatly help in all Christian education enterprises this coming year.