THE fifth biennial session of the North Pacific Union Conference was held at College Place, Wash., Feb. 25 to March 8, 1914. The meetings were held in the new church building, which is a neat, commodious structure, and admirably adapted for the holding of such large gatherings as this one, which included, especially in the evenings, the membership of the church, the students of the college, and practically all the workers in the union. The meeting, however, was well planned and thoroughly organized, and the daily program was carried out with promptness and decision, which added much to its success.
The first six days were devoted entirely to the work of a ministerial institute. All the laborers were very prompt in attendance, being, almost without exception, in their seats at the opening of every service. All were present for business. For weeks before the meeting opened, some of the officers and others met daily to especially pray that the Lord would abundantly bless in the coming gathering of his servants. It was evident from the opening services that all the workers had been deeply impressed with the forward movement seen among God's people, and had set their hearts to follow the rising Pillar of Cloud, which is moving on toward the Promised Land. They had sought God for special personal blessings, and he heard their prayers and brought to them a new experience. They were thus enabled to enter most earnestly into the work of seeking God for a new vision of their own hearts, of the magnitude of the work, of the value of lost souls, and of the inexpressible joy which will come to the redeemed.
The Lord greatly blessed during the entire institute. Elder Evans experienced much of the blessing of the Lord in setting before us the high calling of the gospel ministry, and the consecrated lives which should be lived by those who take upon them the solemn vows of the sacred calling. It was my privilege to lead in studies upon the subjects of "The Study of God's Word," "Prayer," and "The Finishing of the Message in This Generation." Elder W. W. Eastman gave special attention to the home missionary and colporteur work, and the Lord blessed in this important work.
The entire meeting was a time of great heart searching. A burden was upon all hearts to be right with God, that they might share in the promise of his Spirit. Sins were confessed, wrongs righted, and a spirit of genuine intercession was upon us daily. New courage and hope came to all our hearts, and a burden for souls such as never was felt before came upon all God's servants, and they expressed a deep anxiety to return to their fields so that they might bring to the people the blessings which God had brought into their own hearts, believing confidently that God would bring new power to their labors as they went forth to proclaim the truth. This was indeed a good meeting.
As we met daily with the large body of strong, consecrated laborers in this great Northwest, and heard their earnest prayers for deliverance from sin and for power to win souls to Christ, we felt assured that a new era has dawned in the work of God in this field, and that a period of great soul saving is just before this important conference, from which so many able workers have gone to other lands in past years, and from which many tens of thousands of dollars have been willingly contributed for the advancement and establishment of the work of God in the regions beyond.
The same blessed spirit was seen in the transaction of business. The utmost unity was manifested in the discussion of all the plans proposed. Careful consideration was given to all the necessary business, but it required only three days to complete it. The reports from the various conferences and departmental secretaries indicated an encouraging growth of the work in various lines. There has been a good increase in the number of souls that have been brought into the truth in different parts of the field, finances have increased, and a spirit of courage was shown in all the reports rendered. The following summary is from the interesting report which was rendered by the president for the last biennial term:—
We have employed an average of 35 ordained and 19 licensed ministers, 19 Bible workers, 125 teachers, during the summer season about 50 bookmen, and during the winter season an average of 20. The churches number 162, with a membership of 7,659, a gain in membership of 1,441. The per capita tithe paid was $18.11; the total tithe received, $247,311; the amount turned over to the General Conference, $46,725; total amount of trust funds sent to the General Conference, $157,525; amount of trust funds aside from the per cent of tithe, $115,328; per capita offering to missions, $18.40. We have 282 Sabbath schools, with a membership of 8,445. The Sabbath school membership exceeds the church membership by 786. The Sabbath school offerings amounted to $47,663; sales of literature, $132,572; sales per capita, $20.40.
Elder C. W. Flaiz was unanimously reelected president of the union for the coming biennial term. The other officers elected were practically the same as for the previous term. All entered upon their duties with renewed courage in God and with the confidence and support of the delegates and brethren throughout the field.
During the conference, Elder F. A. Detamore returned from Singapore for a brief vacation. He occupied one evening of the meeting, setting before the conference the blessing which he had experienced in his labors in the East Indies, and the need of more experienced and tried laborers for that great island mission field, where so many millions are sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, waiting for the light of the gospel to shine upon their pathway.
With the Sabbath service there closed8what we believe was one of the best and most spiritual conferences ever held in the Northwest. On this day of rest the Lord most abundantly poured upon his servants a rich blessing. A copious shower of the Holy Spirit indeed fell upon our hearts and encouraged us to press forward in the Master's work. Righteousness by faith brought courage to all hearts, and many testified to the victories they had experienced during the meeting.
We believe that all the laborers returned to their fields with the power of the Spirit to extend the truth into new fields and to bring a large ingathering of souls into the glorious light of this message which God has committed to us. It is indeed a message of salvation. The same joy that it has brought to our hearts will be experienced by thousands of others, as, with earnest zeal and consecrated hearts, we publish the message everywhere. We feel sure that if this earnest body of laborers go forth with the one determined purpose to win souls for Christ, the Lord of the harvest will abundantly bless their labors, and speedily finish his work in this part of the harvest field. The outlook for the advancement of the work is indeed most encouraging in this field.
G. B. THOMPSON.
Evangelistic Preaching
THE preaching of the early Christians was evangelistic in its character. Says the Christian Observer of Feb. 11, 1914, of this kind of preaching:—
It did not aim so much at the imparting of information or the pleasing of the audience, but its aim was to reach the heart. If the church today is to accomplish its God-given mission in the world, it must make its chief aim the turning of the hearts of men back to God. The sermon that is preached to the intellect alone will accomplish little. But the sermon that is preached to the whole man, that not only convinces his intellect but causes him to know that his heart is not right with God and that God longs to have him surrender his heart to him, will be greatly blessed of the Spirit. The story is told of a young preacher who once came to Mr. Spurgeon lamenting the fact that there were so few conversions under his ministry. Mr. Spurgeon, with keen and discriminating understanding, turned to him and said sharply: "Young man, you don't expect a conversion after every sermon, do you?" The answer was given rather hesitatingly: "Well, no, not after every sermon." Mr. Spurgeon then turned to him with stern severity and said, "That's the very reason you don't have them."
Community Versus Individual Morality
WHILE at the present time much is being done toward civic improvements, community betterment, etc., it is to be regretted that many subtle influences are being allowed to come in to undermine individual morality. Speaking of this the Boulder County (Colorado) Herald of January 28 sensibly remarks:—
While it is freely argued on many sides that individual morality is deteriorating, there can be no question that morality in the community sense is steadily advancing. The practically unanimous action of Congress this week, for instance, in adopting a law framed for the purpose of wiping out the segregated vice district in the capital of the nation would have been quite impossible even so recently as a decade ago. Today it goes through the channels of both houses, and is transmitted to the President for his validating signature with scarcely a ripple of publicity.
Similar action by city officials throughout the country marks the slow retreat of vice before the advancing social conscience; yet, strangely enough, there are incidents of another kind that make the serious minded wonder if this apparent social improvement is not being paid for by a most disastrous retrogression among individuals. It is only a few weeks, for example, since a weekly paper of wide circulation warned its New York readers that many young women of gentle families are being led astray by the glamour which surrounds the new animal dances.
The tango has come to our shores tinged with a certain morbidity which is more dangerous to the rank and file of society than any segregated district could be; for it reaches, not the men alone, but the women of the rising generation, and robs them of the charm of innocence that should be there. Girls who would not be permitted to stir from the protecting influence of the home at night are flocking to "tango teas," we are told by the New York weekly, where, with curtains drawn to shut out the light of day, and the incandescents aglow to give a false atmosphere, dancing and drinking proceed hand in hand to an alarming degree.
It will be of small value to drive out crude, gross vice if we substitute in its place the "artistic" degeneracy of Europe.
Note and Comment
Denominational Union
IN the Western Recorder for Feb. 12, 1914, William M. Stallings writes on denominational union. Of the true basis of Christian union he truly says:—
No Bible principle should ever be abandoned for the sake of a visible, mechanical union. There can be no real union except in the truth. Two denominations can no more walk together except they be agreed than can two persons. That union is desirable none can deny, but union at the expense of truth is a crime against God. Loyalty to Jesus Christ must reign in all things. No denomination has a right to exist unless it stands for doctrine and practice not held by others, which are more important to the kingdom of God than union.
For the Promotion of Peace
SEVERAL years ago Mr. Andrew Carnegie endowed a peace foundation to the extent of ten million dollars "to hasten the abolition of international war." Recently Mr. Carnegie has decided to invest two million dollars more for this purpose. This last donation is placed at the disposal of the churches, and the organization handling it is called the Church Peace Union. The Washington Post of February 11 declares that—
the income of the fund will be used to organize the moral power of the churches on critical international questions, to circulate peace literature among the clergy, and to bring about the annual observance of a "peace Sunday." Conferences in America and Europe will be called to discuss the promotion of peace. When the leading nations abolish war, and the fund has fulfilled its purpose, the trustees may devote the income to other philanthropic uses.
The trustees adopted a resolution which appealed to the rulers and statesmen of all civilized lands to abolish war. It pointed out that the combined debt of the world, mostly borrowed and used for war purposes, was nearly $37,000,000,000; that the amount expended annually for standing armies and navies was $2,500,000,000, and that 6,244,600 men are kept idle in military service.
A Unique Case
A rather unique case is before the Supreme Court of the United States for settlement. We quote the following statement from Zion's Herald of March 11, 1914:—
Is the vow of poverty taken in brotherhoods and sisterhoods of the Roman Catholic Church against public policy? This is the question which the United States Supreme Court will be called upon to answer. The case upon which the test will take place arises out of the death of Father Wirth, a member of the order of St. Benedict. At the time of his death, by special permission of his superior, given years before, he was in possession of $5,000, in addition to royalties from books. The Probate Court of Brown County, Minnesota, where he died, recognizes his heirs as entitled to his property. By his vow, however, the property was to be transferred to the order. The United States Circuit Court decided later that the vow of poverty was against public policy, and therefore void. The case has now gone to the Supreme Court. The attorneys for the order state that if the decision of the lower court is carried out to its full implication, it may eventually dissolve and disintegrate the temporal organization of every order in the country. Some 59,000 priests, brothers, and nuns will be affected by the decision. It is considered probable that, should the case go against the Benedictines, the title of all religious orders to their churches, colleges, schoolhouses, hospitals, and sanitariums in nearly every State in the Union may, as a result, be drawn into question.
Last week the decision of the lower court was reviewed in the Supreme Court, but at this writing (March 15) the decision has not been handed down.
New Hebrides Islands
By C. H. PARKER
[This group of islands is located about fifteen hundred miles east of northern Australia, and, although among the first pioneered with the gospel in the South Pacific, John Paton having located here, the islands have but recently been entered with the message.]
MANY changes have taken place in the work here since my last report. We have been called to lay away little Harold Carr, and now Brother and Sister Carr have had to return to Australia on account of the serious state of Sister Carr's health. Little did we think, when we last reported, that such circumstances would arise; but the One at the helm makes no mistakes in the course he steers. So we bow our wills, and say, "Father, not my will but thine be done." We are sorry to lose the association of Brother and Sister Carr in the work here, for we had learned to love them very much. Our prayers go with them that God will guide their future beside the still waters and into green pastures.
Much remains to be done, more than one man can well do alone, yet the promise is, "As thy days, so shall thy strength be." So we take comfort in the thought that God knows it all, and that "we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities." The knowledge that our brethren are praying for us buoys us up, and it makes us determine to do to the utmost of our power the work that falls to our lot to do. Like Luther of old, we say, "Here I take my stand, so may God help me, I cannot do otherwise. Amen."
We have our church and school building all completed with the exception of seating it. This we hope to do the first of next month, when the timber will be landed here. We ask all to pray that at the dedication of this building, it may be filled by the presence of God, and that his presence shall never leave it, but that it shall be a place where many of this people shall be born again, not of flesh and blood, but of the Spirit.
This is the black man's new year, as they have dug their first yams. Feasting, dancing, and hideous yelling are the order of the day. Many pigs are killed and offered upon their stone altars in their amils (heathen dancing grounds). A little later their meke will be held, which is the greatest of their feasts and dancing. This is the time when they are supposed to pay all of their debts. Hundreds of pigs will be killed and sacrificed.
O, we long for the day when we can talk with this people with no impediment of the tongue; when we can point them to the true God that made the heavens and the earth, and the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Atchin.
Lo Ho, Yen-Cheng Station, Honan
By JOHN J. WESTRUP
JOHN J. WESTRUP
THE TWO MISSIONARY HOMES AT YEN-CHENG, HONAN. J. J. WESTRUP ON VERANDA
MAY the dear Lord help me to write a few words to his glory and for the encouragement of my brethren in the homeland. The power of the Word and the joy of the Holy Ghost are wonderfully sustaining and uplifting. Peace and joy fill our hearts all day long, though the outward conditions here naturally would cause just the opposite. To rest in the Lord under all circumstances is the most valuable lesson we can learn in this life, and, thank God, we are learning it.
The erection of the two foreign buildings passed off very smoothly, under God's blessing, as everything does as soon as one learns to really rest in the Lord. We have also built two schoolhouses (each seating about 170), and other buildings, aggregating seventeen houses. We manage to have mostly copper cash on hand, which the terrible robbers do not want, as they desire only silver.
The robbers are making sad havoc in this province. Sometimes they have been too near for real comfort, and the city, one third of a mile from us, has had its gates closed all day many times as well as at night. The merchants were filled with fear and trembling because the 'scourge' was near. A missionary stated that there were 30,000 robbers in the southwest. And to the north and east of us the country is filled with them. The soldiers killed about one thousand west of us some time ago, and last week thirteen villages a few miles east of us, infested by robbers, were burned, and the robbers either killed or sent to trial.
The robbers make it a point to rob the rich and help the poor. The fifth chapter of James has literally been fulfilled here. The cold-blooded, grasping, and merciless have reaped what they have sown for many years. They shut themselves in with their own comfort and throw a counterfeit cash to the starving and dying, and then imagine that they have fulfilled all righteousness. The poor are having their revenge now, but it brings on a terrible condition. Whole counties are devastated and burned, and the frightened farmers do not dare to cultivate their land. Add to this two years of almost continual drought, and it can easily be understood why we are now unable to sell many papers here. The robbers disguise themselves in every imaginable way, as priests, and rich merchants, and beggars, etc. Hence our brethren trying to sell the paper are invariably suspected of being disguised robbers, and none want to deal with them. Yet we have never before sold so many tracts and small books, such as "Bible Readings" and "Thoughts on Revelation." A great many are buying them and studying the truth; and we are seeing good results.
While we have been principally confined to supervising our building operations, the Spirit of the Lord has been working, mostly through our literature. As a result, we have now in our school nine evangelists and Bible women and quite a few others. A number of the common people have taken their stand.
We have sixty-three in the schools, and I am truly thankful for the harmonious spirit that really prevails. The devil tried to play havoc; but now it is inspiring to see how earnestly the people study and lay hold on this saving truth. Every Sabbath afternoon our native teachers go to the neighboring villages and preach. Many earnestly pray for relatives, that they, too, may hear and believe this saving message. I just had10two letters stating that one ordained minister with his family, and one evangelist, are soon coming to study the truth for some months. We praise the dear Lord for thus encouraging us greatly in these trying times. We have prayed earnestly all the year that the Lord would raise up workers, and he is doing it far above our expectation. We long to see every province entered, as they are ripe for the message. It inspires us to see the earnest effort made by our dear brethren in the homeland to advance this message as quickly as possible both at home and in every mission field. We have this year baptized sixty-eight believers. How blessed to be coworkers with God; it is the greatest work and greatest honor possible. Let us lift up our heads and be happy, for our redemption is very near.
Radiating Centers of Influence
By T. E. Bowen
T. E. BOWEN
For the great task given a comparatively small people in warning, in a short time, the world of the Saviour's near advent, the Lord seeks to place his people on vantage ground. The spirit of prophecy is given the church that through it God might point out dangers to be avoided, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, advantages of situations his people would not likely, of themselves, be quick to see.
Our Missionaries First Sent to Europe
The first field outside the United States in which the third angel's message strongly took root was Europe. God's people were guided to this portion of the great world field, and we can now understand the wisdom of the Lord in making the European field a strong center. Now, a division conference operates there, and a strong work is carried forward from this second base in our world mission field operations.
Australia Another World Center
A little later, when the work was small in Australia, and much was written from there by Sister White encouraging our people to establish the message in that section in a strong manner, not all could see why so much was said about that particular field. Now, the wisdom of having another strong base there, from which a great island territory might be worked, is very apparent.
The Work in the South
The next special emphasis was placed upon the needy southern field here in the United States. It was difficult to then understand just why. It is clearer now, as we see special difficulties arising in this section, and it is seen that much was lost by the slowness with which the instruction sent was carried out.
Other general forward movements in this cause might be mentioned, showing the divine foresight of our Captain, as he has led his servants on in taking advantage of opportunities in pressing forward this great world-wide movement.
The Opportunities of the Pacific Coast
Some have wondered why so much emphasis has been given to establishing the cause in a specially strong manner on the Pacific Coast. Schools and sanitariums have been established there when apparently so many institutions were not needed, or for the size of the territory it seemed that the number of institutions was out of proportion to like territory in other sections of the field. It may be the same Leader has been planning for us in this also. In this connection, it may be interesting at least to note what others now see in the way of possibilities for development in the near future on the Pacific Coast.
How Baptists' Regard the Advantages of the Coast
In the Baptist journal Missions for March there appears a leading article from N. B. Rairden, D. D., entitled "A Crisis on the Coast." After generalizing as to how great movements in population change general conditions, and that the traffic made possible by opening up lines of travel, such as the throwing open of the Union Pacific Railroad, and like trunk lines, resulted in opening up the West, he speaks as follows of "the next great crisis:"—
"While much remains to be done in the Middle West, the next great crisis is to be on the Pacific Coast. The completion of the Panama Canal means the entire reconstruction of passenger and commercial transportation of three continents, at least. The greatest changes will be in the Pacific Coast States and those immediately contiguous to them. It is reported that twenty-six great steamship lines have already arranged to establish lines direct to Pacific Coast points from Europe, South America, and the eastern part of North America. Here these tides of trade and travel will meet the tides from the Orient and Australia and the islands of the Pacific. It has already been reported that rates from Europe will be little more to Pacific Coast points than from Europe to New York. Already large numbers have 'booked' for these points, to come as soon as the canal is opened. Advance agents have been here [Pacific Coast, as he writes from Los Angeles] in great numbers to spy out the land and arrange for colonies from all parts of Europe. In a recent interview a representative of a great steamer line is said to have predicted that, beginning with 200,000 from Europe the first year, the tide will rapidly increase until it rivals the tide now breaking on our eastern shores. . . . Passenger officials estimate that this year the number of American citizens removing to the Pacific Coast States [from Eastern States] will number at least 200,000. Many thousands of the best people in Mexico are being thrown within our borders for permanent homes. The one dominant ambition in the minds of millions of the young men and women of the Orient is to come to the Pacific Coast. The treatment of those already here and of those who may come will have much to do with the prosperity of our missions in the Orient.
"What are we to do with this great inflow of population?—The natural resources of the Pacific Coast are said to be sufficient to support every family in the United States when fairly developed. It will take time to fit every one into his place, but there is no question that these Coast States can easily care in a material way for all who come. The greatest strain will be upon the religious and social organizations."
In speaking of their denominational work, Mr. Rairden then concludes: "This condition, just confronting the Baptists of the Pacific Coast States, is the most crucial that has confronted our Baptist people in any nation. It is utterly impossible for Baptists of the Pacific Coast to meet this crisis without greatly increased help from the Baptists of the nation."
With this before us, are we ready to say that Seventh-day Adventists, with a special message for the whole earth, are too strongly fortified to meet the new conditions which will surely come to that favored section on the opening of the Panama Canal? And, more, shall we not recognize the wisdom of God in preparing the way before us by planting the truth so firmly on the coast as has been done?
Advantages of Highways of Travel and Commerce
Jesus located at Capernaum. This was upon the then highway of travel through Palestine between Egypt and the East.
In "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. IX, pages 121, 122, we read: "In these days of travel, the opportunities for coming in contact with men and women of all classes, and of many nationalities, are much greater than in the days of Israel. The thoroughfares of travel have multiplied a thousandfold. God has wonderfully prepared the way. . . . Christians who are living in the great centers of commerce and travel have special opportunities. . . . In the world-renowned health resorts [and none excel Southern California] and centers of tourist traffic, crowded with many thousands of seekers after health and pleasure, there should be stationed ministers and canvassers capable of arresting the attention of the multitudes. Let these workers watch their chance for presenting the message for this time, and hold meetings as they have opportunity. Let them be quick to seize opportunities to speak to the people. Accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit, let them meet the people with the message borne by John the Baptist. 'Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Matt. 3:2. The word of God is to be presented with clearness and power, that those who have ears to hear may hear the truth. Thus the gospel of present truth will be placed in the way of those who know it not, and it will be accepted by not a few, and carried by them to their own homes in all parts of the world."
In July, 1908, these words were written: "In such places as Southern California, where thousands of tourists,11many of them in search of health and strength, are constantly coming and going, special and continuous efforts should be put forth to scatter the bright rays of light and truth."—Id., page 84.
Viewing the general situation as to the on-coming tide of world travel sure to soon touch the great Pacific Coast, we believe that all our people will discern the special overruling providence of the Lord in seeking to establish the third angel's message firmly in this section, and that, too, for a purpose. From there a strong influence should go out to the ends of the earth in helping to finish the work God has given us to do.
Diseased Cows
By B. E. Tefft
B. E. TEFFT
"A Battle for Health in an Infected Dairy Herd," is the subject of an interesting article in the Review of Reviews for July, 1913. The writer is B. E. Rowell, editor of publications in the Illinois College of Agriculture. The length of the article will admit of only brief extracts. He says:—
"The herd belonged to the University of Illinois. Now people with small children, or special liking themselves for all that is sanitary, formed a long waiting list made up of those eager to obtain milk from the university wagons. Of course, such milk must be pure—the cows were in constant contact with science; the dairy was not run for profit. Yet what did accident uncover?
"In the spring of 1906 a grade cow, purchased for experimental purposes, died, and a post-mortem examination revealed a few tubercular centers in the lungs. This was enough to prove the existence of disease in the herd, and it was thought best to give at least such cows as were producing milk for the city trade the tuberculin test. Thirteen out of thirty-four reacted, one or two of the reactions being considered questionable. Five of the thirteen which reacted were slaughtered and examined. The disease was found in each of the five reactors, but in no case had it become generalized. The other cows appeared to be in such good health that they were kept in the herd. Later they were slaughtered, and in nearly every case, while tuberculosis was found, it apparently was not far enough advanced to be 'open' tuberculosis; that is, the germs were not yet escaping from the body.
"In December of 1906 the herd was tested again. Ten of the fifteen tested reacted, five of which had previously reacted. Seven of the reactors were slaughtered at the time.
"In June, 1907, the herd consisted of fifty-five females, including calves. Five which were suspicious, or had reacted, were tested at this time, and two reacted.
"In May, 1908, the next test was made; there were then sixty-seven females in the entire breeding herd; fifty of these, or practically all that were considered old enough, were tested. The result was distinctly startling: twenty-six reactors were found! That meant that fifty-two per cent of the tested herd was infected. Among them were some of the best cows in the herd. All the reactors were removed from the herd. The best of them were placed in quarantine, together with a few others, to secure their progeny, and for experimental purposes; the others were slaughtered."
This battle for bovine health continued several years before success was achieved. Speaking of the general infection of dairy animals, he continues:—
"Only stringent regulation on the part of the State, coupled with willing cooperation on the part of the dairyman and intelligent determination on the part of the consumer to demand clean milk, even if it costs more than the dirty kind, can result in milk free from the germs of tuberculosis.
"Could we know how prevalent tuberculosis is in dairy herds we would find the knowledge thrilling, disagreeably thrilling. A learned professor of Germany, Professor Holzman, of the Agricultural Experiment Station at Halle, when asked what he thought of the tuberculin test, replied: 'Very fine—for America! But should we use it we would have no cattle left in Germany.'"
Of the tuberculin test Mr. Powell says:—
"Dairymen . . . do not want to test their cows—they might lose one. But their neighbors to whom the milk is sold12have children—they might lose one. Which shall it be?
How Infection Proceeds
"Now a dairy herd may become infected with tuberculosis very easily, even though the individual dairyman is conscientiously trying to keep it out. A cow may die upon an adjoining farm. Without examination, the carcass, instead of being burned, as it should be, is dumped into a stream flowing toward and through the dairyman's pasture. The cow had tuberculosis. Now the tubercle bacilli live in running water for four hundred and forty-one days! What chance has the herd below to escape infection?
"There is yet another way in which tuberculosis may be scattered. The man on the adjoining farm may be conscientious and careful, having his animals tested for tuberculosis every six months. He buys a sleek-looking milker; she is tested, does not react, and naturally is placed in the herd. Now everything that is good has not only its use, but its misuse. The tuberculin test is no exception. The cow has been 'plugged;' that is, given a large dose of tuberculin before being sold. Many tuberculous cows so treated develop a power to resist the test, so that if a second dose is given in time, varying from a few days to three months, they fail to react again. This cow drinks in the stream with the others, and the germs she delivers live for two hundred and thirty-two days in sputum exposed in water. Again, what chance has a herd of the dairyman on the lower level of the stream to escape infection? However, if people are willing to work together and put forth a very strenuous effort, the disease can be eradicated. . . . It calls for an extreme and humble regard for cleanliness, which is next to godliness and almost as hard to achieve.
"A healthy cow will not react; that is, show a rise of temperature after an injection of tuberculin, which is a graduated culture of tubercle bacillus. But even this test is not always sure. Most difficult of all to detect, it is said, are the cases that are the most advanced, yet with no outward symptoms."
Professor Hayden says that in the advanced stages the system is too full of poison to react. "Of the forty-seven mature cows in the herd in 1906, only three remained in the herd after 1909, and only five went out for reasons other than tuberculosis." Some of this herd did not react, whose lungs were found a mass of tubercles after slaughter; and of these some were in good flesh and doing their duty as milkers, other reasons having given rise to suspicion. These statements are from high authority, and the result of scientific tests. It is likely that but few dairymen would or could go to the care and expense here described to produce pure milk.
Speaking of the original experimental herd, Mr. Rowell says:—
"Twenty-two of these, or over fifty per cent, reacted. In one group of fourteen cows selected from seven herds in northern Illinois, all but one proved to be tuberculous. All of the forty-one except eight came from the northern part of the State, and most of them originally came from Wisconsin. This gives some idea of the extent of the disease and the means by which it is spreading. These cows all appeared to be in good condition; no one would have thought them diseased.
Near the close of the article he asks a question that must necessarily be of interest to all those engaged in sanitary reform:—
"We may deny ourselves milk, thinking thus to escape the germs of bovine tuberculosis, but how about butter? Dr. Charles Briscoe, who by most painstaking experiment established the time that tubercle bacilli live in water, dried sputum, etc.,—the figures given in the early part of the article were his,—found that they retain their vitality and virulence in cold storage, and thus are all ready to enter you or those nearest and dearest to you when you have saved the price of a pound of the precious commodity. Ten months the germs will live in such conditions, which is a longer time than butter is usually kept in cold storage."
It is true that to be forewarned is to be forearmed—if the warning is heeded.
National City, Cal.
Footprints
By Edw. J. Urquhart
EDW. J. URQUHART
ONE day as I strolled down a city street,
On a walk of concrete made,
I beheld the print of a baby's feet
All firm in the concrete laid.
Was it chiseled there in the solid stone,
That print, with wondrous care?
Or could it ever be truly known
How came the footprint there?
Yes, when it was soft and newly laid,
The babe in its childish play
Had stepped on the walk, and the print was made,
As a footprint in the clay.
A grand old man on his deathbed lay,
While his friends were gathered there;
When with dying breath they heard him pray,
In French, our Saviour's prayer,
It was strange, and those who were gathered there
Sincerely his life's ways sought,
And found that in childhood days the prayer
By his good French nurse was taught;
And his busy life, with all its care,
Effaced not the lesson taught,
But the mind retained the childhood prayer,
As the footprint in the rock.
