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Review and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 3.

Hadst Thou Been Here
Earlier text: Through Siberia

Disguised Teaching

By MRS. C. M. SNOW

MRS. C. M. SNOW
A Catholic priest said, “Give me a child until he is twelve years old, and I don’t care what you do with him after that.” This is a very broad statement, and yet it will serve to illustrate the mother’s vantage ground of close association with her children during their most impressionable years. This is such a happy, holy time, and any thoughtful, practical mother will seek to make the most of it; for there is so much for the children to learn, and youth time flies so quickly.
Useful lessons in every vocation of life may be thoroughly taught when the children think they are only playing. A boy’s parents who are endowed with mechanical genius will direct him in making toys and tools. Some corner may be considered his shop, even if the partitions are imaginary. When small jobs of mending or making are required, it will be rare sport for him to do the needed work if it is sent to Mr. Walter (or whatever his name may be) Carpenter. If knives need sharpening, or anything is to be done in the line of blacksmithing, it may be sent in the same way to one of the other boys, if you are so fortunate as to have several boys.
Lawn cutting falls to the lot of the young gardener. Even when at certain seasons of the year the whole family turn into gardeners, planting seeds or raking leaves, one of the children may be elected to the position of officer of the day, or the children may choose sides to divide the little company into rival teams.
Instead of lessening father’s and mother’s dignity to enter into a combine to thus make play of work, their influence with the children is magnified, and toil becomes pleasure. Home occupations are the greatest of forces, the most subtle, the most powerful, in the training of children and in keeping them in the home environment. By this means the parent may to a great extent influence the character and the future of his child. “Home occupations for the children when rightly conducted mean good behavior when young, strength of character when more fully grown. They are the groundwork, or foundation, of their whole afterlife, for in their work and play they are only performing, in miniature, the pursuits they will follow when fully grown. They are watching others older than themselves, and their whole ‘vocation is endless imitation.’ How important, then, is the occupation which employs their time!”
If there is sickness in the house, or mother or one of the children needs rest and quiet, the children will enter happily into the hospital game. Select one child for the doctor, another for the nurse; the others are patients. Thus valuable lessons may be taught along these lines, as well as the needed rest secured.
We cannot imagine any little girl without a family of dolls, however crude their framework. In caring for these, if rightly directed by mother, she can learn all the essentials of baby tending, and even laundering and dressmaking. With her toy stove and dishes she can learn to cook and serve meals properly. (And this is a good lesson for boys to learn also, and is becoming more and more required in camping parties, etc.)
A little later, mother may be company in her own home for a meal, or even an occasional day, and the little lady take full charge of the home. How she will enjoy it! And it will broaden her character and help her to develop into a self-possessed, self-reliant girl—one who will be a lifter, not a leaner.
In assuming the rôle of company, mother should not lounge about, but observe all the courtesies and etiquette that she desires her child to observe when she is some one else’s company. She should personate with gentle dignity each character that she adopts in the game, realizing that it is a lifetime lesson to her child, whose whole “vocation is endless imitation.”
A child learns without conscious effort, absorbs knowledge as plants do sunshine and air. Development of the mind should be as natural as growth of the body. If given the right materials to feed on, this will be. Teaching is in reality only furnishing mind food of the proper quality and sufficient quantity.
The active mind of the child is ready to grasp at anything. It acts as continually as the heart beats. Then why not give it something worth while to think about? A skeleton in the medical student’s room fascinated the little three-year-old boy. Soon he could name and locate every bone in his own little body. Before little Paul was two years old, he could name each of the one hundred birds in the colored plates of “Bird Neighbors” and “Birds That Hunt and Are Hunted.” As soon as he was able to talk, he could repeat several beautiful poems that had been his lullaby as he nestled in my arms.
A lady whose literary advantages have been considerable, asked me one day if I did not run out of stories to tell my children. When I replied in the negative, she said: “I mean true stories. Well, you will when they are older.” I should not dream of telling my children an untrue story, but though her prophecy was made many years ago, it has never come true. How can it, when the world is so full of wondrous revelations in land and sea and sky? So many wonderful events have occurred in earth’s history, and are taking place with such rapidity, that the fund is utterly inexhaustible.
The history and geography of this and other countries interest and educate little minds when personal history is woven in. The names of rulers and the stories of their lives; Bible stories; the struggles of famous inventors and what they accomplished; lives of authors, missionaries, generals; history of certain battles and sieges and conquests in earth, air, and water; the voyage, landing, and subsequent history of the Pilgrim Fathers,—where is the limit to our resources? Even the story of a little seed—the possibilities wrapped up in its tiny brown covering, its life in the ground and afterwards—possesses an interest for the receptive little minds surpassing that of fairy stories.
The beauty of this sort of teaching is that it is not restricted to set times and places. It fits in with work and play and rest and study and recreation, and it requires no effort on the part of the little folks, for they are human interrogation points: they desire knowledge, and information acquired in a conversational or semistory form is longer retained than if learned in a set lesson. For instance, my children will not forget who commanded the Medo-Persian army in the capture of Babylon, because I told them the story of little Cyrus’s babyhood,—of how his royal grandfather, made envious by a dream he had before the child’s birth, obtained possession of the infant and commanded a trusted servant to put him to death. Instead of carrying out his promise, Harpagus, the servant, privily intrusted Baby Cyrus to the care of a herdsman, who brought him up with his own children. Bits of biography of prominent historical characters like this invest them with a personality far ahead of the vague ideal that the name alone conveys.
Does this teaching take time and thought, and is it a bother? As child and as mother I have found it a delightful pastime, a rejuvenator of youth, a forget-me-not chain of hallowed memories binding to a peaceful, blessed association.

A Brave Heart

By Rev. Dr. George L. Perin

BE not afraid, dear friend! What of sickness? What of sorrow? What of failure? What of misfortune? What of death? Is not this God's world? Are you not God's child? Go forth into the new year with a brave heart. When fortune smiles, smile with her. When fortune frowns, smile the more, and trust in God.—Rev. Dr. George L. Perin.

Mental Butterflying

By W. Hanna Thomson

“MENTAL butterflying” is a good descriptive of the thinking of many men and women.—W. Hanna Thomson.

“My Brother and I”

He is not perfect, neither am I; He's crying for aid, for help I would cry; He's needing my sympathy, I'm needy, too; We must help one another whatever we do, For we must be brothers — my brother and I.
He's burdened with sorrow, with anguish I cry; But he's helping me, and so I must try To bury my heartache in healing his woes; We must stand by each other, howe'er the fight goes, For we must be brothers — my brother and I.
We often are feeble, but strong is the tie That binds us together while swift the days fly; Though often we stumble and frequent our fall, We must trust one another and love through it all, For we must be brothers — my brother and I.
O great Elder Brother! who feared not to die That all might be kinsmen under God's sky, Come journey thou with us. Though limping and lame And faulty and feeble and covered with shame, Thou still canst redeem us — my brother and I.
And when all the days of our voyage slip by, And we sail through the mist and shadows, be nigh To gather the praise of our fast-fleeting breath, To walk through the “valley and shadow of death,” To save us and seal us — my brother and I.
—Selected.

North and South Dakota

By O. A. OLSEN

Nov. 17, 1914, I left Chicago to meet appointments in North and South Dakota. On my way to Kief, N. Dak., to attend a general meeting among the Russians, I stopped one day at Harvey, and visited the Sheyenne River Academy. This was my first visit to this place. I was glad to find the school doing well, with a full attendance. All seemed to be of good courage. In the Russian department, conducted by Elder S. G. Burley, there were seventeen Russians in attendance, and more were expected.
November 20, in company with Elder Burley, I started for my first appointment, at Kief. On the train we met Elder S. E. Jackson, the president of the North Dakota Conference, who was on his way to the meeting. Altogether we spent ten days among the Russians. Along the railroad line between Drake and Max, a distance of about forty miles, we have six Russian churches. We remained at Kief four days, and had meetings in the forenoon, afternoon, and evening. We had a large attendance, including our own brethren, Baptists, and others. We dwelt upon the fundamental principles of the message, and what constitutes the truth of God for this time. There was a very hearty response to the truths presented. Of course my preaching had to be done through an interpreter, and as such Elder Burley proved very efficient. Elder Jackson was with us the four days at Kief.
From Kief we went to Dogden, where we spent two days. Here the meetings were held in the Presbyterian church. We then went to Max, farther west. The meetings were held in the Congregational church, which was packed to its utmost capacity. Some of the brethren from Kief met with us at Dogden and also at Max. It was a favorable time of year for them to attend, and the weather, too, was very pleasant, which also aided in making the occasion a profitable one.
I was deeply impressed with the needs of our Russian believers. The large majority of these brethren understand neither the English nor the German, and on this account they have very limited privileges. We are greatly in need of some means of communication by which they can be instructed more definitely in the principles of the message. They urgently requested that our Foreign Department publish a small paper in the Russian language. This is a question that really needs immediate consideration. It can readily be seen that with a very limited number of publications in their language, and with no means of communication, they are left very largely in ignorance of the progress of the work and of their relation to it.
In this part of the country, we have two ministers who speak the Russian language,—Elder Burley, whose time is taken up with the Russian department in the school a large part of the year; and Elder Litwinenco, an elderly brother, who does what he can to instruct and encourage the members. The Russian field in this country is a large one. We find communities, large ones, too, not only in North and South Dakota, but in many other States and in our large cities. Here is a great field for work, and we are in need of earnest, consecrated laborers to occupy it. It is a fruitful field, the efforts that have been put forth having brought excellent results; and we are glad to know that some young men among them are beginning to prepare themselves to enter the work.
I enjoyed this opportunity of becoming better acquainted with the situation and its needs. We left Brother Litwinenco at Max to follow up the interest. In different places a number of persons expressed their desire to join the church, and the indications are that several will take their stand for the truth.
Some of our brethren, not being firmly grounded in the principles of the truth for lack of instruction, have been more or less a prey to teachers that misrepresented the truth. They are now beginning to discern the difference, and are obtaining a better understanding of the message. In consequence they will be more firm, and will take a more direct interest in advancing the work. Many have been negligent in paying tithes and offerings, and even in keeping the Sabbath. Humble confessions were made; and if these resolutions are carried into effect, we shall see a growth and advancement in both spiritual experience and numbers.
I enjoyed very much my association with Elders Burley and Litwinenco. Brother Burley went back to the school, but Brother Litwinenco will continue to visit and labor among the various churches.
On my return tour I stopped two days at our Danish-Norwegian Seminary, in Hutchinson, Minn. I found the school doing well, and all in good health and of good courage. The attendance is the largest this year that it has ever been. At the time I was there 115 were enrolled, and 112 were in actual attendance. There was an excellent spirit among teachers and students.
I next visited Swan Lake, S. Dak. In former years I visited that church quite often, but eighteen years had passed since my last visit there. We had some excellent meetings. Great changes have taken place. Nearly all the older members of the church are gone, a number having fallen asleep in the faith, and some having moved to other places; but the church is still a strong one, largely made up of the descendants of the early believers. Elder J. W. Lair was also visiting this church when I was there.
From Swan Lake I went to Ruthven, Iowa, where I spent Sabbath and Sunday, the beginning of the week of prayer. Here, too, we had good meetings. Then I spent one day with my brother, Elder E. G. Olsen, at Forest City, Iowa, returning to Chicago in the middle of the week of prayer. Here I united with the others in the work. The Lord came very near in all our meetings. At the South Side church, on the last Sabbath, we had a meeting that will long be remembered. The whole congregation consecrated themselves to the finishing of the work, and quite a number took their stand for the first time.
I also met with the church at Hinsdale, Ill., where we had an excellent meeting Friday evening. Nearly all present bore testimony, and it was an earnest consecration service. Good reports have come from the other churches in the city. We trust that this week of prayer will give a new impetus to the work throughout the land, and hasten the finishing of the message preparatory to the coming of our Lord and Saviour.
O. A. OLSEN.

Giving the Message Through Foreign Newspapers

By Walter L. Burgan

Not only are newspapers in the United States and Canada opening their columns to our ministers and evangelists for the publication of our views of the European war from a prophetic standpoint, but editors of papers in foreign-speaking lands are gladly printing contributions from our workers on this important subject.
It is very encouraging to hear from workers across the seas who through the agency of the secular press have been heralding the message of the soon-coming Saviour. The fact that they have been successful in having interesting articles on the war published, all of them pointing the reader to the fact that the great day of God is at hand, indicates that these editors realize that the views concerning the second advent of Christ are of more than ordinary importance. It also shows that these same editors, who mold public opinion, are anxious to give to their readers views of the meaning of this terrible slaughter that have more than a human interpretation behind them.
A brother in Quito, a large city in Ecuador, South America, where newspapers are published in the Spanish language, sends this encouraging word:—
“Undoubtedly it will interest you to know that the best daily paper in Quito has shown itself favorable to the extent of publishing an article in full on the subject ‘Armageddon,’ without any change with the exception of substituting a few words in order to make better Spanish.”
Another worker, in one of the large cities in Peru, South America, also has met with success in getting a long report published as to the Biblical side of the war.
A brother in Portugal has met with excellent success in giving the message through the newspapers. In a recent letter he says:—
“I have already sent you six copies of a Portuguese daily paper, which has published many articles of mine. The titles are: ‘The Destruction of Turkey According to the Prophecies;’ ‘The Last Universal War — Curious Indications of the Prophecies;’ ‘The Fall of the Universal Kingdoms — What the Prophecies Say;’ ‘The Place of the Last Universal War;’ ‘Spiritualism in the Light of the Bible;’ ‘Universal Peace.’
“We have learned of several that have read the articles, and have come to our meetings. At present we are not allowed to hold meetings at night. Very few are able to come in the daytime, except on Sunday, when quite a number come out. I expect to keep on trying this way to teach the truth.”
Thus we see the Lord guiding his servants in various parts of the earth in taking advantage of this important avenue for spreading the truth for this time. Let others use this medium to tell the world of the nearness of the Lord’s return while such excellent opportunities are offered.
WALTER L. BURGAN.

Louisiana

By S. F. Reeder

TIOGA.—We enjoyed a most pleasant and profitable season during the recent week of prayer. We decided to try the plan of inviting our neighbors to meet with us, and the invitation met with a hearty response. Old and young seemed interested, and the attendance ranged from fifteen to fifty. We followed the regular readings in the REVIEW AND HERALD, and the instruction given was received with hearty “amens,” from the leading religionists of the community.
The Methodist minister took part with us, invited us to his house for one of our services, and declined to take charge of the meeting, saying that he could not improve upon the regular reading for the day. He also proposed that we continue the work by holding a weekly neighborhood prayer meeting hereafter; that short Bible studies be conducted as an opening exercise; that these meetings be held at his home, which he gladly opens to us unless we accept invitations to meet elsewhere. Our first weekly service was held at the home of the Methodist steward. We have held a number of Bible studies there, and the family is deeply interested in the truth and anxious to hear more. The minister also has asked a great many questions, and is now studying “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation.” One evening we conducted a study on the Eastern Question, which was well received. We believe that on the whole an excellent impression has been made for the truth, and our own souls have been greatly encouraged and refreshed.
S. F. REEDER.

Saskatchewan

By A. C. Gilbert

The work of the Lord in Saskatchewan, Canada, moves forward encouragingly. The past year has been a strenuous one. Financial stringency and business depression resulting from the war have had a serious effect upon the economic life of this province; yet in spite of these things, progress has marked the efforts of our workers, and the tithes and offerings have increased wonderfully. This increase of funds for both home and foreign missions shows that hard times and material reverses cannot arrest the onward movement of the third angel's message.
Church institutes have been held in all our churches this winter. This has proved a most valuable help to our brethren and sisters, stimulating interest in home missionary work. In each place we found a real desire to draw near to God, and to consecrate all to the finishing of the work. The chief burden of many hearts is for victory over every sin, and a suitable preparation of life for the outpouring of the latter rain.
This awakening on the part of God's people is an encouraging signal that God is soon to visit his children with the promised blessing. Soon this mighty missionary movement will be clothed with the glory and power of the loud voice of the third angel. Heaven is waiting only for this people to come into harmony with its sovereign will, so that they may be trusted with the fullness of divine power.
The calls for ministerial labor from the various parts of this province are more than we can answer. Souls are being gathered into the fold as the result of the home missionary work of isolated members. Nine persons have just begun the observance of the Sabbath as the sequel to the earnest prayers and faithful missionary work of a country church of thirteen members. The co-operation of the lay brethren and sisters in direct soul-winning labor will prove the mightiest factor in the completion of the Lord's plan for man's salvation. May there be no slackening of the missionary zeal which is now taking possession of hearts everywhere, till probation closes, and we are safe in the kingdom of heaven.
A. C. GILBERT.

Brooklyn, N. Y.

By E. L. CARDEY

The Lord has been richly blessing us in this great city, and I suppose a few words are due our brethren and sisters; for we all are encouraged by hearing of the advancement of the work in any part of the harvest field. It is now six months since I began work in Brooklyn. Many experiences have come to us in that time. The summer’s tent effort was one of the best I ever held, both financially and in the winning of souls. Since the tent meetings closed, Sunday night services have been held in the Central Y. M. C. A. Auditorium, and now we are opening meetings in Sonia Hall, Tollner Block, one of the finest halls in the city. In the meantime we have been seeking to buy a church building, but have not succeeded as yet, although we have several buildings in view.
The week of prayer was a most blessed occasion for this church. Victory came to many hearts, and wrongs were made right in many cases. Since then the meetings have been of a very deep spiritual nature.
Of special encouragement to us is the record of the church clerk, which shows that sixty new members have been received into the church in the last six months. About twenty-five are still on the waiting list, and many of these will be taken in early this year, we trust. The clerk reported that members have been added at the rate of ten a month, or one every three days in the past six months. We are praying that this record will continue during 1915, and under the blessing of God we believe it will.
In the last six months the church has gone nearly one hundred dollars above its quota of twenty cents a week per member for missions. We begin the new year with hearts filled with courage, and a determination to carry the truth to as many of the millions in this city as possible during the year.
Well has the spirit of prophecy said that all through these large cities are many souls crying after the truth, who will give their all to the message when they hear it. When we think that undoubtedly but little more time is given us to work these cities, we cannot hold our peace. Brethren, pray for the work in Brooklyn, that God will give his people who represent the truth here, grace to stand as watchmen on the walls.
E. L. CARDEY.

Iowa

By Wm. Ostrander

Des Moines.—Thinking that many of the Review family who were formerly connected with the work in Iowa but are now scattered throughout the worldwide field, will be glad to know how the message is going in the capital city of the State, I am sending in a brief report.
It is about eighteen months since I came to Des Moines. The church numbers but few more than when I first began work, but the congregation has changed materially. Several names have been dropped; quite a number have been granted letters to join other churches; a few have united with us by letter, and there are more than a score of persons in the city keeping the Sabbath who have not yet identified themselves with us. There is a live interest, many are investigating our message, and the outlook for a large ingathering of souls during the year to come is good.
About forty years ago I began to preach this truth, and in all these years I have never seen the people so ready to read and investigate as they are at the present time. We are placing our literature in the homes of the people. Thousands of copies of the Review Extra have been distributed, also a large number of tracts and announcements of our Sunday evening meetings. The congregations at our weekly services are increasing steadily, and the Lord is giving freedom in the presentation of the truth.
Personally, I have great reason to be thankful to God for his kind dealings with me and mine during the past forty years. Many of my brethren in the ministry have fallen, but the dear Lord has seen fit to spare my life, and also that of my wife. Our health was never better, our courage is good, and our hope in God and the speedy triumph of this truth grows brighter as the days go by. May the Lord baptize us all with his Holy Spirit for the finishing of the work. Wm. Ostrander.

Do Church Officers Understand?

By M. E. Kern

Most of the letters received at the Missionary Volunteer Department office express gratitude for the special efforts now being made for the young people, and ask for suggestions and help. A recent letter from an academy principal says: “I believe the department by its consistent and constant work has done a great deal for our youth. I find that our workers generally are turning more to the young people.”
Once in a great while we learn of some criticism or opposition. Friendly criticism we welcome, because it helps us to make progress. We should indeed be sorry, however, to know that any one opposes the general idea of our Missionary Volunteer movement, for we believe it is of God.
Recently a conference Missionary Volunteer secretary wrote: “The young people in our conference need a great deal of help and encouragement, especially from our church officers; but I find many who have little or no interest in the work, except to repress and hinder. They seemingly fear that if they grant the young people any privileges at all, they will run away with them; so think it better to grant none. As a result, some are crowded out of the society of the church.” I was glad for this other word which he added: “In some places I find these conditions are due to misunderstandings.” Aside from the spiritual lethargy with which Satan is endeavoring to stupefy us all, which of course always causes us to neglect the work, I feel that in most cases any opposition or neglect of the Missionary Volunteer plans must be due to misunderstandings. So I sometimes ask myself, “Do all our church officers understand?”
Years ago this instruction was sent us: “Very much has been lost to the cause of God by a lack of attention to the young. . . . When the youth give their hearts to God, your care for them should not cease. Lay some special responsibility upon them. Make them feel that they are expected to do something. The Lord chooses them because they are strong. Teach them to labor in a quiet, unpretending way for their young companions. Let different branches of the missionary work be laid out systematically, and let instruction and help be given, so that the young may learn to act a part. Thus they will grow up to be workers for God.”—“Gospel Workers,” pages 278, 279. The Missionary Volunteer Department was organized to help our churches and conferences to carry out this instruction. We have abundant evidence that the results sought are being realized, to a limited degree at least. By the full and hearty cooperation of church and conference officers the denomination will realize more and more the blessed results of the special efforts now being made.
Let us as church officers ask ourselves again that searching question which the Master asked Peter that spring morning by the Sea of Galilee, “Lovest thou me more than these?” And let us consider anew the admonition of Peter’s risen Lord, “Feed my lambs.” That blessed command still comes direct from the great heart of the Master to his undershepherds, bidding them to take care of the lambs—“my lambs.” Many have strayed and been lost on the mountains of sin for lack of intelligent care at the proper time. But God is calling us back to our duty. He is saying to us, “No absorption in personal affairs, no interest in great church campaigns, nor even enthusiasm for the great missionary advance of the church, must take the place of careful, painstaking, and intelligent effort for my little ones.”
But young people must be led, not driven. And what they need is encouragement, not scolding. When you see something that can be commended, commend it. “Just an earnest whisper in the ear of a young boy or girl who has given some stammering testimony, may decide the child’s whole future.”
And never be guilty of repressing their enthusiastic efforts to help, even though you feel that it might have been done better. Remember that young people like to have some definite tasks all their own, something they can point to as a Missionary Volunteer achievement—and in this they are not so different from their elders, either. “Any teacher knows that what the pupil does for himself and on his own initiative is worth, ten times over, the best and wisest that he can do for the pupil.” So it is in our Missionary Volunteer work: we older ones might conduct the meetings and plan the work much better than inexperienced youth, but let us be careful not to do it; for young people, as others, must learn to do by doing.
Will not all our church officers for the year 1915 take time to study the young people’s work, and to make special efforts for the lambs of the flock during the year? Will you not reread the article in the REVIEW of Nov. 26, 1914, “A Word to Church Elders Elect,” and the articles on plans for 1915 in the REVIEW of Dec. 17, 1914? Below is a list of the Missionary Volunteer series of leaflets and the prices. Will you not procure such of these as you think will help you to understand the Missionary Volunteer work, or will be a help to your young people?
NO.
2. “From Which Fountain?” A leaflet on reading, giving a list of more than one hundred books worth reading. 2 cents.
3. “Early History of the Seventh-day Adventist Young People’s Work.” 4 cents.
4. “Organization.” 3 cents.
13. “Guiding Principles for the Young, No. 1.” 2 cents.
14. “Read, Think, and Pray.” ¼ cent.
15. “Parents’ Meetings.” With special reference to camp meetings. 3 cents.
19. “Messages to Young People.” Testimonies. 2 cents.
21. “Standard of Attainment” (revised). 2 cents.
27. “A Near-By Mission Field.” 3 cents.
30. “Cigarettes and Success.” 1 cent.
33. “Our Influence.” 3 cents.
34. “The Cooperation Called for in Young People’s Work.” 3 cents.
35. “Marrying Unbelievers.” 3 cents.
36. “Leadership.” 2 cents.
37. “Under the Yoke of Service.” 1 cent.
38. “What the Young People’s Work Has Done for Me.” 3 cents.
39. “How Others Fought to Win the Prize.” 5 cents.
40. “The Morning Watch.” Free.
41. “The King’s Pocket League.” 2 cents.
42. “What We Promised Each Other.” ½ cent.
43. “Camp Meeting Missionary Volunteer Work.” Free.
44. “The Marriage Altar.” 2 cents.
45. “A Visit to the Schools in Nyasaland.” 2 cents.
46. “With Our Missionaries During the Revolution.” 2 cents.
47. “Personal Work.” 2 cents.
48. “Secretaryship as a Life Work.” 4 cents. Order from your tract society.
And remember that the Missionary Volunteer Department is organized to help you in your efforts for the young. Anything we can do we shall gladly do.
M. E. KERN.

Seasons of Refreshing

By M. E. OLSEN

THE young people attending our denominational schools are continually breathing an atmosphere of faith in God and of loyalty to his written Word, which is in marked contrast to the atmosphere that prevails in the educational centers of the world. But these generally favorable conditions for healthy spiritual growth by no means render less necessary those seasons of special refreshing when it pleases the Holy Spirit to manifest himself in power. Such a season was the late week of prayer for the teachers and students of Washington Missionary College.
Plans had been laid in advance to make the most of this annual spiritual feast. The readings were given daily at meetings attended by the entire school, and at the beginning the spirit of heart searching and of longing for a deeper experience was generally manifested. As the meetings progressed, the work deepened. The prayer bands, which included all the students, held daily meetings at which sins were confessed and put away, and definite victories were gained. Those who were enjoying a good experience themselves had their hearts drawn out for others who needed help, and much excellent personal labor was put forth. On Wednesday evening the gracious influences of the Spirit were very marked, and fifty young men and women came forward for prayers. Some of these had never before surrendered themselves to God. It was a meeting long to be remembered for the manifest presence of the Lord.
While the world is largely given to holiday making and revelry, it is well that our young people can have that deeper experience in the things of God which alone brings lasting happiness.
M. E. OLSEN.

Break Bad Habits

By Rev. William Watson

NEVER taper off a bad habit; break it at once. Disease grows as much by postponement of the remedy as by ignorance of it.—Rev. William Watson.

Missionary Volunteer Department

M. E. KERN - - - General Secretary
C. L. BENSON - - - Assistant Secretary
MATILDA ERICKSON - - N. Am. Div. Secretary
MEADE MACGUIRE - N. Am. Div. Field Secretary

Sanitarium Notes

By L. A. HANSEN.

The New England Sanitarium, in Melrose, Mass., has had an unusually busy time of late, with a large patronage that included many very sick persons requiring nurses. A part of the time every room has been occupied, several of the rooms with two patients. Three things that have come to our notice may be considered closely associated with this prosperity: (1) The advertising matter used by the sanitarium, as far as we have seen it, is well written, nicely printed, and attractive generally; (2) unusual care is exercised in the selection of students for the nurses' course and other help, giving a family of workers that have sufficient age, natural ability, and general fitness for the work, insuring the best service possible; (3) the missionary purpose of the work is kept before the family, and maintained by suitable spiritual services within the institution and active service outside.
The Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium finds its work steadily growing in various ways. Its educational work for the public, in living reform, is producing results. Many patients are being led to see the importance of healthful living and to realize its benefits.
The advantages of the institution for the restoration of health are being more and more appreciated by a growing patronage. Every effort is made to make its work as highly efficient as possible in equipment and service.
The missionary activities of the sanitarium family are manifest in effectual service, and a splendid spirit of unity and harmony exists. Frequent meetings for prayer and counsel are held by the faculty, and the presence of God is realized. This must mean sanitarium success.
The Florida Sanitarium, in Orlando, Fla., reports a good year for 1914. For the coming year the outlook is most favorable. Among the recent improvements may be mentioned the new sun parlor and improved treatment rooms. The general surroundings have been much improved. The Florida Sanitarium is better prepared than ever to do good work.
The Nebraska Sanitarium, in Hastings, Nebr., is enjoying the growing confidence of the public. Its patronage continues to increase. Some of its workers are giving health lectures to appreciative and interested audiences in near-by places.
The Warburton (Australia) Sanitarium also reports a patronage that is growing. The influence of the institution is extending, and the public is gaining confidence in its methods.
The Kansas Sanitarium, in Wichita, Kans., has recently made a change in the business management. L. C. Christofferson, who has long and faithfully served the institution as manager, and who has felt the need of a rest, and possibly the need of a change in employment, presented his resignation. R. L. Carson, formerly secretary-treasurer of the Missouri Conference, was asked to take the position. Brother Carson is a good business man, and it is believed that he will make an able manager of the institution. The sanitarium work is giving satisfaction, and the members of the board feel that there is a bright future before it.
The Oakwood Sanitarium, in Huntsville, Ala., has elected Miss Etta Reeder superintendent of its training class. Miss Reeder finished the postgraduate course at the Washington Missionary College, afterwards connecting for a time with the Washington Sanitarium and then with the Florida Sanitarium. With several years' experience in nursing and with qualifications for teaching, she is well fitted for her present work. An invitation is extended to those wishing to enter the training class and thus secure the preparation offered our colored young people there. The sanitarium is well prepared to care for the sick, and its facilities should be utilized to a greater extent than is being done. The cooperation of our people is solicited in securing a patronage of such as should receive the benefits of the institution.
The Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium is launching an institutional organ entitled the Sanitarium Exponent. It will be an eight-page quarterly, devoted to the presentation of medical topics of current interest and sanitarium news. The X-ray department, which has recently been considerably improved, is giving excellent service. A good class of students has recently entered, and gives promise of a creditable representation of the interests of the institution. The Washington Missionary College and the sanitarium are cooperating in plans for the education and training of students desiring the benefit of the special facilities offered. The postgraduate course for nurses numbers several capable workers, who are appreciating the special opportunities offered in this course. L. A. HANSEN.
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