In view of the fact that full reports of the camp-meetings in the Southern Union were not furnished the REVIEW AND HERALD for publication, the writer has thought that it might be of interest to its readers to give a review of the camp-meetings held in the South, knowing that quite an interest prevails among many of our people to know of the progress of the cause in this great Southland.
Seven camp-meetings have been held in the Southern Union Conference the past camp-meeting season,—two in the Cumberland River Conference, and one each in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee River, and Florida. Because of the yellow fever scourge the present season, and the quarantine influences to keep it from spreading, Louisiana and Alabama have been deprived of their camp-meetings. Mississippi also thought it not best to have more than a general meeting. When the yellow fever ceases, because of the cold weather, conference meetings will be held.
The writer attended the meetings in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida, and one in the Cumberland Conference; all of these were encouraging and excellent meetings. Prof. J. E. Tenney attended these, and the other three, which the writer was unable to attend, on account of other pressing duties. Professor Tenney has spoken in the most encouraging words of the three meetings he attended where the writer was not present. He said he never attended more spiritual and precious seasons.
The first Seventh-day Adventist camp-meeting ever held in South Carolina was17held this year. The readers of the REVIEW may not all know that South Carolina is not yet organized into a State conference, but from all the facts we can learn, it is making fully as rapid advancement as any of the organized fields. The Lord is blessing, and the brethren and sisters there are much encouraged. This State has seemed to be the last one entered by our organized work in the whole United States of America, though some years ago one or two small companies were raised up there. From that time on but little was done. When the North Carolina Conference felt that they could not carry on the work in this State as it ought to be, because of their poverty, and requested the union conference to take it as a mission field, the work was entered upon with more vigor. Elders Webster and Nash moved there with their families, and with the help of Brother Carey, have labored earnestly and faithfully to carry on the work, with gratifying success. We hope it may not be long until a State conference can be organized. A few of our people working there have taken hold nobly to sustain the cause of present truth, and are quite largely making it self-supporting. They are manifesting a truly encouraging interest.
The brethren and sisters in the North Carolina Conference are as earnest and devoted to the interests of the cause as any we know of in the South, but they are laboring under great difficulties, because of lack of means. The Iowa Conference sent Elder Jeys to that field, and supported him there a year. His labors were much appreciated, and the brethren of that conference elected him president at the camp-meeting in July. We have no warmer-hearted, more devoted brethren in the South than the brethren and sisters of North Carolina. They are doing their utmost to advance the work in that difficult field.
It was not the privilege of the writer to attend the Georgia camp-meeting. Our dear Brother R. M. Kilgore was re-elected president, and has been working earnestly this season, and has had some increase. Perhaps there is not a harder field in the world in which to carry forward the work of Seventh-day Adventists than the great empire State of the South.
There are precious, noble, faithful souls in Georgia who are struggling against great difficulties, seeking to carry on the work to the very best of their ability, but their numbers are few comparatively. If earnest, devoted, true-hearted Seventh-day Adventists that could properly represent the cause of God would move to different localities in the State, and live out the truth, it would be a wonderful help to the work there. They are greatly needed. It would greatly encourage the heart of Elder Kilgore and other brethren who are devoted to the cause of God. But they would need to be people of stamina, earnestness, good judgment, and sound sense. We are not speaking of preachers, but devoted lay brethren and sisters, who would thus be helpful in a hard and trying field.
All needy mission fields are not across the ocean. There are some of them in the most pleasant and delightful portions of the South. Devoted souls can be found scattered in various churches in our Northern fields, where they are not needed anywhere nearly so much as in some places in the South. Around such workers Sabbath-keepers would cluster, and openings would be made for labor. Their godly lives would shine out among those who may now be filled with prejudice, if the right kind of work could be done. The State of Georgia is a great and needy mission field.
The Nashville camp-meeting, in the Tennessee River Conference, was, we think, the largest, and one of the very best camp-meetings we ever attended in the South. We should judge there were two hundred Sabbath-keepers present. Elder S. N. Haskell and his wife carried a heavy burden of labor all through the meeting, and their efforts were highly appreciated.
A good work has been done in the Tennessee River Conference through the efforts of Brother N. W. Allee, who has been its president for two years past. During the last year he has been in very feeble health, unable to go out and labor in the work, but his mind has been clear, and his counsels blessed of heaven.
An excellent spirit of union and love prevails in the conference. It has been a great regret to himself and the constituency of the conference that he has not been able to be out in the field laboring. His heart is there. His whole soul is inspired with an interest to advance the cause of the Master and carry the work on. The conference has greatly prospered under his labors. The tithe has increased quite largely. The year preceding the camp-meeting over one hundred souls came into the truth.
The writer was pressed with many cares, and much writing, but assisted to the best of his ability. The meeting was located in the suburbs of Nashville, on one of the main city car lines. Though the writer had attended hundreds of camp-meetings, he never saw so beautiful a place for a camp-meeting before, a fine blue-grass sod, with great elms, maples, and oaks, from two to four feet in diameter, scattered here and there, furnishing delightful shade and beautiful walks. It was perhaps forty rods from the car line, so we were not disturbed by noise. Fifty tents, large and small, were pitched upon the ground. The weather was delightful. The sanitarium had charge of the dining tent, which was conducted with great satisfaction to all. Altogether, the meeting was a very precious one. God’s blessing was there.
The attendance from the city was not large, yet many intelligent people came, and were deeply interested. Though Brother Allee was quite feeble, the conference insisted upon his serving another year. He was able to attend, and act as chairman in the business meetings of the conference, but not able to preach. All feel deep interest in his health.
Through the efforts of Professor Tenney and other able helpers a special work for the young people of the union conference has been inaugurated successfully, and systematic efforts are being made to get all these young people interested in the carrying forward of the work of God. The Southern Union Conference is blessed with many fine young people, who have the capacity for becoming noble laborers in the cause. To secure the help of this class is an object that should not be forgotten.
Sister Mettie Lenker is acting as secretary of the young people’s movement, and is well qualified by experience and ability, and love for the cause, to be helpful in it. She is seconding nobly the efforts of Professor Tenney to create a deeper interest on the part of the young people, and thus advancing the work of God. We wish great success to this movement.
The Spring City camp-meeting, which immediately followed, was also an excellent meeting, the best the writer has ever attended in the Cumberland River Conference. This is the largest State conference of the Southern Union. There had been a small camp-meeting held in Kentucky in July; Elder Tenney and others felt that it was a very blessed season. The numbers of Sabbath-keepers in that section of the country are few. Perhaps there were a score or two present, but the interests of the cause in Kentucky were advanced by having such a gathering, where the people could come and hear the words of life. Each year such opportunities should be afforded our people who have but little opportunity to hear preaching and keep in touch with the great movement of which they are a part.
The Spring City camp-meeting was the main meeting of the Cumberland River Conference. There was a good attendance, nearly as large as at Nashville, and it was a spiritual meeting, blessed of God. The last Sabbath a large number came forward for prayers, and the blessing of God rested upon the people.
The Tennessee River Conference has a very excellent intermediate school. Prof. C. L. Stone is the principal. It is a school much to be prized, and that conference raised quite a large sum of money to put it in the best condition possible. They pledged very liberally to his support, and raised money for other objects—between one hundred and two hundred dollars for the Graysville school. Considering the ability of the people, they gave nobly for the advancement of the work.
At the Spring City camp-meeting between two hundred and three hundred dollars in pledges was raised for the training-school at Graysville, which is in great need of funds. A tent- and camp-meeting fund was also raised.
It may be proper to speak of one interesting occurrence at the camp-meeting. A young sister had a serious accident, and her knee was greatly injured, so that she was unable to walk without crutches. She felt a great desire to have the brethren pray for her. Prayer was offered according to the directions of the Scriptures, and God’s blessing came in. She was able to throw away her crutches and walk about the camp as nimbly as others, much to her joy and that of her parents, and all felt that God was near, and that his blessing was among us in large measure.
The camp-meeting in Florida has recently closed. It was held from October 5-15, at Plant City, where it was held last year. All felt that it was a meeting of great profit. The attendance in the earlier part of the meeting was not so great as at some of the meetings in the recent past; but before the meeting closed, the attendance was quite good. Elder J. E. Tenney and the writer were present. The local help also took part in the preaching, with acceptance.18
The editor of the paper published in the small city spoke very kindly of our meeting. Our attendance from the city was considerably larger than last year; in fact, the tent was nearly full every night, and Sunday nights was overflowed. There has been much preaching in Plant City during the last year, as the writer gave quite a thorough course of lectures there, before and after the camp-meeting, and quite a number accepted the truth. There have been many discouragements during the present year for lack of a place to hold meetings, and certain untoward circumstances that are liable to occur in the early experience of all young companies, but there has been a good interest to hear ever since. The brethren remained with the tent about a week after the camp-meeting, and organized a church of fourteen in Plant City, and eight or ten more are keeping the Sabbath; while at Knights, four miles away, is a company of good souls who have also taken a stand, where an organization will probably be effected.
Altogether, some thirty or forty have come out through the efforts which began in Plant City a little over a year ago. Two churches will doubtless come into the conference. Twenty-nine persons were baptized at the camp-meeting. Those conducting the morning meetings spoke very highly of the spirituality and success of these occasions.
Elder C. B. Stephenson was re-elected president, the committee this year being C. B. Stephenson, L. H. Crisler, Thos. Rowe, L. T. Crisler, and Irving Keck. The writer’s official connection with the conference closed with this meeting.
It may be proper to speak of the most encouraging growth of the cause in Florida during the last three years. The regular membership of the conference is now four hundred, with quite a number of believers yet to be organized. Four thousand five hundred dollars tithe was paid this year. Quite an amount of canvassing has been done; and union and love prevail.
Brethren C. B. Stephenson and L. T. Crisler have begun preaching, and have both been ordained. Brother D. G. Stephenson has held a license, and has been laboring efficiently in the work. All of these began preaching during the last two or three years.
Six churches were admitted to the conference as a result of labor during the past two years. Some fifty souls embraced the truth the present season, half of whom were colored.
Brother O. N. Whetsel has been connected with the colored work in the State for over two years. There are now three colored churches organized, and another one soon to be organized, and their tithe amounts to between four hundred and five hundred dollars a year, making the colored work nearly self-supporting.
Two camp-meetings were going on at the same time, one for the white people and the other for the colored; these meetings were held on opposite sides of the city. About five, we learn, have embraced the truth under the influence of those meetings.
The servant of the Lord has said that the cloud is lifting in the Southern field. God’s Spirit has most certainly been manifestly present to no small degree in the conference the present year. Two or three of our conferences have not been making the progress we hoped to see, but we trust that improvement will be made. They have passed through discouraging experiences. Oftentimes God permits great trials and perplexities to precede great blessings which he has in store for his people. We trust it may be so with these conferences. We expect to see the day when God’s power will be manifest as much in the South as in any part of the field. He is ready to work, and is giving us his blessing. We hope to see great difficulties removed, and our institutions founded on a proper basis, and the work advanced in all directions. May God hasten this in his own good time.
GEO. I. BUTLER,
President of Southern Union Conf.
The Next Missionary Convention
By W. C. White; H. H. Hall; E. R. Palmer; G. A. Irwin; W. A. Spicer
MORE than a month of the missionary campaign period has now passed. In some churches conditions have been such that genuine progress has been made toward accomplishing the objects of the campaign. Other churches have only begun. Some whole conferences have had to postpone the first convention one or more weeks on account of circumstances peculiar to their field.
For these and other reasons a uniform program for the second convention would not be the most appropriate. It has therefore been decided to place the responsibility of this coming convention, November 18, with the church officers. These officers know the progress thus far made in their home churches, they know the weak points, and will have suggestions as to how to strengthen them. They know on whom they can depend to help organize and carry on the campaign in a permanent way. Suggestions have been prepared and mailed to these officers so far as names and addresses could be secured. Any officer who has not yet received these suggestions should write at once to his State tract society for a copy.
However, officers need not be dependent upon these instructions, for by keeping the objects of the campaign and of this convention in mind, they will have a profitable meeting whether they have these suggestions or not.
Objects of Convention and Campaign
1. The Object of the Convention.—The placing of definite continuous work upon every man and woman and child among us.
2. The Object of the Campaign:—
(a) The placing of the REVIEW AND HERALD in every Sabbath-keeping home in the United States.
(b) The liberal circulation of message-filled tracts by every Seventh-day Adventist, using a pound of the Signs of the Times Leaflets (about twenty tracts of each, or 320 in all) as an entering wedge.
(c) A general campaign in behalf of our missionary periodicals, The Signs of the Times, Watchman, Life and Health, and our foreign papers, to be entered upon about the first of October.
(d) The development of the interest thus created, by the sale of forty-per-cent books, and the relief books, “Christ’s Object Lessons,” “Ministry of Healing,” and “Story of Joseph.”
(e) All these lines of work to be followed by Bible readings, cottage meetings missionary correspondence, etc., etc.
As features of the convention program we would suggest the following:—
Convention Suggestions
1. A brief study of the importance of continuous service.
2. A season of prayer, the objects of which may be—
(a) That the Lord may richly bless the work that has been done, and draw us all nearer together.
(b) That strength to continue may be given to those who have already begun work.
(c) That those who have not yet taken an active part in the campaign may be encouraged to do so.
3. An experience meeting.
4. Assignment of territory.
Now, dear brethren and sisters, look upon this convention as your convention, upon this campaign as your campaign, upon this whole work as God’s work, and yourselves as workers together with him, and success will be assured.
W. C. WHITE,
H. H. HALL,
E. R. PALMER,
G. A. IRWIN,
W. A. SPICER,
Missionary Campaign Committee.
The Missionary Campaign
By Eastern Campaign Committee
What to Do in November
During November our regular canvassers will, of course, be as busy as can be taking orders for later delivery. This is the harvest season for them, and all our people who undertake to circulate books, tracts, or periodicals now will find people more than usually willing to read, because the long evenings are here.
It is supposed that first of all an effort will be made in every church to place the REVIEW in every Sabbath-keeping family. If this has been done in your church, then the definite work this month for every Seventh-day Adventist who is not already engaged in active circulation of our literature is—
1. To purchase and distribute at once at least one pound (eighteen each of sixteen different kinds) of Signs Leaflets. This series contains in leaflet form short, pointed treatises on the various points of truth. One pound costs fifty cents, post-paid.
2. To use as many as possible of the various special numbers of our periodicals:—
(a) The Signs of the Times—four special numbers (three already published) packed full of gospel truth for our time. These should be ordered in sets, but sold or distributed singly in the order published.
Price
1 to 4 sets to one or more addresses ...............20 cents a set
5 or more sets to single addresses .................15 cents a set
25 to 500 sets to one address ......................10 cents a set
500 and upward .......................................9 cents a set
Address Signs of the Times, Mountain View, Cal.
(b) The Watchman—four special issues, now ready. The series covers the ground of the same wonderful truths as the Signs series mentioned above. The19prices are the same as for Signs. Address The Watchman, 1025 Jefferson St., Nashville, Tenn.
(c) Life and Health—November issue now ready. It is full of helpful articles in regard to the health of school children, and will be read with profit by every parent. Children can sell it easily. Single copy, five cents; six or more copies to one address, three cents a copy; twenty-five or more copies to one address, two and one-half cents a copy. Address Life and Health, Washington, D. C.
(d) One special number of the Christlicher Hausfreund (German), Sions Vaktare (Swedish), and Evangeliets Sendebud (Danish-Norwegian) is issued for this campaign. Price of each, five cents; ten or more copies, three cents each. Order from International Publishing Assn., College View, Neb.
3. To further develop the interest created already by the use of some book in the Home Workers’ list, introducing it where periodicals have been sold and throughout his immediate neighborhood.
This work is usually termed “resident canvassing,” and means that those who can, while living at their own homes—in city or country—shall devote some time to introducing one or more of our publications to their friends and neighbors. These persons may not be able to leave home duties to engage continuously in selling the regular subscription books, but can spend a few hours each week in this work.
For this class, the books in the Home Workers’ list are especially adapted. They are gotten up in attractive style, and are of sufficient variety to meet the requirements of all. It is not necessary to consult with a State canvassing agent in order to begin work on these books. The territory for them is at the disposal of our churches. Select your book, arrange with the church librarian where to begin, and go to work.
Select from the following list:—
“DESIRE OF AGES.”—This is the plain edition of that wonderful book. It has no illustrations, but contains all the subjects of the large book. Cloth, $1.50. Library, $2.50. Russia limp, $2.
“THOUGHTS ON DANIEL” AND “THOUGHTS ON REVELATION.”—Each book bound separately in paper. What better work can be done than to place these books in the hands of the people, leading them to a study of these important prophecies? Pamphlet style only. Daniel, 25 cents. Revelation, 25 cents.
“GREAT NATIONS OF TO-DAY.”—A study of the history of nations, and conclusive evidence that some of the nations of our time, and especially the United States, are subjects of Bible prophecy. Paper, 25 cents.
“HIS GLORIOUS APPEARING.”—An exposition of the wonderful prophecy of the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew. Thousands have read it, and thousands more will be glad of a privilege to do so. Board, 25 cents. Cloth, 40 cents.
“STEPS TO CHRIST.”—A book that has helped and encouraged many a downcast soul. Your neighbor ought to have its message of help and cheer. Paper, 25 cents. Cloth, 50 cents.
“THOUGHTS FROM THE MOUNT OF BLESSING.”—Another devotional book of rare merit and great helpfulness. A good companion volume to “Steps to Christ.” Cloth, 60 cents.
“EDUCATION.”—A complete and thorough treatise on education, showing that a true, broad education can be secured only from the standpoint of the Christian. Cloth, $1.25.
“HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY.”—A series of forty Bible readings covering the principal points of faith and adapted to personal study. Paper, 25 cents. Cloth, 50 cents.
“VEGETARIAN COOK BOOK.”—The housewife needs some new recipes—different from any she has had. These will be found in this new cook-book. It will be a revelation to some women—and to their families as well—to find what appetizing, nourishing dishes can be prepared without meats and grease. Cloth, 75 cents.
Books for Youth and Children
“OUR LITTLE FOLKS’ BIBLE NATURE.”—A book of simple, graded lessons on Bible nature. It begins with the creation of light, and follows the Scriptural order of events in creation. Excellent for home or church-school use. Beautifully illustrated in colors. Board, 25 cents. Cloth, 40 cents.
“THINGS FORETOLD.”—A book of lessons in prophecy for children. The various symbols of the prophetic books are made interesting and clear, and practical lessons are drawn from the Bible stories. Board, 50 cents.
“UNCLE BEN’S COBBLESTONES.”—Talks with boys and girls on familiar articles of every-day use, such as air, water, sunshine, glass, coal, salt, paper, etc. Uncle Ben’s stories are told in a most pleasing way, and contain much useful information. Board, 75 cents.
“HOW A LITTLE GIRL WENT TO AFRICA.”—This volume contains, in simple language as a child would tell it, the story of a trip to Africa and return, and a description of the many strange, wonderful, and interesting things to be seen on such a trip. Fully illustrated. Full red cloth, $1.
These books are all subject to a discount of forty per cent to actual workers when ordered through the librarian of the church. No discount is allowed to individuals for books for their own use.
Who Else Will ‘Enlist’?
Hundreds of our people who thought they could not do this kind of work have found to their pleasure and surprise that they can, and they have been wonderfully blessed in the doing. The same blessing awaits hundreds of others who are not engaged in this important kind of missionary work. Do not wait. Begin now while the flame of missionary zeal burns brightly in your soul, and by active effort for others keep this sacred flame aglow. Who will enlist now?
Talk it over with your church elder and librarian, and begin at once. Any of the supplies mentioned in this article may be ordered through your conference tract society, or from our publishing house nearest you.
4. To follow this work by Bible readings, cottage meetings, missionary correspondence, etc. Our ideal should be “something for every one to do, and every one doing something.”
EASTERN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.
Medical Missionary Convention
By W. A. George, M. D.; J. E. Froom, M. D.
The indications for a profitable meeting in College View, Neb., are very good. The responses from the various institutions and workers throughout the field manifest a most cheering interest in advancing this branch of the Lord’s work.
The topics assigned by the program committee are heartily commended, and are as follows:—
Topics
Conservative attitude in surgery.
Efficiency and simplicity in the technique of surgical nursing.
Utilizing natural and outdoor means of exercise and physical development, instead of artificial and indoor means.
Practical laboratory work in small sanitariums.
Rational treatment of nervous and mental diseases.
How shall we reach the masses with our health principles?
Text-books for nurses’ training-schools.
Tuberculosis — cause, prevention, and cure.
Effectual co-operation of adjacent sanitariums and schools in the education of nurses.
Modern diagnostic methods.
Duty to existing health enterprises versus entering unoccupied fields.
Medical missionaries and professional ethics.
Private health institutions and conference health enterprises — our attitude20toward them — their relation to each other.
Cafe work.
Dress.
Educating physicians in worldly schools.
How to secure missionary activity on the part of nurses graduating from our training-schools.
In a few instances those writing on the above topics have restricted the scope of them so as to limit their papers to a more specific field.
During the closing days of the convention, subjects of special interest to nurses and nurses’ training-schools will be grouped together for the accommodation of nurses who can attend during only part of the session.
The sanitarium and the church at College View are planning for the comfort and entertainment of all visiting health workers. It is the earnest desire of all concerned that the spirit of the Great Medical Missionary may pervade our councils, that the influence of this gathering may increase the spirit of Christian service, professional efficiency, and strengthen that relation to the other departments of the third angel’s message which the Lord has marked out.
The convention opens at 10 A. M., Nov. 21, 1905, and is expected to close the following Sunday.
Upon arrival in College View let all visitors not previously arranged for, report at the sanitarium.
W. A. George, M. D.,
Chairman Gen. Conf. Med. Council;
J. E. Froom, M. D.,
Secretary.
For Which Book Shall I Canvass?
By E. J. HARVEY
THERE are doubtless many readers of the REVIEW who have strong convictions from the Holy Spirit concerning canvassing. How can it be otherwise? That same Holy Spirit, the spirit of the living God, the spirit of truth, has said, “Where there is one canvasser in the field, there should be one hundred.”
The enemy of all righteousness is not pleased to see books containing precious present truth sold from house to house, especially those which most clearly unmask his strong delusions and masterful deceptions.
One may say that a certain book is a good seller, and therefore that is surely the book for which to canvass among all classes of people. There may be parts of it that are not strictly religious, but rather historical. Some parts may be particularly political, while other chapters or paragraphs may appeal to the wealthy, or, perhaps, others to the poor. These, it is confidently affirmed, may be so presented that the book may be sold readily to all classes of people.
Is this the way God has taught us to choose? My dear brethren and sisters, Jesus is coming again soon. He is even at the door. When he comes in all his glory with all the holy angels, then he shall reward every man according as his work shall be. Shall we, then, seek for reward in this present evil world? Shall we seek for the book that is easiest to sell? or shall we ask the Lord to lead us in choosing? Dear brother or sister, while that tender Spirit pleads with you to go and work to-day in the vineyard, read “Manual for Canvassers,” and obey joyfully. “Great Controversy” is the writer’s choice. E. J. HARVEY.
San Diego, Cal.
Open Them Up
By J. E. White
THERE are now in the homes of our people more than twenty-five thousand Self-Denial Boxes that have been sent out by the Southern Missionary Society. The larger number of these have been sent in response to applications for them. From the few responses in the way of remittances, we believe that many are holding their contributions until they shall amount to a sum that will be satisfactory to them to send. We would have no objection to this plan were it not for the need of immediate funds for the carrying forward of the work of the different departments of the society.
We are often confronted with the questions, How shall we be able to make our weekly settlements with the workers in the field? Considering the small wages these people receive, it will be readily seen that they must receive their wages each week, or they will suffer inconveniences, and their work be made almost impossible; hence our society has formed the rule of settling with its laborers each week. This inspires confidence among the workers, and they are able to give their attention fully to the work. So we ask all to open up the Self-Denial Boxes in their homes, and see that their contents are immediately sent forward so that our society can have the proceeds with which to carry forward its work.
Will the church elders kindly call the attention of the members of the churches to this request regarding the Self-Denial Boxes, and ask all to send in their remittances immediately.
Remittances may be sent directly to the Southern Missionary Society, Edgefield, Tenn., or handed to the church officers, and sent through the regular channels; but in every instance and by every officer connected with it, the statement must be made that the remittance is from the Self-Denial Boxes for the Southern Missionary Society. Unless this statement is made plainly, there will certainly be confusion and misunderstanding in the appropriation of the funds.
The Southern Missionary Society is planning a number of advance moves for this season. It will require a larger income than ever before; but we do not hesitate to say that if our people who have applied for these boxes, and have received them, put in an average of only two cents a week in each of these boxes, the income so received would enable the society to conduct its present work, and to open twenty new schools.
We hope a sentiment favoring the proper use of these boxes will be created among our people so that this work may go forward as never before. Certainly the closing conditions of this field demand prompt action and no further delay. The sum necessary to be deposited in each box is so small that it will never be felt by the individual, and will draw nothing from any other branch of the work, and still it will give ample support for a large part of the greatly needed mission schools.
J. E. WHITE.
The Knowlton Sanitarium
By W. H. Thurston
The graduating exercises of the first class of missionary nurses at the Knowlton, Quebec, Sanitarium was held October 2 in the sanitarium chapel, and it was a very pleasant occasion. Appropriate hymns were sung, remarks were made by Elders H. E. Rickard, and S. A. Farnsworth, and Dr. W. H. White, and the address was given by the writer. This class had a good experience in being associated with the work there from the beginning and in helping to make the enterprise a success. They had some practical work which those following them will not have; such as turning the taps and giving hot fomentations to the water pipes during the nights of the extreme cold weather, after doing a full day's work. These young people have gone out into the field to take up work with the best wishes of the sanitarium board, and others. May the Lord bless their faithful efforts in ministering to both soul and body.
The work at the sanitarium is going on well, the patronage is gradually increasing, and the results are very satisfactory. Some money has been raised among the churches in the Central Union Conference to put in some needed appliances, and at a meeting of the sanitarium board held October 3, plans were laid to install a steam-heating plant. This became absolutely necessary as the old wood furnace gave out, and it was really inadequate for properly heating the building when it was in working order. We are hopeful of raising the larger portion of the cost of this heating plant through the sale of “Ministry of Healing.” One brother ordered fifty copies of this new book, and many other orders are coming in from different sections. While others are helping us in establishing the medical and educational work, we are trying to help ourselves by selling the books dedicated to these enterprises. Let all have a part in this work, and share the blessings.
It is encouraging to the people of Canada to know that workers can now be trained at home, and go out into the field to labor for the salvation of souls. We are pleased to learn that some of our trained missionary nurses are returning from the Melrose Sanitarium to take up work in their home field. We are compelled to start the work here on a small scale and with very meager facilities, but it develops gradually, and we are expecting greater results year by year. We are trying to adhere to the counsel given through the spirit of prophecy; and we believe the closer this instruction is followed, the greater will be the results of our efforts, and more numerous the blessings.
We trust that during the fall campaign while subscriptions are being taken for our various periodicals, many orders may be taken for “Christ's Object Lessons” and “Ministry of Healing,” thus helping the medical and the educational work, which are so important, and specially in need of financial assistance just now.
W. H. THURSTON.
Religious Liberty Notes
By K. C. RUSSELL
W. F. CRAFTS spoke in Rochester, N. Y., recently, opposing Sunday concerts because they were a competitor to church attendance.
Nearly a quarter of a million of the four new religious liberty leaflets have been published during the last year, or a total of 2,100,000 pages.
The Norwich Bulletin, of Norwich, Conn., relates some unpleasant experiences of innocent citizens as the result of the enforcement of the Sunday-closing order.
Sunday observance occupied general attention at the recent annual session of the Presbyterian Synod of Minnesota at Fergus Falls, Minn., and a number of resolutions were adopted on this subject.
Brother C. P. Whitford has recently been chosen religious liberty secretary of the Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Our prayer is that the Lord may greatly bless Brother Whitford with strength and health as he takes up this important work.
Word has just been received from Australia that Elder W. A. Hennig has recently been placed in charge of the religious liberty work in the Australasian Union Conference. Let other union and local conferences do likewise in appointing a religious liberty secretary.
October 20 the police court of Rochester, N. Y., dropped the cases of nine grocerymen who were accused of violating the Sunday law, because of the non-appearance of the prosecutor. The chief of police, however, has issued an order directing the police captains in every precinct to see that all grocery stores are closed on Sundays hereafter.
It is reported that the Masonic lodges of Illinois have decided “to honor the Sabbath day” by having “no more public rites on the Lord’s day.” Action to this effect was taken at a convention of the grand lodge of Medina Temple in Chicago on October 11, and was pursuant21to a recommendation in the report of retiring Grand Master William B. Wright, who said with reference to “Masonic assistance in the laying of corner-stones of churches and other buildings on Sunday,” that “he had come to consider even these ceremonies work, and for that reason they should be held on week-days.”
The following protest against “Sunday desecration” and in behalf of the enforcement of “Sabbath laws” was recently published in Lisbon, S. D., newspapers, over the signatures of five local clergymen: “We, the undersigned pastors of our respective churches in Lisbon, do most strenuously protest against the wilful and flagrant violations of the sanctity of the Christian sabbath. We deplore the demoralizing tendency to trample under foot the Christian and civic institution as seen in stores being open, men working on the streets and in the public highways and in the fields, hunting, fishing, baseball games, and such like Sunday desecration. Moreover, we urge all citizens not only to respect the observance of sabbath laws but also to use their influence to have these laws enforced.”
A religious liberty secretary writes in one of the conference papers as follows concerning the local Religious Liberty Department of his conference: “We are aiming to rapidly perfect the organization of this department. We need a corresponding secretary in every church and separate Sabbath-school. Will not the churches and elders kindly see to it that a suitable person is selected for secretary to co-operate with us, and forward name and address to the undersigned, that the complete list may be made up for publication?” Why should we not have this department as thoroughly organized as any other, so that a quick and effective work can be done when some issue is sprung upon us that demands decisive action on the part of God’s people? K. C. RUSSELL.