p. 24 | Review and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 25. (5/20/1915)

A Word From Russia

THE superintendent of our work in the Russian mission field writes, under date of March 29, as follows: “Yesterday I had the first word from our two missionaries who were banished from Odessa to Siberia. They were sent four hundred verst north of Tomsk, near the ‘White Lea.’ They were over three months on the road, and had been in eight prisons during that time. Part of the time they were troubled with sickness. One of them is so weak at present that the strong wind which blows up north is too much for him and throws him to the ground.”

“The village in which they now live is very large, and composed mostly of such exiled people. How they will be able to stand the hard work they do not know. But they thank God that the journey is over, and they are grateful to know that it is only for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ that they are called to suffer. They ask us to remember them at the throne of grace.

“We are surely in great danger, and our hearts would fail us did we not trust in a mighty God. Those who simply look on from the outside cannot realize the situation in which we are placed. But I take great comfort in the message of God to Moses when he was standing before the waters of the Red Sea: ‘Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.’ This is true of every fresh difficulty, be it great or small.”

Counseling About Southern Work

Elder S. E. Wight, president of the Southern Union Conference, and Drs. E. A. Sutherland and P. T. Magan, of the Madison school, were in Washington last week for several days, counseling with the North American Division Conference Committee regarding the work in the South.

Farewell to Island Mission Recruits

On March 24 a farewell service was held at Wahroonga, Australia, the eve before the departure of Brother and Sister D. Nicholson for the Solomon Islands, also Brother and Sister N. Wiles to the New Hebrides Mission, at Atchin. These young people go as recruits to the newly opened missions in these island groups.

Preparing for Work in Porto Rico

IT was announced in a recent issue that Brother D. D. Fitch and wife had already left this country for Porto Rico. A letter from Brother Fitch, under date of May 1, states that it was deemed advisable by the brethren for them to attend the bookmen's convention in Mountain View. Their freight has already gone forward, and they are arranging their affairs preparatory to leaving for their field as soon as possible.

Bourdeau Called to South Lancaster Academy

By Editor

WE are glad to see strengthened the bonds of Christian fellowship and co-operation which have existed so long and so happily between our publishing houses and schools. Our publishing houses owe much to the many earnest young men and women who have entered the field in the interests of our publications. Our school faculties have nobly inspired and seconded the efforts of their students. The strengthening of the already cordial relations existing between the Review and Herald and South Lancaster Academy will be served in the call recently extended to Brother A. J. S. Bourdeau to stand at the head of the English department of that school. Graduating from the Battle Creek College in 1896, with the degree of bachelor of arts, receiving later his master's degree for research work in history, Brother Bourdeau is well fitted by educational qualification for that position, as he is also by experience in our general work. As manager of the magazine department of the Review and Herald for the last five years, he has labored hard and zealously for the advancement of this message, and the Lord has blessed his efforts. We believe that there is a broad field before him in our educational work. His many friends in Washington and throughout the field will wish him abundant success in his responsible position in connection with the academy, a school which has rendered valuable service in the training of workers in this cause, and which we believe, with the blessing of God, has a rich experience before it. Brother Bourdeau has already severed his connection with the Review and Herald, and will remove to South Lancaster sometime during the summer, ready for the next school year.

Four Baptized at Kobe

A RECENT letter from Elder B. P. Hoffman, of Kobe, Japan, says of the work there: “Today I had the privilege of burying four persons in the waters of Kobe harbor in baptism. This makes seven who have been baptized since I began work in this station. Although we regret not being able to report larger numbers, yet we are glad that the company of witnesses who must give the message to these millions is being increased. We are keeping quite well, and have courage in God.”

A Great Opportunity

By Editor

WE are certainly facing what Dr. Frederick Lynch has been pleased to call "an acute crisis" in the controversy with Rome. Romanism was never more aggressive, never more determined, than now. The evidence of this appears on every hand. The dominating influence of Rome in the large cities, the agitation for a division of the public school funds, the long-continued campaign for legislation to establish a censorship of the press, the growth of the great Roman Catholic organizations under the absolute control of the hierarchy, the announced purpose to make America Catholic, followed by a large increase in the number of missions to non-Catholics,—these are some of the ways by which Rome is seeking to advance her interest in the United States.

There is a great lack of information among Protestants as to the teaching and the present activities of the Roman Catholic Church. Very few recognize the fulfillment of prophecy in current events. This leads to a feeling of indifference toward the whole situation. The Protestant Magazine is designed to be a channel for conveying reliable information concerning these things. It avoids the publication of mere rumors, does not exploit the misdeeds of individual Roman Catholics, but gives the most significant facts. Many readers appreciate this editorial policy.

Placing this magazine in the hands of clergymen and others who are molders of public opinion gives it a wide influence. Will not those who believe in its work make a very definite effort to enlarge its circle of readers? Try the plan of ordering twenty copies (at a cost of $1), hand them out to ministers and other professional men as samples, and later invite their subscriptions. Some may be inclined to send the magazine for six months or a year to a few of the leading men in their neighborhood. Five copies will be sent six months for $1.50, or a full year for $3. Why not try this manner of doing missionary work? Correspondence concerning plans for placing the magazine in the hands of leading men is invited.