Having returned from our foreign field for a year's furlough, a few words from us may be acceptable to the readers of the REVIEW. By the time this goes to press Mrs. Prener will have undergone a double surgical operation at the Springfield Hospital, Springfield, Mass. We ask the prayers of God's people that she may recover her health again and be able to stand at my side as the valuable helpmeet that she is.
We were in South America three years, the first six months in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during what the weather department called the hottest summer in ten years. Our stay there resulted very unfavorably for Mrs. Prener. The heat and the diet to which she was unaccustomed brought on a chronic trouble which weakened her rapidly. We were advised to go to a higher altitude, to the capital of Sao Paulo, Brazil, where we spent a year. Most of my time was taken up in studying the Portuguese, selling our books and monthly paper, and also holding a series of meetings in Rio Claro.
It was evident that something would have to be done for Mrs. Prener, who was growing worse and constantly suffering. The opportunity was given to return to the United States, but we preferred to stick to South America and hoped that she would receive help at our sanitarium in Argentina. We were allowed to go to the South American Union Conference and camp-meeting as delegates.
For the first few weeks after the meetings I took up work among the German churches, and nine weeks after being in the country I held a long series of Spanish meetings in Concordia where four persons were baptized. The conference president, Elder C. E. Knight, and I took a trip together, going as far south as the Pampas country, where our little Villa Alba church is located. This company of twenty-five is farther south than any point in the African or the Australasian continent. In order that they might get the benefit of our sermons several languages had to be used in the same meeting, English, German, Russian, and Spanish in their order. We then traveled over more than two hundred fifty miles of the open country in a Russian wagon, visiting people interested in the truth. On that trip two believers were baptized.
The summer following I canvassed in Buenos Aires with success for our large Spanish books. During the last school year my work was in connection with the River Plate Academy, being the teaching of Bible, history, and language.
We arrived in the United States Oct. 5, 1911, after a trip of thirty days from Diamante, spending twenty-seven days on the ocean.
The Lord has blessed Mrs. Prener with sufficient strength so that she may undergo these operations, and her earnest desire is to go once more to the Spanish-speaking people to give them the gospel of Christ.
H. S. PRENER.
Work Among the Colored People of the District of Columbia
By W. H. GREEN
As viewed from Fifth church, some real and lasting advances have been gained toward the final triumph of the message, which we hope will soon be finished.
In spite of the errors that have been and are still being proclaimed by the enemies of our message, there are those who are taking a firm stand upon the eternal truths on which this message is founded. We hope and pray that they17may live out these truths and work to the end.
Tent meetings were held last summer in a locality where there had never before been a tent pitched by our people, and they were well attended throughout. It was a season of seed-sowing, from which we hope for a harvest of precious souls. Some have taken their stand for the truth, and united with the cause.
While it may be truthfully said that every field is important when it concerns the third angel's message, yet it seems that this is the most needy center for several reasons: It is the location of our general headquarters; it is the seat of a great government, which brings people here from every part of the nation and from many lands, who are in need of this final message; and, too, Satan is at work here with much subtleness, trying to corrupt the teaching of this message, in order that he may destroy the faith of those who profess the truth, and turn away those who are coming to the light of the gospel. But there is nothing to fear from the enemy if we will stand stiffly for all the truth, and “fight the good fight of faith;” for “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”
The membership of the church is about the same as last year (fifty). Six have united with the church; but several have been dropped from the roll by letter and otherwise. Most of the members have been active in rallying to the church and cause.
The financial showing for the year is as follows: Tithes, $664.72; church expenses, and the several offerings, $395.96.
Pray for us, that in all of our ways we may acknowledge God, that he may direct our paths through the perilous journey of life. W. H. GREEN.
Hawaiï
By C. D. M. WILLIAMS
WE have a little good news from this field. The Harvest Ingathering began by sending in an order for about 125 papers; but before the order was received, 300 copies had been sent to us. I placed the matter before the church, asking them if we should send back part of the papers, or try to use them all. I told them it seemed to me that the Lord wanted us to use the papers; and that, although we had never been able to raise more than about $30, we were living in a time when God was working; that we should do our part; and that so far as I was concerned I would take my share and go forward trusting the Lord. This seemed to be the mind of nearly all, and the Lord has blessed us beyond our expectations, even more than any of us dared to think. Some thought that we ought to try to raise $50, and one brother, with perhaps more faith than the others, timidly said we could raise $100. We praise God that the hundred mark is passed, and we have some more to come in. It seems to me that it may be possible that the Lord will give us the original $30 and the $100 extra.
We take up the evangelical work with renewed energy, and pray that the Lord will give us even greater success in winning souls for the kingdom. We now have a message-filled tract for the Hawaiians, which we hope to circulate as fast as possible.
C. D. M. WILLIAMS.
Argentina
By C. E. Knight
WE see much to encourage us. Before I left Buenos Aires, about Sept. 7, 1911, to attend our conference, a number of persons had requested baptism, but for several reasons it was thought best to defer it until we should return from our conference. I was well pleased when thirteen adult persons presented themselves last Sabbath for baptism, which was administered to all. This is the largest number I have seen baptized on one occasion in this country, although earlier in the year I believe there were fourteen in our school who received this rite at one time. This makes nineteen in Buenos Aires alone who have taken this step during 1911, and about six others are almost ready to go forward in this solemn ordinance.
In spite of the drought, I believe we can see more progress in the work during last year than any one before. The record of baptisms seems to indicate it. During the past five or six weeks, thirty-two have been baptized in this conference, a noticeable feature being that there are more at each occasion than during previous years. Our church in Buenos Aires now numbers ninety-three, having more than trebled in membership in two and one-half years.
There is another feature that is very encouraging to me. Our young people who are growing up in the truth are being converted, and many are dedicating their strength to the canvassing work, thus gaining a valuable experience for future usefulness in the cause. I am more hopeful now than I was a year or two ago of being able to secure help for the evangelical work from them, as a number are in the field each summer.
I am glad to hear of the good reports of tent efforts in the home land and of the results achieved in bringing people into the truth. Plainer and plainer is the evidence that we are entering the time of the latter rain, and soon wonders will be accomplished, "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord." C. E. KNIGHT.
The Work in Watauga County, North Carolina
By R. T. Nash
OLDEST SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH BUILDING IN NORTH CAROLINA, AND GROUP OF WORSHIPERS, AT VALLE CRUCES
On the night of Nov. 1, 1911, I began meetings in this historic portion of the “Old North State.” Elder C. O. Taylor first gave the third angel’s message here in 1879. Many of our prominent ministers labored here years ago, and built up several churches; but now like a farm long neglected, decay is seen on every side. Where formerly there were two prosperous churches, I found only one, and that in a weak condition.
The second Sabbath in November, nine persons followed their Lord in baptism, and two weeks later nine more took this important step. The good work has gone on until at this writing, Dec. 22, 1911, twenty-eight persons have been baptized and thirty-one have united with the Bethel church, usually known as Valle Cruces. The church has been reorganized; and many who had almost given up the truth, have taken a firm stand for the right, until the membership has increased from seventeen to fifty-five. Others are obeying the truth who have not united with the church.
The accompanying photograph shows the oldest Seventh-day Adventist church building in North Carolina. This old building is now crowded to seat the people who attend our meetings. I look for many laborers to be raised up in this field to help carry the message. Pray for our work in these mountains.
R. T. NASH.
One Dollar a Day for Missions
By A. J. HETHERINGTON
Aim of the New Orleans Sabbath-School for 1912
THE first Sabbath of this year the New Orleans Sabbath-school devoted a portion of the time to a review of God's blessings during the past year, and to a consideration of the needs of the mission fields. It was a time of encouragement and uplifting to all.
A few years ago when the school paid its local expenses out of the weekly contributions, there never was a very large offering left for the mission treasury; but from the time it was voted to give all the donations to missions, and to pay local expenses from other sources, the offerings have gradually increased. With this increase there has been a marked difference in the general welfare and prosperity of the school.
The record for 1911 contained some items worthy of mention. At the beginning of each quarter the aim of the school was to raise a definite amount for missions. Various devices were employed to record the amount of donations from week to week, and it was interesting to note that the last Sabbath of each quarter invariably placed the total amount just beyond the mark. Encouraged by the attainment of each past quarter, the mark was set a little higher for the succeeding quarter. Thus the interest grew.
During the first quarter the donations were over $51. Each succeeding quarter the amount was larger, until it reached $76.54. This was an increase of $25 during the last quarter over that of the first. All were thankful for the tangible evidence of a growing interest in missions, and considered that the definite aim for attainment had been a helpful factor.
But what of the year 1912? The work for this time is onward and the needs of the fields are increasing. It was the unanimous opinion of the school that it could not afford to do less than it was already doing. The school had raised $260 for missions during 1911; what mark should it set for 1912? Could it raise18$100 more for missions this year than had been raised last? This matter received due consideration, and it was thought that it would be a privilege to thus set the mark, or, better still, to make it one dollar a day; and this was heartily voted.
The school has an average attendance of sixty, and a spirit of willing cooperation prevails. A. J. HETHERINGTON.
Alaska
By FRED W. TEMPLE
FROM our winter quarters, with the ground covered with soft white snow, and the night claiming over two thirds of every twenty-four hours, we send New-year's greetings to the REVIEW family. May this new year be one of continual advancement and victory in the cause of the message, is our prayer.
CRUISER “SEARCHLIGHT” USED IN THE ALASKA MISSION WORK
The summons to advance is heard along all lines. There is a battle to fight. There are victories to gain. There is a home in a city of pure gold waiting for us if we are but faithful to the end.
We have nothing discouraging to report from this field. The Lord has blessed us in many wonderful ways. Though we have had to face hardships, cold, and exposures, the knowledge that we have a part in helping to spread this last, warning message to the ends of the earth gives us courage.
We are thankful we have a strong little cruiser of our own, with which we can work among Alaska's islands and along her shore-line to much better advantage than before. She is a seaworthy boat, and provides comfortable quarters for us as we go from port to port. A good supply of books and papers can be carried, as well as provisions, water, and fuel for long cruises. The rig was built to order, and with the exception of a small indebtedness still standing against it, has been paid for out of our own private earnings while here in the field. We have tried to make this boat a little floating mission as far as its size would permit. We have a medicine-cabinet and first-aid kit which we shall install in the spring.
We had planned to add a stereopticon to our outfit, with which we could better illustrate Bible truths in the camps and at mines; but our means will not allow us to get the equipment we want at present. We believe something of this nature would be of great value in helping to attract men who would never leave their rooms to attend a sermon. At these camps we can use a good number of our magazines and papers. Often men come aboard and ask for papers. At Union Bay this last summer a man came to the boat in his skiff, and took every paper we had to give away. We have little call for the REVIEW in this pioneer work; but we can use any quantity of clean, fresh magazines, like the Watchman, Signs of the Times, Bible Training School, Instructor, Life and Health, and Little Friend. Any one having these papers and caring to have a part in this work with us, will do us a favor by mailing them to my address as appears below.
As soon as the weather is settled in the spring, we shall be on the move again, and can not be reached regularly by the mails; so we would like to have enough papers in by May 1 to last until we reach Nome late in the fall. We must be ready to leave Icy Strait about the middle of May. Then working rapidly westward, we should make Unimak Pass about July 20, just as the ice-fields are leaving the Bering Sea. This will give us about two months to work along Bristol Bay and Kuskokwim Bay, and will bring us to Nome in time for winter. This is a long, hard trip; but the shore-line is broken, and anchorage can be found quickly in case of bad weather.
The accompanying photograph of the “Searchlight” was taken at Ketchikan just before leaving for Thorn Arm. The pencil sketch shows her rounding Cape Fox, plastered with snow and ice from a trip up Portland Canal. This was the middle of November, and a heavy head wind beat against us most of the way. The salt spray froze the anchors and lines to the deck, and plastered the windows shut. On this trip we took provisions to two men caught out on short rations, and helped several others.
The crew of the “Searchlight” consists of Mrs. Temple and myself. On our long trip to Nome this coming summer, we plan to have a young man sail with us to help with the boat, and to assist in holding meetings, etc.
We can but humbly sow the seed. In due time the Master will water the ground and bring forth the harvest.
FRED W. TEMPLE.
Ketchikan.
Work for the Colored People in Newbern, N. C.
By SYDNEY SCOTT
I WENT to North Carolina by recommendation of the Southeastern Union Conference in March, 1911. Our North Carolina brethren asked that Newbern have the privilege of the first tent effort of the season. We began a series of tent meetings June 4, and continued up to the first of October. We were provided with a small field tent, thirty by fifty feet, seating about 375 persons. This canvas tabernacle soon proved inadequate to accommodate the attendance. The North Carolina Conference purchased a new khaki duck tent large enough to provide seating capacity for about a thousand persons. This brown cloth pavilion is the finest ever purchased for the colored work in the South to my knowledge.
The effort has proved very fruitful in many respects. Our congregation ranged from 450 to 700 every night during the week, and on Sunday night the number went to a thousand or more. The average attendance during the entire effort was 439; on Sunday nights the average was 813, the largest congregation numbering 1,200. The donations amounted to $250. The average nightly donation was $3.50; the smallest, $1.15; the largest, $11.11. All running expenses were covered, and quite a neat sum was turned into the mission treasury of the conference.
The number accepting the truth, and walking in it, is 80; of this number 75 have united with the church. Our church-membership before the effort was 8; now it is 83. The Sabbath-school membership was 12; now it is 105. November 6, 34 were baptized in the bay, which is in the prominent section of the city. Two thousand persons witnessed the rite, among whom were many wealthy society people.
While Brother Page Shepard, my assistant, has returned to Newbern to follow up the work while I am in Ellensburg, Wash., to recuperate my strength. I solicit the prayers of all that the truth may prosper in Newbern. SYDNEY SCOTT.
Field Notes
SEVENTEEN new Sabbath-keepers are reported at Ashford, Ala., as a result of the labors of Elder A. F. Prieger and his wife, and Elder E. G. Hayes.
TWENTY persons were baptized in the Seventh-day Adventist church at Portland, Maine, on Sabbath, Dec. 16, 1912. Of these 17 were from Cliff Island, one from Bath, and two from Portland.
ELDER ADOLPH JOHNSON, who is laboring in western Oregon, has during the last three months baptized five persons at Oregon City, four at Portland, and three at Monitor. Three members have been added to the church at Milton.
Literature for the Mohammedan People
By N. Z. T.
IN reply to a letter of inquiry concerning literature for the Mohammedans, Brother C. Voigt, manager of the publishing work in Constantinople, writes as follows:—
“Formerly, our brethren here printed only in Armenian, Greek, Armeno-Turkish, and Greco-Turkish. All these languages are for Christians only. We also had some Arabic tracts dealing with the Sabbath question and the coming of the Lord. About two years ago, we began to print in real Turkish; that is, in the Turkish language with Arabic characters, for the Turkish people who are Moslems. We printed the following four tracts, written by Brother Baharian:—
‘Who Is Jesus?’ 16 pages; ‘Secrets of the Future’ (Daniel 2), 24 pages; ‘The Hours of God’s Righteous Judgment’ (Daniel 7), 24 pages; ‘Secret of Health,’ 32 pages, a tract on health topics by P. A. DeForest. We sell these tracts at the rate of eight pages for one cent.
“From the very beginning, we decided not to distribute literature gratis. Our faithful brethren went out and sold these tracts. The returns were not high, but some had excellent success, considering the conditions here in Turkey. The Lord helped the brethren to sell among all nationalities. The most difficult work was among the Moslems. They rule this country, and it is therefore quite dangerous to oppose their way of living. One of their rules is that the Turk is master in his house, which means that none else dare enter. But our brethren knocked at the doors, and presented their tracts. This had never been done before; but up to the present about 11,000 copies of these four tracts have been sold, amounting to about $300.
“Recently we began printing tracts in Arabic. There is a strong Arabic-speaking population in Syria, Palestine, and Egypt. We made up these tracts in such a way that not only Christians, but Moslems as well, would buy them. We printed tracts on Daniel 2 and 7, and on the nature of man, the coming of Christ, and the Sabbath question. We plan to print soon one tract on tobacco, also the Turkish tracts ‘Secret of Health’ and ‘Who Is Jesus?’ A book on Matthew 24 will follow.
“You see from this that we do not print special tracts for Moslems. We take as subjects the well-known points on prophetic and other subjects, adapt them in some way to the Oriental mind, make up the tracts outside and inside in a style familiar to the people, and the brethren go out and sell them. The tract, ‘The Secret of Health,’ opens the doors for others. The canvassers go at first with this tract only. We would not wish to present the others at first, owing to the fanatical character of the Mohammedans. But when the people have taken the health tract, they are often ready to buy the others.”
We rejoice with our brethren in Turkey that our literature is gaining an entrance there.
N. Z. T.
The Summary
By N. Z. T.
We are glad to be able to present such a good showing for our magazine work for 1911. By comparing the grand total with that of the two previous years, the reader will notice that it shows a gain over 1910 of 163,176 copies, and over 1909 of 414,853 copies. This report shows that faithful work has been done by those who are engaged in selling our ten-cent magazines from house to house. With the recommendations passed at the last General Conference Council for the better organization of the magazine work, we believe we shall see a greater increase during the year upon which we have just entered.
N. Z. T.
Summary of Magazine Sales for December, 1911
Atlantic Union Conference
TOTALS 1910
TOTALS 1911
VALUE 1911
Maine
705
1150
$115.00
Massachusetts
2511
1032
103.20
N. New England
135
393
39.30
S. New England
2066
1034
103.40
Gr. New York
3243
2920
292.00
New York
1106
1840
184.00
W. New York
1290
1400
140.00
Totals
11056
9769
976.90
Canadian Union Conference
TOTALS 1910
TOTALS 1911
VALUE 1911
Maritime
150
...
...
Ontario
1890
1030
103.00
Quebec
145
300
30.00
Newfoundland
140
...
...
Totals
2325
1330
133.00
Western Canadian Union Conference
TOTALS 1910
TOTALS 1911
VALUE 1911
Alberta
615
106
10.60
British Columbia
925
444
44.40
Manitoba
165
900
90.00
Saskatchewan
308
...
...
Totals
2013
1450
145.00
Central Union Conference
TOTALS 1910
TOTALS 1911
VALUE 1911
Colorado
614
805
80.50
W. Colorado
81
90
9.00
E. Kansas
1118
813
81.30
W. Kansas
1035
389
38.90
N. Missouri
2380
1659
165.90
S. Missouri
714
190
19.00
St. Louis Mis.
300
10
1.00
Nebraska
1859
1630
163.00
Wyoming
120
62
6.20
Totals
8221
5648
564.80
Columbia Union Conference
TOTALS 1910
TOTALS 1911
VALUE 1911
Chesapeake
3800
878
87.80
District of Col.
1185
210
21.00
New Jersey
1407
886
88.60
E. Pennsylvania
388
790
79.00
W. Pennsylvania
1115
245
24.50
Ohio
1770
903
90.30
Virginia
3335
785
78.50
West Virginia
155
...
...
Totals
13155
4697
469.70
Lake Union Conference
TOTALS 1910
TOTALS 1911
VALUE 1911
Indiana
219
940
94.00
East Michigan
950
2175
217.50
West Michigan
673
1155
115.50
North Michigan
406
155
15.50
N. Illinois
3576
3044
304.40
TOTALS 1910
TOTALS 1911
VALUE 1911
S. Illinois
335
555
$55.50
Wisconsin
577
2296
229.60
Totals
6736
10320
1032.00
Northern Union Conference
TOTALS 1910
TOTALS 1911
VALUE 1911
Iowa
2581
1304
130.40
Minnesota
2618
1846
184.60
North Dakota
1287
680
68.00
South Dakota
1065
435
43.50
Totals
7551
4265
426.50
North Pacific Union Conference
TOTALS 1910
TOTALS 1911
VALUE 1911
Montana
210
54
5.40
Southern Idaho
140
860
86.00
Upper Columbia
403
875
87.50
E. Oregon Mis.
...
...
...
S. Oregon
201
352
35.20
W. Oregon
822
2790
279.00
W. Washington
1214
2090
209.00
Totals
2990
7021
702.10
Pacific Union Conference
TOTALS 1910
TOTALS 1911
VALUE 1911
Arizona
75
95
9.50
California
4478
4493
449.30
Cen. Cal.
...
60
6.00
N. Cal.-Nev.
3191
417
41.70
S. California
...
2313
231.30
Utah
230
175
17.50
Totals
7974
7553
755.30
Southern Union Conference
TOTALS 1910
TOTALS 1911
VALUE 1911
Alabama
1460
826
82.60
Kentucky
1735
591
59.10
Louisiana
332
579
57.90
Mississippi
228
265
26.50
Tennessee River
488
814
81.40
Totals
4243
3075
307.50
Southeastern Union Conference
TOTALS 1910
TOTALS 1911
VALUE 1911
Cumberland
265
166
16.60
Florida
342
1295
129.50
Georgia
1835
1675
167.50
North Carolina
690
408
40.80
South Carolina
860
50
5.00
Totals
3992
3594
359.40
Southwestern Union Conference
TOTALS 1910
TOTALS 1911
VALUE 1911
Arkansas
370
255
25.50
New Mexico
105
200
20.00
Oklahoma
1047
430
43.00
Texas
2381
1955
195.50
S. Texas Mis.
...
456
45.60
West Texas
151
85
8.50
Totals
4054
3381
338.10
Foreign & Misc.
10714
9662
966.20
Mailing lists
14106
26776
2677.60
Grand totals
99130
98541
$9854.10
Comparative Summary
TOTALS 1909
TOTALS 1910
TOTALS 1911
January
71094
89462
122202
February
91812
116198
99234
March
134206
132165
244003
April
120582
183981
192757
May
115145
174886
141204
June
163545
193727
145025
July
168689
222146
197582
August
174136
152520
215773
September
102033
120020
135179
October
108571
116157
164537
November
106860
102795
110326
December
90737
99137
98541
Totals
1447510
1703187
1866363
The Publishing Work
Conducted by the Publishing Department of the
General Conference
E. R. PALMER - - - Secretary
N. Z. TOWN - - - Assistant Secretary
Oklahoma
By CHAS. L. COLLISON
In looking over the yearly report of the colporteurs who canvassed for subscription books in Oklahoma during 1911, we find some interesting facts. The first prominent item of the report is that it took 23,095 hours to take the orders and deliver the $25,179.35 worth of books. This makes $1.09 worth of books delivered for each hour put in, or a wage of 54 cents an hour,—$4.32 for an eight-hour day. Surely the Lord of the harvest paid the colporteurs well for the seed-sowing.
The question may arise, Why did any of the colporteurs come short? There are at least two reasons for this. There were in all 58 canvassers who did this work, and the average time put in was only 398 hours each, or ten forty-hour weeks.
Those who worked more hours received higher wages for the time put in. Twenty of the above-mentioned colporteurs put in 14,075 hours, or 18 forty-hour weeks, on an average. These twenty received $25,575.58 worth of orders, and delivered $18,529.85 worth of books. This was an average of over 72 per cent delivered, as against a little over 70 per cent delivered for the whole State. They averaged an actual delivery of $1.31 for every hour put in during the year. This was a wage for them of over 65 cents an hour, or $5.24 for an eight-hour day.
There were some who did better than this. Several students delivered more than $2 worth an hour for every hour they worked during the vacation. I can not forbear to say in this connection that of those who received the highest wages for a per hour canvassed ten or twelve hours a day.
There were 16 Oklahoma colporteurs who each received over $1,000 worth of orders during the year 1911. Seven of them received over $1,500; five, over $1,800; two, $2,146.50 and $2,268.35, respectively.
To the Lord be all the praise. The harvest truly is ripe, but where are the reapers?
