SHAN TSAI HSIEN.—Some have written to us saying that for a long time they have been looking for an article from us in the papers. It has been quite a while since we wrote anything, not because we have nothing profitable to write about, but because we are so pressed for time. Our whole inward being is aching with a desire to get a ready command of this language in order to tell intelligently to this sin-sick people the glorious truth so precious to us; hence we are pressing our language study to the utmost of our ability. When we were called to go to China, some of our brethren asked us what we could do here while we were learning the language. If these dear brethren would come and stay with us until our dear Saviour’s return, they would find plenty for all of us to do. The main thing as yet is our language study; but besides that we train workers and give them Bible studies every day; two young women are studying all day, and we are training them for the work. We have also opened a boys’ school, which needs attention. Several sick persons receive treatment daily. Sometimes half-dead persons who have tried to poison themselves with opium, are brought to us, and we empty their stomachs with the stomach-pump. And many other things come into our daily lives, besides the correspondence. On Sabbaths we have meetings nearly all day. We begin the Sabbath with a meeting. At 10 A. M. between one hundred and one hundred and fifty come to our meetings. My wife conducts the service for the17women, and I and the evangelist, for the men. At 3 P. M. about fifty attend the Sabbath-school; and then we close the Sabbath with a meeting.
When we think of the thousands at home who have this soul-saving truth in their hearts, it causes us to cry daily to the Lord of Sabaoth: “Lord, send us a family with deep Christian experience and hearts filled with the love of God.” We shall be able through him to press forward this soul-saving work in this needy field. Often my mind reverts to the brother I met last year; he is a Baptist. He said, “In the United States there is so much religious literature that piles of it are stored up in attics, and any one there who wants religion can get it in five minutes.” When we thought of that, we took our money a year ago and came to this needy field. I am seventy years old, and my wife is forty-five. I do not expect to be able to learn the language perfectly, but hope to be able to exemplify Jesus before this people. My wife can learn the language, and we can do more for Jesus here than we ever could do in the United States. Let us be careful that the words, “The last shall be first, and the first last,” may not be fulfilled in any of us.
There has just been a remarkable spiritual awakening in Korea, and another in China in the far west. The Spirit of God so impressed the Chinese that some of their own accord went far and near among the villages, preaching Jesus as the Saviour of the world, with power and large results. God is willing to give his Holy Spirit when he sees real, earnest longing for him. Our brethren in the Australasian Conference were thus blessed.
Our brethren in other places have had the same experience. And you, dear brethren in the United States, will share the same blessings just as soon as you put self-interest in the background, and lay self and all you have on the missionary altar of the Lord. That does not mean that the Lord wants you all to go into mission fields, but that he wants you to pray earnestly and labor for the evangelization of the whole world in this generation. Jesus speaks to every brother and sister when he says, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature;” and if you can not go yourself, send a substitute, and support him with your prayers and all the means you can spare. The word is, “There shall be delay no longer.” Sister Henry’s words come to me so often. She said that “the loud cry will come and pass, and the latter rain fall, and many of our people will know nothing about it.” Let us all earnestly pray the Lord for grace to wake up to the full realization of the time in which we live. How few of us realize that we, with our own eyes, and perhaps in a very few years, shall witness the coming of Christ in his glory, and the consummation of all things.
It is very encouraging to see how God works through our weakness. Often when we, in our broken Chinese, try to tell them about God’s love, the Spirit comes and melts their hearts. Last Sabbath, for example (and we have had other similar experiences), as my wife was telling the women about our Saviour, who is mighty to save, the Spirit came in, and some were moved to tears, and one woman exclaimed, “I am seventy years old. There is no help for me. I have sinned all my life.” My wife lovingly took her hands, and comforted her with the fact that Jesus is able to save all; that if our sins were even as high as a mountain, Jesus could remove them; that it is as easy for him to save us from one thousand sins as from one, if we only show faith in him. Some seem to think that the Chinese have lost all feeling. If only the missionary’s heart is flowing over with the love of Christ, the same love will flow into the poor heathen heart.
“Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.”
Dear brethren, pray earnestly for the work in China, and for all the mission fields. God always honors earnest prayer.
Called of God
STEPHEN SCHULTZ was called of God to work as a missionary among the Jews. He himself was not a Jew. His mother, like Hannah of old, dedicated her boy to this work. A beautiful illustration of how a man can be subject to his brethren, and at the same time follow God in pursuing labor which the Master has fitted him for and called him to do, is given in his address to a missionary board that wanted him to take up work which Schultz did not feel called by the Lord to do. Literally translated, this letter reads:—
“I owe obedience to you as fathers. If, therefore, you command that I decline the call to missionary work among the Jews, I can decline it with a clear conscience. However, I must say this: Should God ask on that day (the judgment)—
“1. Have I not given thee from infancy a desire to show to the Jews the way of salvation? I would have to answer, Yea, Lord.
“2. Have I not proved three years ago, during the trial trip, that I have given thee ability to labor? I would say, Yea, Lord.
“3. Have I not shown that the harvest among the Jews is great, but the laborers are few? I would say again, Yea, Lord.
“4. Have I not taught thee on that trial trip that the way was opened among the Jews for thee, and that in further travels and with greater experience thou couldest have still better access to them? again I would answer, Yea, Lord.
“5. And when at last the Lord should ask me, Why didst thou not follow the call when it came? I would leave the answer to the honorable theological faculty.”
The unanimous answer to this letter was, “Go, preach unto the Jews. The Lord bless and keep thee.”
Iowa Conference Proceedings
By Mrs. Flora V. Dorcas
The forty-fourth annual session of the Iowa Conference of Seventh-day Adventists convened on the camp-ground at Des Moines, May 31 to June 9, 1907. The meetings were excellent. The interest and brotherly kindness shown in the discussions was inspiring.
The following recommendations were given among those adopted:—
Whereas, The good hand of the Lord has been with us as a conference during the past year in blessings, both spiritual and temporal; therefore,—
1. Resolved, That we express our gratitude to God for his manifold mercies, and pledge ourselves anew to the solemn work of heralding the third angel’s message to the people residing within our borders.
Whereas, The recent General Conference Council held at Gland, Switzerland, recommended that the Iowa Conference be transferred from the Central Union to the Northern Union Conference; therefore,—
2. Resolved, That we request the Central Union Conference to release the Iowa Conference from its membership, and respectfully request admission to the Northern Union Conference.
Whereas, The spirit of prophecy has laid decided emphasis upon the importance of the health and temperance work; therefore,—
3. Resolved, That a medical secretary be chosen by this conference who shall devote as much as possible of his time to the work of organizing and building up this work in our churches.
Whereas, The establishment of church-schools is in accordance with the expressed will of God, it is equally true that he has a plan for the proper financial maintenance of these schools superior to the present very unsatisfactory arrangement which fails to adequately provide for our educational needs; and,—
Whereas, The Lord anciently required of his people the second tithe to be used for religious purposes for which the first tithe could not be used; and,—
Whereas, The plan of paying a second tithe has been placed on record in the Holy Scriptures with other things for our learning; therefore,—
4. Resolved, That our people adopt the practise of laying aside a second tithe, one third of which they shall retain for local church expenses, the rest to be forwarded to the conference treasury to constitute a fund from which our church-school teachers shall be paid.
Whereas, During the year just passed there has again been a very substantial increase in our tithe; therefore,—
5. Resolved, That we appropriate from the tithe fund the sum of five thousand dollars to be used in mission work in foreign fields as the General Conference may direct.
Whereas, There is a very large population of foreigners in Iowa, who need the light of the third angel’s message; therefore,—
6. Resolved, That we put forth a special effort during the coming year to place our foreign publications in the hands of these people.
7. Resolved, That we urge upon all our people the necessity of establishing church-schools where their children may receive an education which will meet the mind of God.
8. Resolved, That we put forth a vigorous effort to give the book “Ministry of Healing” a wide circulation during the coming year, both among our own people and also among those not of our faith.
Whereas, The journal Life and Health fills a long-felt need in our ranks,—
9. Resolved, That we recommend every Sabbath-keeping family to subscribe for this valuable magazine, and to do what they can to secure subscriptions for it among those outside the church.
10. Resolved, (1) That we recommend our workers and church officers everywhere, to urge upon church-members and isolated ones the importance of earnest daily study of the Sabbath-school lessons; (2) that Sabbath-school officers and teachers study diligently the instruction given in “Testimonies on Sabbath-school Work,” and (3) that we give the Sabbath School Worker our hearty support, and pledge ourselves to work untiringly to have it in every school in the State; (4) that we study the needs of the mission fields, give liberally in our Sabbath-schools, devote the entire amount to needy fields, and pay for our supplies by special collections; (5) that we encourage the circulation of the Youth’s Instructor among the children and young people in our State.
Whereas, A subtle influence in favor of religious legislation is fast gaining headway in almost every community; and,—
Whereas, Our people are in nowise prepared to meet the issues soon to confront us; therefore,—
11. Resolved, That our churches be recommended to appoint a religious liberty secretary to make a special study of religious liberty, and to lead our people in their work along this line.
12. Resolved, That when Iowa shall have been admitted into the Northern Union Conference, we invite the Northern Union Conference committee and the States of Dakota and Minnesota to co-operate with us in establishing a new union sanitarium in Des Moines or in the northern part of the State.
Credentials were granted to L. F. Starr, N. C. Bergersen, E. G. Olsen, J. C. Clemens, G. R. Hawkins, T. Godfrey, A. A. Meyer. Ministerial license was given to Floyd Bralliar, A. V. Rhoads, Emma Hawkins, O. M. Kittle, A. F. Ferguson, J. T. Spriggs, A. B. Cotton, J. F. Piper, C. V. Starr, E. Rosenwold, Minnie Syp, R. E. Burke, Wm. Andress, E. W. Wolfe, Edgar Swap; missionary license to J. W. Dorcas, C. Juhl, Mrs. Flora V. Dorcas, Katie Earle, W. E. Perrin, Margaret Young, Blanche Spriggs, F. J. Wilbur, S. B. Kephart, H. F. Meeker, Anna Camp, H. F. Neuman, J. F. Simon, Alfred Johnson, Geo. Juhl, Lucian Scott, Nora B. Pines, John Myhre, C. W. Hollingsworth, Louis Hansen, L. P. Syp, W. H. Cox, Laura Buck, J. W. McComas; and church-school teachers’ certificate to Essie Ferguson, Minnie Wolford, Bessie Scism, Bessie Stanfield, Nellie Countryman, Ida Brown, Hattie Brown, Emma Curtis, Edith Ruckman, Ren Hoen, Emily Stanfield. Other names were referred to the committee.
The following officers were elected: President, L. F. Starr; Conference Committee,18N. C. Bergersen, J. C. Clemens, J. W. Dorcas, C. Juhl, L. C. Christofferson, O. M. Kittle; Secretary, Mrs. Flora V. Dorcas; Treasurer, C. W. Larson; Tract Society Secretary, C. W. Larson; Assistant Tract Society Secretary, Mrs. Lillie Larson; Field Missionary Secretary, C. W. Hollingsworth; Young People’s Secretary, F. J. Wilbur; Sabbath-school Secretary, Mrs. Flora V. Dorcas; Religious Liberty Secretary, W. E. Perrin; Educational Secretary, Floyd Bralliar; Trustees of Seventh-day Adventist Association, L. F. Starr, N. C. Bergersen, C. Juhl, C. W. Larson, W. E. Perrin, Jacob Shively, J. N. Whitney. The final report of the nominating committee was presented in a recommendation “that the selecting of medical secretary and of assistants in the other departments where needed be left to the conference committee.”
Mrs. Flora V. Dorcas.
Rarotonga
By W. H. Pascoe
On arriving at this mission field four months ago, we were delighted with the beauty of Rarotonga, and also with the fertility of its soil. The waving palms, the luxuriant foliage, the native fruits growing in abundance, and all the natural surroundings forcibly remind us of the tender love and compassion of Jesus, and of that happy Eden home now being prepared for all who will trust and obey.
Although so beautiful, this island does not escape the blighting curse of sin. The climate, being tropical and moist, is most enervating. Mosquitoes, fleas, flies, and ants torment the stranger day and night. Food quickly sours and molds and fills with insects, so that one has to be careful in examining what he eats. The natives are friendly, kind, and affectionate, but their intellectual abilities are small. In morals they are almost as low as it is possible to fall, and as a result the island is full of dreadful venereal diseases. Some such expression as, “a mixture of purgatory and paradise,” would give a good idea of the conditions existing in this field.
Our mission in the Cook Islands was opened in 1894, and the work since then has been almost wholly confined to Rarotonga. A church has been organized, and the message taken to every home on the island. As in every other place where the truth has been proclaimed, the majority have turned away, and are now more difficult to reach than the heathen who have never heard the gospel.
Recently we had the pleasure of baptizing a young man who was won by the truth under the faithful labors of Brother Piper. This young man is growing in the knowledge and love of the third angel’s message, and he has expressed the desire to become a worker in giving the truth to the other islands.
Our school had an attendance of thirty-one, but owing to sickness it has fallen to twenty-three. Among these there are some earnest young people, who, with faithful training, we believe will prove efficient workers for the Master.
There are several other populated islands in this group that have had little, if any, work done for them; for these we must plan to labor as soon as possible. We now have a small neat monthly paper Tuatua Mou, which we are endeavoring to circulate. Already its influence for good is being witnessed.
A short time ago a native of one of the neighboring islands came on a visit to Rarotonga and got a copy of Tuatua Mou in the house of his friend. Becoming deeply interested in the truth, he came to me and gave me a year’s subscription for the paper. He also asked me to supply him with all the native literature we have on hand, and wanted to know whether we could not come across to his island to teach the natives. “We have the Catholics,” he said, “but do not like them; the missionaries’ words and actions are not good. Your people have the truth, the good, pure religion, and we want you to come over to teach us and to teach our children.” He signed his name as Ariki, or chief, and said that he would speak to his king on his return, and that when we arrived, we should find a piece of land awaiting us.
The Lord is opening the way before us, and, lifting up our eyes, we see that the fields are white already to harvest. The islands are truly waiting for his law, and are calling loudly for workers and means to give them the last message. The call is not so much for men and women of brilliant talent, as for workers who love the souls for whom Christ died, those who will in meekness and humility lift up the standard of truth before the darkened minds of these poor, dying natives. “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.”
W. H. Pascoe.
Upper Columbia Conference
By K. C. Russell
The annual conference and camp-meeting was held at College Place, Wash., May 30 to June 9. There was a good attendance of our people. The attendance from the outside was small, owing to the fact that the camp was so remotely located from the city of Walla Walla, and the street-car service not the most desirable. While we regretted that the attendance from without was no larger, we were nevertheless better able to study those features of the message that were especially adapted to our people at this time. The morning meetings were also largely devoted at this conference to the study of the spirit of prophecy and church organization. Special emphasis was placed upon the system of organization as held by our people, and we believe that as a result of these studies many were confirmed in the beautiful system of organization that the Lord has committed to this people. There was a spirit of loyalty manifested on the part of all toward our organized work and the spirit of prophecy.
The revival feature in this meeting was attended with most gratifying results, although at times it seemed as if the enemy would defeat the work that the Spirit of God was seeking to carry on in the hearts of the people. On Tuesday the Spirit of the Lord came in with mighty power, which resulted in a general response upon the part of those present; but the climax was reached at the early morning and Sabbath forenoon meetings, when a most remarkable response was made on the part of a majority of the large congregation in attendance. One of the encouraging features was that there were so many of the number that were giving their hearts to the Lord for the first time. A spirit of earnest confession on the part of both ministers and laity characterized the meeting. On Sunday there were sixty-two candidates who followed their Lord in baptism.
One important action taken at this conference was the dividing of the territory of the Upper Columbia Conference into two conferences. The Upper Columbia field has previously embraced the State of Idaho, and that part of the States of Washington and Oregon lying east of the main divide of the Cascade Mountains. The division resulted in setting off the southern part of the State of Idaho and four counties of eastern Oregon, to be organized into a new conference as soon as practicable. There was no opposition on the part of the members of the conference to this division. All were convinced that the territory could be more effectively worked as the result of such a division.
On the afternoon of June 3 those in attendance at the camp-meeting assembled on the lawn in front of the Walla Walla College, where the Walla Walla Sanitarium was dedicated. This institution is destined to fill a most important place in the work of the Upper Columbia field, as the patronage is already increasing under the supervision of its superintendent, Dr. I. A. Dunlap.
The Walla Walla College has just closed one of the most successful years in its history. Fourteen were graduated from the different courses, besides four members who completed work in the industrial department. Next year promises to be even more encouraging. This school is under the supervision of Prof. M. E. Cady, with Brother C. M. Christiansen as business manager. The industrial department is made a leading feature in the work of this college. The normal department, under the supervision of Miss Katherine Hale, has also been attended with very gratifying results during the past year.
Perhaps one of the most encouraging things in this conference, and in the union as well, is the marked success that has attended the work of raising the twenty-five thousand dollars' indebtedness on the college. Already there has been upward of twenty-two thousand dollars raised, and the limit of the time given for raising the remainder will not be reached until Jan. 1, 1908. The main burden of raising this sum has been placed upon Elder H. W. Decker, financial agent of the North Pacific Union Conference.
Elder G. E. Langdon was again unanimously re-elected president of this conference, and Brother T. L. Ragsdale vice-president. Brother T. L. Copeland was re-elected treasurer and secretary.
The aggregate of the tithe for this field for the past year was twenty-three thousand dollars, with a surplus of nearly six thousand dollars. Owing to the division made in the conference, and the added expense incurred in making it, only one thousand dollars was donated to missions from the surplus tithe.
Besides the regular conference employees, there were in attendance Elder A. J. Breed, vice-president of the North Pacific Union; Elder H. W. Decker, financial agent for the same union; Elder H. J. Dirkson, of the Western Oregon Conference, to assist in the German work; Carl E. Weaks, general missionary agent of the North Pacific Union; and the writer.
K. C. RUSSELL.
E. W. SNYDER
By E. W. Snyder
Cuba
MARIANAO.—The need of a laborer for eastern Cuba, which lies about five hundred miles from us, has lately been emphasized by a letter received from Brother W. J. Wilson, in which he says: “Our Sabbath-school is getting along very well. There are three new Sabbath-keepers who desire baptism as soon as convenient. A Baptist minister and his wife have just begun to keep the Sabbath. We had our first social meeting last Sabbath, nine bearing testimony. We spoke of having a church organized, and all consented.”
In addition to the above, other calls are coming in, and I am sorry that to all of these I must answer that it is absolutely impossible for me to respond, owing to the interests of the Spanish work in this section of the field. Unless plans are laid to help us with laborers from the States, the work must lag in these Spanish fields.
With all my meetings, Bible work, and visiting, I am finding it hard to keep up with my correspondence and office work. However, we are cheered by the fact that the seeds of truth are taking root. Last Sabbath, May 18, two Cuban brethren went forward in baptism, and other Cubans are asking for the rite. Nine are keeping the Sabbath, all being white but one.
We are glad to be here. And, although the natives have their faults, yet their love for the truth, their liberality in paying tithes and offerings, and their general readiness to accept all points of truth, tend to bind us to them.
E. W. SNYDER
Shining Lights
By F. W. Spies
NATURAL ARCH IN SANTA CATHARINA, BRAZIL
A SHORT time ago I gave the testimony of an aged Catholic who found the Lord, and bade his little boy of twelve years demolish and bury his images. While visiting him, this man asked me: “Do you know Mr. ——, minister of the First Baptist church of Rio?” I told him I did. “Well,” he continued, “I have known him since he was a little boy. His father used to be our neighbor. As soon as I can [he was then sick] I want to go and visit this minister, and tell him that I have found the Lord. And as he will then naturally ask me how this came about, and to what church I belong, it will give me an opportunity to call his attention to the Sabbath truth.”
I simply mention this little conversation to show the spirit that actuates the new believers here. It is as aforetime, when Philip found his brother Nathanael, and told him, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write.” So, brethren, when the truth kindles a light here in dark Brazil, it shines, and shines all the more brightly for having been very dark before the light was kindled.
And these lights are being planted in places where no living preacher has yet been. Only last week I received a letter from a small city in the province of Bahia, in which the writer states that there are in that place four persons keeping the Sabbath. I am hoping to be able to visit these soon, and instruct them more fully. But Bahia has never yet had ministerial labor, and we ought to have a minister as soon as possible to enter that State.
We are thankful, and take courage as we see the Lord working, and our only desire is to be so consecrated to him that he can mightily work through us.
F. W. SPIES.
H. J. FARMAN
By H. J. Farman
Virginia
RICHMOND.—During the past winter the work in this city has moved steadily forward. Several of the church-members have taken up a systematic house-to-house canvass with The Family Bible Teacher, which has proved a great blessing. Some have distributed our periodicals, and one brother and his little son have gone out every Sunday selling the Watchman, and he tells me he has averaged about seventy-five each Sunday. What better work can our people do than this kind of Sunday labor? It seems to me the right kind of missionary work. We ought to give some time, as well as our tithes and offerings, to the work of the Master. By this means every one can earn something to give, and also be letting his light shine. People appreciate their paper much more when they buy it; moreover, they expect to buy a paper on Sunday.
I have held Bible studies in our church four times a week, besides Sabbath meetings, and Bible readings from house to house both day and evenings. I find the Bible-reading work the most effective way to reach people in the cities. We have four new Sabbath-keepers, two of whom have been baptized and added to the church; the other two will doubtless join erelong. Two others were added by letter. We have also a Young People's Society started with a good prospect of some fruit.
The church, although scattered widely and most of them poor, have been making a determined effort to raise their share of the $150,000 fund, which is nearly one hundred dollars.
H. J. FARMAN
Northern Illinois Conference
By William Covert
It has been quite a while since I have made a report to the REVIEW AND HERALD of our work in this conference. While I was gone to Europe, there were several baptisms, when from two to five received the rite, but I can not give the particulars at this writing. Since returning, it was my privilege to baptize eight students at the close of our school year at Fox River Academy, June 22-24. The occasion was a very interesting one; indeed, we have seldom enjoyed a service more than we enjoyed the baptismal service on that occasion.
One week later, June 29, 30, I attended meetings at Galesburg, where Elder Wm. Lewsadder baptized seven persons, who now have membership in the Galesburg church. There are a number of other persons keeping the Sabbath in Galesburg who have not yet united with the church, but expect to do so soon. In addition to these, there are also probably twelve persons hopefully interested in the truth. The church in that place is working to give the third angel's message to the whole city, and if they continue with their present method and energy, they will soon have it accomplished. They are distributing a great deal of reading-matter, and giving many Bible lessons to the people.
Elder Kirkendall has united with us in Chicago. The plan is for him to direct the missionary and evangelistic work of the Forty-sixth Street church, and help in other points as his time will allow. A large number of The Family Bible Teacher are being ordered, and the many members of the church will assist in carrying them to the homes of the people.
This same kind of work is to be extended over the city among all our churches. The Danish-Norwegian workers have pitched a tent in the northwest part of the city, and are conducting a series of meetings in it. The Germans also have a tent-meeting in progress in the northern part of the city. They expect to baptize a number of persons next Sabbath who have lately been converted to the truth. The Swedish ministers will probably pitch a tent this week or later, in the northeast part of the city.
Elders J. C. and F. J. Harris, assisted by Brother Carl Hansen, are conducting a series of meetings in a tent at Pontiac, where a church has lately been organized. They report a fair interest in connection with their work there. Brother Burdick and C. R. Magoon will probably pitch a tent at Sterling next week.
Brother I. D. Richardson has a company of workers in Aurora distributing two thousand copies of The Family Bible Teacher every week. This work is being done preparatory to holding our annual camp-meeting in that city.
I think at present we have thirteen canvassers in the field, and these are having fair success in selling our books.
A few persons are asking for baptism at Moline, so I promised to hold some meetings there, and attend to this work as soon as we can get around to it after the young people's convention closes.
This little conference has raised about two thousand dollars for the $150,000 fund. We expect to keep this work going until the amount is raised. Our intention is to keep abreast with the progress of the work in every department until it is finished.
Wm. Covert.
Current Mention
— After being out one month, the striking telegraphers of San Francisco and Oakland, Cal., have returned to work.
— Because of the revolt in Ecuador, Guayaquil is under martial law. An unsuccessful attempt has been made to assassinate President Alfaro. In the fight which ensued, several persons lost their lives.
— Eight months’ drought in eastern Jamaica has resulted in famine, from which many cattle have died. Relief is being sent from Kingston. The May rains having failed, there is no prospect of relief before the October rains.
— Ninety-three persons are unaccounted for from among the 241 persons aboard the Pacific coast steamer “Columbia” when she was sunk during a fog in a collision with the “San Pedro” off the coast of California, July 21.
— Twenty lumber dealers of Toledo and two bridge representatives have been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for violating the Valentine trust law, but execution of the sentence has been suspended, pending appeal to the higher courts.
— Wireless telephony was first practically demonstrated at Put in Bay, Ohio, July 18, when messages were sent to shore from a yacht three and three-fourths miles out. The message was plainly heard with all the modulations of the voice.
— A distinct earthquake shock lasting a few seconds was felt at Fort Madison, Iowa, July 20; and on the twenty-fourth a number of buildings were perceptibly shaken at Gallipolis, Ohio.
— The attempt to obtain, by negotiation with the Moroccan bandit Raisuli, the freedom of his latest prize, the chief of the sultan’s body-guard, has proved unsuccessful; and Raisuli is now being pursued by a force of about 1,300 men.
— The American delegation to The Hague Peace Conference have brought forward a proposal regarding the permanent court of arbitration at The Hague. This outlines the organization and procedure of the court on a basis resembling that of the Supreme Court of the United States.
— The friction between the Japanese and Koreans in Korea has taken the attention of Japanese from the American situation the past week. An agreement has been signed by Korean authorities and Marquis Ito, the Japanese resident general of Korea. By this agreement Marquis Ito practically becomes agent of a Japanese administration of Korean affairs.
— The last election in Rome, Italy, wrought a radical change in the municipal government, when twenty-five of the thirty vacancies of the municipal council were filled by socialists, republicans, and radicals. In the evening of election day mobs ran through the streets waving red flags and crying, “Down with the pope.” “Down with priest rule.” Many priests were beaten, and propaganda students roughly handled.
— The arrest of Nasi, the former minister of education, who is accused of misappropriating $500,000 of the public funds, has aroused the entire island of Sicily, as the people consider him innocent. On the eighteenth a meeting was held, despite official prohibitions, in which red flags were displayed, and cries against the government and in favor of a republic were heard. Troops interfered, but were fired upon. A state of siege has been declared, and the government is reported to have gained control of the situation.
— Attempts in North Carolina to enforce the new law in reference to passenger rates have led to a sharp conflict between the federal and State courts. Some weeks since Judge Pritchard of the United States Circuit Court granted an injunction against the enforcing of the law by the State authorities until the constitutionality of the law had been determined. Some time after this, Judge Long of the State court directed the grand jury to bring indictments against agents for selling tickets at the old rates. One man was fined, and two others were sentenced to thirty days’ work in the chain-gang. On a writ of habeas corpus Judge Pritchard had these two men brought before him, and ordered their release, claiming the penalty clause of the law unconstitutional. The case has been appealed by the State. Governor Glenn contends that the law should be enforced until declared unconstitutional by the court of last resort in the regular way. More arrests are likely to follow at any time. A similar controversy has arisen in Virginia.
Velva (N. D.) Camp-Meeting
By John G. Walker
The general camp-meeting at Velva proved to be the most interesting one we have ever held in this conference. Services were conducted in separate tents in the English, German, Scandinavian, and Russian languages. Of those speaking the latter language there were about fifty present, some of them being Baptists who had come to learn more about the truth.
The general meetings in the seventy-foot pavilion were interesting, the talks being translated into the German and Russian languages. Brother Owen first presented the situation in Spanish Honduras, and received in cash and pledges about three hundred and sixty dollars. Brother Muck, of College View, Neb., talked on the needs of the blind, and took in cash and pledges about two hundred and eighty-five dollars. After Elder Enoch had shown how God has been leading in the opening up of all lands for the gospel, Professor Magan presented the Southern field, and showed that while the work is opening in foreign countries, it is fast closing in the South, as the Testimonies said it would.
On Friday, June 28, the needs of the home field were presented, and considerable interest was shown in this also. For the home work about one thousand dollars was given in cash and pledges. Besides these, collections were taken for the Hausfreund mission fund and on the midsummer offering, but at this writing I have not the figures.
The laborers present were Elders H. F. Graf, Geo. F. Enoch, C. J. Kunkel, P. T. Magan, Theo. Valentiner, V. Leer, L. H. Christian, August Anderson, Theo. Babienks (Russian minister from Saskatchewan), H. W. Reed, E. H. Huntley, L. Neilson, A. E. Christian, and Brethren O. J. Graf, and H. A. Owen from Spanish Honduras.
No business being connected with the meeting, our workers were privileged to devote their time to spiritual work, and the results were seen in the sweet and peaceful spirit that pervaded the camp.
Of the different nationalities over four hundred and fifty persons were in attendance. Twenty-three were baptized, and others signified their desire to be baptized at home. The work among the children and young people was successful, and quite a number gave their hearts to God.
We are thankful for the kind spirit manifested at this meeting, and for the good which we believe it has accomplished.
