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Review and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 53.

A New-Year's Hymn
Earlier text: Food for the Sick

An Explanation

By John W. Covert

I WISH to send a word of explanation through the columns of the REVIEW to my beloved brethren and sisters in Christ.
I lost several years from active service in the ministry on account of poor health. While laboring in Indiana, and more especially in Michigan, I got along quite well; but when I was transferred to Kansas, my health began to fail. I labored there for three years in the ministry.
When I came to the General Conference in Battle Creek in 1901, I was very much discouraged, and was told by our doctors that my only chance to live was to find a quiet retreat, and take absolute rest, with probably no hope of ever engaging again in the ministry. I accordingly went onto a farm, and worked as best I could for seven years. During that time my friends wondered what had become of me. Some supposed I was dead, and others thought I had given up the truth. But I can say that during all that time the truth lost none of its sweetness and power to me. As I noticed in the REVIEW the reports of the rapid progress of the message, my heart was filled with gratitude to God.
I am now living at Cedar Springs, Mich., and am laboring in the West Michigan Conference. The Lord has greatly blessed me, both physically and spiritually, and has made my work a blessing to others. It has been my privilege in the last three months to see more than twelve men and women accept this blessed truth. We hope soon to see these dear souls, with some of the children and youth, organized into a church. Truly the work is onward.
JOHN W. COVERT.

THOS. H. DAVIS

By Thos. H. Davis

From Peru to Chile

From Peru to Valparaiso we had a pleasant trip. I arrived at the school in Pua, October 22, to attend the canvassers' class, which closed the last of the month. There were six in the class, and they seemed to be filled with the Spirit of God, and were anxious to begin their work. Some of these have already had some experience in canvassing. The last Sabbath of the meeting will long be remembered because of the manifestation of God's Spirit among us. About the close of the Sabbath the canvassers met again to seek God under the dense grove back of the school building.
Soon after Brother Bishop and I arrived here in 1894, several accepted the truth, and to see some of these firmly planted on the solid rock has filled my heart with unexpressible joy. Chile bids fair for a good corps of workers in the near future. I expect to stay for a few weeks in the southern part of Chile, to see that the canvassers get well started in their different fields, then to go farther north to interest others in this work. After the Chilean conference my plan is to make a trip into Bolivia and Peru, and to return in time to spend about two months instructing the canvassers at our school before they begin their work. The school is getting a good start. Elder F. H. Westphal seems much encouraged with the native workers already in the field. We expect a quick work to be done.

THOS. H. DAVIS

Selling “Great Controversy”

By I. T. REYNOLDS

in Louisiana

A Worker’s Experience

We are pleased to note a change for the better in the last two years all over the South in the selling of our large books. The experience of one of our workers with “Great Controversy” reveals God’s willingness to assist those who are willing to work in harmony with his plans in carrying this precious message to the world. This brother had for some time been selling books, but had never sold “Great Controversy.” Below we give a part of his experience:—
“I had felt for some months past that I ought to take up the sale of ‘Great Controversy.’ Realizing that if anything was accomplished through me, the Lord must do it, in much weakness and prayer I looked over my prospectus for some points to interest others.
“All who saw the book seemed interested, and those who felt able gave their orders. As a result, in six days’ work in that vicinity the Lord gave me two hundred dollars in orders. Two weeks later I returned to make the delivery, taking in one hundred fifty dollars in three days. Some orders were postponed, and some lost.
“A few days later I visited a Baptist minister who had purchased a copy of this book, and he had made up his mind to keep the Lord’s Sabbath. Another minister said that, with the exception of the Bible, it was the grandest book he ever read.”
Are there not many in this State standing idle in the market-places, while the Master has work to do? Are you unwilling to be laborers together with God?
Any who desire a part in the closing work in Louisiana should write me, and plan to attend our canvassers’ institute, January 18-28. My address is Pineville, La. I. T. REYNOLDS.

The Death of Elder M. D. Mattson

By Frederick Griggs

ELDER M. D. MATTSON
ELDER M. D. MATTSON
ELDER MILES D. MATTSON, son of Richard and Lydia Mattson, died of heart-disease, at Blockville, N. Y., Dec. 5, 1908. He was born in this same town Nov. 20, 1858, and was, at the time of his death, but fifteen days past his fiftieth birthday.
Elder Mattson received his early education in his home district school. In his seventeenth year he entered the high school in Jamestown, interspersing his course of study with teaching in a neighboring district school. July 1, 1882, he was married to Miss Mary A. Wing, daughter of Winthrop and Cynthia Wing, of Blockville, N. Y. Three sons were born to this happy home; one died in infancy, the other two, Roy L., now of Joplin, Mo., and R. Vincent, of Lincoln, Neb., together with their mother, survive him.
Brother Mattson was naturally of a thoughtful mind, and gave careful study to religious questions. For some years he considered himself a Unitarian, but when he came to view his position in the light of a critical study of the Word of God, especially of the prophecies, he became convinced that they were unscriptural. His study of the Word resulted in his thorough conversion, and he became a man of a remarkably beautiful and simple life, and with a strong, pure faith in all that pertains to the Christian religion.
Becoming thoroughly established in the third angel’s message, he was advised by his brethren to enter the ministry, and he was ordained to this sacred work. For eight years he labored in the State of Pennsylvania. In 1897 he was chosen as Bible instructor in South Lancaster Academy, where he labored eight years. In the year 1905 he engaged to take the Bible work in Union College, Neb. He was permitted to work here but eleven months, when he was obliged to stop on account of a complete failure of health, caused by disease of the heart, which had come upon him in his youth. In April, 1907, his faithful wife brought him to his childhood home, for which, while sick, he had continually longed.
Other complications, however, because of the heart difficulty, set in, and made his recovery more doubtful, and he went to the sanitarium at Melrose, Mass. Here his health was benefited, and he was encouraged to believe that, while it might be impossible for him to recover sufficiently to resume his loved work of teaching, he might be able to write some for our papers. He regained strength sufficient to permit him to do some work of this kind.
The immediate cause of his death was a slight cold, which, because of his weakened condition, resulted in uremic poisoning. He was conscious until the last, patient and full of gratitude to God for his mercies.
Elder Mattson was a loyal friend and a wise counselor. He entered most enthusiastically into all that pertained to the welfare and success of his associate teachers, who came greatly to love and esteem him. He was as an affectionate father to his students. Bible teaching was Bible living with him. He had the gift of teaching, and when he spoke, his words were rich, mighty, and full of thought. He thought less of the form than of the life, but he greatly loved and vigorously taught the doctrines of the third angel’s message, and it was a constant pleasure to him to be engaged in its promulgation, and in the preparation of others who were to proclaim it.
Brother Mattson is dead, and we feel sincere sympathy and sorrow for those who, because of the strong ties of nature, loved him most dearly; but all who knew him also have real sorrow, for we all loved him. He is dead, but he builded well, and his work stands. Into the hearts and lives of a host of young men and women there entered a power from the sweetness of his pure life, from the strength of his teaching, and from his simple and yet firm belief in the message so dear to him, which gives to these men and women courage and strength in the final battle for truth and right. We love, and honor, and bless his memory. FREDERICK GRIGGS.

Jamaica

By A. N. ALLEN

It was recently our privilege to spend a day with our workers in this beautiful island, as our steamer had freight for Kingston. This island is indeed the garden of the sea, but the city of Kingston is still in ruins from the terrible earthquake of Jan. 14, 1907. Being here at that time, our short visit brought back many memories of that dread visitation. The ruins are still standing as a witness to the fact that the things of this earth are but temporary.
Restoration is going on rapidly now, as insurance has just been secured for those in the fire district. The city will be rebuilt on a much better plan than before. All the houses on King Street are to be built according to a standard set by the government, with a special view to beauty.
In the evening Elder S. A. Wellman and I visited our training-school at Riversdale. Far up among the hills of this beautiful island we have six hundred acres of fertile land, which will gradually be subdued and cultivated or made into pasture. But clearing land in the tropics is much slower work than in the temperate zone. The ground is so full of live roots that it takes considerable time to get rid of them all.
This estate has a large Spanish-wall house on it, which is probably very old, but still in good repair. This is now utilized for class-room and living quarters for the students and some of the teachers. Other quarters have been erected for teachers near by, and a boys’ dormitory is in process of construction. A large reservoir has just been finished on an elevation above the buildings, from which they are supplied with water. The water is from a spring in the valley, and is elevated to the reservoir by a windmill.
The location being elevated, the temperature is moderated; and amid luxurious tropical vegetation, and surrounded by valleys and high bluffs, cut off from the evils of city life, the conditions are ideal for a training-school. And with hands and minds kept busy, the students should form habits of industry and symmetrical characters, and thus become useful laborers in the work of saving souls.
This school has a great mission among the millions of the West Indies. The influence of these consecrated instructors will in time be felt in all parts of the field, and in all departments of the work. With this school to train workers, and the new publishing house at Colon, Panama, this field is equipped for aggressive mission work. It has a large Spanish, French, English, and Dutch population, and much of the territory is still unentered. A. N. ALLEN.

Field Notes

Brother M. B. Butterfield reports two new Sabbath-keepers at Baldwin, Mich.
Elder V. B. Watts reports: “Monday, November 30, I baptized nine souls at Prescott, Ark.”
On Sabbath, November 7, seven new converts to the truth were baptized at the Chicago (Ill.) South Side church.
Five persons have begun keeping the Sabbath in the copper country, Michigan, as a result of efforts put forth there.
Sabbath, November 7, three persons were baptized at Pittsburg, Pa. All three have united with the Allegheny German church.
Three persons were baptized on Sabbath, October 31, at Columbus, Ohio. Four others are ready to go forward in this ordinance.
On Sunday, December 6, a church of twenty adult members was organized at Arkansas City, Kan. Others are interested who have not yet identified themselves with the church.
An all-day's temperance convention, representing the Adventist churches of Eaton County, was held at the church in Charlotte, Mich., on a recent Sunday, in the interest of the coming campaign for county prohibition.

South Africa

By M. E. Emmerson

KOLO, BASUTOLAND.— We are in Basutoland, at the foot of Kolo Mountain, having arrived here September 10. The mission house is in fairly good shape; but in course of time it will be necessary to replace it with a new one. The house has four rooms, and is quite nicely furnished with such furniture as would be necessary in any house. The church seats about eighty persons. We have a good, three-room house, built of stone, for my native helper; also a good stable and shop, besides other smaller buildings, all in fairly good shape.
About eight acres of land are fenced in at the mission. There is also an eighty-acre patch a little distance away, which has been given to us, making, in all, sixteen acres belonging to the Kolo Mission. On the fenced-in land we have a nice garden, a small vineyard of about two hundred grape-vines which are bearing, a strawberry and raspberry patch, and a small orchard of peach-, apple-, plum-, fig-, pear-, and apricot-trees. The water from a nice spring on the side of the mountain has been piped down close to the house, where is a reservoir having a capacity of one hundred twenty-five barrels. By this means we are able to water most of the plot.
The mission owns two good horses, one yoke of cattle, two cows, and some young stock, also one new American farm wagon, and an old spring wagon. For all these material blessings we feel thankful to God, but long for the time to come when the truth will find a deeper hold in Basutoland.
Basutoland has a population of about two hundred fifty thousand. Many of these are honest in heart, and are waiting for the precious truth to be proclaimed to them. Some tracts on the Sabbath question and the soon coming of the Lord, and “Steps to Christ,” have been published in the Sesuto language. These will give great strength to our work in this place. A native brother who lives on the mission place understands the English language well, and is able to do much good among the natives.
Elder Hyatt came here with us, and will remain several days. He has given us much valuable instruction, for which we are thankful to God and to him. My wife and I are of good courage in the work God has seen fit to lay upon us. But we feel our weakness and inability to do anything of ourselves, and so we pray that he will give wisdom in all things and at all times. We also ask his people everywhere to remember us before our Heavenly Father, who cares for his people and his work. M. E. EMMERSON.

Rarotonga

By F. E. LYNDON

We have been here just one month. Brother W. H. Pascoe remained with us about ten days. He gave us, as best he could in that short time, an insight into the work here, and then took his departure for Auckland. We are pleased to be here, and to have a part in giving the third angel's message to the natives of the Cook Islands.
This island is a beautiful place. Flowers and prettily marked leaves in bright colors, show us on every hand the work of the Master Artist. The coral gives to the sea a remarkable clearness, and also a greenish-blue color, which greatly add to the beauties of the place. The constant roar of the waves, night and day, breaking over the coral reef, deadens almost every other sound in nature, but to the listener for truth, speaks of the power of God, whose voice is “as the sound of many waters.” Mrs. Lyndon thinks that this is the most beautiful place that she has ever seen. We are hedged in with nature all around. These wholesome surroundings have greatly blessed us with a fresh sense of God's presence and goodness, and have drawn us nearer to him.
It would not be right to have all blessings and no troubles during our probationary life. The greatest thing we have to contend with is the mosquito. Our beds are all well equipped with netting. Before retiring for the night, we hunt all the mosquitoes out from under the nets, and tuck the netting well under the mattresses, and then quickly crawl under the netting. By doing otherwise we could get but little sleep.
Next to the mosquito for trouble is the cockroach. When the lights are all out, this large insect begins its nightly prowl. Into the pots and pans and ovens it penetrates, to find, if possible, a trace of food; and woe to the flour if the lid of the bin is not securely fastened. Cockroaches are like the frogs of Egypt for zeal, for nothing in the form of food escapes their notice.
All our tables, and boxes for food storage, have their legs standing in small tins of water, to protect our food from the vigorous attacks of the little black ants. Sometimes a table with food on it, gets pushed, by mistake, against the wall, thus making a road for the ants to run onto the table. In an hour or two that table will be covered with the busy little creatures hurrying off with the food.
Soon we shall have the red ants, which devour the black ones, and also become an enemy to the mosquito. The red ants are carnivorous, and are therefore not troublesome in the house.
Wasps are troublesome when the hot season is over. In search of warmth, they enter the house in swarms, get behind pictures, make their way into the wardrobes, and finally get satisfaction, if possible, in the sleeves of blouses, coats, etc.
We are studying the new language under a tutor, and hope that within a short time we shall be able to speak to the natives in their own tongue.
We love the people, and our greatest wish is to get many of them, in all the islands of this group, to stand wholly for Christ and his commandments.
The warm weather is quite an agreeable change, after the cold of a New Zealand winter. Mrs. Lyndon and our two girls are putting on flesh rapidly.
We ask an interest in your prayers that we may be successful in our work for the Master in this part of the vineyard. F. E. LYNDON.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

By John Norton Loughborough

Experiences in the Publishing Work — No. 14

As our people neared the close of publishing Volume II of the ADVENT REVIEW, a new era began in the advent cause, which had struggled from its very beginning with poverty. Men were coming into the ranks, who, though not classed with the rich men of the world, had means to spare, and willing hearts to use it where most needed in the cause. These, with clear perception, saw the necessity of having the printing done with type and press of our own. With the close of Volume II, measures were therefore adopted for the accomplishment of this purpose.
About that time Hiram Edson, of Port Byron, N. Y., sold his farm for thirty-five hundred dollars, that he might have ready money to aid in the work. As he learned of the plan to purchase a printing-press and type, he at once advanced the necessary money for the purchase of the same, so that there need be no delay in the matter. Of this sum he made a liberal donation, and was to receive the rest of the money as donations should come in from the friends of the truth. In No. 12 of that volume of the REVIEW it was announced that the cost of fitting up an office with a press and material was $652.93, and the receipts for that purpose up to that date (Oct. 14, 1852) were $655.84.
It was decided to equip an office for the printing in Rochester, N. Y. Those of our people who volunteered to labor in the office were inexperienced in such work. So at once there arose a necessity for some one to act as foreman, and instructor of others, until they could learn to manage the work. This was made a subject of earnest prayer, when, lo, a young man who worked in the office in Saratoga where they had had the REVIEW printed, learning of their desire for a foreman, offered his services. He was not a Christian, but had a very pious mother. He had taken a great liking to our people, and not being addicted to tobacco habits, looked with pleasure to an opportunity to be in a “clean place,” with good people. His offer was accepted, he even consenting to receive a comparatively small wage, and also to refrain from labor, etc., on the Sabbath.
A house was rented in Rochester, N. Y., No. 124 Mt. Hope Ave., which was to serve as printing-office, meeting-room, and home for all the workers in the office. Luman Masten, the young man from Saratoga, was to be the foreman, Stephen Belden an apprentice at type-setting, Warren Bacheller roller boy, and Oswald Stowell, of Maine, the man to work the hand-press, and Sister Annie Smith a literary assistant. And so an office was installed in one of the rooms of the rented building in Rochester.
In that building the first number of Volume III of the ADVENT REVIEW AND SABBATH HERALD was printed on a hand-press, which, with type, were owned by Seventh-day Adventists. The first number bears date of May 6, 1852. Some persons may think that a “small beginning,” and hardly worthy of mention. Small as it may appear, it was looked upon by the Sabbath-keepers at that time as a new era in publishing the great truths of the third angel’s message. As we now look at the proportions of the printing business in this denomination, and think of the steady and continual growth of that work, we may say, in the language of one of old, “Who hath despised the day of small things?” Zech. 4:10. On another occasion, when everything looked forbidding to any great advance, the question arose, “By whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.” Amos 7:5. God’s answer to this question was, “Who art thou, O great mountain [mountain of apparent difficulties]? before Zerubbabel [the chosen builder] thou shalt become a plain; and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shouting, crying, Grace, grace unto it.” Zech. 4:7. In a Methodist work published some forty years ago, called the “Footsteps of an Itinerant,” it is stated “that every great work of God on earth has had a small beginning.” This has been true of the printing business connected with this message. It was, however, a time of new courage and much rejoicing with the “little flock,” when they could praise God that they had a printing-press of their own. A new impetus was thus given to the work.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

The Publishing Work

Conducted under the auspices of the General Conference Publishing Department.
C. H. JONES - - - - Chairman
E. R. PALMER - - - - Secretary
H. H. HALL - - - Assistant Secretary

Canvassers’ Summary for November, 1908

Canadian Union Conference AGENTS HOURS ORDERS VALUE
Ontario 4 320 142 $ 382.90
Maritime 6 478 415 669.45
Quebec 3 226 31 114.15
Totals 13 1024 588 1166.50
Atlantic Union Conference
Central New England 12 624 161 793.40
Southern New England 5 122 100 85.00
Maine 6 93 ... 57.45
Vermont 7 395 96 225.80
Western New York 7 225 102 176.35
Greater New York 5 350 187 528.85
New York 6 407 46 134.90
Totals 48 2216 682 2001.75
Columbia Union Conference
Ohio 13 1007 576 874.10
Chesapeake 14 952 429 777.60
Eastern Pennsylvania 23 1180 267 663.45
West Pennsylvania 10 856 188 573.45
West Virginia 9 386 172 569.50
New Jersey 8 523 124 425.50
Virginia 9 455 60 139.40
Totals 86 5359 1816 4023.00
Lake Union Conference
West Michigan 8 253 49 229.35
East Michigan 15 582 184 337.60
Southern Illinois 17 1077 346 883.35
North Michigan 4 296 53 200.50
Wisconsin 17 1292 277 893.35
Indiana 4 112 27 50.95
Northern Illinois 6 353 101 351.05
Totals 71 3965 1040 2956.15
Southern Union Conference
Alabama 24 672 425 632.25
Tennessee River 13 859 489 582.05
Kentucky 8 466 153 267.20
Louisiana 10 450 250 625.05
Mississippi 8 350 280 525.45
Totals 65 2797 1597 2657.00
Southeastern Union Conference
Cumberland 16 1099 430 777.10
Georgia 6 966 177 393.60
North Carolina 10 882 212 328.30
South Carolina 13 796 383 659.78
Florida 10 315 192 322.85
Totals 55 4058 1394 2481.63
Southwestern Union Conference
New Mexico 2 248 164 256.55
West Texas 2 143 ... 19.15
Arkansas 8 905 224 671.15
Texas 8 694 251 751.60
Oklahoma 8 655 73 265.35
Totals 28 2645 712 1963.80
Pacific Union Conference
Arizona ... ... ... ...
California 18 1038 604 1763.50
Southern California 13 619 384 619.60
Utah 2 165 233 113.75
Totals 33 1822 1221 2496.85
Western Canadian Union Conference
Alberta 1 52 26 90.60
British Columbia .. ... ... ....
Manitoba 3 189 93 172.50
Saskatchewan 3 ... 12 59.20
Totals 7 241 131 322.30
North Pacific Union Conference
Montana 2 120 32 50.00
South Idaho 4 ... ... 321.85
Upper Columbia 4 140 45 117.05
Western Oregon 5 372 106 421.30
Western Washington 9 295 180 504.30
Totals 24 807 331 1414.50

Current Mention

— According to the navy year-book, compiled by the clerk of the Senate navy committee, the United States navy now stands second only to that of Great Britain, having passed both France and Germany.
— The federal grand jury has begun an investigation of alleged rebating by the packing-houses of Chicago. One hundred subpoenas have been issued, following an investigation by the three agents of the interstate commerce commission. It is understood that this action is part of President Roosevelt’s plan to send some malefactors of great wealth to the penitentiary.
— Cipriano Castro, the now deposed president of Venezuela, who is at present in Germany for medical treatment, has issued a statement which virtually admits the loss of his position. The former vice-president, who has now assumed the presidency of the republic, has firmly established himself, and is making earnest efforts to bring his country again into friendly relations with the other nations of the world, especially with the United States, France, and Belgium. A number of American war-ships are now in Venezuelan waters, and the American minister is on his way to the Venezuelan capital to facilitate the resumption of diplomatic relations.
— The Russian ambassador to Italy died recently at Rome, under circumstances which indicate that he was the victim of a nihilist plot.
— December 23 Secretary Root signed an arbitration treaty with the representative of the government of Argentina, and also exchanged ratifications of the arbitration treaty between this country and Switzerland.
— The British government has found it necessary to pass a stringent law for India in an effort to stamp out the activity of certain native organizations whose purpose is the systematic assassination of British officials and the release of the country from British rule. Already a number of influential, wealthy Indians have been sent into exile because of their activity in stirring up discord.
— Seven councilmen and two bankers of the city of Pittsburg, Pa., have been arrested on charges of bribery and acceptance of bribes, and there are indications that others may be involved before the investigation is closed. Those who are in charge of the campaign of investigation state that a second raid will soon be made against councilmen and business men who are charged with corrupting the council. It has been practically established that $176,000 was paid councilmen for the selection of certain banks as depositories of the city’s funds.
— The supreme court of the State of Missouri issued a decree, December 23, ousting from that commonwealth the Standard Oil Company of Indiana, the Republic Oil Company of Ohio, and the Waters-Pierce Oil Company of Missouri, because of conspiracy between those companies to monopolize the oil business of the State. In addition to this, each of these companies have been fined $50,000. The last-named company will be given the privilege of continuing to do business in the State, if by March 1 it can show to the court that it has taken steps to operate as an independent concern, and has satisfied the judgment against it.
— Never since the history of labor unionism have its ranks been so stirred as during the past week, over the result of the trials of Pres. Samuel Gompers of the American Federation of Labor, John Mitchell, one of the vice-presidents, and Frank Morrison, secretary of the organization. Mr. Gompers was sentenced to twelve months in jail, Mr. Mitchell to nine months, and Mr. Morrison to six months. The defendants were tried for contempt of court in violating the order of the court respecting the attitude of labor unionists toward the Buck’s Stove Company of St. Louis, Mo. As a result of a strike of the employees of that concern the company had been blacklisted by the federation. In spite of the court’s order, the black-listing and boycotting of the stove company continued. Resistance of the court’s order was encouraged by the leaders of the federation. Since the sentencing of these men, labor organizations all over the country have been voicing their protests, and the spirit of the organizations would indicate that in case their leaders were actually imprisoned, there would be great likelihood of serious trouble. The case has been appealed, and will be carried up to the Supreme Court if the next higher court does not reverse the decision of the sentencing judge.

Central Union Conference

AGENTS HOURS ORDERS VALUE
East Colorado 5 144 72 148.70
West Colorado 9 202 147 253.60
Kansas 13 784 274 1037.25
Nebraska 9 405 119 473.50
Wyoming 3 331 101 353.25
North Missouri 11 411 115 423.00
South Missouri 10 355 120 382.85
Totals 60 2632 948 3072.15

Northern Union Conference

AGENTS HOURS ORDERS VALUE
Minnesota 8 975 196 620.05
South Dakota 5 381 68 275.20
North Dakota ... ... ... ...
Iowa 2 110 38 116.75
Totals 15 1566 302 1012.00
AGENTS HOURS ORDERS VALUE
Latin Union Conference 12 1966 2666 1587.45
Natal-Transvaal Conference 5 ... 174 395.00
Scandinavian Union Conference 101 12322 8448 5747.31
British Union Conference 74 6817 2854 5948.64
West Indian Union Conference 14 617 365 482.13
German Union Conference 250 ... ... 8585.72
South American Union Conference 28 ... ... 908.77
Mexican Mission 7 168 158 251.65
Australasian Union Conference 55 3885 1551 5514.51
Total, North American union conferences $25,567.63
Total, foreign union conferences and mission fields 29,421.18
Grand total $54,988.81

Comparative Summary

1906 1907 1908
January $21,000.00 $26,325.50 $25,929.06
February 15,000.00 26,369.61 30,466.40
March 18,000.00 36,253.65 36,390.09
April 23,700.00 35,276.76 43,858.29
May 36,800.00 51,097.51 67,445.44
June 46,300.00 65,317.23 82,878.67
July 52,218.04 75,691.57 120,973.89
August 36,555.39 46,590.68 66,946.38
September 22,038.63 32,503.48 51,029.06
October 26,382.61 40,646.45 62,719.91
November 43,733.16 30,016.77 54,988.81

Religious Liberty Campaign in California

By A. J. S. BOURDEAU

To meet the situation here, we have gotten out a Religious Liberty edition of the Signs of the Times, entitled “The Present Issue.” It contains very timely information regarding the religious liberty situation in California, has thirty-two pages, besides cover, the design of which is in three colors. This periodical is furnished at 2½ cents a copy.
The petitions against the proposed California Sunday law are pouring into our office in large numbers by every mail. One aged G. A. R. veteran has just sent us a list containing 1,732 signatures, and another brother in the same district writes as follows:—
“I have sent you a few hundred names on the petition against the proposed California Sunday law. Two of us secured eight hundred signatures in three days. This is a busy time with me, but if you see that you lack one or two thousand names, I can secure them in about one week’s time or less. Hope they will not be needed.”
We need all the signatures we can get, and hope to roll up a list of at least fifty thousand signatures to present to the legislature in January.
The following interesting experience by one of our workers in one of the large Bay cities will be of interest:—
“I called on a very prominent attorney, presented him with a copy of Liberty, and requested him to read the petition. After looking it over, he said, ‘Please leave the magazine, and call again.’ One week from that day I called, but he was away. Later I called again. He was out, but I waited his return. Presently he came and invited me to have a chair in his private office. He said, ‘I can not sign your petition; for if I were a member of the legislature, I would frame a bill to close all saloons from 12 P. M. Saturday night until 12 P. M. Sunday night, if it could be done on a civil basis, leaving out the question of religion altogether.’ He then took from his library several books to investigate the Supreme Court decisions regarding a secular Sunday law. He failed to find just what he wanted. After he had read and talked over the subject for about thirty minutes, he sat back in his chair, saying, ‘If a Sunday law can be made on a civil basis as a legal holiday, I am in favor of a Sunday law.’ Then he seemed to have finished.”
“During this time my heart was uplifted to God that I might say only that which would be to his honor and glory. I then said, ‘If you will allow me a few minutes, perhaps I can clear your mind.’ He listened attentively. Briefly I stated: ‘The keeping of a sabbath is a religious question, and never can be a civil question; and religious legislation has always ended in persecution, and if a Sunday law is passed in this State, it will open the way for religious bigots to persecute those who differ from them in unorthodox religious belief.’ I also told him that ‘when Congress made the appropriation to the World’s Fair in 1892, it was made on condition that the gates be closed on Sunday, the fourth commandment being read as authority for their demand, which proves that this lawmaking body viewed it from a religious standpoint.’
“He picked up the petition, sat in deep study for several minutes, then said, ‘If that is so, I will sign it.’”
“During part of this time there were several persons waiting to see him; he had not been to lunch; I had started to leave twice, but he had detained me.”
“This man was a former superior judge, also district attorney, and is, I understand, well known to members of the coming legislature. To my mind this is sufficient proof that the Spirit of the Lord is impressing men of high position, and it is time for us to work.”
“This is one of about fifty calls. Several told me they would defend us against a Sunday law. Some said it was no man’s affair what day a man should keep.”
Would it not be a good plan for some of our brethren in every city to call on the lawyers, also to get Liberty before the ministers? See “Testimonies for the church,” Vol. IV, page 390.
A. J. S. BOURDEAU, Sec. Cal. Religious Liberty Assn.
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