The general emphasis on active service, which has been the dominant note in the evangelical thought of the home church for the past fifteen years or more, is fortunately so far undergoing modification as to allow of an equal emphasis on the spiritual life of devotion and fellowship as the condition of right and fruitful service. This due balance of emphasis is greatly needed. The demands of the work are so overwhelming. “Do! Do! Do!” is the imperative call from every side. The equally important call, “Be! Be! Be!” is more faintly heard. There is ever the danger that, in the desire to do the work, the conditions of the devotional life, with its habits of Bible study and prayer, may be less and less met. Again and again Alexander McLaren’s words suggest themselves: “Without much solitary communion with Jesus, effort for him tends to become mechanical, and to lose the elevation of nature and the suppression of self which gives it all its power. It is not lost time which the busiest worker, confronted with the most imperative calls for service, gives to still fellowship in secret with God. There can never be too much activity in Christian work, but there is often disproportionate activity, which is too much for the amount of time given to meditation and communion. That is one reason why there is so much sowing and so little reaping in Christian work to-day.”
A deep spiritual life, fed from ever-fresh fountains of living water, understanding the place of fellowship, prayer, and Bible study is necessary, not only for the worker’s joy and effectiveness, but also for the sake of those for whom he labors. The missionary is their standard of life and faith. . . . Realizing this, and out of a century’s experience, one of the greatest of all missionary societies says to its new missionaries in its “instructions:” “Beware of the temptation to omit or abridge devotional exercises. A high spiritual tone, however unostentatious, would make a missionary useful, even if it stood unaccompanied by any other qualifications than those which necessarily result from it. Let one or two hours be therefore daily given to private communion with God in prayer, and in reading the Scriptures. Let it be actual communion—converse with God in solitude, real pouring out of the heart before him, real reception from his fullness.”—Regions Beyond.
Our Work in China
By Mrs. J. N. Anderson
Mrs. J. N. Anderson
Since coming to China, our personal efforts have been confined to Hongkong and its immediate vicinity, owing to the demands of the work at this place. The work for soldiers and sailors has gone steadily forward, with but small attendance at the meetings, but with constantly accruing results. Nine men have been baptized, and five or six more are obedient to the faith. Seven of these left for England in the “H. M. S. Terrible” the latter part of July. They are an enthusiastic, loyal little band, who, under many and great difficulties, are uprearing the banner of truth in this great war vessel manned by a crew of nine hundred men. One of their number, writing from Port Said, in the Mediterranean Sea, says: “Brother Wilcox [a man who was interested here in Hongkong] has made a firm stand for the Lord and a profession of present truth in the ship. Two others since our leaving for England have begun to lead Christian lives, and are studying their Bibles.”
A VIEW OF HONGKONG
Three more obedient believers have since gone home in the “Arathusa.” They, too, are active for the salvation of their comrades. One man formerly in the “Terrible” has been transferred to a ship cruising the coast of northern China and Japan. Brother Andrew Sharp is the only Sabbath keeper on the “Tweed,” now stationed at Ichang on the Yang-tse River, in the interior of China. In a recent letter, after expressing his determination to purchase his discharge from the navy as soon as possible, and to give himself to the Lord’s work in China, he says, “God knows men strong in the faith, making a stand for Christ, are needed in the service, influencing others to the better life; and if it be God’s will, I am willing to remain in the navy for any length of time, . . . my greatest aim in life being to lead many souls from darkness to the light and freedom which are in Christ.” Brother Sharp is the son of a Baptist minister in England. He has had a good practical business education, and is possessed of a manly courage of conviction, which will make him of real service to the work in China.
Now and then we get rumors of persons unknown to us by name or face who have visited the mission and carried with them rays of light either from the word spoken or from the printed page, which they in turn radiate to others. In a very remarkable way, and in spite of formidable obstacles, the message for to-day is making its way in the British navy on the China station.
At least two men are needed for this work here in Hongkong. A larger mission, with reading room, lunch counter, and plain lodgings, could do a great work, both as a temperance and as a gospel agency. Rents are high, but after a few months, no doubt, such an effort could be made largely self-supporting. In this large city of homeless men, many of them only boys in age, at a great military, naval, and commercial crossroads, is an opportunity to establish a work of world-reaching influence. A similar work ought to be undertaken at once in Shanghai, where the settled European population is even larger than here. We are daily praying for means to establish this work on a proper basis, and for consecrated, energetic workers to carry it on.
So far no definite work for the Chinese has been undertaken, except an earnest effort to acquire their language. The Lord has gone out before us in the person of patient toilers, who, for his dear sake, have been willing to sacrifice their lives in obscurity to give the written Word of God to this people. A complete Bible in cloth can be bought for twenty-five cents, a copy of one of the Gospels for one-half cent. Christian songs and other literature have been translated. Dictionaries and numerous helps to the study of the language are at hand. On God’s part, “all things are ready;” he waits for our co-operation.
On every side are opportunities waiting for us, but, with the blessing of God on our best efforts, it will yet be many months before we can even speak the language of China. The written language is the study of a lifetime, but three years of persevering effort ought to prepare us to use our Bibles intelligently.
The British government has made liberal provision for the education of Chinese subjects in this colony, but there is still a demand for schools of colloquial English. Through the influence of Mok Man Cheung, a number of leading Chinamen have undertaken the financial responsibility of opening a free Christian school of this character. A room has been offered free of rent, and tables and stools for seating secured. At present the school will be in charge of my sister, Ida Thompson, and will be open from 9 a. m. to 1 p. m. Later, when other help arrives, an evening school must be opened for the benefit of those who cannot afford to give working hours to study. The room will be entirely at our disposal, thus affording us a place where evening Bible studies for English-speaking Chinese can be conducted.
On the mainland at Sun Ling, about one hundred miles from Hongkong, Chan Joe Fat, who heard the message in Portland, Ore., and who is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church in that place, has begun a work for his fellow countrymen. So far as he has been able to communicate with us through an interpreter, we understand that it is now about three years since he returned from America. He is deaf, and beyond the age of active labor, but lives with his son, who provides his support. Since his return he has devoted his time and what means has been at his command to the spread of “the joyful message” of salvation, and now reports that three or four are walking with him in the light of present truth. He expects to give the remainder of his days to this work. No money is acceptable on his own account, but he very gladly receives portions of the Scriptures, tracts, and Bibles for distribution, and earnestly pleads for a small mission to be opened in his native village of about six thousand inhabitants. A larger village in the immediate vicinity would be easily accessible to such a mission. A younger brother, apparently a good Chinese student, is associated with him in his work. This brother, being a man of dependent family, requires some financial assistance, and a sum equal to a little more than four dollars a month has been appropriated to their work. One half of this is paid by a private subscription.
Brother Eric Pilquist has tendered his resignation to the British and Foreign Bible Society, and will come to our reinforcement in China when he is free; but he must wait the arrival from England of a man to take his place. He uses freely the Mandarin Chinese language, and has spent ten years in colporteur work in North Central China. Writing of his disappointment in the delay of his expected release, he says, “I have made up my mind once for all that I am going to preach and work with all the strength God gives me in the spreading of the last warning message to this dying world. I will do all I can in my Bible work, but God has established my feet on the walls12of Zion, and commanded me to cry aloud, and to lift up my voice like a trumpet, and I will cry.”
The tide of Western civilization has set in, and the interior of China is bound to be opened to foreign commerce. Now while there are large sections of territory untouched by Christian or foreign influence, rents and property are cheap, and missions can be established with comparatively small outlay of means. Western trade brings with it money, and gives a boom to prices. In the interior money is very scarce, and consequently a little goes a great way in erecting buildings, or for rents where suitable native structures can be secured.
Chinese methods of fertilization and cultivation of the soil are such as to make it very desirable for each mission station to have connected with it a patch of ground sufficient to grow vegetables and small fruits for its own consumption. Such an investment, with the price of labor at eight or ten cents a day, would not only be economical, but a wise precaution against fevers and infectious diseases, as well as a practical educator to the people in whose midst it might be located.
We are halting at the threshold of a vast empire bruised by the jealousy of her contemporaries, rent with internal discords and dissensions, trammelled by ignorance and superstition, oppressed by the avarice and misrule of her national guardians, groaning in poverty and distress, her only inspiration the fitful, flickering flame of ancestral altars. There should now be scores of earnest young workers living among this people, studying their characteristics and their speech, preparing to act as leaders of missions to be established all over this great expanse of territory. One trained worker can employ a score of native helpers, who, under his direction, will be able greatly to increase his efficiency. Just now is the opportune time to invade China with the third angel’s message.
Egypt
By W. H. Wakeham
Cairo.—There are more opportunities of preaching the gospel than our workers can fill. During the last month I have been holding two public meetings each day. Of course I have to do all my speaking through an interpreter, as the openings for work are mostly among the natives. I find Brother Awada an excellent interpreter. He understands the English well, and seems to be an earnest worker. He has translated many of our English tracts into the Arabic.
We are now having five thousand each of three tracts printed in Arabic. They are, “Sunday Not the Sabbath,” “Which Day Do You Keep, and Why?” and “What the Gospel Abrogated.” They will be from twelve to sixteen-page tracts. We have had them printed quite cheaply, and hope to sell enough to pay the first cost. We shall have to give away a great many. We desire to sow this whole country with literature on present truth. We believe this will be one of the most effectual means of spreading the message and warning the people. We are going to have three more tracts out soon,—“The Second Advent,” “Signs of the Times,” and “Healthful Living.” We shall push this work as rapidly as we can secure the money with which to print the tracts.
Soon our native brother and I will visit several native villages. We will spend some time at Luxor and Thebes. I am going to Alexandria to-morrow, to strengthen the work, and to supply the brethren there with literature. Only five Sabbath keepers reside in that city, but last year two of them paid one hundred and sixty dollars tithe. We are well, and of good courage.
W. H. Wakeham.
Gambier Islands
By G. F. Jones
Mangareva.—Each island of this group is a mountain, and difficult to climb. The people are engaged in pearl fishing, and live in villages on the coast. They do not till the soil much, but prefer the modern artificial way of living, by buying canned goods, etc., at the few European stores, at an enormous price. Sometimes these stores run out of provisions, and then a famine stares the people in the face until a steamer comes from Tahiti. The steamer that used to run was wrecked. Nearly all the people, young and old, are diseased with something akin to leprosy. The whole place is a veritable asylum. The conditions here lead us to hasten on with our13work, knowing that the end will soon come. We go from village to village; and though the priests follow, and try to undo our work, we have interesting meetings in the bamboo huts. While some are afraid of the priests, others implore us to come again.
The Gambier Islands were once thickly populated, but now there are few natives remaining, as their unhealthful manner of living is fast destroying the race. They speak an entirely different language from that spoken by the Tahitians, although some have a little knowledge of the Tahitian language. With this difficulty to face, we are not discouraged, but rejoice, for the Lord reveals to them by his Holy Spirit what we fail fully to in words. I do rejoice in having been given this opportunity to do the Lord's work. It is the most satisfactory work to be a fisher of men. We long most ardently to push along with our closing message to those who have never had it brought to them. We are glad to be in this field. G. F. Jones.
Paraguay
By E. W. Snyder
Asuncion.—This field is now ripe for the medical work, and if the opening here is not entered soon, the conditions may not remain so favorable. These countries at least are not becoming any easier to enter, and it may be that Argentina and Paraguay will follow the example of Uruguay in excluding foreign physicians entirely.
Although the work in Paraguay has not shown great results, yet we have encouraging omens that the leaven of truth is working. Before we came here, no seed had been sown in this country; and our first work was to secure a list of colonists, to whom we mailed tracts and papers. Afterward we made a best thorough canvass of five of the colonies where these persons lived, following up the interest by Bible readings and public effort as the way opened. In three we now have representatives of the truth; and the leaven is still working, as the following letter just received from an intelligent German woman will indicate. She says: “O that God would give me wisdom to train my children to bring them to him! I am in earnest, and one with you in heart, and God will give me strength to show it openly some day, and will have patience with me yet a little while.” This woman is meeting with opposition from her unbelieving husband, and must endure the ridicule of her neighbors, all of whom are godless people.
E. W. Snyder.
Barbados
By W. A. Sweany
Our last quarterly meeting was the best we ever had in this church, with the best attendance. Six were baptized and united with the church, and about twelve others are studying the truth. The interest is deep. Of late I have realized more of God's power to save, keep, and strengthen for service than ever before.
During the week of prayer we had meetings at five in the morning and at seven in the evening, with extra meetings on Sabbath and Sunday. The Lord was in our midst, and greatly blessed us, and the entire church was refreshed, strengthened, and confirmed. The evening services were devoted to the presentation of those truths which have made us a peculiar people. The attendance was good, many not of our faith being present. The morning services were devoted to prayer, testimony, reading, etc., and the attendance was large, including many who were not members of the church, although the meetings were held at such an early hour.
I have fully recovered my health and strength, and we are all well. We are determined by God's help to accomplish more this year than in any previous one. We thank him and the dear givers for the donations which have come to this field. W. A. Sweany.
Baptisms and Church Organization in Chile
Brother Westphal has just baptized two—a husband and wife—near Diamante. Tent meetings are still being continued at the place where the camp meeting was held, and some are interested. One woman began to keep the Sabbath at the close of the camp meeting. The laborers expect to organize one or two churches while in Chile.
American Bible Society Annual Report
The eighty-sixth annual report of the American Bible Society shows that its issues during the past year were 1,723,791, an increase of almost 170,000 over the preceding year. Over 1,000,000 copies of the Holy Scriptures or parts of them were distributed by the society in foreign lands in nearly one hundred languages. The society has hundreds of colporteurs and agencies in this and other countries, giving Bibles to the poor, and selling them to those who are able to buy. It has completed its translation of the Bible into the Tagalog language, and its colporteurs in the Philippines are pushing its distribution.
An Interesting Dedicatory Service
By Alonzo T. Jones
One half the basement of the meeting-house of the Laguna Street Seventh-day Adventist church in San Francisco has been set apart and fitted up as a fully equipped dispensary and treatment rooms; and Sunday evening, Jan. 11, 1903, it was formally dedicated to the Lord in the work of the third angel's message. The meeting-house was crowded with people, the greater part of whom were not of our faith. The exercises occupied nearly two hours, and the people showed unabated interest throughout. There was a brief address on “The Medical Missionary Idea;” another giving the history of this particular enterprise; and the financial statement, as follows:—
Total amount of donations received from about four hundred individuals, whose names have been reported, in amounts ranging from two cents to fifty dollars, and covering a period of time from March 1, 1902, to Dec. 31, 1902 ........................$1,302 00
Disbursements
Paid for heater ........$ 60 00
Spray apparatus ....... 125 00
Electric light cabinet.. 75 00
Plumbing and supplies. 460 00
Electrical work ....... 60 00
Lumber, tiling, and materials, and labor on same ............ 479 27 $1,269 87
Leaving cash on hand, Dec. 31, 1902 ........................$32 13
Of the $1,302 received in donations, approximately $850 has been given by friends outside of San Francisco, and $452 by the members of this church. There is still outstanding in unpaid pledges about $200, most of which is soon to be paid within four years, in installments of five dollars a year.
All donations received have been acknowledged by publication of the names and amounts in the Pacific Union Recorder.
All bills presented have been paid, the dispensary is free from debt, and there still remains on hand a surplus of $32.13 available for purchasing much-needed instruments and furnishings.
E. E. Parlin, Treasurer.
These parts of the program were interspersed with pleasant songs, which made it a very interesting service.
The opening of this dispensary enables the San Francisco church now to stand fully organized in the work of the third angel's message. For, with the auditorium devoted to the preaching of the gospel in the word of God; and one half of the basement devoted to a good church school, and the other half to a well-equipped medical missionary dispensary, the full, all-round gospel for the whole man is represented. And what is this but that which every Seventh-day Adventist church should be? And what is it but that which every Seventh-day Adventist church can be?
This simply represents what the third angel's message is. It is simply the everyday work of the third angel's message, when that work is truly done; and every Seventh-day Adventist church is in the world for nothing else than to represent the whole gospel as given to the world in the third angel's message.
More than a hundred treatments had already been given in this dispensary even before it was dedicated. It was already exerting a good influence wherever known, and with the large attendance of the people of the city at the dedicatory service, its influence is certain to be very greatly enlarged; because after the formal services of dedication were past, the whole congregation were, section by section, escorted through the treatment rooms, where a number of treatments were in actual operation, illustrating the work of the dispensary. And the people were all given time to look well through the rooms, to inquire concerning the treatments, and ask any further questions that they might choose to.
When the enterprise was suggested, it was intended that the dispensary be thoroughly fitted up, and though it was known that the cost would be not less than a thousand dollars, it was proposed that it should be done, from beginning to end, without incurring any debt. While all expressed themselves that they would be only too glad if such a thing could be, yet it was declared that that thing never could be done. Nevertheless, the enterprise being exactly what was proper, and only what was necessary to the work of the church, if it were to be a true working church, it was decided to undertake it, with the proviso that it should be furnished and completed free from debt, all the way. And it was done. Step by step was taken only as the money was in hand to pay the expense; and as step by step was thus taken, the faith of the church grew, and the courage likewise, and the further the enterprise progressed, the more certainly success was assured: each said to his neighbor, “Be of good courage,” each strengthened the hands of the other, and at last the work of preparing the dispensary was thoroughly done, and the dispensary was dedicated, not only free from debt, but, although the cost was $250 more than the thousand originally expected, $42.73 remained in the treasury, with $200 of good pledges yet to come.
And this only illustrates what can be done without incurring debt.
The San Francisco church is deeply grateful to the Lord for his blessing upon their efforts, and his prospering hand in this medical missionary enterprise. They start into their work at the beginning of this year 1903, with renewed courage. And, with their enlarged facilities for doing the work of the gospel, their efforts will certainly be fruitful, more fruitful than ever before. May the blessing of the Lord make it so, and may every Seventh-day Adventist church in the world go and do likewise.
Alonzo T. Jones.
Washington, D. C.
By J. S. Washburn
The providences of God are as wonderful as on that day when the Red Sea rolled back, and God's people passed through on dry land, or on the day when the walls of Jericho fell down.
We had been looking forward to the decisive payment on February 2, with some anxiety, but with absolute assurance that it would be met. Monday morning we had about $1,000 in hand. The morning mail brought us $1,523. This includes the $1,000 that came from Battle Creek. By later mails and by telegraph the money kept pouring in until when the hour for the payment of $2,500 came, we were able to pay $4,500, two thousand dollars more than the required amount, and the interest on the whole amount from November 1 up to date. Thirty-two hundred dollars was a payment, $1,300 and the interest was loaned by friends, without interest. The original debt was $12,900. The church paid $500 in November, and that, with the $4,500 paid last night, reduces the debt to $7,900, which bears interest at 5½ per cent, payable semiannually. We have the privilege of making a payment of five hundred dollars or the whole amount on sixty days' notice. Now that such a deep interest has been manifested by our people, we believe surely that the debt will be met at once. How easily this could be done if all would do that which the Lord has put into their power to do! I do not believe for one moment that the Lord wishes, or that our people wish, to have as a monument to the work of the last saving message a church in debt, that the memorial of our work in the nation's capital shall be a debt dragging for years or never paid till the Lord shall come.14
In all the work in the nation's capital this summer the credit of the cause has been at stake. It has made the strain of the work very great. The Lord has wonderfully vindicated the honor of his truth, and the payment of February 2 has done more to lift us into a creditable position in the capital city than anything ever done before. We are more thankful to God, more grateful to our people who gave so liberally, than we can express. Will not every one give liberally during the next few days? Then Washington will have what it has long needed to have—a memorial of the great message of eternal truth. Other churches, notably the Lutheran, have memorial churches here to counteract the tremendous power of Romanism. Shall we who have the only weapon that can meet and overthrow Romanism do less than they? All invested here will return to the work at large in money and influence. The large list of subscribers reveals the interest in this work. May it increase until the work is finished. J. S. Washburn.
Donations for the Relief of the Schools
The total cash received on the Relief of the Schools Fund up to Jan. 12, 1903, is $50,835.32.
Elvira Elmer........................ $6 00
Royal (Ore.) church................ 8 50
N. P. Stillson..................... 10 00
J. A. Pipemeier.................... 1 00
Dayton church...................... 4 30
M. A. Knohl........................ 50
T. Maxson.......................... 1 00
N. M. and Florence Eyerly.......... 1 00
E. C. and Harriet Dye............... 3 00
Mary L. Osgood..................... 1 00
W. L. Fleming...................... 1 00
C. G. Dark......................... 2 00
M. Severns......................... 2 00
Nannie B. Ziegler................. 10 00
E. W. Stratton..................... 1 00
Donation........................... 1 00
Lillie Williams................... 5 00
M. Blanch Irwin.................... 1 00
R. E. Bliss......................... 5 00
E. S. Heald....................... 25 00
J. N. Loughborough................ 10 00
T. T. Heald....................... 10 00
Donation........................... 1 00
Sebe Ellyson....................... 2 25
Mrs. M. J. Myers.................. 10 00
Mrs. J. H. Wilcox................. 10
Donations for the Washington (D. C.) Church
Mrs. Nettie Livermore, .25; Sarah A. Holmes, $1; Mrs. Z. A. Curtis, $1; Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Bunt, $1; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Slade, $2.50; Anna Jensen, $1; Maggie Vandorn, $1; N. J. Cady, $1; Mrs. Rohera Worrell, .25; Mr. and Mrs. N. K. Walston, .50; Bertha Ashmore, .50; Ed. S. Foll, .25; Francis Rungan, .25; Mr. and Mrs. John Foll, .50; Mr. Bryan, .25; Mrs. M. G. Hoshall, $1; Orville Rockwell, .25; H. G. Wiggins, .25; Mrs. Wood, $1; Mrs. Marsh, $1; Master Charles Marsh, .25; Mrs. P. Geson, .25; Miss Miller Hill, .50; Mrs. R. L. S. Master, .25; P. E. Masel, $1; B. R. Parish, .50; Mary Mash, .25; Albert Peavy, .50; Miss E. A. McCallum, $1; Mrs. Emma Huler, $1; Neal Wood, $1; Mr. and Mrs. J. Lewis, $3.50; Mr. and Mrs. L. T. Ayers, $5; A friend, $1; Mollie R. Long, $1; Mr. and Mrs. O. H. Edwards, $1; W. E. Lohman, $1; East Otto S. S., $3; Ethel Taylor, .25; Letha Taylor, .25; Mabel Taylor, .25; Mrs. Etalea L. Taylor, .25; Mrs. E. J. Delestenier, .25; Jessie R. Hunter, .50; B. F. Abbott, .50; Mrs. H. C. Malch, .50; Carrie C. Feeks, $5; Mary M. Eggart, $2; Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Reynolds, $1; M. Borst, $1; Amelia P. Withrow, $1; Irene Ryan, $1; Flora Van Pelt, $2; Mrs. W. W. Boardman, $5; P. S. Marshall, $1; A. B. McReynolds, $1; Geo. Bell, .25; Mrs. Geo. Bell, .25; Mrs. O. W. Lowell, $1; M. F. Lowell, $1; Mrs. J. McLaughrey, $1; R. C. Wirth, $2; Mrs. H. Perior, .50; Mrs. Ellen Peterson, $25; W. C. Jackson, $1; Mrs. Julia B. Story, $1; Mrs. Amanda B. Snider, $1; Jennie R. Hewett, $1; Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Rickert, $2; F. S. Jenks, .50; H. A. Rickert, .10; Mrs. L. G. Redding, $1; A friend, $2; Edward Needles, .25; Mrs. Ida Cruester, .25; R. L. Williams, $2; C. E. Brink, $2; Carrie Hathaway, $2; Mrs. L. D. Gray, .50; O. P. Nelson, $1; Lizzie H. Gray, $1.42; Mrs. C. D. Anderson, .30; C. A. Clay, $1; Mrs. P. E. Harding, .25; Mrs. J. H. Ada Apt, .25; Mrs. Maude Inskeep, .25; Mrs. Caroline Harding, .50; Mrs. Ida Olsen, .25; Mrs. Chalman, .25; Mrs. Elizabeth Bull, $1; Miss Maude Bull, $1; Harry Apt, .25; A friend, $1; Blendon (Mich.) church, $5.35; Geo. A. Kearney, $10; Lebanon (Kan.) church, $1.15; Mrs. M. Hendioliff, $2.50; A friend, $1.75; Geo. and Tillie Houck, $5; G. W. Eddy, $1; A sister, .25; Jas. M. and Ida E. Brown, $1; Nimrod Johnson, $1; James McLaughrey, $1; Mrs. Rachel Endicott and children, $1; A friend, $10; D. B. Heekert, $1; Wm. Rapp, .25; J. W. Bachelor and wife, $3; J. K. Gilbert and wife, $2; Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Taylor, $1.50; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Bloom, .50; W. H. Bloom, $1; Mary E. Nottager, .25; Mrs. Lolla Tattersall, $2; Mr. and Mrs. S. T. Crosbie, $5; Charles Rider, $3; L. A. Gibson, $1; R. D. Quinn, $1; Geo. Snider and wife, $2; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Darling, $1.50; Mr. and Mrs. O. B. Darling, $1; Mr. and Mrs. Benj. McCormack, $1; Mrs. M. J. Humphrey, $1; Mrs. L. A. Chilson, .25; Mt. Hope church school, $1.25; Alex Patin, $5; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Tullon, $2; Mrs. H. L. Glastin, $2; Carson City church, $2.85; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Farrar, $1; Mr. and Mrs. R. Eager, $1; Mr. and Mrs. J. Tommingo, .50; J. Tommingo, Jr., $2; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Straw, .25; Mrs. Ella Read, .50; Miss M. Rue, .50; Mrs. Dr. Carey, .35; Miss Eliza Cole, .50; E. D. and L. B. Hurlburt, $2; Mrs. Lucinda Rue, .50; Mrs. J. C. Scott, .55; Mr. Baldwin, .50; Mrs. Adams, .25; W. H. Graves, .25.
Field Notes
By C. W. Flaiz
Four hundred books have been sent to Georgia. This is just half their quota.
Louisiana has ordered eighty-six books more than the quota going to that State.
The Cumberland Conference, with a quota of 2,400 books, has ordered all except two hundred and eighty of them sent into the field.
The Tennessee River Conference, with a membership of four hundred and fifty, is putting forth a most determined effort to finish its quota at an early date. They still have one thousand nine hundred books to dispose of.
A very enthusiastic letter from the president of the West Virginia Conference states that the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons” is nearly completed in that field, and that they expect to raise their jubilee banner about the first of March.
A letter from the president of the New England Conference states that their entire quota is sold, and that they have received such a blessing from the sale of the book that they propose to continue in the campaign as long as there are any books to be sold.
The Nebraska Conference has made an excellent record in the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Their original quota was 12,035 books. They have sent out from their office 11,754. Eleven thousand dollars has been paid to Union College, and $1,150 to the Mission Board for the sale of books in foreign languages.
“Who will unite in a final effort to finish the work with ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ before the coming General Conference? Those who have been at work are succeeding. If all, every one, would spend a few days in actual work, the task would be done. Why excuse ourselves? Who will respond to this final call? Who will re-enlist until victory is won, and join in the song of jubilee? This work with ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ is the work for to-day. Who believes it? How shall we show that we believe it? Let the leaders in this movement show themselves to be capable men, and let all the people show themselves ready and willing to co-operate. The work is the Lord’s, and by prompt action he will be glorified, and his people will be blessed.” The foregoing questions are asked by Elder Hankins, in the Indiana Recorder of January 7, and are applicable not alone to Indiana, but to the entire field. Sit down and count them, and see how many of them you can answer.
Statistics just received from the Central Union Conference give the following amounts turned over to Union College: —
Kansas ........................ $ 5,004 30
Nebraska ...................... 11,000 00
Iowa .......................... 12 310 00
Colorado ...................... 3,300 00
Missouri ...................... 1,500 00
$33,114 30
C. W. Flaiz.
The Tract Campaign in Kansas
We take the liberty of publishing in full a good letter just received from Elder McReynolds, president of the Kansas Conference. We thank God with all our hearts that this good spirit of earnest labor is spreading through so many of the State conferences. May the good work go on.
“Topeka, Kan., Feb. 1, 1903.
“Dear Brother: Yours, with copy of the letter written by Brother Underwood to his conference people, is at hand, and I very much appreciate your kindness in sending it to me. I will send you a copy of our last issue of the Kansas Worker, in which you will find that the Spirit of God that stirred up Brother Underwood was at work in some minds here also.
“I have not enjoyed a greater blessing in any work for some time than in my effort to arouse our brethren and sisters to take hold of the work of placing these tracts in the hands of the people at once. O if we could get it done at once, so that the stir among the people would be a general one! I am sure that we would receive calls from thousands of places at once for meetings, and that many of our lay members would be impelled to respond to the calls that could not be attended to by the ministers. Such a thing must come, and why may it not come now? Why not?
“I am glad to say that several of the towns in Kansas will have every house supplied with these tracts. They will be left in every house where the inmates will receive them. Some of the country churches (and we hope all of them) will work whole townships in this way. Some will take ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ and go over the territory, using them for the tracts for free distribution. We are raising a free literature fund from which we supply the tracts to the towns where we have no churches. The conference sends workers to these towns. Some of them are giving their time, having only their expenses paid. We are sending out thousands of tracts every day. The ball is rolling, and we believe that we shall see great results from this movement.
“Give us any points that you have in regard to this work; we shall be glad to use them. We shall get some good points from the letter you sent to us.
“Your brother in the Lord,
“C. McReynolds.”
NOTICES AND APPOINTMENTS
Absent Members of Galesburg (Ill.) Church
The Galesburg church does not know the whereabouts of the following-named persons, whose names are on the church roll, but who have been absent for a long time, and have failed to report to the church. They are hereby requested to write to the church clerk, W. H. Holder, Box 149, Galesburg, Ill. In case nothing is heard from them, after waiting a reasonable time the church will consider them as dropped from its membership: Francis Fuller, W. S. Bell, Sarah Cadwallader, Rees Cadwallader, Iva Cadwallader, Della Lindoff, Mrs. M. C. Ludlow, May McCrary, Jennie Roots, Jennie Nordlind, Josie Nordlind, D. C. Ferguson.
