Earlier text: Resolutions Adopted by the Thirty-Seventh Session of the General ConferenceGeneral Conference Committee Appointments
By W. A. SPICER
The following appointments of assistants in the General Conference work, and of members of departments, have been made by the General Conference Committee:— Guy Dail, Assistant Secretary for Europe. Miss Alice Küssner, Subtreasurer for Europe. T. E. Bowen, Home Secretary. H. E. Rogers, Statistical Secretary. J. H. Evans, Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. C. H. Jones, Mountain View, Cal. Review and Herald Publishing Association, Room 404, 32 Union Square, East, New York, N. Y. Wm. Covert, Room 670, 324 Dearborn St., Chicago, Ill. A. Bacon, 84 Upper Tollington Park, London, N., England. R. T. Dowsett, 75 Ashby St., Atlanta, Ga. W. A. Wilcox, 85-87 Arcade Building, Nashville, Tenn. C. N. Woodward, Keene, Tex. N. B. Emerson, College View, Neb. Meade MacGuire, Colorado Sanitarium, Boulder, Colo. C. M. Everest, Box 989, Minneapolis, Minn. J. F. Beatty, 61½ North Park St., Portland, Ore. Frederick Griggs, Secretary. Other members: C. C. Lewis, C. W. Irwin, H. G. Lucas, H. C. Lacey, O. Luepke, Principal Latin Union School, M. E. Cady, Mrs. F. D. Chase, H. R. Salisbury, W. W. Prescott, M. E. Kern, Mrs. L. Flora Plummer, B. F. Machlan, B. E. Huffman, Principal Keene Academy, C. B. Hughes, E. A. Sutherland, M. B. Van Kirk, Principal Huntsville School, S. M. Butler, Erik Arnesen, J. G. Lamson, W. C. John, C. P. Crager, O. J. Graf, W. E. Straw, W. J. Blake, John Lipke, F. W. Field, H. H. Votaw, J. L. Shaw, Ida Thompson. D. H. Kress, Field Secretary. Other members: H. F. Rand, W. A. George, A. B. Olsen, O. Rockwell, J. R. Leadsworth, G. H. Heald, J. D. Shively, V. L. Fisher, J. Hopkins, L. J. Otis, L. A. Hansen, H. W. Vollmer, W. E. Bliss, F. C. Richards, P. A. DeForest, N. P. Nelson, E. Meyer, R. H. Habenicht, A. C. Selmon, W. C. Dunscombe, Riley Russell, Geo. Thomason, H. C. Menkel. E. R. Palmer, Secretary; N. Z. Town, Assistant Secretary. General Members: W. C. White, I. H. Evans, D. W. Reavis, L. R. Conradi, J. L. Shaw, R. C. Porter. Publishing House Managers: S. N. Curtiss, C. H. Jones, I. A. Ford, F. F. Byington, B. B. Noftsger, W. C. Sisley,13 H. Hartkop, J. Robert, W. D. Salisbury, H. H. Cobban, W. D. Burden, A. Pages, W. E. Perrin, Dr. H. W. Miller, L. E. Borle. Managers Circulating Departments and Branches: H. H. Hall, A. J. S. Bourdeau, L. W. Graham, J. W. Mace, James Cochran, J. F. Beatty, C. M. Cottrell, R. L. Pierce, L. Randall. Union Conference Missionary Agents: R. J. Bryant, I. D. Richardson, J. B. Blosser, Ira S. Jones, A. F. Harrison, W. W. Eastman, V. O. Cole, C. G. Bellah, W. L. Manful, C. E. Weaks, J. M. Johanson, S. Joyce, E. Lind, Max Trummer. Missionary Secretaries: F. M. Dana, T. D. Gibson, O. K. Butler, Mrs. M. H. Crothers, Mrs. Helen D. Dowsett. Missionary Volunteer Department Matilda Erickson, Assistant Secretary. Other Members: F. M. Dana, W. J. Blake, Secretary Central Union Conference, S. M. Butler, W. E. Straw, J. G. Lamson, O. K. Butler, H. G. Lucas, Mrs. Mettie S. Lenker, Mrs. M. H. Crothers, Bertha Lofstad, Edith M. Graham, W. H. Wakeham, Guy Dail, Jean Vuilleumier, Mrs. Emma Fenner, L. Muderspach, Mrs. Mary E. Robertson, John Lipke, Mrs. H. H. Cobban, Luther Warren, H. R. Salisbury, Frederick Griggs, Mrs. L. Flora Plummer, Mrs. F. D. Chase, L. H. Christian, Mrs. Helen C. Conard, G. A. Grauer, S. Mortenson, C. L. Benson, Anna Knight, Meade MacGuire. Religious Liberty Department K. C. Russell, Secretary. W. A. Colcord, Assistant Secretary. Other Members: J. O. Corliss, Allen Moon, William Healey, G. B. Thompson, W. T. Bartlett, D. W. Reavis, F. M. Wilcox, J. S. Washburn, L. A. Hoopes, W. A. Wentworth, A. J. S. Bourdeau, W. H. Thurston, S. B. Horton, J. S. Wightman, C. S. Longacre, J. G. Lamson, A. J. Breed, C. E. Knight, W. A. Hennig, Eugene Leland. Sabbath-School Department G. B. Thompson, Secretary. Mrs. L. Flora Plummer, Assistant Secretary. Other Members: W. W. Prescott, Mrs. V. J. Farnsworth, M. C. Wilcox, W. A. Spicer, W. H. Wakeham, Mrs. Fannie D. Chase, F. M. Wilcox, T. E. Bowen. (For direction of work with “Relief” Books) Frederick Griggs, W. A. Ruble, W. C. White, G. A. Irwin, E. R. Palmer, J. W. Christian, O. A. Olsen, G. B. Thompson, M. E. Kern. The membership of the North American Foreign and North American Negro departments, as appointed, were given in last week’s REVIEW. Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium Association
A MEETING of the constituency of the Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium Association was called, according to appointment, June 4, 1909, at 10:30 A. M. G. A. Irwin in the chair. A quorum was present. It was voted that the reading of the minutes of previous meetings be waived. The chairman stated that this was the first biennial meeting of the association. The association was organized in 1904. Work was opened in the rented building at Iowa Circle before the property was purchased at Takoma Park. He described the improvements which had been made upon the property at Takoma, the institution here being dedicated June 13, 1907. The institution had been operating for nearly two years. By arrangements with the town of Takoma Park, a bridge had been thrown across the gorge of the Sligo Creek, by which the institution had become easily accessible for all vehicles. The chairman called upon Dr. Ruble, the medical superintendent of the Iowa Circle Sanitarium, who said:— “The Washington Branch Sanitarium is an institution accommodating about fifteen house patients. During the year we have had a fairly good patronage, though the completion of the institution out here on the Sligo has, during the past year, taken some of our patients. However, the patronage from the city has been gradually increasing until this year almost twice as many have availed themselves of the privileges of the sanitarium as heretofore. Our patronage comes almost entirely from the best class of people in Washington. We have among our patients several senators and representatives, two or three supreme judges, and one assistant of a supreme judge. We have also had a number of representatives from foreign countries. “The interest of our helpers has been very manifest, especially in religious matters. During the year we had some very interesting meetings with our helpers and patients. We have universal testimony as to the high spiritual interest that our helpers take in the patients. In our social meetings almost all the helpers connected with the institution have taken part.” The chairman next called upon Dr. Kress, medical superintendent of the Washington Sanitarium at Takoma Park, who read a paper, from which we can take only the following items:— The speaker quoted from Testimonies urging that the Sanitarium at the national capital should have every advantage, in order that the right impression might be given at the center of the nation. They urged that means should flow in to achieve this purpose, and that such means should be economically handled. Dr. Kress: We do not expect a child to walk and earn its own food on the day of its birth, neither can we expect new institutions to be self-supporting during the first few months of their existence. I am glad to report that the Washington Sanitarium has reached this point much earlier than we had hoped for. We have spent considerable in advertising, letting the people know we are here. During the year 1909 the institution has been able to finance itself, and the prospects for the future are very promising. The growth in patronage has been healthy. I know of no institution that gives greater promise of doing a great work than the Washington Sanitarium. As a people we have reason to thank God, and take courage. We took a large class of young people into training,—it seemed more than we actually needed for our sanitarium work. By combining missionary work in the city with this training, we were able to take more than we needed. In this way we hoped to provide for the future, and at the same time give our workers an all-round training. The work grew, and we soon discovered that we had none too many for our sanitarium work, and the mission work in the city had to be abandoned for a time. At first we housed our nurses in the main building. As the patronage increased, we were forced to secure private outside rooms. This made it difficult to maintain the order and discipline among the workers so necessary in order to do the best work. The board felt it necessary to erect a separate home for the workers. The building was occupied in January, and has been a great blessing to the work. Both buildings have been practically full most of the time during the past two or three months. At present we have fifty patients, and about forty workers in training. We get a superior class of patients at this institution. Representatives from all parts of the United States and foreign lands come to Washington. Some of these have been under treatment during the past year. The doctor read extracts from letters written by former patients, expressing appreciation of care received, and of the spiritual atmosphere of the institution. Patients had found not only physical help, but some had been won to a Christian experience who had not had such experience before coming to the institution. Some charitable work had been done. The Sanitarium, however, has not had the means to do all that it would gladly do in this direction. He expressed the hope that by some means churches or conferences might help the unfortunate poor of their membership who could be benefited by attention to be received at a sanitarium. The report of the treasurer was next called for, and presented by S. E. McNeill, assistant. Upon motion of G. B. Thompson, seconded by E. T. Russell, the treasurer’s report was accepted. G. B. Thompson, chairman of the committee on nominations, appointed at a former meeting, rendered the committee’s report, submitting the following names for board of trustees of the association: G. A. Irwin, A. G. Daniells, I. H. Evans, D. H. Kress, F. M. Wilcox,19 W. A. Ruble, and the business manager of the Sanitarium. On motion of G. B. Thompson, duly seconded, the report of the committee was adopted. It was moved and seconded that the meeting adjourn. General Conference Committee Work
The General Conference Committee has been busily engaged since the close of the Conference in much special, as well as routine, work, such as arranging the work of the departments, securing missionaries to fill the various calls, etc. Further results from their deliberations will be placed before the readers of the REVIEW in our next number. The work of the Committee between the sessions of the General Conference is world-wide in its scope, and its recommendations will be found quite as interesting as the proceedings of the Conference. A legal meeting of the Washington Training College was called Thursday, June 3, 1909, at 9:15 A. M., A. G. Daniells, president of the board, in the chair. A quorum was present. The president of the school, Prof. H. R. Salisbury, rendered the following report of the work of the Seminary:— Two years ago at the biennial session of the General Conference Council at Gland, Switzerland, the first plans were laid for the establishment of the Foreign Mission Seminary. The reasons given were these:— When our delegates assembled there from the different parts of the world, each brought with him from his field an earnest request for more laborers. The two years which had succeeded the General Conference of 1905 in Washington, D. C., had been a time of spiritual and numerical growth in our mission fields, so that our brethren in charge of those fields, and our leading brethren who returned to the Council after visiting foreign fields, brought so many definite requests that the Council found itself veritably besieged by the demands for more help. Many of these requests seemed imperative and undeniable, and when all were placed before our brethren, they found themselves face to face with a situation whose necessities rivaled anything that had been before demanded of them. In addition to the situation created by this great number of requests there arose also a second and a third condition to be met which, while not entirely new, were at least greatly emphasized by the then existing conditions. The second was revealed in a plea that the workers hereafter to be sent out should, if possible, have a better general education. Thirdly, it was found that in nearly all instances the fields yet to be entered would be far more difficult than those that had heretofore been entered, so that it was manifest that it was not only, first a lack of workers, and second, too plainly a lack of sufficient training on the part of those whose names were under consideration, but it was found that as the calls which now come are from lands where new languages must be learned and greater privations endured, it became incumbent upon the mission board to plan for special training to meet these conditions. The following recommendation was therefore drawn up:— “That in order to accomplish these ends, we request the trustees of the Washington Training College to so change their course of study and plans of operation as to make that institution a distinctively foreign mission training-school.”
This recommendation was further agreed to by a meeting of the constituency held in Philadelphia, Nov. 15-20, 1907. This Foreign Mission Seminary has, therefore, been in operation for two years. The first year,—that is, last year,—the attendance was 86, and this year, which closed just before the opening of this Conference, the attendance was 102. Although we have been in operation less than two years, and this year’s students have, with few exceptions, not yet received their appointments to foreign fields, students from this Seminary are already in the following countries: 2 in Norway, 2 in China, 2 in Bengal, 2 in North India, 1 in South India, 1 in Burma, 1 in Australasia, 2 in British Guiana, 2 in Peru, 2 in Ecuador, 1 in Argentina, 2 in Guatemala, and 2 in Jamaica. It should be borne in mind, as I have already said, that this year’s appointments have not yet been made, and will probably include almost as many more as have already been mentioned, with quite as wide a distribution; for we have them here under tentative appointment for every continent as well as the islands of the sea. There have been also a few who have gone out from the Seminary into ministerial work in this country, and others will go out at the close of this Conference. Several have been attracted by the strong course which we give in Bible and history and the work in pastoral training, and have been here taking special work in ministerial lines. During the past two years we have endeavored to give strong groups of studies, in order that the student might gain that necessary fitting which will enable him to meet the many difficulties and perplexities which come to one as a missionary in the regions beyond. We have given thorough work in Bible, adapting it to the needs of those who must enter into public work as evangelists or Bible workers, supplemented by that history which would make them intelligent interpreters of the prophecies, also special work in pastoral training to enable the student to express himself with that clearness and naturalness which would command the respect of his hearers. We have also taught to the advanced students the Hebrew and Greek, that they might get a better grasp of the inspired Word in its original form. In the modern languages, we have taught in the past two years French, German, Spanish, Chinese, and Hindi. In the medical department, we have had classes in tropical medicine, general diseases, tropical hygiene, sanitation, dietetics, massage, hydrotherapy, bandaging, as well as advanced physiology. It is this department that we wish especially to strengthen the coming year; for it is being brought to us more and more that the greater number of our foreign missionaries must be given a practical course in nursing while with us. We may not be able to give the technical and professional course outlined in medical institutions, but we must have continually in operation in this Foreign Mission Seminary a nurses’ training course, which will make it possible for every student going out from this Seminary to foreign fields who is not already a trained nurse to have sufficient knowledge of that most necessary subject to be able not only to care for himself, but also his fellow workers or the people for whom he is laboring. We have done something toward this work in the past, but will not be satisfied until we have in operation and preparation a course which, while for the present to some extent limited, shall nevertheless be practical. Our foreign missionary workers are by actual experience having it most forcibly brought home to them that by this kind of work can they best obtain a hold among heathen nations, and those hearts which have thus far failed to respond to the gospel message. Aside from the general course which I have outlined, we have also made progress in the industries. We have connected with the Seminary three industries,—farming, tent-making, and printing. Our printing establishment has been especially blessed both financially and in the work it has been able to give to the students in the eighteen months it has been in operation. We hope that our plans for that industry may be enlarged so that a considerable number of our young men may have a working knowledge of that important industry before leaving for foreign fields. With the well-equipped plant we already have through the generosity of the Board, it would need but little more enlarging to enable a large proportion of our students to gain while here a fairly good idea of the printing trade, and the printing-office would be as large as any they would be likely to enter in foreign fields, so that they would be able to work here in an office of about the same equipment that they would have in other lands. Our tent factory, although in operation but a few months, has made a good beginning and several presidents in the surrounding conferences have given us their orders for tents for this summer’s meetings. If we still show ourselves worthy of consideration, we shall be able the coming year to give a larger number of students work and to send into the fields beyond students proficient in that excellent trade. We wish we might express in a suitable way our appreciation to the young people of the United States for the help they have rendered us through scholarships. Some of our conferences have not understood this matter, but there have been a sufficient number who have interested themselves in this up to the present so that the past year we were able to bring in several students of promise who could never have been with us had it not been for the scholarship. It has been of great help to the Mission Board to be able to come in close touch with the students we have had here, and to be able to visit our Seminary from time to time, and select and send away, almost on a moment’s notice, students in attendance. These calls were urgent and yet of such importance as made it desirable for the Board to meet, and become personally acquainted with, those whom they were sending away. May I point out, as I close, that I trust we may duly appreciate what it means from this time on to send of our best by scores into fields in which the languages are difficult; the customs strange; the manners hostile; the religions hoary with tradition, full of deception, delighting in works and mocking at faith; and, above all, to the loneliness of isolation, the constant danger from a multitude of diseases none too kind to the native, and all too often fatal to the missionary. We must not ask our sons and daughters to face the loneliness, and expose themselves to the dangers, at the risk of their lives, until we have done all we20 can in the home land to give them, as far as lies in our power, that necessary and intelligent training which will enable them to meet and grapple with these obstacles in a way to bring success to the missionary, and ultimate victory to the cause of present truth. The chairman again called on H. R. Salisbury, the treasurer, to present the treasurer’s report; which he did. We are unable to set up the tabular report in these columns. It showed the following facts:— RESOURCES
Real estate $79,813.42
Inventories 7,872.29
Accounts receivable 5,076.58
Total resources $92,762.29 LIABILITIES
Annuities $15,400.00
Accounts payable 26,453.89
including notes
Total liabilities $41,853.89 Present worth, June 30, 1908, $50,908.40 The committee on nominations for trustees rendered the following report, through its secretary, W. J. Fitzgerald: A. G. Daniells, H. R. Salisbury, W. W. Prescott, I. H. Evans, W. A. Ruble, G. B. Thompson, G. A. Irwin, F. Griggs, F. M. Wilcox. The report was adopted unanimously. W. J. Fitzgerald also presented the following report from the committee on recommendations:— 1. Resolved, That we approve the action of the General Conference Committee Council, held at Gland, Switzerland, in May, 1907, providing that the Washington Training College henceforth be conducted as the Washington Foreign Mission Seminary.
Whereas, The Washington Foreign Mission Seminary has been established to give special preparation to volunteers for the foreign mission fields of the world; and,—
Whereas, It has no definite territory from which to draw students and funds; therefore,—
2. Resolved, That we request the General Conference to take the ownership and management of this institution, and to assume its obligations. On motion to adopt the report, Resolution 1 was read and adopted by vote without discussion. A. G. Daniells made a few remarks in regard to the resolution. He stated that the trustees and members of the General Conference Committee had considered the question very carefully during the past year, and had felt that this action ought to be taken. He showed how the training-school was different from ordinary colleges or academies, in the respect that it does not attempt so much to take students through the regular courses, as to take volunteers for mission fields, and prepare them by special work for the fields to which they are going. Some of these might have been graduated from academies and colleges, and others had perhaps limited educational requirements, but were possessed of good missionary timber, willing to go out to some hard, difficult field, and do successful work, with a year or two special work at this school. He stated further that the institution has no definite territory. The students come from all over the United States. The board of management has always been made up of General Conference men. There are no others here to take the management of the institution. It therefore seems more consistent for the General Conference itself to own the plant, to take its management, and to secure the students as a part of its work of securing and sending missionaries to the field. In reply to question, it was stated that the property would likely be held by the General Conference Corporation, which is the legal arm of the General Conference unincorporated. A. T. Robinson: Would there still be a necessity for the Washington Training College to exist? A. G. Daniells: This question as to whether the present association should be dissolved, would have to be taken up for careful study. Are you ready for the question? Upon call of question, the recommendation was put to vote and carried, with one dissenting vote. The Washington Training College Association meeting was then adjourned, by vote of the constituency. Religious Liberty Work in the Central Union Conference
By John S. Wightman
A BRIEF report and summary of the religious liberty work in the Central Union Conference the past winter, including the effort put forth in the legislature at Jefferson City, Mo., last April, may not be uninteresting to readers of the REVIEW. Sunday bills were introduced in all of the legislatures of our territory, with the exception of Wyoming; and though Sunday rest associations and individual advocates have urged their adoption, we are glad to be able to say that all of these bills have failed of adoption, nearly all being defeated in committee. Missouri had the largest number of bills of any single State,—six in all,—and these were defeated. With the exception of a hearing granted Mrs. Wightman and the writer by a committee at Jefferson City, there were no public hearings. It is quite certain that newspaper correspondence upon the subject of Sunday legislation, private letters of protest, the judicious use of religious liberty literature, and direct personal work with the representatives of the people, have, altogether, been effectual in halting further Sunday legislation in the Central Union Conference territory. From the reports I have received from the State secretaries from time to time, I am sure vigorous efforts have been put forth by them, and that signal success has attended these efforts. At Jefferson City, Mo., April 10, a resolution was offered in the House of Representatives granting Mrs. Wightman the privilege of using the House of Representatives Hall on the evening of April 12. The night was exceedingly disagreeable, yet a large number of the legislators and senators were present. They listened with marked attention, and frequently applauded points of the lecture. At the conclusion of the lecture a large number of the legislators, including the speaker, the Republican floor leader, and chairman of committees, came crowding forward to the speaker's stand, asking almost numberless questions. For an hour we were kept busy replying to these. Mrs. Wightman was asked if she would give the same lecture to the legislature the next day. Of course she replied in the affirmative. The following morning, Mr. Conran offered a resolution inviting Mrs. Wightman to speak to the House of Representatives at five o'clock on the “Object of Civil Government,” which was unanimously agreed to. At five o'clock scarcely a single member—156 in all—was absent from his seat. Many of the wives and families were present, a number of senators came over from the Senate chamber, and the public galleries were well filled. In the lower gallery were the prohibition and temperance forces which were advocating a constitutional amendment for State-wide prohibition. It will be impossible to give the results of this meeting with the legislators in detail. The mention of a few incidents may be of interest. Three of the leading members requested that they be furnished all the information and literature upon the subject that was possible, while the requests for the Sunday Mail Report were so many that we decided to furnish every member a copy of the same, and did so. Personal interviews granted by many of the members disclosed an amazing interest in the subject of religious liberty and the dangers of religious legislation, plainly presented to them. Returning to Jefferson City two weeks later, we found that this interest had not abated at all; rather it had increased. A voluminous correspondence has since been carried on; and all indications, without exception, augur for good. One of the strongest Sunday-law advocates in the House completely changed his views. He said: “Missouri evidently ought to be just where California is—without a Sunday law.”21 The Speaker of the House gave us a letter of introduction to Speaker Shurtleff, of the Illinois House of Representatives, being anxious to have the Illinois Legislature hear the same doctrine of government, from which I quote, in part:— “On April 13 Mrs. Wightman addressed the members of the legislature on the object of civil government. Her lecture was listened to with marked attention, gave general satisfaction, and made a profound impression on the minds of many of the members.” Letters of introduction to the city officials of St. Louis were given us, and to many of the county officials of the State of Missouri, and to certain members of Congress and United States senators at Washington. This, too, in my opinion, has opened a larger door to the press of Missouri, as nothing else, perhaps, could have done. A brief summary of the work of the religious liberty department of the Central Union Conference (not including the work of the State departments) for a twelve-month is as follows: Religious liberty lectures given, 265; number of persons in audiences, approximately, 30,000; newspaper articles published, in 94 different newspapers, 156, reaching, in the aggregate, 8,000,000 readers; personal visits, 2,800; pages of religious liberty literature distributed, 143,000; letters written, multigraph process and otherwise, approximately, 4,000. We praise the Lord for the privilege and the blessing of working with him. Something About the Book Work in South Missouri
By A. A. Cone
“THE Lord is not slack concerning his promise,” and the revival in the book work that he promised us has come. Since taking up the work here in this conference last January, we have held two canvassers’ institutes, and the Lord has come very near, and impressed hearts. Men and women who have been successful in other lines of work are leaving their positions and taking up this work, and the watchword of each is, “The gospel to the world in this generation.” Eighteen were in attendance at the institute recently held at Carthage, and have now gone to strengthen the ranks of our faithful band already in the field. Several have come from College View, making in all thirty-two canvassers in the South Missouri Conference. We are glad for what has been accomplished, but we look for much better things in the near future; for we are told, “Very much more efficient work can be done in the canvassing field than has yet been done.” Let us pray that the Lord of the harvest will send forth more laborers into his vineyard.
A. A. Cone,
Field Agent. Christian Education in Mexico
By Waldo B. Miramontez
It was on the first day of last August that we arrived in the flourishing metropolis of Guadalajara, Mexico. It was our intention on coming down here, to start a school something on the plan of our church-schools in the States, but we have had to learn the lesson since that we are living in the “day of small things” here in this neglected republic of Mexico. We started our little school with six native children in attendance; and while this was but a small beginning, still we feel that the Lord blessed us exceedingly in the effort. After spending three months in school work in Guadalajara, it was thought best by the local Mexican board that we be transferred to Tacubaya, where the demand for a school seemed to be greater than it was in Guadalajara; so acting upon this decision, we came to Tacubaya, and since the seventh of December we have been conducting a school based on church-school principles, but more rightly known as a mission school. Because of lack of means, we have had to conduct our school in a small tent. This did not accommodate a third of the pupils that would have come. We have now ten registered pupils; five of these are American children, and five are Mexicans. These five native children are a very slight representation of the millions of these dark-skinned niños who ought to have access to Christian education; but we feel that we have lubricated the wheels of Christian education in Mexico, and hope that another year’s effort in the same work will see the educational machine in active operation. However, before we can see this activity, we shall have to procure a larger schoolroom. We long to gather in these poor children for whom the Saviour gave his life. These poor children appeal to me, and I feel that we can reach their little unprejudiced hearts with the Word of God; and perhaps have very little difficulty in working through them for the salvation of their ignorant parents. What a wonderful part of the third angel’s message is the educational phase! I rejoice more and more every day that I have a part in it. Our school will close on the eighteenth of June, and open again the first of September. Pray for our future success; and remember, brethren, that there is one way to help answer our prayers,—to ourselves work toward the accomplishment of that for which we pray. The Tunesassa School
By E. A. Manry
NESTLED among the foot-hills of the Alleghany Mountains of western New York, is the Tunesassa intermediate school. It has been in operation for three years, and steady growth and progress have marked its history. To-day, there are nearly a score of souls rejoicing in the message through its influence. The founders were intent upon following the instruction given by the spirit of prophecy. This led to its being located away from the city, and from the scenes that lead the mind from God. Students and helpers have spent many days of hard work in clearing the land, and it will take much more work to get it ready for cultivation. Although we are located away from the city, yet we have many modern conveniences; such as telephone, electric light, and steam heat. At present we can accommodate about thirty pupils, but a plan is now being laid to erect another building. From the first, the diet question received attention, and no food of a stimulating character is used upon our tables. We have had but little sickness, and many have improved in health by living upon our simple diet. This year has been marked by blessings all along the way. Eleven have been led to lead better lives, and twelve are to enter the canvassing work. Whenever we review our school year, we can but feel how kind our Heavenly Father has been to us. One Indian boy, who came to our school last fall, soon embraced the truth. He has advanced so far in the truth that he seems to know more about the message than some who have been long in the way. Often this boy asks the Heavenly Father to touch his parents’ hearts. Time is short, and all that we do toward increasing our facilities must be done soon. The time has come when our children should be attending schools ordained of God. Parents should make a decided effort to secure school privileges for their children. Soon the last book will be sold, the last day of school be passed, and probationary time be ended. Is it not high time for us to seek God earnestly for guidance? A. N. DURRANT
By A. N. Durrant
ON Friday, March 12, my wife and I boarded the Royal Mail Steamship “Oruba,” in Kingston harbor, bound for Trinidad, at the call of the union conference. We reached Colon on Sunday, where we remained two days. Leaving there Tuesday, we called at Cartagena and Savanilla (Puerto Colombia), spending a day at each place. At both these places I went ashore. Having had an interest in the Spanish work and people for some time, my heart was again stirred as I put foot on Colombia’s soil, especially when I remembered that there is not one representative of this last message among the four millions who are there bound by the chains of Rome. Venezuela, another Spanish field, is only eight miles from Trinidad. We have not one Sabbath-keeper among her nearly three million people. This seems too bad. With the overthrow of Castro (former president), many believe this field will soon be opened to missionary work. On board the “Oruba,” two merchants (Venezuelans) made friends with us through our little two-year-old boy. They have opened business in this city, and are still our friends. Could I acquire the language, I could soon find my way into this field, as the way opens. On Sunday, March 21, we were landed in Port of Spain. Elder and Mrs. Beckner received us warm-heartedly, and have done all in their power to render us comfortable, and make us forget home. The brethren also gave us a hearty welcome. A tent effort is well under way in a suburb of the city, of which we will write later on. Brethren, we are not afraid of diseases and pestilence, in God’s hands; but we do need your prayers, that our health may be preserved, and our labors crowned with success. At Butler, Okla., three persons were baptized on April 4. Three persons were baptized on April 24, at Pine Bluff, Ark. Brother Charles Nelson reports the baptism of six on April 18, at Vernal, Utah. Six young persons were baptized at South Lancaster, Mass., on a recent Sabbath. April 25, at Fall River, Mass., six persons were baptized by Brother H. C. Hartwell. Elder C. E. Leland recently baptized eight persons, five of them men, at Placerville, Cal. Five students of the Emmanuel Missionary College, two young men and three young women, were recently baptized at Berrien Springs, Mich. Brother A. E. Sanderson, reporting his work at Leominster, Mass., says: “We have had a number accept the truth here who are having their first experience in the Christian life. Fourteen have thus far accepted this blessed message.”