p. 24 | Review and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 15. (4/14/1910)

Duties and Qualifications of the Church Clerk

By W. J. Stone

The church clerk is elected for one year. Usually a sister is chosen to fill this office, and at once enters upon her duties. However, the former clerk should make out a full report of the quarterly meeting and the election of officers, and record it in the clerk's record book before turning it over to the newly elected clerk.

The clerk should record every business meeting held by the church, and it would be well to make a brief record of any special services, giving the name of the minister conducting the service. Where a clerk has intelligently recorded all the services held by the church, any visiting minister, by looking over the clerk's records, can form a good idea of what has been done, and will know better how to direct his labors.

In addition to the record of meetings held, the clerk should record the names of all who unite with the church, whether by letter or baptism, and all dismissals, whether by letter, apostasy, or death. All these records should be brief, yet comprehensive enough to give the exact particulars of all transactions. In important actions of the church it would be well to record the names of those making and seconding motions.

The clerk can do much to encourage the members, and especially those who are absent. It is desired that every member of the church report in some way his standing at least once a quarter. Many of our churches have a scattered membership who can not attend regularly. Some for various reasons live for years isolated from the church in which they hold their membership — sometimes in distant conferences. The clerk two or three weeks before the close of the quarter should write a kind Christian letter to all such, and if possible secure a letter from them to be read at the coming quarterly meeting. These letters are always a great encouragement and blessing to the church. In this correspondence the matter of tithe-paying and other Christian duties can be mentioned in a judicious way. It would be well for the clerk to encourage all absent members, if at all consistent, to unite with the church nearest to the place where they reside. The clerk should endeavor to become acquainted with every member at least by correspondence, and be in such close touch with them that she may be able to give valuable information regarding their whereabouts and spiritual condition.

It will readily be seen that in order to keep an intelligent record of the church proceedings, keep in touch with its members, and do the missionary work devolving upon the clerk, the person selected should be a consecrated Christian. She should also be competent to write an intelligent record of events, and all minutes should be neatly recorded in the clerk's record book as soon after the meetings are held as practicable. It would be well to write out the report and correct it before recording it in the clerk's book, thus avoiding erasures or the making of changes in the permanent records.

W. J. STONE.

Current Mention

— A “funeral trust” has been formed in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, a merger of nearly every undertaking establishment in the city having been effected on April 5.

— Returns from elections held in 240 cities and towns in Illinois on April 5 indicate a gain for the liquor forces. Thirty-two towns changed from “dry” to “wet,” and thirteen from “wet” to “dry.”

— Former President Roosevelt and family are being given a truly royal reception by the king and queen and people of Italy. The attitude of the Vatican toward Mr. Roosevelt has seemed to add fervor to the reception which the Italian people are extending to him.

— At McKees Rocks, Pa., on the night of April 5, bandits entered the office of the Victor Banking Company, shot and killed two of the officers of the bank, took $5,000 in cash, and wounded three citizens of the town while making their escape. They have not been apprehended.

— The Mohammed Abdullah of Somaliland, known as the “Mad Mullah,” has begun a fierce campaign against the British protectorates. In a recent raid 800 natives were killed, and vast areas laid waste.

— The United States torpedo-boat destroyer “Reid” was given its official test in the vicinity of Pensacola, Fla., on April 7, during which the vessel maintained for four hours a speed of thirty-six nautical miles an hour. Among warships this vessel now holds the world’s record for speed.

— War seems almost certain between Peru and Ecuador. The forces of Peru are rapidly mobilizing, 15,000 having enlisted in one day. Both Spain and the United States are understood to be counseling an amicable settlement of the difficulties of the two countries.

— One of the New York street-car companies has ordered sixteen of the new Edison storage-battery street-cars, the test of the one sent to New York for trial some weeks ago having proved eminently satisfactory. These cars have demonstrated their ability to operate at an expense of less than half a cent a mile.

— Tentative agreements, which are believed to be a settlement of both the coal and steel strikes in Pennsylvania, were reached on April 6 in a conference between representatives of the interested parties at Washington, D. C. These strikes have thrown thousands of men out of employment in the State of Pennsylvania, and otherwise injuriously affected business throughout the State.

— After a three-months’ investigation by a United States district attorney, and four-days’ consideration of evidence by the grand jury, the Imperial Window Glass Company, of West Virginia, and sixteen of its officers and directors were indicted at Pittsburg, Pa., on April 7, on charges of violating the anti-trust law. There are three charges against the concern: conspiracy in restraint of the hand-blown glass trade, engagement in illegal competition, and attempts to monopolize interstate trade.

— Contrary to the reports cabled last week from Egypt and Rome that former President Roosevelt would meet the Pope of Rome, the meeting did not take place. In the negotiations concerning the audience the papal secretary of state laid down conditions to which Mr. Roosevelt felt that he could not accede as a free American citizen. The papal secretary desired to bind him in advance to an agreement not to meet the Methodists. Mr. Roosevelt had not planned to address the Methodists of Rome, but was unwilling to give bond that he would not do so as the price of an audience with the Pope. The papal secretary regards Mr. Roosevelt’s course as “indefensible,” but no right-thinking American will agree with the papal secretary. The incident has naturally caused a great deal of discussion throughout the world, and has stirred up much bitter feeling on the part of Catholics toward Methodists. Some Catholic priests see in this incident Mr. Roosevelt’s Waterloo in the political world; but others (not Catholics) claim to see in it the return of the former president to office with an overwhelming majority.

NOTICES AND APPOINTMENTS

West Michigan Conference

ALL correspondence designed for the president of the West Michigan Conference should be addressed to Elder S. E. Wight, Otsego, Mich., instead of to the writer. A. G. HAUGHEY.

Change of Address

THE Utah Tract and Bible Society has changed its address from 415 Hooper Building, Salt Lake City, Utah, to Rooms 6 and 7, Eagle Block, Salt Lake City, Utah. This change also applies to the conference and all other departments.

Southern Idaho Conference Association

THE annual session of the Southern Idaho Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists, a corporation, will be held in connection with the annual camp-meeting at Payette, Idaho.

The first meeting will be called May 20, 1910, at 10:30 A. M., for the election of officers and the transaction of such business as may pertain to the association. J. M. WILLOUGHBY, President, A. C. BIRD, Secretary.

Southern Idaho Conference

THE third annual session of the Southern Idaho Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will convene at Fayette, Idaho, at 9:30 A. M., May 19, 1910, for the election of officers and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the delegates.

Each church is entitled to one delegate regardless of members and one delegate for each ten members. Let the churches elect delegates at once, and forward a list of the same to the conference secretary. J. M. WILLOUGHBY, President, T. L. COPELAND, Secretary.

Business Notices

Conditions

Any person unknown to the managers of this paper must send with his advertisement satisfactory written recommendation. Such recommendation should come from one of our ministers, or from the elder of a Seventh-day Adventist church. It is not enough to refer to some individual by name. Secure his recommendation in writing, and send it.

We open no accounts for advertising, and cash must accompany each order.

A charge of one dollar will be made for each insertion of forty words or less. Each additional word, initial, or group of figures in excess of forty, will cost three cents.

No discount for several insertions.

Wanted.—Energetic man to sell cotton gloves; also Sabbath-keeping woman to do housework. Will pay right wages. Mrs. J. H. Griffith, St. Elmo, Ill.

Bible Mottoes.—Size 12 x 16. 1,000,000 beauties. Special offer. 100, $5; 200, $9; 500, $20. (Father and mother, 200, $11. These are world winners.) Send stamp to Hampton Art Co., Hampton, Iowa.

Hygienic Vegetable Cooking Oil.—The oil used by our people. 5 gal., $3.95; 10 gal., $7.80. Cans crated. ½ bbl. (about 32 gal.), 70 cents a gal. By freight from Louisville, Ky. Address Dr. O. C. Godsmark, Chattanooga, Tenn.

For Sale.—Sanitarium Cooking Oil, pure and healthful; no odor, keeps indefinitely; 5-gal. can, $3.65; 10-gal. can, $7.15; ½ bbl. (30 gal.), 69 cents a gal.; 1 bbl. (50 gal.), 68 cents a gal. Address Sanitarium Cooking Oil Co., Louisville, Ky.

For Sale.—Tracts containing five acres and upward, suitable for fruit growing, near the new Pacific Union College, St. Helena, Cal. Good climate, altitude 750 feet. For particulars address St. Helena Sanitarium, Sanitarium, Napa Co., Cal.

Wanted.—Good, strong, healthy, reliable Seventh-day Adventist to work on stave mill and help work in woods cutting timber. A good, all-round young man preferred. Steady work for right man. Good wages. Thomas E. Giebell, R. F. D. 3, New Cumberland, W. Va.

White Wyandottes are the fowl for fancier, farmer, or market. Our 220 egg strain is second to none. Preparing to enter the work, we offer this rare opportunity to get double value, and satisfaction guaranteed. Standard bred, stay white, blocky, trap nested beauties, best breeding—non-related trios—pullets and cockerels, at $4 and $5. April pullets laying since Aug. 15, 1909. Our Mammoth Pekins are valuable, worth $5 each. Tried, standard bred, creamy white layers and weighers, at 2 for $5. Eggs from best hens (both breeds), 15, $2; 30, $3.50; 100, $8. From flock, 100, $6. Cheap express. Fertility and satisfaction guaranteed. Save this adv. Order or write Lein Bros., R. F. D. 1, Stanley, N. D.

Adventist Physicians and Nurses, Attention.—Those interested in the progress of Hydrotherapy, Electrotherapy, Phototherapy, Massage, Gymnastics, Dietetics, Hyperemia, and other forms of physiologic therapeutics will appreciate the American Journal of Physiologic Therapeutics. This practical, 80-page, bimonthly journal will give the gist of the best in these respective lines. $1 a year ($1.25 in Canada and abroad). First issue May. Begin now! Address subscriptions and correspondence to Henry R. Harrower, M. D., 72 Madison St., Chicago, Ill.

Health Food Notice.—Until further notice we will allow freight on $10 shipments to all the States lying east of Colorado, except Texas (cooking oil and 45-lb. cans nut butter excluded), by adding extra foods of your selection (except the oil and nut butter) to fully cover the freight. In the same way we will allow half the freight on $5 shipments. Send your orders direct to the factory, to your tract society, or to any of our established agencies. In the same way we can allow half the freight to any railroad station in Texas. Put in all the cooking oil and nut butter you want, we do not allow freight on those two articles. Remember that health reform is a part of the message. Make up orders among your neighbors. Nashville Sanitarium-Food Factory, Nashville, Tenn.

Sanitarium Relief Campaign

By L. A. Hansen

Further Details of the Campaign

THE recommendations for the sanitarium relief campaign advise that each member shall sell two copies of “Ministry of Healing” and five copies of Life and Health each year for the next three years. It requires some planning and effort to carry out this apparently easy task. The details are left to the various conferences for arrangement.

The success of this undertaking rests in co-operation.

The author of “Ministry of Healing,” Mrs. E. G. White, has given the book, without royalty, to this relief work.

The Review and Herald Publishing Association is publishing the book at cost of manufacture.

The distributing centers, union and local, will handle the book without profit.

Those who sell the book and the journals will give their time without remuneration.

The funds will be sent to the union conference treasuries, to be applied on the indebtedness of our sanitariums as may be arranged by union conferences.

It is expected to realize at least one dollar on each copy of the book, above the cost of publishing and expense of handling it.

The cost of publishing an edition of the book is considerable—for paper, printing, and binding. Inasmuch as the publishers do not make a profit on this work, they are not in position to carry the expense of it.

There is no fund on hand to meet the outlay.

It will be necessary to conduct the enterprise on a cash basis as nearly as possible.

The book “Ministry of Healing” sells for one dollar and a half. The journal Life and Health sells at ten cents a copy. These may be secured through the local tract and missionary society. They will be billed to the purchaser at the full retail price.

If you can pay cash for your books and journals, do so. If this is not possible, then make satisfactory arrangement with the office for settlement. In some cases this may be done by agreeing to sell the books and journals at once and turn in the proceeds. The office can then settle with the publishers for the wholesale price, and the rest of the proceeds can be applied to the object of the campaign.

It is desirable to make the expense of handling the book as small as possible. In many instances they may be shipped from the office with other books. When shipments of “Ministry of Healing” or Life and Health are made alone, they should be prepaid by the office, so that the expense fund may be kept track of easily. The office will then take out the expenses before remitting to the union conference treasury.

There is not much complication in the plan, and there should not be much difficulty in carrying it out.

L. A. HANSEN.

Diligence in Business

“SEEST thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings.”

Wabash Valley Sanitarium's Announcement of Special Summer Course

KNOWING the great need of medical missionary work, and realizing that it is impossible for many to spend three years in training for the regular nurses' course, the Wabash Valley Sanitarium Training School has provided a special four-months' course, to begin May 15, of this year.

The studies that will be taken up during this course are, simple treatments, practical points in nursing, Bible, and Testimonies.

There will be at the same time, a class in English if the number desiring same is sufficient to justify the formation of a class.

In addition to the above, will be the regular training-school nurses' course, classes which are continuous throughout the year. Any desiring advance work during said time can obtain same by making necessary arrangements with the faculty.

All those who have satisfactorily completed the four-months' course, and afterward decide to take the regular nurses' course, will be given credit for said four-months' work on the regular course.

Board, room, and tuition will be furnished at the same rate as for the regular course. The sanitarium management has provided means whereby students in this class may meet their entire expense by labor as it accrues from week to week, with the exception of incidentals and books. Those desiring further information may obtain same by addressing Wm. W. Worster, M. D., La Fayette, Ind.

Obituaries

ALLEN.—Mrs. Julia E. Allen, wife of E. D. Allen, died at the home of her granddaughter in Elk City, Okla., March 12, 1910, at the age of 77 years, 11 months, and 7 days. Mrs. H. G. Wick.

WILLSON.—Alexander Campbell Willson was born in Hopkinsville, Ky., Feb. 8, 1862, and died in Denver, Colo., Feb. 8, 1910, of heart failure. He leaves a wife and four small children. Funeral services were conducted by the writer, assisted by Elder H. M. J. Richards. G. W. Anglebarger.

O’DONALD.—George Thomas, son of John O. and Cora O’Donald, died of pneumonia, March 13, 1910, and was buried March 15, 1910, at the age of eighteen months. Words of comfort were spoken from Jer. 31: 15-17. Interment in Rose Hill Cemetery, Altoona, Pa. W. F. Schwartz.

LLEWELYN.—Lizzie F. Llewelyn, daughter of Brother and Sister P. H. Lorenz, was born Jan. 24, 1889, and died in Denver, Colo., March 24, 1910, at the age of twenty-one years and two months. The funeral services were conducted by the writer in the Presbyterian church at La Salle, Colo. G. W. Anglebarger.

ERWAY.—Charles Albert Erway was born at Three Rivers, Mich., Dec. 8, 1859, and died in Denver, Colo., March 15, 1910, as a result of an injury received in a fall. He lived five days after the accident. His wife and three sons survive him. Funeral services were conducted in the church by the writer. G. W. Anglebarger.

PAPWORTH.—Alonzo Papworth died at his home in Oakland, Cal., March 21, 1910, aged 79 years, 5 months, and 6 days. Brother Papworth was born Oct. 15, 1839; he came to California in 1859. In 1873 he was converted to present truth through the labors of Elders Cornell and Cartwright. He has since lived a consistent Christian life. The companion, two sons, and one daughter live to mourn the loss of the husband and father. B. E. Beddoe.

SMITH.—Olive Geraldine Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lemon Smith, was born in Stratton, Neb., July 10, 1892, and died in Denver, Colo., Jan. 31, 1910, aged 17 years, 6 months, and 21 days. Death was due to an operation for chronic appendicitis. She leaves a father, mother, two brothers, and one sister. Funeral services were conducted by the writer, assisted by W. D. Emery. She was laid to rest in the beautiful Crown Hill Cemetery. G. W. Anglebarger.

FLORY.—Rachel McConnell Flory was born July 6, 1841, and died March 26, 1910, aged 68 years, 7 months, and 26 days. On Dec. 25, 1862, she was united in marriage to Joseph Flory, and to this union nine children were born. She was a member of the M. E. Church until a few years ago, when she united with the Seventh-day Adventist church at Youngstown, Ohio, under which faith both she and her husband died. She was a faithful mother, and was devoted to the truth and the cause of God. She was buried near Newton Falls, Ohio. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer, from Rev. 14:13. F. E. Gibson.

BURGESS.—Phœbe Kimpton was born in Kansas, July 13, 1872, and died at the Hastings (Neb.) Sanitarium, Dec. 29, 1909, aged 37 years, 5 months, and 16 days. She accepted present truth in Minnesota, and shortly afterward was united in marriage to Elder B. F. Goody. On Oct. 7, 1905, her husband died. On May 13, 1907, she was married to John L. Burgess, at Mobile, Ala. She was a faithful worker for the Master, until death claimed her. She leaves a husband, two children, mother, brother, sister, and many relatives to mourn their loss. Words of comfort were spoken by Elder Hamilton, of Hastings, from Rev. 14:13. John L. Burgess.

CORNELL.—Mrs. Mary Frances Cornell, wife of Dr. George T. Cornell, of Alpharetta, died at her home March 22, 1910, being 69 years, 7 months, and 16 days old. She leaves two children to mourn their loss. She embraced the third angel’s message about fourteen years ago under the labors of Elder M. G. Huffman in Alpharetta, Ga., and has been a consistent member of the church since that time. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer from Rev. 14:13 and 2 Sam. 14:14. C. B. Stephenson.

HECKMAN.—W. J. Heckman was born April 11, 1842, and died March 18, 1910, at Riddlesburg, Pa., aged 67 years, 11 months, and 7 days. He leaves two sisters and one brother to mourn his loss. In 1889 he accepted the third angel’s message, and labored faithfully for this cause until death. He was taken to his home town for burial, where the Methodist and Baptist ministers assisted the writer in the funeral service. Words of comfort were spoken from Ps. 18: 2, the text which was chosen by the deceased. W. F. Schwartz.

SPITZER.—Died near Newmarket, Va., March 22, 1910, of bronchial pneumonia, Mary Susan Spitzer, widow of Benjamin Spitzer, aged sixty-seven years and eleven months. Our sister was sick only a few days, and her sudden death caused great sorrow, not only to her children and relatives, but to the church and friends. Sister Spitzer was a faithful member of the Newmarket church for more than twenty-two years. She leaves four children, three of whom are in the truth. Funeral discourse from Psalm 23, by the writer, assisted by Elder A. C. Neff. R. D. Hottel.

HUGULEY.—Sister Rockie Huguley died at her home in Keene, Tex., March 24, 1910, aged 54 years, 2 months, and 16 days. Her maiden name was Flowers. She accepted present truth with her parents at the age of eighteen, and moved to Texas with them in 1875. She was married to Brother Lewis Huguley, March 30, 1881. To them were born five girls and one boy. Sister Huguley’s life was a consistent, godly one; much of her time was devoted to the care of the sick. She leaves her husband and five children, besides other relatives, to mourn their loss. Pellagra was the cause of her death. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer. W. W. Eastman.

CASPARI.—Sister Christina Caspari was born in Germany, seventy-four years ago, and was brought up in the Catholic Church. Some years ago she came to Baltimore, Md., where, three years ago, at the age of seventy-one, she accepted the truths of the third angel’s message under the labors of Elder H. S. Prener. By an accident which occurred when she was fourteen years of age, she was never able to walk to any extent. It was the faithful visiting and Bible work of Brother Prener that brought her into the truth. She died March 18, 1910, at her home in Baltimore, in the fullest hope of a glorious resurrection, and was buried on the outskirts of the city in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer. Carlyle B. Haynes.

(Columbia Union Visitor, please copy.)

RIDGEWAY.—Angelia May Ridgeway died at her home near Middletown, Ind., March 1, 1910, aged 39 years, 3 months, and 12 days. She had been failing in health for the past three years, and had traveled in the West, and otherwise endeavored to regain her health, but to no avail. Sister Ridgeway was converted and united with the Seventh-day Adventist Church about twenty-five years ago, and has lived a consistent Christian life. She desired to live, if it was God’s will, to bless her husband, mother, sisters, and brother, but at the last she said she was fully reconciled to rest until the Life-giver comes. She had the sweet assurance that there was a crown laid up for her which she would receive that day. The funeral services were conducted by Elder W. A. Young and the writer, in the church formerly occupied by our people at Mechanicsburg, Ind. W. J. Stone.

NICHOLS.—My mother, Mrs. Nichols, died of general debility at Morristown, Minn., Feb. 24, 1910, after an illness of over ten weeks. She was eighty-three years of age, and had kept the Sabbath for over twenty years. She loved the message, and I trust she will be among those who come forth at the first resurrection. Lena F. Nichols.

GUSTEN.—Martha Ann Pumel Gusten was born April 22, 1858, and died Feb. 19, 1910, of lung trouble. She was united in marriage with Amos Gusten in June, 1889. She heard and accepted the faith held by the Seventh-day Adventist Church about five years ago. Funeral services were conducted by the writer at the home of her sister. G. W. Anglebarger.

GILLETT.—Sister Lydia Jane Stone Gillett was born April 12, 1859, in Kalamo Township, Eaton County, Michigan, and died March 30, 1910, aged 50 years, 11 months, 18 days. She was the youngest of a family of nine children, of which six brothers survive her. April 12, 1876, she married Alvin E. Gillett. To them were born ten children. Eight now mourn the loss of a kind and loving mother. A short time previous to her marriage she joined the United Brethren Church, and ten years later she joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church, of which she was a faithful member until her death. A brief service was held at her home by the writer, after which her remains were taken to Eaton Rapids for burial. L. G. Moore.

ORTHMAN.—Mrs. Mina Orthman (née Schultz) was born in Strelitz, Germany, March 19, 1859, and died at her home in Lexington, Neb., Feb. 19, 1910, at the age of fifty years and eleven months. In 1866 she came to America and lived in Iowa until 1871, when she removed to Lancaster County, Nebraska. In 1876 she was united in marriage to Mr. H. H. Orthman. This union was blessed with nine children, six boys and three girls. She was brought up in the Lutheran faith, but seventeen years ago she with her husband accepted present truth, and united with the Seventh-day Adventist church at Shickley, Neb., of which she remained a faithful member until the time of her death. She leaves a husband, nine children, and three sisters to mourn their loss. The funeral service was held at the M. E. church, assisted by the pastor. Discourse by the writer from Amos 4:12. A. D. Gilbert.

RUNCK.—Dr. George Runck was born in Derbon County, Indiana, June 28, 1878. He fell asleep March 17, 1910, on the train while en route to his parents’ home in Nebraska. His parents, wife, brother, and a nurse were present. He died praising the Lord for victory. He was 31 years, 8 months, and 19 days of age at the time of his death. He was converted when twenty-one years old, and united with the Seventh-day Adventist church in Alma, Neb. After accepting Jesus, his whole thought was to spread the gospel and gather souls for the kingdom. After completing his college education at Union College, he chose as his life-work the medical profession, graduating from the American Medical Missionary College in Chicago. He married Dr. Rosetta Landis, of Brushy-run, W. Va., Sept. 3, 1907. For several years prior to his death they were both engaged as instructors in the Emmanuel Missionary College at Berrien Springs, Mich. During his illness he had perfect peace in Jesus. He felt a great burden for the third angel’s message. He hoped it was the Lord’s will to restore him to health that he might continue to work for the Master, but he was resigned to the Lord’s will. He was anointed according to James 5:14, 15, and earnest prayer was offered in his behalf, but he who sees the end from the beginning saw fit to permit him to be laid away to rest for a time. He leaves a father, mother, wife, two brothers, three sisters, and a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn their loss. The funeral services were conducted in the Congregational church at Alma, Neb., by the writer, assisted by Pastor A. A. Robertson. A. T. Robinson.

Medical Journal and School Visits

IN the column of business notices on page 22, Dr. Henry R. Harrower, of Chicago, calls attention to a journal, Physiologic Therapeutics, which he is just starting, which he believes will be of interest to our physicians and nurses. Dr. Harrower is a Seventh-day Adventist, in hearty sympathy with all our denominational activities, and we wish him success in the enterprise, in which he reports he has received assurances of co-operation from medical editors and the general profession.

ELDER W. H. ANDERSON, who is attending the Council, reports some interesting visits among the schools of the central West.

General Conference Committee Council

By W. A. Spicer

THE spring Council of the General Conference Committee opened at Takoma Park, April 5. As we go to press, it has been in session five days. The presidents of all the North American union conferences are in attendance, and L. R. Conradi, of Europe, is present.

It is the time of the annual audit of general and mission field accounts, and as the eight persons to join the presidents of unions and officers of the General Conference in making up the auditing committee, the following persons are appointed: A. T. Robinson (Nebraska), M. N. Campbell (Iowa), M. Lukens (Indiana), H. H. Burkholder (Ohio), F. H. DeVinney (New York), B. F. Kneeland (New Jersey), and F. M. Wilcox and E. W. Farnsworth, of Washington.

Others present from outside Takoma Park are W. C. White, W. H. Anderson of South Africa, G. F. Haffner, W. A. Hennig, C. B. Haynes, G. P. Gaede, and E. R. Numbers.

The report of the treasurer for 1909 was presented by I. H. Evans, and adopted after thorough discussion. It shows the highest receipts ever reported, $371,854. The financial statement will be printed later.

The union presidents at the opening meeting made most encouraging reports as to plans for the special $500,000 Fund. The Southeastern, Central, Northern, Lake, and Atlantic unions are planning to raise their entire apportionment in a year. Others hope to follow close after. The report is that the churches generally feel like making up the average of five dollars a member within the year, so that this fund may be doing its grand work in the mission fields.

Considerable progress has been made with the estimates from the mission fields of needs for the current year. Glad as the Council was at the cheering financial report, it is evident that the income must still enlarge greatly to meet the increased calls.

In the discussion of the midsummer offering, of July 2, it was decided that the entire denomination should rally to make that offering $25,000. Last year's midsummer offering was $19,960, the largest ever made, but the fast-vanishing funds in the treasury and the absolute necessities of the fields indicate that at least $25,000 in the July offering will be required to meet the situation, in addition to the regular weekly offerings.

Some invitations have been given relating to transfers and appointments. As there has been no time yet to communicate with the individuals, we can not give the names. The following recommendations have been made:—

A president for the Chesapeake Conference.

A principal for the Riversdale School, Jamaica, West Indies.

Office help for the Shanghai, China, headquarters.

The first $10,000 of the $300,000 Fund is appropriated to China, to begin the establishing of the Shanghai printing-plant, and for the building of a house ($500) in the Hakka country, China, where J. P. Anderson is laboring.

A teacher to be supplied China, to open a school in September for children of missionaries.

A teacher to Guatemala City, Guatemala.

An evangelist to Japan.

The Publishing Department submitted an outline for the stronger organization of the home missionary work, which was adopted. It will be published. It was also voted,—

"That the Publishing Department be instructed to communicate with the proper officers of the union conferences and make arrangements so far as possible for a convention for missionary secretaries in each union in North America."

W. A. SPICER, Secretary.

A Good Sabbath in Takoma

SABBATH, April 9, was a good day for the churches in Takoma. Friday evening, Elder M. N. Campbell, of Iowa, spoke to the Seminary and Sanitarium church on the religious faith of Seventh-day Adventists. Some long-cherished views were brought out in new beauty of setting. Sabbath morning Elder L. R. Conradi spoke at the Seminary chapel on the marvelous manner in which God had wrought for the truth in Europe. Against opposition of every character, the message has gone forward, resulting during the last eight years in a net gain of more than twelve thousand believers. Elder R. A. Underwood preached a stirring discourse in the Takoma Park church. Elder E. T. Russell spoke on the subject of Capital and Labor in the Washington Memorial Church. We understand that other churches in the District were likewise supplied with help from delegates attending the Council.

Gifts to Foreign Missions in 1909

GIFTS to foreign missions for the year 1909, show an increase of more than one hundred thousand dollars over the preceding year. This is cause for gratitude.

Willess to Lead Central American Conference

On the second, Elder N. V. Willess, of Texas, sailed from New Orleans for La Ceiba, Spanish Honduras. He has accepted the call to the presidency of the Central American Conference. His family will follow later. Brother Willess wrote from New Orleans: “I esteem it a great privilege to go to that needy field. Every step forward deepens my conviction that I am walking in duty’s path.”

Alice Fieldberg Returns from Guatemala

GREATLY to the regret of herself and her associates in the field, but on account of ill health imperatively demanding a lower altitude, Miss Alice Fieldberg was compelled to return last week from Guatemala, where she went last fall to engage in mission school work.

The Temple Dictionary of the Bible

“The Temple Dictionary of the Bible,” written by W. Ewing, M. A., formerly of Tiberias, Palestine, and J. E. H. Thompson, D. D., formerly of Safed, Palestine, and other scholars, and published by E. P. Dutton and Company of New York, is one of the latest additions to this class of Bible information. It is written in the light of recent research along archeological lines, and contains the latest historical data obtainable with reference to Bible customs, places, scenes, etc. It is printed in clear type, with splendid classification, and would make a valuable addition to the library of every Bible student. Bound in cloth; price, $4. Order of E. P. Dutton & Co.

Elson’s Pocket Music Dictionary

“ELSON’S POCKET MUSIC DICTIONARY,” by Louis C. Elson, professor of theory of music in the New England Conservatory of Music, and published by Oliver Ditson Company, Boston, is an excellent little work just from the press, which will unquestionably meet with the enthusiasm and approval of all teachers and students of music. It expresses in a plain, concise manner the meaning of all the terms employed in music, with their national origin and pronunciation. It also contains a list of abbreviations in common use, the elements of notation, and gives in the latter part of the book a large biographical list of musicians, and artists of the musical world. The book is bound in cloth, in convenient pocket size. Price, 50 cents. Order from the Oliver Ditson Company.