“Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.” Jer. 6:17. The Lord has truly set His watchmen. Every one of his prophets and apostles have faithfully sounded the warning. These faithful sentinels appointed by the heavenly Father to record His Word have performed their work with fidelity, because they acted under the influence of the Spirit of God. And every watchman who accepts the work of teaching God’s Word should seek the all-controlling power of that same Spirit by which the Bible was inspired when it was first written. For if they do not do this they will surely be led astray themselves, and hence become the active agents in leading others to ruin.
But all will not hear the voice of the Lord; for the text above quoted says: “I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.” Our heavenly Father has made things perfectly plain in His Word. He has proclaimed His truth with forcible clearness. Yet men do not understand it, because they have determined that they “will not hearken.”
God’s Word does not come to us in a boisterous way. The divine trumpet of truth is not an instrument of noisy sound. But the words of the divine Book come to us with trumpet clearness, nevertheless, and the notes of a bugler were never more distinct than the utterances of the Master, as they are pressed in upon our hearts and consciences by the mighty working of the Spirit of God.
But in the face of all of the Lord’s efforts to make things perfectly plain—right under the clear sound of the great trumpet of truth—we find men saying, “We will not hearken.” When God proclaims His truth, and takes special pains to state it so clearly that even an ignorant barbarian might understand it, and yet men “will not hearken,” what can be done for them? The great powers of Infinite Love are unable to rescue the sinner who will not hear the appeals of the Heaven-sent words of God.
An illustration or two may help in more fully seeing the necessity of hearkening to God’s Word. That Word is very clear in saying that “in the last days perilous times shall come;” “and evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Tim. 3:1, 13. But you will find many persons, and among them, too, those who profess to believe the Bible, who “will not hearken” to these plain words. They say that this wicked old world is getting better and better, and that soon it will all be converted. But that is not what the Scriptures say. The statement is clear that the last days shall be filled with peril, and that evil men shall wax worse and worse. And with the murders, and robberies, and embezzlements, and vices of every kind that have become so awfully prevalent, which is right, the Word of God, or the men who say that the world is soon to be converted? Unless you have decided that you “will not hearken,” you can make no mistake upon this point, for the Word is given in ringing clearness.
The prophet says: “I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Rev. 16:13, 14. Now there could be nothing plainer than this Bible language. There is to be “the battle of the great day of God Almighty.” “The kings of the earth and of the whole world” will be gathered to it. And “the spirits of devils, working miracles,” go forth to do the gathering.
Now we heartily commend those who stand for peace and who want peace; for the Gospel of Christ is the Gospel of peace, and one of the desirable fruits of the Spirit of God is peace. And it is the privilege of the Christian, even amid the greatest turbulence of the present evil world, to continually enjoy this peace. So, then, if the individual wants peace in Christ, he can have it any time that he believes and asks for it. But if he is looking for a general disarmament of the nations and a universal peace in this world, he will never find it; for God knew beforehand what would be the actual conditions, and has caused his prophet to tell us the exact truth. Now if we will hearken, we may know the truth and avoid the deceptions of these times.
Many seem to see in the proposition of the czar of all the Russias to have a “peace congress,” a strong indication that all the warlike preparations of the nations will be cast aside and the soldier will return to the pursuits of husbandry and manufacture. But here again the Scriptures, if we will hearken, will set us right: “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” 1 Thess. 5:3.
God has distinctly told us of the spirits of devils that would be stirring up the spirit of war in these last days. But some “will not hearken” to the voice of God. And so they are preaching a contrary doctrine, of “peace and safety.” But no one should be led into the snare. God’s Word is plain. God has spoken on the subject. Consider what He says. Do not be among those who say, “We will not hearken.” T.
ZIONIST CONGRESS IN BASEL.
By H. P. H.
A significant meeting is just closing in this city; it is the second international congress of Zionists, a movement on the part of the Jews to secure the return of the nation to Palestine. The first congress was held in this city a year ago; that was the first organized effort in the movement, and, like all beginnings, it had to pass through the pains of birth. There were so many heterogeneous elements it was expected that for a time progress would be slow and growth but feeble. But the opening of the congress this year revealed unexpected vigor and advancement. The attendance was more general and larger, there being nearly six hundred delegates present, double the number of last year. The congress was opened with more earnestness and enthusiasm.
Dr. Herzl, of Berlin, the leader of the movement, presided. On the platform with him were many jurists and journalists of note; in a corner on the background were a number of rabbis in long frocks and black cowls. In the galleries were some five hundred visitors and journalists. The Jews seem to be great admirers of one another. At the appearance of the president, or on the mere pronunciation of a name of note, prolonged shouts and violent clapping of the hands made one wish for ear-muffles. The body of the delegation was composed of jurists, bankers, journalists, etc. Proceedings were conducted in German, the substance of speeches being translated into Russian and English. Speeches were made in the German, French, English, Russian, Italian, and modern Hebrew, a sort of jargon spoken by the Jews in Russia, Poland, and adjacent countries.
In his opening address the president specially emphasized the new interest manifested by the powers in Asia. Palestine being on the highway to the East, Zionists expect to reap advantages from this movement. Another fact in the elements of success is the fact that everywhere the Jew is hated as an element that will not amalgamate with the nations, and hence he is considered a menace to the solidity of governments, an element of disloyalty and dismemberment. This is an alleged reason why the Jews are everywhere persecuted and driven out; an effort at colonization would, therefore, be welcomed and furthered by the nations as a peaceable means of ridding themselves of the despised element.
One of the first steps toward the settlement of Palestine would be an understanding with the Ottoman Empire. At present, Jews are not permitted to enter Palestine, though a few succeed in smuggling themselves in; but Zionists desire to enter honorably, with full rights of colonization. They expect to receive the desired permission, as they believe that the Turks are convinced of the loyalty of their movement. Such a step would bring wealth and a prosperous, enlightened element to the empire.
One line of work is to awaken in the Jews themselves a greater love for Zion, to create a desire for the re-establishment of the nation in the home of its glory. The president complained of rabbis who pray for Zion and oppose the Zionists. Such must be corrected or replaced. Zionist literature should be multiplied to mold the rising generation. “Our end,” they say, “can not be attained in a day; careful plans must be laid and the work built up solidly from a sure foundation.”
The opening address was followed by a speech by Dr. Max Nordau, on the condition of the Jews the past year. He told us that the situation has grown darker. Oppression of the Jews in the East has increased, especially in Russia, Galacia, and Rumania. Anti-Semitism continues to grow in Germany; but the most remarkable outbreak was in France, the case of Dreyfus serving as pretext for a general crusade against the Jews. In Algeria, Jews were plundered by the wholesale, and some murdered. England is also mildly joining the general concert in anti-Jewish legislation. The same spirit is seen in America, where some hotels refuse to receive Jews. Thus the records of the past year urge us on to greater earnestness in our efforts to secure a safe home for our persecuted brethren.
In closing, Dr. Nordau referred to the return to the promised land under Moses, Ezra, and Nehemiah, and claimed that Zionists are the descendants of these men. They were in the minority, yet they succeeded gloriously; and we likewise shall triumph. His last sentence brought forth a long storm of applause: “Israel is in our camp; all others are idle members.”
Last year the Zionists numbered 117 societies; now, 913, an increase of 796. The majority are in Russia, Rumania, and Austria; 60 are in America, and 6 in the Transvaal.
Last year a delegate was sent to Palestine to study the general situation in detail. His report showed there are 50,000 Jews in all Palestine, 28,000 being in Jerusalem, and the remainder in other cities and colonies. Rothschild and various societies in America and Europe have bought land in Palestine to the amount of 62,000 acres. Under good cultivation, the land reveals much of its former fertility. For lack of an organized system of commerce, the colonists have a hard time; by opening the usual channels of commerce, they would soon be prosperous. The aid now rendered colonists is from $1.00 to $12.00 per year per member. In connection with Palestine, the natural resources of the surrounding countries, Syria, Babylonia, Asia Minor, so rich in antiquity, could be developed.
The point receiving most attention in the congress was the establishment of a colonial bank, not for speculation, but solely to support the various enterprises necessary to the success of Zionism,—a steamship line for the Orient railways in Palestine and adjacent countries, schools, and factories, and industries of all sorts. Last year an informal invitation was sent out to feel the pulse on this colonial bank question; within a few weeks, share-takers for nearly a million dollars reported; 95 per cent. of these were from the common people. With stormy enthusiasm, the congress took definite steps for the establishment of such a bank, with seat at London.
Throughout the congress there was greater unanimity and solidity than last year. It was evident that the movement is rapidly taking form and gaining strength. Zionism is more national than religious in character. During the congress, no reference was made to the Bible reasons for the dispersion and persecution of the Jews, nor to God's promises to Israel. From the human standpoint, the movement is being well organised and promises success.
This movement is a significant sign of the times. It is God's design that Israel shall come to Zion; the special work of the last days will be the gathering of Israel from all nations. Zionism appears to be doing precisely what the prophetic Word indicates will take place; and thousands of Christians hail it with joy as a token of the dawning millennium. But how far from the truth!
A careful study of the Word shows that not Israel according to the flesh, but true Israel, the sons of Abraham, the children of faith, who are Christ's, are heirs of the promise; these will come to Zion, but not to “Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children,” but to “Jerusalem which is above,” which is free, the city for which Abraham looked, the city in which Christ prepares a place for His children, the city which will come “down from God out of heaven.” In the light of the Scriptures, what a melancholy and pathetic movement Zionism is! How sad its error! While Zionists manifest such zeal in their efforts to stir up the people to return to literal Palestine, O, let those who know the Scripture doctrine of the true return to the heavenly Zion redouble their efforts to proclaim the message of the Lord to every people! H. P. H.
Basel, Switzerland, August 30.
Cardinal Gibbons Says Mass at Washington—President and Cabinet Attend
“A Solemn Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of the murdered Empress Elizabeth of Austria was celebrated at St. Matthews Church, Washington, D. C., on last Saturday, Cardinal Gibbons being the celebrant. Among those in attendance were President McKinley and the members of his Cabinet, the ambassadors and ministers of foreign governments in their brilliant diplomatic uniforms, representatives of the United States Army, Navy, and Supreme Court, and a large gathering from private life.” So says the Catholic Mirror. A part of the heading is, “Cardinal Gibbons Says Mass at Washington—President and Cabinet Attend.” This was purely a Roman Catholic Church affair. Such items as the above, which are constantly increasing in number, are straws which clearly show which way the wind is blowing.
INCREASE OF ROMAN CATHOLICISM.
The Catholic Mirror of the 24th ultimo reports a recent German Catholic Congress held in Crefeld, the forty-fifth, “one of the most successful gatherings ever held.” There were present 120 representatives of the press, and several members of the German Parliament, or Reichstag. About 7,000 workmen paraded in honor of the event. The special points of interest are in the way of straws, which show the direction of the wind better than heavier bodies. After boasting of their patriotism, a rousing cheer was given, not for kaiser and fatherland, but for “the pope and the kaiser.” The pope is first, not alone as the head of the church, but as the guardian of the kings of earth. In all things where the pope comes in at all he comes first.
Another point: It is thought by many that Rome is content with public schools, but wherever she has sufficient leverage she is still demanding her denominational schools. The report says:—
“Hence it is that we demand for our children denominational schools, and we shall not be satisfied till our demand is fully complied with. Hence it is that we insist on severe laws to safeguard public morality, and on freedom to the holy father, who is our leader and guide.”
And this doubtless is a fair expression of the attitude of the church in all countries.
As to the strength of the Roman Catholic Church in “Protestant Germany,” we find the following from a recent Catholic work, quoted in another column of the same Mirror:—
“A safe criterion of the progress of the church in Germany is the number of her adherents. It is little less than half the entire population, but with the maintenance of the ratio of increase, it should at no distant future considerably exceed the half. The union of the whole, or the great majority of the nation, in the true faith, may therefore be reasonably predicted.”
The same paper notes that among the “recent distinguished converts to the faith” in this country “is Mr. Edward L. Pugh, of Washington, D. C., eldest son of ex-United States Senator Pugh, of Alabama. Mr. Pugh is one of the chiefs of the Interstate Commerce Commission, and was recently received into the church in Washington by Rev. William O’B. Pardow, S.J.”
All of which things justify the Mirror in remarking that “the many conversions to the Catholic faith which have taken place in recent years, warrant the assertion that the tide of the return to the church has already set in. As this increased influx proceeds from different countries, it can not be characterized as merely local; it is general. That it is general is further confirmed from the fact that it includes members of all classes of society.”
RELIGION AND REVOLUTION.
How RELIGION, and especially the Roman Catholic religion, is having a finger in every political pie of importance among the nations is illustrated in the following cable despatch from Paris to the New York World of September 27:—
“The letter of the minister of justice to the magistrates throughout France about the attack on the army, is a warning of the coming struggle here between the Jesuits, who rule the army, and the Ultramontanes and Radicals, who wish to reap political power. General Zurlinden left the cabinet because he represented the Jesuits, and especially the Alsatian party. Indeed, it is noticeable how many names in the Dreyfus case are Alsatian and almost German. If the Jesuits win the day and Dreyfus is not released, it is quite on the cards that General Zurlinden may turn out another Boulanger, and that France will have a military dictatorship. Paris is quiet but uneasy, underneath the surface, and there may be an explosion any time.”
In view of the prominent place given Roman Catholics in Philippine matters by the United States, how long will it be before the Jesuits “rule the army” of this country?
DEVIL-WORSHIP IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC.
By E. C. Chapman
“The wicked flee when no man pursueth,” wrote Solomon. This natural terror in the human heart which is occasioned by not knowing the Saviour of sinners and Shepherd of Israel, is everywhere prevalent among the natives of the South Pacific. Even the inhabitants of Eastern Polynesia, who have long enjoyed much light, will shudder at the thought of incurring the ill-will of the goblin Tupapau. Children are frightened into obedience by the threat of his vengeance; and from earliest infancy the demon which is thought to stalk about in darkness, and to whom tradition attributes many strange and dreadful deeds, is held in mingled feelings of fear and reverence.
DEVIL-WORSHIPERS, of the New Hebrides. Idols, war clubs, and pigs are their most precious belongings. Yet, with their nakedness and ignorance, some precious jewels have been found among these people by John G. Paton and other faithful missionaries. Much of the territory is still unworked.
We found that there is still a considerable amount of superstition attached to the marai, or place of heathen sacrifice, in the minds of the natives of the Society Islands. For a person to cut wood on one of these marais, or to be so daring as to eat food in the rocky inclosure, would be looked upon as a sacrilegious act, that would be apt to bring swift punishment from the demon of the place, who, tho old and decrepit, is still supposed to punish such wilful deeds of presumption. While one day upon a marai, I noticed a native boy who was following us about, and, having a pocketful of raisins, I ate some and offered him some if he would eat them on the spot. Rather hesitatingly he took the raisins, but would not eat until at a safe distance from the enchanted ground. Brother Cady cut some wood and ate food upon a marai, and when warned by the natives of how such presumption was punished by a dreadful disease, he called their attention to the chickens and crabs which went about all the day long eating upon the marai without harm. “But have you never seen,” said they, “the girl down here with a crooked mouth, who became so by daring to eat in this place?” Brother Cady thereupon told them that as Christ was stronger than Satan, they need not fear the dragon so long as they dwelt under the shadow of the Almighty.
RUINS OF A DEVIL TEMPLE, or marai, of Bau, Fiji. Bau is a small island which was the center of native rule during the days of heathenism. This devil temple was accordingly the most important one in Fiji. Christian missionaries were not permitted to teach upon this island previous to 1854. In April of that year the big drum-beats called the people together to this temple to a cannibal feast for the last time of which we have record. Such events were common occurrences previously. The ruins of the temple testify to the power of the Gospel. This marai much resembles in appearance those of the Society Islands, tho generally they are more overgrown with trees and shrubbery.
Demon-worship was supreme 100 years ago throughout all the Pacific islands. Priests and sacrifices, offerings and ceremonies, all were connected with the wicked system of worship, where human sacrifices were offered to pacify the blood-thirsty spirits of devils. This dreadful system of wickedness is still in vogue throughout many of the islands, and groups to the west and northwest of Fiji. Cannibalism is connected with the false system of worship. So thoroughly has Satan deceived this people that darkness appears as light and light darkness.
While they are such devout devotees of Satan, let us see how their master treats them, and what recompense in the way of temporal enjoyment is theirs. The following quotation is from the Rev. Joseph Annand, who lived for several years on the Island of Faté of the New Hebrides. At the time of writing he was in company with a colaborer. “We met one man who had thirty-five wives and had eaten sixty-seven human beings. We slept in a low grass house about forty feet long and eight feet high, with a door two and a half feet high. Just outside the door was a gutter of filth, ankle deep. We had coconut mats to sleep on. The oven was open near us, and in consequence we could not eat some of the food cooked there. We had a shelf on the wall two and one-half feet high by as many wide, for two of us to sleep on, and thin mats to cover us. The mosquitoes and fleas can not be imagined. Each leg of our bedstead shelf had a pig tied to it, which tugged so that we feared a great fall. An old woman who slept on the stove belabored the pigs in the night to keep them quiet. In the morning we were awakened by the crowing of a cock which was right beside us. The census of the dwelling for the night was, ‘Thirteen pigs, seven people, rats, and fowls.’ Four or five months later the enemies of our entertainers came down upon them and cooked and ate every person in the family.”—Islands of the Pacific.
Theirs is certainly a very cruel master, and wretched existence, so that Christian missionaries who go there and teach them the better way, are not only minding the Lord, but doing the poor natives a great favor. Many islands and districts are as yet wholly without Christian workers. E. C. CHAPMAN.
HOW A FLY HELPED A MISSIONARY.
A FEW years ago there was a man in Japan who was very unwilling to hear anything about Christianity. He would not listen to friends who tried to tell him of their faith, neither would he accept their invitations to go and hear a sermon. He was, however, a man with a big bump of curiosity, and he often wondered what it was that attracted so many to the Christian services.
Tho he had determined not to hear about the new religion, there was no reason why he should not go to see how the Christian worship was conducted. So one Sunday he went to church and sat down on the mats in the back of the room, where he could look around and see what kind of people came and what they did. All the time, however, he kept a forefinger stuffed into each ear so as to shut out all sounds.
Now was Mr. Fly’s chance. Just as the sermon was to commence, the little fellow decided that the man’s shaven pate would be a nice, smooth place for washing his face and dusting his feet. The poor man, annoyed by the movements of the insect, tried to reach it without taking his hands from his ears, but did not succeed. He then squinted up his face, hoping to make a wrinkle run up far enough to dislodge his tormentor; but all in vain, for the fly kept his place. At last, unable any longer to endure the tickling sensation, the10man withdrew one hand, intending to replace it as soon as he had made a hasty dash at the insect.
Just at that moment the minister was giving out his text, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” The man caught the words, was struck by the pertinency to his case, wondered what was coming next, waited to hear, became so much interested in the discourse that he uncovered his other ear, and so listened intently to the end of the sermon. This was the beginning of an interest that finally led him to become a Christian.—Gospel in all Lands.
TWO WAYS.
By Viola E. Smith
In a small cottage, on a wind-swept lea,
A woman dwelt, in want and misery;
Her hearth was fireless, and her cupboard bare;
Her heart was cheerless,—love nor hope were there.
A shadow fell athwart the threshold low;
A stranger entered that abode of wo.
She brought her raiment, and wherewith to feed
The hungry little mouths that cried for bread.
She lit a fire upon the cheerless grate,
But none within the soul so desolate.
Her duty done, she passed out through the door—
She simply gave an alms, and nothing more.
Another came one wintry eventide,
Who brought substantial aid, and much beside.
She gave the bread that perisheth, and bread
That comes from heaven, with which the soul is fed.
She clasped the hand of that poor widow there,
And wept with her, and shared her load of care
She told her of the God who dwells above,
Who chastens not in anger, but in love;
And when at last she went away, it seemed
A light from heaven o’er the lone dwelling streamed.
The Spirit of the Christ she bore within,
A subtle fragrance left where she had been.
VIOLA E. SMITH.
Sergeant Bluff, Iowa.
MY WORK.
TO BEAR another's weakness,
To soothe another's pain;
To cheer the heart repentant,
And to forgive again;
To commune with the thoughtful,
To guide the young and gay;
To profit all in season—
This is my work to-day.
— Anon.
RELIGIOUS IMITATION.
By W. N. G.
A MISSIONARY in India finds encouragement in the fact that the people are beginning to imitate Christian ways. Evidence of this is given in the admission that despite the rigid caste rules certain Pariahs may be allowed within the pale of Hinduism. To this end certain rites are deemed essential. At a meeting of Brahmans it was decided that such action was not contrary to the Vedas (sacred books). This Christian missionary refers to the fact that “when the Romans found that they could no longer successfully oppose the Christians, they began to imitate them, and this was the last stage before the acceptance of Christianity by the nation.” To this he adds, “May this be the case in India.”
The rather, we would say, God forbid! The worst thing that ever befell the Christian cause was the apostate imitation of it. The result was the imitation of paganism by the Christians. This culminated in the union of Church and State, nominally styled “the acceptance of Christianity by the nation.” The Dark Ages—twelve centuries of religious persecution in the name of Christianity—followed this unholy union, the spirit of which is in all so-called national religion. The arch-enemy of Christianity does his most insidious work through imitation of Christianity. All false worship originated in imitation of the true; and all apostasy originates in imitation (at first slight) of the false.
Present-day appeals for national religion, and for national enforcement of religious dogma, are imitation of Romanism, which grew out of imitation of paganism. A case in point is a petition of a number of Brahmans recently addressed to the Maharajah of Mysore, India. Rev. Henry Haigh tells The Work and Workers in the Mission Field about it. It was brought to him for translation into English, being written in Kanarese. Of this document Mr. Haigh says:— “It consisted of a protest against certain customs and practises as destructive of caste, and from the evil effects of which the Brahmans wished the Maharajah to guard his province. The points made are: First, that criminals in jail are compelled to drink from the same water supply as that used by Mussulmans and Pariahs; second, that in hospitals Brahmans are often compelled to take medicines prepared by doctors of Pariah origin; third, that in educational work caste rules are not observed, and, worse than this, girls are allowed to be educated. The petition says, ‘Female education will be the death blow to our caste system, and steps should be taken to stop the education of girls.’ It is admitted that moral precepts may be taught them, but intellectual training is unnecessary and useless. The fourth great blow at caste mentioned in this petition is the fact that in the systems of water supply no provision is made for separate fountains from which the Brahmans alone could draw. All these things, they complain, are sadly destructive. The tone of this petition is quite pathetic, but to us in the West the matter of it seems most ludicrous. Yet the incident furnishes striking evidence of the social changes that are going on in India, against which the higher castes are protesting in vain. The following is the appeal with which this petition closes: ‘Your Highness is allied to the most orthodox Hindus, and is sprung from a holy race, a race come down from the moon and headed by the mighty Yadu. The queen empress of India bears the title “Defender of the Faith.” We, your Highness’ most loyal subjects, humbly implore you to remove these perils to our ancient caste system, and thus win for yourself the glorious title of “Defender of Caste.”’ ”
It is quite true, as Mr. Haigh says, that to us of the West the matter of this petition “seems most ludicrous;” but we ought to remember that all appeals to civil government for the support or for the suppression of religion or religious doctrine—not in itself uncivil—is of the same character. Those that bear the most plausible pretext are at best but gilded paganism—imitation of unchristian methods.
W. N. G.
Faithful Work in God’s Field
“It may not be our lot to wield
The sickle in the ripened field,
Nor ours to hear on summer eves
The reapers’ song among the sheaves.
Yet where our duty’s task is wrought
In unison with God’s great thought,
The near and future blend in one,
And whatsoever is willed is done.”
OUR WORK AND WORKERS,
AT the recent local camp-meeting at New Richmond, Wis., four persons were baptized.
AT Ashland, Wis., five persons were baptized August 21, and two September 4, by Brother T. B. Snow.
BROTHER J. B. SCOTT reports the organization of a Sabbath-school of twenty-one members at Bear Lake, Wis. Two were baptized.
FOUR persons were recently baptized by Brother L. Warren at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Seven others had decided to keep the Sabbath of the Lord.
BROTHER GEO. B. THOMPSON, who has been president of West Virginia Conference the past year, has now been chosen as president of New York Conference.
A SISTER recently began canvassing for our periodicals, and the first afternoon she took nine subscriptions for the SIGNS and three for the Swedish paper.
As a result of tent-meetings held by Brother Chas. Pelmulder and H. Wierts, at Pella, Iowa, eleven adults have begun the observance of the Lord’s Sabbath.
THE Illinois Conference has decided to establish missions at Peoria and Decatur, and President S. H. Lane is calling upon the churches to furnish the necessary bedding.
THE Minnesota Conference Committee has decided to open a mission in St. Paul. A building has been secured, and the work will begin right away, with Brother C. L. Emerson as superintendent.
BROTHER I. N. WILLIAMS, president of Pennsylvania Conference, notes the organization of a church at South Canaan. There were seven members at the organization, with six others to be added.
BROTHER C. H. PARKER and family arrived in Suva, Fiji, on the 16th of August. Writing to the Minnesota Worker, he says: “Albert, the first and only one thus far of the Fijians to accept this message, met us at the wharf.”
TWENTY students from Battle Creek (Mich.) College have been spending their vacation in Grand Rapids, canvassing for Good Health, holding street meetings, and working in the mission. They report “grand meetings every night.”
A TENT 70x50 feet, owned by the New England Conference and in use at West Newton, Mass., was destroyed by fire on the 14th inst. Elder H. W. Cottrell appeals through the Gleaner to the Conference for means to replace it, and also to purchase an additional tent.
BROTHER C. H. JONES, manager of the Pacific Press Publishing Co., started on the 27th inst. for Helena, Mont., to attend the camp-meeting now in progress there. It is expected that the Montana mission field will be organized into a State conference at this meeting.
THE Ruthven, Iowa, Free Press makes very favorable mention of the tent-meetings in progress at that place, and states that some “very interesting lines of prophecy for our time” are under consideration. It helps to extend the invitation to all to “attend and hear for themselves.”
THE New England Gleaner says: “If liberal donations for the District Sanitarium in South Lancaster continue to come in just a little longer, the present encouraging prospect of soon starting the institution will be changed to actual reality at a very early date. Definite steps are only delayed a little until the necessary sum is all pledged and becomes available.”
BROTHER S. H. LANE, president of Illinois Conference, recently preached at the South Side meeting-house, Chicago. The after-meeting gave opportunity for a Baptist and two officers of the Volunteer Army to state that they were keeping the Sabbath “according to the commandment.” The truth is quietly taking hold of many minds through the medium of the printed messengers.
A GOOD report concerning the work in Punxsutawney, Pa., is given in the Keystone Gleaner, by Brother J. G. Saunders. After stating that “seventeen are now keeping the Sabbath,” he says: “We go all over the city with our open-air meetings, and find many honest souls who are hungering for the Word of truth. As the Bible is unfolded to them, they readily grasp the truth and give assent to it.”
A BROTHER loaned a copy of “Great Controversy” to a man, who read it and pronounced it good, but did not feel the need of living up to it. His hired man read it, accepted the truth, and began to labor among his friends. In a short time a company of six Sabbath-keepers was raised up where no sermon had ever been preached, and the young man himself entered the canvassing work. This is the result of one book, and the same book is still going.—Martin J. Fritz, in Workers’ Bulletin.
Madagascar Mission Outlook Improves
Madagascar.—The outlook in this great island seems to be changing rapidly. In our last number we reported the efforts of the deputation of the London Missionary Society to convince the people, as well as General Gallini, the French resident, that the work of that society had nothing to do with politics, and that the converts would be loyal to the French Government. The governor has been convinced of this fact and has stated that his policy would now be entirely changed. The deputation reported themselves as satisfied with the promises now made them. In a letter to the Journal des Missions Évangéliques a missionary writes that in the six districts supported by him 4,000 children have returned to the Protestant schools, and 3,000 adults to the churches. While the Jesuits continue their violent measures in the country districts, they do not affect the people as formerly. The Evangelical Society of France is doing all it can to send missionaries and teachers, yet the number is quite too few to meet the demands. But the outlook is certainly improving.—Missionary Herald.
MISSIONARY NOTES AND INCIDENTS.
[GATHERED FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.]
ABOUT 250,000 slaves were set at liberty by the decree for the abolishing of slavery recently issued by the sultan of Zanzibar in Africa.
A LABORER in the Philippine Islands gets five cents a day. He pays from $150 to $25 a year taxes. Most of this goes to the priests and bishop.
THE children in the United States do not know how to appreciate the privilege of an education. Listen while I tell you how children are treated in the Philippine Islands. They go to school only one hour per day for two days each week, and study almost nothing, save Catholic Church history and a few proverbs. Writing is not taught. Only the rich receive the above education. The poor are not taught anything.
AN African woman by some means came into possession of an English Bible. She and her people had heard a little of the great Gospel; they knew something of what the Book was; and the woman was filled with delight in its ownership. But, alas, it was written in a strange tongue, and those who could interpret it were far away! Still, something must be done with so rare a treasure. After consultation, a day was set, notice was given, and, at the appointed time, the Bible was laid on the stump of a tree in an open space. Then the natives began to assemble, took their places in a circle about the spot, and, after waiting for a time in reverent silence, quietly dispersed. Can it be doubted that the Father, who seeketh those to worship Him who worship Him in spirit and in truth, was there in their midst, and accepted gladly the poor maimed service, which was all they had to offer Him?
