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Review and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 3.

Our Publishing Work
Earlier text: The Progress of the Truth in Turkey

Summary of Canvassing Work for November, 1905

Atlantic Union Conference
AGENTS HOURS ORDERS VALUE
Central New England 9 540 239 $ 737.70
Chesapeake ... ... ... ...
Eastern Pennsylvania 8 595 223 439.00
Greater New York ... ... ... ...
Maine 4 195 61 157.65
New Jersey ... ... ... ...
New York 12 690 383 709.65
Southern New England 7 292 132 308.40
Vermont 2 10 25 41.25
Virginia 4 333 167 278.78
Western Pennsylvania 9 448 340 669.51
West Virginia 6 370 185 259.85
Total 60 3,473 1,755 $ 3,601.79
Canadian Union Conference
AGENTS HOURS ORDERS VALUE
Total 8 ... 95 $ 366.45
Lake Union Conference
AGENTS HOURS ORDERS VALUE
East Michigan ... ... ... ...
Indiana ... ... ... ...
Northern Illinois ... ... ... ...
North Michigan 3 144 64 $ 134.25
Ohio 16 597 333 927.05
Southern Illinois 7 244 445 774.95
West Michigan ... ... ... ...
Wisconsin 6 254 37 129.25
Total 32 1,239 879 $ 1,965.50
Southern Union Conference
AGENTS HOURS ORDERS VALUE
Alabama 4 227 ... $ 123.50
Cumberland 13 863 ... 618.60
Florida 7 417 ... 378.45
Georgia 6 427 ... 299.00
Louisiana 1 230 ... 267.50
Mississippi ... ... ... ...
North Carolina 7 715 ... 446.25
South Carolina 8 641 ... 317.70
Tennessee River 13 1,334 ... 1,107.30
Total 59 4,651 ... $ 3,558.30
Central Union Conference
AGENTS HOURS ORDERS VALUE
Colorado 4 278 57 $ 130.75
Iowa 17 ... 354 449.88
Kansas 9 378 100 285.50
Missouri 13 326 441 1,171.50
Nebraska 6 215 49 268.15
Total 49 1,197 1,001 $ 2,305.78
Northern Union Conference
AGENTS HOURS ORDERS VALUE
Alberta ... ... ... ...
Manitoba ... ... ... ...
Minnesota 4 164 51 $ 89.50
North Dakota ... ... ... ...
South Dakota 5 ... 110 60.59
Total 9 164 161 $ 150.05
Southwestern Union Conference
AGENTS HOURS ORDERS VALUE
Texas 17 ... 281 $ 819.75
Arkansas 9 ... 268 565.00
Oklahoma 8 320 106 260.12
Total 34 320 655 $ 1,644.87
Pacific Union Conference
AGENTS HOURS ORDERS VALUE
Arizona 1 ... 23 $ 121.10
British Columbia ... ... ... ...
California-Nevada 20 358 399 517.75
Montana ... ... ... ...
Southern California ... ... ... ...
Upper Columbia ... ... ... ...
Utah ... ... ... ...
Western Oregon 2 40 14 86.75
Western Washington 3 305 218 279.55
Total 26 703 654 $ 1,005.15
Australasian Union Conference
AGENTS HOURS ORDERS VALUE
Victoria 10 614 186 $ 955.90
South Australia 13 864 290 912.22
Queensland 10 545 125 730.60
New South Wales 15 825 351 1,134.08
West Australia 6 305 113 480.12
New Zealand 16 882 251 1,015.96
Tasmania 4 266 60 200.06
North Queensland Mission 2 187 120 351.80
Singapore Mission 1 192 45 420.18
Total 77 4,680 1,541 $ 6,200.92

General Summary

AGENTS HOURS ORDERS VALUE
Atlantic Union Conference 60 3,473 1,755 $ 3,601.79
Canadian Union Conference 8 ... 95 366.45
Lake Union Conference 32 1,239 879 1,965.50
Southern Union Conference 59 4,651 ... 3,558.30
Central Union Conference 49 1,197 1,001 2,305.78
Northern Union Conference 9 164 161 150.05
Southwestern Union Conference 34 320 655 1,644.87
Pacific Union Conference 26 703 654 1,005.15
Australasian Union Conference 77 4,680 1,541 6,200.92
Grand Total 354 16,427 6,741 $20,798.81

A Visit to Iowa

By J. S. WASHBURN

It was my privilege to attend the recent State meeting in Parkersburg, Iowa. This was without doubt the best State meeting ever held in Iowa. The Spirit of the Lord was present in mighty power. The message of Elder Daniells on the reception of the Holy Spirit to finish this work was received, and with it came a solemn realization of the great need of workers and of the power that we have been contented to live so long without. How blessed were the experiences of many at that time.
With Brother Juhl, who is a member of the Iowa Conference Committee, I visited the country church near Parkersburg, and held three meetings with them, visiting the Sabbath-keepers scattered throughout the adjacent country. They are nearly all busy farmers, some of whom the Lord has blessed financially. We enjoyed good meetings. After the Parkersburg meeting Elder J. H. Krafts and the writer met with several churches.
November 14-16 we held meetings with the church in Dubuque. There is an earnest company of Sabbath-keepers here. Dubuque is a place of about forty thousand, an enterprising, prosperous town, the second in size in the State of Iowa. We had excellent meetings in this place, celebrating the ordinances of the Lord's house, ordaining the elder of the church, and on Sunday afternoon two were baptized in the Mississippi River. It was felt indeed that the Lord was with his people in power, and that the testimony of Christ, the spirit of prophecy, was confirmed in this church.
November 27-30 we held meetings in Waukon. Here is one of the oldest churches in the State of Iowa. This was the home for a time of Elders J. N. Andrews, Geo. I. Butler, J. N. Loughborough, E. W. Farnsworth, and other workers. This church was visited by many of the old workers in the cause of present truth, among them Brother and Sister White. Other workers have gone out from this once large and prosperous church. This was our old family home, and I was greatly pleased to visit the old church building and the familiar scenes. Four of our brethren and sisters who were in the church in 1875, when we removed, still reside here. There is a church here now of about twenty-five, although much scattered. I shall never forget the experiences of my early conversion in this church under the preaching of Elder J. N. Andrews in 1874, before he went to Switzerland.
We enjoyed excellent meetings, although the weather was much against us, and the roads were very rough. Yet the interest and the attendance were surprising, several coming five or six miles against a freezing, wintry northwest wind. Two brethren came twelve miles, and a sister came nineteen miles from the old church of Village Creek.
There is a good interest in the town of Waukon, and a very friendly feeling toward our people. There were intelligent, influential people in attendance at the meetings, and a most cordial, friendly feeling was manifest. I believe that a series of meetings in Waukon would accomplish great good. Personally, my visit to this place leaves a very encouraging and helpful memory.
December 1-4 we held meetings with the believers in Hawkeye. Here we found an excellent company, and felt that the Lord was especially near to us in our meetings. A number of the members of this church are German farmers. One friend who attended the meetings decided to keep the Sabbath, and the Spirit of the Lord was manifested as we talked of the advancing work, and of the greatest message in the world to-day, and the speedy accomplishment of its work.
We held one meeting with a little company in Forest City. They are widely scattered, but there was certainly a most commendable interest manifested by several members of this church, and there was also some outside attendance as well. We felt that our visit to this place, though short, was not a failure. The Lord has a people and a work to be done in Forest City.
December 6-10 we held meetings in Algona. This church was organized about twenty-five years ago. They have a good church building, and we enjoyed much of the presence of the Spirit of the Lord. The Comforter, that convinces of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment to come, was with us in our meetings. We do not believe the work is finished in Algona. Some of the brethren came a long distance to attend these meetings, although the conditions were very unfavorable.
December 11-13 we had an appointment in Hartley. We enjoyed excellent meetings here, the people coming a long distance to the eleven o'clock service, and staying to three meetings each day, and returning home after the evening service.
Serious illness in my family called me home suddenly, and Elder J. H. Krafts remained to close this meeting, and also went on to fill appointments in Sheldon, Sioux City, Smithland, Pilot Mound, and Nevada. We believe the time has come for the message to go through the State of Iowa and everywhere, with a loud cry. The Lord is drawing the line between those who are true to him, and those whose hearts are overcharged with the cares of this life. There are many of the brethren in Iowa whom the Lord has greatly prospered financially. What a mighty power these brethren and the means which God has placed in their hands might be if fully consecrated. While many are faithful, and willing to sacrifice, we are sorry to see that some are in danger of losing their souls by setting their affections on their farms and the things of this life. May the Lord arouse the faithful ones everywhere to give the trumpet a certain sound, that some who are slumbering on the brink of eternity may be awakened, and aroused to perform their part in the giving of the last and greatest message on earth. There is no movement on earth that can be compared with this movement in which God has given us a share—the proclamation of God's last message to a world in rebellion. It is high time to awake out of sleep, for "now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." J. S. WASHBURN.

The Southern California Sanitariums

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

It is now about three weeks since, in company with Elder Cottrell and his wife, we left the East for southern California. Southern California has long been known as a haven for those seeking health. It is now fast becoming a health resort for the world, if it is not such already. Twelve thousand people in Chicago are reported as having ticketed for Los Angeles in one day. Los Angeles, the center of southern California as a health resort, is fast becoming the Europe of America. The streets are crowded with people from all parts of the world.
We have a vegetarian restaurant in Los Angeles, which daily feeds about one thousand people. In looking over the bill of fare, we counted a variety of ninety-six dishes for dinner and twenty-six kinds of drinks, all hygienic. As far as appearance goes, this restaurant is a source of light to the thousands of people that patronize it.
We have three sanitariums in southern California. One is in San Diego County, near National City, called the Paradise Valley Sanitarium. One, the Glendale Sanitarium, is eight miles north of Los Angeles, and is reached from the city by a trolley line. The manager informed us that it was at the present time earning from six hundred to seven hundred dollars a month above expenses. The other is about sixty miles east of Los Angeles on the Southern Pacific Railroad, and is called Loma Linda, meaning “hill beautiful.”
In attempting to describe this latter place, language would fail to give any of our friends in the East, who have not visited southern California, any idea of the situation. It is situated in the San Bernardino Valley on an elevation of from two to three hundred feet. This hill is about two hundred rods from the station, and the road leading to the buildings is lined with pepper-trees, the branches of which are so interwoven at the top that the piercing rays of the summer sun can not find their way through to the traveler. From this road one hundred steps will take you to the front door. There is a carriage drive that winds around the hill, which will also take you to the same place.
The main building was erected for a sanitarium, and contains sixty-four rooms. Back of it, on the crown of the hill, are six or seven cottages built for the use of patients. These cottages are beautifully arranged. Each room has a large window and a veranda, and the window is so constructed that if one chooses, the bed can be rolled out of the window onto the veranda, thus placing the patient in the open air. Everything that nature and the hand of man can do has united in making this a beautiful place.
The aggregate saving to the cause on the original cost of the three sanitariums in southern California has been not less than two hundred thousand dollars. The Loma Linda buildings and grounds cost, according to the estimate of those who built and equipped the place, one hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars. It was purchased for forty thousand dollars. The other sanitariums were purchased at a greater per cent of discount from their original cost.
The main building at Loma Linda is nearly full of patients. The two other sanitariums are well patronized. Certainly in the purchase of these sanitariums we have seen fulfilled the promise of goodly buildings that thou buildest not, and houses full of all good things, which thou fillest not, and wells digged, which thou diggest not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not.” Deut. 6:11. Most literally is this fulfilled in the property at Loma Linda.
There are many mountains in southern California whose peaks reach above the snow line, so that the valleys are supplied with pure water from the mountains. San Bernardino outrivals almost every other valley in its altitude and arrangement. It is about ten by twenty miles in size. All features combine to make it an attractive place to the traveler.
Every room in the Loma Linda institution is furnished, and contains everything needed to make it a first-class sanitarium. The main building is on the northern crest of the hill, amid a splendid ornamentation of lawns, trees, shrubs, and flowers. With groves of orange, lemon, olive, and apricot trees, there is a labyrinth of shaded walks and graded driveways, by which one can approach any portion or reach any cottage that is designed for the patients. On every side extends the wide, radiant valley, rich in fruits and grains, rimmed in by high hills and towering mountains. All the buildings have the latest sanitary equipments, including steam heat, electric lights, private baths, and pure snow water, which is conveyed from the mountains to all parts of the “hill beautiful.” The altitude is about thirteen hundred feet above sea-level. There are in all seventy-six acres of land, twelve acres of which is an orange orchard in bearing condition. Nothing that money could do has been left undone to make the place attractive.
From the top of the building eleven cities can be seen, beginning with Redlands, which is about three miles south. This city was the one selected by the State to welcome the late President McKinley, and afterward President Roosevelt. Both of these men were entranced with the beauty of the city of Redlands. Its population numbers about ten thousand people. San Bernardino, the largest city of the group, contains about fifteen thousand inhabitants. The valley is extremely warm in the summer. This can be the only drawback to the location for a sanitarium. In this respect the Paradise Valley Sanitarium, situated in San Diego County, has some advantage over the Loma Linda Sanitarium. The climate in San Diego varies only ten or fifteen degrees the year round, and there is a constant sea-breeze. The droughts in the past have caused many of the people in National City to leave the place, but at the present time arrangements are being made to furnish the city with water. An immense reservoir is located on the hills. This year it is full of water, and it is hoped there will be sufficient water to supply National City during the dry season. The providence of God has especially favored our people in digging a well. They have plenty of water from two wells, the water being pumped to a high elevation, and from there it supplies the sanitarium.
Since southern California is such a health resort for the world, it is one of our greatest missionary fields. We find people here of all nationalities. Surely the Lord has gone before his people in opening the way for the establishment of these sanitariums that the light placed in them may send forth its rays to all parts of the world.
After spending a few days at each of these sanitariums, we came directly to St. Helena, to the home of Sister White. We expect soon to return to labor in the southern part of California. Our future address will be Loma Linda, Redlands, Cal. S. N. HASKELL.

Field Notes

A SABBATH-SCHOOL of ten members was organized at Lamar, Colo., December 16.
ELDER L. S. WHEELER reports the baptism of ten new converts in Boston, Mass., on the last Sabbath of 1905.
FIVE persons were baptized and six were received into the church at Kanawha Station, W. Va., December 17.
FOUR persons have recently accepted the truth at Bon Ayr, Ky., under the labors of Elder R. S. Donnell and Brother Walter Jones.
The Indiana Reporter says: “Excellent reports have come in from all parts of the State regarding the week of prayer. It truly has been a refreshing time for many of our people.”
BROTHER G. W. SPIES writes from Harrisburg, Pa.: “At a general meeting held in Harrisburg, Pa., by the church of this place, last month, eight united with the church, seven by baptism and one by vote.”
We note the following in the Indiana Reporter of January 3: “Brother Niehaus spent a few days at the office on his way to visit relatives at Evansville during the holidays. He reports that thirteen persons united with the church at Connersville the last Sabbath he was there. Four were new Sabbath-keepers.”
SPEAKING of the effort that is being made to establish a school for the colored people at Devall’s Bluff, Ark., Brother W. H. Swait says: “The conference has erected a substantial building for the purpose. We enrolled ten students the first day we began school, December 4. We praise the Lord for a beginning of the work among the colored people of this conference.”
BROTHER J. C. HARRIS reports from Ligonier, Ind.: “We had some good meetings at Ligonier. They feel much encouraged. Through the kindness of the Christian church we used their baptistery to baptize three of the young people of the church. The Lord came near, and blessed in a marked manner. All enjoyed the week-of-prayer meetings very much, and there was a liberal offering made to the missions.”
BROTHER W. S. LOWRY says in a recent report from Lane, Tenn.: “At this place the Lord wonderfully helped in preaching the word, and his converting power came in, and as a visible result six precious souls were baptized, and with one other, joined the church. Two or three others decided to keep the Sabbath, and others are deeply convicted. The meetings were a great spiritual refreshing to the brethren and sisters, and the addition of seven new members greatly encourages them.”

News From Congress

By K. C. RUSSELL

It is now more than a month since the fifty-ninth Congress opened. The January number of Current Literature in speaking of this Congress says:—
“Unless the fifty-ninth Congress, which began its first session on December 4, proves to be one of the most interesting and important bodies that ever assembled itself in the Capitol, it will disappoint many observers and falsify many predictions.”
While it is true that much which will take place during this session of Congress which would be of the greatest interest to the politician and business man would not be regarded as especially interesting and important by Seventh-day Adventists, yet the indications bid fair to make it a session that will be a “most interesting and important” one even to us.
Long before Congress opened, we learned that shortly before the adjournment of the last Congress a resolution was presented and adopted directing the judiciary committee of the Senate to present to the Senate, within thirty days after the assembling of the present Congress, a form of constitutional amendment against polygamy. We also learned that the National Reformers were engaged in a campaign for the purpose of having the proposed amendment “contain an explicit acknowledgment of the moral laws of Jesus Christ as the basis and standard of our legislation relating to the family.” We at once saw revealed in this proposition of the National Reformers all that could be desired by them, if they were successful in securing the religious rider to the proposed amendment, in bringing about their long-cherished ambition for the complete union of church and state in this country. We forthwith began a counter-campaign by writing to the members of the judiciary committee and other Congressmen, setting before them plainly what underlies this wicked scheme of the National Reformers. The following are some of the replies received:—
“Dear Sir: Your letter of 2d inst. with reference to the abolition of polygamy, etc., is received. I have noted carefully all you state, and thank you for writing to me in this connection. I shall take pleasure in giving the matter about which you write my attention when it comes up for consideration in the Senate. Yours truly.”
“My dear Sir: I have your letter of January 5, and read it with interest. If the amendment of which you speak comes up in the Senate, I shall be glad to give it my most careful consideration and attention. Very truly yours.”
Another Senator says: “I am very glad to have your complete statement with reference to the proposed amendment to the Constitution which you talked to me about when you were here.”
“Dear Sir: I am in receipt to-day of your letter of date the 2d, calling attention to the desire of the National Reform Association to amend the anti-polygamy law with a rider which will secure to them a religious amendment to the Constitution of the United States. I will give this subject such attention as it requires. I do not imagine the anti-polygamy question will be considered until after the termination of the Smoot case now before the Senate. Yours truly.”
It will be seen from these replies that our efforts in presenting the principles involved in this issue have been appreciated.

Another Sunday Bill

The Sunday bill, H. R. 10510, the text of which is given in another article in this issue of the paper, was practically the very one which died in the House at the close of the fifty-eighth Congress last year. It was resurrected by the same representative who first introduced it. The friends of religious liberty who know the outcome of these things need not be surprised that another Sunday bill is before Congress, even though the Lord gave us a signal victory in defeating the Sunday bills for the District of Columbia last winter. It will be remembered that last winter, when interrogated regarding one of the bills, a congressman replied that he did not think it would pass; for the “seventh-day folks are opposing it.”
Should not the victory the Lord gave us at the last session of Congress be an encouragement to us this session to arouse ourselves to greater efforts than were put forth then; for the advocates of the Sunday sabbath will be stirred to greater and more persistent efforts to gain their desired object each time they are defeated? Hence we need a corresponding increase of earnestness in our work. It should not be forgotten by any that the great object to be obtained in our opposition to the Sunday bills and all other kinds of religious legislation is to bring the third angel’s message home to the hearts of the statesmen and others, and yet we desire to do all we can to hold in check religious intolerance and persecution until every honest soul is warned concerning the meaning of these things.
Petitions should be circulated again, and as many signatures received as possible from the same ones that signed before, and from others. The public press should be utilized to the very best advantage by those who are competent to write with the purpose of enlightening the public upon the true principles of religious liberty. Petition blanks will be supplied by the Religious Liberty Bureau the same as last year. We shall endeavor to supply each conference with them, where they can be secured by the members in their respective conferences.
K. C. RUSSELL.

Another District of Columbia Sunday Bill

By W. A. COLCORD

THE following is a copy of another Sunday bill H. R. 10510, for the District of Columbia, which was introduced in the House of Representatives, Jan. 5, 1906, by Mr. Allen, of Maine:—
“A BILL to further protect the first day of the week as a day of rest in the District of Columbia.
“Whereas, There has recently been an increase not only of traffic, but also of hard labor on Sunday in the national capital, including the public filling and driving of dirt carts, to the great offense of Christian and humane citizens; and,—
“Whereas, The President has been appealed to by philanthropic societies of the city to suppress this Sunday toil ordered by contractors for government work and others, and has regretfully said that there is no law that would enable him to do so; and,—
“Whereas, The following bill has been twice approved in previous Congresses by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia; therefore,—
“Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That it shall not be lawful for any person to keep open any place of business or maintain a stand for the sale of any article or articles of profit during Sunday, excepting venders of books and newspapers, and apothecaries for the dispensing of medicines, and undertakers for the purpose of providing for the dead, or others for the purpose of charity or necessity; nor shall any public playing of football or baseball or any other kind of playing, sports, pastimes, or diversions disturbing the peace and quiet of the day, be practised by any person or persons within the District of Columbia on Sunday; nor shall any building operations or work upon railroad construction be lawful upon said day; and for any violation of this Act the person offending shall for each offense be liable to a fine of not less than five dollars nor more than fifty dollars, and in the case of corporations there shall be a like fine for every person employed in violation of this Act laid upon the corporation offending.
“Sec. 2.—That it shall be a sufficient defense to a prosecution for labor on the first day of the week that the defendant uniformly keeps another day of the week as a day of rest, and that the labor complained of was done in such a manner as not to interrupt or disturb other persons in observing the first day of the week as a day of rest. This Act shall not be construed to prevent the sale of refreshments other than malt or spirituous liquors, or to prevent the sale of malt and spirituous liquors as now provided by the law, or tobacco, cigars, railroad and steamboat tickets, or the collection and delivery of baggage.”
Mr. Allen not only introduced this bill, but also the one (H. R. 4859) that died in the “House” during the fifty-eighth Congress. This, however, is exactly the same as the former bill, with the exception that this one has a preamble,—a remarkable and unusual thing in legislation,—which, in a very adroit manner, not only gives the impression that President Roosevelt is in favor of the bill, but states that he has “regretfully said” there was no law that would enable him to suppress Sunday toil. The framer of this preamble, whoever he may be, if he correctly represents matters, not only indicates the President’s general attitude toward the question of Sunday work in the District of Columbia, but, in a way, forecasts what would doubtless be the result should such a bill come before the President for his approval.
This is only another effort, in a long line of attempts, to get the government of the United States committed to religious legislation. From almost the earliest history of this nation, contrary to one of its fundamental principles, misguided men have sought to fasten religious legislation onto the national government, and thus unite church and state in the United States. The chief means by which they have sought to do this has been through Sunday legislation. As early as 1829 and 1830, petitions and memorials were sent to Congress praying for legislation prohibiting the carrying and handling of mails on Sunday. In 1888 Senator Blair introduced a bill for a very stringent national Sunday law, openly based on grounds directly religious. This applied to the whole nation, and provided a fine of one thousand dollars for its violation. It was rejected in committee largely because of its religious character. Since that time certain religious organizations have been urging Congress to pass a District Sunday law, it being evident that the people were not yet ready for a national Sunday law. In response to this demand, various District Sunday bills, such as the Breckenridge Sunday bill, introduced in 1890, have been placed before Congress from time to time. The idea has been that if a precedent could be established, if Congress could be led to commit itself to the principle of religious legislation through a law requiring Sunday observance in the District of Columbia, it would be comparatively easy to secure a national Sunday law. A District Sunday law is desired as an entering wedge for a national Sunday law.
But all these proposed measures have failed because of their religious character. All have been met on the ground that in this government church and state are separate, the First Amendment to the Constitution declaring that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
The religious character of this bill is very marked. Its declared object is to “protect the first day of the week as a day of rest,” or sabbath. According to the express terms of the preamble, the bill is designed to protect the day, not the people; to protect a religious institution, not the rights of citizens. It is the “peace and quiet of the day,” not the peace and prosperity of the people, with which the bill is concerned.
This bill exempts those who keep another day as a day of rest. But if it is right to exempt one class who do not believe in keeping Sunday, why would it not be right to exempt all classes who do not respect the day? This, of course, would nullify the law.
It is evident, therefore, that the passage of this measure would be needless and unjust legislation.
Now all are free; hence this legislation is unnecessary. And if it should bring suffering or religious oppression to a single individual, even though demanded by every other person in the District, it would be unjust.
Shall the people of the District of Columbia be allowed to remain free, or must they be compelled to accept this yoke? No citizen of the District of Columbia has any vote or voice in making the laws by which the District is governed. This, then, is a field most favorable for the beginning of a religious despotism. And right here the National Reform Association, the American Sabbath Union, and the International Reform Bureau have been working for years, seeking to persuade Congress to commit itself in some way to the principle of religious legislation. After some such local and apparently insignificant bill as this is passed, a multitude of others increasingly oppressive, not only for the District, but for the whole nation, will inevitably follow. A mighty impetus would also be given to state Sunday legislation as a result of the example set by the national government, and the way opened for religious despotism to establish itself in this country.
This bill applies only to the District of Columbia, and to certain classes only. The first Sunday law, that promulgated by Constantine March 7, 321 A. D., applied only to cities, and was for certain classes only. But after the union of church and state thus formed, religious tests and religious persecution followed. Liberty was in chains. Then came the world’s midnight,—the Dark Ages,—a time of physical, intellectual, and spiritual bondage, and finally the Inquisition. Do the people of the United States wish to see this history repeated?
W. A. COLCORD.

*A Crisis***

By A. O. BURRILL

We have reached a crisis in the work of the third angel's message in the Dominion of Canada. We have reached a time when all that is held most sacred and dear to us as a people, is at stake. Our social relations, our homes, our reputations, our property, and even our very lives, are at stake. Yes, even our eternal life is at stake; for when people are brought to a crisis such as the one we are facing, they are compelled to choose between eternal life and the things of this world.
What is the crisis? you will ask. We answer, It is the effort which is being made at this time to secure a Dominion Sunday law, which, if successful, will deprive all our people in Canada of their sacred rights, and compel them either to acknowledge the authority of the law in violation of the law of God or to seek a home in some other land, only to have the same thing repeated in the near future.
When such crises were reached by the people of God in ancient times, the history of those times reveals the fact that certain individuals, acting with wisdom and prudence, and directed by the Spirit of God, were able to pass the crises in safety; but at this time the crisis is to be met, not by one or two, acting as individuals, but by a united people though widely scattered, acting together as one man.
This movement on the part of the Lord's Day Alliance will deprive men of liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and in the end, of life. This may sound strange even to some of our own people who for many years have been looking for just such things to occur. To those not of our faith it will no doubt sound fanatical. But we know that these things are so, and we know it from the prophecies of the Bible.
The spirit of prophecy has spoken upon this point in no uncertain voice. In Testimony No. 32, page 206, are these words: 'The Protestant world to-day sees in the little company keeping the Sabbath a Mordecai in the gate. His character and conduct, expressing reverence for the law of God, are a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord, and are trampling upon his Sabbath; the unwelcome intruder must by some means be put out of the way. The same masterful mind that plotted against the faithful in ages past is still seeking to rid the earth of those who fear God and obey his laws.'
In the light of this testimony, what ought the people who are the Mordecais of the present time, to do? The Hamans of to-day are at work trying to secure a decree against us. Shall we remain idle, saying, It will come anyway? To whom has the Lord committed the work of warning the people against the worship of the beast and his image, and the reception of his mark? Who are to hold aloft, inscribed upon their banner, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus?
We repeat, everything is at stake with us here in the Dominion of Canada, and we can not remain idle at such a time as this, and be on the Lord's side. By securing signatures to the petition, by scattering tracts upon the subject of religious liberty, by talking with our neighbors and friends about this work, we are warning them against the beast and his image and the reception of his mark.
The present effort of the Lord's Day Alliance to secure legislation upon the subject of religion, affords one of the best opportunities for our people to work, because the minds of the people are agitated upon the subject, and they are prepared to take their stand either for or against the truth.
If these people should be successful in securing a national Sunday law, then it would be too late for work with our petitions. The wicked thing would be done, and our hands would be tied. Now, just now, is the time to work; and we trust that all our people, in all parts of the Dominion of Canada, will improve the opportunity which has thus been offered to us in the mercy of God, and work as never before. Let every lover of liberty, equity, and righteousness, go out with this petition, and seek for signatures from every male citizen who is twenty-one years of age. Take along a good assortment of religious liberty tracts, and other tracts on the third angel's message, and, filled with the Holy Spirit, warn the people that the Lord is coming, and that this attempt to enforce Sunday observance is the sure sign that his coming is near.
Elder Thurston is stationed at the capital of the nation, and will see that the petitions are properly presented. If possible without slighting the work, get the petitions mailed by the twentieth of January. But do thorough work, and do not be discouraged even though you may not be successful in securing as many signatures to the petition as you would like; and if you secure only a few names, do not fail to send them. We can continue the petition work until Parliament sits, which will not be until the middle of March.
We have been to the expense of getting out a double number of the Messenger, also of preparing blanks, and other work necessary to send out these petitions, and if there are any who will contribute to this expense, let them send their contributions to B. B. Noftsger, Toronto Junction, Ontario, and he will see that they are properly applied.
A. O. BURRILL,
President Ontario Conference.

Education by the Jewish Mother

“JEWISH education began with the mother. What the true Jewish mother, considered as a teacher, was, we know from both the Testaments and from many other sources. The very household duties that she performed molded her children in accordance with the national discipline. ‘The Sabbath meal, the kindling of the Sabbath lamp, and the setting apart of a portion of the dough from the household bread—for these are but instances with which every Taph, as he clung to his mother’s skirts, must have been familiar.’ The bit of parchment fastened to the door-post, on which the name of the Most High was written . . . would be among the first things to arrest his attention.”
“It was in the school of the mother’s knee that the stories of patriarchs and prophets, of statesmen and warriors, of poets and sages, of kings and judges, wise men and patriots, and of the great Lawgiver himself,—the whole forming the very best body of material for the purposes of child nurture found in any language,—were told and retold until they became parts of the mind itself. . . . As teachers of their children, the women of every country may learn lessons from the matrons of Israel.”—Hinsdale.
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