Less than three years ago three laborers, man and wife and a canvasser, landed in Singapore to begin sounding the message of Revelation 14. Situated in the center of Malaysia, Singapore is a fitting place to sound forth the truth for this time to the fifty million or more surrounding it. The message can not be preached to this people in one language, but must be given in many languages. How this is to be accomplished with the few workers who are yet unacquainted with the languages and the customs of this cosmopolitan field, is a problem to be grasped through faith.
SINGAPORE RIVER
Let us now follow briefly and see what God has wrought. The solitary canvasser started his canvassing in the city; and by his genial and diligent manner succeeded in selling his books by the hundreds, and making genuine friends by the scores; doors were thus opened for the remaining two to enter with the Signs of the Times and the Australasian Good Health, followed by some nursing of the sick; thus again paving the way for a more thorough seeking after the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Bible studies soon came in, and some had the courage and faith to walk in the light. At this point the missionaries of the various denominations established here, discovered “a small and energetic sect,” as they termed it, settled among them that must be crushed or driven out. This crushing and driving has only served the more firmly to plant and settle our work in the field.
The one canvasser pushing forward entered the surrounding nations of Johore, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Perak, Pahang, and Siam, placing many hundreds of dollars’ worth of books in the homes of the people—Europeans, Eurasians, Indians, Malays, and all who had acquired the ability to read English.
Did God intend this work to be a failure?—Never! For many years he so prepared the field through the interference of British influence and by commerce and the educational system that it has been the aim of the people to acquire the English language. As God girded Cyrus for a great and final work when he did not know it, so these far Eastern nations are also prepared for the final purpose of God, and they do not know it. When the canvasser comes, the people fall readily under his God-given influence. These are notable facts in the “far East.” This same solitary canvasser pushed his way with his book into the Philippines, the cities of Japan, and the cities of China. The Lord alone can rightly estimate the work accomplished by this one worker.
Since the beginning of the time of the end, God has been preparing the whole world for this closing feature of his work—the entrance of the canvasser—by causing an educational wave to cover the earth so that the people could read our books containing his last warning and saving message to them. Above all other methods of carrying the third angel’s message to the world, the work of the canvasser has come first; our cause is built up by him and greatly sustained by his work and profits. It is the missionary life of every school among us.
As this brother canvasser traveled farther east and farther north, another canvasser came to rework the ground with “Daniel and the Revelation,” and, lo, much to our delight, this book also enters the home as readily as the other. This brother is now up the peninsula selling “Daniel and the Revelation” with marvelous success.
As many could not read the English books, we had “Christ Our Saviour” translated into the Malay language, and started Brother Timothy Tay, a native convert of the Malay tongue, over the same territory in Singapore, with equally good success. Already hundreds of these books have been sold, and this brother will again follow in the wake of the others. There are prospects that he will sell thousands of this simple but powerful story of Jesus to the heathen. God is in this work we know, and by this righteous work “he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.”
The most numerous of the population are the Chinese; and to meet the needs of these we are selling here in Singapore at the present time about five thousand tracts. We trust soon to have a larger work to sell among the Chinese in the Straits Settlements that will give greater satisfaction to them as well as to the canvasser.
We are planning for other books to meet the needs of the various tongues of Malaysia. As we sow, so shall we reap; and we believe a rich harvest awaits this work before we are much older.
Let us again retrospect. Less than three years ago three strangers landed in Singapore from a German steamer17from Sydney, Australia, to give the present truth to the motley multitude. Now there are scattered through Malaysia three canvassers, two tract sellers, three ministers and their wives, one ministerial and literary worker, and one educational worker, one lady worker, and three Chinese lady helpers. Besides these, we understand that six or seven are already on the sea to land here in about two weeks from Australia, as a material addition to the work in the Malaysian field. All this is splendid evidence to us that the Lord means to accomplish his work in the appointed time.
For the purpose of training native converts we have this month opened a training-school into which we shall invite suitable young people from all parts of Malaysia. This school is about four miles from the heart of the city, and is situated upon a hill overlooking the city, the harbor, and the country around—a good location, which most of the time receives the refreshing sea-breezes.
We have decided to get out a small monthly paper in the Malay language as soon as we have the workers trained to canvass for subscriptions. Presses, type, etc., are all in readiness. Our greatest need is several faithful and tried canvassers who are apt to learn languages; and our brethren in Australia are doing their best to find these and send them. Our avowed object is to scatter the printed pages of truth over Malaysia as the wind scatters the leaves of autumn.
Wherever our missionaries have located, the work is onward. “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.” Now evidently is the time for all to connect somehow and somewhere with this mighty movement.
Singapore.
Spain
By WALTER G. BOND
GRANENA DE LAS GERIGAS.—During the last two or three months we have had considerable sickness among our members. The brethren in Valencia have had a siege of typhoid fever. I spent several weeks there to help with the nursing. One young sister, the wife of a faithful canvasser, died of the fever, September 25. She was a noble soul, and died full of courage. Several of us were gathered about her bedside, as she passed away, and she said, “My hope is in God.” We thank God for the blessed hope of the resurrection. Her husband is of good courage, and wishes to do all that he can to help carry this gospel of the kingdom to his people, and thus hasten the return of our Saviour.
My brother’s wife was also very low for several weeks. The doctor gave no hope for her recovery; but God is merciful to us, and has blessed the treatments given, so that she has improved, and we hope that she will soon be restored to health.
Fourteen days ago I came with my family to this place, to encourage a family of Sabbath-keepers who had moved here from Barcelona some months ago. We found them endeavoring to live out the truth and make it known to others. To reach here we traveled about seven hours by slow train, to the city of Lerida. There our mode of travel was changed. In company with several others, we were loaded into a large cart without any springs, which was drawn by two fine large mules hitched tandem style. There were no lines attached to the leading mule; and as he had about the same disposition as most of his class, he was not always obedient to the voice of the driver, who seemed to consider every misbehavior a special demand for much bad language. I know of no other people who are, as a whole, so immoral and blasphemous in conversation as are the inhabitants of these Catalonian provinces. After seven hours’ travel in this rig, over by far the worst road we have ever seen, we arrived safely at our destination, though badly jolted and bruised.
That same evening a large crowd of neighbors gathered at our brother’s house, to hear what we might have to say. The night following, and almost every night since, we have had the house, the stairway, and the street in front of the house, filled to overflowing with attentive listeners to the Word of God. Out of the eight hundred inhabitants, there are only two families who have not attended one or more of the meetings. A large majority of these are extremely ignorant and superstitious. When France or some other of the great nations is mentioned, many of them do not know whether the speaker is talking of some great city or just a common province of Spain. On All Saints’ day special preparation is made to entertain all dead relatives. All beds are made in the best way possible on that day, so that the visiting spirits may have a comfortable rest. O, that they might find rest for their own souls, by becoming acquainted with our blessed Lord and Master! The whole town seems stirred, and we are kept busy from early morning until late at night.
But our enemy is not asleep. Several women have decided to obey the truth, but their husbands threaten to thrash, and even kill them, if they have anything more to do with the new doctrine. One, however, has taken a firm stand for the message. A well-to-do widower has also decided to obey, having discarded his tobacco, and begun the observance of the Sabbath. Two others also profess to have begun to obey the Sabbath command.
Since coming here, the rainfall has been very heavy, the greatest ever recorded for this part of the country. Some localities have been greatly damaged by floods. Many important bridges have been washed away, and some of the most productive garden and fruit land in all Spain has been so terribly damaged that the expense of living will be considerably increased this year, thus multiplying the misery which already abounds to a terrible extent in this country.
LATER.—We are home again. We are now preparing to begin a series of hall meetings. Please remember this effort in your prayers. We are enjoying excellent health, but my brother’s wife has had a relapse, and is very sick again.
WALTER G. BOND.
The Atlantic Union Bookmen’s Convention
By E. R. Palmer
The first of the series of bookmen’s conventions planned for the winter of 1907-08 is now in the past. If we can estimate what the others will be by the success of the one which has just closed, we may rest assured that this series of meetings will mark an important era in the history of our publishing work in the United States.
The convention opened in the West Philadelphia church at 7 P. M., November 10, and continued four days. Seventy-six delegates were present, representing the General Conference, the Review and Herald Publishing Association, the Atlantic and Lake Union Conferences, and the fourteen local conferences of the Atlantic Union, including Ohio. Every conference in the Atlantic Union was well represented, there being a general attendance of conference presidents, State agents, tract society secretaries, and other leading workers. Throughout the entire session these earnest, hard-working laborers, who are carrying many other responsibilities besides the publishing work, sat together, and studied, and prayed, and planned for the prosperity of the tract and missionary work in general. This was, by far, the largest and most representative delegation which has ever been brought together in a local bookmen’s convention, and we confidently believe that this large attendance and deep interest is a true indication of the rapid upward tendency18of the publishing work. Indeed, it is evident as we meet our leading brethren in these conventions that the importance of the circulation of our literature is rapidly taking deep root in the hearts of all.
A program had been carefully prepared and was closely followed, although many important questions were introduced and discussed by means of the Question Box, which was opened twice a day during the session. The leading topics, as arranged on the program for discussion, were as follows:—
The Purpose and Importance of Our Literature; Organization of the Book Work; The Conference Officers’ Part in Stimulating and Fostering the Book Work; Qualification and Work of the General Agent; The Revival of the Old-Time Missionary Spirit in the Churches; Qualification and Work of the State Tract Society Secretaries; Institutes; Their Purpose and Work; Book-making; How to Equip and Send out Canvassers; Selection of Agents and the Importance of Contracts; How to Work Large Cities; Territory of, and Other Business Arrangements with, Agents; Uniformity in Reporting; The Need of Field Missionary Secretaries; Concentration of Effort on Special Books; Resident Canvassing; How the Publishing Work May Co-operate with Our Schools; The Foreign Book Work.
In the discussion of these subjects a few points were developed which stand out in prominent relief. Among these are the following:—
1. That the circulation of literature is a fundamental method of the gospel by which the truth for these last days is introduced successfully and clearly to the minds of people who could be reached in no other way. That the printing-press is one of the inventions of these last days by which knowledge is increased, and particularly that Bible knowledge which will prepare the world for the second coming of our Lord. And that, as the printing-press was the most active agent by which the great Reformation won its way in the sixteenth century against the intrigues of the Catholic Church, so the printing-press in this day will be the most successful means by which the truth will work its way to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
2. That the organization for this work should be sufficiently strong and complete to carry the work in all its details to all the homes of the people in the wide world by means of the men and women, boys and girls, who love the third angel’s message, and are looking for the soon coming of their Lord.
3. That each conference should maintain a tract society secretary and State agent who are well qualified for their respective positions, who are missionaries indeed; and that all conference officers should unite with these workers by strong co-operation in building up the tract and missionary work.
4. That we should organize very thoroughly for pushing the periodical and tract work, so that this work may have the same earnest, organized attention that is given to the subscription book work.
To this end, the following resolution, which was recommended by the General Conference Publishing Department, was unanimously carried:—
“That we unite in strengthening and building up the distributing agencies of the Publishing Department so that they may lay hold very definitely upon every individual who has espoused the cause of the third angel’s message, and enlist him as an active working factor in distributing our publications, and give him the instruction and training necessary to qualify him for the work.
“To this end we recommend,—
“(a) That a field missionary secretary be appointed in each conference, to take active supervision in the field, of the circulation of periodicals, tracts, trade books, and forty-per-cent books. Among the duties of the field secretary would be the selection, instruction, and direction of periodical workers, the holding of institutes in the churches for the instruction of the members in the methods of home missionary work, auditing librarians’ books, and increasing the clubs of our papers, and the sale of literature provided especially for home workers.
“(b) That the field missionary secretary be appointed and directed by the State conference committee; that he be supported by the conference, and hold practically the same relation to the Tract and Missionary Department as the field missionary agent.
“(c) That the field missionary secretary co-operate closely with the tract society; that he make the tract society office his headquarters if possible, and join with the tract society secretary in the office work when not in the field.
“(d) That a general missionary secretary be appointed by each union conference, to take the general supervision of this work in the union, very much the same as the general agents direct the sale of subscription books.
“(e) That the general missionary secretary be supported by the union conference and wholesale house, the expense to be mutually provided for between them.
“(f) That the general missionary secretary make the wholesale office his headquarters if possible, provided there is such a general distributing center in the union.”
The above resolution providing for missionary secretaries was also passed by the Atlantic and Columbia Union Conferences in their sessions which followed the bookmen’s convention.
5. That earnest and more diligent attention be given to the circulation of literature in the great cities of the East, which, it appears, can be reached most successfully by this kind of work.
6. That the co-operation between our publishing department and denominational schools be strengthened so that many more of our young people may be able to make this field of missionary work a means whereby they may secure a technical education in the schools, while, at the same time, securing a practical education in field work.
It will be readily recognized that these questions are vital ones. They are neither new nor unique. They constitute the plain, practical, fundamental basis upon which our publishing work depends for its prosperity.
We shall earnestly pray that the workers who were present at this convention may be abundantly blessed of God in their local conferences in carrying out the plans and policies outlined at this convention, and we trust, and have reason to believe, that the same good spirit will prevail in the bookmen’s conventions which will follow in other parts of the United States, and that clear, broad, comprehensive plans will be as heartily adopted in every union conference throughout the world.
E. R. PALMER,
Sec. Gen. Conf. Publishing Dept.
Rest for Worn-Out Missionaries
Jesus recognized the need of change and rest for his servants as they toiled for the salvation of souls. The true missionary does not spare himself, but enters into the very lives of those for whom he labors, sharing their burdens and woes, endeavoring to bring relief to them by helping them into bettered conditions of life. Recently a consecrated man and his wife, belonging to the Berlin Missionary Society, who owned a beautiful home in one of the small towns of Germany, surrounded by spacious grounds and garden, gave it to that society, for the use of worn-out missionaries returning from foreign fields. This is a beautiful expression of the love of Christ possessed by these good people. Often a few months’ rest is needed by the faithful missionary, on his return to the home land, before he is prepared to go out to encourage greater missionary zeal in the home churches. “Come ye yourselves apart . . . and rest awhile,” was the gracious invitation of Christ on one occasion; and, again, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Bolivia
By E. W. Thomann
COCHABAMBA.—We entered Bolivia the last of May. On the fourteenth of June we reached Cochabamba, the place we selected as a station or center of our work here. We have a house of three rooms and kitchen, and a garden, in the most healthful suburb of the city. We have enjoyed good health until now, and trust in the Lord for further protection from disease. We are glad to be a little out of the city, because that is a very unhealthful place. Last year there occurred more deaths than births.
Considerable of my time is spent on our Spanish paper in Valparaiso, but I can devote a little more than half to aggressive work here in the field. I have canvassed the commercial part of the city with Señales, and have taken about eighty yearly subscriptions and sold about two hundred single copies. As I have not received any books, I have sold only two Bibles, two copies of “Steps to Christ,” one of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and a few tracts, besides the papers.
Several persons come Sunday afternoon to study the Bible with us, and some are already beginning to keep the Sabbath. But as people here are very slow, it takes them some time to decide. The Baptist minister is doing what he can to hold them away from the light of present truth, but it is evident that the truth is gaining ground. Three of those who come to study marvel that their pastor never explained to them any of the prophecies, which are of so much importance. They are eagerly feeding on the Bible evidences presented to them in favor of the third angel’s message. I pray and hope that some of them will take their stand wholly for the truth. Others of these are Catholics. Some of them have never had, and possibly have never seen, a Bible before, but they testify that they like our way of obeying the commandments of the Lord.
A lawyer who came with us in the same coach from Ormo, said to us: “The Catholic priests say, and do not; but you do what you say.” He bought a copy of “Steps to Christ,” and is very much delighted with it.
At Quillacollo, a town about eight miles from Cochabamba, are two families who for about eight years have had an interest in the truth. We visited them, and found them anxious to receive more light. In one talk I presented to them the joy and happiness of having faith and full confidence in the Lord. After it, the father of the family asked me if I would not speak to them about the Sabbath. The next day I did so, and afterward he told me that they would thereafter prepare their food on Friday for the Sabbath. This shows that their hearts are susceptible to the influence of the truth. Yet before they can be baptized, they must overcome the tobacco habit and wrong habits of eating. The father spoke about baptism, but I prefer to wait until he has left all things that19a Christian should leave. This brother, with his wife and oldest daughter, translated for us the manuscript for the first Quecha paper we intend to publish.
I have bought a cyclostyle writing and copying apparatus, with which I expect to be able to produce literature in the Indian languages of Bolivia. The Indians who do not understand Spanish can not read. But as many of the people who speak Spanish know the Indian languages, they can read to them. And if there is something to read in these languages, it will attract much attention.
We are learning the Quecha language, but it will be some time still before we can speak it well enough to preach the gospel in it. So our work is meanwhile mostly among those who speak Spanish.
E. W. THOMANN.
F. H. WESTPHAL
By F. H. Westphal
Chile
VALPARAISO.—At the close of our institute we were able to send twelve colporteurs into the wide harvest-field. Our book and paper work will still make a record during the three months that remain.
I came north to see about getting a home for our office and the publishing plant. We found a very nice place near Santiago, five blocks from the station. There are two houses on the lot, one having two rooms, the other five. The lot, which is a corner one, measures thirty-five by seventy-five meters. It is fenced with a high wall, and there are fruit-trees on the place. There is water to furnish power to run our presses. Eight trains pass there every day each way, and it costs no more than four cents to go to Santiago and back to Espejo, where we shall be located. We paid for this place $4,750 current Chile money, making at present about $1,311 United States money. The houses will need some repairing, but we believe that we have procured a nice place very cheaply. We shall sign the papers next Tuesday.
When we think what the Lord has done for us during the last three years, we feel to praise his name. We had four hundred pesos of debt on the school, and now we have buildings worth $2,208, and no debt. We had an old Washington hand-press, with some type and a worn-out paper-cutter; now we have presses and type and a paper-cutter and stitcher, all worth not less than $2,200, and no debts. We were living in a cramped-up place, in an old building, paying high rent, with only a few broken benches; now we have two houses of our own for the conference, a home for the office and the printing-plant, worth not less than $1,662, and no debts. Through the fire and the earthquake the Lord has brought us out this way, and we believe he has had his hand over us.
The work in general is progressing wonderfully, and yet not as it might if we were all consecrated fully to the Lord. Week before last fourteen souls were baptized at Guillota, seven in the north, four in the south, and five others are awaiting baptism there, also others in Santiago, and last Sabbath I baptized two in Valparaiso.
The time of the loud cry of the third angel's message has come. The war cry seems to be spreading everywhere. It shows that the clouds are forming rapidly, and soon the nations will be active in battle. May the Lord bless his work and cause in our hands from day to day.
F. H. WESTPHAL
J. W. BOYNTON
By J. W. Boynton
Alberta
It has been several months since I have sent a report to the REVIEW, but it is not because of idleness, nor lack of items to report.
Last April I held a short series of meetings in a schoolhouse ten miles northeast of Stettles, with a small but interested company. Some strong opposition developed, but with the Lord’s help the victory was gained. In July I had the privilege of baptizing six persons. After our camp-meeting I went to Manville with a small tent, where I held meetings for some time; but as no interest developed, I moved twenty-five miles northwest, to a country place where I held meetings for a time with some of our brethren and their friends, who had recently moved here from other parts of the province, and from the States. Here I had the privilege of baptizing five, and organizing a church of twenty-two members, to be known as Vermilion Lakes church. A full corps of officers was elected. Then I attended our meeting at Leduc for the purpose of organizing a union conference, which I think will mark a new era in the work in this field.
I was with the Edmonton church over Sabbath and Sunday, November 1-4, and held meetings with the church and sanitarium here. I baptized two. From November 7-12 I was with the Vermilion Lakes church, where I have been holding meetings and visiting from house to house. To-day I buried four other precious souls with their Lord. A few others who could not be with us at this time are preparing for baptism, while some are still halting between two opinions. Thus I have had the pleasure of baptizing thirty-three precious souls this season; of these two were rebaptisms. This includes those baptized at the camp-meeting.
Calls are coming in from various places for meetings for the winter, which I trust will be arranged for by our conference committee. I shall start for home in the morning, and after a few days in perfecting arrangements, shall be ready to go to British Columbia, to take up labor in that field. I am of good courage in the Lord, and wish to do all in my power to advance the message in these new fields.
J. W. BOYNTON
Philippine Mission
By J. L. McELHANY
On the afternoon of October 5 an event took place in Manila which for pageantry and pomp has not been surpassed here, it is said, for the last three hundred years. The occasion was the crowning of the patron saint of the Philippines, Nuestra Señora del Rosario (Our Lady of the Rosary). On a large open space near the church of Santo Domingo a platform was erected, on which the ceremonies were carried out. The arches of this platform were gaily decorated with flowers and flags; the stars and stripes—the emblem of civil and religious liberty—and the papal flag were chiefly in evidence. In the center of the platform was a raised stand with steps leading up from either side. Seated on the platform were many dignitaries, both civil and ecclesiastical. In solemn procession from the near-by church the image that was to be crowned was carried, followed by the papal delegate, Monsignor Agius, and a number of visiting prelates. The image was backed up to the stand, and Monsignor Agius mounted the steps from one side, and Gen. Jas. F. Smith, the American governor-general of the Philippines, from the other. When all was in readiness, the governor-general handed the papal delegate a small crown, which was, after making the sign of the cross, placed on the head of the image of the child held in the arms of the virgin, and then a larger crown, which was in the same manner placed upon the head of the image of the virgin. Both crowns were screwed to the wooden heads of these images to keep them in place, while the blind devotees of such abject idolatry cheered heartily. A Protestant standing near me exclaimed, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians,” while through my own mind was passing the scene of Israel’s worshiping the golden calf.
We were astonished to see the governor-general and other men who should have known better, taking part in the idolatrous work of crowning wooden images. To the ignorant Filipinos this could mean nothing else than a representative of the government taking an official part in these ceremonies, and the most painful impression left on the mind was concerning the effect this scene20made on the thousands of Filipinos who witnessed it. To the Filipino such a spectacular display is religion. There is nothing deeper, no vital experience that takes hold on his entire life. He simply bows down and worships the idol, and goes away to gamble in the booths erected around the church during the fiesta, or to commit any sin that a depraved nature suggests. Little indeed do they know about Christ and his work of love and mercy, but every child can relate the wonderful miracles ascribed to these images.
Gold and jewels to the value of about twenty-five thousand dollars were used in making the crowns for this occasion. This material was obtained in exactly the same manner as the gold for making the golden calf when Israel forgot God and turned to idols.
Let no one think that Rome is any different to-day than she was during the Dark Ages. “Semper Idem,” always the same, is her proud boast. The Catholic Church is stronger in the Philippines to-day than she has been for a long time, notwithstanding opposing elements. She is using every means to strengthen her forces.
Recently a commission was appointed to assess the amount of damages done to church property during the war here. The United States government is to pay a good price for all buildings damaged or destroyed. It is evident that these claims are greatly overdrawn, but that they will be paid is certain as a matter of political expediency. The Catholic vote is a very potent factor in deciding elections, and it must be secured even at the price of paying for buildings that some claim were burned by the friars themselves. Thus rulers and statesmen are going to Canossa, and of their weakness Rome adds to her own strength.
May God lay on many hearts the burden of giving the last saving message to these needy people, is our earnest prayer.
J. L. McELHANY.
Colorado
By G. W. Anglebarger
DENVER.—Our hearts are filled with gladness and praise to God for his rich blessings which we are enjoying in his work in Denver. Calls are coming from interested ones in all parts of the city for us to visit them, and study the Bible with them. Souls are continually embracing the truth. Sabbath, November 9, eight more were buried with Christ in baptism. G. W. ANGLEBARGER.
Come to South Carolina
By C. F. Dart
WINTER is before us, and some are thinking of coming South. As I represent the canvassing and educational work in South Carolina, I shall be glad to correspond with any who desire to come to this field, either to locate or to spend the winter. My address is 317 Buncombe St., Greenville, S. C.
We recently revived the Sabbath-school at Greenville. Last Sabbath the brethren and sisters came for several miles from the surrounding country. There were thirty-eight, all told; and our hearts greatly rejoiced to see so many present. Those living in our larger conferences would think this a small company, but we seldom if ever have had so many of our people together at any place in the State, except at camp-meetings.
There is plenty of room for all who will come, and the presence and help of our brethren are certainly needed. We are praying that the Lord will move upon the hearts of many to come here to labor. Over two thirds of the State has never been entered by the canvasser.
C. F. DART.
Field Notes and Gleanings
NEAR Coleman, Mich., Brother E. R. Lauda has been holding meetings with gratifying results. After four weeks of labor, seven had taken a firm stand for the truth, and were waiting for baptism.
BRETHREN J. A. Minner and W. A. Easley held meetings at Axtell, Kan., from October 15 to November 3. They write: “It was a source of strength and encouragement to those who had recently taken their stand for the truth. Before leaving, we organized a Sabbath-school of about fifteen members, and secured a room where they are comfortably located for the winter. There are several at this place who desire baptism. There are about ten who are keeping the Sabbath now, and some others are seriously considering the question. We hope soon to see a church organized here.”
OF his visit to Moline, Ill., Brother Wm. Covert writes that “five services were held, and four persons were baptized. Three were added to the church. There were others who could not be present at the time these were baptized, who desire to go forward in the ordinance as soon as arrangements can be made for it.”
NOVEMBER 16 Brethren J. G. Walker and Charles Leer organized a church of twenty members near Roosevelt, N. D. It will be remembered that this new company of believers is largely the result of the missionary efforts of the members of the Bowden church, several miles distant.
AT the close of the tent effort at Folsom, Cal., conducted by Brethren Jas. A. Stevens and C. H. Moler, five persons had accepted the truth, and there were several others still undecided. Brother Stevens remains to labor for these and others, while Brother and Sister Moler return to Placerville to follow up the interest created by a tent effort earlier in the season at Camino. Six accepted the truth here.
BROTHER T. H. PAINTER furnishes this report: “In the spring the superintendent of the Sabbath-school at Stanleyton, Va., gave five cents each to nine little children in Mrs. Painter’s class, to earn all they could with it for foreign mission work. The amount brought in by the children the last Sabbath of November was $9.17. The largest amount raised by one pupil with the five cents was $1.44. They will try again.”
A SERIES of meetings has been held in Kansas City, Kan., by a company of workers, Brother U. S. Willis taking a leading part. Of their experience he writes: “The meetings were well attended until the cool nights began. The Lord bore witness to the truths presented; and on the part of the church-members, there was a consecration of all to the Lord. Nine precious souls decided to obey the Lord by keeping all his commandments. Others are seeking to know the truth. We give all the praise to the Lord, and are thankful to have a part in his glorious work.”
THIS word comes from Brethren O. M. Kittle, Wm. J. Johnson, and Geo. Juhl, who are laboring in Iowa: “July 22 we began our meetings at Webster City. The attendance was not large at any time, and only a very few were interested. Nevertheless, our efforts were not wholly in vain, for one elderly brother was reclaimed, and is now rejoicing in the truth. We moved to Spencer and began meetings August 21, with a large attendance, which continued until the close. The Lord has greatly blessed us in our work here. Last Sabbath was a good day for the Spencer church. Elder L. F. Starr and Brother Fred J. Wilbur were with us. In the afternoon eight were baptized, and eleven united with the church. Officers were elected and ordained, and a Young People’s Society was organized. They are now in good shape to do missionary work, and have begun by taking five hundred copies of the special Signs.”
Illinois
By J. C. Harris
Pittwood.—I began meetings in the Pittwood church last Thursday night, November 14, with only a few hours' notice of the meeting. The interest has increased till now we have a good congregation every evening of deeply interested listeners. Pray for the work here. J. C. Harris.
