p. 18 | Review and Herald, Vol. 80, No. 49. (12/10/1903)

J. B. BECKNER

By J. B. Beckner

Jamaica

KINGSTON.—We are going ahead as fast as our money will allow, in rebuilding the churches. We have two of them up, and a third with frame and roofing. The hard times are now beginning to be felt here. Food is scarce and very high. Many of our people can not get work, as they are tradesmen, and it is hard for them to secure food. Our canvassing agents sell more Bibles since the storm, as many were destroyed.

The Lord is blessing Brother Tanner in his work in Kingston. A good class of people are becoming interested, and a few have united with the church. Brother Strickland is also being blessed in his work in Montego Bay. A gentleman has recently accepted the message, who will furnish all the lime and a large part of the framing timber for a church building. The lot has already been secured. Most of our people here are very willing to work. Remember us often in your prayers.

J. B. BECKNER

S. A. WELLMAN

By S. A. WELLMAN

Trinidad

PORT OF SPAIN.—The work here upon the church building is going very slowly now, as we are out of funds. However, we are not discouraged, and are sure that the near future will bring better times. The Watchman continues to be a success, and we are keeping up the circulation to seven thousand a month, and expect this to continue. The last week brought us the first edition of the English Good Health. We will undertake to place it, with the Watchman, in the homes of the people. We have started with one thousand, and the sales in the city here indicate that it may be increased the coming month. These two papers together will be the means of giving the whole gospel in these islands.

Brother Babcock reported last month that thirteen have begun to obey the Lord in Albuoystown, Demerara; and Brother Enoch, who has just returned from Tobago, where he has been assisting Brethren Kneeland and Matthews for a few weeks, reports that there are ten or twelve on that island preparing for baptism. From the others also there is every indication of a successful year.

S. A. WELLMAN

Argentina

By N. Z. Town

DIAMANTE, ENTRE RIOS.—The work in this country has made some advancement during this year. Fifty or sixty have united with the churches. The work at Missiones has continued, until now there is an organized church of thirty-five or more members.

I have just returned from a visit with Brother Maas. After our general meeting in March, he and a German brother remained to follow up the interest. The outlook seemed good, for there were several families who had acknowledged the truth; but it has been slow work to bring them to a decision. But at last the Lord has given the victory, and a whole family, fourteen in all, are keeping the Sabbath. Last Sabbath I had the privilege of baptizing the parents and one daughter. A married son who lives at home, and three or four grown children will follow. Others are interested. Now that a beginning has been made, we hope to see a company brought out there. As usual, when one starts, others will follow. We have planned to pitch a tent in one of the colonies near by, and with this effort will close up the work in that section for the present, unless there is some special interest.

On my way home, at a junction where I had to change cars, I met Brother Westphal, who was returning from Brazil. Neither of us knew that the other expected to take this train. He brings encouraging reports of the work in Brazil. He has been away five months.

I am glad that my lot has fallen in a field outside of the United States, where there are so many who ought to go to other countries. We realize our inability, but our courage is good in the Lord. Soon he will come, and I am glad that he will find some faithful souls among the dark lands of South America. N. Z. TOWN.

Report of Philadelphia Council, November 13-18

By R. A. Underwood

All our laborers, except two, were present at this meeting. We had the assistance of Elder Daniells for one day, also that of A. D. Gilbert, who is agent for The Signs of the Times. Elders Jayne and Keslake were with us in counsel, especially relative to the health work. This meeting was attended with much of the blessing of God, the desire of all being to push the work in all departments as rapidly as possible.

The two churches in Philadelphia took hold with commendable zeal in circulating the Capital and Labor number of the Signs. On Sabbath forenoon the North church subscribed for a little over three thousand copies, including some that had already been ordered. In the afternoon the West church sent in an order, thus increasing the number of copies to six thousand for the whole city. This makes about thirty-five copies for each church-member in the city. The brethren and sisters hope to circulate a much larger number before the campaign is over, and to follow the work with other literature. Brethren Fry and Painter were present, and in company with Brother Gilbert, worked earnestly to interest canvassers and colporteurs in the circulation of our literature, including papers, tracts, and books. It is the plan of the brethren there not to make the movement a spasmodic effort, but to continue thorough, systematic work throughout the entire winter.

Our counsel meetings were attended by the Spirit of the Lord, and important steps were taken which will have a decided bearing upon the work in this conference. It was thought best by the workers not to attempt to have a camp-meeting in the spring, but to hold a camp-meeting in September, following some tent effort. It was arranged for five tents to enter the field as early in the spring as they can be located, not later than the latter part of May or the first part of June. Two of these tents will doubtless be located in Philadelphia. It was thought best that Brother Schilling, with an assistant, enter the city of Lancaster, and it was suggested that Brethren Smith and Hilton also enter Lancaster County, and pitch their tent in the country within reach of some town not a great distance from the city of Lancaster. Elder Shrock feels a burden to work near Wilkesbarre, and with an assistant will doubtless enter that place next season. Brethren Fitzgerald and Lukens will probably have charge of the tents in Philadelphia.

In harmony with the action taken at the Atlantic Union Conference, recommending various conferences to organize such legal corporations to take charge of the health work in their territory as may be necessary, steps were taken at this meeting, with full counsel with the doctors and all present, to organize a corporation to be known as the Pennsylvania Sanitarium Benevolent Association of Seventh-day Adventists. This organization will doubtless soon take over the medical work now under the general direction of the International Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association. This is an important move for the medical work in our conference. While there has been united action between the medical work as carried on by Drs. Read and Bradford, and the conference, yet all felt that the time had come that the medical work in Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania should be broadened, and more attention be given to it by the conference. This will be an encouragement to the physicians and nurses connected with the work, and the steps taken to organize were hailed with a glad welcome by Dr. Read and his associates. Our brethren in New Jersey will join us in their influence and associations as far as possible to encourage this work. There were nine brethren suggested to act as the board of trustees, who will incorporate this organization. Two of these, Elders Jayne and Keslake, are from New Jersey; four are physicians,—Drs. Read, Bradford, Wilkins, and Christman; and Brethren Fitzgerald and Cook, and myself complete the number.

When this organization is fully prepared to carry out its purposes, the health work and the sanitarium work in our conference will be organized as a department of the regular conference work. This is as the Lord indicated—that our work should be carried forward as a united whole.

The work in Philadelphia presents encouraging features at the present time. The past season has been a successful one; a goodly number have been brought into the truth. The effort conducted by Elder Lukens on the West side added about thirty Sabbath-keepers, and the effort conducted by Elder Fitzgerald on the North side added about the same number. At the present time the North Philadelphia church has a very comfortable location for their meetings. This church has purchased a property on the corner of Seventeenth and Norris Streets, at a cost of six thousand dollars; besides this amount they have paid out about five hundred dollars in repairs, and in fitting up a chapel on the first floor, capable of seating about two hundred persons. It was in this chapel that our meetings were held. The upper part of the building is rented to workers, which brings in an income of about twenty-five dollars a month to assist in meeting the interest on the mortgage held against the property. One thousand dollars has already

been paid on the principal of this mortgage. All the brethren present were pleased with the location. By diligent effort the members of this church will be able to carry this indebtedness, and gradually reduce it.

In the western part of the city the brethren have already taken steps to secure a permanent location for meetings, and a lot has been purchased at a cost of two thousand dollars, on 52d Street, near Walnut Street. It will require a strong effort on the part of the brethren here to build a suitable church with accommodations for a church school. This is needed very much, and an effort will be made to carry the plan into successful operation.

Elder Lukens is working in the western part of the city, with other help to sustain the work. When we take into consideration the fact that Philadelphia has a population of about 1,250,000, not including the large population in its suburbs not included in the corporate city, we can readily see that this, the third city in the nation, demands a strong effort to hold up the light of truth. Our brethren in the city are not able to do all that should be done to sustain the work in its various phases. Possibly some who may read this report may feel an interest in the development of the work in the great city of Philadelphia, and may be led by the Spirit of God to render us assistance. We as a people owe to the vast multitudes gathered here the message which God has given to us. We have large conferences, with large numbers of workers in their territories, who have not so many to warn as we have in the one city of Philadelphia.

We must have a meeting house in the western part of the city. How this will be secured we do not know, unless God sends us the means, as our brethren in the city are nearly all dependent upon their daily labor for their support.

The health work needs at least ten thousand dollars immediately to put it into proper working order. There may be some who have a special interest in this branch of the Lord's work, who would feel it a privilege to give of their means to carry it forward. There may be others who could loan money without interest, to the medical work, which would be a help to us at this time. I would be glad to hear from any one who may be moved upon by God to contribute anything toward helping the work in the great city of Philadelphia. My address is Box 614, Williamsport, Pa.

We have about four millions of people in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, and have only five ministers and two Bible-workers, and one field secretary, who is laboring for the advancement of the canvassing work. This constitutes our force of laborers; so the readers of the REVIEW will see that we have plenty to do, with very few laborers to carry forward the work entrusted to us.

We are grateful to God for the success which has attended our efforts during the past season. About one hundred and twenty-five believers have been added to our numbers during the last few months. Our laborers are all full of courage and faith. Several who have recently accepted the truth are now preparing themselves to enter some department of this gospel work,—as ministers, Bible workers, colporteurs, medical workers, etc.

It was decided at our counsel that the laborers should do all they can between this and the closing days of the week of prayer to assist our brethren in the churches in missionary effort.

Our brethren and sisters in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference were recommended to contribute monthly to the Conference Relief Fund for the poor. Wednesday following the first Sabbath in each month is to be known as “Benevolent day.” On that day something is to be rendered to the Lord, to be devoted to the fund for the relief of the poor and needy.

Our laborers separated, feeling that the Lord had met with us, and that success awaits our faithful efforts in the large and needy field here in Eastern Pennsylvania. We crave the prayers of God's people, and we especially ask our brethren in the conference to be faithful in the payment of their tithes, and in offerings to the foreign missionary work. If there are those who feel a special interest in helping the work in the great metropolis of Philadelphia, either in securing a church or in developing the health work, we shall be glad to communicate with them.

R. A. UNDERWOOD.

Two New Churches for the Colored People

ABOUT a year ago the Tennessee River Conference undertook to plan with the colored people at Nashville, Tenn., to secure a lot, and erect a school and church building. A lot, twenty-five by two hundred feet, was purchased for two hundred dollars, in East Nashville, or Edgefield as it is called, to be paid for in installments of eight dollars a month. On this lot it was planned to erect a building eighteen by thirty-six feet in size.

The colored people worked faithfully, and have kept up their monthly payments, until the lot is nearly half paid for, but they could not raise the needed funds to build.

A few weeks ago the Southern Missionary Society arranged to put up the building if the colored church people would keep up the payments on the lot until that obligation was met.

But as a school would, without doubt, be soon opened, it was decided that the lot was too narrow. Hence negotiations were at once opened, and a lot by the side of it has just been secured at the same price and on the same terms as the first. This gives a lot fifty by two hundred feet, with a good street in front and an alley in the rear.

The size of the building will be increased to twenty-two by forty-eight feet. The studding will be fourteen feet, and by finishing part of the way on the rafters, the ceiling will be fifteen feet high. The tower will be plain, but will add much to the appearance and convenience of the building. Below it will form a vestibule, or entrance hall. Above will be hung a bell which has been donated.

The lot has quite a slope from front to rear. By elevating the front about four or five feet an excellent schoolroom can be finished later underneath the church. Plans are already being laid for a good school in this building, with some industrial features connected with it.

The cost of this building, painted and seated, will be about five hundred dollars, without finishing the schoolrooms underneath. To finish for church above and school below, the cost will be from eight hundred to nine hundred dollars. If the money could be raised to finish this work without going into debt, it would grandly aid the work. We are lifting in Nashville to the best of our ability, and the merchants are showing a great interest in the effort, and are aiding liberally.

The following are some of the donations already received:— Appropriations from funds in the hands of the Southern Union Conference ............ $102 75 Southern Missionary Society ........ 100 00 Earthman Lumber Co. ........ 25 00 J. H. Fall & Co., Hardware for entire building. Estimate .. 40 00 Mrs. H. C. McDearmon ........ 25 00 J. E. White ................ 25 00 Mrs. E. G. White ............ 10 00

Under the labors of Brother Strachan an excellent school has been built up at Jackson, Miss., and an intelligent company has accepted the truth.

The time has fully come for these people to have a permanent place for their church and school work. Hence a lot was recently purchased in an excellent location, about the same size as the Nashville church lot. The price for this was also four hundred dollars. The payments were one hundred dollars down

and the balance in one and two years.

The colored people in Mississippi have taken hold of this work in earnest. The Jackson company have raised one hundred dollars, and made the first payment on the lot, and the church at Vicksburg has donated one hundred dollars toward the building.

The size of the Jackson building will be twenty-four by forty-eight, and will cost about five hundred dollars. The donations are as follows:— Company at Jackson .......... $100 00 Church at Vicksburg .......... 100 00 Southern Missionary Society .. 100 00 Mrs. H. C. McDearmon ........ 50 00 J. E. White .................. 25 00 Mrs. E. G. White ............. 10 00

Assistance is needed for both of these enterprises. To those who have become genuinely interested in these two churches from reading of this article, we say, help us so that both of these buildings can be dedicated free from debt when completed, which we hope can be done about the beginning of the year 1904. Send all remittances directly to the Southern Missionary Society, Station K., Nashville, Tenn.

Western Washington

By Lee Moran

THE canvassing work in Western Washington is gradually being built up. We have at present fifteen canvassers in the field, and expect more to enter the work soon. Four of these canvassers who have had experience, canvass in their special territory, and are doing good work. The remainder are formed into a company, and at present are at work in the city of Tacoma. Most of our workers are young and inexperienced. By following the company plan we are able to encourage and instruct them. We live as a family, canvass during the day, and have Bible study in the evening. We rise early in the morning, and have a study in the books we are handling, and also in the Testimonies. By this course our canvassers have the opportunity to study, improve, and impart to others. In pursuing the company plan our young workers find it more pleasant, encouraging, and beneficial than canvassing alone.

We are handling chiefly the “Great Controversy.” In our studies and devotional exercises we grow spiritually. Humble, fervent prayer insures success.

LEE MORAN, State Agent.

4. Working Church

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

It was our pleasure to meet with the brethren in Buffalo, N. Y., on Sabbath and First day, November 14 and 15. In the past, the church in Buffalo passed through an experience similar to that mentioned in Rev. 2:2: “Hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars.” But during the past two years, under the labors of Elder Burrill, the church has greatly increased in numbers and unity, and has become one of the best working churches that I am acquainted with.

On Sabbath we met in a Baptist church, rented for the purpose of using the baptistery. The usual Sabbath-school donation was taken, and before the meeting was over, another donation to pay for the use of the hall, and still another donation which was their regular Sabbath donation for foreign missions.

In the afternoon the subject was education, as they have started a church school. In securing desks, rent, etc., they were behind about eighty dollars, so a fourth donation was taken up, and although the brethren are nearly all poor, in a few minutes they had paid and pledged sufficient to liquidate this debt.

On Sunday they met on the west side for a business meeting. After presenting the needs of the South, another donation was taken up from the same people to assist in paying for the books shipped to the Southern field, “Story of Daniel the Prophet.” Over eighty dollars again was pledged.

This church takes four hundred copies of the Signs weekly, and one thousand extra copies of the Capital and Labor number. Before the meeting closed, they also took two hundred copies of the Bible Training School, to be sold largely by the children attending the church school, the church becoming responsible for what the children do not sell. A lively interest was also taken in the circulation of the “Story of Daniel the Prophet.”

The question might arise, Was that not too much business for a religious meeting? We can only state this, that some took their stand upon the truth, and spoke for the first time in social meeting. This demonstrates the fact that a business meeting can be conducted in such a manner that the converting power of God may be in the meeting.

On Monday and Tuesday we met with a small company in Rochester. We had preaching, a social meeting, and donations were made to the different enterprises, as in Buffalo. The result was that they took twelve hundred of the extra copies of the Signs, eight hundred of the Bible Training School, and in other interests that were brought before them they manifested proportionately as much zeal.

Brother Burrill has labored in this part of the State for two years, and if all churches in our ranks should manifest as much religious zeal in business matters, and in every phase of the work, as these churches manifest, it could be said, as the apostle wrote concerning a certain sister who was a deaconess at the church of Cenchrea, “That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succorer of many, and of myself also.” It is a mistaken idea that religious business can not be done religiously, and God witness it by his Holy Spirit. It is not the first time we have seen the converting power of God come into a business meeting, and souls take their stand for the truth. We shall see before the work closes that God not only approves of such meetings, by a special outpouring of his power, but that he will also manifest his displeasure when men do not tell the truth pertaining to business matters, as was manifested in Acts 5:1-11.

God is leading his people, and restoring to them the early principles of the gospel, and the power of his Holy Spirit. Forty years ago we had meetings similar to the ones that we had in Buffalo and Rochester, and we only long for the time to come when they will be more common among Seventh-day Adventists. It is then that the truth will fall like leaves of autumn in every part of the world. Such churches will be growing churches. They will not be dependent on the ministers to come and preach to them, and when the ministers do not come, they will not criticise one another. They will have too much to do in carrying forward the interests of the third angel's message. We thank the Lord for our experiences with the churches in Buffalo and Rochester, and pray that God may daily add to their number of such as shall be saved. S. N. HASKELL.

Nebraska

By Alice I. Teeple

BEAVER CITY.—A general meeting, combining the features of a Sabbath-school, young people's, and missionary convention, was held in Beaver City, Neb., November 20-22. Representatives were present from the Sett, Lebanon, Cambridge, Wilsonville, and Edison churches, and the meetings were quite largely attended by the public. The president of the conference, the superintendent of the district, the educational superintendent, the Sabbath-school secretary, and the State canvassing agent were present, and took an active part in the exercises.

At the opening service on Friday evening, Elder Robinson spoke on the message for our time, emphasizing the thought that present truth brings with it present duty to be performed. After the Sabbath-school on Sabbath morning, Elder Kite preached from Obadiah 17. The Spirit of the Lord came very near with forgiving and converting power, and many were made to rejoice in the Saviour's love. In the afternoon a missionary program was carried out, and the special Signs movement was introduced, resulting in over eleven hundred copies being subscribed for. Elder Wheeler preached in the evening, dwelling on the need of missionary work, not only as a means of saving others, but as a means by which the worker receives strength.

On Sunday morning the Sabbath-school convention was opened by the usual exercises of song, Scripture reading, and prayer. Words of welcome were given by Miss Lucy Mayo, chairman of the convention, welcoming all those present, and giving a glance backward over the twenty-six years since the Sabbath-school was organized. Elder Wheeler presented the first subject, dealing with the office and mission of the Sabbath-school. His remarks were founded on the text, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” The one great object of the Sabbath-school is to bring souls to Christ. The school is composed of individuals, and success depends upon the interest manifested by each one present. While all are benefited by the lessons learned, the children are our special burden, as youth is the time when the most lasting impressions are made. The training can not begin too early. The Sabbath-school is the life of the church, because in it the children may be converted and trained for the missionary work, both in the neighborhood and in the regions beyond. Heavenly things should be held as of supreme importance before the minds of all. The Sabbath-school is the church at study, and all the members of the church are expected to attend and take part.

Carrie Taft gave a recitation, entitled “The Charge of a Human Soul,” which brought out plainly the fact that often the foreign fields are talked about, while the friends we meet daily are refused even a kindly look or cheering smile.

H. A. Jenkins presented the next topic, that of the qualification of teachers. The teacher must be a Christian, one who loves the children, and is anxious for their salvation. All the children should be spoken to in language they can comprehend, especially the younger ones. The teacher should understand the needs of each child, and be interested in his welfare, both temporal and eternal, and if at any time the child is absent from the class, the teacher should visit him. A true teacher can do more to get a child to study than perhaps any other one person. The teacher should be familiar with the lesson, and able to ask the questions from memory; then he can reasonably expect the children to answer from memory. The teacher must keep his personality hid in Christ if he would be a “fisher of men.” The daily life must be in harmony with the precepts of the one hour spent each week in the Sabbath-school.

The importance of the teacher holding closely to the leading thought, not only of the lesson for the day, but to that of the entire quarter, was presented by Elder Robinson, who illustrated a quarter's Sabbath-school lessons by a house of thirteen rooms, with each room fittingly furnished, and with perfect harmony existing throughout. So, having fully mastered the contents of one lesson

each week, there will be a perfect harmony of the entire lessons for the quarter. The teacher should be so filled with the truth of the lesson to be taught that he can begin at any point therein and instruct his class. A definite plan should be in his mind. No time should be lost by generalizing. Other subjects should be banished from the mind, and should the minds of the pupils tend to wander, some pointed question should be asked to draw the mind back to the subject of the lesson. It is well to look over the lessons for the whole quarter, and not crowd into one lesson thoughts that should be brought out in other lessons, and to know what to expect will follow in succeeding lessons.

The Home Department of the Sabbath-school was presented by the State secretary. This department provides for those who are able to study, but are deprived of the privilege of attending the regular Sabbath-school. Those living near any local school will be members of such school, in which case they would report to the school of which they are members, while others would be members of the State Home Department.

At the afternoon session Elder C. R. Kite presented the subject of the necessity of harmony in the teaching of the whole week. A recitation, entitled “The Church and the World,” was given, which portrayed in a vivid manner the virtues which the church yields, one by one, at the request of the haughty, sinful world. The office of music as a part of the Sabbath-school exercise was presented in one of the papers. In song many thoughts and heart impulses can be expressed that otherwise would not be truly complete. This was impressively illustrated by a solo rendered by Elder Kite, after relating the circumstances under which the song sung had been written. The importance of system and order in all departments of Sabbath-school work was set forth in a forcible manner in a paper by the State secretary. The opening of the question box called forth many replies, touching different features of Sabbath-school work.

The members of the local Sunday-school attended, and took part in the convention, adding much to the interest of the occasion.

Elder Kite spoke in the evening on the subject of Christian education. All hearts were deeply affected by the Holy Spirit, as they were led to see what true education is. The audience filled the meeting house, and when an appeal was made, nearly every one in the house arose, signifying a desire for a deeper experience in eternal things.

ALICE I. TEEPLE.

Trumpets

By John Norton Loughborough

“WHEN thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men.” Matt. 6: 2.

Anciently Israel was instructed by the Lord to make trumpets, which were to be used for certain purposes, such as the calling of assemblies, giving notice to the camp in the wilderness when a forward movement was to be made, and for an alarm of war; but never to be used for the purpose of calling attention to self, or to acts supposed to bring honor to one’s self. There may be self-inflated persons who would desire a trumpet blown to call the people to witness the bestowal of charities.

The text certainly rebukes those who give simply to be seen of men, and who wish it made known that they may get glory to themselves. They get a reward, such as it is, and that is all they do get.

We do not think our Saviour taught by this text that it was wrong to make pledges for proper objects of beneficence, or even to report gifts made, to encourage others to give. It seems that the apostle Paul had the churches in Achaia pledge a year beforehand what they should do. He had used their liberality to provoke many in Macedonia to pledge and give for the poor saints at Jerusalem. Now he is stirring them up to meet those pledges; to have all made up when he arrived, so if some of the Macedonians should come with him the Corinthians should not be ashamed of his boasting of them because they had failed to do what they had promised to do. 2 Cor. 9: 2-7.

I think it would hardly be styled wrong trumpeting if one has written a book which contains just what the people need and should have, if he sets before the public, in a clear manner, the merits of the work, the object being to induce the people to obtain the intellectual or spiritual food prepared for them.

If a man has goods, wares, or merchandise which the people need, it is not considered a violation of any business principle for the inventor or vendor to give a proper setting forth of the merits of such article. If he does not do it, who will? In the early “pioneer days” of California I recollect they made quite free use of this saying: ‘He that bloweth not his own horn, the same shall not be blown.’

I did not begin this article to write parables, and so will come to the point. Knowing, several months ago, that “Rise and Progress” was nearly out of print, I was led to prepare a little work that might be extensively circulated among those desiring to know why we believe that the true gift of prophecy is connected with the work of the third angel’s message. Accordingly I prepared a pamphlet. I think it was described in the REVIEW once, at the time the book was published; since that time it is simply noticed in the list of The Bible Students’ Library, as No. 164, “Prophetic Gift in the Gospel Church;” 120 pages; 15 cents; postpaid.

While on my late Eastern tour, I began to call attention to the book, and, as I carried copies with me, sold them from the desk after service, according to the old plan of asking the people to buy when the subject was freshly before them. In the limited sphere that I visited, I disposed of over four hundred copies of the pamphlet. To my surprise, when I introduced it to the people, I found many of our own people who said, “I did not know there was such a pamphlet.” It was just what they wanted.

I was anxious to get this work before the people, not because I had written it, but because I knew it contained, in a condensed form, just what they needed for themselves, and what they needed to put into the hands of those anxious to know the facts concerning the gift of prophecy among the Seventh-day Adventists.

As that book, “Rise and Progress,” is out of print, and the plates were consumed in the Review Office fire, it seemed to me that this pamphlet might, in part at least, help fill a present vacancy. The book is no private enterprise of mine. It was published by the Pacific Press; and what I have sold, I purchased from them; and lest any should think a minister’s book sales a matter of speculation or a private interest, I will say that for years I have kept a careful account of the cost of all books sold, and receipts for all sales. After paying a faithful tithe on all profits, the remainder has all been given to different calls for the extension of the truth.

Of the pamphlet I will further state; the first forty pages trace the manifestation of the gift of prophecy through the Old and New Testaments, then give proof that the gift will be revived in the last church. The last eighty pages speak of the gift in 1842 and 1844, then it describes Mrs. White’s visions, and makes nine points of comparison between her visions and those of Bible prophets. In six points it compares her work with that seen in the case of Bible prophets, then it is shown that her work is in perfect accord with seven rules given in the Scriptures by which we may know true or false prophets. It is shown in the pamphlet that her gift is in perfect accord with the twenty-two points named above.

Some have asked me, “Is it not all in ‘Rise and Progress’?” My answer has been, “No; not a tenth part of the pamphlet is in ‘Rise and Progress.’” In the pamphlet the subject is also given in a connected and condensed form. Now, while the world is making ridicule of the gift,—and many of them know not what they are ridiculing,—and while many of our neighbors and friends would like to know the facts concerning this manifestation, why not let them read the facts in the case?

As “Rise and Progress” is out of print, and the plates of the book were consumed in the Review and Herald fire, why not let this pamphlet act some part in filling the vacancy? I presume either of our publishing houses would be glad to fill orders for “Prophetic Gift in the Gospel Church.” It certainly would serve a better purpose to be scattered, doing good, than to lie silent on the book shelves, or the plates to lie idle. So much from one believing in lawful trumpeting of truth. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

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