[The following touching appeal is made still more impressive in that a short time after it was written for publication, Miss Funk suddenly died, while still on the mission field of China, thus adding as evidence to the above question another beautiful life in testimony that it is “worth while.”—Ed.]
SOME one writes from the home land—to leave home and friends with no thought or hope of reputation, large salary or other earthly remuneration, but solely to tell ignorant Chinese women of Jesus—tell us, have you found it worth while? We respond most heartily, yes!
Go with me to a near-by mountain where we have a fine view of this picturesque Chinese city. Let your eye take in the large area crowded with buildings. It is said that about two hundred fifty thousand people are living within this compact city. Of this large number I think we can truthfully say that one half are women. Notice those rows of large official residences. Within those walls there are hundreds of bound-footed, high-class women who seldom if ever leave their homes. They spend their time in idle conversation, opium smoking, and gambling. Then glance in the opposite direction, and note that row of little frame huts. Within are women whose bodies are tired from carrying burdens heavy enough for beasts. These women are not the companions of husbands who love them, but are like slaves—held as a mere source of revenue. Notice that large temple. There you see women with aching hearts who are worshiping hideous idols, hoping to obtain peace. Yonder you see women offering a tray of eatables to evil spirits to appease wrath and invoke blessing. In that home near-by, a beautiful young girl is being compelled to marry a man whom she has never seen. She is to become the third wife, and henceforth will be under the domineering control of the first wife. The future jealousies and17miseries of that girl can not be imagined.
With these few scenes before us, who could wish for a field of greater opportunity? Through these streets we walk, entering every home open to us, and thus we have opportunity to reach the rich and poor alike, and tell them of the only Saviour who can save from sin, comfort and satisfy the human heart. Then, too, meetings are held in our chapel, where many women and children come, and where we teach them to sing and pray. The little groups of happy women who have accepted our Saviour are the reply to the question, Has it been “worth while”?
When Jesus contemplated leaving heaven to face and endure Calvary for our sakes, knowing we would spurn his love and go our own way for years, do you think he questioned the “worth while”?—No! He came, and by his love has wooed and won us. As women who are enjoying this glorious gospel, can we be indifferent concerning these our sisters, knowing that their eternal destiny rests upon us? When we meet them at the judgment, will they meet us with condemnation for our neglect, or will our Saviour commend our faithfulness? You who are seeking a sphere of service that will “pay” and that is “worth while” we invite, yea, plead with you, to help us in this field where the need is overwhelming.
Pacific Union Conference
By John Norton Loughborough
THIS conference, which was held in the sanitarium chapel at St. Helena, Cal., January 17-25, was one of the most powerful and harmonious meetings we have witnessed in California. In all the doings of this session, whether business or preaching, the Spirit of God was manifest in a marked manner, producing unity of heart among the brethren, and a most solemn sense of the shortness of the time in which to act faithfully our part of the work to be completed in this generation.
There was quite a full delegation of the ministers and workers in the union, and a representation from all the branches and interests in this field, each of which had time allotted for careful consideration and planning for their future work.
The transaction of business was so arranged that two or more preaching services could be conducted each day. For the first half of the session heartfelt and deeply impressive discourses were given by conference laborers. During the last half of the time we were favored with the labors of Brethren A. G. Daniells, W. W. Prescott, and F. Griggs. Besides these, several of the missionaries about to embark for China were present. The presence of these, with the appeals for the distant heathen lands, mightily stirred the Pacific Union, and will doubtless lead to still more earnest financial aid in spreading the message to the ends of the earth.
Sister White was able to speak to us with great power on two occasions. In the first of these she set forth the importance of the work in the cities, and in the Southern field of the United States. In her second talk she set before us the aid of temperance in the carrying out of a true spirit of patience, godliness, and brotherly kindness.
In the afternoon of Sabbath, January 25, there was a farewell service with the missionaries present en route to China, and in the evening following the Sabbath a reception was given by the physicians, nurses, and helpers of the sanitarium, for the missionaries and delegates. This social evening, which was interspersed with song and instrumental music, was indeed a happy close to the free entertainment which had been tendered to the delegates during the conference.
Each morning session of the conference was preceded by a social service or spiritual talk, from 6:30 to 7:30 A. M., and a prayer service of one-half hour, from 9 to 9:30 A. M., thus bringing in the heavenly messengers to preside over our deliberations. For myself, I can say the spirit prevailing, especially in connection with the preaching services, to me seemed to be much the same as the power attending the message of 1844. May the Lord help us so to maintain the consecration made to the work during this conference that we may share more and more the showers of the latter rain. It is surely coming. May our cups be right side up, ready to be filled to the overflowing, as promised to the consecrated ones. Mal. 3:10.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Portugal
By C. E. Rentfro
Not long ago a brother wrote two articles on the Sabbath question, which were published in three numbers of a daily paper. These were called forth by the law of weekly rest. Each county had a right to choose its day of weekly rest. Every day in the week was chosen in the different parts, for convenience of commerce in those localities. One place near Porto chose Saturday. So the brother wrote, calling attention to this fact, and spoke of the true day of rest. This paper had a very large circulation, but now it, too, is suspended.
Last year a Bible colporteur was selling Bibles in a certain village, and by the priest was brought before the tribunal. The Bibles were confiscated, and the seller was imprisoned. After a long time, hard work, and much patience, the Society got the case before the highest court here in Lisbon, which revoked the sentence.
The decision of the court in this case reads as follows:—
“Lisbon, Oct. 19, 1907, in the adjudged crime No. 1911, defendant Joseph Alexander—plaintiff Attorney of the State.
“It is recited: ‘That the defendant, Joseph Alexander, was sentenced under the 130th Article of the Penal Code, for selling books of the evangelical Protestant religion, called Bibles.
“1. Because the so-called ‘Protestant Bible’ does not contain any word or passage that is not encountered textually in the Catholic Bible, and therefore manifestly there is not, nor can there be in the Protestant Bible, doctrine contrary to the Catholic dogmas.
“2. Because the indicted, Joseph Alexander, was nothing more than a simple traveling salesman of books; it can not be presumed, therefore, that there was intention of propagation, contrary to the Catholic dogmas, or attempts of proselytism or conversion to a different religion or sect reproved by the church.
“3. Because, the Protestant religion being permitted in Portugal, in the terms of Article 5 of the Constitutional Charter, the sale and acquisition of the respective books necessary to those who profess the same religion, can not be prohibited; there even being in the kingdom a very old agency or branch house of the British and Foreign Bible Society, with headquarters in England, and office in Lisbon, Rua das Janellas Verdes 32, a branch house which prints and sells these books, and of which the indicted Joseph Alexander was agent.
“4. Because it is declared in the Constitutional Charter, Article 145, paragraph 4, that no one can be persecuted for motive of religion, once he respects that of the state, and does not offend18public morals; and there was not in the terms that are exhibited any offense to the state religion, or to public morals, it being even to be desired that, following the example of the Protestants, the Catholics might disseminate their Bibles in perfect editions, and at little cost, as generally it is the Protestant Bibles which are used by the Catholics and the studious, as is known, for want of Catholic Bibles.
“The judgment pronounced is therefore revoked, and it is commanded that the judge substitute for it another, in which he may order the process dismissed for want of crime.”
I consider this a sign of a better future, or at least that the country is opening up to the Word of God.
A sergeant in the army is very much interested in the Word. He was on duty, while yet a corporal, in the parliament building where I went to purchase stamps. Overhearing a conversation I had with the operator in the telegraph office, he began asking questions. I invited him to see me. He bought a Bible, continuing to come to meeting when not in service. He has given up smoking, and desires to keep the Sabbath, but is afraid of being shot for disobedience. We ask the prayers of God's people in his behalf. He is the first Portuguese soldier to inquire into the truth. May he have faith to walk out and enlist in the army of King Emmanuel.
C. E. RENTFRO.
Mission Notes
In a letter Brother Eduardo W. Thomann, Oruro, Bolivia, South America, says: “In eight days’ work here in Oruro I secured one hundred seventy-two subscribers to the Señales de los Tiempos, all yearly except two. And now the list is two hundred ten here, and I hope to make it two hundred fifty. The town has about twenty thousand inhabitants, but more than half can not read. It is really encouraging to see how the Lord gives open doors for labor. May he also bless all the readers. Besides the two hundred ten subscriptions, I have also sold between six and seven hundred single copies of the paper, and some tracts, pamphlets, and small books.”
L. J. BURGESS writes: “We have six native men now who give their time to the work. They are all interested in getting our literature before the people, and as fast as we can get the matter ready, they will do their part in circulating it. At present we have only the one booklet in the vernacular. We have this in Hindi, Roman, Urdu, and Persian Urdu. We have been pleased to see how it has been received by native Christians, Hindus, and Mohammedans. One of our workers has been given several rupees at various times by Hindus, to buy the booklet to distribute among their friends. The reason why it takes so well with them is that it gives the simple, plain truth for this time, without entering into a controversy with them.”
Ohio Conference Session
By W. J. FITZGERALD
This meeting was held in the Seventh-day Adventist church in Columbus, Ohio, January 20-23. The churches of the conference were represented by about one hundred thirty delegates. All the ministers and workers of the conference were in attendance. Elder Allen Moon, president of the Lake Union Conference, was present one day. His presence and counsel were much appreciated by all. It was regretted that he could not remain longer. Having entered the ministry in the Ohio Conference, it was a great personal privilege to the writer to attend another session of the conference, after an absence of more than ten years. It was a great pleasure to revive old acquaintances, and form new ones.
It is gratifying to notice the large number of workers that Ohio has contributed to other conferences and mission fields during the last ten years. These workers are to be found in various parts of the world-wide field. There are, in all, thirty-six ministers and workers in the employ of the conference who are engaged in the work in Ohio. Besides the home workers, the conference supports six persons in conferences and mission fields outside of the State.
The conference shows splendid gains in tithes and offerings during a period of four years, for which a comparative statement was presented. The year 1907 showed a gain over 1906 of $1,631.77 in tithes, and $653.74 in offerings to missions. During the year $5,505.54 was contributed by the conference to the $150,000 fund. It is evident that the tithes and offerings of a conference from year to year indicate very clearly the gains or losses in real strength. Accepting this standard of measurement, it is apparent that the Ohio Conference has been steadily gaining ground.
A very commendable spirit of unity and co-operation prevailed in the session from beginning to end. A considerable number of very important matters were passed upon with perfect unanimity of expression, both as regards discussions and votes.
The delegation unanimously took action which transferred the Mount Vernon College to the Columbia Union Conference; also indorsed the plan for making the Welcome Visitor the union conference paper, to be known as the Columbia Union Visitor. Vigorous resolutions were adopted relative to tithes and offerings, the circulation of literature, conventions for church officers, and other phases of work.
Elder H. H. Burkholder was re-elected president of the conference. Brother C. V. Hamer was chosen to serve another year as secretary and treasurer. Some changes were made in the membership of the executive committee. The officers of the tract society and the other departments of the conference remain the same as last year.
At the final meeting of the session Brethren Fred M. Fairchild and J. P. Gaede were ordained to the gospel ministry.
May the Ohio Conference act a noble part in the cause of present truth during 1908. W. J. FITZGERALD.
Australia
By F. W. Paap
VICTORIA.— Our tent effort here at Arcadia has convinced us that men can do nothing against the truth, but for it. From the first, there was a manifest desire on the part of intelligent men and women to know the truth. To them the promise has been verified, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Men who had not been inside a place of worship for over twenty years, are, as a result of this effort, to-day walking in the light, and bearing responsibilities in connection with the local work. Habits of a lifetime have been overcome. Sins have been confessed and wrongs righted. God, by his Holy Spirit, has visited this dear people in power, and to him be all the praise.
Before the camp-meeting a baptismal service was held at the Berowra Creek, an ideal spot for such a solemn and important ceremony. There was a large gathering both of our own people and of the people of the surrounding districts. Pastor G. B. Starr spoke on the “Importance of Baptism” to those assembled, as they sat on the rocks and in the boats, under the shade of the large trees growing on the banks.
Following this service twenty-three candidates prepared themselves for the watery grave. Four others, Captain Hill’s family, were unable to make train connection, otherwise they would have gone forward also. They made a noble attempt, only to be disappointed. Those present were led by the writer, two by two, till the last, down into the beautiful, clear water of this creek, and were buried with their Lord in baptism, and raised to walk in newness of life. Those upon the shore joined heartily in singing appropriate songs.
The occasion was very impressive, and the day one to be long remembered. No fewer than six fathers went forward and their wives with them in four instances.
The work in this place is under the charge of Sister Robertson as Bible worker, and the blessing of the Lord still continues.
There are many more in the district who know the truth, but have, so far, refused to surrender. I bespeak an interest in your prayers in behalf of the work and workers of Arcadia.
F. W. Paap.
South Africa
By M. C. Sturdevant
SOLUSI MISSION, RHODESIA.—The general work of this mission is onward. Not so many attend church as formerly, because many natives have left the vicinity; yet the spiritual interest is good. The Sabbath-school is doing well, the day-school also; but our numbers are the fewest we have had in the last four years. The government inspector of schools for Southern Rhodesia gave us a three-days’ visit this month, and inspected our school. A letter received from him last night shows, as did also his words while here, that our school meets all the requirements of the government, and even more. The inspector was very much pleased with our manner of doing our work in the school, both mental and industrial. It being a boarding-school, we can hold the children till they can really get something of an education.
Last June I went on a trip very nearly two hundred miles north of Brother W. H. Anderson’s place, beyond the Kafua River, in a new region, among an altogether different people. They are called the Balenji, and speak the Silenji language. The magistrate here says they are quite a mixed people, of a high grade of intelligence. Litata is the paramount chief of eighteen big chiefs. I stayed one week with him at his village, have his favor, and his consent to come and teach his people. A letter from the magistrate of that district, who is a white man, tells me the natives all want me to come and start a school among them. He himself desires me to come, and told me so. I found a beautiful location19in his district, and have his approval of it—a high, healthful place. The administrator of Northwest Rhodesia has refused to give it to us as a grant; but I am not discouraged by this, and expect to see him about it. I have written to-day to ascertain upon what conditions we can get land to start a mission. If we are ever going to establish our work among that people, we must move at once. To me the way has wonderfully opened.
M. C. STURDEVANT.
R. W. MUNSON
By R. W. MUNSON
COORANBONG.—I am half-way through a translation of “Christ Our Saviour” in the Java-Malay, and expect to complete it by New-year’s. Then I shall take up “Coming King,” hoping to finish that by the time of the next union conference in September, 1908. I am greatly blessed in this work, and find much joy in it. Our books are selling very fast in the Indies. That is why I am making all possible haste to get these out quickly.
The Avondale school has had another prosperous year, and has made a net gain of eight hundred eighty-seven pounds. Many important improvements are being made that will greatly increase the efficiency of the institution. The buildings are to be lighted with electricity, thus not only effecting a saving of seventy-five pounds a year in oil, but securing much better and safer lights. The Press is doing a splendid business.
I have found an Arabic typewriter, which is being adapted to the Malay, to enable me to get out Arabic-Malay literature. God’s hand is seen in this, for it will be a great help to me in my work.
R. W. MUNSON
Conference Meetings in the West Indies
By S. A. Wellman
DECEMBER 6-25 were held, at Port of Spain, Trinidad, the sessions of the East Caribbean and South Caribbean Conferences, and of the West Indian Union Conference Committee, and of the Watchman Publishing Board. To attend these meetings nearly all the members of the union conference committee came to this city, and we were pleased also to welcome Elder I. H. Evans, from the United States, during the last five days of the meetings.
During the days in which the work of the conferences and the committees was being accomplished, regular services for the interested ones outside were held, and large numbers attended. Among these are some who have since signified their intention of obeying the whole truth. Elders W. J. Tanner, of Hayti; B. E. Connerly, of Porto Rico; U. Bender, of Jamaica; I. H. Evans, of America; H. C. J. Wallaker, of St. Thomas; L. E. Wellman, of Barbados, H. C. Goodrich, of Panama; and J. B. Beckner, of British Guiana, carried the burden of these services.
In the meetings of the South Caribbean Conference plans were laid looking toward aggressive work during the year to come. During the year past fifty-four have been added to the faith through baptism, forty-one in Trinidad, eight in Tobago, and five in Grenada. One new church has been built and dedicated at Mt. Rose, Grenada, and two others are awaiting completion in Trinidad.
Among the plans and resolutions adopted by this conference were the following:—
“Whereas, Death has entered the ranks of our workers, and taken from our midst our beloved Brother C. W. Enoch; therefore,—
“Resolved, That while we bow in submission to this affliction, we tender our sympathies to the relatives and friends of the deceased, and express our sense of loss in being deprived of his faithful labors.
“Resolved, That Sabbath-school and Young People’s Society conventions be held in all our churches during the coming year, beginning early in the month of June.
“Whereas, The West Indian Training-school is in urgent need of the means to be derived from the sale of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ so generously donated to its upbuilding by the General Conference, and,—
“Whereas, This conference has still on hand a large portion of its quota of three hundred fifty copies, therefore,—
“Resolved, That we exert ourselves to sell the remainder of our quota during the year 1908.”
Other resolutions bearing on the local work were adopted, which, if carried out, we believe will materially advance the work during this year; but as they are not of general interest, we will omit them here.
Ministerial credentials were granted to J. B. Beckner, W. A. Sweany, S. A. Wellman, and T. L. M. Spencer; missionary licenses to Miss B. D. Moore, R. L. Price, Miss Annie Osborne, Mrs. W. A. Sweany, and Mrs. S. A. Wellman.
The officers elected for the year are as follows: President, J. B. Beckner; Secretary, R. L. Price; Treasurer, Treasurer of the Watchman Publishing Company; Sabbath-school and Young People’s Secretary, Mrs. S. A. Wellman; Executive Committee, J. B. Beckner, S. A. Wellman, R. L. Price, John Ramoo, and A. Riley.
Elder D. E. Wellman, the former president of the conference, has been granted a year’s furlough to the United States on account of the health of both himself and wife. They have spent nine years in arduous labor in the tropics, and greatly need the change. They will first go to Jamaica for a month or two, till warmer weather, and then to America.
The meetings held at this time are a source of great encouragement to all local believers. Excellent instruction was given, and we believe it has been received with good results.
Tent-meetings will be held in the South Caribbean Conference at St. James and Arouca during the year to come, and new stations will also be opened in Tobago and Grenada. The brethren and sisters are of good courage, and are anxious for these advance steps to be made.
The meetings of the other conferences and committees will be duly reported by their respective secretaries.
S. A. WELLMAN,
Sec. South Caribbean Conf.
Alabama
By J. H. LAWRENCE
MOBILE.—It affords me much pleasure to add our small testimony to the list of progress. Our company was organized into a church last August as a result of a tent effort. Its development since has been marked with success, for which we praise our Heavenly Father. The result of the tent effort here can not be truly estimated. In conversation with a well-known lawyer of this city a few weeks ago, he said, “You have done a great deal of good here. You must come to my office in the evenings and see me. I want to talk with you.”
The ministers of the place have opposed our work, yet the Lord has given us victory. One minister who made strong opposition and burned our papers is now thoroughly convinced of his mistake, and is publicly acknowledging it. Another promises to join us with his whole congregation. He needs faith and courage and our earnest and fervent prayers.
Quite a number of others are interested, and I hope to be able to report in the near future some new believers. We have not a building of our own to meet in yet, but are selling the “Specials,” the proceeds of which go to our building fund. We have a mission school also, in which we have enrolled nearly eighty students. They are selling the Youth’s Instructor. The outlook for the work seems good. The horizon grows dark at times, but our Captain is at the helm. We beseech an interest in your intercessions at the throne of grace.
J. H. LAWRENCE.
Oregon
By Wm. D. Estell.
FALLS CITY.—The past year has been a blessed one for the Falls City church. God has watched over us with tender care, and peace and harmony reign in the church, and brotherly love is supreme. The Lord is surely arousing his people. The week of prayer was a blessed time to us. The Lord’s Spirit was given without measure, and the spirit of every testimony was for a closer walk with God.
We praise the Lord that we are among his commandment-keeping people, and for the bright hope he has given us. We realize that there is a great work to be done in us before we reach that perfect man in Christ Jesus. Many advance steps have been taken by individual members during the past year; old habits have been given up, the struggles with temptation have been long and trying, but not one prayer has been in vain, and to-day we can only thank God for victory and courage.
Wm. D. Estell.
Peru
By F. L. PERRY
The readers of the REVIEW may be glad to know something of the progress of the work in Peru during the year closing Dec. 31, 1907. Peru is a strong Catholic country, and there are but few Protestants within its borders.
It always takes considerable time and much expense to get our work started in a Catholic field, like Ecuador and Peru. However, it will be noted from the following statistical report that Peru has not gone backward in any particular, but in all items has made some gain. To our kind Heavenly Father, who has led us all the way, is the praise and glory.
We trust the prayers of God's people will be united everywhere in behalf of the work in this benighted region.
We here give a comparative report showing the exact condition at the close of 1906 and at the close of 1907:—
Elder C. J. Hermann reports the addition of thirteen members to the church at Oneida, Wis.
Eight souls have accepted the message at Pomona, Cal., as a result of meetings held there by Brethren E. L. Cardey and M. M. Smith.
An Opportunity
“To everything there is a season.” The day which has been set apart by the General Conference for the consideration, in all our churches, of the young people’s work is almost here. It has been said that great men see great things where other people see small things. Will not every wide-awake church see in the appointment of this Missionary Volunteer day a great opportunity to advance the advent message? Let every church on Sabbath, March 7, be in line, with a well-prepared program. Let the young people know that this is their day, and this will in itself bind the hearts of the children a little closer to the church.
Suggestive Program for Missionary Volunteer Day
NOTE.— Let the elder of the church, leader of the Young People’s Society (if there is one), and the superintendent of the Sabbath-school act as a committee to make arrangements in regard to the observance of Missionary Volunteer day. Where there is no Society, some young person of the church may be chosen to act on the committee. The following program should be adapted to suit local conditions. The readings should be assigned to persons who can read well, and are deeply interested in the work. Let all topics be assigned long enough before to give time for preparation. Be thorough and definite in all arrangements. The readings suggested for the forenoon session are published in the Instructor of March 3.
FORENOON SESSION
1. Music.
2. Reading: “History of the Young People’s Work,” by Mrs. L. Flora Plummer.
3. Reading: “A Preparation for Efficient Service,” by Mrs. E. G. White.
4. Reading: “The Young People’s Missionary Volunteer Department of Our Work,” by M. E. Kern. (The Outlines given should be written on the blackboard or on large sheets of paper.)
5. Offering.21
AFTERNOON SESSION
1. Music as Arranged.
2. Reading of Letter from Conference Missionary Volunteer Secretary.
3. Discussion of Recommendations in the Secretary’s Letter.
4. Bible and Testimony Study on Good Reading.
5. The Value of Good Books and the Necessity of a Crusade against Harmful Literature. (See Leaflet, Missionary Volunteer Series, No. 2.)
6. Plans for Our Library. (Maybe a report of a committee on this work.)
7. Question Box, conducted by the leader, with opportunity for discussion. (Questions should be handed in not later than the close of the forenoon session.)
The Offering
Some of our churches have libraries for the young people, which are proving very helpful. Every church ought to have one. One third of the offering on Missionary Volunteer day is to be retained in the church for the purpose of establishing or adding to a church library. How many churches will put forth earnest efforts to start a good library? Few sense the awful results of bad literature. We must work on positive lines and furnish wholesome reading for our young people, which will build them up. A leaflet recently published (Missionary Volunteer Series No. 2) will be helpful to our young people. It has in it a list of one hundred good books. It can be obtained from the Conference Missionary Volunteer Secretary or from the General Conference Missionary Volunteer Department. One of the greatest needs of our Missionary Volunteer Department is that of proper facilities for carrying forward our work. The young people we believe will be glad for the opportunity to help equip these departments devoted to their own work. The remaining two thirds of the offering is to be devoted to this purpose, being divided equally between the General, union, and local conference Missionary Volunteer Departments. This part of the offering should be forwarded to the local conference treasury, where one third will be kept for the use of the Conference Missionary Volunteer Department, one third sent to the union conference, and one third to the General Conference treasury.
Graysville (Tenn.) Sanitarium
By L. A. HANSEN
News Items
We are now in the midwinter season, and if this season is an indication of what we may expect, winter will not be the most prosperous time of the year for us. In the months of August and September we had a patronage that taxed our capacity. Through the cold months we have had a smaller patronage than at any other time of the year. This is contrary to our expectations. It may be that as our new institution becomes better known in the North, we shall secure a patronage that seeks a warmer climate for the winter season.
The weather has been fairly agreeable. At this writing we are having about the coldest weather we have had, with the thermometer twelve degrees above zero. Our mountainside location is warmer than in the valley below us. The warm sunshine makes it pleasant for our patients to spend time on the verandas, or in open-air exercise, climbing over the rocks near by, or up the mountain paths. The evergreens surrounding the building and covering the mountainside give a freshness to the appearance of things.
The continued work of improvement begins to tell in the appearance of both the building and the outdoor surroundings. The approach in the front is now by way of cement steps, a rustic bridge, and comfortable walks, with a resting station along the way. Work has begun on excavating for our lake at the lower spring. Our upper spring continues to supply us with an abundance of water. The school and a few other buildings in the valley also draw their supply from this source. Our natural cave near the building will prove an attractive feature as we are enabled to develop it.
We have had a very nice class of patients with us this season, and all seem pleased with their stay. We find that new patronage comes mostly by recommendations of old patrons.
We have recently opened a nurses' exchange in Chattanooga, which is our nearest large city, thirty miles from here. Miss Ida Simmons is in charge, and associated with her are Miss Mabel Wood, Miss Helen Price, and Miss Vinnie Goodner. These workers canvass for Life and Health and for "Ministry of Healing," and as they find opportunity, engage in nursing and giving treatments. The plan is proving fairly successful thus far. It furnishes employment for workers who are not needed in the institution during a dull season, gives good opportunity for them to gain an experience in field work, and also serves to introduce our work to others.
Our training department continues in full force. We have fourteen students, divided evenly between first- and second-year classes.
The nearness of the Southern Training-school enables these two institutions to work together to the advantage of both. Ten or more of the school students spend part of their time doing various kinds of labor at the sanitarium, or are taking studies in connection with both institutions. Dr. A. J. Hetherington is conducting a special class in simple treatments for the school students.
We have been fortunate in securing house plants through the kindness of friends. These are doing quite well, considering our facilities for caring for them, but we shall need a greenhouse by another cold season. We are hoping that some lovers of flowers will be kind enough to help us out in this respect. Our institution is not yet so well established as to be independent of outside assistance.
It will soon be time to plant our flower and vegetable seeds, and here is another way in which material assistance will be very acceptable. We can use a large supply of flower and vegetable seeds, bulbs, plants, vines, and shrubs. We solicit correspondence with any one interested in this direction.
GRAYSVILLE SANITARIUM
A number of our own people have visited us. We are always glad to entertain them. The general expression is one of gratitude that we have such a well-located institution with such good natural facilities. We trust that the blessing of the Lord will enable us to make the best of these, and that this sanitarium and its work may be a credit to the Lord's cause.
L. A. HANSEN.
Findings
Dr. A. C. Ames, formerly of Fishkill on the Hudson, has joined the staff of workers at the Nebraska Sanitarium.
In a late visit to Philadelphia, we were pleased to meet with some of our lady students attending medical schools in that city. Six of these are in the Woman's Medical College this year, four of whom will be graduated next June.
Brother Clyde Lowry, who is connected with the St. Helena (Cal.) Sanitarium, writes concerning that institution: “The patronage here has been good, and just recently there has been a marked increase. The outlook for the future is very bright.”
Medical Missionary Department
Conducted by the Medical Department of the General Conference
W. A. GEORGE, M. D., Chairman
W. A. RUBLE, M. D., Secretary
Young People's Work
Conducted by the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department of the General Conference
M. E. KERN, - - - - Chairman
MATILDA ERICKSON, - - - - Secretary
The Sunday-Law Movement in England
WRITING under date of Feb. 3, 1908, Elder W. T. Bartlett, editor of Present Truth, says:—
“While the situation here is not so critical as it is with you in Washington at the present time, we are within measurable reach of Sunday legislation which will be a distinct advance on existing statutes. Bills are to be introduced into both Houses of Parliament during the present year. For some years past Lord Avebury has been introducing bills which provide a greatly increased and progressive penalty for Sunday trading. We have many laws dealing with this subject, but the penalties are so small that shopkeepers who wish to open on Sundays can afford to pay the fine rather than close. Lord Avebury is desirous22of stopping this defiance of the law, and is being backed up by a steadily increasing force of public opinion.
“During the past year or two there has been a national campaign in behalf of improved Sunday observance, and all the churches have thrown themselves very heartily into the movement. Mass-meetings have been held in all the large cities, and resolutions have been passed promising the leaders in the movement the cordial sympathy and co-operation of the churches.
“At present, however, there are such a large number of government bills before Parliament that the Sunday question is not likely to find opportunity to come to the front. It will, however, do so in connection with the temperance bill, which is promised for the present session, over the question of closing public houses on Sunday. At present they are open part of the day.
“We are reading with interest the reports which are appearing in the REVIEW of the development of the situation in Washington, and sincerely hope that the brethren who have the matter in charge will be divinely assisted in their efforts to stem the tide, and to lay the truth before those in positions of responsibility.”
