The Lord estimates as of supreme importance the holiness of his people; and he permits reverses to come upon individuals, upon families, and upon churches, that his people may see their danger, and humble their hearts before him in repentance. He chastens his children in the hope of saving their souls. Those who return to him, he receives with tenderness and love. He speaks pardon to them, and clothes them with the garments of Christ’s righteousness.
In this, the great day of atonement, it is our duty to confess our sins, and acknowledge God’s mercy and love in pardoning our transgressions. Let us thank him for the warnings he has given to save us from our perverse ways. Let us bear witness to his goodness by revealing a change in our lives. If those to whom the Lord has sent reproof, warning them that they are not walking in his way, will repent, and with humility and contrition make confession, the Lord will surely receive them once more into favor. If they will honor God by obeying his commandments, they will be exalted by him. He will give them strength and victory.
The defections among God’s people are keenly felt by him who died to ransom them from Satan’s power. The church is burdened and saddened. A cloud hangs over her. Let every soul seek God, inquiring, Lord, is it I who have brought this discouragement upon thy people? Is it because of my perversity that Zion is burdened? Have I given occasion for our enemies to triumph? If so, Lord, have mercy upon thy sinful child, and save me for thy mercy’s sake.
Let there be a close examination of self. Do not seek to hide yourselves under your citizen’s dress, saying that you are doing as others do, and therefore you can not be far out of the way. Yes; you may do as others have done. But is the experience of those who have left the Lord something that you wish to gain? And if, with their experience before you, you walk contrary to the way of the Lord, and are punished, whom have you to blame but yourselves?
O that deep realization of the importance of these things may come to the people of God! O that all departure from the narrow path of obedience and holiness may be seen as it is! O that men and women may seek the Lord as they have never done before!
There are those professing to be children of God whose course of action the Lord does not justify. Faithful work is to be done in giving reproof, as well as in giving encouragement. The cross is not to be shunned. No unchristianlike course of action is to be justified.
Will the people of God now humble their hearts before him, confessing and forsaking their sins, that they may receive the forgiveness and favor of God, and be brought into complete harmony with him? It is not because of a lack of evidence that human beings perish, but because of their unwillingness to use the means whereby God designs they shall learn his will.
A season of great trial is before us. It becomes us now to use all our capabilities in advancing the work of God. The powers that the Lord has given us are to be used to build up, not to tear down.
Those who are ignorantly deceived are not to remain in this condition. The Lord says to his messengers, Go to them, and declare unto them what I have said, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. “O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.”
Let us never relax our efforts to save those ready to perish, for whose ransom the Prince of heaven offered his precious life. When one means fails, try another way. So long as life is spared, let us work for God. The time is right upon us when persecution will come to those who proclaim the truth. In all ages, God’s appointed messengers have exposed themselves to reproach and persecution for the truth’s sake. But whatever trial or reproach may come upon us, we may know that Christ will be with us, to strengthen and bless us, filling our hearts with peace and joy.
Soon there is to be trouble all over the world. It becomes every one to seek to know God. We have no time to delay. With earnestness and fervor the message must be given: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, . . . buy wine and milk without money and without price.” “Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice; for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.”
God’s love for his church is infinite. His care over his heritage is unceasing. He suffers no affliction to come upon the church but such as is essential for her purification, her present and eternal good. He will purify the church even as he purified the temple at the beginning and the close of his ministry on earth. All that he brings upon the church in trial comes that his people may gain deeper piety and more strength to carry the triumphs of the cross to all parts of the world. He has a work for all to do. There must be constant enlargement and progress. The work must extend from city to city, from country to country, and from nation to nation, moving constantly onward and upward, established, strengthened, and settled.
“By their fruits ye shall know them.”8
The inward adorning of a meek and quiet spirit is priceless. In the righteousness of the members shall the church be established. God’s people are to show a faith steadfast and immovable. The Bible is their standard. In all its power the truth is to be proclaimed. Those who faithfully do this work, keeping the commandments of God in deed and in truth, will be acknowledged as laborers together with God.
“The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.” From the beginning to the end of the history of the church, Christ will be to his people all that these words express, if they will heed the invitation to come to him. He is to his people life and strength, efficiency and power, wisdom and holiness. When we realize this as we should, we shall be strong in his strength. “The Lord is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation. . . . The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and seeketh uprightly, he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks; bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.”
My Song
Arranged and Sung by Chas. P. Whitford.
Tune: Do They Miss Me at Home?
I WILL sing you a song, dear brothers of mine,
Of the hopes that live in my breast,
Of the city of God with its presence divine,
Of the beautiful city of rest,
Far away from the sorrows of earth and its care,
Where age rolls away like a dream,
Where the gateways of crystal shine beauteous and fair,
And the walls of pure jasper shall gleam.
The notes of my song leap in joyous refrain;
For no cadence of sadness is there,
No echo of sorrow is found in its train,
It breathes not of sin or despair;
I will sing for your pleasure, dear brothers of mine,
Of the hopes that live in my breast,
Of the city of beauty in splendor sublime,
Of the beautiful city of rest.
For that city my heart is now longing;
Earth's treasures, how worthless they seem!
My affections on these once were centered,
But, alas! they have proved but a dream.
The glories that once were attractive
Are eclipsed by my heavenly home;
Its joys soon will welcome Christ's loved ones,
And I long for the moment to come.
With joy I shall enter the city,
The face of my Saviour behold;
And I shall be changed, and be like him,
When I stand on the streets of pure gold.
For ages on ages I'll praise him,
And never grow weary nor old;
Love-crowned, I'll abide in his presence
When I stand on the streets of pure gold.
Then I'll sing of my heavenly mansion,
Yes, I'll spread the glad tidings abroad
Of the coming of Jesus my Saviour,
To gather the children of God,
Of the bright, starry crowns that are waiting
For those who his coming will love,
And with labor and tears seek to gather
Large sheaves for the garner above.
The Canvassing Work and Our Schools
By J. B. Blosser
J. B. BLOSSER
In the earlier days of the canvassing work those who engaged in it were men and women who had accepted the truth through the labors of our ministers. They had been faithfully instructed in the special truths for this time, so that they could readily present them to others, and with a little instruction they could take the books containing these precious truths, and, with a heart filled with the love of God, they were well prepared to make the work a success. There are yet many such souls who should enter this branch of the work in the same way; but by far the greater number who are now available for this work are the young men and women who are in our schools, or ought to be there. Many of these young people have been raised in the message, and it is the ambition of their parents that they become useful in carrying the truth to the world. These young people, too, are earnestly praying that God may guide them into the place that he would have them occupy; and since God is calling for many of this class to enter the work as evangelistic canvassers, in fact, is emphasizing this call, it is the purpose of this article to encourage them to take up this work, and to offer some suggestions as to how our schools can render them valuable help in preparing them for this work.
A few quotations from the testimonies of the spirit of prophecy will be in place:—“There ought to be connected with our schools the best possible facilities for the preparation of laborers for both home and foreign fields.”—“Gospel Workers,” page 284. “Canvassers are to be educated and trained to do the work required in selling the books upon present truth which the people need. There is need of men of deep Christian experience, men of well-balanced minds, strong, well-educated men, to engage in this work. The Lord desires those to take hold of the canvassing work who are capable of educating others, who can awaken in promising young men and women an interest in this line, leading them to take up the bookwork and handle it successfully. Some have the talent, education, and experience which would enable them to educate the youth for the canvassing work in such a way that much more would be accomplished than is now being done. Those who have gained such an experience in this work have a special duty to perform in teaching others. Educate, educate, educate young men and women to sell the books which the Lord by his Holy Spirit has stirred his servants to write. God desires us to be faithful in educating those who accept the truth, that they may believe to a purpose, and work intelligently in the Lord's way.”—“Manual for Canvassers,” pages 63, 64. “Let those who have been in school go out into the field, and put to practical use the knowledge they have gained. If canvassers will do this, using the ability that God has given them, seeking counsel from him, and combining the work of selling books with personal labor for the people, their talents will increase by exercise, and they will learn many practical lessons which they could not possibly learn in school. The education obtained in this practical way may properly be termed higher education. There is no higher work than evangelistic canvassing; for it involves the performance of the highest moral duties.”—Id., page 65.
In a recent unpublished Testimony occurs the following: “Time is short. We are to hold out urgent inducements to the men who are now to be engaged in missionary work for the Master. The highways and byways are unworked. The Lord calls for young men to labor as canvassers and evangelists, to do house-to-house work in places that have not yet heard the truth. . . . Those who go forth in this work will be wonderfully blessed. The Lord calls for volunteers who will take their stand firmly on his side, and will pledge themselves to unite with Jesus of Nazareth in doing the very work that needs to be done now, just now. . . . Canvassers are to be educated to take up the work of circulating these publications. Our books and papers are to go to places that are still in the darkness of error. The Lord calls for young men to enter our schools. Schools are to be established in which our youth can receive an education that will prepare them to go forth to do evangelistic and medical missionary work. Let these schools be established out of the cities.”
It is a noticeable feature of these earnest calls for the young to enter the work as evangelistic canvassers, that the work of the schools is associated with their training. Does not this plainly indicate that our schools are to become the recruiting and training ground to a large extent of those who are to engage in this work “that needs to be done now, just now”? But do we see anything like a large per cent of those who are completing their schooling entering this department of work?—No, no. This is the sad but true answer. Why?—Well, there are several reasons, which we will not discuss in this article; but perhaps a few suggestions as to how the schools can render assistance in changing this state of affairs will be to the point.
The work of training can be begun in the church school. The children can be encouraged to sell some of the smaller publications, papers, etc., and then they should be encouraged to relate their experiences in the presence of the whole school, for the encouragement of all, and for the instruction of those who may be edified by their experiences. Many of our church-school teachers are doing a noble work in this way, and the fruit will appear in due time. Then our industrial schools and academies can render valuable aid in many ways. During the school year each student should be encouraged to make a special study of some one of our large books, so that when vacation comes, he can with a little special instruction go out to sell these books, and later take up the study of another, and so on until his schooling is completed, when he will be ready to enter the work, and make it a success. In this way an intelligent corps of canvassers can be developed; and as those who go out during vacation return to school again, they will bring into the school the sweet leaven of their experiences in placing the truth in the homes of the people, and it will not be long before the whole spiritual atmosphere of the school will be pervaded with the desire to enter this work.
Some of our colleges are doing a noble work in preparing canvassers by offering a special course for their training. Such a preparation is offered at Berrien Springs during the fall term. The books to be sold will be carefully studied, and a large portion of the time will be spent in the adjoining country in actual work, accompanied by the writer and others who have had actual experience in this work.
The time has come when the spirit of prophecy says the canvassing work is to be revived. The time has come when our youth should be enlisted in this soul-saving work. These youth are in our schools, or should be there; therefore the time has come when our schools must, if they meet the demands of the time upon them, throw their strength into the work of giving these youth a training for this work. Will they do it? I believe they will. Let us all, conferences, laborers, and people, co-operate with our schools in meeting the mind of God in this important matter.
The Latin Union Meeting
By L. R. Conrad
L. R. CONRAD
This gathering was held at Lausanne, on the beautiful Lake Geneva, French Switzerland, June 29 to July 6. At first we had only planned a meeting of the Romance-Swiss, or Central European Conference, near the end of the month of July, expecting to have a union council the previous May; but matters so shaped that we were able to hold these two gatherings together. This gave comparatively little time in which to prepare for the meeting, yet we were glad to see so many present.
THE CITY OF NICE
One year ago the Latin Union was partially organized, but the work of perfecting the organization was more fully completed this season. There were about one hundred and seventy-five camped on the ground. Twenty-two of these were from France, two from Belgium, and two from Italy. Considerable attention was given to the work in this great field, with its one hundred million people. While some new workers have joined the ranks, yet the force of laborers is very inadequate for the accomplishment of the work that needs to be done.
In Romance-Switzerland, which contains the French-speaking and the Italian-speaking cantons, there was quite an encouraging growth last year. There are over four hundred members in this conference which contains only a million people. Elder Tieche was chosen conference president, and with him there are to be associated six other workers.
There are in the French Mission seven workers. Elder Wilkinson was again appointed local director of this field. Our work is centered largely in Paris and in Southern France. There are about one hundred and twenty believers here.
Elder Everson, of Rome, was present, and brought encouraging reports from that place. He is learning the Italian, and several other laborers are to be associated with him. There are now about forty Sabbath-keepers in Italy.
Brother J. Curdy was chosen director of French Belgium, which was organized into a separate mission, with a population of three million. We have about a score of Sabbath-keepers in this field.
We are glad to say that we now have made a beginning in Spain, as the Bond brothers have taken up work in Barcelona, where they will perfect their knowledge of the Spanish language while doing general missionary and Bible work.
The deliberations of the union conference were harmonious, and Elder Wilkinson remains president of the Latin field. A general meeting was planned for France the coming year. During 1902 there were ninety-two additions in the Latin Union. That conference paid a tithe of $5,186, and gave $1,830 in gifts and offerings. This speaks well for the liberality of the 577 members we have in the union. Considerable time was given to the removal of the French publishing work from Basel. It was decided to make Paris the headquarters for our periodicals, and to have a depository in Geneva (very close to the border of France and Switzerland), from which books may be sent into both countries at single postal rates. This will give Romance-Switzerland and France the same postal advantages that Basel has furnished to German Switzerland and Germany. Brother J. Roberts has been put in charge of the Latin Union publishing work, and it is expected that he will look after it in the entire field. We surely need publications, not simply in the French, but in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese as well. This is a very important part of our work. Last year, with six canvassers in the field, the house sold $4,079 worth of books.
The establishment of a sanitarium and school in French Switzerland, which shall be a general training center for the Latin-speaking part of Europe, received favorable consideration. We hope to be able to exchange the lot and building in Basel for fifteen or twenty acres of nicely located land in a picturesque part of French Switzerland, and then fit up a sanitarium and food factory, and connect with them a training-school for workers. Our food factory in Switzerland has done well. It has a growing business; and as it is earning one thousand six hundred dollars per annum, it is a source of financial help to the medical missionary work carried on by the sanitarium. Elder Irwin10and Dr. Paulson rendered excellent help in the meetings, the latter giving his special attention to the youth. The outside attendance was not so large, as there was in progress a centennial feast in commemoration of the century's existence of the canton. Twelve were baptized at the meeting. At the close of the meeting, we spent two days looking for a suitable location for the headquarters of the French health and educational work.
The work in the Latin Union is but opening up, and we do not doubt that, through the blessing of God, we shall see considerable growth in this part of the Lord's vineyard. While we may not look forward to so rapid an increase in these Catholic countries as we would expect in the Scandinavian, the British, and the German Unions, where there are more Protestants, still we do believe that as workers and facilities are multiplied, a rich harvest will be reaped. This field has actually suffered from not having its own center in its own territory; we hope that as this is now to be attained, there will be a more rapid development.
As to finances, it is true that through careful management and the liberality of the people sufficient money has been accumulated to make up for the present deficit in carrying forward the work in this field. However, as the force of laborers is being increased, and there are heavy traveling expenses from America to their fields of labor, it is evident that this surplus will soon be exhausted. The money that has accumulated in the Basel house is really to be used in supplying suitable and most necessary institutions in the field. Last year our brethren were able to hold a successful institute in the city of Paris, and there is a growing interest in the educational work throughout the union. One can scarcely realize the great advantage of training workers who speak the language as their mother tongue. It is no easy thing thoroughly to master a foreign tongue, and even where this is said to have been accomplished, there is almost invariably a foreign accent. The sooner we develop our native talent, the quicker will the field grow.
When we come to consider the fact that our sanitarium in Basel is now to be removed into French-speaking territory, and the health-food business, which has really been its support, must have adequate quarters and machinery, and when we further consider that there must be sufficient room for carrying on the educational work for the training of nurses and evangelical laborers, and that the publishing department must provide literature in the French, the Spanish, the Italian, and the Portuguese, and must be enlarged to meet this demand,—when we come to take all these things into account, we can at once see that in providing these facilities, the field will require whatever surplus it now has on hand. But if we think of the amount of money invested even in some of the State conferences in schools and sanitariums, or of the institutions that are ours in the German, the British, and the Scandinavian Unions, we shall admit that the Latin Union, with one hundred million people, ought to be just as well supplied. These considerations hold all the truer, as we remember that the money now on hand is to enable us to pay cash for the needed changes; and if it is exhausted in gospel work, the field will have to be kept waiting for the necessary facilities until the means can be collected on the other side of the Atlantic. As we look over the Basel property, we find that some of its present value is made up of rather unsalable stock, as, for example, nine thousand dollars is invested in books, some of which are not now first-class. Of this stock, the German Union took the German book stock on its percentage, and the Latin Union receives two thousand six hundred dollars' worth of the book stock in the German, and in the English language (mostly sheets of books which are not very salable), and six thousand eight hundred dollars' worth of French books, many of which belong to the same class. This really gives them but little material assets. In fact, the Latin field must have additional capital with which to carry on its publishing work.
Again: four or five thousand dollars is invested in sanitarium furniture, for which the sanitarium actually owes the publishing house; but as the new building has to be fitted up, this furniture will come into play, although it can not be called cash assets, and will not assist any in enlarging the work.
I am convinced that provision will have to be made through appropriations for the evangelical work in the Latin Union the coming year, and that our people in the States should begin to consider this great field in their prayers and gifts.
Hamburg, Germany.
British Virgin Islands
By L. E. WELLMAN
L. E. WELLMAN
The work in this field is still moving, by God's blessing, in spite of the determined opposition of the ministers and leaders of the other churches already established here.
A source of much encouragement and help to the believers here, was the visit of my father, Elder D. E. Wellman, from Antigua, during the latter part of April and first of May. Six precious souls were baptized on Sunday, April 26, thus following their Lord's example and precept.
Preceding the baptismal service, we had the privilege of conducting a meeting in the open air, in the presence of between three and four hundred persons.
This being the first Scriptural baptism ever celebrated in these islands, it attracted much attention, and brought together a large number of people, many of whom came only to mock and make sport, while others came that they might know for themselves of a truth what we as a people believe, teach, and practice with regard to this ordinance, which is so universally scoffed at by the people in these islands.
A spirit of levity was manifested by many during the early part of the service, but as the truth of God's Word, the sacredness of his requirements, and the true meaning of the ordinance about to be performed, were brought home to their consciences, much of the lightness and foolishness died away.
A few still tried to raise a laugh as the first candidates were buried beneath the water, but finding themselves alone, quickly lapsed into silence; and as the last candidate was buried and raised again, the company broke up quietly and departed as though from a funeral occasion, which in truth it was, being a burial of the “old man of sin,” we trust, and a rising to walk in newness of life in Christ.
Others desired baptism at this time, but circumstances prevented. We trust, however, that they may have opportunity in the near future.
At the present time all are doing what they can to hold up the light of truth. Ground has been secured, and a church building started, father and I, with the assistance of the brethren, laying the foundation wall before he returned to his field of labor. We are hoping soon to raise the frame.
The few Sabbath-keepers are doing nobly, but it is here as in all these islands; our people are poor in this world's goods, and we need some outside assistance, and any help from our friends in the home land will be gratefully received.
We are now taking fifty copies of the Caribbean Watchman (our West India paper), and hope soon to increase our monthly subscription to at least two hundred copies.
We are glad we are here, and trust we may remain in this work until it is finished, and Jesus comes to receive to himself his redeemed ones.
Girls and Boys Under Instruction
The Parsees of Bombay, the Indian Christians in Madras, and the Brahmâns in Bengal have almost as many girls as boys under instruction.
Selling Scriptures in Central Africa
WRITING from Toro to the C. M. S. Intelligencer, Mrs. A. B. Fisher gives a charming account of selling the Scriptures in the heart of Central Africa: “Each Monday the teachers come in from the gardens for their supplies. A very busy scene may be witnessed on that morning on our barazza; sometimes it is more like a native bazaar than a European’s courtyard, for the people in the gardens do not all possess cowrie shells with which to purchase their books, so the teachers bring in chickens, eggs, grass mats, and, in many cases, boys and women come in to dig and cultivate for books. It sounds strange to be asked for ‘three chicken Matthews.’ This means that in exchange for the three cackling chickens they want three penny Gospels.” Mrs. Fisher adds that from July to November at this one C. M. S. station, there were sold 2,134 Reading Sheets, 675 Gospels, 25 New Testaments, and 32 Bibles, besides hymn-books, prayer-books, etc. All these copies of the Scriptures are supplied by the Bible Society.
L. F. STARR
By L. F. Starr
Iowa
NOTHING cheers the hearts of the Lord's people so much as to know that the work of God is moving forward, and that decided efforts are being put forth to hasten our Lord's return.
To the glory of God, I am glad to report that the Holy Spirit has been and is working in this conference. There has been a steady growth. Last conference year more tracts were circulated than during the four preceding years put together. Our tithe and offerings have not diminished, although the past two seasons have been unfavorable.
As formerly reported, during our late camp-meeting and conference the storms and floods kept many away. This may have looked to some as if the work was somewhat dwindling, and needed reviving, etc.; but if the weather had been favorable we would have had a larger meeting. At one time we had eleven tents in the field; we now have ten, and reports of conversions are coming in. Over one hundred persons have been immersed during the past three months.
Our first local camp-meeting was held at Cedar Rapids, August 18-23. The location was a most favorable one, and the weather was the most pleasant week we have had this season. At the first meeting there were more of our people on the ground than usually attend a camp-meeting in northeastern Iowa. Over two hundred were in attendance, and we were cheered with victories from the beginning to the close. Twenty-four persons were baptized; twenty-three of these were new converts. The citizens of Cedar Rapids came to hear the message, and many became interested, and desired the work to be continued.
Plans for the erection of the buildings for our industrial school are being carried forward as expeditiously as possible. October 6 is set as the date for opening. Some of our old-time canvassers have dedicated themselves anew to the work. Hence we expect to see a revival of the canvassing work. The conference workers are in harmony, and all feel a willingness to push the work.
L. F. STARR
T. W. FIELDS
By T. W. Fields; H. B. French
Texas
Soon after our good camp-meeting at Waco, Tex., I attended a local camp-meeting at Buffalo Gap. This is a good-sized town. A few months ago many of its citizens were much prejudiced in regard to the third angel's message. Our tent was pitched in a beautiful grove, which furnished an abundance of shade. The attendance was good. Some came more than one hundred miles over dry, dusty roads. Most of these were isolated Sabbath-keepers, who had never attended one of our camp-meetings. They were hungry for the truth, and the Lord came very near. The coming of the Lord, his first advent, with the prophecies relative to that event, as well as other truths, were dwelt upon for several nights. God's Spirit witnessed to the word spoken.
The testimonies borne showed that the spirit of liberty and freedom pervaded the whole encampment, and many not of our faith expressed themselves as having never attended such a meeting. The power of God worked on the hearts of even the careless and indifferent, and many were convinced of the truth. The aged and the children of tender years yielded themselves to God. Sunday, August 30, nine precious souls were buried with their Lord in baptism. This event directed our minds back to the prophecy of Mal. 4:5. Indeed, the Spirit of the Lord was there to perform its office work.
At this meeting many expressed a determination to enter some part of the Lord's vineyard. All phases of the work received attention. A number of subscriptions were taken for the REVIEW and the Signs. Those not of our faith, without any solicitation on our part, gave us two liberal donations to help defray our camp-meeting expenses.
At the request of the people the meeting is still being continued. Brethren Andrew Nelson and W. W. Eastman will remain to assist Brother Etheridge in the meeting.
I am more and more convinced that we ought to have more local camp-meetings, from the fact that in these meetings we can come in closer touch with the people and do more personal work with them than is possible in our large gatherings. In our local camp-meetings the business part of the meeting is dispensed with; and this gives more time for personal work. May the Lord help us to enter upon the work of this new conference year with a greater determination to serve him. Pray for the work in Texas.
T. W. FIELDS
H. B. FRENCH.
JOHN HOFFMAN
By John Hoffman
From Finland
I WISH to call the attention of my brethren and sisters to our paper, Aikain Vartija, of which we intend to print an extra this coming October. This extra will contain sixteen pages besides the cover, and will be sent to America in large or small clubs for five cents a copy, postpaid. Some have already sent us their orders, but we hope to receive many more. By this paper you will be able to reach your Finnish-speaking neighbors with the message. Orders accompanied with cash should be sent to Aikain Vartija, Jagaregatan 2, Helsingfors, Finland, or to your State tract society.
Night after Monday, August 17, I was on the train all night coming to Helsingfors, and on the same train were three hundred emigrants on their way to America. Quite a number had tickets to Duluth, Minn., others to Northern Michigan. The emigrant agent was also12on the train, and I asked him how many on an average left for America every week. He said: “From four to five hundred.” Now we ask you to help us give these people the message. We will try to do what we can here, and our canvassers have already this year placed more than three thousand dollars’ worth of reading-matter with the people. Seven have been baptized, and others are interested. One of those baptized is a man who keeps a little store. He learned the truth last winter, but did not obey it then. A few weeks ago he came nearly three hundred miles to be baptized. Thus the Spirit of God is working on hearts even in this country.
JOHN HOFFMAN
Japan
By F. W. Field
The latter part of July, in company with Brother Burden, I again visited Kobe. We found the workers there of good courage, and blessed in their labors. The medical work is progressing encouragingly; in addition to this a good work is being done in the circulation of our literature, and in personal work with the people. Some are becoming much interested in the truths presented.
On Monday, July 27, three candidates were baptized in the waters of the bay. Two of these are connected with the sanitarium as helpers. The other is a young man who has just accepted the truth. He has been reading our papers for about a year, and more recently has studied the truth with the workers in Kobe.
Last week I again visited the little company in Wakamatsu, and found the believers firm in the truth, and of good courage. There still seems to be considerable prejudice here against our people. But some are becoming interested. One young man has been keeping the Sabbath several months, but has not yet united with us in full membership.
Our members in Tokyo have always shown an interest to spread the truth; but this summer we have organized for more systematic work in circulating our literature. A regular missionary society has been formed, to meet once a month. We shall follow the plans that have been found so efficient in the home field.
Brother Kuniya is making quite an extended tour through the southern part of the country. He reports several new Sabbath-keepers in those parts, while others are deeply interested and earnestly studying the truth. He is much encouraged in his work. F. W. FIELD.
Tokyo.
Virginia
By B. F. Purdham; T. H. Painter
We are now engaged in a tent meeting at Manassas, Va., thirty-two miles from Washington, D. C. We began the meetings September 9. The attendance has been good. The people seem to be deeply interested in the truths presented, and we hope to see a great work developed at this place.
Some who are attending these services attended the camp-meeting at Wellington, about six miles from here, and became interested in the truth at that meeting.
Manassas has about one thousand inhabitants, and is surrounded by a good country. We trust that many of the people of this place may be led to rejoice in the light of present truth.
We are seeking the Lord for wisdom in presenting the truth, and in personal labor from house to house. Remember in your prayers the work in this part of the field.
B. F. Purdham,
T. H. Painter.
