Earlier text: An Earnest Admonition to MissionariesOur Work in Mexico
By G. W. Caviness
IN the month of June, 1897, the writer first came to Mexico. At that time there were in operation in Guadalajara treatment-rooms for the higher class and also for the poor. A piece of property had been bought in the western part of the city, and a sanitarium was in process of construction. Elder D. T. Jones was in charge of the work, and there was a small force of laborers, consisting of doctors and nurses. The first doctor and workers had wonderful success and much practise among the people, but the later work, especially in connection with the sanitarium, was not so successful. Toward the end of the year 1899 the writer and his family, with Brother and Sister Marchisio and Brother Placencia and family, came to the city of Mexico to open up evangelistic work. We began visiting, canvassing with the only books we had in Spanish, which were very few; such as, "Christ Our Saviour," "Gospel Primer," and "Steps to Christ." We had settled in Tacubaya, one of the principal suburbs of Mexico City. As far as we know, there was but one other American family and one English family in this suburb. On visiting the Mexican families, many of them inquired why we did not start a school. They were anxious for their children to learn English. Teaching having been our occupation for the most of our lives hitherto, we decided to try it again, and soon had a school for the children of the higher class, numbering about forty. This was not strictly a missionary school; the children paid tuition, which largely met the expenses of the school. Through the school we became acquainted with quite a number of families. Some of them asked us what we believed, and we took pleasure in giving them Bible readings. A Sabbath-school was started in connection with the school, and many of the children attended this, and seemed to have no objection to studying the Bible. A little later the Spanish paper that had hitherto been published in Guadalajara, was transferred to Mexico City, and we began its publication. In less16 than a year's time it was necessary to publish three thousand copies in order to meet the demands. When the work had grown somewhat, others came to our assistance. Elder G. M. Brown spent five or six years in the country as superintendent of the field. For the first two or three years we hired the paper printed, and then it seemed best to establish a small printing-office of our own. Elder Brown led out in this work, and he and about a dozen others of us bought a piece of land, put up a small building, and installed a little printing-press. This has grown until we now have quite a well-equipped printing-house, and publish three papers and the Sabbath-school lessons for all our Spanish-speaking fields. Elder Brown's health failing, he returned to the United States, and Dr. W. S. Swayze took charge of the work for a short time till we could secure another superintendent. Elder G. W. Reaser came, took charge of the work, and spent considerable time in trying to find a place to establish an industrial school. But this has not been carried out as yet. From time to time, we have had small schools here in Tacubaya, and one in San Luis Potosi, and a purely native school in La Visnaga. We are still anxious for the time to come when we can establish a training-school for workers, so that we may have at least a few natives prepared to assist in the work. A few faithful canvassers have stood by the work from the beginning; and as a result of the literature scattered, interest has been created in a number of places, until we now have fifteen companies of believers scattered almost from one end of the republic to the other. At Salina Cruz, in the south, one young Spaniard received the paper and some tracts, and a little later twenty were keeping the Sabbath. This happened before any laborer had even visited them. The work has extended in that part until we now have four small companies numbering about fifty Sabbath-keepers. These are descendants of the Zapotecan Indians, although, of course, they are not all pure-blooded Indian. They are superior in many respects to the Mexicans in other localities, and are religiously inclined. There are about one hundred thousand of this tribe in that part of the country, and we have only one Spanish brother as a worker in all that field. In San Luis Potosi, where Brother Julius Paulson is established in business, we have another company. In this place two families of tinsmiths began to keep the Sabbath through reading, and wrote me to that effect. I asked Brother Paulson to hunt them up. He finally found them when looking for some bread pans to use in his bakery. This work has grown, extending out into the surrounding country, so that we now have three other small companies not far from San Luis Potosi. The only laborers we have for them and all that region is Brother Marchisio. But the work is growing, and a number are awaiting baptism in that part of the field. In Torreon, several years ago, the colporteurs scattered papers, and soon we heard of an interest there. I went to the place, and found one good family keeping the Sabbath. They had been keeping it about a month before I visited them. After a series of meetings, six others joined us. The work has extended from there till we now have companies in Torreon and Gomez Palacio. There were a number of believers in Santa Barbara before the revolution. We have not been able to hear from that company for several months, for all that northern region has been in the hands of the revolutionists, and there has been no mail received at the post-office department for Chihuahua during this time. Brother Juan Robles was looking after these companies until a short time ago, when we thought it best to send him to aid in the interest that was aroused in Monterrey. The Mexican brother and sister who accepted the truth by reading are looking after the interests as best they can, without any compensation. They write me that six await baptism. Brother H. L. Rawson went to Monterrey near the close of last year, as there were a few interested ones there asking for help. He soon had quite an interest; and when Brother Robles and one of our canvassers joined him, the interest grew until it became necessary to rent quite a large place for the meetings, the attendance being about seventy-five. The congregation now numbers about forty. Fifteen or more have signed the covenant, and quite a number are awaiting baptism. Scattered about in various other parts of the country are small companies of believers, and from a number of places come appeals for help, but we have no one to send them. "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest" that he will send laborers into this part of the harvest-field. Surely now, if ever, the King's business requires haste. G. W. CAVINESS. The Conferences of the West Indian Union
By D. E. Wellman
THE West Indian Union Conference is made up of four local conferences and six mission fields, all situated on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, with the exception of the British Guiana Mission. The development of our work in the territory of our four conferences has been steady and encouraging from the time of the introduction of the message. The present standing, while far from meeting the ideal of the earnest workers in the field, stands nevertheless as a witness to the mighty working of the divine Spirit in behalf of those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. The membership of the four conferences, now numbering nearly 3,500, has not been won without many a struggle and hard-fought battle. Beneath a tropical sun or through pouring rain, over mountain and plain, the faithful workers have carried the knowledge of the message to certain victory. This has not been done without Death taking his toll. Tropical fevers and plague have done their work in Trinidad, Porto Rico, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, British Guiana, and Central America. The thinning of our ranks from time to time, although bringing sorrow of heart, has, by stimulating the living to more earnest effort and deeper consecration in service, brought forth fruit as well. The story of the seed sowing in these conferences is a thrilling one, and is an excellent example of the fulfilment of the promise, "My word . . . shall not return unto me void." Every field bears witness to the result of scattered litera-17 ture, and to this must be attributed much of the success that has attended the work in these fields. South Caribbean Conference
The South Caribbean Conference, composed of the islands of Trinidad, Barbados, Santa Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada, and Tobago, has a constituency of 824 members. It was in the years 1889 and 1890 that we find the first believers in Barbados and Trinidad as a result of reading our literature. For several years these early converts were without any help except correspondence carried on with believers in the States. For years they were without churches, having to gather in rented halls or in their own homes. The first minister visited Barbados about the year 1892, and Trinidad in 1894. The first church in Trinidad was dedicated at Couva in January, 1897. There are now fourteen churches and four companies in the conference. There are substantial church buildings in Barbados, St. Vincent, Grenada, Tobago, and in different parts of Trinidad. This conference was organized in 1906, having been formerly a part of the East Caribbean Conference, which was organized in 1903. The work is onward throughout the field. West Caribbean Conference
The West Caribbean Conference, which is composed of the republics of Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, together with St. Andrews, Old Providence, and Corn Islands, was organized in 1906. The work in this field was pioneered by Elder F. J. Hutchins, who was stricken with tropical disease in 1902, at Bocas del Toro, where he left a company of believers and a mission property to witness to his faithfulness unto death. To-day we have a growing conference of 484 believers, who are members of eleven churches and eight companies, most of which are located on or near the coast line of the Caribbean Sea. The conference owns several substantial church buildings, and is conducting several church-schools. The development throughout the conference gives assurance of a healthy growth. The administrative building, which is owned by the conference, is located at Cristobal, Canal Zone. The front part of the first floor is used as a chapel, and the rear part as the conference office and book depository, while above these are three suites of rooms for the use of conference workers. Nearly all the believers in this field speak English. Until recently but little effort has been put forth for the Spanish-speaking people, who compose the vast majority of the population. Central American Conference
The Central American Conference is made up largely of Spanish-speaking people, except along the coast and in the Bay Islands, where there are several thousand who speak English. It was among the latter that our work began, and these make up largely the present constituency of the conference. The territory embraced by this conference includes the republics of Guatemala, Spanish Honduras, Salvador, and the colony of British Honduras. The beginning of the message in this field can be traced to a woman of Honduras, who on visiting California in the year 1885, embraced our faith, and on returning to her home scattered much literature among her own people. The first minister to visit the field was Elder T. H. Gibbs, in 1887. Later, in 1892, Elder Hutchins began his labors in this field, and continued until 1900, when he was relieved by Elder H. C. Goodrich. The work developed rapidly among the English-speaking people, and at the present time we have in this conference eight churches and two small companies, with a membership of 244. In Guatemala City a graded school is conducted in English for the Spanish-speaking people, and is doing good work, as well as being self-supporting. The Jamaica Conference was organized early in 1903, ten years after the coming of the first minister to the field. Among the first to accept of the faith was Sister M. Harrison, who received the message about the year 1889. In 1893 she went to America to attend the General Conference, and made an appeal for ministerial help. In response to this appeal, Elder A. J. Haysmer and wife were sent to the island. The first church was organized in 1894, with a membership of thirty-seven. To-day this church has a membership of more than 450. There are in this conference thirty-six organized churches and twenty-two companies, with a total membership of 1,852. The conference owns thirty-two church buildings, and ten others are in process of construction. In Kingston the conference has a fine schoolroom connected with the church building. This room is twenty by fifty feet, and is divided by folding doors into the primary and preparatory departments. The enrolment of the school is over seventy, and it is doing good work. Several other schools are conducted in other parts of the island. The Watchman Press, property of the West Indian Union Conference, is located at Riversdale, Jamaica. The work is onward, and all along the line passes the word of good cheer. The Norwegian Annual Meeting
By N. C. Bergersen
The thirty-sixth annual Norwegian meeting was held in Bergen, May 7-13. Several workers' meetings were held before the conference opened. In the morning the writer conducted a prayer-meeting. The Spirit of God rested upon us, and many hearty testimonies were borne. To the glory of God it can be said that this gathering was, in the full meaning of the word, a festival. We found the place hallowed by the Lord's presence. Church-members and workers alike had prayed beforehand that the meeting might be successful, and daily we experienced the consciousness that the Lord was hearing the prayers of his children. Peace and unity prevailed in all the business transactions, as also in the lectures and testimony services. All the delegates were present at the beginning. Although several important matters were to be acted upon this year, the work went on quickly. From the annual report we learned that ninety persons had embraced the truth during the year. Two churches had been organized, and were received into the conference. The treatment-rooms in Christiania showed a net gain of $878.57. Through the canvassers the publishing house sold during the year 1911 $19,755.36 worth of books. The tithe for the same year was $8,337.52. Tithe and gifts sent to the union conference amounted to $3,659.58, about twice as much as we sent in 1907. Since then the tithe alone has increased $1,890, and we have experienced a corresponding gain in the Week of Prayer Offerings and Sabbath-school gifts. The plan was considered of dividing the Norway Conference, making a west and an east conference. This was unanimously carried, the division to be dated from Jan. 1, 1912. The writer was elected president of the East Norwegian Conference, and Elder O. J. Olsen of the West. Those present from outside the conference were Brethren J. C. Raft, J. T. Boettcher, Guy Dail, C. C. Jensen, E. Arnesen, and A. C. Christensen. All these workers labored earnestly to make the meeting a success. Brother L. R. Conradi, on account of sickness, was not present for the first time in thirteen years. The Sabbath was an especially blessed day. In the morning from six-thirty o'clock to eight o'clock, we had a successful young people's meeting. The Sabbath-school offering amounted to $41.39, or $24.30 more than last year. Brother Boettcher preached at eleven o'clock. At the close, opportunity was given for those who desired to yield to God, to stand, and a number arose;18 afterward nearly all renewed their covenant with Heaven. In the afternoon, after a short talk by Brother Dail, we had a most solemn ordination service. Brother A. O. Narem was set apart for the ministry. At five-thirty we celebrated the ordinances; and in the evening Brother Raft delivered a good lecture on health. This Sabbath will surely be long remembered. Monday morning, after seeing some of our brethren and sisters off, we went once more to the meeting-hall to have a season of prayer. It lasted for two and one-half hours. Surely none of those who were present will forget this meeting, which bound us together anew. From the testimonies borne we learned that every one realized the nearness of the great day, and that every one must consecrate himself wholly to the work of God, and by his help fight the battle to the finish. Five were baptized at the conference, and a week later Elder O. J. Olsen baptized fifteen others. As we now are scattered throughout the country, we want to show forth that we have been with Christ and learned of him. Having filled our lamps and vessels with oil, let us shine as bright lights in this dark world. As was emphasized during the conference, we shall endeavor to lead at least one soul to Christ the coming year, and more, if possible.
N. C. BERGERSEN. East Kansas Camp-Meeting
By Charles Thompson
This camp-meeting was held in the beautiful Soudan Park in the city of Emporia, August 8-18, and was attended by about three hundred representatives from the different churches. The weather was ideal, and everything favorable for a good meeting. Services were held in both the English and the German language. Those who were present to assist the local conference laborers were Elders J. H. Schilling, G. F. Haffner, and S. S. Shrock, in the German; and Elders G. B. Thompson, E. T. Russell, M. B. Van Kirk, C. G. Bellah, Brother S. N. Curtiss, and the writer, in the English. There were a large number of young people on the ground, and their earnestness was manifested by their regular and prompt attendance at the meetings held especially in their interest. These meetings were in charge of Brother J. S. Yates, superintendent of the young people's work. The spiritual interest was good throughout. More than forty were baptized at the close of the meeting, and one thousand dollars was given in cash and pledges to missions. The Sabbath-school offerings for the two Sabbaths amounted to one hundred eighty dollars. The business of the conference passed off harmoniously. The reports rendered showed a healthy growth in all departments. Four new churches were admitted into the conference. There was a marked increase in tithe during the year. The Strode Industrial School gave an encouraging financial report, showing a net gain in last year's operation of about two hundred fifty dollars. Elder W. F. Kennedy was reelected president, with the same staff of assistants as last year. All entered heartily into the responsibility of the future. We hope and expect to see East Kansas contribute her quota to all the calls necessary to the finishing of the work of God in the earth. Personally, I was glad to renew my acquaintance with those with whom I had formerly associated and labored, and to enjoy with them the rich blessings of God. British Guiana
By E. C. Boger
It has been some time since I reported concerning the work in this field. It has not been because I had forgotten to do so, but because I have been very busy in the work here in the colony. I have not yet visited among the Indians in the interior, but we have some Indians here near the coast. They do not live like those in the interior, however. There are in the interior only about 5,000 Indians, and they live in tribes and have no regular villages. They may be here this month, and fifty miles distant the next. To labor for them, one must give his life to that work, live among them, go where they go, and live on what they live on, as it is very hard to get provisions from the coast. It takes about thirty days to go up by boat (not a launch), and then ten days must be spent in walking. I should like to go up among them, but there is more work down here on the coast than I can take care of properly. There are thousands here who have never heard this message. They must hear it, and that soon. The work is going forward, and souls are accepting the truth. I returned from a visit up the Demerara River a few days ago. Mrs. Boger accompanied me; it was her first trip into the interior, and she enjoyed it. It was a very busy time for us all the way. At Wismar, about ninety miles from Georgetown, we stopped overnight; I spoke to a large audience, and married a couple the next day. Then we went on up the river to our mission station at Bootooba, and held meetings there every evening, helping to clear the land during the day. We are trying to get this land ready for the raising of rubber-trees and farm products. We have a school here. On Sabbath afternoon two believers were buried with their Lord in the watery grave. That night about three o'clock we started down the river in a small launch, and stopped at the home of one of our brethren and held some Bible studies. We then left for Wismar in a small canoe, called a coriall, arriving there about 11 A. M., where we held Bible studies until about 3 P. M. The people seem to hunger for the truth, and we had a pleasant visit with them. At 3:30 P. M. we went down to the water and baptized three very intelligent persons. These were the first to accept the truth in this place. We now have a Sabbath-school here of about twenty members, and others have taken their stand for the truth. We reached home the next day very tired. The day following, it was necessary to be off on another trip just as hard as the last. But it is the Master's work, and I want to do all I can before the end. The work is onward, and we are of good courage in the Lord. Of course, there are trials, but there are also victories for the faithful. 2 Chron. 20:15 has some encouraging words for me. State and Church
By W. W. Prescott
Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of Religious Freedom, and the Campaign "to Make America Catholic." Conducted by the Religious Liberty Association. W. W. Prescott - - - - - Secretary Religious Liberty Restricted in Russia
It has been generally understood in this country that religious freedom had been granted in Russia, and this has been interpreted as meaning that the different denominations were at liberty, under certain well-defined conditions, to conduct public religious services, and to propagate their views. Either this was a misunderstanding of the intent of the proclamation, or the Russian government has changed its mind. This is clear from a "circular" recently issued by the ministerium of the interior, which refers to the activities of those who are "harvesting good harvests to the detriment of the prevailing faith," and declares that these activities must cease. This circular is here given entire:— "Circular Regarding the Sects"
"Since the imperial decree of April 17, 1905, and Oct. 17, 1906, which guaranteed religious liberty not only to the citizens of Russia, but also to the followers of other sects which are not forbidden by the criminal law, there has been manifested a systematic striving to use the guaranteed graces for a far-reaching propaganda among the believers of the true faith. "In spite of the different regulations of the ministerium of the interior, which were to curtail the unlawful workings of the sects, one must come to the decision, from the different things that have been sent to the ministerium, that the Baptists and Adventists belong to the most active sects. They do not circumscribe their work, but on the other hand make their influence greater year by year, not only among their own followers, but also among those who do not belong to them. "This kind of work of the sects is not only established by the facts in the official papers, but they themselves openly publish their success in their writings. "From their own periodicals one can find exact reports and descriptions of their work and the great number of so-called evangelistic 'messengers,' and that these messengers go from city to city and from village to village, everywhere establishing a far-reaching propaganda in order to bring in an artful life among the sects, especially by means of their much-attended revival meetings, which, according to their own testimony, they organize, and are working day and night to carry forward these revivals. They do not only hold readings with the so-called 'brethren,' but also with those who are interested, and even those who gainsay them. They also conduct regular children's meetings, hold water baptism even in the open air for the newly converted ones, and conduct meetings so as to attract the attention of strangers to them. They also carry on a far-reaching street mission work, and as the result the figures in their reports show that the workings of these sects are attracting the attention of the ignorant believers of the right faith in the villages who are not firm in questions of faith. They are thus harvesting good harvests to the detriment of the prevailing faith. "Such a work of the sects shows a determination on their side to transgress the laws that have no reference to persons of the Orthodox faith, and they are also transgressing the regulations of the ministerium of the interior of Oct. 14, 1910, regulating the organizing of prayer-meetings and other religious services. In this way they procure for themselves a cloak of a false understanding of religious freedom, and further procure the privileged position which other confessions of faith enjoy who have long been in the kingdom and are acknowledged by the law. Such determinations and desires of the sects which have no lawful foundation must not be tolerated. The prevailing law and the regulations of the kingdom have given the different sects a large scope in religious affairs. These, however, are conditioned by the decree of the high throne, and upon this territory there can not be permitted any enlargement of this law, nor the boundary-line overstepped. "Therefore the authorities of the ruling powers must make it their duty to strictly see to it that the sects come up to all the regulations with reference to the laws regulating their holding meetings, and that these laws are not transgressed nor allowed to be interpreted wrongly, only allowing the religious liberty according to the highest acts to prevail. "The authorities are also instructed to especially see to it that if these laws and regulations regarding the faith of the different sects are not adhered to, the guilty ones are to be lawfully dealt with. "At the same time it is necessary, in order to check the bad influence of the prayer-meetings and other religious services of the sects upon the believers of the Orthodox faith, first, that the local authorities be instructed to see that the regulations of the fourth of October, 1910, are in no wise given way to; and second, that special care be taken in allowing the different sects to conduct meetings which, according to paragraph five, are not dealing with religious questions, nor are after the nature of a prayer-meeting; and if they serve as a propaganda among those of the Orthodox faith, they are not to be permitted. It is furthermore necessary, since the regulations of the fourth of October, 1910, have already been before the public two years, to instruct the local authorities to report to the government whether these resolutions shielding the true church have been successful. Resolutions and other suspicions with reference to this law should be sent to the ministerium of the interior." From a letter written by Elder J. T. Boettcher, president of the Russian Union Conference, these paragraphs, dealing with this circular, are taken:— "I feel it my duty to send you a copy of the latest circular that has been sent out by the ministerium of the interior in Russia. We call it a circular in Russia. This, however, means a law, because the ministerium of the interior has a perfect right to make any law it has a mind to, regardless of the lawmaking body. If this law is carried into effect, it will mean bitter persecution to us. As I wrote you in my last letter, the effects of it are already being felt. It is very hard for our brethren to open places of meeting. But this is the Lord's work, and I believe his eyes see it all, and his ears hear it all. "We must not be surprised at any time to hear that a number of our people in Russia, and even the workers, are imprisoned; but I believe if all of God's people will make it a special subject of prayer, he will send deliverance." Our people everywhere will take an anxious interest in this matter, and we suggest that the situation in Russia be made a subject of earnest prayer. Russia at Odds With the Vatican
RELATIONS between Russia and the Holy See are so strained just at present that a break of diplomatic intercourse is considered imminent, and the recall of Nicholas de Boulatzell, who for three years past has been accredited as Muscovite envoy to the Vatican, is almost assured. Proselytizing, where it means the weaning of people from the state church of Russia, is sternly forbidden in the czar's dominions and is punished as a crime, and many Roman Catholic priests in Poland have been exiled for this offense. Nicholas II has endeavored to increase the freedom of worship accorded to non-Russian creeds, and now complains that advantage has been taken of his liberality to convert no fewer than 500,000 persons from the Orthodox Greek rite to Roman Catholicism in Russia. This looks, of course, as if there might be a revival of rigorous measures on the part of the imperial authorities against the Roman Catholic clergy in Russia, and as if before very long there would be again complaints of persecution, ridiculous as the idea seems now.—Correspondence of the Washington Post, Sept. 1, 1912. Christian Education
By H. R. Salisbury
Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference H. R. SALISBURY - Secretary The Summer School in Portland, Oregon
Of the four months I have been away from the General Conference Office, visiting schools, attending educational conventions, camp-meetings, and summer schools, no time was more pleasantly or profitably spent than the three weeks at Portland. At this place the Pacific and North Pacific Union Conferences had united their schools, and had sent nearly two hundred church-school teachers and their instructors. The location of the grounds was beautiful,—a grove within five minutes' walk of the street-car, yet far enough from the city to give quietness and seclusion. All lived in tents, which were pitched in a large circle, with four or five inside the circle for the assembly meeting and the classes. The food was served on the cafeteria plan. One feature of the service which deserves mention was the preparation of the few, but well-cooked dishes. This was as it should be. We are forgetting too much that vegetarianism ought to include healthful living. The school was in charge of Profs. B. J. Cady and C. C. Lewis, the educational secretaries of the two unions. Professor Cady acted as manager. Professor Lewis spent his whole time in teaching. The result of the summer school was greatly to strengthen the work of the church-school teachers, and also to unify the methods in teaching. The strongest teachers of the two unions were the instructors. In the evening, from 7:30 until 9, general topics were discussed in the large assembly tent. These meetings proved a source of great benefit and encouragement to the teachers, giving them opportunity to present before their associates, for consideration and help, difficulties which they had met during the year. This plan also gave those of experience an opportunity to bring before the others the best plans for carrying on the church-school work. Miss Sarah E. Peck, the normal director at Union College, was present for nearly two weeks, meeting each day with the normal classes. One subject at our round table which received attention, and concerning which definite recommendations were carefully worked out, related to the best method to be followed in making practical missionary work a part of the church-school curriculum, and in conducting it in such a thorough and systematic manner that it shall become a part of the students' training, just the same as any other subject. Plans were laid for the preparation of matter that can be used by all our schools one hour each week. Full information concerning this important subject will soon reach all the teachers. The educational work on the Pacific Coast is well organized, and its promoters are enthusiastic, because they believe in the principles of Christian education. We hope our brethren and sisters in these two unions will appreciate that they have a corps of well-trained teachers, who are laboring with all diligence to build up a strong system of schools on the Pacific Coast that will give their children a thorough education, while instructing them in the fear of God and preparing them as missionaries in the Master's great harvest-field. The Swedish Seminary
By S. Mortenson
This seminary is located on a seventy-eight acre farm thirteen miles west of Central Station, Chicago, and about five miles outside the city limits. The next school year will begin the eleventh of September. We have a strong, efficient faculty, and the seminary is in that way prepared to do thorough work. Its course of instruction includes the study of Bible, ancient and modern history, physiology, simple treatments, arithmetic, bookkeeping, algebra, psychology, pedagogy, astronomy, biology, etc. Studies are offered not only in Swedish and English, but also in German, Latin, and Greek. English is taught up to the fourteenth grade, and those who want to study the Swedish language thoroughly are afforded excellent opportunities. Music, singing, sewing, and housekeeping are also taught by efficient instructors. An earnest effort is made in helping the young people to become useful in some branch of missionary work. The Bible is the standard of right, and nothing is taught contrary to its holy and divine principles. Students below fifteen years are received only by special permission from the faculty; but to all other young people who desire to receive an education, we extend a hearty invitation. It is a place where students of Swedish parentage have a splendid opportunity to learn their mother tongue so that they can use it fluently, and at the same time they have a good chance to study English under competent teachers. We desire the cooperation of our American brethren. Ministers and other brethren should encourage students of Swedish nationality to go to the Swedish Seminary. Even if some of them work in the American field later, they should learn their mother tongue, because it is most valuable to know more than one language. We have a great work to do among the Swedish nationality in this country. We appeal to all parents of Swedish nationality to send their young sons and daughters to the Swedish Seminary. It is not hard to master both Swedish and English, and all students of Swedish parentage ought to do that in order to be so much more useful. But in order that they may succeed, they should be encouraged to come to the Swedish Seminary, where they have the opportunity to study both languages at the same time. The expenses of attending the school are about fifteen dollars a month. We charge nine dollars a month for room, light, heat, plain washing, and tuition. We have the European system of boarding, with a minimum price of six dollars a month. As a rule, the cost for board does not exceed that amount. The students, in company with their teachers, have opportunities to visit the great institutions of Chicago, like the public library, the art institute, the Field Columbia Museum, the academy of science, etc. Such visits are very educational when the things are viewed from the right standpoint. It makes the studies in Bible, history, zoology, astronomy, botany, etc., intensely interesting, and it creates a deeper reverence for God and admiration for his wonderful works. For further information write to the president of the seminary, Prof. G. E. Nord, R. F. D. 1, Box 20, La Grange, Ill. Study at Home
By William E. Howell
Fireside Correspondence School
I WISH it were possible for every reader of this article to look over the neatly prepared lessons lying on my desk as I write, some coming in, some going out. It would give a very definite and concrete idea of the practical working of this very interesting and effective method of study. But as this can not be, the next best thing is to give a little inventory of these lessons, without duplicating the subject, just as they happen to come:—
Penmanship: by a church-school teacher, aged 23, lesson 16. Pluck admirable.
Bookkeeping: by a homesteader, aged 34, just began. Enthusiastic.
Grammar: by a stenographer, aged 21, lesson 25, began last year.
Advanced rhetoric: by a teacher, academy graduate, aged 24, lesson 10. Well done.
Church history: by a lecturer, lesson 15. Already completed advanced rhetoric and journalism. Excellent grasp of the subject.
Bible doctrines: by an academy teacher, aged 25, lesson 39. Standings high.
Composition-rhetoric: by a girl at home, lesson 37. Already completed stenography and penmanship.
Algebra: by a teacher, aged 19, lesson 15. Average standing so far, 99.
Journalism: by a school principal, lesson 16. Already completed advanced rhetoric, and just enrolled for church history. In a letter accompanying the lesson on journalism, this progressive principal says: "To me there is something really inspiring about these correspondence lessons. They keep me feeling young and student-like, and that I desire above all things." This correspondence study brings out the best and the weakest in every student. One who has partly completed two courses, on suffering a temporary interruption, wrote the other day that she should complete these courses if it took the rest of her lifetime to do it. Another who had had to do two or three lessons over, said she had never thought of becoming discouraged. It is those who definitely decide to do something for improvement and who persevere until they accomplish what they set out to do, that make something in the world. Last year's work brought decidedly the best results since the opening of the school three years ago. We are sure the fourth year will bring still better. Many of our students from last year will go on this year. Some have been members of the school ever since it20 began, and say they want this kind of study to continue a part of their work for life. Is it not time, reader, that you were getting started in this good way, too? Our fourth annual opening occurs October 7. See that all preliminary arrangements are made before that date, so that all can start together at the beginning of the best season of the year for study. Calendar on request by addressing either the school or the principal at Takoma Park, D. C.