Some time ago the readers of the Review were told how hard it was to proclaim the truth of God in Bavaria. To-day we are glad to say that God has worked in our behalf; for “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” We believe this to be another sign of the times. For a number of years we have tried, by way of petitions to the department of the interior for church and school affairs in Bavaria, to obtain freedom for our gospel work; but all in vain. All our petitions seemed to be disregarded. All our missionary efforts had to be done in secret; nevertheless God blessed the laborers in giving them many souls. Our baptisms were performed in the night, away from the city. The ordinances of the Lord’s house were held in the private rooms of our brethren; not in the same place twice in succession, for fear of being found out.
Finally I concluded to go to Munich and have a personal interview with the minister of the interior. But before I could see this gentleman, I had to have an audience with the chief counselor of the government, who has all such affairs in hand, and through whom alone I could gain admittance to the minister. When I entered his office, he simply ignored me, and said that the Seventh-day Adventist people were not wanted in Bavaria, and that I would not be permitted to see the minister of the interior. The next day I called again, and asked what steps I should take in order to get to the minister. The chief counselor was rather surprised to see me back again so soon, and offered me a chair. I thanked the Lord for this. Then he began to ask questions, and wished to know what we believed. I took my Bible out of my pocket, and gave him a short synopsis of the different points of our faith. He was much interested in the prophecies of Daniel 7, especially when he learned that these symbols are engraved over the portals of the city hall in Nuremberg. “Well,” he answered, “I am a Catholic; you will not make an Adventist out of me.” I replied that I was only showing him what the Bible taught. “Suppose,” he said, “you write this down and send it in. But I won’t promise you anything.” I told him that we would pray for him so that he could not do otherwise than speak a good word for us. I asked if he would read some of our books. He replied that he would, so the third day I took a nicely bound copy of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” wrapped in fine silk paper, and handed it to the gentleman. He was still more surprised to see me come the third time. He took the book, and thanked me very cordially for it. Afterward we sent in the following petition:—
“The undersigned respectfully submit to the Kingly Minister of Interior for Church and School Affairs of Bavaria, the following petition: A religious organization has been formed in Bavaria, Württemberg, Baden, Alsace-Lorraine, and Hessia, also in countries outside of Germany, holding the name ‘Seventh-day Adventists.’ In southern Germany they are organized as the South German Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. This religious body is organized very thoroughly. All the members in the world compose the General Conference, with headquarters in Washington, D. C., United States of America. The General Conference is divided into union conferences, the union conferences into local conferences. The South German Conference is a part of the German Union. In nearly every large city we have members; the city of Berlin alone has over four hundred members. Also in Bavaria, in Hof, Bayreuth, Nuremberg, Aussbach, Neu-Ulm, Augsburg, Memmingen, and Munich there are members.
“This society is based on nothing else than the Bible, and is therefore Christian. It differs, however, from other Christian bodies in the fact that its members observe the seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday), the day which God instituted. They believe that Christ was made flesh, and by his life and death on earth redeemed mankind. As the name Adventist indicates, they believe the second coming of Christ to be near at hand. However, they are not fanatical, and set no time. Their endeavor is to do as Christ taught: serve God and uplift humanity. They further believe it to be the duty of every man to keep the moral law as found in the ten commandments. Their public service consists in prayer, where each one prays for himself, and not according to some written form; in religious songs; and in the reading of the Bible. They also conduct public lectures.
“These principles have found their way to many hearts. The lives of these people are a proof of their high endeavors and aims to help sinful man. They also have large institutions where the principles of health reform are taught, and disease eliminated. They educate their young people to become missionaries and nurses, and send them out into all the world.
“In order that the members in Bavaria can give themselves unreservedly to the furtherance of their cause, and conduct their meetings in harmony with their belief, they petition the Kingly Minister of State:—
“The Kingly Ministry of State of the Department of the Interior for Church and School is asked to kindly examine the above petition, and upon approval present it to His Royal Highness in behalf of liberty for the Seventh-day Adventists in Bavaria.”
For a long time we heard nothing, so we filed another petition. During the year 1906 we had two filed, one in June and another in the fall of the year. We were told to keep on asking, and so we did, like the importunate widow in the Bible. Of course our people prayed to God every day over the matter. In the meantime we organized temperance and17Bible societies under another paragraph of the law.
April 19, 1907, the prince regent granted us full liberty. When the news came to me, a number of brethren were at my house, and we had a prayer-meeting, and tears of joy and thankfulness were shed.
The following is, in short, the wording of the document sent to us:—
“MUNICH, April 19, 1907.
“In the Name of His Majesty the King.
“His Royal Highness Prince Luitpold, Regent of the Kingdom of Bavaria, has graciously granted that the Seventh-day Adventists be permitted to freely perform their religious services in Bavaria in accordance with the paragraphs 32 and ff. of the II addition to the Constitution.
“The president of the conference of Seventh-day Adventists is to be informed accordingly, and should be expressly given notice that this permission to the Seventh-day Adventists as a private church society certainly does not in any respect affect the general citizen obligations of their believers, especially as far as the school and military service are concerned.
“[Signed] DR. VON WEHNER.”
This to us means much. Now we have been openly acknowledged as a church society. In other parts of Germany this has not yet been done. The Lord has certainly been good to us, and therefore we dedicate ourselves anew to his service. Now we are called to a still harder field, Russia, where we pray that God may go with us.
J. T. BOETTCHER.
The Bolivia Mission
By J. W. Westphal
J. W. WESTPHAL
The last republic of our South American field is now being definitely and permanently entered by the third angel’s message. Repeatedly we have announced that laborers would go to Bolivia to open up the work; but for one reason or another, our plans aborted. But now this republic is set off as a separate mission field, with Elder Eduardo Thomann as its director. Brother Juan Pareira, who is now there on a short missionary trip, will assist Brother Thomann.
About the year 1900, Brother Pareira made the first visit to Bolivia, in the interest of the third angel’s message. While endeavoring to spread the truth, he was, through the instigation of the priests, arrested, and sentenced to be executed. A lawyer, and a judge who is still interested in the truth, became interested in him, and with some work secured his release. He left for Chile, and Bolivia was again without a laborer or representative of the message. At a later time Brethren Thomann and Escobar made a visit to Bolivia, taking many subscriptions for the Senales de los Tiempos, and scattering much literature. Since his tragic experience, Brother Pareira has made trips to this republic. Thus the two appointed for that field know something about the situation and the difficulties to be met. Elder Thomann volunteered his services for Bolivia, and the fact that Brother Pareira is there now voluntarily on his third visit, despite his hard experiences, shows that he has a heart for service.
Up to about a year ago, the public preaching of the gospel was prohibited. This is now changed, and religious liberty is granted. The people are said to be mild in disposition; but, under the influence of the priests, who still exercise great power over them, they are exceedingly fanatical, and the days of danger in the proclamation of the truth are not yet past. We are thankful for this protection of the law, and glad that we can follow so quickly the Lord’s opening providence.
This will be one of our most difficult fields. It has no seacoast, and is thus cut off from immediate touch with the world. This may be one reason why it is one of the last republics to proclaim liberty. The populated part is an elevated plateau of from twelve to thirteen thousand feet above the sea. The winters are dry and cold, while the summers are not very warm, but wet. The soil is sand, and vegetation is scarce. The domestic animals are sheep and goats and llamas. Foods are necessarily not plentiful, and the varieties, few. The people are ignorant and superstitious. Only one hundred thousand of its one million five hundred thousand inhabitants can read at all. It is at this altitude, and surrounded with these conditions, that these brethren will have to do their work. They have not sought an easy job. There are no Sabbath-keepers, but several are interested. We would ask our brethren to remember this new mission in their prayers.
Canvassing for “Great Controversy” in the South
By Walter Harper
THROUGH the favor and blessing of the Master, I began canvassing in North Carolina on Thursday, May 2, just one month ago to-day. As I reported in a former article, I desired to prove that the most timely and important book, “Great Controversy,” can be sold in the Southern States. The impression seemed to obtain that only the lower-priced books could be sold in the South. I felt that it was a mistake, and a determined effort of the enemy of all truth to side-track this treasure volume of timely warnings for these perilous times, and leave it idle on the shelves in our publishing houses, and thus deprive the people of a book which the Lord has said should be scattered far and near at this time.
His biddings are our enablings. Believing his word, though weak and worn with much traveling, with fear and trembling I began work the very afternoon of my arrival, after traveling two nights to reach this place. I felt that God was my sufficiency, my all and in all. I tried to cast all my cares on the Source of all strength, and lean heavily on the everlasting arms.
The Lord hears and answers prayer. No one ever faithfully seeks God in vain. He never disappoints those who come to him. By Friday, May 31, the Master had given me one hundred and eight orders for “Great Controversy,” cloth, marbled ($2.50), and three orders for “Daniel and the Revelation”—two in full morocco ($4.50), and one in cloth, marbled; besides one hundred and five orders for the “New Testament Primer” in cloth, and a few of the same in board cover, also one order for “Looking unto Jesus.” Last Friday afternoon about one o’clock, or in only half a day’s work, I had taken seven orders for “Great Controversy” and six for the 50-cent-style “New Testament Primer;” and the day before I took five for “Great Controversy” and seventeen for the “New Testament Primer,” in cloth, or twenty-two orders for that day, all told. It has been one to eight orders a day for “Great Controversy,” usually four, five, or six a day. To the Lord be all the glory, honor, and praise evermore for it all. He grants it all. I wish a host of canvassers and workers from all over the West, North, and East would come South and labor among these good, kind-hearted people. You may talk on the Lord’s coming, or on any other Bible subject you want to, and they are glad to listen. There is room for many canvassers here. God will greatly bless all who will come now.
WALTER HARPER.
Peru
By F. L. Perry
LIMA.—Scattered and occasional efforts here will avail very little. We must settle down in a place until a church is established. I do not feel ready to move from Lima yet, but we must start work elsewhere. I want to send Brother Robison with Brother Espinoza to a new place south of here, and then help them start the work with literature and meetings.
In the midst of the deception and hypocrisy that surround us, it is a great pleasure to see the message develop some earnest, faithful characters. A remarkable case of this kind has just occurred. One of our brethren, an Indian, with his wife and fourteen-year-old son, left Lima about six weeks ago, on their burros, to go to Pacaran, where they own a small vineyard and garden. He took with him a quantity of tracts and Señales, and used them well. One of his relatives dying, he was brought into communication with the cura, or priest of the place. While permitting the cura to perform the “blessing” over the body, he stoutly maintained that he did not believe in such things. Soon after, the priest commanded that he be imprisoned. But he happened to be absent from home when the officers came, and in the cover of night he and his family escaped from the town. Barefooted and hungry, they tramped over the rugged rocky mountain roads for nearly a week. When Sabbath came, they stopped and rested. Their story sounds as if they were guided by angels of God. They are safe in Lima again. He faithfully pays his tithe. What they endured on that journey no one can tell. Had they been captured, they would in all probability have been destroyed; for Rome is here, outside of the coast towns, just as cruel and treacherous as in her bloodiest days. It repays us for all our sacrifice to see such people demonstrate their fidelity to this message.
Yesterday a young lady, about seventeen years of age, came to our house somewhat disguised. She is a friend of Sister Espinoza. Her parents are dead, and her aunt, with whom she was living, became incensed because she would not go to confession, and made arrangements to place her in a convent for life. There are many of these convents in Lima, and gloomy prisons they are, indeed. How many scores of women are shut up behind those massive walls and great iron bars, I suppose no one knows, neither the miseries which they endure. Only in the hour when her aunt had gone to make the final arrangements, did she find opportunity to flee. As we had been looking for a girl to help about the house, we told her she could stay. She seems to have a very pleasant and quiet disposition.
The little company in Lima enjoyed a great blessing during the week of prayer. There was a full attendance every evening, and much interest. The offering was double that of last year. Last Sunday all came to my house in Bella Vista for baptism. There were five candidates this time, making, in all, eleven that I have baptized since coming here. There were a number of well-dressed and intelligent-looking men, strangers to me, present, and the Lord gave me special freedom in presenting to them in Spanish the need of separating from the sins that have made the papacy, great Babylon. We then proceeded to the midst of the garden, where there is a large cement tank, used for irrigating. The garden is surrounded with trees and vines, and had been lined with flowers. With the usual service, these five souls were buried with their Lord, and arose to walk, we trust, in newness of life. A good impression was left upon the visitors. One of them wept, and all seemed to recognize the presence of God. Three of the candidates, after entering the water, asked the privilege of testifying to the people of their faith.
After a few minutes’ intermission, the people were called together, and there was organized the first Seventh-day Adventist church in Peru, consisting of seventeen members, all fully united in the same precious message that gives light and good cheer to so many in all parts of the world. F. L. PERRY.
West Virginia
By L. E. Sufficool
THE LORD'S work is still meeting with success in West Virginia. For many reasons, we feel that now is the opportune time for this State. In recent years it has become wealthy as the result of the coal, oil, and gas developments. The people are, generally speaking, religiously inclined, very agreeable, and anxious to know the truth.
The conference year closes September 5. The year has been a successful one, and while we would have liked to see more accomplished, we believe our conference is numerically and spiritually stronger to-day than it was one year ago. Late reports from our laborers show thriving interests throughout the conference, and we believe that we may expect several companies ready for organization before our annual conference meeting, September 5-15.
At a recent meeting of the conference committee, several calls were received from men not of our faith. We only wished we might have with us sufficient help that all these calls might receive our immediate attention. We were certainly made to realize our great need of laborers as never before. Truly we pray to-day for laborers. Where are the workers? We very much dislike to write to those who are calling for light, that we have not the help to send. Notwithstanding18that we still have unanswered calls entered upon our books, as a committee we endeavored to send the laborers into the new fields. The results have been indeed encouraging.
Elder W. R. Foggin reports a live interest, with crowded house, each evening at Little Birch. The last communication reported seven converts, and many others interested. At Rio, Hampshire County, Elder P. W. Province recently organized a church of eleven members, with a Sabbath-school of twenty. May the Father's blessing ever be upon the little band at Rio.
In harmony with the light the Lord has so recently given, our conference is still extending the interests of the cause in our larger cities. We are finding many honest souls, very much dissatisfied with the existing conditions in the churches, and praying for more light and truth from the Holy Word. We have endeavored to lay a firm foundation for public work in the city of Charleston through systematic tract work. In this way many honest souls have been found, the workers have made many acquaintances, and some have accepted the message.
We have now opened the public effort. Last evening the attendance numbered about two hundred. Associated with the writer and Mrs. Sufficool in this effort, we have Brother and Sister J. B. Huguley, students from the Washington Training-school, who are rendering excellent assistance in the city work. Sister Beryl Cummings, a graduate of the Bethel Academy, Bethel, Wis., has been doing a very excellent work with tracts in the city, the influence of which is indeed a great help at this time in the public effort. Sister Myrtle Amick, of Parkersburg, will soon associate with Mrs. Sufficool and Sister Cummings in the house-to-house tract and Bible work.
We consider the canvassing work to be one of the most important branches of the Lord's work. We believe there is no work more important than that of placing our publications in the hands of the people. Canvassing is truly gospel ministry of the highest order. Of the canvasser the Lord has said, "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Let our canvassers carry the "precious seed;" the promise is sure. The Lord has promised success to these "seed bearers." Then no longer hesitate, fearing that you may not have success. Our canvassers are all meeting with success. Much literature is thus being distributed each week, but we do need more "seed bearers" in West Virginia. Who will take up this blessed work just now?
We are all of good courage in the blessed cause. We are nearing the end of the battle, and with our Father's help we shall endure as good soldiers unto the end. Christian love and unity prevail throughout the conference. It is good to be here. The Lord still lives in Zion.
L. E. SUFFICOOL
North Brazil Mission
By F. W. SPIES
YESTERDAY I visited in Nichteroy a man of some sixty years, who had been a Catholic all his life, and who only recently began reading the Bible. Upon my asking how he was getting along, he replied: “Very well, thank the Lord! I have found the one true God. I have all my life been worshiping clay [he had a goodly number of images and saints, some made of clay, that he formerly worshiped very devotedly], but,” he continued, “a few days ago we had a great burial. I told my son [a lad of about twelve years] to break into pieces and bury the whole lot of them, and he [the young lad is also interested in the gospel] did it well. Then he filled his little wheelbarrow twice with the pieces of the once precious idols, some of which, on account of their great antiquity, had been considered especially valuable, and buried them all together in a hole he had dug for this purpose.”
A SHELL MOUND IN SANTA CATHARINA, BRAZIL.
Stone implements, axes, hammers, etc., are found in them. These mounds are thought to have been made by aboriginal tribes centuries ago. The shells are now burned into lime.
“Yes, I thank the Lord that we have come to the light. All my life I called upon the vain and useless things, but now I pray to and worship the living and only true God. I am happy in this knowledge, and want to do what I can to impart it to others.”
This, dear brethren and sisters, is what the third angel's message is doing here in Brazil for the poor heathen who thought they had a hope. They are thus learning to know Him who is “the way, the truth, and the life.” In the place of worshiping dead clay, they are turning to the living God. But, O how few are there here who can go to teach these poor souls! for,—
“What though spicy breezes
Waft o’er Brazil’s mount and plain;
Though every prospect pleases,
Still, lost man’s hope is vain.
In vain with lavish kindness
The gifts of God are strown;
The heathen in his blindness
Bows down to wood and stone.”
But shall it thus remain? We believe all our brethren will be touched by this simple story, and then remember that there are twenty-two million such poor souls in Brazil.
Shall we help them? We need help, need men and means. And we believe the Lord will send them, and thus help us bring the blessed gospel to many others so that they with us can be made happy in knowing and obeying the true God.
F. W. SPIES.
Fukien Local Council
By B. L. Anderson
SINCE the very first, forward has been the trend of the third angel's message in China. As the Lord leads the way, the laborers have sought to follow and be used by the Lord of the harvest in gathering in the sheaves. So fast has the message advanced, that not only general organization presses itself upon us, but the enlarging of the work in different sections demands that each province be organized locally.
Accordingly, at the close of the Shanghai council, Brethren W. W. Prescott, H. W. Miller, and J. N. Anderson accompanied the laborers from Fukien to their home field, for the purpose of acquainting themselves more fully with the progress of the work, and bringing about a local organization.
Sunday morning, February 24, after a pleasant voyage, our company arrived at Amoy. As there was not time for the visiting brethren to call at the out-stations,—To-kang, To-koe, and Chin Chen,—the native workers and believers were invited to Amoy. Two meetings a day were held, much to the profit and edification of all present. Three distinct Chinese languages were represented—Mandarin, Fukienese, and Cantonese. All the speaking was done through an interpreter, even Chinese itself. To illustrate: when Dr. Miller spoke in Mandarin Chinese, Brother Keh translated into Fukien Chinese; and even then Elder J. N. Anderson, who also is a proper Chinaman, could not understand a word. The converse of this was also true. China has many languages, and each language has a multitude of dialects.
On the evening of February 27 a council meeting was held. A committee, consisting of W. C. Hankins, N. P. Keh, and B. L. Anderson, was appointed to have the immediate oversight of the work in Fukien Province. B. L. Anderson was invited to act as secretary and treasurer. The school question received considerable attention. It was advised that a church-school be organized at Kulangsu, in the near future, and, after the hot season, a school for girls be opened in the city of Amoy.
The situation at Chin Chen demanded that immediate action be taken, and it was, therefore, decided that the property already under consideration be secured, that we may have a permanent church building, and also a suitable place for a school for the believers in Chin Chen.
For the benefit of our Chinese brethren and workers, Professor Prescott advised that they be invited to remain a week19or ten days after our local meeting, and be given instruction on the subjects that were presented at Shanghai, and that similar instruction be given in the future, as occasion permits.
Time being so short, no trips were made into the country, except a few hours' ride on a steam launch up one of the rivers, so that just a glimpse of the country might be had, and an idea formed of the interior.
Thursday evening, February 28, our visitors bade us farewell, and proceeded on their way to Canton.
B. L. ANDERSON.
Orange River Colony, South Africa
By J. M. Freeman
A LITTLE more than two years ago I left Basutoland, and, in compliance with the wishes of our conference committee, began work in this colony, especially among the Dutch farmers. The work has steadily moved forward. The truth, accepted by our Dutch brethren, has created within them a desire to give the message to natives living among them (Zulus and Basutos). As a result, we have a nice native congregation of about thirty. Three of these were preachers and teachers in other denominations. Our church roll totals seventy members. Honest tithe is paid by most of the families. Last year this amounted to over two hundred and fifty pounds.
The present members are scattered about the districts of Harrismith, Bethlehem, Heilbron, and Foureesburg, and Lindley. We have three centers, where meetings are held, and two little church-schools supported by the families whose children attend. Sisters V. Sutherland and F. Haupt are the teachers, and are doing faithful work among the children, spiritually as well as educationally.
We have formed a young people's society, also a missionary and improvement society for adults. Studies are prepared on various points of truth, and sent to families. Meetings are held at different places once a month. Neighbors are invited, and a good work is thus being accomplished.
The liberal fourth Sabbath offerings are more than sufficient to pay for sixty copies of Zions Wachter, which are given away, and also for tracts for each member to work with. Each gets a supply while attending our three-days' quarterly meeting seasons, when families gather on the farms where meetings are held. We hold separate quarterly ordinance services for our native people. A good company of our white brethren also attend. All the services are conducted in Dutch. For the native meetings we use Zulu and Basuto interpreters. The schools for the white students are taught in English. We hope to have a native school.
Our Dutch brethren have supplied funds to buy a horse for use by a native in gratuitous work among his people, also a cart for our white colporteur, and about sixty pounds toward the erection of a meeting-house, primarily to meet the native need in Lindley district.
I feel very thankful that we have so many among our Dutch brethren who maintain their first love, and show it by their activity in giving the message wherever they can. The fact that native servants have embraced the truth, and others are becoming interested, seems to be creating mixed feelings in their employers, who are expressing themselves in no favorable way toward us. This, together with the consistent way most of our brethren carry on their farming work on Sunday, will probably lead to legislation, with a view of checking the message's advance. But we know that nothing can work against it except our own unfaithfulness.
We are hoping to begin work in Cape Town as soon as a company of laborers can be formed under Elder Hankins. The majority of the people are English-speaking. In connection with that effort, we hope to carry on a training class for workers.
I gratefully acknowledge the goodness and help of the Lord in this difficult field.
J. M. FREEMAN.
A Determined Sunday-Law Crusade
By W. A. C.
THE following, which appeared in the Boston Globe, of Sunday, June 23, 1907, well illustrates the character of the Sunday-law movement. The chief promoters of Sunday legislation are church leaders, and the ones who are most insistent that these laws shall be enforced after they are enacted are church leaders. Following is the article:—
“The village of Brandon, Vt., has been shaken to its foundation because of a crusade against violation of the Sunday law.
“Rev. George A. Cooke, pastor of the Methodist church, is responsible for this movement, and has been its leader. Mr. Cooke demands the resignation of officers of the law who, he alleges, are responsible for its non-enforcement.
“Mr. Cooke started the campaign with an Italian fruit stand. After long solicitation on the part of the clergyman, the town officials asked the foreigner to close his place of business on Sunday, and he did. After he had succeeded in his initial step, Mr. Cooke asked the selectmen to put all the constables out of business, and select new ones in their places; but the reply was made that these officers were chosen by the people, and the selectmen had no authority to remove them from office; so the clergymen wrote each constable and deputy sheriff a letter asking them to resign or else stand prosecution for non-performance of his duties.
“Mr. Cooke, in an interview, explained his position graphically and clearly. He said:—
““When I requested an Italian fruit dealer to close his business on Sunday, he calmly informed me that the authorities of the town had allowed him to do business on Sunday for many years, and that he did not propose to stop unless all other places of business were closed as well. The agitation spread until the authorities did close this business on Sunday, but in a short time the proprietor resumed Sunday selling.
““I consulted Town Grand Juror Frank Williams to ascertain whose duty it was to see that the laws were enforced. He told me it was not his duty, but that the constable should see to the enforcement of Sunday laws. I then wrote to Constable Fletcher, requesting him to serve notice on all offenders against the Sunday laws of the State, in the town of Brandon, and I stated in this letter that it was no desire of mine that any arrests should be made unless necessary to secure proper observance of the law.
““Mr. Fletcher became irritated at this request, claimed it was no business of his to enforce the law, and I had better attend to my own business, as my church would not stand by me.
““The following Sunday I preached a sermon on “Does Brandon Need a House Cleaning?” in which I tried to20portray the fearful conditions that prevailed in the town, and sought to arouse the public conscience to action. I set forth that our officers, who are public servants, arrogantly assumed to be our masters. They refused to perform the duties of their office, and intimidated those who asked them to enforce the law.
““The next morning I met Mr. Fletcher, and he threatened to sue me for slander if he could find a witness who would say I had lied about him. I told him I would be pleased to have him proceed. I have not been arrested as yet.
““The following Sunday I preached to a crowded house on the subject, “Does Brandon Need an Earthquake?” In this sermon I explained more fully the conditions that prevailed and the necessity of an enlightened public opinion to remedy abuses that had grown up in Brandon.
““After this I communicated with State’s Attorney R. A. Lawrence and Attorney-General Fitts, and became more convinced than ever that I was on the right track. The law of Vermont makes it a serious offense for an officer wilfully to neglect to enforce the law.
““Again I wrote Constable Fletcher, stating to him that I had consulted Attorney-General Fitts and State’s Attorney Lawrence, and that I was convinced he had laid himself liable to prosecution. I further wrote him that I had nothing personal against him, and no disposition to pursue the matter any further than the public welfare required. I did call for his resignation in this letter, and promised to institute either criminal or civil proceedings against him if he would not send in his resignation.”
“This brings the crusade against violations of the Sunday law in Brandon up to date. Mr. Cooke is awaiting the resignation of Mr. Fletcher. If Mr. Fletcher refuses to resign as constable, then there are liable to be proceedings.
“Mr. Cooke finds a law passed by the legislature, called ‘The Corrupt Practise Act,’ which makes an officer failing to comply with the obligations of his office liable to a fine of one thousand dollars, imprisonment for one year, or both.”
This crusade and the appearance of this article in the Boston Globe have provoked considerable criticism in Vermont. A writer in the Brandon Union says the whole thing is simply “hot air,” “entirely uncalled for,” and calculated to give the impression that the people of Brandon are a “tough community.” The editor of the Rutland Herald calls it “much ado about nothing,” and says: “The time has gone by when men can be dragooned into righteousness or coerced into obedience to another man’s conscience,” and likens this minister to the bird that “fouls its own nest.”
W. A. C.
Western Pennsylvania
By W. A. Spicer
The annual camp-meeting in this conference was held at Oil City. It was a season of blessing. The conference is growing in strength. Three new churches were received. One of these is a German church, the first in the conference, the result of the labors of Elder C. A. Scholl in Allegheny. A western conference, South Dakota, I believe, is helping in the work for the large German population in this region. It is help well placed.
Western Pennsylvania, when the great Keystone State was divided, found a large work falling to its share, with no great resources to prosecute it. But as the believers in this part of the State have been pressing together and systematically planning to enter new parts of the field, strength and courage have been given them of God, and there was every sign at the Oil City meeting of a united people and a vigorously growing conference.
The conference committee have planned to keep seven tent companies in the field this season. It promised to swallow up their resources, but these large populations in the heart of the oil and steel country must hear the message. A German laborer from New York, Brother Kehrein, has been secured to help in the German work. Elder W. H. Green, formerly of Washington, is doing good work for the colored people, among whom workers are being raised up. There are large populations of foreign-speaking peoples in this conference, and while the membership is few, the believers have their eyes upon the needs of all.
As different enterprises were presented, the brethren and sisters gave again and again, each time seemingly with increasing pleasure in making gifts to the cause of truth. One providence gave special joy to all in the camp. A payment of tithe, on a legacy, had just come in through a sister present, and in such a way that the circumstances seemed to plainly suggest dividing it with the mission fields. Therefore, although pressed with needy fields and large populations on every side within their own boundaries, the conference voted five hundred dollars from their tithe to foreign missions.
Seventeen persons were baptized at the meeting. Elder C. F. McVagh was re-elected president of the conference.
W. A. SPICER.
Christian Liberty
Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of the Rights of Conscience
