KOREAN history is a tale of oppression, isolation, and patient suffering scarcely surpassed by any people save the Jews. Tradition dates the founding of the Korean empire to the time of David, king of Israel.
To this day, at Pyong Yang, the ancient capital, there is to be seen a large mound of earth, walled and well protected, which is claimed to be the sepulcher of the Chinese general who founded the empire. A great wall, the remains of which are still visible, partially surrounds the city. This wall is said to have been built during the reign of the founder of the empire.
Korea is a peninsula, bounded by the sea except on the north, where it joins Manchuria. The surface of the country is very broken. Mountains seem to be everywhere, running in various directions, between which are rich, fertile valleys. Agriculture is carried on in the most primitive style by the native Koreans, who work in gangs or companies; they say, never alone. Rice, Kafir-corn, millet, wheat, and vegetables grow abundantly where intelligently cultivated. The staple article of diet in the Korean home is rice. When too poor to afford this, the people use millet. Cabbage, radishes, turnips, and spinach are much used, and constitute the principal vegetables.
But little fruit is raised. Persimmons are the most abundant just now. The climate seems admirably adapted for apples, cherries, plums, and such fruit. But little meat is eaten by the poorer classes. Fish, however, is abundant and quite cheap. Wild fowl summer along the creeks and rivers, where they rear their young. We saw many thousands of wild geese and ducks while going down the river from Pyong Yang to Chinnampo.
Since the Chinese-Japanese war the Koreans have taken most kindly to the Christian religion. They have welcomed the missionaries of all denominations, and have shown a willingness to embrace Christianity. Probably no other field in the world has yielded a better harvest of souls for the labor bestowed than Korea. All earthly hopes having failed them as a nation, they seem to welcome the comfort they find in God's Word.
We should have sent a strong force of workers to Korea ten years ago. The Presbyterians, Methodists, and other denominations did this, and have been greatly blessed in the work they have done. We began only three years ago by sending over to Korea Brother W. R. Smith and wife, who were joined one year later by Sister Mimi Scharffenberg.
Until this fall these three workers were all that we sent to Korea. Now Dr. Riley Russell and wife, Sister Mac Scott, and Brother Butterfield and family are in the field, and already at work on the language. If this latter corps of workers do as well in learning the language as the others have done, in two years they will be able to speak and write in the Korean tongue. It was most encouraging to see Brother Smith and Sister Scharffenberg translate so readily into the native language. Surely God has blessed them in this.
I was greatly pleased to see the educational feature of our work receiving so much attention. Not only was a training-school for workers conducted at Soonan, but several church-schools were in progress at various stations.
At Soonan we held a council for a week, finishing our committee work at Chinnampo. At this council most of the workers in the field were present the whole or a portion of the time. The following are some of the recommendations adopted:—
It was decided that Korea should be organized into a separate mission field, to be known as the Korean Mission field of Seventh-day Adventists. The following officers were elected: Chairman, Elder C. L. Butterfield; secretary and treasurer, W. R. Smith; secretary of medical work, Dr. R. Russell; secretary of education, Miss Mimi Scharffenberg; secretary of Sabbath-school work, Mrs. W. R. Smith; secretary of the publishing work, W. R. Smith.
Brethren Butterfield, Russell, and Smith, with two Korean brethren, were appointed as a committee to find a location in or near Seoul, or some other center of population, suitable for permanent headquarters for the mission work in Korea, in connection with which sanitarium work for the Koreans can be established.
A nurses’ training course is to be started as soon as possible, so that Korean nurses may be used in connection with the medical work; and a bright young Korean is to be selected to connect with Dr. Russell in his medical work, to be trained as a helper.
In view of the necessity of utilizing the publishing work in placing the truth before the people, it was voted that a monthly periodical, not to exceed eight pages, be published. Elder Smith was chosen as editor of the paper, with Elder Butterfield as associate editor. The publishing work is to be located at Soonan until such time as it shall be deemed advisable to locate it at some larger center.
The educational policy of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in the United States is to be adopted, modifying the same to suit the conditions in Korea. Church-schools are to be established wherever a sufficient number of children can be gotten together to warrant the same. The training-school already started in Soonan is to be continued until some better place can be provided. It is desired that some good land be provided for cultivation, so the students can raise their own provisions. A resolution was passed requesting that the Mission Board make an appropriation of a thousand dollars to erect suitable buildings and provide the necessary land for cultivation, and asking the Korean brethren to donate money to this school enterprise according17to their ability. The Sabbath-school work was also organized.
The importance of sending a delegate from Korea to the General Conference next May was considered, and Brother W. R. Smith was chosen as the one to represent Korea at that time.
More workers are greatly needed in Korea, and it was decided to request the Mission Board to send a physician, an educational man, and two Bible workers.
The coming of new workers made glad the hearts of all believers in the field, and especially the American workers already here. It was encouraging to see the new recruits take so kindly to their new field of labor. There was no repining; the difficulties and needs only stimulate them to master the language.
Brother F. W. Field accompanied me to Korea, and as he had been there before, there was no difficulty in getting about. For seven weeks we had been together in Japan and Korea. He started for Japan at the same time that I left for China. Thus we meet and part here.
The last Sabbath I spent in Korea was a day long to be remembered. In the afternoon after a Bible study, conducted by Brother Field, we had a testimony meeting, which lasted till dark. In this meeting the Korean brethren gave praise to God for his great mercy in changing their hearts, and giving them peace and love.
A little boy came to the home of Brother and Sister Smith during our stay. This will bring joy to their hearts, for since the death of their little girl, nearly two years ago, they have had a childless home.
I leave Korea with sadness. The needs of the field appeal to me, and I long to do something to help. But those who remain must prove themselves master builders, and gather sheaves for the Master’s coming.
I. H. EVANS.
Christianity in Korea
“KOREA is the land of marvels in the results of missionary labors. . . . If a people became Christian because of a hope of support from Christian nations in time of political disaster, then indeed would Christianity lose its meaning. So the very remarkable turning of the Koreans to Christianity greatly multiplies the responsibility laid upon the missionaries. Korea is coming to accept Christ.”
Austria
By J. WOLFGARTEN
For a long time I intended to proclaim our message in Gratz, the capital of Stiermark. The city has about one hundred fifty thousand inhabitants. It is beautifully situated. Near by is the Schoeckel, fourteen hundred meters high. We have some brethren here, but no public effort has been made. I visited the place the latter part of last September. We hoped to be able to hold our meeting under the auspices of our society, as, according to the law, a member of the committee of said society must open the meeting. The officials, however, would not grant the desired permission. We had already rented the hall, distributed invitations, and then to be thus disappointed! But the chief of police offered a solution. There was a law that would allow a citizen of Austria to open a public meeting for me. If I could secure such a person, he would then assume the responsibility for whatever might be said in the lecture. Two years ago I had made the acquaintance of a gentleman during a Bible reading in this city. All I could recall as to his identity was that he had a sandy beard, and was employed in the city hall. After a time, I also remembered his name. I looked for him in his office, but as I met a gentleman without the sandy beard, I was astonished, and thought I had made a mistake. However, the man recognized me, and I told him my request, and asked him if he would be willing to assume the responsibility of conducting the meeting.
“Indeed I would,” was his reply. Then he told me that just two days ago he had prayed that he might be able to do something for our good work, tears stood in his eyes, and he said, “My prayer has been heard.” We went to the police headquarters. On the way, I asked him if he was an Austrian citizen. “Yes,” he said, “I was a German, and have only recently been naturalized.” We went to the police, whose first question to the man was: “Are you an Austrian citizen?” “Yes,” replied the man. “Then kindly give your signature to this,” the officer requested. As we parted, I thanked God for his leading, and was persuaded that he has souls in this city.
Our friend opened each evening meeting with these words: “I greet you heartily. Mr. Wolfgarten will now speak to us” on such and such a subject. From one hundred to one hundred fifty persons came every night. As I was asked to go to Prague, I could not follow up the work, but Brother R. Schillinger was called from Croatia, and he writes that he has still a good interest.
But I almost forgot one thing. As I announced the open meetings in writing, one of the higher officers said that the law demands the intervention of three days between the announcement and the holding of the meeting. But I replied that three days was three times twenty-four hours, or seventy-two hours, and it was still about eighty hours till the time of the appointed lecture. “Yes,” said he, “that won’t do. I understand it as I have said.” “But,” I replied, “I think it must be as I have stated. I will be glad to ask the chief of police what he has to say about it.” “Well,” answered the officer, “I will myself go to the chief.” He returned after a short time, and said: “I contend that my understanding of the three days was the correct one, and yet we have agreed to make you no trouble in this matter, so you may begin the lectures Sunday.” I thanked him, and as I took my leave, I thought, “The Lord has also done this.” I shall never forget these experiences. Our friend must open the meetings, and, therefore, has opportunity to hear everything that is said. A short time ago, as we were on the way home, he said: “If I only knew what to do with reference to the Sabbath! I now feel more happy than formerly. My wife said, ‘What’s the matter with you?’ I replied to her, ‘Visit the meetings, and you will learn.’” God grant that this man may accept the light.
One more experience: I wished to speak concerning the little horn, and still I hesitated to say anything about it, as what I said was being reported stenographically by the police commissioner, who was always present. However, I delivered a lecture on our duty toward the government, based on Romans 13. As he saw our view of this matter, he did not seem to think us so dangerous, and the next time he did not come to the lecture. Thus I could speak freely and openly on this matter, and many in the audience showed their appreciation of our treatment of the subject.
We must seek new ways to proclaim God’s truth under the circumstances that confront us in these lands. It is indeed God who leads us to see the way. At another time we may write more of the work in Austria. J. WOLFGARTEN.
New Mexico
By J. A. LELAND
THE work among the Mexicans of New Mexico is very favorable at the present time. It was my privilege to visit the church at San Marcial, December 10-13. As the brethren are scattered over a considerable district, it was thought best to have meetings at three different places. In the morning we had a meeting with the brethren at Valverde, in the afternoon at Los Ranchos, and in the evening at San Marcial. At the first place several not of our faith came to the meetings, and two of these expressed a determination to keep the Lord’s Sabbath. This gave us courage, and we hope soon to see them unite with the church. The brethren at the other places manifested a deep interest, and we were glad to note a good spirit among the members.
After the meeting on Sabbath night we took the train for El Paso, Tex. This is a great city in which almost nothing has been done to spread the knowledge of the third angel’s message. One Mexican brother lives here, and through his efforts others have been interested in the message, and some had expressed a desire to be baptized and to unite with the church. We arrived in this place on Sunday morning, and found the brother referred to at his home. He notified all his neighbors, and we soon had a house full of interested persons. It was too good an occasion to let slip, and so we had a Bible study. My mind was led to study the subject of the gifts of the Spirit. It proved timely, as some had been disturbed over the subject by one who had formerly professed to be an Adventist. We held meetings daily for about ten days. It was our privilege to organize a Sabbath-school of twelve members. Several expressed a desire for baptism, but after further study it was thought best to give them time to arrange some matters that might be a cause for criticism on the part of those without.
We were obliged to return to Albuquerque to attend to some matters that were urgent. The brethren in El Paso were of good courage when we left, and were anxious to have us return at the earliest possible moment. This we promised to do. The work for the Americans has just been opened up by Elder H. L. Hoover and two Bible workers. We hope to see much fruit for the Lord in this place. Brother Fee has been here for some time canvassing, and has been able to present the truth to many by means of the printed page.
There is much prejudice here to be overcome, but the good example of Brother Torres, our Mexican brother, has done much to open the way for the presentation and acceptance of the truth by many of the Mexican people. The Catholics have circulated, here as elsewhere, the story that we worship a large black goat. This makes it necessary to use the prophetic chart with considerable care, that they be not strengthened in this idea. At first some of the brethren seemed loath to have me put up the chart, but by using it with care we were able to make the prophecies much plainer to them.18
Brother Nelson remained in El Paso to canvass among the Mexican people. He has done a good work among them during the past year, and we hope that the seed he has sown by means of the printed page will yield a bountiful harvest for the Master. The field is large, more than half the population being Mexican, and the laborers are few. We pray the Lord of the harvest to raise up laborers in this home field that is truly a foreign field. J. A. LELAND.
Basutoland
By H. C. OLMSTEAD
Kolo Mission.—In this native country of South Africa one would scarcely expect to find the enforcement of Sunday rest. Yet a chief who lives only a few rods from this mission, having been converted to the French Protestant faith, requires all his subjects to discontinue their work on Sunday. We are told that if he finds a woman grinding corn on Sunday, he immediately asks why it was not done before. No excuse satisfies, and as they persist, he tells them, “I should think you would be afraid to do such things on Sunday.” It is well that he is only an under chief with few subjects. Where was he taught such principles? The answer is only too evident.
In the States our brethren are obliged to meet the inventions and arguments of the popular churches as they attempt to prove that the Sabbath was changed or done away, and that the first day is now the Christian sabbath. Here the majority of the missionaries seem to think this too difficult a task, and so have taught and are teaching the natives that Monday is the first day of the week. To the Basutos the days of the week are “Monday, Second Day, Third Day, Fourth Day, Fifth Day, Saturday, Sunday.” The three words—Monday, Saturday, Sunday—are grafted without change into their language, while the other days are designated only by the numerals given. This is the teaching in the mission schools, and is almost universally accepted. We can see how firmly it is rooted when all are obliged to designate Friday, “Fifth Day,” because no other name is known for it.
With renewed force this text comes to mind, “Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.” But we are thankful for a Leader who is more than able to meet all the devices of the enemy. The prospect here for sheaves is bright, in spite of the tares sown in past years. H. C. OLMSTEAD.
Wintering in Florida
By R. W. PARMELE
THIS is the season when a great many persons are following the birds to the sunny South. Every train entering Florida brings large numbers of people,—invalids, semi-invalids, and pleasure-seekers. The tourist resorts are being filled with those who have plenty of time and money. This presents a large field for the evangelistic canvasser.
The winter season is Florida's harvest. It is then that the most profitable crops are raised and marketed; the produce, being so unseasonable, commands a large price in the North. In addition to this, the winter visitors bring thousands of dollars into the State.
Thus it will be readily seen that probably no territory in the United States excels that of Florida for the canvassing work, especially during the winter months. As a conference, we are numerically weak. Many more of our people might be engaged in the canvassing work, but, comparatively speaking, our material for this work is very limited. Many of our brethren in other parts of the United States would find it very profitable to put in the winter months in faithful canvassing in this State. To all such as will do this, our conference extends a hearty welcome. For further information and territory, address C. V. Achenbach, Drawer 28, Orlando, Fla.
Among the winter visitors there are Seventh-day Adventists. These could be a real blessing to our churches, or to the community in which they spend their time while in the State. Will not those who have a missionary spirit, and are planning to winter in Florida this year, write us where they expect to go? We might have some suggestions that would enable such to do more for the cause of truth while they are here.
In response to inquiries that have already been received, I will say that we have a local conference school at Fort Ogden. This school property consists of forty-five acres of land, one school building, and an eight-room dormitory for a students' home. The school has been in session since last May, and this school year will close about Christmas. The definite date for the beginning of the next year has not yet been set. Information regarding this matter may be received by addressing the chairman of the school board, W. F. Martin, Fort Ogden, Fla.
Our sanitarium at Orlando is in full operation, and is receiving a good patronage. A church-school will be conducted there during the winter, which it is expected will later develop into an intermediate school. Building lots near the sanitarium are offered for sale by the institution at one hundred dollars and one hundred twenty-five dollars. Material for building is cheaper than in the North. For further information, address the Florida Sanitarium, Orlando, Fla.
Work in orange picking, packing, truck growing, and carpentering is obtainable in many places in the State. Wages are about the same as in the North, but the cost of living may be slightly in advance of the North, which is largely made up by the lesser expense for fuel. R. W. PARMELE.
Atlantic Union Conference
By I. H. EVANS
Received on the $150,000 Fund
up to Jan. 1, 1909
Atlantic Union Conference
Central New England ........$ 2,803.02
Greater New York .......... 1,715.16
Maine ....................... 883.64
New York .................. 2,351.50
Southern New England .... 1,212.50
Vermont ................... 1,423.74
Western New York .......... 2,201.26
Total ....................... 12,590.82
Chesapeake .................. 862.70
Eastern Pennsylvania ...... 2,587.11
New Jersey ................ 1,247.98
Ohio ...................... 6,403.43
Virginia .................. 1,037.27
West Pennsylvania ........ 1,997.21
West Virginia ............. 558.86
Total ....................... 14,694.56
District of Columbia
Washington churches ....... 1,406.54
Lake Union Conference
East Michigan ............... 3,212.38
Indiana ................... 5,250.52
North Michigan ............. 2,074.00
Northern Illinois ........ 3,013.86
Southern Illinois ........ 1,652.50
West Michigan ............. 8,782.70
Wisconsin ................... 6,587.13
Total ....................... 30,573.09
North Pacific Union Conference
Montana .................. 1,085.37
Upper Columbia ............ 3,036.43
Western Washington ........ 3,371.03
Idaho ....................... 1,049.70
Western Oregon .............. 3,083.91
Hawaii ...................... 21.05
Alaska ...................... 20.00
Total ....................... 11,667.49
***Southern Union Conference***
South Carolina ............ 315.84
Alabama ..................... 623.14
Tennessee River ........... 1,408.84
Florida ................... 997.98
North Carolina ............ 966.95
Cumberland ................ 1,360.99
Louisiana ................. 572.54
Mississippi ................. 413.33
Georgia ................... 491.55
Conference not specified .... 97.41
Total ....................... 7,248.57
***Northern Union Conference***
Iowa ...................... 9,761.86
Minnesota ................. 5,838.69
South Dakota .............. 2,677.47
North Dakota .............. 2,204.03
Conference not specified .... 73.82
Total ....................... 20,555.87
***Pacific Union Conference***
Southern California ....... 5,010.92
Arizona ................... 474.39
California-Nevada ......... 10,271.03
Utah ...................... 449.08
Total ....................... 16,205.42
Southwestern Union Conference
Arkansas .................. 949.90
Oklahoma .................... 4,266.59
Texas ....................... 3,076.20
New Mexico .................. 2.00
Conference not specified .... 22.82
Total ....................... 8,317.49
Western Canadian Union Conference
Alberta ................... 1,217.35
British Columbia .......... 405.37
Manitoba .................... 350.76
Saskatchewan Mission Field .. 199.90
Total ....................... 2,173.38
Unknown
Unknown ..................... 161.70
Foreign
Algeria ................... 13.33
Australia ................... 217.70
Bermuda ..................... 36.00
China ....................... 227.11
South Africa ................ 439.02
Jamaica ..................... 73.86
Yukon Territory ............. 20.00
England ..................... 285.21
West Africa ............... 50.00
Mexico ...................... 65.07
India ....................... 418.25
South America ............... 82.81
Switzerland ................. 9.69
Central American Mission ... 26.00
Trinidad .................... 28.60
Norway ...................... 25.00
Japan ....................... 17.50
Haiti ....................... 5.00
Egypt ..................... 51.55
Palestine ................... 2.00
Tobago, W. I. ............... 1.22
Cuba ........................ 9.00
Hungary ..................... 3.00
Tahiti ...................... 17.83
France ...................... 6.80
Philippine Islands .......... 1.00
Samoa ....................... 8.00
Barbados .................... 5.00
Portugal .................... 6.00
Straits Settlements ......... 10.08
Pitcairn Island ............. 20.00
New Zealand ................. 3.47
Fiji ........................ 4.87
St. Kitts ................... 7.51
Ireland ..................... 25.56
Russia ...................... 5.00
Denmark ..................... 14.59
Santo Domingo ............... 2.50
West Caribbean .............. 96.35
Total ....................... 2,342.47
Grand total ................. $147,739.96
I. H. EVANS, Treasurer.
South Africa
By J. V. WILLSON
OCTOBER 27 I received a telegram from Elder W. H. Anderson, of the Barotseland Mission, twelve hundred miles north of Kimberley, saying that he was very sick, and wished me to come at once. I went on the next train, and found him suffering from inflammatory rheumatism. The Lord blessed the simple treatments, and in a little over two weeks he was able to resume his school work again.
The mission farm consists of five thousand acres of good land. There is a dwelling-house of hard brick, a church, and a school building. There were forty-eight scholars attending the school, ten new ones coming in while I was there. I found the boys earnest and faithful in their work, and think this mission will be the means of giving the message all through that territory. It is Brother Anderson's ambition to give the gospel to every native in his district in a very few years.
The students work the land as their manual training, and they will put in over two hundred acres of crops this year, mostly Indian corn, which does well here, also potatoes, enyouti, and sweet potatoes.
On my way home I stopped at the Solusi Mission for a week. Here they have twelve thousand acres of land, and will have three hundred acres of crops this year. Brother M. C. Sturdevant destroyed twenty-seven swarms of locusts last year, so he does not fear their ravages any more.
There is a great work to be done among the natives all through this country, and many consecrated workers are needed to carry it on. May the Lord lay the burden on many to engage in this work. J. V. WILLSON.
Illinois
By L. E. Banning
KINGMAN.—Though burdened with the many cares of a farmer’s wife, one of our sisters felt that she must do something for the cause. Leaving her work, she took twenty-five copies of the special REVIEW, and went out for a few hours’ work. She disposed of every one, and brought back five dollars in donations.
“If ever I received sacred money, it has been in this work,” she said. “The Lord seemed to prepare the way before me, so that before I had finished my canvass, people were reaching for their pocket-books. At one place I received over a dollar and a half. It was given at a sacrifice, but with tears of joy.”
In a few days this faithful worker has sold eighty copies, receiving over sixteen dollars. Surely the Lord is opening the hearts of the people that this message may be given rapidly. Let us work while conditions are favorable.
L. E. BANNING.
Field Notes
AT the close of a series of meetings at Hanford, Cal., three persons were baptized.
THREE persons were baptized at the First Philadelphia (Pa.) church, Sunday evening, December 20.
AT Creston, Iowa, one family has decided to obey, and is rejoicing in the truth. Others are almost ready to take their stand.
ELEVEN persons are now keeping the Sabbath at Bruno, Minn., as a result of a series of meetings held there recently. Others are much interested.
BROTHER C. J. PAULSON reports from Strang, Neb., that a good interest is being taken in the Bible readings he is holding, and that one person has accepted the truth.
A CHURCH was organized at Wellsboro, Pa., recently by Elder W. H. Heckman as a result of the tent effort held there last summer by Brethren Wiest and Heald.
AT the close of the young people's meeting, Sabbath, December 19, eight persons were baptized by Elder H. R. Johnson, at College View, Neb. Eight others were baptized two weeks earlier.
A LETTER from Elder J. K. Kroeker, reporting from Brazil, says: ‘I had the joy of baptizing three souls at Rio Claro, and they were added to the church. Others promised to obey, the Lord and keep his commandments.’
A NOTE from Elk Point Academy says: “Elder J. W. Christian made us a visit during the week of prayer. Several gave their hearts to God for the first time at the Friday evening meeting.”
THREE years’ work among the Italians in Brooklyn, N. Y., has resulted in the organization of a church of twenty-two members. These converts were all born and reared Catholics, and there has been a great deal of opposition from that church.
ELDER F. C. GILBERT, who has charge of the work among the Jews, says, in the last issue of Good Tidings of the Messiah: “We have been blessed in our open-air meetings, and we can see more encouragement in this direction than ever. It is blessed indeed to go through the streets and hear the children sing the gospel hymns which we sing to them at the open-air meetings. It is encouraging to us to know that these spiritual songs are learned by the Jewish girls and boys, and are becoming familiar to them. We hope much of this kind of seed will be planted in many places, for it will be productive of great good. The attendance at the open-air meetings is generally large, and hundreds are seen standing for an hour and more at a time listening to the truths of the gospel.”
Experiences in the Publishing Work—No. 15
By John Norton Loughborough
In April, 1852, Elder James White moved from Saratoga Springs to Rochester, N. Y., to establish the printing business, with press and type owned by the Seventh-day Adventists. It was in this city, at 124 Mt. Hope Avenue, that he and his wife, after nearly six years of married life, for the first time set up housekeeping with articles purchased instead of borrowed. But such was their anxiety to make the publishing work a success, and to publish the paper regularly, that they denied themselves many of the common comforts of life.
The manner in which they began housekeeping at this time appears in the following private letter written by Mrs. White to Brother S. Howland’s family, April 16, 1852:—
“We are just getting settled here in Rochester. We have rented an old house for one hundred seventy-five dollars a year. We have the press in the house. Were it not for this, we should have to pay fifty dollars a year for office room. You would smile, could you look in upon us and see our furniture. We have bought two old bedsteads for twenty-five cents each. My husband brought me six old chairs, no two of them alike, for which he paid one dollar, and soon he presented me with four more old chairs without any seats, for which he paid sixty-two cents for the lot. The frames were strong, and I have been seating them with drilling. Butter is so high20we do not purchase it, neither can we afford potatoes. We use fruit sauce in the place of butter, and turnips for potatoes. Our first meals were taken on a board, placed upon two empty flour barrels. We are willing to endure privations, if the work of God can be advanced. We believe the Lord’s hand was in our coming to this place. There is a large field for labor, and few laborers. Last Sabbath our meeting was excellent. The Lord refreshed us with his presence.”
In the REVIEW, Vol. III, No. 12, issued Oct. 14, 1852, we learn that up to that date two thousand copies of each number had been issued and circulated gratuitously. In a business note on the publishers’ page of that number we read:—
“The office is not in debt. However, for this reason: Brethren Belden and Stowell, who have worked in the office the past six months, have received but little more than their board. Others engaged in the same work have received no more than they have. It will certainly be a pleasure for all the friends of present truth to help make up the deficiency in the receipts, that those who have labored hard, especially in our absence, in the midst of sickness, in publishing the REVIEW AND HERALD, may have a comfortable support.”
The absence of Brother and Sister White from the office was a three months’ trip, with horse and carriage, as far east as Bangor, Maine. This was a tour of meetings from which they returned about the first week in October. The sickness referred to was on this wise: The year 1852 was a cholera season in Rochester, N. Y., and many died of that disease. On the eighteenth of August, young Masten, their office foreman, was taken with this distressing malady. He seemed to be doing well; but for some cause he had a relapse, when he was given up by the physicians to die. He then made a vow to serve the Lord if he would raise him up. The rule in James 5 was followed, and he was healed, and lived for some three years, until others were taught to fill the position of foreman. An account of his miraculous restoration in answer to prayer is given by himself in the REVIEW of Sept. 30, 1852.
This Volume III of the REVIEW consisted of twenty-six numbers. The first was dated May 6, 1852, and the last May 12, 1853. In the month of August there was begun the monthly issue of the Youth’s Instructor, with a price of twenty-five cents a year. During the year the list of ministers was increased by fifteen. Among these were J. H. Waggoner, A. S. Hutchins, M. E. Cornell, J. M. Stevenson, D. P. Hall, J. B. Frisbie, Albert Stone, M. G. Kellogg, U. Smith, T. M. Steward, and J. N. Loughborough. A small beginning was also made in the way of printing books. Among these were four thousand copies of “Review of O. R. L. Crozier on the Sabbath and Law;” three thousand “Conversation on the Sabbath Question;” a sixteen-page tract by Elder James White; and two thousand copies of “The Sanctuary and Twenty-Three Hundred Days;” an eighty-page pamphlet with cover, by Elder J. N. Andrews. In the making up of this book, after a “bee” of sisters had folded and gathered the signatures preparatory to stitching them, the writer stabbed them with a pegging awl; and after the covers had been put on, Brother Uriah Smith pared them with a straitedge and a sharp pocket-knife. This, for lack of machinery.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
The Publishing Work
Conducted under the auspices of the General Conference Publishing Department.