The report of actions taken by the College View Council of the General Conference Committee was interrupted by last week's Missions special. We can give little more than the actions themselves in the space available. The discussion of plans for the raising of the special fund for missions led to the following actions:—
The $300,000 Fund
Whereas, At the late session of the General Conference it was recommended that three hundred thousand dollars be raised to supply institutions already required in foreign fields for the proper development of our work, these institutions to consist of schools, printing plants, and sanitariums; also to erect homes for missionaries where conditions require; and,—
Whereas, There is great need in many lands for immediate use of this fund; therefore,—
We recommend, 1. That the systematic raising of the $300,000 fund be begun early in 1910.
2. That the responsibility of raising this three hundred thousand dollars be assumed by the union and local conferences of North America, apportionment being made on the basis of church and company membership as published in the statistical secretary's report of membership for 1908; that this membership be adhered to until the fund is raised; and that on this basis the apportionment stands as follows:—
UNION CONFERENCES AMOUNT
Atlantic ........................................ $24,892.80
Central ......................................... 44,097.60
Columbia ........................................ 31,536.00
Lake ............................................ 61,200.00
Northern ........................................ 28,704.00
North Pacific ................................... 29,073.60
Pacific ......................................... 36,580.80
Southeastern ............................ (to be supplied)
Southern .................................. (to be supplied)
Southwestern ................................... 22,036.60
Canadian ......................................... 4,233.60
Western Canadian ................................ 4,027.20
3. That we invite Seventh-day Adventists in all the world to join the North American union conferences in raising this fund.
4. That the making up of this fund be completed by Dec. 31, 1912.
5. That all donations to this fund be paid through the regular channels.
6. That treasurers be instructed to report and forward all receipts on this fund, together with all other funds, monthly,—churches not later than the last day of each month, State treasurers not later than the tenth of each month, union conference treasurers not later7than the fifteenth of each month.
7. That in the raising of this fund each union conference is free to pursue such policy as it may elect.
8. That the General Conference treasury department publish monthly a report of all receipts in the REVIEW AND HERALD, by union and local conferences.
9. That the General Conference treasury department report monthly to local conferences all money received on this fund from conference territory not having passed through the regular channels.
10. That we request the Sabbath-school Department to provide one or two Sabbath-school lessons each quarter on tithes and offerings.
11. That the Signs of the Times be invited to open its columns in behalf of this fund, as well as in behalf of other missionary enterprises; that it report to the General Conference treasury monthly, by individuals and conferences, all receipts on this fund, in order that due credit may be given.
It was with hearts full of courage and confidence that the brethren discussed these plans for the raising of the largest fund the denomination has yet undertaken. The workers present believed that all the people will unite heartily in the enterprise so that it will be carried through promptly, and without decreasing the ordinary mission gifts so necessary to keep the regular work going.
Our Sanitariums
Much time was given to this topic. Brother L. M. Bowen, of the St. Helena Sanitarium, and now at Washington, D. C., read a paper on sanitarium management, which we hope to publish later in full. Many cheering testimonies were borne in the discussion of the spiritual interests and influences in our sanitarium work. Elder A. T. Robinson spoke of numbers of persons who had found not only physical help, but had fully accepted the light of the message through the Nebraska sanitariums. That work, in fact, he counted upon to bring as many people into the truth in a year in Nebraska as any minister. Elder G. F. Watson testified similarly, on his observation formerly in Colorado; and Elder R. A. Underwood spoke of an ingathering of souls at the Chamberlain (S. D.) institution. Dr. D. H. Kress cited interesting experiences in Australia, and in the Washington Sanitarium, which is but beginning its work. Dr. H. F. Rand told of a Catholic priest who, taking him by the hand, said, “I know God is in this place.” This priest works earnestly to send patients to the sanitarium. When the decisive time comes, Dr. Rand believes many will take their stand who have learned the principles of the truth at our institutions.
Elder Meade MacGuire, of Boulder, wished that all our people might understand what a grand missionary field our sanitariums are. Elder W. T. Knox called attention to the fact that not only were our sanitariums helping multitudes who otherwise might never be brought in contact with our work, but they are giving hundreds of our young people a training equal to that of our schools. It means a three-years' course of study and schooling, with a definite aim. The danger is that amid the care and pressure, and the necessity of thinking of finances, the spiritual life may not be fostered. Here is where the close contact between the institution and the conference is required. Our people should be holding up our institutions in their prayers and sympathies, to help them to do their appointed work and to remedy defects in conditions. Dr. W. A. Ruble urged the appointment of a medical secretary in each union to devote a large amount of time to giving instruction; such work, he felt, would bring strength to the sanitariums. The following actions were taken:—
Actions on Sanitarium Work
We recommend, 1. That as General, union, and local conferences, we render to our sanitariums and those connected with them in their institutional work the fullest possible co-operation, and to make more effective this co-operation, we suggest the following,—
(a) That General, union, and local conference sanitariums be assisted by said conferences supplying and supporting efficient chaplains, who may also act as Bible teachers for the institutions, giving special attention to qualifying nurses to do efficient Bible work.
(b) That our physicians and sanitarium workers be encouraged to take a deep interest in the evangelical work of the conferences, as well as in the spiritual work of the institution with which they are connected, and that whenever possible they unite with the ministers of the conference in their evangelical work.
(c) That we urge all our people to rally to the support of our sanitariums by distributing advertising literature among their acquaintances; and, further, when in need of medical help, to patronize our institutions, as well as to urge their friends and neighbors to do the same.
(d) That all conference employees be earnest advocates of the sanitariums in their conference, recommending the institutions to those in need of medical aid.
2. That union and local conferences endeavor to arrange for the employment of all graduate nurses who have satisfactory recommendations from the institutions from which they have been graduated, and to make this effective we suggest the following:—
(a) That each union conference create what may be termed a Nurses' Bureau, whose duty shall be to provide employment for graduate nurses from our institutions.
(b) That these nurses be employed to give their time to caring for the sick, distributing literature, conducting health schools, engaging in Bible work and the holding of cottage meetings, and in such other medical missionary work as the conference employing them, in counsel with the Nurses' Bureau, may direct.
(c) That these nurses receive a fixed salary from the conference in which they labor, and that they turn their earnings into the conference treasury on such plan as each conference may arrange.
(d) That the conference co-operate in the most sympathetic manner with the work of the nurses, helping to make their work effective, and give to them the same hearty support they give to other conference employees.
3. That, in order that our medical work may prove the entering wedge to the third angel's message, we recommend that, when practicable, medical workers who are qualified to lecture on health topics, conduct health schools, minister to the sick, distribute literature, connect with the evangelical tent efforts in our larger cities and elsewhere.
4. That when the trustees of any institution find they are operating said institution at a loss, a council of the leading brethren in the territory in which the institution is located be called to devise a policy by which the institution may be operated without loss.
5. That the General Conference Committee appoint a committee of three experienced sanitarium workers, whose duties shall be, when called upon by union or local conference institutions, either singly or as a committee to visit the same, study into their financial management, train laborers for efficient service, give advice as to how to minimize operating expenses and to increase receipts, and, in every possible way, help to place the institution on a paying basis, it being understood that the services of this committee shall not in any way involve the General Conference financially.
6. That the conference calling for such help meet the transportation and salary of said committee, or member, while in their employ.
7. That the management of each sanitarium, in order to make the institution more effective in the service of God, endeavor to place the institution upon a self-supporting basis, and that such changes in management and operating be made at the earliest possible date as will enable the institution to cover its own operating expenses and promptly meet its obligations.
8. That when the establishment of a sanitarium is contemplated in any conference, counsel be had with the constituency of the local conference and the executive committee of the union, and that no steps be taken in the erection of said institution until sufficient funds have been contributed to make the enterprise safe; and we counsel against the establishment of numerous institutions, but rather urge our people to active service in behalf of those established, and the diffusion of the principles represented by them.
9. The book “Ministry of Healing” having been given by Sister E. G. White to our medical work as a factor in relieving the finances of our medical institutions, we recommend that a vigorous campaign be inaugurated to sell this book, the receipts being devoted to the financial relief of our sanitariums.
10. We suggest to our medical boards that frequent changes in the medical staff and managers of our sanitarium institutions be avoided as far as possible.
11. That institutional buildings and equipment be kept in good repair and inviting to the public.
The discussion of these resolutions was an interesting one. If the plans are carried out,—and they must be,—and8the entire people rally to help the institutions to become all they are designed to be, it will bring new power into the work. They are to be light stations and training centers.
Further report of actions of the Council must be deferred.
W. A. SPICER, Secretary.
The Need of a Spiritual Revival
By I. H. Evans
To some it may seem strange that any one should suggest the need of a spiritual revival among God's remnant people. Believing the great truths of the third angel's message, and being commissioned to give the gospel to the world in this generation, how could it be possible for us as a people to backslide? It would seem the most natural thing in the world that they would continually live in close communion with the Lord, and by their deep consecration and faith receive from God a preparation for continual service.
However, when we look at the past and read the history of God's people down through the ages, we find that backsliding and apostasy have been the continual hindering causes to the prosperity of the work of God. When God led Israel from Egypt, he made them his chosen people. By miracles, by great prosperity, by his glorious presence among them, the Lord endeavored to hold his people sacred to himself. Again and again this people lost their love for God, and he sent them great sorrow of heart, physical suffering, and even allowed them to be taken into captivity because of their backslidings from him.
The prophet Jeremiah continually appealed to Israel to repent of their backslidings. It was to this people the Lord said: “Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be ye horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. . . . Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forsaken me days without number. . . . Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.” This language not only shows how ancient Israel continually backslid from the Lord, but also expresses God's feeling toward his people.
In the New Testament we have many prophetic suggestions to the church concerning its condition. To the church of Pergamos the Spirit said, “I have a few things against thee, . . . repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” To the church of Thyatira the Lord said, “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee.” To the church of Sardis the Lord said, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” To the Laodicean church we read this message of warning and entreaty: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
Perhaps there never was a time when all the people of God were backslidden. There have generally been some, who, notwithstanding what others have done, were true to the cause of God, and walked obediently in the law of Jehovah. In his day, Elijah the prophet believed he only was true and loyal to God, yet the Lord told him, “I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal.” Those who are the most true to God, and the most earnest in their own spiritual lives are the ones who can feel most keenly the need of a reconsecration to the Lord. It is the backslider, the man who has lost his connection with God, who does not feel nor realize his danger.
Some one may say, “What are the signs of backsliding? How may we know when we are backslidden from the Lord?” One sign of a backslidden church is worldliness. The love of this world, the accumulation of wealth, the love of display, and constant absorption in business, to the neglect of Bible study, secret prayer, and an active part in missionary work, are certainly sure signs of backsliding from God. Sometimes men look upon worldly popularity, the accumulation of riches, and the possession of an abundance of the things of this life as a sign of power and a token of superiority over others,—as an evidence of the special favor and blessing of God. Paul wrote concerning the last days, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, . . . lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” Do we see these things among us to-day? Do God's professed people love worldly pleasure and riches? are they covetous? and while making a profession of religion, do they deny the power thereof? Is there any danger that these sins will separate this people from the Lord? They have separated other denominations from the Lord, and have brought to them the fateful words, “Fallen, fallen.” Does worldly prosperity mean to the Adventist Church success and a speedy triumph, when it has meant to all other churches in every age backsliding and soul ruin? Surely we should read the message to the Laodicean church very carefully: “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
Alienation of the heart from the brethren is another sure sign of apostasy or backsliding from the Lord. I wonder if there are such things as heart estrangement, even bitterness and hatred, in the heart of any toward other members of the church. Can a church prosper and maintain a spiritual connection with the Lord when hatred, bitterness, and malice are dwelling in the hearts of its members; and when they are tearing one another down by back-biting and evil reports, and are trying to undermine the reputation and influence of their brethren and sisters in Christ? Wherever these conditions exist, surely there is backsliding from the Lord.
Again: when men and women withhold their tithe from God, and are negligent in making offerings for the advancement of his cause, they are undoubtedly backsliding from the Lord. It is not enough that Seventh-day Adventists pay something as tithe. They are to keep a strict account of all their income, and pay an honest tithe to the Lord. This is the only way they will satisfy the conscience and meet the requirements of God's Word; and yet many who profess to believe God's Word, and whose names are on the church book, have not for many years paid an honest tithe to the Lord's treasury. How can we expect the Lord's blessing upon the church when such conditions exist?
How little praying and soul agony we find among the remnant church at the present time! How strange that we are content to go on year after year with so little of the blessing and favor of God in our lives, with so little spiritual life and power, with the ministry bringing forth such little fruitage with so large an expenditure, with many servants of God plunging into worldly speculation, neglecting the service of God to serve tables. When we view these things candidly9and sincerely in the light of God's Word and the work he has given to this people, we ask, Is there not need of a great spiritual revival? Do we not see the danger-signal, and is it not time that those who are true and faithful, and who realize these sad conditions, cry to God mightily for deliverance from this bondage? Is it not time for the Israel of God to leave Babylon and return to Zion?” I. H. EVANS.
Note and Comment
Disguised Infidelity
The spirit of infidelity which is pervading the teaching of many pulpits in the great churches is occasion for much concern. There are sober, serious-thinking men and women in every denomination who look with much concern at the inroads being made upon the Christian faith by the so-called higher criticism, evolution, etc. The editor of the Lutheran, in a recent number of that journal points out this danger that threatens the church. He says:—
The men who are saving souls to-day are not they who tell men that the Bible is full of myth and allegory and incorrect statements; but they who have searched the Scriptures to learn what the Spirit of God has to say to men about their estate both here and hereafter. They are the men who have less to say about science, evolution, sociology, and the absurdity of creeds, and more about man's sinful estate in the sight of God, his need of repentance, his need of grace and justification, and his hope of salvation in the blood of Christ that was shed on Calvary.
The chief difficulty with the church to-day is that too many of its leaders and teachers know a great deal about everything else except the one thing needful—how may I be at peace with God? They can furnish you with an array of learning on almost any subject that touches the circumference of God's truth, but do not grasp the meaning of Paul's words: “The natural man perceiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned.” They can preach many nice and new things about this life and this world; but have no uplifting message about the other world and eternal life. And yet these are the themes around which the Word of God revolves. They dissect the Scriptures; the fathers searched them. They seem more concerned to tell people what there is in the Bible that should be doubted; the fathers were intent to teach men what they must believe if they would be saved. They weigh the Scriptures in the balances of man's thinking; the fathers weighed them in the balances of God's thinking. Their range of knowledge about things in general is wider; but the knowledge of the fathers went deeper and touched the marrow of the gospel so that it became the power of God unto salvation. The truth is, there is an amount of loose thinking and teaching about the Bible to-day that is appalling.
To Our Missionary Translators
By William Ambrose Spicer
THE Mission Board has within a few mails received word from mission fields where workers who have been studying local vernaculars are taking up the preparation and translation of literature in various languages. With one accord the missions in heathen lands seem just now pressed into this work as never before. We thank God for it.
But in entering upon the work it is necessary, in fairness to all, to have some understanding with authors and publishers as to the use of their publications. It seems impossible to give counsel in detail to our workers abroad. In recent letters we learn of this missionary and that who have already been long working on some translation. The quickest way I know of, as secretary, to communicate the facts, is to say here to our missionary translators that the Mission Board is taking this matter up with publishing houses and authors. The following action has just been taken:—
Inasmuch as our missionaries giving their lives in service in the dark corners of the earth and acquiring various languages, are being moved as with one accord to get out literature in the vernaculars; and inasmuch as they are now frequently reporting that they have begun the translation of this or that tract, pamphlet, or book, in whole or in part, or are making an abridgment or compilation from selected chapters of our books, to adapt the matter to the needs of their people; and inasmuch as this production of literature in the languages other than the leading languages of Europe must be a labor of love with no financial profits as a whole, but sustained by our missionary contributions,—
Resolved, That, in order that our workers in these fields may not move forward in this matter without proper arrangements with publishers or authors, we ask our publishing houses and authors to grant as a gift to our mission fields the privilege of making translations of our books, pamphlets, or tracts, in whole or in part, or preparing compilations or adaptations, in all languages other than the leading languages of Europe, such permission being granted only to the regularly appointed committees in general charge of our missions in the various fields.
It is essential, with our missionaries entering so many languages, that we have a clear understanding before going forward in this matter, to prevent confusion and careless work. The responsible committees in the fields must give authorization and counsel to local workers to guard against wasteful duplication of effort, or the issuing of work which would not properly represent the message.
We shall soon let the field committees know what general arrangement is made, and feel assured it will provide a wide range of selection for our mission fields. The fields can then confine themselves to such permission, save as special arrangements may have to be made in special cases. W. A. SPICER, Secretary.
A Plea for a Holy Confederacy
ON Sunday, October 10, Rev. A. H. Thompson, of the Waugh Methodist Episcopal church, of Washington, D. C., delivered a sermon on “A Plea for a Holy Confederacy.” In his sermon the speaker took the ground that Catholics and Protestants should unite for the purpose of bringing about their religious purposes. He said: “We hail with delight the suggestion of Bishop McFaul that Protestants and Catholics alike should sink their petty differences and unite in opposing the influences which threaten to profanize modern life. Should that great communion lead the way, it would not be very long before Christians of all shades of belief would be united as an alliance so powerful that no person on earth could resist it.” Only a person who knows the third angel’s message knows what there is in such a proposition.
In Our Great Cities
The great cities of the world are centers of power and influence. Were these powers and influences those which tended for morality, for peace and justice, we could look with satisfaction upon the constant growth of the great cities; but we are compelled to admit that such is far from being the case. This is demonstrated by the records of graft and other species of crime unearthed in our great cities during the past few years. Gen. Theodore A. Bingham, formerly commissioner of police for Greater New York, has this to say:—
Lawbreaking in all our large cities is to an appalling extent a safe and profitable occupation.
He declares that New York “is in many respects the most lawless city in the world.” The police magistrates discharge criminals for political reasons at the dictation of political bosses. The political affairs are dominated by corrupt politicians. The thousands of men engaged in what is known as the “white slave traffic” furnish one sixth of the illegal votes cast in close elections. The majority of the city ordinances, according to his statement, are not made to be obeyed, but to be broken, “so that some one could make money from the intentional or unintentional violation of insincere law.” The city government costs two million dollars a year, but in addition to that, he declares that the city pays one hundred million dollars a year in graft, blackmail, and brokerage on crime. With these conditions constantly growing worse, we can understand the necessity for a quick work on the part of our people in giving this message committed to us in these great centers.