Earlier text: Counsel to TeachersHand-Shaking as an Evangelizing Force
It is said that Judson once stopped in a village on the banks of a river. Seeing a woman close to the landing-place, he offered her his hand, and asked how she was. A few moments afterward he was called back to the boat, and left her with his blessing. Judson probably thought no more about the incident; but what was the result? The woman had never before received such courtesy from any man. Though a princess, she had been treated as a slave. She had seen, she said, “one of the sons of God,” and after this nothing would persuade her to worship the heathen gods again. She had served them ever since she was a child, but, she said, “They have never prevented my husband from beating me. This man spoke to me kindly, and gave me his hand. His God must be the God.” That very night she began to pray to the unknown God of the white foreigner—a most touching prayer: “Lord God, in the heavens, in the earth, in the mountains, in the seas, in the north, in the south, in the east, in the west, pity me, I pray. Show me thy glory, that I may know thee who thou art.” Thus she continued to pray for five years. Then a Christian missionary came to that district. She heard the gospel, and at once became a Christian. She helped to establish a Christian church at Dong Yahm, out of which two others soon grew. From that time Guapung (that was her name) tried to win for Christ all with whom she came in contact. She had great power with every one, for she herself lived so near to Christ.—The King’s Messengers. Harvest Ingathering for Missions
By A. J. S. Bourdeau
“Thy people offer themselves willingly in the day of thy power, in holy array.” Ps. 110: 3, A. R. V. Special Campaign Week, Nov. 1-6. Full Campaign Period, Nov. 1 to Dec. 31. BROTHER H. C. LOCKWOOD, the foreman of our pressroom, showed the Missions REVIEW to a traveling salesman, who at once became interested in our work, and gave his check for ten dollars. During the three weeks ending October 29, we sent out an average of over three tons of the Missions number of the REVIEW each day. It looks good to see these hundreds of sacks of papers, containing present truth, going out to the people. On Tuesday, November 2, we were obliged to place another printing order for twenty-five thousand additional copies of the Harvest Ingathering number of the REVIEW. When these are printed, they will swell the total edition to seven hundred thousand copies. This is the time to approach those with whom you have been trading for years. Tell your grocer, your baker, your milkman, and other tradespeople of the scope of our work. Show them the Missions REVIEW, and ask them to assist. Very few will refuse to give at least fifty cents to our missionary enterprises. In acknowledging the receipt of the package of ten copies of the Missions REVIEW, a brother in Missouri writes: “There are just two lone Sabbath-keepers here. I am an old man eighty-four years old. I am sure there is a work to be done here, as several persons have told me that I keep the right day. I wish we could secure an Adventist preacher to work here.” Thousands of our isolated brethren and sisters are thus quietly sowing the seed of truth, and by their daily lives are preparing the way for definite efforts on the part of our ministers. As fast as you receive money for missions, please turn it over to the treasurer of your local church; or in case you are isolated from an organized church, send it direct to your conference treasurer. You will find his address in the alphabetical list of conferences on pages 14-16 of the special “Instruction Leaflet.” If you have not already received this little leaflet, we will gladly mail it to you promptly on receipt of your request. Brother O. H. Maxson, one of our nurses from the Washington Sanitarium, now on his way to Peru as a missionary, has sent out sixty copies of the Missions REVIEW to friends and acquaintances, accompanied by a missionary letter. Thus far he has received eight replies. One of the letters contained a check for five dollars. The second reply, received from the secretary of the Y. M. C. A. in a large Eastern city, contained twenty-five dollars. The third letter was accompanied by one dollar. This shows what can be done in the way of soliciting through correspondence. Let others try the plan. It is a good and sure one. You may be able to work in this way when you can not personally solicit. LAST year the best success in soliciting gifts was secured by some who sent out their papers, accompanied by personal letters, to firms, tradespeople, etc. Those unable to solicit from house to house can do something in this way. The postage on each paper is only one cent. Generally speaking, all your first letters should be brief. This is especially true of those intended for business men. They should be courteous, straightforward, and to the point. For sample letter addressed to business men, see page 13 of the little “Instruction Leaflet.” To Our German and Scandinavian Workers
WE have just received word from the International Publishing Assn., College View, Neb., that up to October 27 they had received orders for nine thousand copies of the Missions number of our German paper, the Christlicher Hausfreund. A special issue of this periodical has been prepared, and is now ready for delivery. No special Harvest Ingathering editions of the Evangeliets Sendebud (Danish-Norwegian), nor the Sions Vaktare (Swedish), have been issued. It will thus be necessary for our Swedish and Danish-Norwegian brethren and sisters to use the Missions number of the REVIEW, or some regular issue of their respective papers, in their work of soliciting donations for foreign missions. Let our brethren and sisters who desire to secure donations for foreign missions from German-speaking friends or relatives, order their papers from the Christlicher Hausfreund, International Publishing Assn., College View, Neb. PERFORM loving deeds; do them from a sense of duty, if not of delight; presently you will come to delight in them, and you will say to yourself as you go to and fro, “This is something as Jesus feels toward me.” Love apprehends love.—F. B. Meyer. En Route to Argentina, South America
By Max Trummer
In harmony with the advice of the Mission Board, our company, consisting of Dr. R. H. Habenicht and family, Brother and Sister Foster, and the writer, sailed from New York, July 22, for our new field of labor in South America. Our voyage was very pleasant, and we enjoyed singing songs of praise to our God, upon the billowy ocean. After seeing nothing but sea and sky for nearly two weeks, one has a new appreciation of seeing land again, and we were glad to greet the shores of Brazil. How cheery the green trees and the foliage looked upon the mountains, and it seemed that South America welcomed us already to our new home. As our ship cast anchor in Rio de Janeiro, we improved our time in going ashore and spending a few hours in sightseeing. In general this city reminds one of our northern centers of commerce. Its beautiful parks, the automobiles running along its stately avenues, and the grandeur of the city as a whole can not fail to testify to the fact that this is a land of rich resources and increasing enterprise and activity. Arriving at Santos, our ship unloaded four railway locomotives, and took a large cargo of coffee for Buenos Aires, thus giving us time to go to Sao Bernardo, our headquarters for Brazil. This trip convinced us anew of the wonderful advance of South America in the way of railroad facilities. The track from Santos to Sao Bernardo is one of the greatest marvels of railway engineering in existence, rising to an elevation of two thousand feet in about an hour's ride. Here we saw most beautiful mountain scenery, while the valleys were dotted with banana fields. We found the brethren of good courage. They were holding an institute for workers, which, it is hoped, will be the beginning of a training-school for this needy field. It is needless to say that they were very thankful that the Lord was sending more help to them. In a few more days we arrived at the capital of Uruguay, where it was our privilege to see our two nurses who, with three others, came down here a year ago. The others are located in Buenos Aires and Diamante. All are having excellent success, and they are making friends to the sanitarium work among the best families. From Montevideo we crossed La Plata River, a distance of one hundred twenty-five miles, and finally arrived in Buenos Aires. This is the largest city of South America, having a population of one million two hundred thousand, and is also the greatest Spanish-speaking city in the world. Its harbor is lined with steamers for miles, thirty thousand of them arriving annually. The commerce has mostly been carried on by Europeans, but North American capitalists are waking up to the possibilities before them in the republics to the south. On our ship alone was five million dollars in gold and seven million dollars in paper for the banks in Argentina. Next year Buenos Aires will have a "Transcontinental Railway" exposition, which, undoubtedly, will call the attention of the world to South America as never before. After being two days with our workers at this place we started on our journey up La Plata and Parana rivers. In a day and a half we arrived at Diamante, our training center for Spanish South America. The work here is going on nicely, the new sanitarium is nearing completion, and the school is filled to its limits. Here, too, the students manifest a missionary spirit, and it is evident that Professor Walton John and his faculty of six teachers have done very good work. We shall have a special course for workers in Bible doctrine, medical, and canvassing work during the last six weeks of school, and I believe that we shall have a goodly number of earnest and consecrated young people in the field during vacation. Brethren, pray with us for God's blessing on our work in Catholic South America. Who will come and help us, that the harvest of our Master suffer no loss? Field Missionary Agent for Argentina. Savannah and Ty Ty.
By C. B. Stephenson
September 17. Brother S. T. Shadel and the writer commenced tent-meetings in Savannah, with a large attendance. This interest has continued nearly four weeks. Last Sabbath we were glad to have with us fifteen new Sabbath-keepers. Others are investigating the truth. Elder Shadel conducted a meeting near our present location last spring, awakening quite an interest. He followed this work with the Family Bible Teacher during the summer, thus preparing for the present effort, which has been so fruitful with but a short meeting. Nearly all who attended the former meetings but had not fully decided, have taken their stand now. The success of this effort is due largely to the faithful labors of Brother and Sister Shadel. Brother D. G. Stephenson began a tent-meeting at Ty Ty three weeks ago. He reports six new Sabbath-keepers, with a good interest. The truth had been introduced in that place by Sister Haralson, who has been there for some time, and has distributed our papers and tracts, thus creating an interest. The people hauled our tents, etc., twelve miles without pay, in order to have the services. It is hoped that we can soon build a church there. Good reports come from all the workers, and we hope for brighter days in this great State. Pray for us.
C. B. Stephenson. International Publishing Association
By F. F. Byington
The sixth annual meeting of this association was held in connection with the recent Council of the General Conference Committee at College View, Neb., October 5-11. This proved a favorable time for holding this meeting, as there was present a good representation of our foreign brethren and leading general workers, whose counsel was greatly valued. Elder E. T. Russell, the president of the board, reviewed quite fully the development of our foreign publishing work since it was moved to College View immediately after the Review and Herald fire in December, 1902. Although many difficulties have been experienced, and it has required a pretty stiff fight financially, the institution is making a steady progress in the volume of its business and in the equipment of its plant. The following comparison of publications sold, during the last four years, at retail value, will be of interest. For the year ending June 30, 1906, $4,897; 1907, $7,929; 1908, $11,373; 1909, $14,445. An edition of “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation” has just been printed in the Danish-Norwegian language, being the first large subscription book to be bound in our bindery in three styles. Although this work is being done largely by hand labor, it is not inferior to machine work, and gives employment to several students in Union College. The following six resolutions, which were adopted by the General Conference Committee June 14, 1909, and referred to this meeting, were approved:— “1. That our English publishing houses turn over to the International Publishing Association such plates and copyrights as may be necessary to enable the International Publishing Association to publish all subscription and trade books, pamphlets, and tracts as they may be able to manufacture in the German, Swedish, and Danish languages, and that the International Publishing Association supply such literature to other publishing houses and their branches at publishers’ rates. “2. That the Kansas City Branch of the Pacific Press Publishing Association continue to handle as a depository the subscription books published in the languages mentioned in recommendation one. “3. That the International Publishing Association employ its entire facilities in publishing literature in foreign languages in harmony with the purpose which led to establishing that institution, it being understood that the International Publishing Association will continue, as in the past, supplying English and other literature as a part of its regular mail business.17 “4. That the depository for handling foreign literature established in New York City, continue, as in the past, under the management of the New York Branch of the Review and Herald, and that the New York Branch be encouraged to co-operate in every reasonable way with the International Publishing Association, of College View, as well as with the foreign publishing houses, in securing an active circulation for the literature which they publish. “5. That arrangements be made for the closest possible co-operation between the several sections of the North American Foreign Department and the International Publishing Association of College View, Neb. “6. That we suggest to the International Publishing Association that they give careful study to the suggestion which has been frequently made, that a ten-cent magazine be issued in the German language which may be sold both by our German brethren among their own people, and by our other agents, who meet many Germans in their regular work for English periodicals.” Other recommendations were adopted as follows:— “Whereas, There is a great need and field for health and temperance literature in the Danish-Norwegian language, therefore,— “Resolved, That a Danish-Norwegian health journal be published once a quarter, the name, size, price, and editor to be decided by the Danish-Norwegian literature and advisory committee in counsel with the International Publishing Association.” “Whereas, The cost of materials and labor has increased to such an extent that at the present subscription prices of our periodicals, we find it difficult to make a gain on the same, therefore,— “Resolved, That the subscription prices be advanced to the following amounts: Vaktare, $1.50; Signalen, 50 cents, with no reduction if taken with Vaktare; Sendebud, $1.50; that the price of the Hausfreund remain at $1, but with the cover omitted; that the price of the Arbeiter remain at 50 cents, the size not to exceed eight pages; said rates to take effect Jan. 1, 1910.” “Resolved, That an earnest effort be made to raise the subscription lists of our leading periodicals to the following amounts by July 1, 1910: Hausfreund, 6,000; Vaktare, 3,500; Sendebud, 4,000. “Resolved, That plans for issuing our ten-cent magazines be perfected rapidly, in order that the first numbers may be issued early in the first quarter of 1910, and that as large a subscription list as possible be secured by that time.” “Resolved, That we co-operate with our State tract societies in the following particulars, thus encouraging them to distribute the various kinds of foreign literature:—
“(1) That we allow them the same commission on ten-cent magazines and other periodicals that is allowed on English periodicals. (2) That tract societies and members of the foreign publishing committee be supplied with free sample sets of tracts and pamphlets in convenient shape for reference, and that they be informed when new tracts are issued.
“(3) That special study be given to plans for home workers to sell such excellent small books as ‘New Testament Primer,’ ‘Best Stories,’ ‘His Glorious Appearing,’ ‘Steps to Christ,’ and ‘Christ Our Saviour,’ in various languages.
“(4) That we keep in close touch with tract societies, by supplying them freely with advertising leaflets and by correspondence relative to these plans.” “Resolved, That a publishing committee which shall look after and push the circulation of the foreign papers, tracts, and books be selected as follows: O. A. Olsen (chairman), F. F. Byington (secretary), the three foreign secretaries, the foreign superintendents, and when such men are secured, the foreign canvassing agents. “Resolved, That one special book printed or owned by the International Publishing Association in the German, one in the Swedish, and one in the Danish-Norwegian language be sold this year as a relief book, with the understanding that eight hundred of the Swedish, one thousand of the Danish-Norwegian, and thirteen hundred of the German book be sold.” “Whereas, There is need of taking advance steps for our German youth,— “We recommend, That this association begin the publication of an eight-page youth’s paper, adapted to their special need, as soon as consistent, to be issued monthly.” A recommendation to publish a Swedish quarterly magazine was referred to the International Board for favorable consideration. Some changes were made in the editorial department, M. S. Reppe being invited to act as editor for the Danish-Norwegian language, and Theodore Valentiner for the German. C. A. Thorp and O. F. Schwedrat, who have occupied these positions, are planning to engage in evangelical city work. Much interest was manifested in discussing these plans for strengthening our foreign publishing work, and we trust the Lord may richly bless in putting them into operation. A. L. MANOUS
By A. L. MANOUS
CARTERSVILLE.—This is the town of the late noted evangelist, Sam P. Jones. It has a population of about six thousand, two thirds of whom are white. We came here the latter part of August to begin Bible work, but preceding our arrival one of our faithful canvassers had begun to place our good books in the homes of the people. We are visiting the people from house to house with our papers, soliciting subscriptions, and leaving the Family Bible Teacher in every home. The town is largely Methodist and Baptist, some Presbyterians and Episcopalians. We greatly need a continuous supply of good literature suitable for missionary work, and shall much appreciate any we may receive. I would also like to correspond with any one who may have a copy of the “Life of Paul,” by Mrs. E. G. White, which he would dispose of. My address is Box 346, Cartersville, Ga. There is only one Sabbath-keeper here besides our company of three workers, and we need your prayers. A Trip Through Western Canada
By George A. Irwin
It fell to my lot to attend the camp-meetings in the Western Canadian Union Conference, of which there were five. The first in order was— This meeting was held at Portage la Prairie, from June 24 to July 4. Portage is a prosperous and thriving town, located on the Canadian Pacific Railroad, fifty-five miles west of Winnipeg, in the center of the great grain belt of the province. The conference office and tract society are located in this town, and the conference school is a short distance in the country. This conference was organized in 1903. Its report showed a present membership of two hundred twenty, with ten organized churches. There were thirty-one tents pitched on the camp-ground, and a regular attendance of over one hundred. There were some distracting influences during the first part of the meeting; yet notwithstanding this, the meeting, as a whole, was a success. The interests of the local, union, and General conferences then received due share of consideration. Special interest was taken in a Canadian edition of Liberty, nearly two thousand copies being subscribed for. Elder W. C. Young was re-elected conference president. Nine persons were baptized the last day of the meeting. Elders H. S. Shaw, E. L. Stewart, G. F. Haffner, and the writer assisted the local laborers in conducting the meeting. Saskatchewan Mission Field
The English meeting for this province was held at Qu’Appelle, a small town thirty-five miles east of Regina, the capital. Saskatchewan is still a mission field. It has a membership of eighty-five, several of whom are Germans. These live in the northern part of the province, and a meeting was held for them at Rosthern. At each of these meetings about sixty of our people were in attendance. There being no business to attend to at the Qu’Appelle meeting, the time was entirely devoted to preaching and to spiritual services. Although small in point of numbers, it was a blessed meeting. The brethren in this province are faithful in the payment of tithes and offerings. Their average ten-cent-a-week offering last year was fourteen cents a member. Several hundred subscriptions were taken at this meeting for Liberty, and a number of our books was taken by the brethren. The canvassing work is prosperous. Elder Shaw still has charge of the field, but much of his time will now be taken up with union affairs. Aside from him, there are two ordained ministers—one for the English, and one for the Germans—and one licentiate. At the two meetings ten persons were baptized. Our next meeting was at Olds, a small town fifty-eight miles north of Calgary. Although held in the middle of the mid-summer month, July 8-18, owing to the high altitude of the place—four thousand two hundred feet—and the snow-capped mountains in the distance, the weather was quite cool, especially in the early morning and evening meetings. Meetings were held in a separate tent for the Germans, of whom there were over fifty encamped on the ground. Elder Haffner was present to assist the local laborer in these meetings. This being their annual conference meeting, all branches of the work received consideration, including the foreign missions, toward which about one thousand five hundred dollars was donated. The removal of their school from Leduc to Lacombe, and the erection of a sanitarium at the same place, were the principal questions of interest to the conference at this time. Several pieces of land, and quite a sum in donations, were pledged at their last camp-meeting for this purpose, but owing to a decrease in the price of land, nothing had been realized on the land. This compelled them to cut down their plans from a twenty-eight-thousand-dollar to a ten-thousand-dollar building and equipment. The site at Lacombe borders on a beautiful fresh-water lake, and the altitude of the location is such as to command a beautiful view of the town and surrounding country. Arrangements were made to push both these enterprises rapidly to completion, since both the school and the sanitarium were out of a home, the property in which the latter had been conducted at Edmonton having18 passed into the hands of those who wanted the building for other purposes. A good work has been done in Edmonton by Brother Hommell, and his little company of consecrated workers, in treating the people, and in teaching the principles of health reform, and it is hoped that this interest may be transferred to the new institution. Elder C. A. Burman was re-elected conference president. Much interest was manifested in the canvassing work, and since crop prospects were fine, it was expected that the coming year would be a prosperous one for the work in the Alberta Conference. This conference also took a lively interest in the special edition of Liberty, and subscribed for several hundred copies. Ten persons were baptized at the close of the meeting. British Columbia Conference
From Alberta we went to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, where the meeting for this field was to be held. Victoria is located on the island of Vancouver, and is the last port of call for vessels bound for Australia, China, and the Orient. There were seventy-five of our people in attendance. Not being a conference session, the time was entirely devoted to preaching, Bible study, and spiritual meetings. All in attendance seemed to get a real spiritual uplift. One interesting feature of the meeting was a temperance rally, at which the mayor of the city was present and made a strong speech in favor of total abstinence and prohibition, commended our people for their health principles, and wished us Godspeed in our work. Twenty-eight dollars’ worth of the Temperance number of the Instructor and two hundred dollars’ worth of books were sold. Eight young people were baptized at the close of the meeting. Elder W. M. Adams, president of the conference, is assisted by three ordained ministers. Two other persons devote their entire time to conference work, aside from those who labor in the school. The union as a whole has a membership of eight hundred. In 1908 thirteen thousand dollars was paid in tithe; in the first seven months of 1909, ten thousand dollars has been received. In 1908 three thousand five hundred dollars was given for foreign missions; the first seven months of 1909 has brought in an equal amount. Thirteen thousand dollars’ worth of books and periodicals was sold in 1908. Western Canada is rapidly filling up with a sturdy and enterprising people, and has already become an interesting field for our work. While as yet it needs to be assisted by the General Conference, Elder Shaw, its president, is determinedly working toward the self-supporting point; and with the usual crop prosperity, this will soon be achieved. During my visit to this field, I formed many new acquaintances, and became more than ever interested in the work and workers; so that I can truly say from the heart, God bless the work and workers in Canada. Fireside Correspondence School
By W. E. Howell
If the students of the Fireside Correspondence School find as much pleasure in preparing their lessons as we at headquarters find in seeing their neatly written test papers coming to our desk, and in looking over their work, they count themselves happy that they have enrolled in the school. We feel compensated for undertaking the enterprise. The work is developing so far beyond our expectations in many important respects that we feel thrice repaid already for the travailings of mind and soul it has cost to start it in so short a time, and feel a growing confidence that we can do more for the correspondence student than we really dared hope in the beginning. If anything can be judged from the quality of the written work sent in, (and really what better means of judging could one have?) there is no mean talent in the fireside circle of the Correspondence School. It is easy to discern in the lessons a pride in doing things well. We can feel an atmosphere of earnestness and determination that is one of the restful features of our otherwise arduous work. There is noticeable in some of the students a growing ambition to push their work to a finish as early as consistent, and the grade of work they are sending in justifies their so doing. We place no hindrance to a student's advancing as rapidly as he wishes, except that of keeping his work up to a high standard of thoroughness. Our energetic students are finding this to be one of the most attractive features of study by correspondence. They are never held back by plodders or drones. Besides this, they are learning to appreciate the value of having the teacher's personal attention and assistance on every point in the lesson on which they need help, while, on the other hand, they are not obliged to sit and listen to the teacher explain over and over some simple thing the duller ones can not understand or remember. Two other features of taking lessons by correspondence the student specially enjoys,—the privilege of studying at such time and place as are of the greatest advantage to him, and the gratification that comes from making definite progress in his education while still taking an active part in solving the practical problems of life. We took a little inventory of our students and their studies the other day for the first time. Here are a few of the interesting results:— Total occupations represented, thirty-one. As to numbers these occupations appear in the following order: Farming, ministry, housekeeping, Bible work, teaching, canvassing, medical practise, stenography, nursing. Other interesting ones represented: grocery keeping, gardening, cooking, bookkeeping, ship carpentry, mining, principalship of school, plumbing, stock raising, night watching, office clerking. In their “teens,” 24 per cent; in the19 twenties, 26 per cent; in the thirties, 20 per cent; in the forties, 8 per cent; in the fifties, 8 per cent; in the sixties, 1 per cent. Every one offered. Leaders: Bible doctrines, grammar, elementary rhetoric, arithmetic, New Testament Greek. Second in number: Advanced rhetoric, journalism, bookkeeping, general history, church history. Applied for but not yet offered: Not counted, but a large number. Foreign Countries Represented
Canada, Canal Zone, Costa Rica, Trinidad, Jamaica, Cuba, Porto Rico, British Guiana, Argentina, Ireland, England, Norway, Portugal, Italy, Sierra Leone, Gold Coast, South Africa, Syria, India, China, New Zealand, Fiji Islands. Let it be distinctly understood that it is never too late to enroll in the Fireside Correspondence School. The door is always ajar for any who wish to come in. We have no vacations, and have had our last opening day. Our commencement day is every day. We believe in continuous education, and our school is a “continuation school.” (See Christian Education, No. 2.) Announcements and application blanks may be obtained of the Young People's and Educational secretaries, of the principals of resident schools, of conference presidents. All books and supplies are obtained from the Review and Herald Publishing Association, 32 Union Square East, New York City. All requests for special information and all correspondence lessons are mailed direct to Fireside Correspondence School, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. Battle Creek and Otter Lake, Mich.
By K. C. Russell
On my return to Washington, D. C., from the recent General Conference Council at College View, Neb., I visited Battle Creek and Otter Lake, Mich. Thursday evening, October 14, I spoke in the Tabernacle at Battle Creek on the subject of religious liberty, to an attentive congregation. The interest of a goodly number was manifested in a practical way at the close of the service by subscribing for the magazine Liberty. It was indeed a satisfaction to meet a number of brethren and sisters whom I had not met for many years. Sabbath, October 16, I spoke to the church at Otter Lake. This service was attended with much of the Holy Spirit's presence, and one of the results was the conversion of a young lady, who is engaged as a teacher in the public school of that place. Sunday afternoon I spoke at the Otter Lake Sanitarium, and in the evening I delivered a temperance lecture in the Methodist church. The announcement of the lecture was quite thoroughly circulated by telephone to the inhabitants of the vicinity of Otter Lake, and as a result the church was filled. Lapeer County, Michigan, in which Otter Lake is located, is one of the “wet” counties in that State. The question as to whether this county will continue so or will be placed upon the roll of honor with the “dry” counties, will soon be submitted to the citizens to determine by vote. We were glad to voice the position of our people on this important question in this part of Lapeer County. In the lecture we took occasion to show the audience that the state can rightfully legislate against the liquor traffic, without invading the natural rights of its citizens, because the business is a menace to the life and welfare of its citizens. We also endeavored to show in contrast to this that the state would be stepping beyond its legitimate sphere to legislate upon things of a religious character, because they in no way interfere with the rights of others, and therefore do not come within the province of civil government. ONE person was baptized at Hampton, Iowa, Sunday, October 3. SABBATH, October 2, one person was baptized at Alaiedon, Mich. WEDNESDAY, October 6, one person was baptized at Sioux Falls, S. D. AT three different baptisms, eight persons have been baptized at Lansing, Iowa. EIGHT persons have been baptized at Springfield, Ill., within the last few months. ELEVEN persons are reported to have been baptized by Elder J. C. Clemens at Nevada, Iowa. AT two baptismal services held at Woodfords, Maine, nine persons were added to the church. FROM Brother C. H. Bliss, of Peoria, Ill., comes the report that eleven have united with that church since last December. ELDER J. W. DORCAS reports the baptism of one person at Muscatine, Iowa, Sabbath, October 2, and one at Clinton, Iowa, October 9. Christian Education
By Frederick Griggs
Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference FREDERICK GRIGGS - - · · - Secretary To Urge the Passage of the Johnston District Sunday Bill
By W. A. C.
UNDER the heading, “Would Stop Sunday Work,” the following appeared in the Washington Post of October 30:— “The executive council of the Laymen’s Federation, at a special meeting last night, appointed a committee to wait on the District commissioners and ask them to prevent, as far as possible, all District work on Sundays. It was generally agreed among the committeemen that the sweeping of streets might be dispensed with on the sabbath day. The committee consists of Rear-Admiral M. T. Endicott, Washington Topham, E. I. Booream, J. S. Barker, Charles S. Bradley, W. Everett, and C. D. Holland. “Dr. Wallace Radcliffe told what had been done by the Interdenominational Rest-day Committee toward pressing the enactment of the Johnston bill, which provided for Sunday observance laws. It has been twice passed by the Senate, and then defeated in the House, and has been introduced in the Senate for the third time. The laymen appointed a committee to co-operate in urging its passage.” From this it is evident that the church people in Washington, both ecclesiastics and laymen, are working actively for the passage of the Johnston District Sunday bill. Though defeated thus far, they have by no means given up the battle, but intend to press the matter if possible to a successful issue. This measure was first introduced into the Senate by Senator Johnston, as Senate Bill No. 3940, Jan. 14, 1908; opposed and defended, together with another District Sunday bill also introduced by Senator Johnston “for the proper observance of Sunday as a day of rest” (Senate Bill No. 6535), at a hearing before a subcommittee of the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia, April 15, 1908; reintroduced under the first number, No. 3940, in the same Congress and in the same session of Congress, but in an amended form, May 1, 1908; passed the Senate May 15; was introduced into the House of Representatives May 16; weakly defended and strongly opposed in a hearing before the House District Committee, held Feb. 15, 1909; and died with the Sixtieth Congress, March 3, 1909. It was reintroduced in the Senate by Mr. Johnston, March 22, 1909, during the early part of the special session of the Sixty-first Congress, convened by President Taft. It is therefore a live measure, and will remain such during the Sixty-first Congress, which will end March 3, 1911, unless passed or otherwise disposed of. The statement in the Post that the bill has twice been passed by the Senate we think is a mistake. So far as we are informed, it has passed the Senate but once; but in its different forms it has been introduced there three times. Against the passage of this measure by Congress every loyal citizen in the United States and every lover of liberty should protest. Its passage would mean the first compulsory Sunday law ever enacted by Congress, and the beginning of that order of things which has brought sorrow, persecution, and ruin in ages gone by. Let the people be enlightened regarding this measure, and the petitions and protests sent in against its passage.