Earlier text: The Spirit of ApostasyPhilippine Islands
By L. V. Finster
Our Sabbath-keepers in the Philippines are all in Manila and its vicinity. Our books have reached but a small part of the islands; all the southern islands have not been touched. Panay, Cebu, Negros, Bohol, and some of the others are very densely populated, and are the most wealthy. Many different languages are spoken on these islands.12 In Luzon we have some six or eight different languages. The Lord has blessed the work here during the last year. We have now a church of thirty-seven members, and many others are interested. At present I am holding a Bible school for training evangelists; we hope to send out three or four at the close of this month. The field is more than ripe, but where are the reapers? Some months ago I was holding an open-air meeting in a Catholic town. During this service a rain came on; and as the people did not wish the meeting to be broken up, they invited me to the billiard-hall and offered me the billiard-table for a pulpit. At the close of the service two men told me that they were going to obey the Lord and keep his commandments. They have stood firm to their convictions, and from this small beginning I had the privilege, a week ago, of baptizing seven dear souls. There are many others interested. At the suburb of Paco, some four months ago, a native pastor heard of our meeting, and came out of curiosity to hear what awful things we were preaching. The native pastors had heard only what our enemies said about us. Before the meeting he told the people that he could easily show where we were wrong. At the close of the meeting he asked some questions about the Sabbath. I told him that I had been holding meetings there four or five months, but that I had not yet taken up the subject of the Sabbath. He was surprised, as he had thought that was all we preached about. I told him that I would consider the subject the following week, and his questions would be answered. I asked him to be present, and at the appointed time he came, bringing a companion with him. After the meeting he said he had been greatly misinformed concerning that subject, and that he could see plainly that the Sabbath is right and ought to be kept. He then asked that he might have some private studies with me. He first brought one or two friends, but the number soon increased, until we had from twelve to fifteen each afternoon. He bought a copy of “Thoughts on Daniel,” in Tagalog, and read it through twice the first week. He accepted all points of the truth, and then went to his farm in the country. I felt that with his previous experience in gospel work he would make a good worker, so persuaded him to return. He has been in our Bible school the past month, and is one of the number we expect to send out to preach. The above meetings were held at the home of a native pastor of another church; now he and his relatives are firm believers, and he also expects to devote his time to the promulgation of the truth. Some say that the native people will not stand under trials. This may be true in many cases, as it is at home, but we have met many persons that prove the contrary. One of the boys helping me is an expert typist. Last week one of his friends told him that he had a position on one of the transports. The boy went to see the captain, who gave him tests, and said he would employ him. The young man told him that he would make only one request, and that was that he might have one day each week for Sabbath rest. The captain told him that this could not be given, as all were expected to work seven days a week if needed. He refused the work, which meant to him the losing of a position that would bring him three to four times the wages he had ever before received. Two weeks ago we held our first service to partake of the Lord’s supper. This was a very interesting meeting, as it was so different to most of our people from the old custom of thinking that they were eating the real body of Christ, and that he was being sacrificed again. It brought tears to many as they realized that Christ was sacrificed once for all, and that they could claim all the merit he brought to the world. Our native brethren have tender hearts, and when they see the truth, they rejoice in it the same as we do. With all the claims that Rome makes of being the only source of true knowledge and learning, and of being able to instruct nations and kings, yet where she has had full sway, we find the people in the deepest darkness and superstition. One week ago they had what they call Holy Week. During this time all the principal events of the Saviour’s life were acted over again. They have the night rabble taking Jesus, his trial and crucifixion, his burial, etc. A huge black image of Jesus is taken from place to place, and the people scramble to have the privilege of kissing its feet; if not able to do this, they will touch it with their handkerchiefs, which are then supposed to have wonderful power to heal the sick. It makes the heart ache to see the poor people thus bowing down to wood and stone, to images they themselves have made, in the name of Christianity. During this week also the people in certain places whip themselves with ropes and cords until the blood runs from their backs. And why?—O, to atone for their sins! The poor people have never heard the good news that Jesus paid the penalty for sin. The Bible has been forbidden, and thus they grope on in darkness. Messengers for the Lord must herald this truth as given in the Word, that the light may shine in these dark places. Among Those Who “Go Down to the Sea in Ships”
By J. L. Johnson
We are having many interesting experiences as we go in our launch “Liberty” among the ships in the port of New York. We are able to place much literature in various languages. Recently we have had calls for Spanish publications, and also requests for literature from Chinese sailors. Some months ago we boarded an ocean tug, and had many questions put to us concerning Jonah and the whale, the flood, where Cain got his wife, etc. Our replies to these questions affirmed our belief in God’s Word; and as a result one sea-captain was convinced by Bible evidence of the genuineness of the Word. About a year and a half ago we met with some perplexities that seemed to indicate that our work was to be hindered. The port customs undertook to shut off all pedlers and salesmen from all ships, because of the petty smuggling that was being carried on by a certain class. This was carried on by the use of boats and in various other ways. Customs inspectors were placed on all piers with orders to shut off all intruders. This brought us in direct contact with new men, and we were stopped by them with threats. We could receive no permits, and after visiting the district attorney, we were informed that no privileges would be given to any person or persons. However, if we could furnish references from some responsible party or parties, or if some one would come with us from the society we represent, they would see what could be done. They asked, “What society do you represent?” On being informed, their answer was: “We have heard of your work, and it must be stopped. Men on ships do not want such literature.” But the Lord can raise up men to help his work. The next morning we filled our valises with magazines and papers, to make some visits on steamers. There was one English steamship that had arrived, and we were well acquainted with the crew. But the customs men refused to allow us to go on board. We demanded to see the captain, who was sick on his previous trip, and to whom we had had the pleasure of giving treatments until he was relieved of pain. I related my experience to this captain, and he volunteered to go at once before the customs’ attorney. We do not know what was said; but in talking with the captain a day or two later he said that the district customs’ attorney remarked, “We have been misinformed about this man’s work.” I was glad for the favorable testimony of the captain. Other captains stood ready to go to the attorney if required. There will be a harvest from this seed-sowing, and many saved in the kingdom of God when the work is finished. Although the seafaring men have a hard name, and are considered a rough class, this is not true in all cases. Many are honest-hearted and earnest, and will shine in the Redeemer’s kingdom. The Ascending Path
By Henry van Dyke
If you are looking for that which is best in the men and women with whom you come in contact; if you are seeking also to give them that which is best in yourself; if you are looking for friendship which shall help you to know yourself as you are, and to fulfil yourself as you ought to be; if you are looking for a love which shall not be a flattering dream and a madness of desire, but a true comradeship and a mutual inspiration to all nobility of living,—then you are surely on the ascending path.—Henry van Dyke. Our Burden-Bearer
By Phillips Brooks
The little sharp vexations
And the briars that catch and fret,
Why not take all to the Helper
Who has never failed us yet?
Tell him about the heartache,
And tell him the longings, too;
Tell him the baffled purpose
When we scarce know what to do.
Then leaving all our weakness
With the One divinely strong,
Forget that we bore the burden,
And carry away the song.
—Phillips Brooks. Religion in the Home
By Mrs. Hattie R. Rumery
The apostle Paul says, “Let them learn first to show piety at home.” Richard Baxter said: “Religion should begin in the family. The holiest sanctuary is home. The family altar is more venerable than that of the cathedral. The education of the soul should begin and be carried on at the fireside.” And we are told through the Testimonies that “whoever does not let the light of truth shine in his home dishonors his Saviour.” “Hearts that are filled with the love of Christ can never get very far apart. Religion is love; and a Christian home is one where love reigns, and finds expression in words and acts of thoughtful kindness and gentle courtesy.” Spurgeon once said: “When home is ruled according to God’s Word, angels might be asked to stay with us, and they would not find themselves out of their element.” Then, to sum it all up, the Christian home, the home that is graced by true religion, should be the anteroom of heaven itself. The very atmosphere of such a home is fragrant with the aroma of paradise. Its silent influence is felt by all who come within its precincts. The light of true piety on the candlestick of home, shines, blessing and cheering all who behold its radiance. T. L. Cuyler said: “Let your religion be seen. Lamps do not talk, but they do shine. A lighthouse sounds no gong, it beats no drum, yet far over the waters its friendly light is seen by the mariner.” It is very true that “the light that shines the farthest shines the brightest nearest home.” Fortunate are the children who are reared in such a home. Like Timothy of old, they partake of the “unfeigned faith” that dwells in the older members of the household. Margaret Sangster says: “In a home sweet with piety, where God is loved and the atmosphere is fragrant with devotion, a child grows naturally into the acquaintance with God, which is every child’s birthright.” Little can we estimate the value of the influence of family worship in the home. The reading of the Sacred Scriptures, the song of praise in which all the family unite, and the humble supplication of each to the Great Father of all, whose love is exalted and magnified before the children,—these seasons can never be forgotten, let the children in later years wander where they may. It is in the home that first impressions—so lasting—are made, and the parents have the first duty as well as privilege to impress the child with the beauty and importance of sacred things. It is said of Christ that “his mother was his first human teacher, and from her lips and from the scrolls of the prophets he learned of heavenly things.” The mothers of to-day have great opportunities and great responsibilities in the home; but alas! how few appreciate them! The father also, the priest of the household, is largely responsible for the influence of the home, and for the training of his children. Industry is a prime factor in a happy home, and all the members of the family should feel an interest in the work pertaining to the home, remembering the Scripture injunction, “If any would not work, neither should he eat.” The children should be taught early in life to share the burdens, by taking such duties as they are able to perform, and becoming responsible for them. The servant of the Lord tells us that “the approval of God rests with loving assurance upon the children and youth who cheerfully take their part in the duties of the household, sharing the burdens of father and mother. Such children will go out from the home to be useful members of society.” Of Jesus it is said that “he carried into his labor cheerfulness and tact; and often he expressed the gladness of his heart by singing psalms and heavenly songs; and when his companions complained of weariness from labor, they were cheered by the sweet melody from his lips.” And again, “No child of humanity will ever be called to live a holy life amid so fierce a conflict with temptation as was our Saviour.” “Satan was unwearied in his efforts to overcome the child of Nazareth. The same power that sustained him is in store for every child of to-day, and the incense of prayer on the altar of the Christian home brings it near to every member, old and young.” In “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VII, we read: “If ever there was a time when every house should be a house of prayer, it is now.” “By sincere, earnest prayer, parents should make a hedge about their children.” “They should pray with full faith that God will abide with them, and that holy angels will guard them and their children from Satan’s cruel power.” This is our privilege. If we expect the angels to honor our homes with their presence, we shall surely desire to have our homes in a proper condition for their reception. Cleanliness, order, and taste will be in evidence throughout our premises, indoors and out, for we expect company—holy guests. Realizing the value of a sound body to present as a “living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,” we shall see to proper sanitary conditions around our homes, that no carelessness of ours may bring disease into them. In the enlightened Christian home the kitchen will not be an ally to the saloon, by furnishing foods that create an abnormal appetite; but the family will “eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness.” The home of which we are speaking is noted for its hospitality. Even though it be a cottage, with meager fare, it is shared alike by the needy stranger and the friend. There is an air of welcome and freedom, which is restful to all who enter, and often the Saviour, in the person of his brethren, is entertained, and a blessing shared by all. The spirit of kindness is so evident in this home that the domestic animals share its influence. Rowland Hill said, “I would give nothing for that man’s religion whose very dog and cat are not the better-for it.” A man will sometimes show anger toward a dumb beast who would be ashamed of it in the presence of refined people; and often, could these animals speak with man’s voice, they would forbid the madness of the professor. Harsh words, slang words, vulgar or obscene language, should all be entirely eliminated from the converted person’s vocabulary. Never should they pass his lips. Strict economy is practised in this home. The fragments are gathered up, and nothing is lost. Self-denial is encouraged, that others more needy may share their material blessings; and the Lord’s share of time and means is carefully rendered to him. From beginning to end, the Sabbath is the happiest, the most delightful day, the best of all the week. The family can enjoy its privileges together, and the children be taught to love it and its Author. It will call for some self-denial on the part of the older members to read to and entertain the children, but it is such a short time that they are children, and in after-years the memory recalls such occasions with the greatest satisfaction. We hear much about “old-time religion,” but we need a present-time religion in our homes, in our business, in our social intercourse, and in our churches; and this religion must begin in the home—an every-day experience. Like Enoch of old, it is our privilege to walk with God. If we do not let him into our homes as an abiding Guest, we may rest assured that he will never14 say to us, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.” We must take him in all his fulness here if we would be fitted for his eternal home; we must learn in the secret of his presence here, if we would bask in the light of his glory by and by. Let us open the doors of our hearts and homes to him who has been knocking so long, that he may come in and be with us even unto the end. THE school closed for the summer vacation, July 14. The prospects for a good school at the opening (September 4) are excellent. The work that I am doing at present consists of the usual Sabbath services. Wednesday night there is a Bible study. Friday night the young people meet. On Sundays I go on my bicycle to different places, alternating between Port Royal, Paget, etc., to hold Bible studies with companies who are interested. Some of these I confidently expect will accept the message. In the week I divide my time between study, receiving calls, and visiting interested people around Hamilton. The cycling out to the country is the hardest part, as the roads are hilly, and the sun is hot. I have to go about twenty miles, or a little more. However, I enjoy it best of all, for the people are interested. Last Sabbath we had an excellent meeting in the church at Hamilton. It was a time of refreshing. People were in tears, and pronounced their firm determination to remain loyal to the message to the end. All seemed to get a new lease of spiritual life. R. E. LOASBY. In Behalf of the Countrymen of Luther
By G. W. Erfurth
Perhaps all the readers of the Review are aware of the fact that among the foreign population of this country the Germans form the largest percentage. It is estimated that there are living in the United States at the present time upward of twelve million persons belonging to this nationality, and in their intercourse with the world, a little less than half of these are wholly dependent upon their mother tongue. Our large cities in the East are full of them, and wide sections of the country district, especially in the Middle West, are almost entirely settled by these people. While the Germans in this country, as a rule, are thrifty, diligent, and prosperous as far as their worldly affairs are concerned, their spiritual condition is pitiable in the extreme. Self-satisfaction and love of ease and earthly pleasure have deadened in many of these people any desire for and appreciation of the higher life, and they are hard to reach with the gospel of full and free salvation, the blessings of which lie in self-denial and self-sacrifice for the Master. The great heart of our Heavenly Father yearns for these his wandering children. At the very beginning of the proclamation of the third angel’s message, God impressed the leaders in this work with the necessity of laboring also for the Germans, and at an early date publications on present truth were issued in their language. That these efforts have borne glorious fruit is evident. Thousands of Germans to-day are rejoicing in the liberty wherewith Christ has made them free, and are preparing themselves for the coming of the King. At the present time we are publishing in this country four German periodicals dealing with present truth. The Christlicher Hausfreund (Christian Friend of the Home), a biweekly, is our German pioneer paper, and occupies a field corresponding to that of the Signs of the Times weekly. It is a strictly missionary and home paper, and is best used for free distribution, to be mailed especially by the churches in their missionary meetings. The yearly subscription price of this paper is $1; when taken in clubs of five or more, 75 cents. The paper is up-to-date in every respect, and we would invite the members of the missionary societies throughout the country to consider the advisability of doing a little for their German-speaking friends and neighbors, by adding to their club of Signs also a club of the Hausfreund, to be sent out in their regular missionary meetings. The item of expense is small; and who knows how great would be the results? Besides the above-named paper, we are publishing, somewhat similar to the Signs of the Times monthly and the Watchman, a quarterly magazine, the name of which is Die Zeichen der Zeit (The Signs of the Times), well illustrated, beautifully gotten out, and, best of all, packed full with the message for this time. Twelve thousand copies of the second quarter (1911) edition were sold. The subscription price of this magazine is 30 cents a year; single copy, 10 cents. Our two other German papers are Der Jugendbote (Youth’s Messenger) and the Deutscher Arbeiter (German Worker). The former is a sixteen-page monthly illustrated periodical for the German youth, with the same mission as the English Youth’s Instructor. Subscription price, 50 cents. It is a good paper to place in the hands of German young people outside our ranks, as well as those of our faith. Deutscher Arbeiter is what we might call the German church paper. It contains information concerning the movements of the denomination, and the reports of our workers at home and abroad. Price, 50 cents a year. We believe that God has blessed in the establishing of these four German periodicals, and we thank him sincerely. They are just what we need to reach our own people as well as the multitudes. As German believers of the message, we are doing our utmost to give these publications a wide circulation. But as we can not reach all, and as our American brethren are in touch everywhere with representatives of this nationality, we earnestly extend to them the invitation to cooperate with us in giving them the truth for this time. Can not your missionary societies use some of these papers?15 Can you not use some in your personal work at home? Send all your orders to your tract society. We shall indeed be thankful for any help our American brethren can render us in reaching the Germans in their territory with the message. Our German workers are few and widely scattered, and as we see the importance of doing a quick work in warning the people, we feel impelled to ask assistance from other sources; for, with you we believe that the end is right upon us. The people of this world are like the sleeping occupants of a house on fire, and we must rush to save them. Help us to reach them with our saving literature. Has Not the Time Fully Come?
By G. B. Starr
MANY professed Christians are suffering from confused minds and uncertain and unhappy Christian experiences, who ought to be and might be steady, happy, radiant Christians, like their Leader, “the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.” The cause of this condition of mind in the majority of cases is a confused stomach condition. Flesh foods, tea and coffee, and bad combinations of sugar and starch, vegetables and fruits, create fermentation and autointoxication. Flesh food decays in the intestines, and poisons the whole life current. It causes hardening of the arteries, produces premature old age, and is the active cause of many of the sudden deaths from apoplexy. Tea and coffee poison the blood, and excite the nervous system until steady thinking and working are impossible. We have been warned of the injurious effects of these things, and we wish to inquire if the time has not come to discard them, and give right plans and right instruction a thorough test? Those who have adopted the reforms given by the Spirit of God, and have persevered, believing that God's ways must be the best for his children, have proved them to be so. In these matters we must walk by faith, and not follow taste or impulse. If we believe it must be best because it is right, and determine that we will prove it best in our personal experience, God will vindicate his word, and work in and through us to prove the excellence of his ways to health. Happiness, peace, assurance, are the sure reward of perfect obedience by faith. G. B. STARR. A Mother's Influence on Boys
To make a boy into a pure man, a mother must do more than pray. She must live with him in the sense of comrade and closest friend. She must stand by him in time of temptation as the pilot sticks to the wheel when rapids are around. She must never desert him to go off to superintend outside duties, any more than the engineer deserts his post and goes into a baggage-car to read up engineering when his train is pounding across the country at forty miles an hour. “THERE is common sense in getting all the good out of the thing that you did, instead of mourning over what you missed doing.” Self-Supporting Missionary Work
By E. A. Sutherland
THE parable of the vineyard of Matthew 20 teaches a great lesson on this subject. In the parable we find that those who left the market-place, to enter the vineyard during the first hours of the day, went with the understanding that they should receive a definite wage. Those who did not receive a definite promise remained spiritually idle in the market-place. When the eleventh hour came, which represents the time just before the end, the Master found many of the church-members standing idle in the market-place. Their reason for remaining out of the vineyard was because no man had hired them for a definite wage. He urged them to enter the vineyard at once, and promised to give them whatever was right. It was necessary for the idle ones to exercise faith that if they went to work for the Master, he would give whatever was right. We are living in the eleventh hour, and thousands of Seventh-day Adventists are to-day standing idle in the market-place because no regular support is promised them while engaged in the work. These spiritually idle ones need an increase of faith to believe that the Master of the vineyard will give them simple food and clothing if they enter his service. If our own people, with their years of experience in the things of God, are not able at this time to believe that God will provide for them if they give themselves to his service, can they hope that those to whom they present the truth will have faith to leave the world and put their trust in God's promises? In the fourteenth chapter of Luke we find that a certain man made a great supper and bade many. Supper is the last meal of the day, and it represents the last work for souls. The invitation was given, “Come; for all things are now ready.” It was sent to those who professed that they were prepared and willing to enter the Lord's work when needed. We read that when the invitation was given, one man said, “I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.” The class represented by this person do not intend to refuse absolutely to enter God's work, but their property and affairs are in such shape that they do not see how they can immediately enter the vineyard without much sacrifice; they beg to be excused from complying at once. This man had been in the habit of making excuses, and did not realize that he had received the last invitation to enter the Lord's work. Another one to whom the invitation was extended to enter active missionary work, said: “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to try them: I pray thee have me excused.” The master recognized that these people who had been standing before the world pretending to be willing to enter the work when they were needed, were unfitted to have any part in the latter rain. They were joined to their idols, their property, and their material affairs. Therefore he excused them all from having any part in his service. He sifted them out of his army. We find that the invitation now went to those in the byways and hedges. Many of these humble ones had willing hearts. They were ready to sacrifice and to obey the call to enter the vineyard; they were also willing to trust that the one who had called them would give them what was right. These parables teach that the Lord has something for each individual to do in his vineyard; that he will test our love for him by asking us to enter his work without promise of definite financial support from men. He wants each one to stand in his place and in his lot, and not feel that the work is too hard. During the last few years I have had opportunity to visit with many of our lay members. I have found a large per cent of them standing in the market-place idle, and with one consent they are making excuses for not entering the vineyard. Many of these persons have gathered about them a large amount of means. The Lord has given them this wealth to use in advancing his work on the earth. Many of them should transfer their interests to needy places of the world and establish missionary enterprises of some kind, associating with them suitable workers, in order to enlighten the people who have not heard the message. Because of their inactivity in working for the salvation of souls, many of our people are dying spiritually. The pioneers of the third angel's message have given us a wonderful example of sacrifice, but there are a large number of Seventh-day Adventists who know nothing of the sacrifices that were made by the pioneers. They have not been trained to work in this self-sacrificing manner. It is plain that those who finish this work must make a more complete sacrifice than ever has been made by any generation in the past. The Lord is testing the young men and the young women, and those who have more property than they need for a simple living, and those who are living in places where there is little opportunity to do missionary work. I would call the attention of those who are now standing idle in the market-place to the following instruction:— “God desires that every man shall stand in his lot and in his place, and not feel as if the work is too hard.”
“Say not, ‘We can not afford to work in sparsely settled fields, and largely in a self-supporting way, when out in the world are great fields where we might reach multitudes.’”
“There are many families who would be a great blessing if they would take their belongings and settle in some of our towns or country locations where the standard has never been raised.”
“Let married men and women who know the truth go forth to the neglected fields to enlighten others. Follow the example of those who have done pioneer work in new fields.”
“Let Sabbath-keeping families move South, and live out the truth before those who know it not.”
To these humble workers this promise is given: “He marks all that they do to help those in need of help. In the heavenly courts, when the redeemed are gathered home, they will stand nearest to the Son of God.” A Crisis in Maine
By S. N. Haskell
In the history of the work of the Lord from the earliest times, there have come crises when individuals rose up and justified God and brought salvation to themselves and to the people. They could discern the importance of the time; therefore they accepted the message God sent. There has also been another class16 who could not discern the providence of God, and did not believe his testimony. Those brought to themselves a curse. Jael was a tender-hearted woman. She belonged to a tender-hearted family, and was on friendly terms with the enemy; and yet in the time of crisis she defended the cause of God by killing the enemy of Israel. God said of her, “Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent.” Zebulun and Naphtali also jeoparded their lives unto death in the high places of the field; but there were others who did not see the importance of giving themselves to the work of the Lord, and to these the message came, “Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.” See Judges 5:17-28. In the history of the third angel’s message, there have also been times when the believers were called upon to arise and meet certain emergencies. The Maine Conference is now in a crisis on the temperance question. For years this State has stood true to prohibition, and its influence has been felt to a greater or less degree all over the United States, and even in other countries; but now a crisis has come. There exists a strong influence in favor of licensing the sale of alcoholic drinks; and unless strenuous efforts are put forth, the danger is that Maine will cease to be a prohibition State. Every Seventh-day Adventist should be interested in this temperance battle going on in Maine. Wherever there is a purely temperance issue, as it is in Maine at present, our people can conscientiously join with the temperance workers, and help stay the tide of intemperance. We want thousands of the Temperance Instructor to circulate in this State before the election that comes off on the eleventh of September. The brethren in this conference are poor and unable to pay for them. We appeal to our brethren and sisters to help the brethren in this conference. The Review and Herald has given one thousand copies. We could use fifty thousand, and ought to have that many. Will our brethren help pay for them? The W. C. T. U. and other temperance societies are holding mass-meetings throughout the State, and are doing all they can. Shall we stand idly by and not lend a helping hand? These temperance people gladly welcome our cooperation. Temperance rallies are being held all over the State, and at these gatherings large numbers of the Temperance Instructor and temperance tracts can and should be distributed. Shall we not aid in this good work? For one of the large temperance meetings in Portland, we secured five hundred copies of the Temperance Instructor for free distribution. There were more than one thousand people present. The chairman of the meeting recommended the Instructor. Our brethren distributed the papers, but they did not go half around. This shows how these temperance people will accept the help of any who will cooperate with them in fighting the liquor traffic. The spirit of prophecy has recommended our taking advantage of such favorable opportunities for cooperation. Many will thus be led to see the light of truth through a liberal spirit manifested on our part in that which will prove a blessing to any community. What is done must be done quickly. We have but one month in which to work. May the Lord help our people to see the importance of the present hour. Whoever may feel inclined to donate, or any conference that desires to have a part in this work, may send donations directly to D. W. Reavis, Takoma Park Sta., Washington, D. C., and he will promptly forward the papers to Maine. The price of the papers is $4 a hundred, or $40 a thousand. If sufficient is donated to pay for 10,000 copies, the publishers will add, in papers, ten per cent of the whole amount donated, which will bring the price of the papers down to about 3½ cents a copy. Whatever is done in this special effort must be done at once. Who will help us? Recently we came in touch with a very refined lady, who was born a Buddhist, and afterward became a member of the Greek Church, but who found nothing in such cold forms of religion to satisfy the longing in her heart for salvation. Eight or nine years of weary toil dragged slowly by, despair many times causing her to wish to end her life, but she always sought peace of mind by increased devotion to her church. She is now keeping all the commandments. For some time, thoughts of her helpless, aged parents caused her to hesitate, but finally the victory was gained, and she left it all with Jesus. She is looking forward to the home where the bitterness and sorrow of this life are all in the past.
W. L. Foster. The Palmer (Neb.) Camp-Meeting
By Frederick Griggs
JULY 24-31 there was held at Palmer, Neb., one of the four local camp-meetings of the Nebraska Conference this year. For several weeks, Brethren C. A. Beeson and C. H. Miller had been holding a tent-meeting in this place. There has been an excellent interest, with very little opposition. Palmer is a quiet, pretty village, located in a prosperous agricultural district. So the camp-meeting had many advantages, both on account of its location and on account of the interest already existing in that place. There was probably at no time more than one hundred of our people in attendance, and yet throughout the meeting there was an unusual manifestation of the converting influence of the Holy Spirit; sinners were converted and back-sliders reclaimed, until nearly every person on the camp-ground had given his heart to the Lord. The spirit of the meeting was well manifested in the liberal offering for foreign missions. There were from fifty to sixty persons in the tent the morning that we considered the offerings for missions, and about $2,400 was raised, $1,300 of which was to be paid before Jan. 1, 1912, and $1,100 contingent upon the sale of property. There was no urging whatever to secure this large amount from this small number. God is richly blessing the work in the Nebraska Conference, and the hearts of all, both ministers and people, were greatly cheered by this meeting.
FREDERICK GRIGGS.