Earlier text: NOTES FROM GENERAL CONFERENCEINSTRUCTION REGARDING THE SCHOOL WORK
By Ellen G. White
Article Read by Mrs. E. G. White, April 22, 1901 I HAVE an intense interest in our school work. To discard many of the worldly text-books will not lower the standard of education, but will raise it to a higher plane. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” If this is the breadth and depth of the Scriptures, shall we not lift the standard by making the word of God the foundation of our system of education? Changes will have to be made. But it is hard to break away from old habits and practices; and there are those who have felt inclined stubbornly to resist everything in this line. I am glad to say that Brother Magan and Brother Sutherland have made advancement in reform. The question has arisen in regard to Brother Magan’s connecting with Brother Daniells in his work. I asked Brother Magan if he felt called of God to take this position. He said, No. He said that he was satisfied that God wanted him to remain in the school, where he had been working. I told him that this was in accordance with the light and evidence given me on the subject. I would say to Brother Magan and Brother Sutherland, You are not to think that you have made a failure in the school. Circumstances have been of a character to cause some misunderstanding. I wish now to present the matter as it was presented to me in my home at Crystal Springs, Cal. There should be in the school the same faculty that has been there in the past. The members of this faculty have been getting hold of right methods, and they are coming to see eye to eye. In a large degree they have learned how to work with unity of effort, and the school needs their talent and ability. It has taken much determination and firm purpose to accomplish the work that has been done in regard to “Christ’s Object Lessons.” The Lord has manifested His approval of this work. It would be a mistake for those who have been carrying forward this effort to separate and scatter to one place and another, to engage in other work. To seek to combine new elements in the school faculty at this time would not be for the educational interests of the students. Those who are now connected with the school have been learning and practicing their lessons in jots and tittles. Their self-denial, their example of individual consecration, is having an influence to make the school approach to what it should be. To take one and another teacher out of the school now would be a mistake. Let the workers blend together. Let all the strength of their united ability be exerted to draw in even cords, to carry the school forward according to the directions given by the Lord. There has been much prejudice indulged in regard to those who stand at the head of the school. But these teachers are not to be moved by that which has been reported, much of which is untrue. The talent of voice and words needs to be refined, sanctified, ennobled, that it may be used to the glory of God. Our brethren are to go right along in the work, and let all see that God is working with them, giving them, as His agencies, varied experiences. New workers could not advance the work as it should be advanced. They would have a new and untried experience. Under their management the school would not be as successful as if the same teachers, the same counselors, were to hold their position, and work to the point, making an object lesson of this school, according to the pattern God has given. God will work through those now in positions of trust in the school if they continue to work, and seek wisdom from Him. If there is need of more teachers to work in other lines, let those be added. But do not break up the faculty of the school, when the very strongest force is necessary. Let workers be selected as the Lord may appoint, but let not the ones who have been united and adapted to labor together in the school be separated because of the prejudice that has been created against them. Let not the impression be given that they must separate from the school because of the misjudging of those who have not known the true facts in the case. If those who will talk do not care to send their children to the school, because they suppose that mistakes have been made, they themselves must suffer the consequence. God pointed out errors in the school that need to be corrected, and when an effort was made to do this, there were those who saw not the evils or dangers; they saw no necessity for departing from the old plan. It was not an easy matter to do the work that needed to be done in seeking to correct existing evils, against the influence of many who desired to let things run in the same lines in which they had been running. This jot and that tittle, growing by being often repeated, made it very hard for the ones who were trying to make the changes which they saw needed to be made. It is the Lord who has worked out matters in this Conference in regard to the medical missionary work and the ministry, and the Lord will manifest Himself to His people, who have tried to place themselves in line. He will work for them if they are fully set to make Him their trust, and to link together in harmonious action. They should seek to the utmost of their ability to qualify students for different lines of work. We are not to have all study, nor all work. Work is to be conducted as nearly as possible as we have conducted it in Australia. Those now in charge of the school work here have their hearts blended in unity of purpose to accomplish the thing which God has designated as the right thing to do. They have undertaken this work irrespective of the opposition that has come up, and the strife of tongues. These men have a299 grip on the work. They have been learning, and have plans to establish industrial schools out of the city, where a large space of ground can be secured. These men have a strong determination to succeed. They mean to be heroic reformers, to adopt solid, intellectual methods. Their thoughts and plans have been maturing, and now they are prepared for decided action. It would be a mistake to take Brother Magan from the school work to engage in another line. It would be a mistake to separate Brother Sutherland from the school, because he has a spiritual hold upon educational lines of work. With the help of God, he can act his part in making the school a success. Do not hinder those who have been trying to reach the place where the Lord desires them to stand. Do not tear them to pieces. Let them stand in the strength they have obtained, and let them press the battle to the gates. We must be strong in the strength of the Lord. The light of heaven is to shine through God’s instrumentalities. Some will place stumbling-blocks in the way of attacking errors which are hoary with age. It is well to be consistent in all our movements, but we may quietly step over the stones which are thrown in the way of the work of reform. The objections need not be heeded. Prudence and God-fearing discretion are needed; for God wants every one to reveal the divine likeness. But timidity and cowardice are not to be shown by the followers of Christ. The gospel of Christ lies at the foundation of all true education. Time is fast passing. The great work to be accomplished now is to establish schools that will prepare the youth for the mansions Christ is preparing for all who do their best in this life to perfect themselves in the knowledge of the word of God. In a spirit of kindness and love, reforms are to be carried forward to victory. Every reform is to be based on the unerring word, the judgment of inspiration. Reformers are not destroyers; they seek not to ruin, but to save. The age in which we are living calls for decided reforms. Christ has declared that all who will be His disciples must turn away from self-indulgence, and with self-renunciation bear the cross and follow in His footsteps. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Those who come out from the world, from its policies and its confederacies, and attempt to carry forward the work of reform, will need the help of the Spirit of God. Having determined what true reform is, carry it forward with earnestness and perseverance, determined not to fail nor be discouraged. Every one who carries forward reformatory action will meet with apparent losses in some lines, and decided victories in other lines. No educational institution can place itself in opposition to the errors and corruptions of this degenerate age without receiving threats and insults. But time will place such an institution upon an elevated platform. Having the assurance of God that they have acted right, the managers can say, “It is no disgrace to us if others are unable to understand our motives; for they judge us from their own standpoint.” The Lord is pleased with the effort that is being made to carry forward our school work on right lines. I believe that the meetings we have been holding will have an influence upon the minds of our people all over the world. Let us from henceforth be careful of our words. God is preparing a people to meet Him in peace. By the mighty cleaver of truth He has separated us from the world, and has placed us in His workshop to be hewed and polished and made fit for a place in His temple. There is a right side and a wrong side. Shall we not stand on the right side? We are thankful that an interest is being shown in the work of establishing schools on a right foundation, as they should have been established years ago. If the proper education is given to students, it is a positive necessity to establish our schools at a distance from cities, where the students can do manual work. Great blessing will come to them as they exercise brain and body proportionately. From the things of nature they will learn lessons that will help them to work for the Lord. This is what we have been trying to teach in Australia. I am very thankful that such steps are being taken by this Conference. God will prosper such plans. Although there may be few students at first, do not be discouraged. The school will win its way. Introduce the medical missionary work. Some of the students are to be educated as nurses, some as physicians. It is not necessary for our students to go to Ann Arbor for a medical education. They may obtain at our schools all the education that is essential to perform the work for this time. It will take some time to get a right understanding of the matter, but just as soon as we begin to work in the lines of true reform, the Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us if we are willing to be guided. It is a delicate matter to deal with human minds, and no one should engage in this work without the aid of the Holy Spirit. All must place themselves under the influence of this Spirit. When they place themselves under the direction of the Spirit, they will accommodate themselves to Bible lines. When the word of God takes possession of the minds of teachers, then they are fitted to deal with the education of others. Teachers are to so learn of Christ that they will remain converted from day to day. Then they will so labor for the students that they, too, will be converted. The angels of God will walk in their midst, beholding their order and diligence. The word of God is to stand at the foundation of all education. It is to be made the basis of all the schools that we shall establish. Following “Thus saith the Lord,” brings the schools into close connection with heavenly intelligences. The Lord has been greatly dishonored because His holy word, which will accomplish so much, has been placed in the background, while books which do not contain the highest instruction in regard to practical life and true science of eternal things have been brought to the front. God’s commands must settle all matters for us. That which His word advises and demands is to be strictly enforced. His word is to be plainly and earnestly opened before the students. This word will give spiritual health and strength. The instruction of the Bible, the wisdom of God, is to be brought into all business transactions. Selfishness will ever meet the disapproval of God. God’s dealings with His people are to be our guide in all educational advancement. His glory is to be the object of all study. Those who are being trained as medical missionaries are to realize that their work is to restore the moral image of God in man by healing the wounds which sin has made. I would say to Brother Sutherland and Brother Magan, Go forward in the name of the Lord God of Israel, and the righteousness of God will go before you, and the glory of God will be your rearward. God can make the feeblest strong. He can give power to the weak. He can lighten the burdens of the heavy laden, and comfort those that are oppressed. He will help us to educate young men and young women to enter His work. Brethren, shall we not help one another? Shall we not take hold of the Lord’s work, not to tear one another to pieces, but to help one another? This is what God desires us to do. Some supposed that we were coming to this Conference to gather up the mistakes that had been made in the ministry, in the medical missionary work, and in the publishing and educational work. But we know that the Lord has another work for us to do. The mistakes that have been made, we are to bury in the depths of the ocean. Let us blend together as brethren. God will bind us together, heart to heart, with the golden chain of love. To this Conference I wish to say, My heart, my soul, my interests are with you. The Lord is going to do something more for us than we have been willing to have done. Just as soon as men submit to God, His salvation will be revealed. The Lord will co-operate with those who are striving to advance His work. I am glad to know that even though I may not live long, God will carry on His work. God will hold up our hands. He will work with those who are carrying forward the school work. He will be with the teachers and the students. THE LAW OF SELF-RENOUNCING LOVE
By P. T. Magan
“The law of self-renouncing love” is the very nature of Christ, and it is the “law of life for earth and heaven.” To love is to give, and to give is to live. “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” “When the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it springs up and bears fruit. So the death of Christ would result in fruit for the kingdom of God. In accordance with the law of the vegetable kingdom, life was to be the result of His death. “Those who till the soil have the illustration ever before them. Year by year man preserves his supply of grain by apparently throwing away the choicest part. For a time it must be hidden under the furrow, to be watched over by the Lord. Then appears the blade, then the ear, and then the corn in the ear. But this development can not take place unless the grain is buried out of sight, hidden, and to all appearance, lost. “The seed buried in the ground produces fruit, and in turn this is planted. Thus the harvest is multiplied. So the death of Christ on the cross of Calvary will bear fruit unto eternal life. The contemplation of this sacrifice will be the glory of those who, as the fruit of it, will live through the eternal ages. “The grain of wheat that preserves its own life can produce no fruit. It abides alone. Christ could, if He chose, save himself from death. But should He do this, He must abide alone. He could bring no sons and daughters to God. Only by yielding up His life could He impart life to humanity. Only by falling into the ground to die could He become the seed of that vast harvest,—the great multitude that out of every nation, kindred, and tongue, and people are redeemed to God. “With this truth Christ connects the lesson of self-sacrifice that all should learn: ‘He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.’ All who would bring forth fruit as workers together with Christ, must first fall into the ground and die. The life must be cast into the furrow of the world’s need. Self-love, self-interest, must perish. And the law of self-sacrifice is the law of self-preservation. The husbandman preserves his grain by casting it away. So in human life. To give is to live. The life that will be preserved is the life that is freely given in service to God and man. Those who for Christ’s sake sacrifice their life in this world, will keep it unto life eternal. “The life spent on self is like the grain that is eaten. It disappears, but there is no increase. A man may gather all he can for self; he may live and think and plan for self; but his life passes away, and he has nothing. The law of self-serving is the law of self-destruction.”—“Desire of Ages,” page 623. The law of giving is the law of life. All nature, inasmuch as it has partaken of the life of God, has partaken of this law. Our bodies are composed of millions of little cells. Each cell is alive. Physiologists talk to us of “cellular life.” And these multitudes of tiny cells are all engaged in giving. Each cell is constantly ministering life to other cells and organs.12 Every one pours out vital life, which builds and nourishes another. Wonderful, is it not? All are busy, all are manifesting great activities. But each is laboring for another, and not for itself. The glands at the back of the mouth secrete saliva. For their own immediate benefit?—No, no! These work for the benefit of the stomach, the stomach in turn works for the blood, and the blood for the muscles. And when, weary with the work of the day, the cells, which have been busy all through its hours, lie down to rest, another legion of these little fellows instantly sets to work during the time of slumber to build up and repair these toilers of the day. Sometimes I love to pause a while, and ponder over the unselfish work of all the little cells that compose the human body, which, in reality, is naught but a colony of socialistic cells. What a beautiful thing a tear is! The heart of a tender, sensitive child is bursting with grief. His eyeballs begin to burn. There is a fire there. Then from a small, unnoticed gland, there quietly steals forth a tear. It is rapidly followed by another, and still another, and another, until a cooling stream is gently moistening the heated organ. And each tiny tear is born but for the briefest moment, to live not for itself, to be hurriedly brushed away, and sent into oblivion when its self-sacrificing work is done. The life within the body can not help doing this way. The life in the body comes from God, with whom to live is to give, and to give is to live. God does not cause the body thus to operate simply as an illustration of His ways, or as a figure to make plain His dealings in spiritual things. But this giving, self-denying, self-sacrificing method is all because the life of the body is God’s life, and the law of giving is God’s own law for His life. ORDER IN THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH
By John Norton Loughborough
“THESE things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly; but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” 1 Tim. 3: 14, 15. The behavior here mentioned does not refer simply to the respect shown in and for the place of worship, but includes more especially the proper conducting of the spiritual and temporal interests of the Church. This is evident from the fact that the apostle had just been speaking of officers in the Church as those who had ability to rule well their own houses. To persons possessing such a faculty was to be committed the care of the Church. Paul inquires, “If a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God?” Verse 5. Such good ruling in the household the Lord commended in the case of Abraham. Of him the Lord said, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment.” Gen. 18: 19. Paul, on whom rested “the care of all the churches” (2 Cor. 11: 28), seemed to recognize the fact that success in prosecuting the work of the gospel, as well as prosperity in any other enterprise, demanded that order and system be established and observed. In the introduction of the different points of order, the same principle is recognized as in the ancient Church; that is, to supply the lack as far and as fast as a necessity for system in working should appear. This mode of procedure is suggested in his instruction upon the subject, found in his epistle to Titus, to whom he said, “Set in order the things that are WANTING.” Titus 1: 5. From the reading of the New Testament we see that those occupying leading positions in the Church were of two classes: those receiving their call and appointment directly from the Lord, and those recognized, or directly appointed, by the Church. Among the former are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. While the Church may, by its voice, recognize these as of divine appointment, it seems to be left to the Churches, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to select and set apart elders and deacons, and to provide such other officers as may be found necessary for the management of the Church in its various lines of work. One of the first points in gospel order established by the Church was in connection with events immediately following the day of Pentecost, as is seen in the following scripture: “And in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.” Acts 6: 1-6. These men were chosen and ordained to take charge of the “business” affairs of a local church. Such persons, in other scriptures, are called deacons. The Greek word diakonos, which, in the New Testament is rendered “deacon,” is thus defined by Greenfield in his Greek Lexicon: “Ministry in the Church, deaconship, the office of collecting and distributing alms to the poor, or of inquiring into and relieving their wants.” Of those who should properly fill the office of deacon the apostle Paul said, “They that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 1 Tim. 3: 13. This certainly was true in the case of Stephen and Philip, two of the seven. We read of them as powerful ministers of the word. Philip is afterward mentioned as an “evangelist,” as we learn from Acts 21: 8. When Paul had set before the Church the necessity of order, he set Titus at work to carry out the plan. He wrote him as follows: “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.” Titus 1: 5. He then proceeds to give the qualifications of a bishop. It may be inquired, Why does he specify the qualifications of a bishop, when he told Titus to ordain elders? By a comparison of what is said in the New Testament respecting the office of bishop, and elder, we see the terms apply to one in charge of a local church. The application of the word “bishop” to one in charge of a “diocese” composed of many churches seems to have arisen this side the time of the writing of the New Testament. This local church office seems to be designated in the New Testament by several names, as overseer, shepherd, elder, bishop. The word “elder,” in Titus 1: 5, is from the Greek word presbuteros; which Greenfield, in his Lexicon, defines as “elders or pastors of the Christian Church.” The word “bishop,” in the seventh verse of the same chapter, is from the word episkopos, and is defined as “one who superintends and provides for the welfare of any one, an overseer, superintendent, bishop; that is, a chief officer in the Christian Church. Acts 20: 28; Phil. 1: 1; Titus 1: 7.” The word episkopos, occurring in Acts 20: 28, is there translated “overseers.” The word “shepherd” is applied to this same office, and is from the word poimen, and is defined as “a pastor, protector, guide, one who has the care of others and provides for their welfare. John 10: 11, 14, 16.” Of the Church in those early times we quote: “The Church was in danger in the apostle’s day of being imposed upon and deceived by false teachers. Therefore the brethren chose men who had given good evidence that they were capable of ruling well their own house and preserving order in their own families, and who could enlighten those who were in darkness. Inquiry was made of God concerning these, and then, according to the mind of the Church and the Holy Ghost, they were set apart by the laying on of hands. Having received their commission from God, and having the approbation of the Church, they went forth baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and administering the ordinances of the Lord’s house, often waiting upon the saints by presenting them the emblems of the broken body and spilt blood of the crucified Saviour, to keep fresh in the memory of God’s beloved children His sufferings and death.” — “Early Writings,” Supplement to Experience and Views, pages 15, 16. When matters came up of interest to the entire body of the early Church we learn, by reading the record of the council held at Jerusalem over the question of circumcision (recorded in Acts 15), how they proceeded. There were certain men which came down from Judea who “taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye can not be saved. . . . And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.” Acts 15: 1-6. As to the character of some of the men called together on this occasion, we learn that they were men who had “hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Verse 26. Concerning the proceedings of this council, we read, in the words of another: “The apostles and elders at Jerusalem acted as councilors, in a manner to give room for the Holy Ghost to act as judge. Christ came into that assembly by His Spirit, and found the apostles, elders, and brethren in a teachable frame of mind, and at once led them out of their difficulties. In this case at an early date in the Christian Church, the true doctrine of the leadership of Christ and the equality of the ministerial brotherhood stands the test.”—Elder James White, Note in “Testimony,” No. 25, 1875. In this council different ones freely expressed their minds. The true state of things was presented,—how the Lord was working by His Spirit with the uncircumcised Gentiles,—after which a decision was stated in these words: “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.” Acts 15: 28, 29. Concerning their action, we quote from “Spirit of Prophecy” these words: “The matter resulted in much discussion and want of harmony in the Church, until finally the church at Antioch, apprehending that a division among them would occur from any further discussion of the question, decided to send Paul and Barnabas, together with some responsible men of Antioch, to Jerusalem, and lay the matter before the apostles and elders. . . . “The council which decided this case was composed of the founders of the Jewish and Gentile Christian churches. Elders from Jerusalem, and deputies from Antioch, were present; and the most influential churches were represented. The council did not claim infallibility in their deliberations, but moved from the dictates of enlightened judgment, and with the dignity of a church established by the divine will. They saw that God himself had decided that question by favoring the Gentiles with the Holy Ghost; and it was left for them to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. “The entire body of Christians were not called to vote upon the question. The apostles and elders13 — men of influence and judgment — framed and issued the decree, which was thereupon generally accepted by the Christian churches.”—“Spirit of Prophecy,” Vol. III, edition of 1878, pages 369, 376. — It is reported that the shah of Persia is seriously ill. — Last year the expenses of New York City were $162,530,510. — A slight panic prevails in Japan, twenty banks having failed. — The Argentine wheat crop is estimated to be 2,600,000 tons. — The agitation against Sunday concerts is being revived in London. — Governor Dole, of Hawaii, is seriously ill with nervous prostration. — President Errázuriz, of Chile, has resigned because of poor health. — The Japanese indemnity claim on China amounts to $23,750,000. — A seat on the New York Stock Exchange was recently sold for $62,100. — An earthquake was recently felt on the island of Guernsey, near the English coast. — The Rt. Rev. William Stubbs, lord bishop of Oxford, and a noted historian, is dead. — Uruguay has decreed that “no Jesuit emigrants from Europe may land” upon its territory. — Steamships belonging to the Cunard line will be equipped with wireless telegraphy outfits. — The Canadian Pacific and Grand Trunk railway systems are said to be planning a consolidation. — Great Britain has refused to permit “the establishment of a Roman Catholic university in Ireland.” — On the night of the 3d inst. a large part of Jacksonville, Fla., was wiped out by fire. Loss, $15,000,000. — The Boers in the Kroonstad district recently derailed two trains and captured twenty-five British troopers. — The celebration of Dewey day (May 1) was practically confined to the admiral’s own home in Washington. — An American firm recently received an order from Ecuador for $2,000,000 worth of railroad bridge material. — Mexican troops have taken the capital of the Maya Indians in southern Mexico, and practically ended the rebellion. — A $4,000,000 company has been incorporated in this State, to build and operate a trolley line between Detroit and Chicago. — Numerous bands of Filipinos have surrendered and taken the oath of allegiance to the United States. However, the war is not over. — On account of illness, Brig.-Gen. Wm. Ludlow will leave Manila for the United States, at once. It is feared that he has consumption. — Adelbert Hay, son of Secretary Hay, and consul to Pretoria, Transvaal, has sent in his resignation, the same to take effect immediately. — A dispatch from Rome states that “Monsignor Falconio will succeed Cardinal Martinelli as papal delegate to the United States,” and that “Monsignor Zaleski, papal delegate to the West Indies, will succeed Monsignor Falconio as papal delegate to Canada.” — Because of opposition to the canal bill, Emperor William, of Germany, closed the Prussian Diet the 3d inst. Three members of the cabinet, Dr. Von Miquel, minister of finance, Baron Von Hammerstein, minister of agriculture, and Herr Brefeld, minister of commerce, have been forced by the emperor to render their resignation, because of their “inability to rally their constituents in support of the canal bill.” — Mr. Tom Johnson, the new mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, has made his pastor director of the department of charities and corrections of that city. — It seems that General Schwartzkopf perished in the burning palace of the empress, in Peking. He had returned to the building to save his favorite dog. — Wholesale desertions from the Turkish army are reported, because of “destitution and military negligence.” The deserters are joining bands of brigands. — With an eye to business, the Standard Oil Company has already purchased “railroad terminals, wharves, and shipping facilities, and 90,000 acres of land” in the oil fields of Texas. — The street cars of Oakland, Cal., are operated by electric power generated on the Yuba River, 140 miles distant. It is said that this is the “longest transmission of electric power in the world.” — Wu Ting Fang, Chinese minister to this country, advises that the United States impose “an educational test on Chinese coming to this country, requiring them to read the Constitution in English.” — John Alexander Dowie has leased the Chicago Auditorium for two years, for his Sunday afternoon services. His present Zion tabernacle is too small to accommodate the throngs that attend his services. — An exchange gives the following recipe as a smallpox preventive: “Pour a pint of boiling water on one ounce of cream of tartar, let it settle and cool, and take a teaspoonful every hour.” It surely can do no harm. — Mrs. George D. Herron has secured a divorce from her husband, the noted socialist haranguer, on the ground of his scandalous conduct with another woman. Last week Dr. Herron was suspended from the Grinnell (Iowa) Association of Congregational Churches. — The Michigan Central Railroad proposes to illuminate Niagara Falls during the summer, by means of electric search-lights, the power necessary to be derived from the rapids. The illumination will take place during the passage of trains after dark. — Just before leaving for Rome, Archbishop Chappelle, papal delegate to the Philippine Islands, told Judge Taft, of the Philippine Commission, that “the friars were not to return to the provinces, and that only a sufficient number of them were now in Manila to act as instructors in the colleges.” Some are fondly hoping that this will simplify “the troublesome friar question;” but, with such teachers in the colleges, it will not take long to raise a new crop of friars, and the system remains untouched. — Student riots continue in Russia. Sunday, the 14th ult., 1,500 persons were arrested in Odessa. “Revolutionary proclamations continue to be distributed in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Odessa, Kieff, and elsewhere. The most remarkable of recent developments is a proposal to dispatch to the czar an address begging him to grant a constitution. Fifteen thousand signatures have already been appended to it, including those of many landowners, merchants, and literary men. The address is causing much excitement. It is generally regarded as a most daring step.” — On the 27th ult. the Cuban commissioners had a “final and decisive interview” with President McKinley, asking him to ameliorate trade relations between the United States and Cuba. In reply he merely told them that “after they have formed their government, he will appoint a commission to consider the question.” Seeing they were obliged to submit to the Platt amendment, the Cuban commissioners thought to get an equivalent, in trade concessions, for their surrender of Cuban independence. But, with the sugar and tobacco trusts in control of the legislation of Congress, no trade concessions will ever be made to Cuba. NOTES FROM THE ANGLO-CHINESE ACADEMY OF HONOLULU
By William E. Howell
Two or three weeks ago, a number of the home boys who were interested in having more practice in the use of English, formed themselves into a band for the purpose of laying restrictions upon their use of Chinese. The plan was to appoint monitors to report those overstepping the restrictions, and a judge to assign offenders to work in the school yard for a certain length of time. The boys showed their confidence in Ah Charm by selecting him for their first judge. He was willing to act in that capacity, until the next day, when he said that he did not wish to act as judge any longer. Being asked why, he replied, “The Bible says, ‘Judge not.’” I gave him the chapter in “Mount of Blessing” on judging, to read, and the objection was removed from his mind. One almost envies the experience of a soul in its first love. Ah Charm is fearless in letting others know where he stands. He talks the truth to the other boys, and even writes it to friends away from the school. He is awaiting baptism, and has attended, but not participated in, one quarterly service. With proper training, there is no reason why he should not make an efficient worker, though he is not qualified to do translating, because of a deficient knowledge of written Chinese. But he is making rapid strides in English. The following paper, written in an examination in rhetoric, is in evidence. It is a verbatim copy of the original:— “1. Synonyms are words of like significance in general, and may be used interchangeably sometimes, but each one has its special meaning of its own. “2. Ability and capacity in general has the meaning of power. The special meaning of ability is power to do, and include many kinds of power, while capacity has the meaning of the power to hold. “3. Many inexperienced writers thought that because words are synonyms, they can be used interchangeably freely, but this is a mistake; for in most cases it is found that only one word is best for it. “4. (a) Crime and sin mean offenses in general. Crime has the special meaning of offenses against the laws of the government, while sin means offense against the law of God, and includes wickedness of any kind. “He was arrested for his crime by a policeman. “Jesus died to save us from our sins.” “(b) Strange and curious means something out of its usual order, in general. The special meaning of strange is something new or unfamiliar. The special meaning of curious is something of such a nature as to excite curiosity. “The people thought that the phonograph was a strange thing when it was first invented. “The philosopher found some curious creatures in the river-bed. “(c) Defect and fault means imperfectness in general. The special meaning of defect means something is lacking in the making up, or a faulty interior, while fault means something is wrong with it, while nothing is lacking in its composition. “The defect in this thing causes it to be useless. “It is your fault because you hired the man to murder him. “(d) Apparent and evident in general means clear, plain. Apparent means what appears clear to our mind as soon as attention is called to something, in its special meaning. Evident means what makes our minds sure by some proofs, in its special meaning. “It is apparent that he is sick, because he didn’t come out. “It is evident that he is dead, for the ship is lost at sea, and some one saw her masts. “(e) Truth and veracity means correctness, precision, reality, in the general sense. In the special use, truth is applied chiefly to the quality of a man, or the trueness of a man. “I like to tell the truth. “He is a man of veracity.” The other young man is very promising, although he has not taken so decided a stand as Ah Charm has. He is qualified for translating, and is a little older. He is a cousin to our Chinese brother now studying medicine in San Francisco.