The mission school work, as conducted by the Southern Missionary Society, is without question the greatest factor for getting the third angel’s message before the colored people of the South. Here are nearly nine million colored people, to whom instruction is to be given concerning the physical, mental, and moral nature. It is a very large undertaking.
“We must give them line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little. The youth will catch the lessons that are given, and retain them much more readily than those who are aged. How important it is that this large class of human beings, who are now in ignorance, should be taught to read for themselves, that they may know what saith the Lord unto them! How anxious every Christian family should be to have a part in helping on the education of the colored race! Many of them are poor, neglected, homeless creatures.”—“Testimonies on the Southern Work,” page 82.
Some may ask, What are we doing to accomplish this work here in the South? The Southern Missionary Society is educating these people that they may know how to do things and to know God. We teach them not only to read and write, but give them a practical Christian and industrial education, teaching them how to build cheap houses, how to erect school buildings in cities and villages.
Note what has been done. Twelve years ago there were no colored Seventh-day Adventist schools in the South; last year this society operated eighteen schools; this year it will open ten more in September. Thus 1908 will show twenty-eight mission schools in operation, which means no less than one thousand children taught by God-fearing teachers, and the truth going to as many homes.
Visit our mission schools. See the children and teacher. Ask them what they think of the mission school, and what we shall tell the people who are helping them by giving donations to forward the work. I asked this question of a class before going West last year. One little fellow jumped up and said, “Tell ’em, ’Fessur Rogers, we is coming up; we is risin’.”
Dear brethren and sisters, this is the way the children express it. The older people appreciate these schools and sacrifice to send their children to the mission school because, they say, “We learn to read the Bible; it is a holy school.” Our teachers visit the homes, teach the people how better to prepare healthful food, to care for their bodies, and to give simple treatments. In most cases they act as church leaders, conduct the services, and are not simply school-teachers but practical workers.
The means coming to the Southern Missionary Society for the school work among the colored people is not used in erecting expensive buildings, but goes directly to taking the message of truth to the people, small amounts, when necessary, being expended to prepare temporary places of worship until Jesus comes.
Here is a group of children from the Atlanta (Ga.) mission school with their teacher. Compare these with the group of children who play in back alleys and run the street, and note what the mission school does for them. The children attend the mission school a few years; the brightest of these go on to our school at Huntsville, complete their preparation,17and go at once into active work. As a result, to-day scores of intelligent workers led by the Lord are carrying the banner of truth to thousands of their own people. This is the result of means contributed by past donations. Has not the money been well spent?
TEACHERS AND CHILDREN OF THE ATLANTA (GA.)
MISSION SCHOOL
Dozens of appeals embracing every State in the South, are before us. Our means do not warrant us in responding to another call. Think of refusing help to a city like Memphis, which, after appealing for years, now says: “We ask in the name of the dear Lord. Please remember us.”
Take hold, brethren and sisters, and help on this collection as never before, and see us open ten times ten new schools next year. Is this expecting too much?—No, certainly not. Has not the Lord said we should have one hundred workers where there is now one? Truly this is possible.
See our teachers. This group of teachers has just attended an eight weeks’ institute at the Huntsville School. A most pleasant and profitable time was spent there. Besides the regular class work, there was an earnest seeking of God, and a study of his plans and methods. These teachers go forth into the field courageous to work for God, believing he will fight for them if they trust him fully. There will be many a hard-fought battle, and possibly times when the courage will almost fail, but faith in God will bring final victory.
Truly the work is onward in the South; and we plead with you to help take out every stumbling-block, and push steadily forward until we see the work close up and Jesus come.
F. R. ROGERS. Superintendent of Schools of Southern Missionary Society.
TEACHERS OF MISSION SCHOOLS IN THE SOUTH
Alabama
By W. H. Sebastian
HUNTSVILLE.—This place is, I am sure, well known to us as a people. To my own race in the United States and elsewhere I would say, Do you know why we should be interested in the school at Huntsville? The Lord has said, through the spirit of prophecy, that this school should receive encouragement and help; for he led in its establishment. If he takes an interest in us, surely we ought to take an interest in the school that he has given us. Let all our families be interested, and be in harmony with our school. Pray for it, and talk to your friends about it.
“In the night season I was taken by my Guide from place to place, from city to city, in the South. I saw the great lesson work to be done,—that which ought to have been done years ago. We seemed to be looking at many places. Our first interest was for the places where the work has already been established, and for those where the way has opened for a beginning to be made. One of these places was Graysville, and another Huntsville, where we have industrial schools.—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VII, page 231.
“A good beginning has been made in the Southern field.” This is true of the work at Huntsville, as I have seen during my recent visit there, from July 10 to August 4. It would do your soul good if you could visit the school, and see what has been accomplished. Three new buildings have been completed in less than two years. Of course there are other improvements to be made, but these can not be made until our brethren and sisters respond to the call.
CHURCH AND CHURCH-SCHOOL BUILDINGS OWNED BY THE SOUTHERN MISSIONARY SOCIETY, YAZOO CITY, MISS.
The new sanitarium at Oakwood is very much needed. We are so glad for the steps that have again been taken for a sanitarium at Nashville for our people. I do not believe that we have any in operation, but we are praying and waiting patiently for the Lord to work in our behalf. We have felt for these past years that we have been without an arm; but we see light piercing the gloom. Will you help us to get these institutions, and then help to keep them in operation? We thank you for what you have already done for us as a people. We highly appreciate it, and give to God the glory and honor which is due to his name.
W. H. SEBASTIAN.
South Carolina
By H. B. Gallion
THE population of this State in 1900 was approximately a million and a half. It has considerably increased since that time. The State contains forty-one counties, ten of which have been entered by our denominational literature. Thirty-one counties, therefore, have as yet remained untouched. In connection with our camp-meeting, held recently at Greenville, Brother V. O. Cole, our union conference field agent, conducted a two-days' canvassers' institute, during which practical drills and lessons were given. Our small corps of canvassers is greatly encouraged as they go forth to the work this season.
People are very willing to buy first-class literature, and with thirty-one large, unentered counties, we are confident of an advance step the coming year. We earnestly invite workers from abroad. Our constituency is too small as yet to afford many home laborers, and we are praying and working and waiting for others to be touched by our great needs, and “come over, . . . and help us.” I shall be glad to answer any questions concerning this field. Address me at 152 Welch Ave., Anderson, S. C.
H. B. GALLION, State Agent.
Hawaiian Islands
By C. D. M. WILLIAMS
HONOLULU.—Elder J. N. Loughborough passed through here last Friday night (July 24), and gave us one of his good talks on the spirit of prophecy. This was appreciated by all. One brother said he could stay all that night and hear him talk of those things. It is a great privilege to us to have our brethren come to us with messages, as they pass through here on their way to and from other parts of the field.
We are glad to say that we are of good courage, and believe that our little company is drawing nearer the Lord as the day for his coming approaches. The Holy Spirit seems to pervade all our meetings, and some from without are becoming interested as the truth is presented.
One man was in last evening who had heard only three sermons, and had already begun to keep the Sabbath. He stayed after meeting till very late, and asked questions, many of which were on the line of Mormonism, as he belongs to that church. As I had been among the Mormons in Arizona, and had lived among them in Utah, and had had them at many Bible readings and meetings, I could give complete answers to his questions.
Mrs. Williams had a rather peculiar experience a few days ago. A Chinese missionary of one of the other denominations seemed especially friendly to her for some time, but as she could speak very little English, it seemed almost impossible for her to make us understand what she wanted. The other day she came, and asked Mrs. Williams to go with her, and she took her to another Chinese missionary's house, where they had also invited another Chinese woman. One of these women could speak good English, and she told my wife that they wanted her to teach them the Bible. Now it is arranged for her to go there every week.
It is very hard to get a hearing here among any of the church-members, as they and we are watched very closely, and as soon as it is known that we have talked with them, the ministers visit them, and do all they can to prevent them from receiving the truth. Yet now and then one will step out on the Word.
We had the big fleet with us for ten days; the city went wild over it, and entertainments of every description were given. I understand that about forty thousand dollars was spent in entertainment. We tried to make it a time of bringing in a little of the Lord's truth, by selling about five hundred of the Naval edition of the Signs.
C. D. M. WILLIAMS.
Organization of a French Church
By LOUIS ZECCHETTO
IN answer to a call from the president of the Southern New England Conference for a laborer among the French, I visited Woonsocket, R. I., last fall, where I found one brother who had been observing the Sabbath for years. After spending a few days at that place, I returned to New York City, and presented the needs of that field to the Greater New York Conference, which voted that I should return, and establish a French church. I continued a series of lectures for about four weeks, and left a small company of Sabbath-keepers in that place. From the very start the opposition was bitter and unrelenting. This came not only from the Catholics, who control about the whole town, but also from the First-day Adventists, the Baptists, and a sect known as the Holiness Band. The latter, perhaps, were the most unreasonable and bitter of all. They professed complete holiness, and yet antagonized the sanctity of God's holy law.
For various reasons it was thought18best not to organize a church at that time, and thus I left the little flock under the watchful eye of Brother Basquin, who had stood so nobly for several years alone.
On the eleventh of July this year I returned and baptized eleven willing souls. In company with Brother D. B. Parmelee, vice-president of the Southern New England Conference, a French Seventh-day Adventist church was organized. The eleven just baptized, and two who were accepted on profession of faith, composed a church of thirteen members.
I feel very grateful to our dear Heavenly Father that not only has one more church been added to God's people, but also that this is the starting of the work in a new tongue in this country. If I am not mistaken, this is the first French church to be organized in the United States.
It might be interesting to state that the preacher of the Holiness people, who had opposed the truth so bitterly in the beginning, met me at the station as I was leaving the city, and said, “Don't forget to mention me in your prayers, that I may have grace to obey the Sabbath truth, and courage to preach it to my people.” Thus this man was left under condemnation, and we ask you, dear reader, to remember him at the throne of grace, that he may obey the truth, and thus become a power in proclaiming the third angel's message.
LOUIS ZECCHETTO.
Tennessee
By W. R. Burrow
MEMPHIS has been chosen as the place for our camp-meeting for both white and colored people, and October 1-10 is the time. The Tri-State Fair held here September 28 to October 7, will make this meeting an important one in many ways. It will give us one fare, plus twenty-five cents; and we are planning every way that we can to get matters shaped up so to reach the thousands of visitors with our papers and books.
The tent-meeting planned to be held here this summer by Elder J. S. Washburn has now begun, and the hearts of the Memphis brethren and sisters are made to rejoice to see this work begin. Our tent is located on the corner of Cooper Street and Union Avenue, with East End car-line running on Cooper Street. Our tent measures fifty by seventy feet, and is made of ten-ounce monarch khaki. It is a beautiful tent, pleasant to the eye, even in the bright sunshine.
We trust our brethren and sisters will pray for this meeting, and prepare also to attend the camp-meeting, which we believe will be one of the most important meetings ever held in the conference.
W. R. Burrow.
Peru
By F. L. Perry
LIMA.—I have just received a letter from a brother, the first believer in Puno, who secured the first subscribers for the Señales. He had seen in the REVIEW an article of mine about our proposed Indian school, and is all enthusiasm in regard to the idea. At present he is in Bolivia. He said that he had occasion to meet a company of about thirty Indians, in some sort of festival; that he taught them as best he could the truths of the gospel, and then told them about the plans that the Adventist mission had in mind. He says they all accepted his teaching, and were filled with gratitude at the prospect of help for their race.
This brother speaks, although not perfectly, the Quechua and Aymará, and has a diploma as a teacher in the public schools of Peru. He says that he has dedicated himself to this cause, and wants to do all he can to help. I think he will be valuable assistance.
An experienced canvasser is needed here. I am sure we can find some to step out in this work; but they will need better training than I can give them, and Brother Davis is not expected to stay here long.
Another family has begun keeping the Sabbath in Yauli. I am going up there to spend Sabbath. Yesterday Mrs. Perry had another attack of the fever, and the day before, Mora was down with it. It is very difficult to get away with such conditions at home, but we shall do the best we can.
How I enjoy getting the REVIEW these days! Somehow it seems to have taken on a new measure of power. How its messages inspire one with fresh courage and confidence! As we see the very events taking place in the nation, and among the other churches, and in the progress of our own work, which were written of by the spirit of prophecy many years ago, what joy fills the soul!—not that these things are happening, but that we are on the right track; that this work is of God; that soon the conflict will be over, soon we shall see the King in his beauty, and enter into the inheritance of the redeemed.
F. L. PERRY.
India
By J. S. James
KODAIKANAL.—We are now taking a little rest in one of the hill stations of south India. Kodaikanal is situated on the summit of the Pulney Hills, seven thousand feet above the sea. We are forty-five miles west of the nearest railway station of the South Indian railway. The location and surroundings are ideal, but it is very expensive living here. Fruits and vegetables of almost every variety can be had—for the price. We have delightful rambles through the woods, picking berries and wild flowers, and breathing deeply the fresh, cool air. We are wearing our winter clothes now, and a wood fire on the hearth is very comfortable. We are taking no time from our work, but are going ahead with our Tamil, and are preparing for another year of hard work which is just before us. Mrs. James and I came very near to succumbing to the heat of the plains, and it took all the strength we could muster up to pack a few things and get away. When we left Mukkupiri, an epidemic of cholera was raging, and people were dying all about us. In addition to this, a famine was imminent, and the people were very much alarmed.
Our work among the so-called Sabbath-keepers is getting a start now, and the confidence of the majority of the people has been gained, but there is a tremendous task ahead of us. These people know very little about Christianity. I have found, by a close contact with them for four months, that they are little, if any, better than the average heathen. Still there are some good people among them, who, I think, will be led out of their darkness into the gospel light. The young people are the most promising material we have to work for among them; but before we can do much in a material way to help them, we must have some facilities. In fact, I am thoroughly convinced that a good school, conducted after our own standards, will be the large part of our work. By this means we shall be able to break up one of the most fruitful sources for perpetuating the old order of things, and educate a few young men and women for work in other sections of the Tamil country. The real heart-workers will come from among the young people. The situation among these people is vastly different than was supposed when we made our first visit among them, and reported through the REVIEW.
A young Tamil man has recently accepted the truth, and is now with me, being more fully instructed. He has a good English and Tamil education, and if he proves faithful, will be of great service to the cause in this part of the field.
One great need is another young man and his wife who can join us and take charge of the school work, and work along evangelistic lines at the same time. When I read the report of the last General Conference Committee meeting, and saw that no one had been chosen for this part of the field, I felt like sitting down and weeping.
The medical work should be carried forward among these people, and this is the surest and quickest way to reach their hearts. Mrs. James and I carried this work from the first, many times doing the work of surgeon and nurse, until we came near breaking down, and had to give it up. Are there not a young man and his wife to be found anywhere who can be sent out to help us?
We think of you often in our work, and hold up the interest of the world-wide field in our prayers. Our courage is good, and we desire to push the work harder than ever before. Pray for us.
J. S. JAMES.
Bolivia
By E. W. Thomann
BEING again in Cochabamba, we have begun work anew. The evening meetings are visited by a few interested. We hope to be able to start a Sabbath-school soon. The educated people of the town are friendly toward us; but among the ignorant there are still those who will throw stones after one when he is distributing tracts, or who will act as if they want to buy a paper, and as soon as they get it in their hands, tear it.
I am now canvassing Cochabamba over again with our missionary paper. But many of the subscribers, who would like to read it, are discouraged because of the bad postal service. Usually more than half the papers do not reach their destination. I experience the same thing. For instance, several months ago I ordered three books from the States. I received information that they were sent, but only one reached me, so I had to order again, and ask that they be sent by registered mail. With papers we can not do that. I long to see in each of the larger towns a faithful brother, who might receive the club of papers, and distribute them to the subscribers. I can not do that myself, since I must go from one place to another, making possibly one round a year. I long also to see colporteurs come to work with books. The paper is easier to open a field with, but books are more permanent literature; and, as the canvasser delivers them directly, people are sure to get them.
I expect my brother to come in October, to assist me in the work. We are told that where there is now one laborer, there should be a hundred; so also in Bolivia there is room for many faithful witnesses for the truth. When I read about China, India, Africa, and many other places, where, in proportion to the population, we have still fewer workers than in Bolivia, I hardly dare ask for more for this country. Yet what is one laborer for a whole republic, where three19languages are spoken, and the most of the people can not read a single letter? I will do my best, but Bolivia needs more laborers. I pray the Lord to send more into his vineyard, and I hope some will come before the eleventh hour is past. Let none of our brethren become weary in praying that the Lord may protect his servants, and bless them in his work. And let us redeem the time, because the days are evil. E. W. THOMANN.
Colorado
By G. W. Anglebarger
DENVER.—Since our last report six more have taken their stand for the truth. Next Sabbath several of these will be baptized; a number of others are on the verge of taking this step. We do praise God for his goodness to us in this place. We believe what he tells us in the Testimonies, “Now is the most favorable time we shall ever have to work our large cities.” The Lord is putting his hand to the work in a special manner.
G. W. ANGLEBARGER.
Reports from the Canvassing Work
From South Dakota comes a report for the week ending August 1, showing that twenty-one agents worked an average of over thirty-eight hours each, and took orders amounting to $743.50,—an average of ninety-two cents an hour for each agent.
Statistics recently compiled from reports of work done in one of our smaller union conferences show that if every agent in the conferences composing that union had worked full time, the sales in those conferences would have increased enormously, the increase varying from twenty-seven per cent in the conference where the workers put in the best time, to one hundred fifty per cent in the conference where the average time was lowest.
Brother L. E. Borle, director of our printing plant in Mexico, reports that the four canvassers who went from California recently to that field, began work on August 10. That morning one of the workers, laboring among the wealthier class of people, took five orders for Spanish “Coming King” in two hours’ time. This was done by a man who knows nothing of Spanish, except what he has learned in a two weeks’ institute. Let us daily remember these workers in that difficult field, and pray that doors may be opened, and hearts softened, for the reception of our truth-filled literature.
Faithful work is being done, and good time put in, by the workers in the Eastern Canadian Union Conference. As a result, the sales for the week ending July 29 averaged considerably over a dollar an hour for each agent.
A recent report from the Chesapeake Conference shows that out of thirteen agents in the field, six worked an average of forty hours or more in one week. These six agents took orders amounting to $333.60, or an average of $55.60 each for the week’s work. Less than half the agents turned in practically seventy per cent of the business done in that conference for the week. Faithful labor in the Lord’s vineyard brings sure reward.
The Kansas City branch of the Pacific Press Publishing Company reports a gain in sales for the month of July, 1908, of thirty per cent over the corresponding month last year. Aside from the financial aspect of this report, it is encouraging to know that many additional homes in the Central and Northern union conferences, whose inmates perhaps have never before heard the gospel of a soon-coming Saviour, have been entered by the silent messengers of truth.
Field Notes and Gleanings
ON Sunday, July 19, five persons were baptized at Norfolk, Va.
AT Glenburnie, Md., Elder L. F. Starr baptized five persons on Sunday, August 2.
FIVE persons were baptized and united with the Hamilton (Ontario) church on a recent Sabbath.
AT Allentown, Pa., three united with the church at the last quarterly meeting, and others await baptism.
ELDER ANDREW NELSON reports that he recently visited the church at Oneil, Okla., and baptized five—a mother and her four children.
THE East End company of believers at Georgetown, Grand Cayman, has been organized into a church. Their new church building is nearly completed.
BROTHER J. C. STEVENS, reporting the work at Bridgeport, Conn., says: “So far eight or nine have begun to observe the Sabbath, and several are ready for baptism.”
IT is reported in the Southwestern Union Record that five persons are keeping the Sabbath at Double Bayou, Tex., as a result of the efforts put forth there by Brother N. V. Willess.
AN ordinance meeting was held at Steamburg, N. Y., August 1, at the close of which eight new members were received into the church. Five candidates were baptized at the same time.
THE Columbia Union Visitor reports that three persons were baptized recently at Richmond, Va., and that one other united with this church the first Sabbath in August. Twelve more are deeply interested in the truth.
ON a recent Sabbath seven persons followed their Lord in baptism at Boulder, Colo., and the names of nine persons were presented to the church at that place for membership, three being on profession of faith.
THE Wisconsin Reporter states that on August 4 Elder John Hoffman baptized eight who have recently accepted the truth at Frederic, Wis. On the previous Sabbath a Sabbath-school of sixteen members was organized.
A REPORT of the meetings at Muscatine, Iowa, says: “Thus far ten have taken their stand for the truth. This makes a total of about sixty who have united with the church since January 1, and many more are interested.”
AS a result of the tent effort at Newkirk, Okla., six have taken their stand for the truth, three others are keeping the Sabbath, and still others are convinced and on the point of deciding. Recently a Sabbath-school of fourteen members was organized there.
IN connection with a series of meetings held at Levi, Tex., a young people’s meeting was conducted once a day. The Lord blessed them richly in these meetings, so that about eighteen of the young people gave their hearts to God. When the call was made for those who desired baptism, twenty-one went forward.
ONE point of special interest regarding the work for the colored people in the Southwestern Union Conference is the two camp-meetings held especially for this people, one last fall at Pine Bluff, Ark., and the other last July at Waco, Tex. Both of these meetings were sources of encouragement to the colored people in these States. Both meetings were entirely under the direction of the superintendent of the colored work in this field, Elder M. Jones, and he was assisted in each State by the local colored laborers. The Pine Bluff camp-meeting closed a tent effort that had been conducted at that place by Elder Jones and Brother Dancer, which resulted in the organization of a small church.
The Publishing Work
Conducted under the auspices of the General Conference Publishing Department.
C. H. JONES - - - - Chairman
E. R. PALMER - - - - Secretary
H. H. HALL - - - - Assistant Secretary
A Good Record
The following letter from Luella Rasmussen, Chicago, Ill., one of our most successful periodical workers, is a good sample of many others received by the Review and Herald periodical department:—
“Kindly send me 250 copies of the August Life and Health at once. I have only 150 copies of the 500 ordered left, so will almost run out before I get any more. Also please send me 500 copies of the September number as soon as they are out.
“I am having fine success here. Sold 397 papers in fourteen and one half hours. Hoping you will send the papers as soon as possible, I remain,
“Very sincerely,
“LUELLA RASMUSSEN.”
Three hundred ninety-seven copies in fourteen and a half hours equals about twenty-seven copies an hour, and nets the worker $1.89 profits an hour. This worker has recently sold as high as fifty copies an hour in other places.
Another periodical worker has just reported twenty-four Liberty subscriptions in less than two hours. This gives the worker a profit of $1.20 an hour taking subscriptions for Liberty.
A Sure Cure
THE principal reason for discouragement among many of our canvassers lies in the fact that they do not accomplish as much as they think they should. But why? It may be due to the fact that they do not work from eight to ten good, solid, honest, faithful hours every day, five days in the week.
THE CURE.—Just appoint yourself a committee of one to see that you never are obliged to report, under ordinary circumstances, a week of less than forty hours if you are in city territory, and of from forty to fifty hours if you are working in the country.
