Medical Missionary Work in the Southern Union Conference
By O. F. Hayward
O. F. HAYWARD, M. D.
The territory of the Southern Union Conference is in many respects the greatest and most important field in America. It has conditions calculated to test to the utmost our courage and faith and love; it possesses possibilities and affords opportunities that are most inspiring. The nine States comprised in this union conference have a total population of over 15,400,000, distributed as follows: South Carolina, 1,340,000, with two black persons for every white one; North Carolina, 1,890,000, with two whites for one black; Mississippi, 1,550,000, in the ratio of eight whites for five blacks; Kentucky, 2,147,000, with only one black to every five white persons; Louisiana, 1,880,000, with the races about equally divided; Alabama, 1,828,000, about equally divided; Florida, 528,000, with a small majority of white population; Georgia, 2,216,000, nearly half of whom are colored; and Tennessee, 2,020,000, with a little over one-fourth colored. It thus appears that of our population of 15,400,000, about two fifths are colored. While by far the greater part of our population resides in the country and in small towns, we have, nevertheless, several large and important cities.
Though many have been accustomed to think of the South as a poverty-stricken wilderness, its agricultural and mineral resources are ample, and the territory included in the conference is capable of supporting a much larger population than it does at present.
The population of this territory may conveniently be grouped in classes. First, the cultured class, comprising people of varying degrees of wealth, all educated. This class may be reached, first, by well-equipped sanitariums, so situated as to bear to some extent the character of a resort; second, by suitable literature and schools of health; and third, by first-class treatment rooms and restaurants in the larger cities.
Another class is the mountain whites, of whom about four million live in western Tennessee and Kentucky, the western Carolinas, and northern Georgia and Alabama. Inhabiting the most salubrious sections in all America, this people are, nevertheless, afflicted with a great many petty ills and deep-seated infirmities; they are nearly all sick, and it almost seems as if their chief business was to ward off health. Hundreds of thousands are unable to read or write, and their tendency has not been to advance. The excessive use of tobacco, coffee, pork, and hot soda breads, poor cookery, uncleanliness, smothering in winter quarters, and insufficient clothing are some of the causes of suffering among them. This class is to be reached, first of all, by the locating of families among them to do Christian Help work. Here is a great work to be done. Second, by the circulation of illustrated papers and small books. Such literature as Good Health will meet the needs of but few of these. Third, temperance and Bible lectures in schoolhouses, with such entertainments as a magic lantern, might be the means of saving many souls. There are precious jewels among the mountain people; and when we work with them as carefully and systematically as others are working the mineral wealth out of their native hills, we shall find many of God’s “diamonds in the rough.”
Next are the mining people, of whom there are not a few. Our mineral wealth is great, and there are hundreds of small mining towns; many of those are as chips out of the worst portions of our large cities. Intemperance and associated vices are prevalent. It will require men of mettle to start small schools and Christian Help missions in these places.
Still another class are the employees of the cotton mills. There is a great army of these, and their environment and training have made them a distinct and peculiar people. They enter the mills at a very early age, and as soon as they are able to take a spindle, their doom is sealed; they have taken their black veil; for in a great majority of cases they are in the work for life. Outside of the factory their time is spent in various kinds of amusements, but very little attention being given to education. They have pastors who are hired by the mill owners, and whose word settles all doubt and controversy in the matter of religion. This fact is of great importance, as it is the chief obstacle in the way of reaching these people with the third angel’s message. Cottage meetings have interested them in the few instances in which they have been held, but the most successful method of labor among them is still an unsolved problem.
In our large cities we have what may be found in large cities elsewhere, plenty of work for evangelistic medical missions.
In the preceding paragraphs, I have had in mind only the white population. The colored people also present several distinct classes. There is the small professional class, a large class of industrious laborers in cities and towns; and the poor plantation class, forming the dense colored population of the so-called black counties of Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina.
A large army of colored medical missionaries must be trained to work from cabin to cabin among these people, leading them by gentle steps to a more clean and wholesome home life, and to a knowledge of the first principles of the Christian religion and of morality. These workers must be most carefully trained and tested; for they must be able always to smother the natural tendency to join in the complainings of the blacks, and must never by word or look foster the spirit of hatred or resentment among them. We are not to teach independence, but freedom in Christ; we are not to change social or political conditions, but to minister the gospel, which saves men no matter what may be their condition of social or political servitude. For such a gospel we should be devoutly thankful.
The masses of colored people in our large cities may be reached by means of treatment rooms, missions, cottage meetings, and attractive literature; and these missions may be so conducted as to afford training-school advantages for workers who are to be sent out to labor among the plantation negroes. In planning for this work, we must bear in mind that persons who are qualified to set before the students correct ideas with reference to their future work, and carefully to discipline their minds to the self-possession and good judgment that are essential, are most rare, and should as a rule be chosen from those of Southern birth.
What is Being Done
The coast line of the Southern Union Conference is thirty-three hundred miles long, with several important ports, among which are New Orleans, La.; Mobile, Ala.; Savannah, Ga.; Charleston, S. C.; and Wilmington, N. C. These cities are world markets, and into their harbors come vessels from every quarter, to return laden with American products.
The population of Key West, Fla., is made up largely of people from various islands in the West Indies. Are not these open doors to the world beyond? But this conference is unable properly to encourage its institutions, and work its inland territories. How, then, can it bear alone its responsibilities and relation to the neighboring islands and the rest of the world.
To mention briefly the work now being done in the different conferences:—
At Asheville, N. C., Brother and Sister M. H. Johnston, both trained nurses from the Battle Creek Sanitarium, have been at work for about seven years. They have leased for a term of years a finely equipped suite of treatment rooms, and recently have rented a twenty-room house not far from the bath rooms, and are prepared to receive a number of patients. Brother Johnston’s report for the last three months of 1901 was eight hundred and seventy-six treatments, over one hundred of which were given free of charge.
At Graysville, Tenn., Drs. O. M. Hayward and Elsie Martinson have treatment rooms fitted up in the basement of the school building, and two rented cottages16for the patients, thus carrying on a sanitarium work in a very modest way. Both Dr. Hayward and Dr. Martinson go out to give instructions wherever there is an opportunity. This work was carried on as a private enterprise until Nov. 5, 1901, when it was turned over to the conference. The report up to this date was: patients received, 132, remaining, in the aggregate, 151 weeks; physicians’ calls outside, 593; nurses’ outside calls and treatments, 154; office treatments, 412; total, 1,159; surgical operations, 21.
The Nashville Sanitarium for colored people has been incorporated by the Southern Missionary Society, the only institution of the kind in existence for the colored people. Thousands of eyes are upon it, and many colored youth are looking forward to the time when they can enter it, to become medical missionaries.
In Nashville, Brother and Sister Hansen have a well-equipped bath and treatment institution for white people. This has been carried on for several years, and is recognized as one of the reliable institutions of the city. It enjoys a fair patronage, and numbers as its friends many of the most substantial families of the place. It has five workers employed.
At Paducah, Ky., Dr. and Mrs. L. J. Otis have treatment rooms equipped with a good electrical and bath outfit. Dr. Otis has recently added the laboratory apparatus for making blood and stomach analyses and bacteriological investigations.
The only report before us is for November, 1901, which is as follows: treatments, 163; day and night nursing, 73; medical calls, 26. There are three workers besides Dr. and Mrs. Otis.
At Hildebran, N. C., a tract of land, with a large house and a fine spring of water, was purchased two years ago by Dr. Kate Lindsay. This property has been given to the Carolina Conference for sanitarium purposes. A board has been appointed, and preparations are being made to open the institution as the Piedmont Valley Sanitarium. Dr. G. P. Edwards will be the medical superintendent.
There are six or seven other places where the work is being carried on by individual workers, some of whom are connected with either the State conference or the Medical Missionary Board, while others are working independently. The summary of the workers gives three physicians, eighteen nurses, nine students, and seven other helpers working under supervision, besides twelve independent workers.
There is an imperative need of a permanent sanitarium work at Graysville, Tenn., as a center of sanitarium work and training for the Southern field, as the Nashville Sanitarium is for the colored people. A very desirable site has been secured, and three of the needed ten thousand dollars have been subscribed. The site, a tract of twenty-five acres, is on the side of Lone Mountain, and has a fine spring of soft water. To obtain frontage and another spring, the board has purchased another strip of twenty acres. A small building will be erected to serve as a dormitory when a better building can be erected. The work is being delayed for lack of funds, as the managers have adopted a strictly no-debt policy.
The work everywhere in the South is in great need of financial help. Surely, some one will come to the help of the Lord in this work, about which so many urgent appeals have been made.
What Shall We Say?
By J. B. Blosser
J. B. BLOSSER
THE climax in the life and work of Christ on earth had come. The hour had arrived when he was to pour out his soul unto death, that he might advocate his merits in behalf of a lost world, and by this manifestation of love win their hearts to love God. Should he now draw back, all would be lost; and yet it was possible even now for him to refuse to make the sacrifice. He asks the question, “What shall I say? Father, save me from this hour.” John 12:27. Then he answers his own question: “But for this cause came I unto this hour.” This was the only answer he could consistently give in harmony with his coming into this world as a Saviour. No; his great heart of love would not let him draw back now and leave humanity to perish. That would also reproach the character of his Father, who had sent him into the world to save it. Instead of asking his Father to save him from that hour, he prays, “Glorify thy name.” This could only be done by allowing the Saviour to pass through that hour, and make his amazing sacrifice. This made it possible for the universe to sing, with a higher note, “Glory to God in the highest.”
Another climax has been reached, requiring sacrifice on the part of God’s people. The hour has arrived when a mighty effort is to be made to save a lost world. To his remnant people the Lord has given a saving message: “Prepare to meet thy God.” It is a message of life. It is the “everlasting gospel.” The “hour” in that message has arrived, where, to complete that message, nothing but an entire consecration of our all to him will meet the demands. Now our soul is troubled, and the question comes to us with peculiar force, What shall we say? Shall it be, “Father, save me from this hour”? No, that would not be consistent with our mission to the world as God’s messengers. That would not be “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” God has called us to be light bearers, to manifest his love to the world; and his name would be reproached should we now refuse to let him use us in making his last mighty effort to save the world. Our prayer should be, “Father, glorify thy name.” “Not my will, but thine, be done.” Then will come the answer, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The time has come when this is to be realized. He has said, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” This will be true of every one who is consecrated to him for service. The time also is at hand, as it was then, when those who are self-seeking will be “scattered, every man to his own.” Not now, however, as with the Saviour, can we refuse to drink the cup and yet be saved ourselves. Our destiny, as well as the destiny of the world, depends upon our answer to the question, “What shall I say?”
Five Baptized at the Calcutta Church
SABBATH, May 10, was a good day for the Calcutta church. Five souls were buried with their Lord in baptism. The Lord drew near by his blessing, and many hearts were touched.
Missionary Work Opens Doors in India
Miss Kellogg, at Chandernagor, India, has all she can do, and is having many interesting experiences. Several Hindus have come, asking her to teach them the Bible. Miss Humphrey and Miss Knight are meeting with encouragement at Simla. They began work by canvassing and giving Bible readings. Now that they are known, they have calls in the medical work that have opened several homes to them.
Elder Owen Labors at Simultala Santal Mission
ELDER G. K. OWEN has been spending several weeks at Simultala, taking charge of the work at the Santal Mission during the absence of Brother Barlow, who is visiting his friends at Simla. Two were baptized at Simultala, and Bible readings were held daily with a family of six, all of them manifesting a deep interest and acknowledging the truth of all the readings. Three of them fully decided to keep all the commandments and prepare for the soon-coming Redeemer.
Scripture Printing Grows in Japan Since Secret Days
THIRTY years ago in Japan the Scriptures were printed secretly, and copies were sent out only after dark. Those who were engaged in this work did so at the risk of their lives. Now there is a Christian printing company at Yokohama, issuing the Scriptures not only in Japanese, but in Chinese, Tibetan, Korean, and two dialects of the Philippine Islands. Last year there were circulated in Japan over one hundred and thirty-eight thousand copies, which is an increase of thirty-nine thousand copies over the previous year.
Island Converts' Generous Offerings Shame Christian Lands
THE converts to Christianity in mission lands, especially in the regions where little or no money is in circulation, by the amount of their contributions shame us in Christian lands who live in abundance. The report of the offerings from one small island in the South Seas, where there were five thousand inhabitants, is really remarkable. The people have given for the support of their native pastor $1,580; for the London Missionary Society $153; and toward a missionary vessel $459.50, making a total of more than two thousand dollars. How quickly would the third angel's message go to every corner of the earth if our gifts represented so large a proportion of our income!
The Breaking Day
It is so sweet, the way he sang,
The man of God, my friend!
His theme was high—he warbled forth
The coming of the end;
And as he sang the end of sin,
The end of all our sighs,
The end of all reproach and shame,
A joy was in his eyes!
“The Lord is almost due,” said he;
“His coming draweth nigh!
The signs”—he told them one by one—
“Have nearly all passed by:
These heralds say, with one accord,
He cannot long delay:
I see! I see! O, look! it is
The breaking of the day!”
“The darkness flies! the night at last
Gives way to gray of dawn:
A moment more, and all our ills
Shall evermore be gone!”
Thus sang the man, the man of God,
With faith-anointed eyes:
He saw and understood the times;
The Word had made him wise.
And now by day, and oft by night,
I hear the song sung still—
The end of waiting for the King,
The end of every ill;
The echo lingers in my thoughts,
It never will away:
“Lift up your eyes and see! it is
The breaking of the day!”
— Christian and Missionary Alliance.
W. G. KNEELAND
By W. G. Kneeland
Trinidad
PORT OF SPAIN.—A missionary and Sabbath-school convention was held in Port of Spain, June 20-23, 1902. Six schools were represented. It was agreed to push the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” for the benefit of the West Indies Training School, which is much needed to prepare workers for our large field. Plans were laid to raise funds for our church buildings by the sale of our literature by each member, all profits being donated to the building fund. Excellent results were reported wherever the envelope plan of circulating our tracts has been adopted. Instructive papers were presented on different phases of the Sabbath-school work. The blending of these two departments of church work helped to emphasize the importance of each church member’s taking an active part in all branches of missionary work.
W. G. KNEELAND
Encouraging Progress in Burma and Rangoon
By J. L. Shaw
India
WOMEN OF BURMA
CALCUTTA.—I returned last week from Burma after a stay of a month. The outlook is encouraging. Over four hundred subscriptions for the Oriental Watchman have been taken in Rangoon, and two hundred copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” sold there, besides a large number of health books. The meetings which Brother Meyers has been holding were well attended, and an earnest spirit of inquiry was manifested on the part of the people. Two sisters are keeping the Sabbath. One interesting case is that of a Burmese sister whose mother was baptized by Judson. About two years ago she began the observance of the Sabbath solely from her own study of the Bible. She tried to get her relatives and others to keep it with her, but they opposed her. She supposed that she was the only one keeping the Sabbath. She had told the Lord that she was going to keep it if it cost her her life. When she found that we taught the Sabbath, she came, overjoyed, to meet us, and drank in the truth eagerly. I think that her experience is one of the most remarkable evidences of God’s leading. I believe this sister will be a great help in the work among the Burmese. J. L. Shaw.
Central America
By F. J. Hutchins
BOCAS DEL TORO.—This morning we closed a week of prayer for our people here. It has been a precious season for all. Yesterday three went forward in baptism. We have had early morning meetings, and preaching each evening. When we began, it almost seemed as though this effort would result in failure: several were sick, and besides, we had a severe storm which lasted two or three days. But we sought the Lord earnestly for deliverance from these obstacles, and he heard us, and yesterday (Sabbath) all but two of our number were able to meet with us, and we had a beautiful day.
We begin a series of meetings for the public to-night. Although we are far away, we ask all to unite earnestly with us in seeking the blessing of God in our work here. We feel that the present is a critical time in this place, and the truth must triumph. Everything is quiet here now, and we have no reason to expect that it will be otherwise in Bocas del Toro. We were never of better courage in the work, although it has been with the hardest effort that we have been able to accomplish anything here this season, on account of the disturbances of war.
F. J. HUTCHINS.
July 6.
W. A. SWEANY
By W. A. Sweany
Barbados
BRIDGETOWN.—I thank God that we are all well, happy, and of good courage, and are hard at work every day, early and late, and that the Lord is blessing with a measure of success. I am having some interesting experiences. Several are much interested in the truth. The common people hear the message gladly. The volcanic eruption and the failure of the coronation served to impress some important truths on many minds.
We have been here more than a year, but time does not drag. I have baptized twenty-eight persons since coming here,18and I believe that much good has been accomplished, for which we thank God. But we have as yet only touched Barbados in three or four places. I had confidently hoped to carry the message throughout the length and breadth of this island before this time, but it is yet almost wholly unworked and unwarned. I can hardly restrain the tears of disappointment as I consider the situation and think of the many great countries unentered. Were it not that I know that God is above all, my heart would fail; but I well know that this work will triumph, and I mean to be one who will be in it at the final triumph.
Our little school, with its meager facilities, is prospering, and is doing a good work. Our brethren in several of the other islands are asking us to take their young people, and train them for the work; but we cannot do it, for lack of means and facilities. They also ask for teachers for their local schools. We hope soon to be able to send out some of our pupils for this purpose.
W. A. SWEANY
J. N. ANDERSON
By J. N. Anderson
China
HONGKONG.—The situation here continues about the same. Our brethren on the “Terrible” are growing in grace, and another man on that vessel has accepted the truth. I can also report a new convert on another war ship, who writes that still another on a vessel which is cruising somewhere in the north just now, has seen the Sabbath truth through his own study of the Bible. Reading matter has been sent to this latter person, but we have had no direct word from him. Thus we see that the Lord of the harvest is gathering the wheat in these distant parts, even without the agency of man. We thank the Lord for all this, and take courage.
J. N. ANDERSON
MRS. B. G. WILKINSON
By Mrs. B. G. Wilkinson
Switzerland
BASEL.—The camp meeting, which was held at Geneva, is just over. While to outward appearances we are alone, we know that God is with us, and that he will continue to lead. His Spirit was manifested at the camp meeting, and we were most thankful for it.
This is indeed a needy field, and yet a very pleasant one. The people are cordial and cultured, and eager for truth. The sacrifices which are made by some of them are touching. One girl told me how she walked nine miles, then took the train for camp meeting, while heretofore she had walked all the way because she had not the money to pay car fare.
The meeting was held near the beautiful lake of Geneva. We could see Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe, although it was fifty miles distant. Through the city runs the Rhone, the clearest and bluest river that I ever saw.
The greatest orator in France attended our camp meeting, and listened attentively. He told us afterward that he had the oratory, but that we had the genuine substance. The librarian from the Vatican at Rome attended some of the services, and said that although he was from the Vatican, he was still a seeker for truth. These instances serve to show how the people look at our work. There is a necessity for plenty of workers, that we may at once enter the doors that are now open.
MRS. B. G. WILKINSON
Medical Missionary Work in Constantinople
By Aznive Inedjian
AFTER completing the nurses’ course in Basel in September, 1899, I returned to Constantinople. Although I had not been sent by any church, I had the assurance that the Lord had called me to his work, and that he would give me something to do. In the very beginning I was called to attend some serious cases.
During the winter I was sent to visit the different churches in the provinces of Bithynia and Brusa. Going from village to village, I communicated to them the new light I had in regard to the proper diet of man, and the causes of disease and its proper treatment. I gave them practical lessons in water treatment for certain diseases. I held mothers’ meetings, and aided the sisters in preparing proper clothes for themselves. Everywhere people not of our faith attended the classes, and were much interested.
Coming home after my trip, in May, 1900, I moved to Péra, the fashionable part of the city, where the popular doctors are located, hoping to have a larger practice in massage. I also was enrolled in the obstetrical school of the government, and attended classes twice a week. As I had few calls, it gave me some time to prepare a part of a cook book, translating from “The Natural Food of Man.” I went out also with tracts and journals, trying in all ways to make known our work among the people as a spiritual and physical help. Though the cases treated were few, they gave me much hope for the future, because the hand of the Lord was with me, and he gave me work in direct answer to my prayers. A little here and a little there, the seed was sown all summer.
After this I took charge of an insane lady in my own house. She soon made remarkable improvement. All the neighborhood became acquainted with my work through this, as her relatives spread the news. After three months she was able to take the steamer, unattended, for Alexandria, Egypt.
One day in May, 1901, I was called upon unexpectedly to see a young man who had suffered with acute rheumatism for thirty days. Two doctors had already spent their efforts on him in vain. With greatest confidence they committed him to my care. He was very weak and exhausted, but through our usual methods, in eight days he made a most remarkable recovery. He became a living witness for the efficiency of our methods. This case soon brought many others, and these, in turn, still others.
At the end of 1901 I reaped the reward of my former labors. A woman of high class was suffering from rheumatism; she was helpless, bedridden, and not able to sleep, suffering day and night. She also chose our methods, and in seventeen days her hands could be closed. She was cured, to the surprise of many, by our simple means and correct diet. This made my work known in the higher classes. Above all, I believe that the Lord has helped.
Elder Baharian and his wife have been of great help to me, giving me advice and talking with my patients. They also have helped the work in adopting health principles. They were a real comfort to me when there was no doctor of our own or any nurse to consult with in times of trouble.
I am glad we have been promised a doctor. But that is not the whole need of the work. The last two months it was absolutely necessary that I should accompany Elder Krum and translate for him. We had been visiting our different churches in the provinces of Bithynia and Brusa. Like a dry and thirsty land, they drank in the refreshing showers of the message. Everywhere the brethren and sisters showed gratitude to God for having sent them Brother Krum. Many not of the faith, having also attended the meetings, gave him the hand of brotherly love, and thanked him. We have reason to believe that these labors will have their future harvest. May the Lord inspire love in all hearts for the medical missionary work.
AZNIVE INEDJIAN.
Constantinople, Turkey.
Work for the Colored People of Virginia
By I. E. Kimball
MY wife and I have now been in this State one year, working in the churches of the colored people; and we have reasons for thankfulness and gratitude to God for the help he has given. During this time we have sold about two thousand books, besides many thousand pages of tracts, and hundreds of copies of the Signs of the Times. The literature has been read, and no little interest awakened as the result. The books have also gone into the hands of hundreds of the white population, who have appreciated them even more than the colored people have.
I have also preached in most of the churches of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Berkley, Newport News, Richmond, and Petersburg. It cannot be said that there is practically any prejudice against the truth here, for, with few exceptions, the people have never heard of Seventh-day Adventists. But there is a race prejudice, or hatred, which is working more and more, and which is beginning to raise up barriers difficult to surmount.
I have, together with practical talks on holy living, given lectures in many of these churches. We have taken about with us a magic lantern, whereby we have been able to throw nearly all the prophetic symbols upon the canvas. These churches are so filled with entertainments, and the members have so little realization of the solemnity of truth, that it is impossible to deliver more than one lecture in a place. I have sought to appoint two,—a prophetic lecture, to be followed the next evening by a health lecture,—but generally two nights cannot be spared me. In these lectures I merely sketch the prophetic pictures, showing the general trend of prophecy, hoping to awaken an interest in the minds of my hearers to read further. I take literature—tracts and books—with me, which I sell at the end of the service. I have found many of the preachers receptive and the most interested listeners in the congregation. Young men have followed me from one lecture to another, purchasing the books and glorying in the truth.
In my lectures of the last four weeks, one man, a sensible preacher, who has read very extensively, accepted the whole truth.
I have had the privilege of speaking on the prophecies several times before the preachers in their weekly conferences. Twice I spoke to the preachers19of Petersburg, and once before the Baptist conference of Richmond, also before the Y. M. C. A. Those present were not merely impressed, but some of them were deeply touched with the truth to which they listened.
By request of the president of this conference, I visited our church in Danville. There were sixty or more of our people together. This church came originally from the Holiness band, and many of them have had little or no instruction in the messages of Rev. 14: 6-14. I never before attended a meeting where the truth was so appreciated, and so sweet to the taste, where ears were so fully unstopped, and hearts so greatly rejoiced in the Saviour. Twelve were baptized at this meeting by Brother Medley. At our last evening service two expressed their desire to go with the company. I hope to return to this church to establish them more fully in the truths applicable to this time.
When I came to Norfolk, I found a little church, which, however, was left without an elder or a deacon, without the ordinances, and indeed with no real church standing. They were, moreover, in great trial. Only three faithful souls were left. With this little nucleus, we now have a church of twelve active and efficient members, and several others are keeping the Sabbath, who may join us soon. God's truth has dropped as the rain upon this company, clearing the spiritual atmosphere, until all trial is a thing of the past. Our quarterly meeting was indeed a precious season.
We are now preparing to hold a course of meetings in one of the largest colored halls of this city. We shall advertise extensively, and shall soon see what can be done for the colored people in this way. We hope to gather fruit from the seed sown in the past.
My wife has labored faithfully, helping me in the lectures, attending almost every service, until her health failed. She has gone to Vermont to rest and recuperate.
My address is 1502 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, Va. I. E. KIMBALL.
HUBERT FLETCHER
By Hubert Fletcher
Jamaica
FAIRFIELD.—Beyond the Buff Bay Mountains and in the Mabbess Valley is to be found a little company of Sabbath keepers known as the Moore Park company. This company, consisting of twelve baptized members, and a Sabbath school of sixteen, was called to the light of present truth through the faithful labors of Elder George F. Enoch.
About one and one-half years ago they started to erect a house for divine services. Church building in Jamaica is a very slow and laborious work. The timber has to be sawn by hand with a whipsaw, and carried out from the mountains on the head; the lime must be burned, stones gathered, etc. However, with little money and much perseverance, these brethren took hold of the work until they had the church raised (32 x 18 ft.) and covered. At this juncture there came a collapse. Because of sickness, an unusual rainy season, and other hindrances, the work stopped. Since the beginning of the present year, circumstances became more favorable, and a start was again made. New materials had to be prepared, and now, with the help of some of the Swift River brethren, we are busily engaged in putting up the walls.
I am now spending the most of my time here, strengthening and helping the brethren. It is a good plan for those who minister in the word and doctrine to assist in manual work. Thus practical lessons are taught, and personal, physical benefits derived. The time is short, and we need to improve every opportunity of giving the message. We can see everywhere that the Spirit of the Lord has gone before, preparing the way and the hearts of the people.
I have been holding open-air meetings in the meantime, two and one-half miles up this valley, in the vicinity of Fairfield. We had good gatherings, but as the majority of the congregation were from Berwick, a neighboring village, we removed to that place, in order to facilitate our tract work. The interest is good, and I have been asked to continue the meetings. If the interest holds good, I expect to build a booth for a series of meetings. I believe that the Lord is leading.
HUBERT FLETCHER
The Crawford (Nebraska) Camp-Meeting.
By E. T. Russell
This meeting was held July 15–22; and as it was located in the northwestern part of the State, some of our people were present from Wyoming, and some from the Black Hills of South Dakota. The camp was situated in a pleasant grove on the banks of White River, and about one hundred and twenty-five persons were encamped on the grounds. The surrounding country is quite picturesque on account of the many buttes that remain as positive evidence of the great upheaval that occurred at the time of the deluge, when the fountains of the deep were broken up.
The following-named laborers were in attendance: L. A. Hoopes, Dr. W. A. George, George M. Brown, C. R. Kite, L. E. Johnson, Myrtle Ferren, Iva Leach, Brother Jencks, and the writer.
Elder Hoopes labored in the interest of the educational work, and Dr. George in the interest of health and temperance. Brother Kite held meetings with the young people, and Sisters Ferren and Leach with the children. Brother Jencks labored in the interest of the canvassing work.
The citizens seemed to appreciate the meetings, and some of them gave their hearts to God. At the close of the meeting eleven were baptized. A call was made for all who desired to give their lives in active service to the Master to separate themselves from the congregation, and thirteen responded. By all present it was considered an excellent meeting, and by many it will long be remembered as a most precious season.
For some time there has been a demand in that part of the State for an intermediate industrial school, and at the camp meeting a meeting was held and a committee was chosen to take the matter under advisement, and to look up a proper location for this school, and to report the result of their investigation to the Nebraska Conference, with the understanding that they are to act under the advisement of the conference.
