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Review and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 36.

TO-DAY
Earlier text: The Work in Hunan, China

A Canvassing Institute in Mexico City

By H. H. HALL

According to the arrangements made by the committee appointed at the last General Conference Council, a canvassing institute was held in Mexico City, July 19-29. It was attended by Brethren J. A. P. Green, Earl C. Hackett, J. L. Brown, and A. A. Reinke, of California, who had been selected to open the book work in that field. They arrived the seventeenth, in company with Brother L. E. Borle, of the Pacific Press, who is to take charge of the printing-office there. Brethren S. Marchisio, Christian Schulz, and E. Fernandez, who have been engaged in colporteur work in the republic, were also present. Mrs. Burgos, a Bible worker, and Dr. W. S. Swayze, Elder G. W. Caviness, and Brother Placentia attended nearly all the meetings, and assisted in our language study.
Our first meeting was certainly one that we shall all long remember. Brother Caviness welcomed the new workers, and expressed his conviction that the work among the fifteen millions of Mexico must be carried on largely by means of the printed page. Dr. Swayze related some interesting incidents proving that many people were anxious to know the truth, and closed his talk with these words: “It is the literature that is going to do the work in this republic.”
We began at nine o’clock in the morning with a season of prayer, in which nearly every one pleaded for ability to learn this new language quickly, so as to present our books intelligently. This was followed by an hour’s general instruction, led by Brother Green. After a ten-minute recess, we studied the Spanish canvass for “Coming King.” (Copies of this canvass in Spanish may be obtained by addressing the writer.) This continued for another hour, following which we took up the study of “Gospel Primer” in Spanish, and the Spanish language.
At three o’clock each day we held a council meeting, in which the various questions relating to the work in Mexico were carefully considered. Following this, we again took up the study of the “Coming King” canvass.
I have seen canvassing classes who thought it was hard to memorize an English canvass. How I wish they might have been with us as we struggled with this one in Spanish. But in the ten days we had practically mastered it, and were able to apply it to the Spanish book very intelligently.
As a result of our council meetings, it was decided to make special effort among the better classes. We found these classes accustomed to simple contract forms similar to the guarantee blank we use in the States. Therefore we decided to print some of these in Spanish, and see if they could not be used.
Dr. Swayze is well acquainted with the leading men in Guadalajara, and volunteered to assist Brother Green after he had mastered the language, in meeting and securing the orders from these gentlemen. Every canvasser will appreciate the advantage such names will give our workers there. While learning the language, and getting familiar with the best methods of entering the Spanish homes, the English-speaking portions of the city will be worked. Brethren Marchisio and Schulz, who have been doing colporteur work with the paper and tracts, will continue in that line for the present. At the close of the institute they started out on a trip that will probably last six months.
Just before I left, Brother A. G. Nelson, of New Mexico, sent in a list of over fifty subscriptions for El Mensajero, the Spanish paper, which had been taken in connection with his other work in a week’s time. This makes something over six hundred subscriptions he has sent in this year. The record for another colporteur was over one thousand subscriptions in a year. Brother Bowers, who is working near Mazatlan, on the Pacific Coast, has sold books during the past three months to the amount of four hundred ten dollars Mexican.
Any one desiring additional information concerning the book work there, should write to J. A. P. Green, who has been elected canvassing agent. His address is Num. 1420 Avenida 20, Tacubaya, D. F., Mexico.
H. H. HALL.

Russia

By J. T. BOETTCHER

RIGA.—As I go from place to place, and tell our people that our American brethren have voted to give five thousand dollars toward a school in Russia, they shed tears of joy and gratitude. They know the influence this truth has had upon their hearts, and are very anxious that it shall shine to others. They are willing to give their children to this cause. Many of these children are bright and intelligent. We have no place to send them except Friedensau, and this is at a great expense to us, on account of the passport fee, which is thirty rubles a year. Then they must learn German, which is of no great worth to them in the Russian work. We hope and pray that the day may soon come when we shall have a school in this great field, with its teeming millions.
We are selling the German “Ministry of Healing” wherever opportunity offers. On my last trip I sold about seventy copies. But this is a slow way of getting the necessary amount together. However, we shall keep on, selling what we can.
We are glad our American people take an interest in the work of Russia. Could some of them come over, and see how the Lord opens the way for his truth, they would gladly donate freely to this work.
Our work is extending into central Asia. Brother H. H. Löbsack, who is at present visiting that field, writes that we must send two Bible workers as soon as possible; for the people are ready for the third angel’s message. Brother Reifschneider writes that he arrived in Omsk, but finds everything very high-priced. Our laborers are willing to go even to the hardest places, when they see how our brethren are willing to give of their means to advance this gospel. Our efforts are not in vain, as this quarter’s report shows. Even with the few workers, we have nearly four hundred new converts, among whom are Russians, Armenians, Poles, Germans, Letts, Esthonians, etc. One of our laborers has even been up to Mt. Ararat. We are glad to see the work go.
Our little depository is doing quite well. We are getting new canvassers out into the field as fast as we can. As yet we have no book in the Russian language, only pamphlets. We must get out some book on the prophecies, and then we shall see the truth spreading more rapidly. Our canvassers are having many difficulties to meet. Sometimes they are put into prison, and their books are confiscated. Yet they press onward, amid trials, knowing that God is at the helm.
In a few weeks I shall make a trip to the middle Russian field.
Our little daughter lies at present in the city hospital, where, this morning, she had to undergo an operation on her neck. Our hearts have been very heavy; but at noon we received a telephone message that she was doing well. Aside from this, we are all well.
J. T. BOETTCHER.

West Pennsylvania

By W. F. Schwartz

ALTOONA.—On Thursday, August 13, we held a baptismal service at which nine persons were baptized. On the following Sabbath these were added to the Altoona church, receiving the right hand of fellowship. We praise the Lord for the privilege of seeing souls obey the truth.
W. F. SCHWARTZ.

Louisiana

By C. F. McVAGH

I WAS most graciously received and entertained by the brethren at New Orleans, and met with a few of the Sabbath-keepers in their regular weekly prayer-meeting. I was sorry that the distance prevented many from New Orleans from enjoying the camp-meeting. The people are patiently awaiting the coming of Elder W. H. Saxby, and I am sure that he will receive a hearty Southern welcome, and find a field ready for the harvest. The mission property is, in my judgment, a valuable acquisition, as it is well located and adapted to the needs of the work.
From New Orleans I journeyed by the Southern Pacific Railway through fields of sugar-cane and rice to Lake Charles in the southwestern part of the State, where the camp was pitched in a beautiful park. There were about twenty tents on the grounds, and while less than one hundred persons were encamped, considerably more than that number were in attendance at least part of the time. But what pleased me most was the spirit of consecration, sacrifice, and willingness to work that prevailed from first to last. The revival spirit came in the first Sabbath of the meeting, and nearly half the camp came forward to seek the Lord. Young people and others surrendered for the first time, and others were revived and reclaimed.
The donation to missions the first Sabbath was $13.92, more than six times as much as for the first camp-meeting Sabbath a year ago. But when the second Sabbath was reached, a donation of over twenty dollars testified to the genuineness of the consecration. During the meeting three hundred dollars in cash and pledges was given to the general work, and nearly five hundred dollars to the emergency fund for home work, besides a canvassers' fund and other donations aggregating over nine hundred dollars. As might be judged from this record, there was a beautiful spirit of harmony in every meeting, and many of the citizens of the place came out to enjoy the feast of good things with us.
In the temperance rally, one of the local ministers and the State president of the W. C. T. U. assisted. The following conference officers were unanimously elected: President, E. L. Maxwell; vice-president, E. H. Rees; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. C. A. Saxby; Sabbath-school secretary and corresponding secretary, Mrs. E. H. Rees; young people's and educational secretary, Miss Kate Bickham. The general laborers present were Profs. B. G. Wilkinson and M. B. VanKirk, Dr. W. A. George, A. F. Harrison, and the writer. The outlook for the coming year in Louisiana is most encouraging.
C. F. McVAGH.

The Georgia Camp-Meeting

By B. G. Wilkinson

THE annual conference and camp-meeting of Georgia were held in the city of Atlanta, August 6-16, upon pleasant grounds, kindly granted by the railway company. A good attendance, considering the membership of the conference, was present, the number enrolled in Sabbath-school the last Sabbath of the meeting being one hundred forty-six.
The good spirit in the camp-meeting showed that the work in Georgia is coming up. The tithe showed an increase of over two hundred dollars above the tithe of the previous year. The report of the State agent gave evidence of a decided improvement in the canvassing work. A larger per cent of canvassers have kept steadily in the field this year than in the past; and the State agent proposes to build up this department of the work.
Almost the same corps of officers were re-elected for the incoming year. Elder G. W. Wells was again elected as president, Sister R. T. Dowsett was chosen as conference secretary and treasurer to take the place of M. L. Woodall, who desired to enter evangelical work. He is planning to attend the Foreign Mission Seminary.
In view of the resolution that all conference laborers put their time in new fields, the committee planned for three tent efforts this season.
During the first part of the meeting, Brethren W. A. Westworth, R. T. Dowsett, V. O. Cole, and Prof. M. B. VanKirk were present; Brother I. A. Ford, of the Southern Publishing House, and the writer came in during the latter half of the assembly. Splendid revival services were held the two Sabbaths of the camp. Three merchants of the city, who were under conviction touching the Sabbath, came forward on the last Sabbath, and declared their intention to observe the commandments of God.
The following Sunday the whole camp responded to the presentation of the needs of foreign missions by a gift of $387.82. As the brethren had previously given $125 for the Atlanta Sanitarium and $88 for home work, it will be seen that for a conference of approximately one hundred fifty members, the spirit of liberality abounded.
Resolutions favoring the ten-cent-a-week plan, and preparing for an energetic campaign in behalf of our missions during Thanksgiving week, were enthusiastically passed. Altogether this camp-meeting was one of the best ever held in Georgia, and will surely count for a decided advance in the work the coming year. B. G. WILKINSON.

The Indiana Scholarship Company

By G. R. FATTIC

AT our Young People's Convention held at Beechwood Academy, June 5-7, 1908, the plan of earning scholarships by the sale of our books and periodicals was discussed, and a plan set on foot for the organization of a company to tour the conference, and sell our periodicals as a means of securing scholarships.
There were those who, when they “viewed the land,” became faint-hearted when they saw the giants and fenced cities, and rather than try the experiment with the company, will probably not be able to attend school next year. But there are always a few Calebs and Joshuas in every company, who expect great things of the Lord, and are willing to attempt great things for him. A company of seven of these was organized, and plans of work were talked over and agreed upon before leaving the convention. Our conference president, Elder W. J. Stone, was interested in the enterprise, and agreed to furnish tents for the company and to ask the committee to pay the freight expense, and the board of the chaperon.
The company came together at Anderson, and began work on the afternoon of their arrival. Since that time we have worked nineteen towns and cities quite thoroughly from house to house, camping about three weeks in cities of largest size, and working them, and then all the outlying towns that can be reached by interurban trains within a radius of thirty miles or thereabout.
The company is provided with three good family tents with flies and suitable equipment for camp life, including tables, benches, beds, oil and gasoline stoves, cooking utensils, dishes, etc.
The company uses one tent for dining and cooking purposes, and each one contributes equally to the commissary department. The average expense of the company a member is about $1.25 a week, including traveling expenses.
Our average sales a week for the entire company of seven, including Saturday nights, when everything is favorable, amounts to about nine hundred magazines. This week we have sold eight hundred of the August number of Life and Health in three days. We find it a very rapid seller.
The company is composed of Misses Hazel Vance, Linnie Vance, Vella Sparks, Leone Sparks, and Katherine Blake from Beechwood Academy, Fairland, Ind., Grover R. Fattic, from South Lancaster Academy, South Lancaster, Mass., Floyd Thompson, Indiana Medical College, and Mrs. Ida Fattic, chaperon.
We pass this account along to the REVIEW, that our experience may be an inspiration to others who plan for a similar campaign next summer.
We believe it to be the surest, best, and most profitable way for students to provide the necessary means for school expenses, and we have conclusively proved that any one who will go out in the fear of the Lord, hoping to do a work that will glorify him, and help to uphold his cause of truth in the earth, can secure a scholarship during one summer vacation by faithfully applying himself to the work, and trusting in Omnipotence for help, health, and strength.
We have been accorded every courtesy wherever we have gone by the city officials, and have been given the best locations their parks and city grounds afforded.
We are now camped on an island surrounded by the waters of the Wabash River at Logansport; this island belongs to the city, and affords every advantage to campers. As we gather around our camp-fire each evening, and tell of the experiences of the day, no word of discouragement is ever heard. And as we kneel before retiring, we always have much to thank our Heavenly Father for, and are not unmindful of the truth that God is over all. G. R. FATTIC.

The Indiana Camp-Meeting

By William Ambrose Spicer

THE meeting at La Fayette was the largest ever held in the conference, it was said, and the best also, according to the testimony borne generally in the closing meeting. Every year, and practically in every place, the meetings are better than ever—because the prize is nearer, and the believers are receiving deeper and deeper experiences in the things of God.
By the close of the meeting over five hundred were in the camp. Others will report the earlier part of the meeting, as I was not present. There was a good spirit in the meetings, and day by day the believers drank deeper, and souls made surrender to God. Twenty-one were baptized, and others await baptism at home. The attendance from the city was not large, but there was apparent a deep interest on the part of those who did attend, and it was planned to follow up the meeting with a brief effort.
One day the camp met for the morning session on the grounds of the Wabash Valley Sanitarium, the new conference institution on the banks of the Wabash. All were evidently pleased by what they saw here; and well may the believers in Indiana rally with courage to make this institution a training center for missionary workers as well as a place where the sick are healed. Already the patronage is good, and success is assured.
In the earlier part of the meeting the people responded to a call for help from the South, and made an offering for missions. I did not learn the amounts given. A call was made for further financial help for the sanitarium, to put it where it can readily thereafter care for its obligations by its own earning capacity. Some hundred-dollar pledges were made, and many pledges of less amounts. Even more will be realized, surely, from the pledge made by many to devote one day’s work a month to the sanitarium during the coming year. This pledge was gladly made by many present, and surely many more who were not at the meeting will join this effort.
Two thousand believers in Indiana, praying and working, and doing business for God, can quickly place every home interest on vantage-ground, and at the same time pour an ever-increasing stream of means and workers into the mission fields. The reports from the laborers showed that the truth is winning converts wherever evangelistic efforts are made in Indiana. And the Indiana believers are “home folks” in the faith of the message. I was glad to meet with them for the first time, and to see their earnestness in the truth. In the earlier part of the meeting a number of general laborers were present, some for a short time only, on the way to other meetings. Thus the La Fayette meeting, in addition to the local laborers, had the services of Brethren K. C. Russell, F. Griggs, H. R. Salisbury, M. E. Kern, and C. P. Bollman, as well as of Elder Allen Moon of the Lake Union Conference. And the blessing of the Lord was in the camp throughout.
W. A. SPICER.

West Coast, Africa

By C. E. F. THOMPSON

WATERLOO, SIERRA LEONE.—Our work here has been steadily progressing, through much opposition. Although no new members have been added to our number, a general interest is exhibited, and two are expecting to be baptized shortly. Owing to the many churches, and consequently distracting influences, the field seems hard; but we heed the command to “go forward.”
Our school was started April 6, with twelve students. This number has increased to twenty-six. There is a gradual increase in interest, as our children are not slow in giving away something of what is imparted to them. Some parents are threatened with being turned out of their church if they persist in sending their children to us; but they are bent on having them taught of God and Christ.
At Freetown we had our quarterly meeting on Sabbath, July 4. On Sunday morning, at about 8:30, nine precious souls were buried in baptism, after a soul-stirring address by Elder D. C. Babcock. Those who came to mock went home wiser and more sober.
Though we have only a few workers here, we feel much encouraged, and hope with God’s assistance to fan the spark of Adventism already kindled to a blazing flame. The number of Sabbath-keepers connected with the Freetown church is forty; at Waterloo there are twelve. C. E. F. THOMPSON.

Baptisms and Church Building in Wisconsin

A LETTER from Elder H. W. Reed states that a company of twelve awaits baptism at Adkins, Wis., and three at Crandon, only two miles distant. These two companies will unite in building a church and school-house.

Field Notes and Gleanings

AUGUST 7 three persons were baptized and received into the church at Keokuk, Iowa.
TEN persons were baptized recently at Logan, Utah, as the fruit of a series of meetings held there.
AT South Woodstock, Maine, Brother H. C. Giles recently baptized twelve persons. Nine have united with the church.
A REPORT from Wewoka, Okla., states that on Sabbath, August 8, five came into the church; one by letter and four by baptism.
BAPTISMAL services were held in the First Springfield (Ill.) church on Sabbath, August 15, at which time four candidates were baptized.
ON a recent Sunday four persons were buried by baptism with their Lord at Sickles, Mich. Others, it is expected, will be baptized soon.
FOUR persons from Tunnel City, Wis., were baptized recently at Sparta. These, with a sister from Tunnel City, joined the Sparta church.
A MOTHER who has known the truth all her life has recently been baptized and joined the church at Ann Arbor, Mich., and her two daughters are awaiting baptism.
SIX have already taken a stand for the truth at Langford, S. D., as a result of the meetings held there. One of these converts is planning to attend Union College this year.
BROTHER C. R. MURPHY, reporting from Waterbury, Conn., says: “Last Sabbath we had seventeen at our Sabbath meeting, nearly all of them keeping the Sabbath for the first time.”
A LETTER from Elder S. G. Huntington, of Utah, contains the following: “The interest here in Salt Lake City is rising, and I think will develop in the salvation of some souls. This morning I baptized one sister. Brother Nelson also baptized eight persons last week.”
ON the first Sabbath in August a church of twenty-eight members was organized at Furlong, Cal., a suburb of Los Angeles. Sister Jennie Ireland has been working in this locality for more than two years. A strong work has been built up there, and a neat and commodious chapel has been erected and dedicated.
THE following paragraph taken from a letter written by Elder H. H. Dexter, of the French mission, will be of interest: “Last week I visited eastern France on the frontier of Alsace-Lorraine. Here we have, in the city of Montbeliard, a company of fifteen earnest Sabbath-keepers. During my recent visit I baptized five converts, and received two more by vote. Four others are preparing for the ordinance.”

Canvassers’ Summary for July, 1908

Atlantic Union Conference AGENTS HOURS ORDERS VALUE
Central New England 15 1464 354 $1367.05
Southern New England 6 412 71 $323.15
Western New York 20 2050 810 $1874.85
New York 17 1888 572 $1745.35
Vermont 8 608 119 $387.15
Maine 8 480 158 $851.50
Greater New York 12 979 345 $1121.60
Total 86 7881 2449 $7670.65
*_Columbia Union Conference_*
Conference Agents Hours Orders Value
New Jersey 28 2678 949 $2866.20
Chesapeake 21 2101 1113 $2094.95
Virginia 17 1548 659 $1473.79
Ohio 17 1230 821 $1097.45
East Pennsylvania 21 1619 645 $1049.73
West Pennsylvania 9 734 198 $568.55
West Virginia 10 624 141 $399.08
Total 123 10534 4526 $9549.75
Lake Union Conference
Conference Agents Hours Orders Value
East Michigan 24 2289 663 $1667.05
Wisconsin 19 1985 549 $1555.10
Northern Illinois 12 1164 293 $914.15
Indiana 10 1173 257 $614.15
Southern Illinois 12 623 314 $563.80
West Michigan 11 181 45 $380.75
North Michigan 6 230 72 $233.20
Total 94 7740 2193 $5928.20
Southern Union Conference
Conference Agents Hours Orders Value
Louisiana 7 664 255 $434.15
Alabama 23 1548 1199 $1559.10
Kentucky 23 2589 1046 $1448.50
Mississippi 8 995 409 $642.90
Tennessee River 14 995 407 $758.45
Total 75 6781 3316 $4843.10
Southeastern Union Conference
Conference Agents Hours Orders Value
Cumberland 11 1224 369 $723.85
Georgia 6 1075 204 $749.55
North Carolina 8 983 404 $438.25
South Carolina 10 652 468 $708.30
Florida 6 323 313 $622.25
Total 41 4257 1758 $3242.20
Southwestern Union Conference
Conference Agents Hours Orders Value
Texas 33 4219 1571 $5112.25
Oklahoma 28 3088 946 $3057.70
Arkansas 21 2084 781 $2280.00
West Texas 4 433 219 $574.75
New Mexico 2 316 320 $370.20
Total 88 10140 3837 $11394.90
Canadian Union Conference
Conference Agents Hours Orders Value
Quebec 2 48 23 $30.75
Ontario 10 1424 709 $1440.85
Maritime 17 1183 935 $1477.80
Total 29 2655 1667 $2949.40
Central Union Conference
Conference Agents Hours Orders Value
Colorado 11 1150 231 $724.40
Kansas 32 1932 731 $3016.25
Nebraska 20 1815 475 $1838.75
Missouri 26 1495 420 $1563.85
Wyoming 16 767 274 $939.90
Total 105 7159 2131 $8083.15
North Pacific Union Conference
Conference Agents Hours Orders Value
Montana 12 583 221 $761.60
Southern Idaho 7 410 110 $386.95
Upper Columbia 15 1117 570 $1760.85
Western Oregon 28 3736 1627 $4543.15
Western Washington 35 2329 1368 $3759.65
Total 97 8175 3896 $11212.20
Northern Union Conference
Conference Agents Hours Orders Value
Minnesota 31 5645 1464 $4194.37
South Dakota 21 3574 1123 $3451.77
North Dakota 10 1623 683 $2267.55
Iowa 16 1406 535 $1284.55
Total 88 12248 3805 $11198.24
Pacific Union Conference
Conference Agents Hours Orders Value
Arizona ... ... ... ...
California 28 1480 828 $1937.10
Southern California 14 647 485 $740.45
Utah 1 148 67 $199.50
Total 43 2275 1380 $2877.05
Western Canadian Union Conference
Conference Agents Hours Orders Value
Alberta 7 266 128 $329.05
British Columbia 16 1039 432 $1232.00
Manitoba 5 860 424 $1200.00
Saskatchewan 6 972 364 $1078.10
Total 34 3137 1348 $3839.90
Foreign Union Conferences
Conference Agents Hours Orders Value
West Indian Union Conference1 .... ... ... $8179.33
Australasian Union Conference 58 3468 1232 $4811.05
Scandinavian Union Conference2 83 19359 13417 $10246.79
Latin Union Conference 16 2570 2706 $1157.70
German Union Conference 27 ... ... $7078.56
British Union Conference 79 5533 2081 $6529.96
Mexican Mission .. ... ... $108.64
China Mission 2 ... ... $73.12
: Six months. : Two months.
Total North American union conferences $82,788.74
Total foreign union conferences and mission fields 38,185.15
Grand Total $120,973.89

Comparative Summary

THE following figures are the grand totals of the canvassers’ summaries for the first seven months of the last three years. It will be noticed that with but one exception each month has shown a healthy increase over the corresponding month of the preceding year:—
1906 1907 1908
January $21,000.00 $26,325.50 $25,929.06
February 15,000.00 26,369.61 30,466.40
March 18,000.00 36,253.65 36,390.09
April 23,700.00 35,276.76 43,858.29
May 36,800.00 51,097.51 67,445.44
June 46,300.00 65,317.23 82,878.67
July 52,218.04 75,691.57 120,973.89

Notes From the Field

NEVER before in the history of our work have we been able to present such a summary to our people as we give this week, covering the work done during the month of July, 1908. This summary shows a gain of forty-five thousand dollars, or sixty per cent, over the banner month last year. This is the more striking on account of the industrial depression and political excitement through which this country is passing this year. It is also a remarkable evidence that our people are becoming more alive to the fact that now, as never before, is the way open for the circulation of our literature. Let us press forward, and seize the favorable opportunities which the Lord is giving us for bringing the truth before the people through the medium of the printed page.
The report from the West Indian Union Conference is the first we have been able to publish from this field, and represents the work done for the first six months of 1908. The work in that field is being thoroughly established on an organized basis, and the brethren have promised reports of their work each month in the future.
The Lake Union Conference summary for the month of July, 1908, shows a total of $5,928.20 as against $2,733 last year for the same month, in the same territory,—a gain of one hundred sixteen per cent. Thus does the Lord bless perseverance in systematic, organized effort in the sale of our publications.
Cheering reports from the band of student canvassers in the North Pacific Union Conference have come to this office this week. Up to Aug. 12, 1908, thirty-five of these young people had taken orders of a sufficient amount to entitle them to scholarships.
The value of orders reported by our canvassers for the five weeks ending July 31, 1908, is $6,639.32, while the amount reported for the corresponding five weeks of 1907, is $3,882.14. This is certainly encouraging.—Atlantic Union Gleaner.
It is stated in the Northern Union Reaper that two families in Herrick S. D., have accepted the Sabbath through the efforts of Brother J. Fisher, who is canvassing in Gregory County. Elder Valentine Leer has gone to give them further instruction.
It will be noticed that three of the union conferences in North America are well over the eleven-thousand-dollar mark this month.
Many of the readers of the REVIEW have followed with interest the sales of the conference which led all others in the United States last year in subscription-book sales,—California,—and have wondered at the seeming falling off of the work in that conference. This falling off has not been so great as has appeared from the reports in the REVIEW; for the sales from their tract society office on subscription books for the first seven months of 1908 show a decline of only eleven per cent, with a marked increase in the sale of other literature. The channels through which this literature has been distributed are such as to make it almost impossible to give full reports of work done.
From the Chesapeake Conference comes the following model report for one week's work with “Daniel and Revelation:” Hours, 45; exhibitions, 41; orders, 15; total value, $54.25. This report is not remarkable for the total value of orders taken, but to many it may well serve as a model; for it shows an average of nine hours worked each day; patient, conscientious work on each exhibition; and as a result an average of better than one order to three exhibitions.
The first week's report from the four agents who have gone to Mexico to circulate our literature in the Spanish, shows an average of one dollar an hour, American gold, for the time worked. This is surely an encouraging beginning for men who know practically nothing of the language of the country.
Our hearts are made glad as we note the energetic way in which our brethren in mission fields are taking hold of the book work, and the advance steps which are being taken for its systematic organization.

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

The Missionary Volunteer Reading Course

By M. E. K.

“If you should read with the one object in view to improve the mind, and should read only as much as the mind can comprehend and digest, and would patiently persevere in such a course of reading, good results would be accomplished.” The object of our Missionary Volunteer Reading Course is to help our young people to do this. The world is flooded with books. Our young people are reading, and will read, and should read; but as a people who are seeking perfection of life, and a preparation to meet the Saviour, we should read only the best. In our homes and in our churches the youth should be encouraged to do this.
Most young people waste enough time to obtain a good education. How often might we have fortified ourselves against temptation if we had occupied our spare moments in useful reading.
There are many interesting and profitable themes, but the most interesting of all themes is the great conflict between good and evil. “The student should learn to view the Word as a whole, and to see the relation of its parts. He should gain a knowledge of its grand central theme, of God’s original purpose for the world, of the rise of the great controversy, and of the work of redemption. He should understand the nature of the two principles that are contending for supremacy, and should learn to trace their working through the records of history and prophecy, to the great consummation.”
This we have decided to do in our Reading Course for the coming year. The course will begin in October, and the principal book to be used is the “Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan.” This is one of the most remarkable books ever written. It gives a wonderful view of the history of the controversy in this world since the first advent of Christ, sweeping through the pagan persecutions of the early church, the great apostasy, the Reformation, and giving the great deceptions and the reformation of this present time, including the end of the controversy, when “the kingdoms of this world” will “become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.”
Our parents and church officers should be deeply interested in all that pertains to our children and youth. We therefore announce these things in the REVIEW, trusting that a general interest will be manifested, and that as young and old we may advance together. As older ones we need the young people, and the young people need us. We need the life and fresh enthusiasm of youthful spirits, and they need our sympathy, our wise guidance, and our encouragement.
M. E. K.

A Report From a Mission Field

The report from the Saskatchewan mission field for the week ending July 31, 1908, is of special interest from the standpoint of time put in, and value of orders taken. We reproduce it as follows:—
AGENT BOOK HOURS ORDERS VALUE
John H. Betz Great Controversy 56 15 $ 46.85
J. P. Hoffman Great Controversy 54 14 44.35
T. T. Bobienco Great Controversy 39 15 46.00
Peter Paulson Heralds of the Morning 40 11 47.55
V. Rader Heralds of the Morning 46 24 65.55
E. F. Locker Heralds of the Morning 59 22 44.20
Total 294 101 $294.50
This report shows an average of time worked of forty-nine hours for each agent, and orders to the value of one dollar an hour for each agent.

Young People's Work

Conducted by the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department of the General Conference
M. E. KERN, - - - Chairman
MATILDA ERICKSON, - - - Secretary

Young People’s Work at Camp-Meetings

By M. E. K.

REPORTS from various parts of the field indicate that more than ordinary efforts are being made for the young people at our camp-meetings this summer. And the young people are responding by giving themselves to the Lord, and by organizing for work on the camp-grounds. In some places there has been a marked turning of “the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.”
Surely as we see the day approaching, it is time that our youth shall spring into service as never before. A large regiment of our “army of youth” are this summer in the field, selling our message-filled literature, and at the same time earning their way to school for another year. M. E. K.

The Standard of Attainment

By M. E. K.

IN these stirring times there comes to all our Missionary Volunteers with renewed force Paul’s admonition to Timothy: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.” Our young people are called to labor where they are, engaging in any branch of the work in which they are qualified.
To do this they must prepare where they are. For this reason the standard of attainment was established. The following resolution, passed in the Sabbath-school and Young People’s Convention at Mount Vernon, Ohio, explains the plan:—
“We recommend, That the members be encouraged to reach a standard of attainment, which shall require the passing of an examination in the history of our denomination and the cardinal points of our faith; that with the quarterly report of the society shall be given, not only the regular membership, but also the membership of attainment; that these examinations be provided for as follows:—
“(a) The General Conference Young People’s Department shall prepare questions once every six months, and in response to orders shall send them to the Young People’s secretaries of the local conferences, or if there be no such secretaries in a conference, then to the church elder.
“(b) The church elder or some one appointed by him shall conduct these examinations during the first week of March and September of each year. [This fall it may be held any week in September.]
“(c) The papers shall be sent to the local conference Young People’s secretary, and he shall grade the papers, and issue, to those passing, a certificate of attainment.”
This plan appeals to all our people, young and old. Our youth are ambitious, and every one of them should be encouraged to pass the examinations in Bible doctrines and denominational history. Let our church elders, upon whom special responsibilities rest in regard to this, consider the matter at once, and see how many of the young people in their churches will take one or both of these examinations at this time. Send to your conference Missionary Volunteer secretary at once for as many copies of these examinations as you can use. When the examination is written, send the papers to the Missionary Volunteer secretary.
Those who pass both examinations are granted the certificate of attainment, but both examinations need not be taken at the same time.
M. E. K.
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