Earlier text: Five MinutesWestern Oregon Conference and Camp-Meeting
By F. M. Burg
THE annual camp-meeting and conference for Western Oregon was held, according to appointment, at Corvallis, from May 26 to June 5. The weather was all that could have been desired from the time that we began work on the ground, ten days before the opening of the meeting, till the tents were taken down and shipped back to headquarters. We had, as seemed to be the testimony of all who attended the meeting, one of the best gatherings ever held in this field. Never before have I seen work on a camp-ground move so smoothly and satisfactorily in every way as it did in this case. Every one on the ground had a mind to work. And interspersed with the mechanical work, pitching tents, etc., we had regular meetings for devotion and the study of the Bible. This was a regular part of the program each day; and none thought that the time spent in this way was lost. Indeed, when the opening day of the camp-meeting arrived, the work was so far done that the first service opened with such order and quiet on the grounds as we believe was well pleasing to God. The good workers' meeting merged into one of the best camp-meetings we have ever held. From first to last, not one discordant note was heard, either in the business sessions or in the other meetings. Every one seemed to recognize, as soon as he reached the camp-ground, a divine presence. God was with his people in a manner to impress every one with a deep solemnity, and to cause great joy and awaken new courage in every heart. The business of the conference was carried forward with dispatch; and a degree of harmony and unanimity of sentiment prevailed throughout, making this our second annual session one that will always be remembered as a meeting where the Master of assemblies presided and controlled. Often the presence of the Spirit of God was so manifest that the regular routine of work was broken, and the conference session turned into a17 devotional and praise service. Hearts were melted, differences among brethren disappeared like mist before the sun, and such a oneness and tender feeling came into the whole camp as to give most encouraging promise for the work in Western Oregon in the year upon which we are now entering. Frequent revival meetings were held during the ten days of the meeting, and souls found freedom in the Lord. Praises and thanksgiving were heard from the lips of those who had never before known the Saviour, and also from those who had become discouraged, and for this or other causes had backslidden. The keynote of the whole meeting was, “The Lord is coming; prepare to meet him.” It had its effect both on the camp and on the community. A solemn impression seemed to be made on the people of Corvallis. This was remarkably evinced when about three hundred persons gathered on the bank of the Willamette River to witness the administration of the solemn rite of baptism, maintaining such order as I have never seen on a like occasion. Seventeen souls were buried in the beautiful waters of the river. The laborers attending the meeting, in addition to our own conference workers, were Elders W. A. Spicer, J. N. Loughborough, and W. B. White; Profs. J. L. Kay and R. W. Brown, and Brother C. M. Christensen, of Walla Walla College. As Elder Spicer had to leave before the close of the meeting, the ordination service setting apart Brother J. J. Clark to the gospel ministry was held on Wednesday, June 1, during the conference session. The scene was an impressive one, suggesting forcibly to all the sacred character of the work of God. Among the many tokens of divine favor witnessed at this camp-meeting was the healing of individuals in answer to the prayer of faith. We believe that God is ready and willing to manifest his power and love in this way when his people take a course that will clear the way. Differences and criticisms must be put away; and there must be a “lining up” in every way to do the will of God. The straight testimony borne by the servants of God in this meeting was received by the people; and with many there was a decided change made in his habits of eating and in the matter of dress. There has been such a departing from the right way in these respects that a voice of warning must be heard. O for the return of the love we felt when we first heard the message! The Lord will have a people ready to meet him. Shall we be among them? — We may. I am glad for the good promise which I see in our good camp-meeting for the future of our work in Western Oregon. The officers elected for the following year are as follows: President, F. M. Burg; Secretary and Treasurer, W. C. Raley; Field Secretary for the Missionary and Educational Departments, G. W. Pettit; Corresponding Secretary for those branches, Edith Starbuck; Executive Committee, F. M. Burg, W. R. Simmons, D. W. Emmerson, J. M. Cole, J. E. Graham, G. W. Pettit, H. J. Dirksen; Board of Trustees for the Western Oregon Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists, the first five names of the conference committee. The recommendations and the plans adopted for the conference will be furnished the readers of the REVIEW later. Will our brethren and sisters pray for the Western Oregon Conference, that prosperity may attend the work of God within its borders? F. M. BURG. President Western Oregon Conf. Pacific Coast Camp-Meetings
By W. B. White
The Western Washington and Oregon camp-meetings are now in the past, and the California meeting is in session in Bushrod Park, Oakland. The Western Washington meeting was held at South Tacoma, in a lovely oak and fir grove, about five miles south of the city of Tacoma, on the main line of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Here this company have their great car shops, employing hundreds of men, many of whom attended the evening services. The outside attendance was quite good, and on the part of some quite an interest was manifested to hear more of the truth. We learn that this interest was followed up by tent work after the close of the camp-meeting. The power of God was present in a large measure in this gathering, and a goodly number of souls found the Lord. Elder W. A. Spicer attended all these meetings, and his labors have been much appreciated. Elder J. N. Loughborough was also with us, and gave a number of interesting sermons on the early experiences of this people, and the signs that herald the near approach of the Lord. Though well advanced in years, our brother is still quite vigorous, and enjoys good health for one of his age. Prof. J. L. Kay, president of Walla Walla College, also attended the two northern camp-meetings, representing the interests of that institution. A vigorous campaign will be carried forward in the northern conferences this summer and fall with “Christ’s Object Lessons,” to the end that the college may be relieved of its financial burdens. Elder Geo. A. Snyder is leading the work in Western Washington, and Prof. Roger Brown in Western Oregon. The Upper Columbia Conference also is moving forward in the same work. Elder J. L. Wilson attended the Washington meeting, and reports progress in his field in British Columbia. The Vancouver treatment rooms are now being opened again, and a health restaurant will soon be in operation. They are expecting to erect buildings on their school farm the coming summer. Elder E. L. Stewart was re-elected president of the Western Washington Conference. A strong effort is to be made the coming year in Seattle and Tacoma to bring the truth to these large cities. May God prosper the work. The Western Oregon camp-meeting was a precious season, and the presence of God was on the ground. It was held on the outskirts of the city of Corvallis, a town of about four thousand inhabitants, about ninety miles south of Portland. The outside attendance was not large at this meeting, though at times a goodly number of the citizens were upon the ground. Some financial matters which had been causing more or less friction in this conference were settled at this meeting, we trust, forever. This brought much light into the conference, and all rejoiced that God had led into clear light. Both of these northern conferences, by conference action, have recommended to their people the payment of the second tithe, from which the church-school teachers may be paid, and a response made to various calls for help. Elder F. M. Burg was re-elected president of the conference. Near the close of the meeting Brother J. J. Clark was ordained to the gospel ministry. The keynote of both these camp-meetings has been the surrender of the self-life, entire consecration to God and this work, that our lives may be powerful for service in connection with this closing message. The nearness of the end, the signs of the times, and the claims of God’s law have also been clearly set forth before the people. The camp-meeting now being held at Bushrod Park, Oakland, is hardly as large as similar gatherings in former years. Unity and harmony are prevailing in all the conference proceedings, and a good spirit of courage is in all hearts. Elder A. L. Kellogg has been placed at the head of the conference work, as president, with a conference committee which represents the different departments of work in the conference. This meeting will probably be reported later. We are glad for the good presence of God in all these meetings, and hope they may mark a new era in the history of the cause on this coast. The East Michigan Conference
By J. D. Gowell
Report of the President at the Lake Union Conference
THE Lord has bountifully blessed the labors and laborers of this conference during the months covered by this report, for which we have great reason to praise the Lord. We now have eleven ordained ministers in our conference, with an equal number of Bible workers and licentiates. Two of our ordained ministers are aged and feeble, and we can not expect pioneer labor of them. We have sixty churches, with a membership of 1,975. We also have fourteen church-schools, with a total enrolment of two hundred and two students. Of the medical work in our conference I will say that there is in Detroit a well-organized cafe and sanitarium, which are having an excellent influence in that city. We have, also, a sanitarium and treatment rooms at Jackson. These are doing good work, which is being recognized by the whole city. Since our last biennial session of this conference, we have organized five churches, and there are three companies now ready for organization. Our tithe for the past year was thirteen thousand dollars, notwithstanding the wet and unfavorable season. Our school-teachers have all been paid from a general fund raised for that purpose, a plan which we think has worked well. Since our camp-meeting at Flint last year, there has been a continuous growth in the Flint church, where a laborer has devoted a part of his time. There are sixteen additions to their number from this labor. At Otter Lake a good work has been accomplished through the blessing of God. A company of thirty is now waiting to be organized into a church. Since our State meeting at Ithaca last March, an effort has been made which has been blessed of the Lord to the addition18 of eight souls to that church. We also hear good reports from Elder R. W. Munson and wife in Sumatra. We have sent over sixteen hundred dollars to the support of that work since the last union conference. We have also assisted the Superior Mission Field to the amount of $1,680. We supported Elder Wm. Ostrander in Montreal until his health failed, and he had to retire from the work. Two laborers have been supported in the North Michigan Conference for one year. Our offerings to the foreign mission fields are fully up to the average. We have had excellent success in the work with “Christ's Object Lessons,” fully eight thousand copies being sold, and the money sent in. The work of the Educational Department is in a prosperous condition. We earnestly desire that much more may be accomplished in all departments of the work in our conference before the next biennial session. Loup City (Neb.) Camp-Meeting
By A. T. Robinson
Loup City is situated on the middle Loup River, and has a population of a little more than one thousand. We have a small company of faithful brethren and sisters at this place, whose lives are a testimony to the saving power of the message for our time. They have a neat house of worship, in which Sabbath services are regularly held. The camp-meeting was located on a beautiful plot of ground in the eastern part of town. The meeting opened Wednesday evening, June 1, and continued until Sunday evening, June 12. During the first days of the meeting it rained a good deal of the time. This prevented quite a number of our brethren and sisters, who would have come with teams, from doing so, and the number of those encamped on the ground was not large. The attendance from Loup City was fairly good every night, and a good impression was made on the minds of the people. Elders Daniel Nettleton and L. E. Johnson, Prof. C. C. Lewis, Dr. W. A. George, and the writer were the speakers in attendance. The preaching, which was made exceedingly practical, dealt largely with the great, living issues of the message which makes us a distinct and separate denomination. Several revival services were held, when the deep movings of God's Holy Spirit rested upon the people. Several persons gave their hearts to the Lord, and fully accepted the truth as presented. On the closing day of the meeting, a large concourse of people assembled on the banks of the river, where, eight persons followed the example of the Saviour in baptism. It was a beautiful and impressive ceremony. Although the number of our people present was small, they responded nobly to the call to defray the expenses of the meeting; $101.64 was pledged to different conference funds. One feature of this camp-meeting is worthy of special mention. Twice during the week the whole camp was organized into a missionary band, and led by the president of the conference and the superintendent of the district, went out visiting the people; thus every family in the town was twice visited and invited to the meetings, and all had reading-matter left in their homes. If we should adopt the plan of holding many such small, comparatively inexpensive camp-meetings ings, organizing them into a sort of workers' meeting to reach the people, we could thus stir these smaller towns with the message in a few days' time. Northern Illinois Conference
By Allen Moon
Report of the President at the Lake Union Conference
THE Northern Illinois Conference was organized Sept. 1, 1902. It comprises thirty-two counties of the one hundred and two in the State. The line running east and west dividing the northern conference from the southern passes through the city of Peoria. The population of the counties composing the Northern Illinois Conference is 2,932,033. At the time of its organization the membership was one thousand, and the tithe paid that year was ten thousand dollars. At the present time the number of churches is twenty-six, with a membership of eleven hundred; number of isolated Sabbath-keepers, seventy-five; total number of Sabbath-keepers, 1,175. The number of Sabbath-schools is thirty-two; membership of Sabbath-schools, 1,147; number of church-schools during the past year, eight; membership of these schools, one hundred and ten; number of church buildings owned by our people, twelve; number of ministers given credentials, eleven; number of licensed ministers, two; number of persons having missionary licenses, seven; number of canvassers in the field, fourteen; total number of laborers aside from canvassers, twenty; total number including canvassers, thirty-four; annual offerings, $992.68; weekly offerings to foreign missions, $418.22; miscellaneous offerings to foreign missions, $297.16; total Sabbath-school offerings, $633.36; retail value of book sales, $2,392.31. The tithe of the Northern Illinois Conference for the year ending December 31 was $14,225.70. The Northern Illinois Conference is in a fairly prosperous condition. Although no large companies have been raised up since its organization, yet there has been a steady growth of membership throughout the conference. At the present time the canvassing work is in the most prosperous condition of any time since the organization of the northern conference, the book sales amounting to about five hundred dollars a month. The intermediate school carried on under the direction of the Northern Illinois Conference, known as the Sheridan Industrial School, is in a fairly prosperous condition. The resources of this school are as follows:—
Real estate .................... $ 8,470 00
Personal property .............. 870 86
Merchandise .................... 40 22
Well fund ....................... 134 60
Personal accounts receivable ... 1,150 65
Bank deposit ................... 151 59
Cash in office ................. 19 96
Total .......................... $10,837 88
LIABILITIES
Bills payable ................... $ 30 00
Factory ......................... 78 75
Cottage fund .................... 41 53
Illinois Tract Society .......... 631 07
Accommodation account .......... 123 61
Personal accounts payable ....... 246 69
Total .......................... $ 1,154 65 The enrolment of the school during the past year was about eighty; the attendance, sixty. The real estate of the school consists of forty-three acres of land, on which is situated one main building containing study rooms, chapel, and girls' dormitory. There are also three cottages on this land which are used as boys' dormitory and dwellings for teachers. There is one barn for housing horses and cattle; also wagon shed, etc. Another building will soon be in process of erection for a workshop. The industries at the school are farming, broom-making, blacksmithing, carpentry, and printing. A small printing plant is operated here, and the conference paper printed by student help. All the buildings on the farm except the main building were constructed by the students, who also cut the logs from the land, and assisted in sawing all the rough lumber for the buildings. The class work at the industrial school is conducted during the entire year with the exception of two or three short vacations. During the summer period the class work is reduced to one half that of the fall and winter terms. Four teachers are employed. The spiritual interest in the school during the past year has been excellent. Only one student, I believe, has not made a profession of religion. All others have been active in religious work. There have been several interesting cases in connection with our industrial school work; as, for instance, a young man, a member of a Baptist family, came to the school with a young man of an Adventist family, who was his friend. On looking about the school and farm, he decided to take instruction at the school. He remained nearly two years, and at the end of that time was a devoted Christian young man, and had accepted all the truths held by us as a people. He is still a faithful young man. Other cases of equal importance might be mentioned. We are of good courage in the work, and are looking forward to the final consummation of all things earthly and the soon coming of the dear Saviour. The Wisconsin Conference
By William Covert
Report of the President at the Lake Union Conference
OUR conference is composed of 3,030 church-members, organized into ninety-seven churches. It also has within its boundaries eleven unorganized companies with seventy-three members, and one hundred and fifty isolated Sabbath-keepers, making a total constituency of 3,253. Death has been permitted to take from our ministry a beloved brother, Elder William Sanders, who now sleeps in Jesus. There has been quite a dropping of names by some of our churches since we met at Chicago two years ago. The distribution of the book “Christ’s Object Lessons,” upon the quota plan, resulted in the dropping of about four hundred members from the records of our churches. Later the collection of funds for the General Conference Association indebtedness has effected a shrinkage in our statistics. The usual evangelistic work has gone forward, and nine churches have been added to the conference, yet the severe trimming of records has in numbers more than balanced our increase.19 Our Sabbath-schools number one hundred and thirty at present. We had twenty church-schools last year, and the year before there were thirty church-schools. The number of schools depends upon the number of available teachers. Probably forty of our churches asked for schools last fall and winter, but it was impossible to furnish teachers for them all. The number of students in attendance has varied from two hundred and fifty to four hundred and fifty, according to the number of church-schools in operation. This count does not include our intermediate and preparatory departments in Bethel. Our churches in Wisconsin own fifty-nine church buildings. Seven of these were dedicated during the last two years. Our laborers receiving pay from the conference tithe at present comprise seventeen ordained ministers, fourteen licentiates, and nineteen other workers. Besides these we are paying the salary of Sister Ida Thompson in China, and Brother and Sister Ritchie in Scotland. We have also about fifty other certified laborers,—doctors, teachers, nurses, and canvassers,—who are self-supporting, and whom the Lord is graciously blessing in their work for him. These are worthy of consideration with those who receive financial support from the tithe. Wisconsin has furnished the following-named persons for the fields herein specified since our session two years ago: Brother and Sister Ritchie for Scotland, Brother and Sister Brandt and Brother David Johnson as canvassers for England, Dr. Volmer for medical work in Samoa, B. F. Machlan for principal of the intermediate school at Boggstown, Ind., Brother G. A. Grauer as German teacher for Union College, Miss Cook as teacher and preceptress in intermediate school at Sheridan, Ill., and G. W. Stilson as stenographer at Washington, D. C. The total tithe received during the last two years is $48,322.10. The total amount of this tithe used outside of Wisconsin these two years is........$11,709 51
Total annual offerings to missions ............ 3,879 83
Weekly offerings ............ 1,947 34
Miscellaneous offerings ..... 2,524 58
Sabbath-school offerings to missions ............ 2,755 69
Total sum of offerings ............ 10,587 44
Total tithe and offerings sent abroad ............ 22,296 95
Total amount of tithe used in our own conference ............ 36,612 59
Average annual settlement ............ 18,306 29 At the last biennial session of the Lake Union Conference the delegates by vote encouraged the erection of a sanitarium at Madison, Wis. This has been done under the supervision of the Medical Missionary Department of the Wisconsin Conference. A report of the workings of this institution may be expected during the present session of the Lake Union Conference. We have erected three church-school buildings during the last two years, and are planning a small industrial school for the Oneida Indian church. We have authorized our missionary to China, Miss Thompson, to establish a school for girls in Canton, and the school is now in operation, with twenty-one students in attendance when last heard from, and room for three more. We have provided five hundred dollars to meet the first year’s expense. Our missionaries in Scotland report a company of twenty-four Sabbath-keepers, as having accepted the faith in the field where they labored last year. In our book department the retail value sold for the two years amounts to ......$12,566 48
Amount of “Christ’s Object Lessons” sold ............ 14,340 00
Total amount ............ 26,906 48 Total number of “Christ’s Object Lessons” purchased since the beginning of 1902 12,378
Previous to 1902 ............ 2,800
Total to date ............ 15,178 “Christ’s Object Lessons” on hand in our office ............ 626 Due Emmanuel Missionary College ............$ 4,000 00
Due the Mission Board..... 450 00 We are disposing of this business as rapidly as we can, and expect to keep it moving until it is done. The missionary campaign upon which our people entered last fall marked the beginning of greater activity in the circulation of our literature. This little revival came in good time to encourage the sale of the Capital and Labor number of the Signs. As a result twenty-two thousand copies of this excellent number were sold in Wisconsin. We know this report is imperfect, but a fair idea of what has been done in the Wisconsin Conference can be gained from it. It is realized that the final result must be left with the Lord. SEVEN persons were baptized at Norfolk, Neb., May 29, by Elder J. J. Graf. EIGHT persons were baptized at South Portland, Maine, Sabbath, June 4. Three united with the Portland church. ELDER G. E. LANGDON reports five new Sabbath-keepers at New Haven, Conn., also the baptism of four young people at Marshfield Center, Conn., where seven have recently united with the church. BROTHER J. S. KROEKER reports from Grand Island, Neb., where he has been since last November: “Eleven persons have been baptized since my stay here, and some others are much interested. Of these eleven, there were eight Germans, one Dane, and two English.” A CHURCH of twelve members has been organized at Hiawatha, Kan., where meetings have been held by a company of workers under the leadership of Elder L. F. Trubey, and more recently canvassing and Bible work have been done by Brother F. C. Clark and Sister Minnie Wheeler. BROTHER J. C. FOSTER reports the baptism of three persons at Red Lodge, Mont., and the addition to the church there of four others. Two others at Red Lodge and two at Rockvale are awaiting baptism. Sabbath, May 28, a church of eighteen members was organized at Rockvale. A REPORT from Texas by Brother D. U. Hale states that at the close of a series of meetings at Cross Roads schoolhouse, five persons began the observance of the Sabbath. On May 28 five persons were added by baptism to the Douglass church in Nacogdoches County, making the present membership of that church seventeen. IN the Nebraska Reporter of June 15 we note the following: “Brethren W. D. MacLay and F. W. H. Schroeder are engaged in conducting a series of tent-meetings at Cedar Rapids. Brethren J. W. Beams and Roscoe Baer are engaged in a similar effort at Cuba; and Brethren W. B. Hill and N. C. Nelson have begun tent-meetings in the city of Lincoln. Tent-meetings in other places will be in progress by the time this report is read.”20 THREE persons were baptized at Bowling Green, Ohio, Sabbath, June 4. TENT companies are now located in Colorado at Denver, New Windsor, and Parachute. In New Mexico a tent company is working at Alamogordo. THE reports from Mexico for the month of April show one hundred and two yearly and ten six-months’ subscriptions secured for El Mensajero; value, $83.50 Mexican money. Tracts and single copies of the paper to the value of $18.46 were sold. CORRECTION.—We were mistaken in announcing the organization of a church at Brockman, O. T., in the REVIEW of June 16,—the company there has not yet been organized,—also in stating that tent-meetings had been held in that place. The meetings were held in a schoolhouse. OFFICERS of the California Conference elected at the recent conference session are as follows: President, Elder A. S. Kellogg; Secretary, J. S. Osborne; Treasurer, Pacific Press Publishing Co. Executive Committee: A. S. Kellogg, W. T. Knox, M. E. Cady, B. F. Richards, H. H. Hall, D. T. Fero, T. J. Evans, C. E. Leland, J. W. Bagby. THE Ohio Welcome Visitor says: “Brother Heber Votaw and wife are much encouraged by visible fruits of their labors in Marion during the year thus far. One family of two adults and several children have accepted the truth as far as they know it, and a number of others are interested; prejudice is giving way to confidence, and the clergy of Marion are friendly.” FROM Cape Town, South Africa, Brother O. O. Fortner sends this report: “Elder Hankins has just begun a series of tent-meetings at East London, a city in the eastern part of this colony. We have a small tent there. Treatment rooms have been opened in Maritzburg, Natal, and our most experienced nurse is just going to Johannesburg to start a similar work there in conjunction with the meetings to be held by Elder Edmed. There is a good interest in the health work in Natal and the Transvaal.” IN a recent letter the following notes from the West Michigan Conference are given by the president, Elder A. G. Haughey:— “We have four tents in the field. It is our purpose to have these ministers with their tents remain in the field all summer. We do not expect them to attend the camp-meeting. “I spent Sabbath, June 11, with the church at Wright, and baptized six young persons, ranging in age from thirteen to eighteen. All of these young people were pupils in the church-school during the past year, and owe their conversion largely to the influences of the school.” THE Minnesota Worker gives the following list of workers and their locations in that State for the present summer: “Appleton, A. Mead, E. H. Huntley (a teacher’s summer school will be held at the same time and place, in which North and South Dakota will join with Minnesota. Brother Van Kirk will take charge); Minneapolis, H. Steen, F. E. Rew; St. Paul, English, O. O. Bernstein, S. E. Jackson, A. C. Gilbert; St. Paul, Scandinavian, A. J. Stone, Fred Johnson; Monticello, W. W. Stebbins, C. M. Babcock, E. M. Chapman; Stillwater, F. A. Detamore, E. W. Catlin; Bemidji, P. A. Hanson, Geo. L. Budd; McIntosh, J. C. Christenson, M. S. Reppe; Fergus Falls, Lena Nichols; Brethren John Anderson and Albert Olson will connect with the school farm for a time.” Progress in Chile
By H. F. Ketring
THURSDAY I reached Los Angeles, and was immediately taken sick with tonsillitis. On Sabbath the few there assembled, and I sat up in bed and talked to them. I think it was the greatest effort I ever made to speak. My throat was so swollen that I could not swallow any food for four days, and each word was not only an effort, but a severe pain. But I was rewarded in seeing the interest manifested in the few scattered remarks that I was able to make. One German brother was present who began to obey last August. He has a carriage factory and planing mill, and his fifteen or twenty men stop work every Friday evening at sundown. I was so glad to see him firm and steadfast, notwithstanding the persecution that he has had to suffer from every quarter. From there I went to Santiago. I was rejoiced to hear how the Spirit of God has been working for our people there. During the week of prayer they had a good time, and their offering was $74.63, or about twenty-five dollars gold, and it was not all in yet. Two weeks ago they had no Sabbath-school lesson to study, the paper not having reached them in time. In the absence of the regular lesson, the elder, who is a native, gave them a lesson on the way Israel offered to build the tabernacle. He told them that some of them had jewelry that they were keeping, and that the cause of God needed it. One by one they began to tell how much they had at home, and some in the congregation who still wore jewelry took it off and gave it as an offering to the Lord. It was all gathered together, and a committee appointed to sell it, and put the money in the treasury. Is this not evidence of the working of the Spirit of God? My heart rejoiced as the elder told me of it. The little handful of believers in Valparaiso gave nearly forty dollars during the week of prayer, or more than thirteen dollars gold. Although we are very few and feeble, yet we have a mighty God, and he is strengthening us. To him be all the glory. H. F. KETRING. England
By T. C. O’DONNELL.
WE returned from the Southsea general meeting last week. It was triumph from beginning to close. There was not the slightest trace of a dissentient spirit present. A brother unconsciously characterized the entire session when he said of one service, “It melted me.” That we are working in this field will be evident, when you learn that Great Britain will have thirteen tents in the field this summer, which we think very good. I AM glad our people are interested in educational work in India. There is room for a great work in this line. In fact, I believe it is one of the most potential factors in the evangelization of India. The Indian takes more cleverly to education than most other Oriental nations, and large numbers attend the government schools. There are said to be more university students in India than in England. Hundreds are taking their M. A. and B. A. degrees every year in India. In fact, so many obtain an education that very ordinary occupations are often followed by those who have had a university education. With this tendency, it can readily be seen that the people of India can be more easily reached through educational means than in almost any other way. Of course, the education which they secure is one sided; they are book crammers, and are marvels at it. It is safe to say that their memories excel those of Europeans. They are not fond of working with their hands. Their religion teaches them that hand labor is menial and degrading. Here is where our methods apply, and though they meet with opposition, yet in time I am sure they will be successful. The government has catered too largely to the Indian inclination, allowing them to devote most of their time to the acquisition of facts rather than to the development of the powers of mind and body. We have four schools at present in India; two of them are European, and two are native. One of the European schools is located in Calcutta, the other in Rangoon, Burma. They are both church-schools. The Calcutta church-school has been in operation for two or three years, and now sustains its own teacher, and pays the rent for the room which it occupies. We have not a church-school teacher in India who has taken a training in one of our schools for this purpose. Money has been raised in America to send a teacher, and we are hoping she will come soon. Anything that can be done to hurry one along will be much appreciated. Sister Hansen, who has been teaching this school, is a natural teacher, and has taught some time in public schools in America. The Rangoon school was opened this year. One of the native schools is located at Karmatar, and the other at Simultala. The school at Karmatar is a training-school. We have just begun it this year. Our purpose is to train in it native people to carry on the work. We have leased for five years a nice property consisting of about twenty-five acres of land. Several acres of it are put out to fruit. Counting shade trees, there are about one thousand trees. We have a nice little bungalow and some other buildings on the premises. One of our buildings is used for the orphanage. Brother and Sister Burgess were in charge of the work here, but he had to return to America on account of his health. Sister Anna Knight is now in charge of this21 work, and is doing well. We are very much in need of a man and his wife who are qualified to lead out in educational work among the native people. Our purpose in the school at Karmatar is to give the pupils an all-round training of hand and head and heart. The pupils of this school are mostly from parents who are very poor, and hence unable to pay much, if anything. It costs six rupees, or two dollars a month to keep a pupil in this school. This is a small sum, and no doubt there are many who are unable to come to India themselves who would like to support a young man or woman while they are getting an education. We can not hope to connect industries with the school, and so far have introduced only the culture of the soil. Outdoor work in India is very trying, owing to the excessive heat of the sun. The other native school which I mentioned is among the Santals. They are very poor people, but strong and hardy. Brother Barlow has a mission among them in connection with this school. He has a number of young men who spend a portion of the day working, and a portion in study. Our plan is to educate these young men, teaching them the Bible and the principles of the truth, and then send them back to work among their own people, and to start schools in different places. This is, in brief, a statement of our educational work here. We thank God for the blessing which has attended the work thus far. We believe there are jewels to be found among these people. To find them requires patience and great forbearance, untiring effort, and a heart filled with the love of God. I think our greatest need is teachers. We are very deficient in this line of help in India, and we hope that good, earnest workers may be sent us speedily. I am glad that the tide is turning in America, and that a spirit of unity prevails throughout our ranks. It gives us who are at the ends of the earth courage to strike a harder blow. God is in this work, and we shall triumph gloriously if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence unto the end. This is a hard field, and many difficulties confront us. We ask the prayers and the help of God's dear people for the needy nations of India. Any help in the educational work will be much appreciated.