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Review and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 35.

DAMASCUS
Earlier text: Visiting the Frontier

The Book Work at the Missouri Camp-Meeting

By G. Phillips

The book work received a good share of attention at our camp-meeting. We held two meetings each day at the large tent, which were attended by the ministers and visiting brethren and by almost the entire camp. There were many interesting testimonies given by our experienced canvassers, which seemed to inspire every one present with a greater desire to scatter our publications like autumn leaves. I am sure we have reached the time when our book work should take on larger dimensions. We should lengthen our cords and strengthen our stakes.
At the close of the meetings we received the names of forty persons who expected to devote a part or all of their time to this work; most of these will devote their entire time to it. I expect to spend my time until Christmas in helping the workers in the field in practical canvassing and delivering. One lady canvasser has a delivery amounting to nearly seven hundred dollars to be made the twenty-eighth. These orders were taken in less than six weeks. This is only a sample of what is being done, others are doing correspondingly well.
We feel very thankful to God for the success that is attending our book work in Missouri. This is largely due to the interest taken by our conference president and committee and the employees in the office at Kansas City, and our faithful workers in the field, and by the good brethren throughout the State who are so willing to furnish homes for the canvassers laboring near them. We have some very devoted canvassers in this State who send in encouraging reports from week to week, and this is a great help in our work, showing that our books will sell, and that all we have to do is to consecrate our lives to God and go forth in his name. The Spirit of God has moved upon the hearts of his servants to write, and upon the hearts of others to publish the books which are now stored in the offices of publication; and now, dear reader, where does the responsibility rest? Is it not upon you and me? The Spirit of God says “Come; for all things are now ready.” Luke 14:17. Let us work while the day lasts, for night cometh, when no man can work.
G. PHILLIPS.

Texas Camp-Meeting

By G. B. THOMPSON

The State camp-meeting of the Texas Conference was held at Hillsboro, August 3-13. The camp was comfortably located. There was plenty of shade, and a splendid spring furnished abundance of good water, which was a great help in maintaining the health of the camp. The grounds, however, were located about three miles from the town, and as there was no street-car connection, it was inconvenient for the people to attend. For this reason the outside attendance was not large, but those who came were much interested in the truths presented. The attendance of our own people was good. While the conference membership is not more than fifteen hundred, it was estimated that over one thousand camped on the ground during the meeting, many of whom drove quite a distance in wagons.
All the laborers in the State were present, and assisted in carrying the burdens of the meeting, and Elder H. Shultz, Prof. B. G. Wilkinson, and the writer were present from outside the conference. While the practical truths of the gospel were presented, the vital principles of the message were not neglected. An effort was made to strongly emphasize the distinctive, fundamental pillars of our message. This met a ready response in the hearts of all our people. This people love the real message, and that which will arouse our own people, as well as give light to the world, is the clear, definite message of Revelation 14.
The blessing of the Lord was manifest from the very beginning, and the spiritual work deepened as the meeting progressed; this was especially true the last few days. The large number of young people present was especially noticeable, and the deep workings of the Holy Spirit were manifest among them. Two baptismal services were held during the meeting; thirty-five were baptized. Many of these were from among the youth, some of whom were consecrating their hearts to God for the first time.
Reasonable dispatch was manifest in the business deliberations of the conference. The degree of unity was encouraging. Elder C. Santee, who was asked by the late General Conference to make this conference his field of labor, was present, and was unanimously elected president. He takes up the work in the conference with good courage, and with the hearty co-operation and confidence of all. Elder Nelson, though in feeble health, was present, and presided during the conference. The heavy burdens borne, and the many perplexing and trying experiences through which he has been called to pass in his connection with the work of this conference have taxed him beyond his strength. But the Lord has greatly blessed his efforts in building up and advancing his work, and many are earnestly praying that as he is now relieved of some of his responsibilities, he may be speedily restored to his usual vigor and strength.
The reports of the laborers indicated that a degree of prosperity has attended their labors in new fields. Three new churches were taken into the conference at this meeting. The work of the Keene Academy has been very encouraging during the past year. The attendance has been good, and the debt which has been hanging over the institution for years has been reduced to only a few hundred dollars. The prospect is favorable for a large number of students the coming year. The sanitarium was taken under the control of the conference. Dr. Ross and his wife have recently connected with the institution, and the outlook is much more hopeful than at any time in the past. Some much-needed improvements have been made, enabling them to treat more effectively those who may be in need of help.
A good corps of laborers was recommended by the conference. At the close of the forenoon service the last Sunday of the meeting, Brother Nathan V. Willess was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, prayer being offered by the writer, and the charge given by Elder N. P. Nelson.
Personally I greatly enjoyed the privilege of meeting with the people of this conference. It is the first time I ever visited the South, and the impressions formed were very favorable indeed. God's people are the same wherever found. Our prayer is that the Lord will greatly bless the work in this conference, and that many will be brought to a knowledge of the truth the coming year. G. B. THOMPSON.

The Southern Field

By J. ELLIS TENNEY

Much has been said and written concerning the progress of the message in the Southern field, and the agencies that are being employed in that work. Our papers frequently contain earnest appeals to our brethren everywhere to come to the financial aid of our burdened institutions and needy workers in the South.
It has been my privilege to be a worker in the Southern field uninterruptedly for more than four years, and my work has been of such a nature as to bring me in contact with the work in each local conference and mission field in the Southern Union Conference. What I shall say at this time with reference to the conditions as they exist to-day, will be based upon the best judgment that I can form from actual experience and observation.
Many in the North decide for one reason or another to enter the Southern field, and the nature of the impressions gained and the judgments formed depend much upon the motive actuating the individual in coming. It appears that some have in mind that it would be a delightful thing to come to the “sunny South,” the land where the long winters of the Northern States are unknown, and flowers can be found in bloom nearly every season of the year, and fruit grows in great abundance, and the homes of the people are open to receive them. But they meet with disappointment, and return to the North with a doleful tale of the conditions they have found. There is another class, prompted by the Spirit of God and with an earnest desire to see souls saved in the kingdom; these come to this field, not with the idea that they are going to have an easy time, with no trouble, and that everything will be smooth and to their liking, and they find, in many instances, that conditions are really more favorable and more pleasant than they had expected. These are usually contented to remain, and God blesses their efforts.
There is no field on the earth that does not require self-denial and earnest, consecrated effort if success is obtained. The Lord has many ways in every field in which his people can work and be successful if they are willing to endure hardship as good soldiers of Christ, and keep in view, not their own personal comfort or well-being, but the interests of the work God desires them to do.
It is unquestionably a fact that much that is said concerning the “sunny South” and the pleasures attending one's experience in the South is largely a matter of sentiment, and has but little truth in it. But on the other hand, for the individual who does not seek merely to have an easy time, but who is industrious and persevering, there are many comforts and blessings in this Southern field. We are convinced that there is no part of the country that contains a more hospitable or more appreciative people than the South, and the individual whose mind is fixed on the one purpose of glorifying God and benefiting his fellow men, both by word and by example, and does not attempt to meddle with the customs of society, will meet with very little difficulty, but, on the other hand, will be greatly blessed, and will have many friends.
It is a fact that the employment of means in the Southern field has in some instances been characterized by a lack of judgment. And these mistakes have led in some instances to the withholding of funds when the giving would have brought great blessing to the giver. We are always glad to see the means which we contribute to the work of God result in the accomplishment of great good, yet on the books of heaven it stands to the credit of the giver, whether or not blunders may be made through lack of judgment on the part of those employing the means.
One thing that has led to the condition just mentioned has been the extreme lack of competent help in the South. In many cases it has been necessary to employ in very responsible positions those whose experience and general ability were very limited; but what else could be done? It is a very different thing from having at hand men of experience and recognized ability to step into responsible positions and make their work a success. The South is greatly in need of means; this no one will doubt; yet we are convinced that the greatest blessing now that could come to this Southern field would be consecrated laborers whose experience and general ability would guarantee success in whatever line of work they engage.
But I desire to speak more especially of the particular work to which we have been called in this Southern field. In a recent issue of the REVIEW AND HERALD, this statement appears: “The enterprises standing most in need of help at the present time are the Nashville church, the Oakwood Industrial School, and the Nashville Sanitarium.” We do not question the imperative needs of these enterprises, but to say that these are more greatly in need of help than any other department of the work in the South at the present time, only indicates a lack of knowledge of the present needs of the field, whatever acquaintance the writer may formerly have had.
Perhaps the oldest institution established in the interests of the progress of our work in the Southern field is our training-school for workers, located at Graysville, Tenn. This institution has struggled along for ten years, and has asked for and received comparatively little help. While the means that has gone to the other institutions in different parts of the country has been measured by thousands of dollars, comparatively little has been given to this work. Since the writer's connection with the school in June of 1901 practically all the help it has received has been received by the writer as he personally solicited it in two or three of the Northern conferences.
Most earnest efforts have been and are being made to place this school on a self-supporting basis. We have been determined not to run in debt, and in this we have been greatly blessed, for the school has grown in size and importance under the blessing of God until the buildings are altogether inadequate to its needs, and in size and in their condition entirely unfitted for the work before us; and it is a fact that the very existence of this school is dependent upon its receiving material help in the very near future—not means with which to pay debts, but means with which to place the buildings in proper condition, and supply some necessities without which the school can not longer continue.
“The question rests here, Shall we close up our school designed for the preparation of workers for this Southern field, or shall we just now come to the rescue, and do what we can to place it upon a proper working basis?” Upon actual observation, and the experience of the last few years, I am prepared to say without any successful contradiction that there is no other enterprise in the Southern field which is in more imperative need of help at the present time than the Southern training-school of Graysville, Tenn. And when I say this, I am in no sense indifferent to the needs of the work in other places. If I know my own heart, I am intensely interested in the advancement of the cause in all its departments, but I could not be clear before the Lord if I did not make a plain statement of the facts. The school building must have a new roof; at present it leaks so badly that it is impossible to keep some of the rooms in a condition of repair. The school is entirely without laundry facilities. There are no facilities for bathing, none which would be recognized as such in any of the schools of the land. Our buildings are so insufficiently heated that our students are subjected to severe colds and the danger of protracted illness. My brethren and sisters, these are conditions as we are compelled to meet them.
There are many men in our ranks throughout the North, and perhaps a few in this Southern field, who, if God would move upon their hearts and they would follow his directions, could, without any assistance from any one else, place this important institution in a position where it could do a great service to God. Who will be the first to answer this call?
We make this final appeal for help for this institution, not from any personal interests, but because the progress of truth in this Southern field so far as the preparation of native ability for carrying it on is concerned, is in jeopardy.
J. ELLIS TENNEY.

The General Organization of the Missionary Campaign

By E. R. Palmer

The general missionary campaign as outlined by the General Conference in session at Washington, has already been placed before the readers of the REVIEW and The Signs of the Times. Special bulletins, outlining the plan, have also been sent out to the leading officers and workers in the United States. Therefore it will be necessary to present this general outline at this time, but a few statements concerning the organization of campaign committees and special lines of work may be of interest.
Number 67 of the General Conference recommendations reads as follows: “We recommend that the General Conference Committee appoint a missionary campaign committee to co-operate with conference officers in the carrying out of these recommendations.” By “these recommendations” is meant recommendations 63 and 67 of the General Conference resolutions, which, as stated above, have already been published in several different forms.
When this question of appointing the campaign committees came before the General Conference Committee, it was decided to refer these appointments and the general organization of the work to the General Conference Publishing Committee. Accordingly, at the first meeting of the General Conference Publishing Committee, held in camp at San Jose, Cal., June 30, these appointments were made, and notice of them was sent to all concerned. Although returns have not been received from all parts of the field, we feel that we should not delay longer in announcing these appointments.
In providing for the management of this campaign work, the members of the publishing committee endeavored to avoid two evils: first, the appointment of one central committee which would try to do all the work in all parts of the field, thus removing responsibility from the local workers; and second, the evil of dividing up the field into independent parts, each with its own independent program and local interests, thus destroying our purpose to have a united movement in which the whole church of God would be marching in perfect order under a definite system and with one united plan of work.
Therefore a general committee was appointed which will take the responsibility of laying general plans for the campaign, and of presenting them to our people through the REVIEW AND HERALD, through union and State papers, and through special bulletins sent out to leading workers. In many ways this committee will labor to promote the interests of the work in every part of the field. Then sub-committees were appointed for each publishing district, whose duty it will be to take the service plans as framed at the last General Conference, and as developed and worked out by the general campaign committee, and carry the responsibility of working these plans all out in detail, and of giving them power and effectiveness in their respective territories.
These committees were appointed as follows:—
General Campaign Committee: W. C. White, H. H. Hall, E. R. Palmer, G. A. Irwin, and W. A. Spicer. H. H. Hall was appointed secretary of this committee, and made responsible for the general oversight of the work throughout the field.
Review and Herald Campaign Committee: S. N. Curtiss, D. W. Reavis, G. B. Thompson, K. C. Russell, Dr. J. E. Froom, Allen Moon, J. W. Mace.
Southern Field: I. A. Ford, G. I. Butler, S. N. Haskell, P. T. Magan, and C. N. Woodward.
Central West: James Cochran, E. T. Russell, A. T. Robinson, R. A. Underwood, and R. C. Porter.
Pacific Coast: H. H. Hall, M. C. Wilcox, E. R. Palmer, G. W. Petit, and W. V. Sample.
The special work outlined for these committees is as follows:—
1. An effort to place the REVIEW AND HERALD in every Sabbath-keeping home in the United States during the camp-meeting season and early fall.
2. An effort to secure a liberal circulation of message-filled tracts by every Seventh-day Adventist, the entering wedge for each worker to be the use of one pound (about twenty tracts of each number, or three hundred and twenty tracts in all) of The Signs of the Times Leaflets, these to be followed by specially selected tracts as advertised.
3. A general campaign in behalf of our missionary periodicals,—The Signs of the Times, the Watchman, and Life and Health,—this campaign to be entered upon about the first of October.
4. That this work be followed up early in November with the sale of forty-percent books from our home-workers' list. Orders should be taken for these books for delivery just before the Christmas holidays.
5. All these lines of missionary work should be followed by Bible readings, cottage meetings, missionary correspondence, etc.
6. Missionary conventions are to be held October 7 and November 18, for which has been prepared a special program with readings and other helps.
This missionary campaign has already begun, and the first items of work have been entered upon. There are two definite points toward which every factor in this denomination should now be working; first, the placing of the REVIEW AND HERALD in every Sabbath-keeping family; and second, the use by every Seventh-day Adventist of at least one pound of The Signs of the Times Leaflets and later other message-filled tracts as advertised.
In this general campaign every true Adventist must be a factor. Strenuous efforts are being put forth by the leaders to organize and direct this great campaign, but success will be attained only as the rank and file become responsible, intelligent workers. Therefore we invite the immediate co-operation of every Seventh-day Adventist, at least to this extent: first, sign for the REVIEW AND HERALD now, if you are not a subscriber. Do not wait to be asked. Second, send for one pound of The Signs of the Times Leaflets, and pass them out from house to house among your neighbors, beginning with number one, and thus give at least twenty families in your vicinity sixteen of these bright, pointed readings, covering the most important features of our faith. And when these are distributed, send for other larger tracts. What a mighty work may be accomplished throughout this country if every Seventh-day Adventist will step into the ranks and do this small amount of work; and when these two things have been done, other plans will be presented for further work. Watch the papers week by week, and keep in touch with each step of the movement as the work is unfolded, join in the march, and do your duty. As an illustration of the church of God in perfect marching order read Num. 9: 15-23.
We earnestly pray that this may be the strongest and most successful campaign ever conducted in the history of this work; and it should be. As we near the end, as dangers thicken around us, and as the signs of the Coming One become more evident, our efforts should be stronger and more united.
E. R. PALMER, Secretary Gen. Conf. Publishing Com.

Plans and Suggestions for the Continuous Missionary Campaign

By S. N. Curtiss

Season of 1905-06

“Not a wasted moment in the morning fair, Not an idle instant in the noonday glare, Not a Christless mission anywhere.”
The words of the poem are in harmony with the spirit of our missionary efforts—a continuous campaign. The Master Worker has given the command, “Go ye.” Helpless, hopeless, despairing humanity raises pleading hands, and says, “Come over and help us.”
The General Conference says, “We recommend that the great missionary campaign entered upon last year be strengthened, deepened, and enlarged into a mighty movement for the promulgation of the third angel’s message.”
The necessary material—the Word of God and the publications which lead to its study—is ready. In fact, the harvest is ripe. What is lacking?—The reapers. Where are the reapers? The call is to every individual. Who will disappoint the Master and fail in this time of test to “come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty”?
In the plan for this season’s campaign, the REVIEW AND HERALD is to receive first attention. This means that every conference officer, every minister, every Bible worker, every church officer, every canvasser, every church-member, will be a subscriber to the paper, and will see that every Sabbath-keeper within the sphere of his influence is made cognizant of the great loss sustained by those who do not have the regular visits of their church paper. This work is to be done now at every camp-meeting, in every conference, in every church.
Following this effort to get the REVIEW into every Sabbath-keeper’s hands will come an effort for others with our various missionary periodicals, and the circulation of other truth-filled publications. Missionary conventions are to be held, and there is something which every man, woman, and child among us will be expected to take part in. Full particulars, reports of work, the convention readings, and all the information that our people will need to know what to do and when to do it, will be in the REVIEW.
Let us work earnestly now for the paper, so that when these other plans are published in it, every Sabbath-keeper will read them and be ready to do his part.
S. N. CURTISS, Chairman Eastern Campaign Committee.

The Nebraska Camp-Meeting

By George A. Irwin

THIS meeting was held August 10-20 in a beautiful grove one mile from the center of the city of Omaha. The camp-meeting was preceded by a workers' meeting, which began the third of August. While pitching the camp, and getting everything in readiness for the meeting proper, Bible studies were conducted each day, and when the meeting really opened, there was a good spirit from the very beginning. And this continued to increase until the close of the meeting. Revival services were held at different times during the meeting, and a large number professed conversion for the first time, while many others were reclaimed from a backslidden condition. Forty-one persons in all were baptized.
There was the largest attendance of our own people that has ever been in a similar gathering. There were one hundred and seventy-two family tents, also a reception tent, book tent, grocer and dining tents, and five tents in which public services were held.
In addition to the English services held in the large pavilion, there was a tent in which German services were held regularly, also one in which the message was preached in the Scandinavian tongue.
There were eight hundred and thirty-five people encamped on the ground, and about one hundred occupied rooms near by; a number living in the city also attended the meetings.
Services of various kinds were held at frequent intervals, and all of these were well attended, as well as the evening meetings. The preaching was of a very plain and decided character, largely on some phase of the message.
The conference business was all finished in eight sessions, closing with the election of officers, and granting credentials to various persons who were called to labor in the conference the ensuing year. Elder A. T. Robinson was unanimously re-elected president of the conference, with Lewis Johnson as vice-president. J. J. Graf, R. F. Andrews, D. R. Callehan, G. Mathiesen, and C. H. Miller were connected with these brethren to make up the executive committee.
The reports showed a healthy increase in all branches of the work. Five new churches were added. After supporting four laborers in foreign fields, and paying the accounts of the Nebraska laborers, there was a gain in the tithe over the preceding year of $3,030.78. From our side, from the very beginning, there was a good interest in foreign mission work; $358.25, mostly in cash, was realized as the result of the First-day and Sabbath offerings.
By unanimous vote of the executive committee and the brethren assembled, this amount was increased by a donation from the tithe to one thousand dollars, and a check was written for the same and forwarded at once to the General Conference.
A resolution was also passed in the conference that in view of the dearth of men and means for the foreign work, this conference will, so far as consistent, share its laborers and tithe with the General Conference.
There was a good response made to the presentation of the plan for the sale and distribution of Sister White's new book, "The Ministry of Healing." Four hundred and twenty-eight books were subscribed for by forty-five persons.
The various institutions located in the conference, such as Union College and the Nebraska Sanitarium, were quite fully and ably represented; the school by Professors Lewis and Kern, and the sanitarium by Dr. George and a large corps of nurses and assistants.
Besides the conference laborers, K. C. Russell, Henry Shultz, G. H. Haffner, and the writer assisted in the meetings. Elder E. T. Russell, president of the Central Union Conference, after attending a portion of this meeting started for the Colorado camp-meeting, leaving Elder K. C. Russell and myself to remain here till the close of this meeting.
So far as I was able to judge from what I saw and heard, there is an excellent feeling in the Nebraska Conference, and the brethren go home to their several localities with a determination to be more faithful not only in the payment of tithes and offerings, but in embracing every opportunity to present the precious truth to the people with whom they come in contact.
Crop prospects are very fine in Nebraska, and everything seems to indicate a prosperous year in the work of the conference. G. A. IRWIN.

Dentists as Missionaries

By Abel L. Gregory, M. D.

We need more missionary workers in Brazil, and as experience is the best teacher, we will tell you a little of what ours has been. We find that with our dental knowledge we can help people and come in touch with them soon after entering a new place. Brazilians are notorious for having bad teeth, and American dentists are in good standing. The dental laws are not so stringent as the medical. In this State a dentist can register for seventy-five dollars. In the northern States the laws are more rigid. We could, at this writing, find places in this State for ten dentists. If they could speak German, it would help them very much, as there is a large German element, many of whom are in good financial condition. All the large cities have English-speaking people, most of whom are here for the sole purpose of making money, and as a rule they do.
Our dental work and our medical work are about equal; so if we had only the medical work, we would probably halve our sum. We are registered as doctors, which gives us the liberty to do dental work with no extra tax, which is quite an item in Brazil, where taxes are high.
If possible, every doctor should know dentistry, at least so we have found by experience. Any person desiring more particulars may address us at Taquary, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, S. A.
ABEL L. GREGORY, M. D.

Manitoba Camp-Meeting

By Mrs. Jessie L. Adams

THE annual camp-meeting and conference was held July 20-25, in a pleasant place about twelve miles from Winnipeg. A large number of our people from all parts of this field gathered early at the meeting. This is said to be the largest meeting held in this field, and undoubtedly it was one of the best. From the very first, it was apparent that the Spirit of the Lord was present.
The weather was favorable during the greater part of the meeting, and there were heard many expressions of gratitude to God for his goodness and for the many spiritual blessings received. Confessions were made, and many re-consecrated themselves to the Lord and his service. There was a good attendance of those not of our faith at the evening services, at which some of the leading doctrinal points were presented.
Besides the conference laborers, Elder R. A. Underwood, Prof. A. E. Doering, and S. A. James were present during the entire meeting, and worked for the interests of the different branches of the work.
Two churches were admitted to the conference, one of eighteen members being largely the result of two books sold by one of our faithful canvassers. The other church has a membership of sixteen. The different branches of the work were carefully considered, and plans laid for each during the coming year. Much interest was manifested in the educational work, and the report of this work was indeed a good one from every standpoint. The financial report shows all obligations paid to date. It was voted to build a suitable addition to the present building to accommodate the students.
The report of the treasurer showed that the finances of the conference were in good condition. The tithe had increased $1,681.29 during the year. The tract society had a good report of missionary work done, and the provincial agent’s report was one of interest. This report called attention to the work of our faithful missionaries, and showed an average of eighty-seven cents an hour for work done, and ninety-five per cent of orders delivered. Six young men are engaged in this work.
Eight new Sabbath-schools had been organized during the year, and the donations to missions showed a substantial increase.
The following-named officers were elected for the year: President, W. M. Adams; Vice-President, C. J. Kunkel; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. Jessie L. Adams; Educational Secretary, O. A. Hall; Health and Temperance Secretary, W. Adams; Provincial Agent, Robt. S. Greaves; Sabbath-school Secretary, Mrs. Jessie L. Adams.
Credentials were granted to W. M. Adams, C. J. Kunkel, Neil McGill, J. C. Christensen, F. H. Conway; ministerial licenses to John R. Peters, O. A. Hall; missionary licenses to Barbara Purdon, Mrs. Jessie L. Adams, Robt. S. Greaves.
On Sunday eight were baptized in the Red River by Elder McGill. The meeting indeed was a feast to those present, and all returned to their homes full of courage and with a determination to make the coming year a better one in the service of the Lord.
Mrs. JESSIE L. ADAMS, Secretary.
Continue reading: Death of Elder C. A. Washburn