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Review and Herald, Vol. 81, No. 38.

O Happy Home
Earlier text: Putting in the Sun

Fiji

By J. E. Fulton

Suva.—I am very glad to be back in Fiji, and am so well again that I trust the Lord will use me to the forwarding of the work in this group of islands. This is a very interesting center, and promises to become a very important one from which to work the islands farther to the westward, some of which are as yet in abject heathenism. We hope to have a school here that will develop native missionaries for the other islands.
Fiji has a large representative class of Polynesians. This is due largely to the imported labor for the sugar and other industries carried on here. We have not been able to bring any of these other natives into the truth as yet. We are in hopes, however, that as we make special efforts for them, we may see some rejoice in the message for these times, and in turn become workers for their people in their own islands.
Mrs. Fulton is very much improved in health, and has been doing what she could to assist here during the past two months. Our children are well, and delighted to be again with the natives, and seem desirous of imparting to them what they learned at our good school at Cooranbong.
Miss Guilliard, who has been with us ever since we have been in Fiji, has come back with us, and is working in the printing-office. J. E. FULTON.

Encouraging Experiences

By J. F. Bahler

AUGUST 1 our two orphan girls, and one orphans' home worker, my wife, and I, started out to sell our literature. In about forty-five hours we sold one thousand copies, or one hundred dollars' worth, of the World's Fair number of the Bible Training School. To the dear Lord we ascribe all the praise and glory.
This issue of the paper is a double number under one cover, selling at ten cents a copy.
We are supporting the work of the Keene Orphans' Home by the sale of literature. I feel certain that the reading-matter which we are selling is doing a great deal of good; for we hear favorable reports from some of those who have purchased it. Our girls have precious experiences to relate. One day the youngest one, who is about twelve years of age, sold ninety of these papers in about three hours. Elder S. N. Haskell and his wife persuaded us to take twenty thousand copies of this double number. We prefer it to anything we have ever sold. It sells readily, and will certainly do a great deal of good. We believe that the Lord led us into the work of selling this paper, for which we thank his holy name.
J. F. BAHLER.

Oklahoma Camp-Meeting

By N. P. Nelson

The Oklahoma camp-meeting was held, according to appointment, in a beautiful park in the suburbs of Guthrie. The weather was pleasant, and the attendance was the largest in the history of the conference. Some of the brethren came over two hundred miles by team to be at the meeting. There were eleven hundred persons encamped on the ground, in one hundred and forty-five tents and seventy-five wagons.
Elder I. H. Evans was with us during the first of the meeting, and rendered valuable help. Elder J. H. Morrison was with us all through the meeting, and his counsel and instruction was much appreciated by all. Elder W. H. Anderson, of the Matabele Mission, gave several interesting talks, and the liberal donation which he received for that field bespoke the interest in that work. The brethren also responded to the appeal made by Elder Leppie for the work in Brazil, and, further, the Oklahoma Conference recommended that a German laborer be sent to that field and supported out of the tithe of the Oklahoma Conference; the same worker to remain in the field as long as his labor is needed there.
Elder Evans did not forget the Washington work, and although many of the brethren had already donated for that purpose, $197.40 was raised in cash and pledges. Elder Sharp spoke of the Huntsville school for colored youth, and $311.15 was raised for that purpose. The needs of the colored people in Arkansas and eastern Texas were also brought before the brethren, and a response of $125 was made. The ten-cent-a-week plan was brought up both Sabbaths, and a donation of $29.76 was the result. A deep interest was taken in the educational work, and $175 was raised to assist needy students in getting an education in the Keene Academy. All this goes to show that the Oklahoma brethren have a deep interest in the promulgation of the third angel's message.
The praise services were very spiritual. During the eleven o'clock meeting of the last Sabbath, more than fifty came forward for special prayer. Many came for the first time, some throwing away their tobacco and making a complete surrender. It was one of the best meetings I have ever attended. The Spirit of God came in with great power. It was very touching to see gray-haired men come forward and bow down and plead with God for deliverance, and to see fathers and mothers bring their children to the front. Great solemnity rested upon the whole congregation. O how willing the Lord is to give us his Holy Spirit when we are willing to give up all, and let him lead us! It was a solemn scene on Sunday to see fifty-two souls follow their Lord in baptism.
Oklahoma is a growing conference. Two more young men were ordained to the gospel ministry. The conference sends out fifteen ordained ministers, ten licentiates, and thirteen missionary licentiates.
The conference was divided into five districts, and a superintendent placed in charge of each. So the work as a whole is well organized. Elder G. F. Haffner was re-elected president for the coming year. Altogether, it was a very prosperous meeting, and our brethren went home full of hope and courage. May the Lord work mightily for Oklahoma the coming year. N. P. NELSON.

Vermont Conference and Camp-Meeting

The forty-second annual session of the Vermont Conference convened at Hardwick, Vt., in connection with the camp-meeting, Aug. 18–28, 1904. Besides the delegates of the conference, there were present Elders Cottrell, Thurston, and Mattson, Professor Griggs, and Brother F. E. Painter, also our conference ministers and workers.
The Chair was empowered to appoint the usual committees, which were as follows: On nominations, W. E. Fortune, A. E. Taylor, F. A. Page; on resolutions, T. H. Purdon, Eva A. Jenks, E. W. Thurber; on credentials and licences, A. W. Boardman, C. C. Drown, L. W. Wetherbee; on auditing, H. A. Thurber, A. E. Taylor, E. H. Pierce, W. E. Fortune, F. A. Page, and C. C. Drown, in connection with the conference committee.
The president, Elder J. W. Watt, made a report of the work in the State for the past year. While there had not been the desired results from the year’s work, he was hopeful that more would yet be seen as a result of the efforts in several places. A good letter was read from our worker in Scotland, Elder W. A. Westworth.
In referring to the canvassing work, attention was called to the advance in this department the past year. Owing to the other work of the Sabbath-school field secretary, Eva A. Jenks, there were no conventions during the year. Attention was called to our new work in the Medical Missionary Department, as represented in the treatment rooms at Burlington. Although we were not able to start this work on the cash basis as we had hoped, yet it is doing good work, and bids fair to be self-supporting the rest of the year and onward. Owing to overdraft in this department, donations are yet solicited as the people may feel free to aid the work.
The resolutions adopted were as follows:—
“1. Resolved, That we hereby express our heartfelt gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the prosperity attending the work in this conference the past year, recognizing that from him come all the blessings which we as a conference are continually receiving.”
“In view of the importance of the moves which are being made at the head of our work, and the omens we see that the forces of right and wrong are fast being lined up for the last great contest, and realizing that unless we as a people discern the import of all these things, we shall drop out of the work and become indifferent to our eternal salvation and the salvation of others, therefore,—
“2. Resolved, That we urge upon all our people the importance of studying ‘Testimonies for the Church,’ especially Volume VIII, and subscribing for the REVIEW AND HERALD, The Signs of the Times, and the Atlantic Union Gleaner, and that we do all we can to have every family in our conference supplied with these Testimonies and periodicals.”
“Recognizing the importance of our medical missionary work, and desiring to keep in harmony with the principles that have made us a separate people,—
“3. Resolved, That we give our hearty support to our Washington (D. C.) health journal, Life and Health, and that we endeavor to give it a large circulation in our conference, both among our own people and among those whom we desire to see accept the light of truth.”
“4. Resolved, That we approve the efforts that are being made in spreading the truth by means of The Family Bible Teacher, and that we recommend it to our people as an efficient and inexpensive means of working, hoping that through its use there will be revived among us the old-time zeal in personal missionary work.”
“Whereas, The Tent and Camp-meeting Fund has been overdrawn over two hundred dollars, and,—
“Whereas, Funds are urgently needed for carrying on the work this season, therefore,—
“5. Resolved, That earnest effort be put forth at this meeting and among the churches to replenish this fund.”
“Whereas, We are told by the spirit of prophecy that ‘very much can be done for the education and moral and religious training of our youth, by a well-organized, properly conducted Sabbath-school. Its influence can not be estimated,’ therefore,—
“6. Resolved, That provision be made for holding Sabbath-school conventions in various parts of the conference as often as shall be deemed advisable for the promotion of the best interests of the Sabbath-school work.”
“Whereas, There is to be an effort on the part of the National Reform Association to agitate and disseminate its principles in the State of Vermont by holding a convention in the city of Montpelier, October 11, 12, said conference being a part of its program for every State in the Union, therefore,—
“7. Resolved, That this conference adopt such measures as may be indicated by the Spirit of God to enlighten the people everywhere, especially in Montpelier, in regard to the true principles involved, which will save them from fostering the principles of this so-called National Reform work, and which will save them at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
“8. We recommend, That all our people interest themselves in a Bible study of the privileges and responsibilities of paying a faithful tithe.”
“9. We recommend, That all our people in the State interest themselves in the treatment rooms in Burlington, by recommending patients to the rooms, to the end that the medical missionary work may become permanently established.”
“Whereas, Only a small part of our conference membership are in attendance at our annual conference to partake of the blessing in donating to the financial enterprises presented to us,—
“10. Resolved, That the conference secretary be hereby instructed to send to the church elders, clerks, or librarians the leaflets containing the several pledges, with instructions to have them presented to every member.”
“Whereas, Much self-supporting missionary work should be done by many of our people who at the present time are doing very little in this direction, and,—
“Whereas, Elder I. E. Kimball and his wife and Brother C. F. Worthen and his wife have established an industrial self-supporting school in this conference, and,—
“Whereas, They have expressed a strong desire to direct, or manage, the school under the counsel of the conference, therefore,—
“11. Resolved, That we extend to them our hearty moral support in their educational work, with the understanding that we deem it wise not to make a strong effort to induce students to come to the North from the South, believing that it is better for them to receive their education in the South for missionary work in that field.”
“Whereas, The solemn truths taught in our Sabbath-school lessons are just what our people need to aid them in passing through the trials and perils of these last days, therefore,—
“12. We recommend, That all provide themselves with the Sabbath-school Lesson Quarterly, and spend at least one half an hour each day in the study of the Sabbath-school lessons.”
“Whereas, Both divine inspiration and divine providence indicate that the present is the most favorable time we shall ever have for the spread of this message by means of the printed page, therefore,—
“13. We recommend (a) That all our people be encouraged to spend as much time as they can in the circulation of our literature, either selling tracts and the special and regular issues of our periodicals, such as The Signs of the Times, Southern Watchman, Life and Health, and The Bible Training School, or taking up the work of resident canvassing for some of the books which have been set aside for that purpose, or joining the ranks of our regular canvassers, and engaging in the sale of our larger and more important publications; (b) that all persons who do enter the work as regular canvassers first communicate with the State agent, and arrange with him for territory, and that they work under his directions, reporting their work to him each week.”
“Whereas, We as a conference have disposed of only about two thirds of our quota of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ therefore,—
“14. Resolved, That we push this work to a speedy completion, and hereby pledge ourselves to do all in our power to accomplish this end.”
“Whereas, The General Conference Publishing Committee has issued a proposition to publish a special series of four numbers of The Signs of the Times containing articles on the leading features of the third angel’s message, for a special missionary effort by all our people during the coming fall and winter, therefore,—
“15. Resolved, That said proposition meets our hearty approval, and that we urge all our people throughout the conference to engage in the sale of the proposed special series of The Signs of the Times.”
The preceding resolutions gave opportunity for general instruction and discussion, which always prove so valuable and stimulating.
The following officers were elected for the coming year: President, J. W. Watt; Secretary and Treasurer of conference, F. M. Dana; Secretary and Treasurer of Tract and Missionary Department, F. M. Dana; Field Secretary of Sabbath-school Department, Frank A. Page; Corresponding Secretary of Sabbath-school Department, Mrs. A. E. Taylor; Educational Secretary, Frank A. Page; Canvassing Agent, A. W. Boardman; Auditor, A. U. C. Auditor; Executive Committee, J. W. Watt, F. M. Dana, T. H. Purdon, A. W. Boardman, and F. A. Page.
It was also recommended that the work usually done by the district directors be done by the tract and missionary secretary.
Ministerial credentials were granted to J. W. Watt, T. H. Purdon, and W. A. Westworth; ministerial licenses to C. H. Drown, F. M. Dana, Frank A. Page, and Brother Stowe.
The treasurer made the following reports and statements:—

Standing of the Vermont Conference, Aug. 1, 1904

RESOURCES

Amount
Notes receivable $222 00
Mileage 57 12
Treatment Rooms (Funds) 39 00
Tent and Camp-meeting Funds 5 64
$350 apportionment of A. U. C. Debt 147 43
Tithe 69 02
Accounts due 16 24
Cash on hand 239 18
Total $795 63

LIABILITIES

Amount
Notes payable $500 00
Special Fund 200 00
Vermont Educational Fund 4 18
Vermont Benevolent Fund 69 45
Sundry funds 22 00
Total $795 63

RECEIPTS (AUG. 15, 1903, TO AUG. 1, 1904)

Amount
Tithe $4,108 46
Donations 3,271 49
Mileage 110 28
Notes receivable 217 50
Temporary loan 500 00
Refunded by treatment rooms 150 00
Sundries 42 73
Cash on hand, Aug. 15, 1903 906 83
Total $9,307 29

DISBURSEMENTS

Amount
Laborers $4,504 00
Tent Fund 667 39
Donations 3,267 38
Tithe to A. U. Conf. 351 07
Mileage 237 66
Stationary and sundries 40 61
Cash on hand, Aug. 1, 1904 239 18
Total $9,307 29

RESOURCES

Amount
Cash on hand $157 49
Notes receivable 41 22
Subscription (inventory) 626 95
Trade (inventory) 369 61
Merchandise (inventory) 10 37
Foods (inventory) 92 88
Furniture and fixtures 67 35
Office expense 24 35
“Christ’s Object Lessons” 169 03
Accounts receivable (doubtful) 216 97
Accounts receivable (good) 201 93
Total $1,978 15

LIABILITIES

Amount
So. L. Acad. for “Object Lessons” $169 03
C. O. L. Commission Fund 17 00
P. P. Pub. Co. (old debt) N. Y. Branch 300 00
P. P. Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. 14 68
Due on “Story of Daniel” 200 67
Accounts payable 4 25
Stock, or present worth 1,272 52
Total $1,978 15

STANDING OF “CHRIST’S OBJECT LESSONS”

Number/Amount
Copies received to Aug. 1, 1904 2,224
Copies sent out from office 2,064
Copies as per inventory 160; 2,224
Cash on hand $13 80
Accounts due 177 23
Value of inventory 200 00
Total $391 03
Due academy $169 03
Due on loan to advance to academy 222 00
Total $391 03
Copies sent out from office 2,064
Copies sent out not paid 142
Leaves copies sold 1,922
Copies to be sold 1,078
Equals “quota” . . . 3,000 Accounts collected on sales for past year, $472.77, or about 378 copies. F. M. DANA, Sec. and Treas.

The Work in Kimberley, South Africa

By J. V. Willson; Sara E. Willson

The Lord has blessed us, and has prospered the medical missionary work in Kimberley. During the winter months just passed, the patronage of the baths has greatly increased. At this season of the year there is a great deal of rheumatism here, and the physicians have found that the treatments given at the baths do more for their patients than the medicine they give, so they are sending many to us for treatment.
I will mention just a few cases, to show what the Lord is doing with the simple treatments to help the people. When Elder Hankins was coming to Kimberley on the railway train, he met a man coming to the hospital who had been laid up with rheumatism for months. Brother Hankins told him to come to the baths. He did so, and although it took two men to carry him into the room, in less than two weeks he returned home well. An engineer in the De Beers diamond mines here in the city was badly afflicted for eight months, and although attended by one of the leading physicians of the place, was getting worse. Finally the doctor sent him to the baths, and in less than a week he was entirely well. But the most remarkable case was that of a poor, hard-working woman, who had had a felon on her hand, which, as the result of improper care, so distorted the fingers that she could not use the hand at all, the fingers becoming set and permanently stiffened. The physician finally gave her up. She came to the baths, and by careful treatment has regained the use of her hand.
These instances are but samples of what is being done right along. After the siege of Kimberley there was a time when the outlook was not very encouraging, but the Lord's hand has been with the work, and we have seen it become established on a solid basis.
There are many outlying towns around Kimberley, and many people come from these to the baths, so a knowledge of the principles of health reform is being spread. We thank the Lord for the preservation of our lives and health, and desire to stay by the work as long as the Lord spares us. We have found the promise to those who leave father and mother and houses and lands, verified to us. We are deeply interested in the reports from different parts of the field, and hope to join in the harvest home by and by.
J. V. WILLSON, SARA E. WILLSON.

Who Will Come?

By H. G. Thurston

IN many important fields a great work may be accomplished in a very short time if the necessary means are at hand. We are in a position in this field to state something of its needs, and if these needs are not attended to now, it is probable that they never can be.
Prejudice is much the same wherever found, and it leads people to follow about the same unreasonable course; but it is true that in some hearts there is an intensity not found in others. In the Southern field, God has loyal hearts, many of whom are yet in darkness. These must have the light of life. Already some places in this field are closed against God's truth in a way wholly unknown in other portions of the United States. There is still a great work to be done,—millions to be warned,—and shall we sit idly by, possibly offering a feeble apology, but doing very little as we see a field closing up?
We need scores of canvassers all through the South, God-fearing men and women, made wise by the wisdom of heaven.
There is an untold need in the great State of Mississippi, and a good work might be accomplished in a few months of faithful work by an army of agents who will sell the printed page. We can use fifty such workers, yes, would be glad if we could have double that number for the next six months. Those already at work are having most excellent success. We believe fifty faithful canvassers might place fifty thousand dollars' worth of books in the field during the next six months.
Who will help us to quickly harvest this field before most bitter prejudice stops our work? To us, this present fall seems to be our golden opportunity. Who will respond to this appeal, and assist in pushing the work this season?
May God touch many devoted hearts to enter our field and help us gather in God's harvest in these remaining days of what appears to be a closing opportunity.
We shall be pleased to help in any way possible such as may come to our assistance. We can not do this work alone. Help must be given. Who will come?
H. G. THURSTON, Pres. Mississippi Conf. Meridian, Miss.

Washington Training College

By W. T. Bland

WE are glad to again report the progress of work in the buildings for the Washington Training College at Takoma Park. Our builder has had associated with him during the summer a number of carpenters, masons, and young men who expect to enter the college as soon as it opens. The weather has been fine for the work, material has been secured at very low prices, and the process of building has been pushed steadily forward.
Three buildings are in process of erection: the first is now being plastered, the second will be ready for the masons in about two weeks, and it is hoped that the third will be ready within a month. These buildings are constructed of solid cement walls to the second story, the second, or top story being finished in wood. All are plain, comfortable, and substantial buildings. Much thought has been given to this work, and while the buildings will not be so large or expensive as those of some of our other colleges, yet for convenience and for the purpose for which they are being built, I know of none that are better.
This school is to be pre-eminently a training-school for young men and women who desire to fit themselves for places of usefulness in the denominational work. Great care will be given to the courses of study that will be provided. Teachers of successful experience, who have become thoroughly familiar with that which is needful in training our young people to the highest degree of efficiency for the work to which they are called, are to be employed. One of the special objects will be the training of those who attend the school for successful work in foreign fields, and teachers who have had an experience in, and a burden for, this work will be secured.
The capacity of the college will be about two hundred students. It will be closely associated with the Washington Sanitarium, and only those who have a desire to fit themselves for Christian work, and who are prepared to take up advanced lines of study for such work, should come.
The objects of the college are such, and the present demands for properly trained and qualified workers are so great, that the time of the faculty can not be taken up in dealing with incorrigible students, or those who have not finished their preparatory studies. However, young men and women from all parts of the country who have ability, who are in earnest, and who desire to prepare for the ministry, for teaching, for medical work, or any other branch of Christian or missionary effort, are invited to come. For such the Washington Training College will offer many advantages.
The city of Washington has become an important educational center. The great libraries and museums are free to all. A population of three hundred thousand people affords special opportunities for the various practical lines of Christian work.
We hope before long to be able to publish photographs of the buildings in the REVIEW, that all may get a better idea of our new college, in which so many are interested, and have so liberally contributed of their means to help in its erection.
We are especially glad to say that the buildings are being constructed on a strictly cash basis, and that they will be finished without debt. For this we heartily thank our people, and because of it we all greatly rejoice.
W. T. BLAND.

Study Spanish

By H. A. Washburn

“ANGELS of God are moving on the hearts and consciences of the people of other nations, and honest souls are troubled as they witness the signs of the times in the unsettled state of the nations.”
These words indicate clearly that there should be no delay on the part of any soul in hastening to give the gospel of the kingdom to the people of all the world. The world is ready. All things are ready, except the people of God. Great opportunities are now presented to the people of God, but they must be improved soon if they are improved at all.
A large portion of the earth is populated with Spanish-speaking people. Several millions of these people are now under the government of our own nation. A great opportunity is ours for laboring in behalf of these souls.
A large portion of these people are in the Philippine Islands, and of them the following words are written in a recent letter from a missionary laboring there: “We are very fortunate in having a reading people with whom to work. . . . The people are fairly wild for a piece of paper with printing on it; and they grasp eagerly for tracts or portions of the Scriptures; and some of the largest crowds I have yet seen in the Philippines were the throngs about the colporteur as he distributed literature.
There throngs of souls will take whatever mental food is given them on printed paper; and right now, while they are so hungry, should we press in everywhere with our literature, and feed them with the truth of the third angel's message.”
Now, what should we be doing to meet these crying needs of the world? “Young men should be qualifying themselves by becoming familiar with other languages.” In the same connection we are told that young women also “could qualify themselves for usefulness by studying and becoming familiar with other languages. They could devote themselves to the work of translating.”
Applying this instruction to the responsibility we bear to the Spanish-speaking millions, we call for a large number of young men and women to study the Spanish language. We wish to call attention to the fact that an unusually favorable opportunity to do this will be afforded the students of Emmanuel Missionary College during the coming year. We have a teacher who is not only well acquainted with the Spanish language and people, but who has had experience in preaching the third angel's message on foreign soil. The class in Spanish will thus give much more to the students than a mere knowledge of the language. We are glad to learn that there are a goodly number whose hearts are burdened for the Spanish work, and we trust that a large class can be formed at the beginning of the fall term. Address inquiries to Emmanuel Missionary College, Berrien Springs, Mich.
H. A. WASHBURN, President.

The Way It Came About

By Joel H. Austin

I entered the ministry at the age of thirty-three, and spent twenty years in the pastorate. I am now seventy-seven years old, and have been a Bible reader since a child. I was taught that the first day of the week was sacred; that on Sunday we must do no ordinary work, the day being one for special religious services. Once in a great while we would meet some one who kept Saturday as a holy day. We really pitied such persons.
One naturally keeps the beaten path of life, and when I became a pastor, I taught others as I was taught, although I knew just as well as I do now that God set apart the seventh day. I was in the same condition that most Sunday-keepers are in — just drifting along, unconcerned — until I attended a meeting held in a hall by Brother B. Hagle. It was not eloquence nor logic that awakened me to the situation, but I saw the importance of obeying God rather than man as I had never seen it before. I realized that I must answer to God for what I do and how I do it. I said, “I will act for myself.” Then, as I sought to obey God with all my heart, the light came with new force. Surely, “Thy light shall break forth as the morning, . . . and thy darkness be as the noon-day.”
This took place in the latter part of last March. I also began to set apart one tenth of all I received, for the Lord’s work. The tempter said, “They will laugh at you.” I answered, “That is one of my business. It is my business to obey God.” Since the last Sabbath in March, I have found a satisfaction never before experienced in keeping the Sabbath. I never felt the satisfaction in keeping Sunday that I now feel in obeying God. I believe that many are to-day in the same condition that I was in; they need to have their attention called to the fact that God has never repealed the law of the Sabbath. It is still in full force.
JOEL H. AUSTIN.
Continue reading: The One Hundred Thousand Dollar Fund