LAS MINAS.—We are glad to be able to bring an encouraging report from this part of the West Indian mission field for the readers of the REVIEW. We began work here last January, with the purpose of starting a self-supporting mission school, where we could teach the truth to those around us, and also help our young people to prepare themselves to work for the Master.
From a study of the Testimonies we felt that our school must be located on a farm. As we did not have means to buy land, we rented a small farm near Las Minas, and are trusting the Lord to help us find a permanent location suitable for our school work.
On this account, we have not opened regular school work; however, there are twelve or fifteen young persons who are taking private classes. Sister Burgos, who is our Spanish teacher, is also devoting a large part of her time to house-to-house work, giving Bible readings and distributing literature. As a result of this work and that done by Brother Guy Holmes, who has been doing self-supporting17work in Cuba for nearly four years, four young people have recently been added to the company here. We hope that others will take their stand soon.
We have a Sabbath-school organized, and from twenty-five to thirty often attend. We are very much in need of an organ, as music is an attraction which draws many who otherwise might not come.
It is our desire to do all we can to spread the gospel in this dark field. Cuba, with its more than 2,000,000 inhabitants, has only two conference laborers and a few self-supporting workers.
Now is the time to work this field, for the people are turning from the Roman Catholic Church, and if we do not do our duty now in bringing the gospel to them, it may have to be done against much opposition. “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.” Luke 10: 2. CHAS. FRANZ.
North Texas Camp-Meeting
By G. F. Watson
THIS meeting was held at Dallas, Tex., August 3-13, in the Chapman grove, in the southern part of the city. The car service was convenient, and the attendance of the citizens was good, especially evenings, and at times very good during the day. Because of the drought, which has continued for three years and which was very severe the first half of this year, it was feared the attendance of our people would be small, but there were about seven hundred encamped on the grounds, or about the usual number.
The large pavilion was placed at the entrance to the camp. It was brilliantly lighted, and the large platform for the speakers and the choir was decorated with appropriate mottoes. There was also a tastily arranged reception tent with comfortable chairs and lounges. Near the speaker's stand was the book tent, with a good stock of our literature attractively arranged, which resulted in much larger sales than the year before.
Opposite this on the next corner was located a conference office tent, with the words “Office” and “Bureau of Information” over the entrance. Reading tents for both the young women and the young men, furnished with a good supply of books, were in full view, with signs designating them. The whole arrangement of the camp showed careful thought and planning, and the public responded to the inviting appearance.
The spiritual interests were not made second to the material. From the first, there was a good spirit in the meeting. Revival efforts were not confined to the Sabbath, but on the two Sabbaths of the meeting large numbers came forward for prayer, and to seek new experiences. Many of these were starting in the Christian life for the first time. God's Spirit was present in mighty power, hearts were touched, and surrenders were made; blessings were received, and victories gained. Twenty-three were baptized.
The reports from the different workers showed a healthy growth in all departments. During the year, there were 100 converts to the truth; three new church houses erected and paid for, the combined valuation of these amounting to $5,000; an increase of $1,700 tithes over last year (there was erroneously reported a falling off from last year at the time); a net gain of over $2,000 for the tract society; a large increase in Sabbath-school and other offerings; a still larger increase in subscription book sales; quite a revival of interest in the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department, there being fifty-nine who finished the reading courses, while last year there were only three or four; an increase in the force of conference laborers. There were also other evidences of prosperity which can not be reported here.
The conference business was transacted with the utmost harmony, not a discordant note being heard. Resolutions were passed endorsing the actions of the Friedensau General Conference Council with reference to the fifteen-cent-a-week plan, cheerfully acquiescing in all the requests of that council and accepting the increased responsibilities. The conference also voted to raise its share of the Clinton (German) Seminary obligation, and adopted resolutions touching the different phases of the general and local work.
But few changes were made in the officers for the ensuing year. Elder W. A. McCutchen was again elected president, and W. F. Field secretary and treasurer. The other officers and members of the committee remain the same as last year. It was gratifying to note the unanimity with which all these persons were chosen to their offices, and the harmony and unity that exists among all the conference officers and laborers. Those at the head have the hearty support of workers and people.
The laborers present, aside from the local conference workers, were Elders G. B. Thompson, G. H. Haffner, T. M. French, Prof. G. A. Grauer, and the union conference laborers representing their different lines of work, Elders W. W. Eastman, E. E. Farnsworth, C. B. Hughes, and the writer.
G. F. WATSON.
Baptists and Sunday Laws
By S. B. H.
The following question and answer appearing in the Western Recorder (Louisville, Ky.) of August 24, will be read with interest and approbation by liberty-loving people:—
“Should the pastor of a church present a petition for the closing of the post-office in his city on Sunday at his regular service, and have the petition circulated at the same time,—a petition to the Post-Office Department?”
“Of course not. He had a perfect right as a citizen on a week-day to circulate any petition to the United States government, but not on Sunday, when the church was assembled to worship.
“The Baptists have no more distinct tenet than the separation of church and state. They have held to that with unswerving conviction and in all circumstances since their Lord bade them, ‘Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s.’ But in these latter days some have been willing to surrender this old principle and to disobey their Lord because they have unconsciously adopted the motto attributed to the Jesuits that the end justifies the means. And this, too, in the face of the words of the Holy Spirit that the damnation of those who do evil that good may come, is just. Surrendering a true principle and disobeying the Lord is a very great evil.18
“It is well known that the worst of the evils in the connection between church and state have always been when the church controlled the state. Witness the power of the Papacy over the governments of Europe. That the church can not force the government to adopt its measures is no justification nor excuse. If it had come to a question of force, the Pope could not have forced the emperor to go to Canossa. Besides, the entire separation between church and state requires that each let the other’s province severely alone.
“In spite of the foundation principle of Baptists through all the ages, some will introduce resolutions into Baptist bodies, urging Cæsar to do what they think ought to be done. They say, ‘What is the principle that one should adhere to when we think good might follow from giving it up?’ The church had no more right to advise the Post-office Department than the Post-office Department had to advise the church to dismiss its pastor, to hold its meetings at nine o’clock instead of eleven, etc. Congress has just as much right to pass a resolution telling the Southern Baptist Convention what it wishes the convention to do, as the convention has to treat Congress in that way.
“Stand by your principles no matter if they do prevent you at times from doing what you think would accomplish good. Because it is right for you to do something in a mass-meeting of citizens on a week-day gives you no right to do it as a church.”
S. B. H.
Colorado Camp-Meeting
By I. H. Evans
In a beautiful grove-park, well shaded and sodded, on the shores of Rocky Mountain Lake, the Colorado Conference held its annual conference and camp-meeting. The attendance of our people was not large, but the outside attendance was most encouraging. The conference business was done with dispatch, and a spirit of unity and co-operation prevailed.
Several of the General Conference brethren spent one or more days at the meeting, rendering valuable help. The last Sabbath was an especially good day for the campers. In the morning service, conducted by Elder C. R. Kite, nearly two hundred responded to the call to seek the Lord.
Special meetings for the young people resulted in many conversions. A number were baptized, and will unite with their home churches. An effort was made to raise funds for foreign missions, and a goodly amount was raised in cash and pledges. Altogether, the Denver meeting was a source of encouragement to the Colorado brethren and sisters.
It surely is most encouraging to see a conference united, and the brethren working together in love and unity. While this continues, the Lord’s work can but prosper. I. H. EVANS.
Christian Liberty
By K. C. Russell; S. B. Horton
Reports, notes, and comments pertaining to the current history of the rights of conscience
Conducted by the Religious Liberty Bureau
K. C. RUSSELL - - - - - - Secretary
S. B. HORTON - - - - - - Assistant Secretary
Notes
By K. C. R.
Clergymen, funeral directors, and liverymen of Fort Wayne, Ind., have organized together for the purpose of doing away with Sunday funerals except in the cases of death by contagious diseases. If this action is voluntary on the part of the classes indicated, there should be no serious objection raised to such a proposition; but should this be an effort to secure an ordinance to prohibit funerals being held on Sunday, then every citizen who is true to the best interests of society should vigorously protest against any measure which seeks to encroach upon the domain of personal rights of conscience.
The oft-repeated argument employed by the advocates of Sunday legislation, especially clergymen, that Sunday baseball is a menace to good morals, is not accepted by the chief of police in New Haven, Conn.; for he recently said: “Sunday baseball by professionals will continue at Lighthouse Point so long as the game is conducted in an orderly manner, because it draws young men from the streets, and lessens the number of arrests for drunkenness and disorder. Many young men, who would otherwise loiter on street corners, are attracted to the shore by the Sunday games, and from my own personal observation I know it lowers the number of cases in the courts on Monday.”
K. C. R.
The Prayer Before the Sermon
By Arthur G. Daniells
THERE has recently come from the press a book entitled, “The Pastor-Preacher,” by Bishop William A. Quayle, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. As the title indicates, this book is a word to ministers, and it contains many helpful suggestions. The following is taken from a chapter with the above heading:—
“If called on to say which was of the greater consequence, the sermon or the prayer which precedes the sermon, a thoughtful minister would find himself in a quandary; both are so gravely important and so holily important. The prayer is the preacher’s special approach to God, and the sermon his special approach to man; but his prayer is an approach to God for the men and women to whom the sermon is addressed, and with a view to whom, with prayers and sometimes with anguish, he framed his utterance; so that the two, prayer and sermon, focus on the congregation. The public prayer is not the preacher’s prayer, a personal devotion, although all the devoutness of his life urges its hallowed way through the outrush of his prayer; but what is intended is that the prayer is not a personal prayer, not the preacher’s own, but is a priestly prayer—the prayer of Moses for the congregation, or to urge the thought reverently to the highest levels possible for devotion to climb,—to the prayer of Jesus at the supper-time on the last sad night he tarried under19these stars of ours a Man with men. What a hallowed exercise of priestly faculty has the preacher in his prayer before the sermon!”
“The pastor says, devoutly, ‘Let us pray,’ which should be no mere form of words, but should, as it does, express the direct purpose of the holy hour. He is to lead the congregation in prayer. Here his shepherdhood comes into the sunlight of the pasture where the sheep are led by the Good Shepherd. To lead in prayer! He who is pastor of the flock is to lead this flock in thought and heart and contrition out to God, the brave Shepherd, the Bishop of their souls. To take a congregation out to meet God — that is what public prayer at a pastor’s lips and heart is. Who shall ascend into this hill of the Lord’s?—Plainly only those who have clean hands and a pure heart. Here, if ever, a minister is crushed by his load of holy care and his own incompetency to do the mighty thing he is set to do, crushed to cry, ‘Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.’ He must be snow-white who leads a congregation in prayer. There they are; and there he is, and—‘I, even I, must lead them in prayer. I must beckon them out to God by going before them; and a stranger will they not follow, a stranger to God will they not follow.’”
“Without argument it will be seen that there is no room in this holy exploit for self-thought. A preacher at prayer with his congregation must lose all thought of himself as an item in the petition he is to raise, save as he calls from a sheer sense of weakness in the presence of the preaching and the pastoring task, a cry for help, ‘Help, O Lord, great help!’ But of himself, his phrase, his personality, he must leave no hint. To obtrude a pastor’s self into a pastor’s prayer is sacrilege. ‘He goeth before them’—he is a voice. Whose voice?—Why, truly, their voice.”
“His words are not his words, but theirs; and the tears wetting his face are not his, but theirs. He is theirs. His voice is to wear a borrowed wonder and a borrowed eloquence. Pity the preacher who does not know how to pray in public, for therein would he have cast himself off from his real priesthood, the intercession for his people, who are more truly the people of God than they are the people of him.”
“He is not praying to the congregation; but his prayer is not a voice of private devotion. He has that. He loves that. Prayer is his native air who walks with God; but now, privacy is passed; publicity, holy publicity, is come. He is a public functionary, God’s and man’s. ‘Let us pray’—and then the push outward toward God, the leadership of men and women and children toward the God and Father of us all. Great hour, and very holy!”
“The prayer should not be too lengthy. What tires, diverts. The sense of the passing of time should not intrude on this quest, called prayer; and if a preacher goes on and on and still on, the people will grow tired. It is useless to say they ought not to grow tired; for they will. I once heard Wayland Hoyt pray, and it was so brief that he had scarcely begun ere he concluded, yet it was the hush of God on all our hearts; and our souls responded, ‘Amen.’ Nor can we forget how the world-prayer taught humanity by the Christ is so brief the little children can say it ere they fall asleep, however tired they may be.”
“The end of prayer is not the naming of all objects on the landscape of life, though many seem to think it is. Their public prayers are an inventory of objects. They think they may slight some cause as omission might slight some church society. They do scant courtesy to God in such views of his grace and willingness to help. Prayer is not more the art of including than the art of omission. To leave out many things and name some things which shall be meet supplication for that hour — that is the wise preacher’s prayer. He will reduce the topics of his supplication so the hearers whose ears are greeted by his prayer in their behalf may not be impressed, ‘Can there be anything the preacher has not mentioned?’ To cease to pray, then, is quite as important as to begin to pray. He must have in his own soul the lift of spirit, else he can not lead them in prayer.”
A. G. DANIELLS.
The Opening of Our Schools
THE reports of the opening of our schools for another year are beginning to come in, and are filled with courage and good cheer. Let those who have been undecided hasten to join themselves to one of these busy groups until our institutions are full to overflowing. In 1900, there were 2,357 in our academies and colleges; in 1909, there were 6,535; and last year, 7,169. This year bids fair to pass the average. Let us thank God that our prayers are being answered. Let those who believe in Christian education and the soon appearing of our Saviour, work unceasingly to get all our youth into our own schools.
Union College
The first report to arrive was from Union College. Professor Griggs says:—
“Union College opened for its twenty-first year’s work, Wednesday morning, September 13. An interesting program of music and speeches by members of the faculty, friends, and students was given as an opening exercise.
“We have an exceptionally fine class of students this year. There is some increase of attendance over that of last year, and yet hundreds of young men and women in this portion of the United States who should be in Union College preparing for the work of this message, are pursuing avocations not connected with it.
“The teachers and faculty are of good courage. We look forward to an excellent year’s work.”
A further report from Elder A. T. Robinson says:—
“The chapel was nearly filled with students and visitors, fourteen more students enrolling on the opening day than on the corresponding day last year. We all felt to thank God anew for Christian education, for schools in which the honor of God and reverence for his holy Word are made first.
“Indications are favorable for an excellent year’s work in Union College. Why should we not expect that it will be even better than any preceding year in its history? Let us all pray that the Lord may bless the teachers and students during this school year. No other institution in the Central Union Conference is more deserving of a large place in the hearts of our people than Union College, the largest educational institution in the denomination. In this school many of our young men and young women spend several years in fitting themselves for usefulness, a large number of whom are definitely preparing for work in the cause of the third angel’s message. We sincerely hope that if there are parents who are wavering upon the question of sending their sons or daughters to the college, or if there are young people who are debating the question of coming, such decisions may be quickly made as will result in helping to fill up the vacant seats in the college.”
Emmanuel Missionary College
“Our school opened September 13,” writes Professor Graf, “with a larger enrolment by twenty-five per cent than at any other opening in recent years. More encouraging to us than the increased attendance is the maturity, the advanced grades, and the earnestness of our students. The opening vesper service of the year was held Friday evening, and was one of the most inspiring and spiritual meetings we have ever had. Almost every student took part. The key-note of the testimonies seemed to be a strong desire to make this school year the best in every way. We are of good courage, and thank the Lord for his goodness to us.”
It is interesting to note that for the past four years this college has had an increase of about twenty-five per cent each year.
Bethel Academy
Prof. C. L. Stone, principal of the Bethel Academy, says:—
“The present summer has been a prosperous one for the Bethel school. In many places throughout the State of Wisconsin there have been drought and failure of crops, but the school farm has been highly favored in that the oats and the rye, the potatoes, and the coarse vegetables for the cattle, as well as all the garden vegetables, have yielded well. We have filled our fifty-ton silo for our cattle, and have hay and grain for our teams. So far as provision for the school family is concerned, we have about two thousand quarts of fruit and vegetables in cans.
“Just one week of school is past, and at present the enrolment is sixty-six. There is a wholesome and excellent spirit among the students, even an improvement over previous years. This is due in part, we believe, to added conveniences and the pleasant appearance of the place. Naturally, the premises were in bad condition after the fire and during the time of rebuilding, but now all the rubbish is out of sight. The lawns have been leveled and newly sodded, and are decorated with beautiful flower beds. The walls of our buildings have been tinted, appropriate pictures have been hung, and in every building there is a genuine homelike feeling.
“It is very gratifying to the faculty that the students manifest such a spirit of earnestness in their work, and a desire to fit themselves quickly for acceptable service in the cause. Almost without exception, these students meet all or part of their school expenses by means of their own exertions, and three of them earned scholarships by selling our literature the past summer.
“Every Friday night in the Bethel school the students have their social meeting. It seemed very much like a reunion as all met once more to express gratitude for the blessings of the past and present, and a very large per cent testified heartily to the goodness of God and of their determination to work for him. Between the faculty and the students there is the most friendly relation that could be desired. From every view-point, the outlook for the school is very encouraging.”
More reports equally as encouraging as these have just been received, and will appear next week.
Christian Education
By H. R. Salisbury
Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference
H. R. SALISBURY Secretary
Gospel Workers’ Department
By Arthur G. Daniells
Their divine calling, qualification, and preparation. Methods of labor, plans, etc.
Conducted by A. G. DANIELLS
Suggestive Program for Fourth Sabbath Service
By N. Z. T.
(Oct. 28, 1911)
OPENING SONG: “From Greenland’s Icy Mountains,” “Hymns and Tunes,” No. 1055; “Christ in Song,” No. 624.
PRAYER.
SONG: “Come, Saviour, Come.” “Hymns and Tunes,” No. 1333.
READING: “Our Mission Work, Prospects, Needs, Help,” by conference president (to be read by church elder).
RECITATION: “Almost, but Lost.”
FROM THE FIELDS,— India—“Our Work and Opportunity.” Africa—“The Year in West Africa;” “Among the Basutos With Message of Christ’s Coming.” China—“China’s Need of the Word of God;” “The New Honan Training-School.” Japan—“Among Japan’s Millions.” Korea—“A Bible Institute for Women.” South America—“A Medical Evangelist Among the Aymaras of Peru.” Asia—“By the Caspian Sea.” Bible Lands—“To the Greek;” “Baptism in the Brook Cherith.”
RECITATION: “The Last Hour.”
CLOSING SONG: “Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling.” “Hymns and Tunes,” No. 1069; “Christ in Song,” No. 641.
(The above selections are all found in the Missions Signs.)
To Church Elders
This month’s program is designed to help in preparing for the Harvest Ingathering work. In carrying it out, we would suggest that assignment to those who are to take part be made on Sabbath, October 14, in order that each may have ample time to prepare for the service on October 28. Advance copies of the special Signs have already been sent.
As there are quite a number of readings, it will doubtless be best to let one person present all that relates to one country. Select those to take part who will put life and enthusiasm into the reading. It will add to the interest if the poems are learned and recited.
Appointment of Committee.—At the close of the service, October 14, a committee on arrangements for the Ingathering work should be appointed. In a small church, we would suggest that the elder, librarian, and Sabbath-school superintendent make up this committee. In larger churches, it may be well to add the young people’s leader and one other member. This is simply suggestive. This committee should lay definite plans for the work, and be prepared to report at the service, October 28.
At the close of the service on October 14, see that each family is supplied with an advance copy of the Missions Signs, and the two leaflets entitled “Instruction Leaflet” and “General Information.”
Suggestions for Committee
This committee will have at least some of the following details to arrange:—
1. The Division and Assignment of Territory.—Where a church is located in a city, a street map should be secured, and certain sections be assigned to each company. In country districts, a careful division and assignment of territory should also be made, so that the different members will not visit the same families.
2. The Appointment of Leaders for Companies.—It has been found an excellent plan to organize the church into companies of from six to twelve, with good leaders in charge.
3. The Dividing of the Church Into Companies.—It will be well for the committee to assist the leaders in forming their companies, and to see that there is no misunderstanding in the assignment of territory.
4. Securing a Supply of Papers.—A careful estimate should be made of the papers that will be needed, and more should be ordered at once if necessary.
5. Providing for a Special Meeting of Instruction.—In addition to the “Instruction Leaflet” given out October 14 for home study, it would be well to arrange for an evening service to be devoted to the study of the paper, and how to present it. The solicitor’s card should also be explained, and each worker supplied with one not later than at the Sabbath service of October 28. This card should be properly signed.
6. The Conducting of the Service October 28.—The fourth Sabbath service should be a time of special prayer for God’s blessing upon the work. The committee appointed on plans should be prepared to report final arrangements at this meeting.
7. Encouraging the Members to Persevere During the Campaign.—As far as possible, the committee should keep in touch with the different members during the campaign, and pass on from one to the other all the encouraging items that can be gathered.
8. Arranging for Experience Meeting at the Close.—A very profitable experience meeting may be held at the close of the campaign. Such a meeting will stimulate many to continue doing regular missionary work.
N. Z. T.
The Missionary and Publishing Work
By E. R. Palmer; N. Z. Town
Notes, plans, reports, statistics, and other information regarding missionary endeavor and the circulation of gospel literature.
Conducted by the Missionary and Publishing Department
of the General Conference
E. R. PALMER - - - - Secretary
N. Z. TOWN - - Assistant Secretary
Field Notes
SIX precious souls were recently baptized at Jena, La.
THIRTY persons were baptized during the Nevada (Iowa) camp-meeting.
ON July 23, Elder A. Barry baptized seven persons at the Hillcrest School, Nashville, Tenn.
FIFTEEN persons have taken their stand for the truth at Somerville, Mass., as the result of tent-meetings.
AUGUST 21 seven adults and five young people were buried with their Lord in baptism at Holbrook, Neb.
THE rite of baptism was administered to eleven persons by Elder C. T. Redfield on the last Sunday afternoon of the Ohio camp-meeting.
ELDER J. W. DORCAS reports the baptism of three persons at Oakland, Iowa. At Glenwood, he baptized five persons, all of whom united with the Glenwood church.
AT the close of a series of meetings at Little Rock, Ark., seven persons (colored) were baptized. At Bentonville, Elder Leslie Littell reports the baptism of seven persons, and four others are ready to take part in this ordinance.
BROTHER MATTHEW J. ALLEN reports that in spite of the bitter opposition of the Catholic element in Hamilton, Ontario, twenty-two new members were added to the church there, nineteen of whom were baptized as a result of the tent effort held this summer.
ELDER T. H. BRANCH, who is working in one of our large Eastern cities, Philadelphia, writes very encouragingly of the interest the people are taking in the study of the Bible. He had the privilege of baptizing one sister. Her husband and others are keeping the Sabbath and will be baptized soon.
Sanitarium Relief Campaign
By L. A. Hansen
Some Figures on Sanitarium Work
THE last statistical report shows a continuous growth in our sanitarium work. While the report does not show so many institutions as did that of last year, three or four being discontinued or merged into others, it shows a substantial gain for the seventy-four sanitariums reported. These institutions have a valuation of $3,368,041.46, representing the largest part of our institutional investments.
The number of employees in our sanitariums is given as 1,989, or very nearly 2,000, which figure is probably more than reached on an average, if the extra help during the busy seasons is included. Most of these are skilled workers or are in training, there being 116 physicians and 1,109 nurses. This represents considerable talent and energy devoted to this branch of work.
Financially this work pays. It is self-supporting, although requiring an annual expenditure of $600,000 in wages. This amount is met by the income from patronage, thus placing no burden for support upon our conferences, except in a few instances where the salary of a medical superintendent of a sanitarium may be paid by the conference, he also serving as medical secretary of the conference; or in other instances the chaplain of an institution may be supplied by a conference. When it is taken into consideration that a tithe of the wages of the sanitarium workers is $60,000, it will be seen that from a financial standpoint, this work is a source of income rather than an expense to the denomination.
Those who are observant of the progress of our medical work agree that as a factor in the support and progress of our denominational work, it is constantly attaining larger proportions. The establishment and existence of the sanitarium work itself is bound up with the interests of our entire movement, and the work that is being done is in harmony with the spirit that controls the work of the denomination.
Much of the work of our sanitariums may be regarded as distinctively denominational. The employment, care, and training of more than a thousand of our young people, developing them into efficient and capable workers, is a matter of deepest interest to all. That the cost of the educational training given, moderately estimated to be at least $150,000 annually, is met by the institutions, no burden being placed upon either parents or conferences, is no small consideration. The very fact that our sanitarium workers have a support while engaged in a missionary work is cause for gratitude.
In addition to all this, when we consider the evangelical side of sanitarium work, and what it would cost the denomination to reach the 33,000 persons that come more or less in touch with our work and truth through our sanitariums, it will be seen that we have in this work a means of effectually advancing the cause of truth without calling for a constant support. Not a great deal of denominational money has gone into this work by way of donations, nor is it being called for now. At the same time it is a branch of our cause that legitimately appeals to all our people for help.
How reasonable is the call that comes to us in our “Ministry of Healing” campaign! While utilizing the specially dedicated gift of a most excellent and timely volume of truth on the ministry of healing, we are engaged in a movement that gives us all an opportunity of rendering substantial aid to our sanitariums, and at the same time of taking part in the good work they are established to do. The missionary feature of the movement is one that should in itself present a call to each one to engage in doing that which really ought to be done anyway, even if there were no relief measure connected with it. But when, in addition to helping others to find precious spiritual truth and relief from physical suffering, we can render help to our important medical missionary work, and thus do what might reasonably have been asked of us long ago, should we not respond gladly and hasten to accomplish our part of what is both a privilege and a duty? L. A. HANSEN.
Magazine Sales
By Editor
In a recent mail, we received an order containing 113 yearly subscriptions to Liberty, from the West Michigan Tract Society; also, 67 yearly subscriptions for the Protestant Magazine.
The following is from an attorney who has read Liberty for some time: “I am with you, heart and soul, in the good work. I happen to be in a place and position just now to know how much Liberty is needed. Accept very best wishes for the success of your splendid work.”
The following yearly report received from one of our agents for Life and Health is very encouraging, indeed. He worked 1,385 hours, and sold 11,783 copies. His total profits were $1,706.98, or a profit of 51 cents an hour for all the time he worked. This shows the possibilities wrapped up in the sale of our ten-cent magazines.
Many of our magazine workers go over the same territory every month, getting regular customers. One such worker writes: “I received the 50 copies of Life and Health to-day, and am well pleased with this number. I have been selling Life and Health for over one year, with Signs of the Times Monthly. I go over the same territory every month. By so doing I have regular customers who appreciate the papers.”
By the third of September, 21,000 copies of the October Signs had been sent out. Several thousand copies of these were late September orders, but responses from Signs agents are now coming in for it. October now bids fair to exceed all previous sales for that month. In fact, they are now only a few thousand behind, and have more than a month to work. A large edition has been printed in anticipation of its good sale.
During the month of August the Review and Herald Publishing Association sold 143,927 copies of Life and Health, Liberty, Protestant Magazine, and Temperance Instructor. The two largest items were 72,000 copies of the August Life and Health, sold by August 13, and 57,957 copies of the Temperance Instructor. This large sale of the Temperance Instructor is due to the fact that we shipped a large number to the State of Maine, to help in the temperance campaign there.
One of our sisters in New York recently sent us ten yearly subscriptions for Liberty at the special introductory price of $1.50. We have just received the following word from her: “Two of these persons were Catholics, and they desire to have me discontinue sending them the magazine, as they dare not have it in their homes.” One of these women, it appears, had been hiding her copy of Liberty up in her attic so that it might not be seen by other Catholics, and the report be taken to the priest that she was reading it. She would steal away and read it there in the coldest weather. She became sufficiently convinced of the truth to keep one Sabbath, but was finally prevailed upon to go to confession to the priest, since which time she has not dared to read our literature. During the past ten weeks we have received over 6,000 Liberty subscriptions.