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Review and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 3.

LIFE
Earlier text: South India

Ten Added to Chicago Church

TEN new members were added to the Dearborn Street church, Chicago, Ill., on a recent Sabbath.

Hope Villa Tent Meeting Results

THE latest report of Elder O. F. Frank's tent meeting held at Hope Villa, La., given in the REVIEW of Dec. 9, 1915, states that fifty promised to obey the truth, of whom thirty-four joined the church, twenty-nine having received the rite of baptism. This was the result of work done with the tent from June to about November 1.

Is It Necessary to Read the Bible Through?

By Milton E. Kern

BIBLE study is essential to Christian living. How shall we study it? There is one way that we should not study it, and that is carelessly. If we read here and there, “hit or miss,” anywhere we happen to open, without plan or purpose, we are not likely to obtain any comprehensive knowledge of the Bible.
One way is to read the Bible through, book by book, chapter by chapter. Another way is to study it topically, going through from cover to cover and gathering what is said on a single topic. Still another way is to do intensive work on a single text, word by word, studying it in the original languages if possible. Each of these methods is important, and should probably be followed in the order mentioned.
I wish now to emphasize the importance of reading the Bible through, in large portions at a time. The division of the books of the Bible into chapters and verses for the sake of easy reference has probably prevented many from appreciating their unity and continuity of thought. Paul was burdened for the church at Thessalonica (the Saloniki so prominent in our thoughts just now). He wrote a letter to it. No one can truly appreciate the spirit and power of that letter unless he reads it through, and gets the complete message which the Lord gave him for the Thessalonian church at that time. And really one is hardly prepared to select sentences from the letter to prove certain doctrines until he knows something of the setting in which the thoughts were uttered. It is possible that the germ of life in the grain of corn might be removed from its starchy bed and placed in soil under such conditions that it would grow, but it is much more likely to develop when left where nature placed it. So detached sentences or verses from the Word of God may lodge in our minds and bring forth fruit, but we are much more likely to get the real thought of God (and hence the real help which we need), if we study the particular thought in the light of the story in which it occurs, or the whole sermon or epistle from which it is taken.
Even though we have read the Bible through, and have done much topical and critical study, we need often to read it all over again, lest in the topical study, by means of marginal references or concordance, or in the close study of isolated passages, we lose sight of the great plan; lest, too, we should overlook important texts in which there is much light for us, but which were not impressed on the mind when read.
While any plan for reading the Bible through in a given time would require definite assignments, these assignments are more to show us day by day how we are progressing than that we should read so much and no more. Personally, I often find the assignment so fascinating that I read on and on.
It seems to me that we should frequently read an entire book through at one sitting. We scarcely know how the Bible tastes when we read such little bits at a time. Let a young man prayerfully read through, without reference to chapters and verses, Paul’s first letter to Timothy, and it will make such an impression upon his mind as can hardly be made in any other way. Or read the gospel of Mark without stopping, and get the single comprehensive view which is given of the life of Christ. Then read the story as recorded by the beloved John. Very likely Jesus will appear more real to you than ever before.
As previously announced, the assignments for the Bible Year are to be in partial chronological order. In our English Bible the historical, poetical, and prophetic books are each grouped by themselves. So we sometimes forget, for instance, that Haggai and Zechariah really belong back with Ezra and Nehemiah. The arrangement this year will help us to see that the poetry and philosophy were given and that the prophets uttered their messages as the history of God’s people was in the making.
And now let us stop, think, and listen! It has been said that “the Bible has become buried beneath a landslide of books and periodicals. People read far more than of old; but they read the Bible far less.” If this indictment convicts us, let us face the situation and change about. Let us during the year 1916 give first place to the Bible in our reading.
M. E. KERN.

When I Read the Bible Through

By Amos R. Wells

I SUPPOSED I knew my Bible, Reading piecemeal, hit or miss, Now a bit of John or Matthew, Now a snatch of Genesis, Certain chapters of Isaiah, Certain psalms (the twenty-third), Twelfth of Romans, first of Proverbs,— Yes, I thought I knew the Word! But I found that thorough reading Was a different thing to do, And the way was unfamiliar When I read the Bible through.
Oh, the massive, mighty volume! Oh, the treasures manifold! Oh, the beauty and the wisdom And the grace it proved to hold! As the story of the Hebrews Swept in majesty along, As it leaped in waves prophetic, As it burst to sacred song, As it gleamed with Christly omens, The Old Testament was new, Strong with cumulative power, When I read the Bible through.
Ah, imperial Jeremiah, With his keen, coruscant mind! And the blunt old Nehemiah, And Ezekiel refined! Newly came the minor prophets, Each with his distinctive robe; Newly came the song idyllic, And the tragedy of Job; Deuteronomy, the regal, To a towering mountain grew, With its comrade peaks around it,— When I read the Bible through.
What a radiant procession As the pages rise and fall,— James the sturdy, John the tender— Ah, the myriad-minded Paul! Vast apocalyptic glories Wheel and thunder, flash and flame, While the church triumphant raises One incomparable Name. Ah, the glory of the Saviour Never glows supremely true Till you read it whole and swiftly, Till you read the Bible through.
You who like to play at Bible, Dip and dabble here and there, Just before you kneel, aweary, And yawn through a hurried prayer, You who treat the crown of writings As you treat no other book,— Just a paragraph disjointed, Just a crude, impatient look,— Try a worthier procedure, Try a broad and steady view; You will kneel in very rapture When you read the Bible through! — Amos R. Wells.

The Bible Year

Third Week

JANUARY 16. Genesis 16 to 19. Ishmael; the covenant of circumcision; intercession for Sodom; Lot delivered.
JANUARY 17. Genesis 20 to 23. Birth of Isaac; Abraham's faith tested; death of Sarah.
JANUARY 18. Genesis 24, 25. Rebekah; Jacob and Esau.
JANUARY 19. Genesis 26 to 28. God's covenant renewed; deception of Isaac; flight of Jacob; the vision of angels.
JANUARY 20. Genesis 29 to 31. The deceiver deceived; Jacob sets his face homeward.
JANUARY 21. Genesis 32 to 35. Met by angels; a changed heart and a changed name; the reconciliation; death of Rachel.
JANUARY 22. Genesis 36 to 39. Joseph—beloved of Jacob, hated by his brothers, sold into bondage, a slave in Egypt, cast into prison.

To Think About as You Read

JANUARY 16: Is my face set steadfastly toward the better country, or does my heart turn back to the treasures of this world?
JANUARY 17: How am I meeting God's tests?
JANUARY 18: How highly do I prize my heavenly birthright?
JANUARY 19: Constancy of angel guardianship.
JANUARY 20: Am I always ready to obey God's leading?
JANUARY 21: Is the spirit of forgiveness in my heart?
JANUARY 22: The fruit of envy.

To Every Tongue and People

“The Bible belts the globe. The whole or parts of it may be read in three hundred and eighty different languages and dialects, and one hundred twenty of these were but spoken tongues until the Bible came, in the vanguard of civilization, to call into existence an alphabet and a literature.”—James McConaughy.

The Bible First

“I should like to see a huge pile of all the books, good and bad, that were ever written, prayer books and sermons and hymn books and all, smoking like Sodom of old, if the reading of these books keeps you away from the reading of the Bible; for a ton weight of human literature is not worth an ounce of Scripture. One single drop of the essential tincture of the Word of God is better than a sea full of our commentings and sermonizings and the like.”—Spurgeon.

The Book of Genesis

NAME.—By the Hebrews this book was called by its first word, which means “In the beginning.” The name “Genesis” signifies creation, origin, beginning. Genesis is the Book of Beginnings. It tells of “the origin, (1) of the universe, including the earth and the human race; (2) of the fundamental human institutions, including the family, church, and government; (3) of human history, including sin and redemption; and (4) of the nations, including the chosen family and race.” The book of Genesis “may therefore be considered as the historical foundation, without which the subsequent history of the covenant people would be incomplete and unintelligible.”
PLAN.—One of the simplest plans for outlining the book of Genesis is the following:—
  1. Chapters I to II: 26—Primeval History.
  2. Chapters II: 27 to 50—Patriarchal History.
“The plan of the writer was, evidently, to connect the history of Israel with the larger history of mankind, and the method followed was that of continually passing from a wider to a narrower field, until at last the history of Jacob-Israel was reached. Thus he passed from the universe (chapter I) to mankind (Adam); from mankind to the line of Noah; from the sons of Noah to one line, Shem; from all the Shemites to the line of Terah-Abraham; from all of Abraham's line to that of Isaac; and from the story of Jacob and Esau (the line of Isaac) to that of Jacob alone, for Israel and Jacob were equivalent terms.”
PURPOSE.—The book of Genesis has one supreme purpose,—to reveal God as the Creator and his Son as the Saviour of mankind.

Missionary Volunteer Department

By M. E. Kern; C. L. Benson; Meade MacGuire

M. E. KERN General and N. Am. Div. Secretary
C. L. BENSON Assistant Secretary
MEADE MACGUIRE N. Am. Div. Field Secretary

The Lord’s Outposts

By Edith M. Graham

In the North American Division Conference and in the territory of our other organizations, we find Sabbath keepers widely scattered, one here, two or three there, a little company elsewhere. If we were to put stars wherever there are isolated members, we should place them in all parts of this country.
There is a reason for this. It has not just happened so. These isolated members are the Lord’s outposts, to live and teach the truth until the ministers and Bible workers come to help gather in the harvest.
It is an honor to be the first Seventh-day Adventist in any place. The conception the people will get of this truth will depend very largely on the life of the first Adventist they know. In a country place some years ago there lived a quiet, unassuming sister, the only Sabbath keeper there. Her husband and children were opposed to the truth. She said nothing to them or to the neighbors about her views, but she lived the truth. The sweet, loving spirit of Christ met every trial, every opposition, every need of daily life. After years of such living, a tent mission was started near her home. The neighbors heard that the religion preached there was Mrs. A’s religion, and they said, “If that preacher is like Mrs. A, we want to hear him.” A large church was quickly brought out, and among its members were the husband and children of the godly sister. She had sown the seed, and the harvest was quickly reaped.
The first thing, therefore, is for our isolated Sabbath keepers to witness to the converting and keeping power of the truth through their lives. But their work need not and should not stop there. We have reached a time when we must work rapidly and when the help of every one is urgently needed.
The neighbors of our isolated members are the field for them to cultivate. The best softener and fertilizer for the hard human heart is love, manifested in acts of kindly service.
“Visit your neighbors, and show an interest in the salvation of their souls. Arouse every spiritual energy to action. Tell those whom you visit that the end of all things is at hand. The Lord Jesus Christ will open the door of their hearts, and will make upon their minds lasting impressions.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, page 38.
“In many States there are settlements of industrious, well-to-do farmers, who have never had the truth for this time. Such places should be worked. Let our lay members take up this line of service. By lending or selling books, by distributing papers, and by holding Bible readings, our lay members could do much in their own neighborhoods.”—Id., page 35.
“Invite your neighbors to your home, and read to them from the precious Bible and from books that explain its truths. This, united with simple songs and fervent prayers, will touch their hearts.”—Id., Vol. VI, page 276.
Here are presented several methods of work in which the isolated members can engage,—first the Christ life, then a sympathetic acquaintance, and then the introduction of reading matter. The Family Bible Teacher leaflets have been used to good advantage in this work. A sister visits a neighbor, turns the conversation onto the war, storms, and increasing calamities, and shows them to be signs of the end. She then says, “I have just received some leaflets on Bible subjects, which take up these things, and I want to study them, but I always enjoy a study like this better if I have some one to take it up with me. I wish you could come over to my house tomorrow with your Bible, and we could go over the first one together.”
The Sabbath school lessons may be used in the same way. A member may say, “I always study my Sabbath school lesson for a short time each afternoon. The lessons now are on the book of Matthew. The systematic study of the life of Jesus brings out so many new and beautiful thoughts. I wish you would come over tomorrow afternoon and join me in the study. I believe it would help us both to share our thoughts on it.”
There is much in placing ourselves with the people as seekers after the truth of God, rather than seeming to desire to bring them to our beliefs. In this way many may be led to study this truth who would not do so if approached in any other way.
Isolated Sabbath keepers, the Lord has need of every one of you. You are where you are to do a work for him, and no one but you can do your work. If you need help and instruction, write to your conference home missionary secretary, who will gladly assist you. The call of the hour is, “Every man, woman, and child to the work, to finish it.”
EDITH M. GRAHAM.

Literature on Missionary Volunteer Work

By Milton E. Kern

It is more and more evident that the Young People's Society of Missionary Volunteers is becoming a strong factor in our denominational work. With this larger interest come many requests for information on Missionary Volunteer organization, plans, and methods. The purpose of the Missionary Volunteer Department is to furnish such information, and to foster and unify this work for and by our youth all over the world. It is evident that the foundations were well laid then, for no plan inaugurated at Mount Vernon has been given up; but, on the other hand, the value of these plans in accomplishing the desired results has been demonstrated by experience. The excellent papers and studies given at Mount Vernon have never been published elsewhere, and are good Missionary Volunteer literature today. One article which quotes at length from Sister White, as to how she worked for her young companions when a girl, is worth the price of the pamphlet, which, by the way, is very cheap.—ten cents for 244 pages. This story will ever stand as a testimony to the fundamental value of the prayer band.
This department in the REVIEW is designed to furnish such information to all, especially our conference workers, Missionary Volunteer leaders, parents, and older members of the church. The Youth's Instructor is the organ of the General Conference and North American Division Missionary Volunteer Departments, and often contains articles on live Missionary Volunteer topics, as well as the “Question Box” and the Reading Course outlines.
We have also some literature in permanent form. Our largest and most comprehensive publication is the “Report of the Sabbath School and Young People's Convention Held at Mount Vernon, Ohio.” It was at Mount Vernon that the Missionary Volunteer Department was launched.
Aside from this report we have a series of Missionary Volunteer Leaflets—some for Missionary Volunteer workers, some for church elders and conference workers, others for the young people in general, and a few for use in working for the young people of the world.
Here is the list:—
NO. PRICE
1. Report of the Mount Vernon Convention ................. $.10
2. From Which Fountain? A leaflet on reading, giving a list of more than one hundred books worth reading. .02
3. Early History of the Seventh-Day Adventist Young People's Work. .04
4. Organization ........................................... .03
13. Guiding Principles for the Young, No. 1 ............... .02
14. Read, Think, and Pray ................................ .00½
16. Parents' Meetings. With special reference to camp meetings ................ .03
17. Character Building in the Home ........................ .02
19. Messages to Young People. Testimonies ................ .02
21. Standard of Attainment (revised) ...................... .02
23. The Life Work ......................................... .02
25. Enlisting and Training Raw Recruits ................... .02
27. A Near-By Mission Field ................................ .03
30. Cigarettes and Success ................................ .01
33. Our Influence ......................................... .03
34. The Cooperation Called for in Young People's Work ..... .03
35. Marrying Unbelievers .................................. .03
36. Leadership ............................................ .02
37. Under the Yoke of Service ............................. .03
38. What the Young People's Work Has Done for Me ........... .03
39. How Others Fought to Win the Prize .................... .05
40. The Morning Watch (revised) ........................... .01
41. The King's Pocket League .............................. .02
42. What We Promised Each Other .......................... .00½
43. Camp Meeting Missionary Volunteer Work ................. Free
44. The Marriage Altar .................................... .02
45. A Visit to the Schools in Nyasaland .................... .02
46. With Our Missionaries During the Revolution ............ .02
47. Personal Work .......................................... .02
48. Secretaryship as a Life Work .......................... .04
49. What God Hath Joined .................................. .00½
50. Lives of Great Men ..................................... .01

PLEDGES

1. Pledge against liquor and tobacco (lithograph) .......... .02
2. Pledge against liquor, tobacco, tea, coffee, etc. (lithograph) ........ .02
3. Pledge against liquor only (plain) ..................... .01
4. Senior membership card ................................ .02
5. Junior membership card ................................. .02
6. The King's Pocket League card, per 100 ................ .40
7. Personal worker's camp meeting pledge, per 100 ........ .40

POST CARDS

A series of 16 post cards, containing select quotations, 1 cent each, 10 cents a dozen, or 15 cents a set.

ANNUAL PUBLICATIONS

Morning Watch Calendar. For daily devotion and Bible study ................................ .05
Missionary Volunteer Reading Course Leaflet. Giving careful explanation of current reading courses. Free
These should all be ordered of your tract society or publishing house.
It is our purpose to prepare some literature on the Junior work as soon as possible. We shall be glad for suggestions from our people concerning their needs along this line. M. E. KERN.

Home Missionary Department

By E. M. Graham; F. W. Paap

E. M. GRAHAM - - - General Secretary
F. W. PAAP - - - N. Am. Div. Secretary

Little Visits to Sanitariums

By L. A. Hansen

It was my privilege to call at some of our sanitariums on my way to the fall council at Loma Linda. These visits were for the purpose of submitting department plans and suggestions and of securing counsel on the same. We are gratified at the cooperation shown, and believe that conditions are making for increased strength in our sanitarium work. Careful study is being given to methods and plans, and there is an interchange of ideas that is helpful.
That there is improvement in a number of features in our sanitariums is evident. With increasing experience in management, administration problems are being solved. Capable workers are becoming more numerous. Financial conditions are becoming better. The status of the nurses’ training schools is assuming shape for better handling. The need of making the institutions stronger spiritual centers is becoming apparent, and we hope to see the day soon come when our whole sanitarium work will fill its appointed place as a successful means of soul saving.

The Madison (Wis.) Sanitarium

The full-house patronage already reported, has practically prevailed here most of this year. It has not been unusual for a room to be taken just as soon as it has been made ready after the departure of the previous guest, so that at no time have rooms stood vacant long.
Physicians from surrounding towns are sending patients to the sanitarium. and even coming themselves in some instances for surgical care or other treatment. There is also considerable demand for our nurses for outside cases in near-by towns. The patronage from Madison is on the increase.
Some idea may be had of the amount of work from that done in the bathrooms. The ladies’ department gave fifty-five treatments in one day, and the men’s department gave twenty-six treatments. For a small institution, that is excellent.
The patrons of the Madison Sanitarium come for medical attention, and not for mere recreation. They are largely from a well-to-do middle class.
Dr. F. C. Dean is now house physician, and is getting well installed in his work. He has cordial relations with the family and with the patients.
The spiritual work of the institution is carried on in a definite and positive manner by the lady chaplain, Mrs. C. B. Christiansen. In reply to inquiries concerning her work, she stated that she found many opportunities of giving our specific truths, both in public and in private.
The dining room service shows marked improvement. Betterment in other lines is being made. The business management shows development that is highly commendable, and the constituency of this institution can well feel free to give its heartiest support. This is needed and is deserved.

The Tri-City Sanitarium

Located at Moline, Ill., and adjacent to Rock Island and Davenport, this sanitarium has a large local territory to serve. Its influence reaches quite a way beyond, however, and its work is on the increase.
Dr. F. J. Otis, the superintendent, came into the institution when it had practically no surgical work. This has grown till it is a marked feature of the institution, although all lines of sanitarium work are carried on.
The returning guest or visitor will see several changes, all for the better. A business office has been created by closing the reception room off from the parlor, giving needed quiet to both rooms. The gymnasium has been divided into three nice large guest rooms, increasing the possible income from this source $80 per week. A large classroom and chapel has been made out of an unprofitable lower-floor space, formerly used more for storage purposes than anything else.
The two bath departments have been thoroughly overhauled. The partitions, raised from the floor and about six feet high, have been replastered with a hard cement plaster. The doors into the treatment sections swing both ways. Pieces of plate glass, about four by ten inches, on either side, are used instead of knobs. Doors, partitions, and walls are nicely painted. Everything looks clean. It is very pleasing to see what white paint can do, and the cost of such improvement is not usually prohibitive.
The new manager, H. H. Todd, has had considerable business experience, as well as close touch with various lines of sanitarium work. The work here is benefiting by it.
The workers are greatly encouraged at the results of the tent meetings held this season, twenty-one having been baptized thus far. A church building is planned, and donations are being secured. About $3,000 in cash and pledges has been raised. The credit for this is largely given to Dr. Estella Norman, who has been persistently diligent in soliciting from business people and others.
The sanitarium has just issued a nice new catalogue, of which we can take especial pride in the fact that it was entirely done by the printing department of our Emmanuel Missionary College, at Berrien Springs, Mich.
Considerable charity work is being done by the institution, possibly more than it can well afford from a financial standpoint. It is well situated for doing a large amount of good in different ways. A good class of patients patronize it; its student nurses are fine young people, and those in charge are capable and skillful. A rich measure of spiritual power should make the Tri-City Sanitarium an institution of wonderful blessing.

The Iowa Sanitarium

A short visit to the Iowa Sanitarium, located at Nevada, Iowa, was sufficient to show that it is making progress in its work. The location proves a good one, and is a strong contrast to its former city location in Des Moines. A substantial class of patrons come to it in sufficient number to keep it quite busy. Most of the past season has seen the building nearly filled.
Dr. H. W. Barbour, the superintendent, came to the institution about a year ago, with a good, ripe experience in surgery and general medical and hospital practice. He also brought considerable equipment for laboratory and X-ray work. A new laboratory is being put in, with additional facilities. Much attention is being given this part of the work, with good results.
Dr. Owen S. Parrett, from Loma Linda, is associated in the medical work, and holds the esteem and confidence of the workers and patients.
W. C. Foreman, formerly of the Tri-City Sanitarium, is business manager. He is studying the needs of this institution, and plans a number of improvements.
Miss Hannah Larson is still acting as head nurse, and carries her responsibilities with a due sense of their weight. The value of her labor is appreciated.
The building, being a new one, is mainly in good condition. It has very nice guest rooms, at most reasonable rates. The contemplated changes in the bathrooms and culinary department will make the place one of special credit. There is no reason, from my observation, why its work should not be highly successful.
L. A. HANSEN.

Returning From the Fall Council

By F. W. Paap

IMMEDIATELY following the fall council I spent a little time in California, visiting the churches of Riverside, Santa Ana, and Edendale, in the interests of the home missionary work. There was a good response on the part of the people, and we enjoyed some very precious seasons together.
Tuesday, November 30, I reached Kansas City, Mo., where, according to previous arrangement, I was to speak in the church that night. Brother Gay met me and took me directly to his home, and after partaking of refreshments, we went to the church and spent a very profitable evening in the consideration of our home missionary work. Emphasis was given to the thought expressed by Paul in 1 Cor. 9:22, where he says, “I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” In soul-winning work there is nothing that counts quite so powerfully as the living of helpful, unselfish Christian lives.
Leaving Kansas City the same evening, I pressed on to spend a day at the Hinsdale Sanitarium, en route to Wisconsin, where a series of special services had been arranged. I found a most excellent spirit at the sanitarium. Much faithful and earnest work is being done by the managers and workers in bringing souls to the light of this message. It was my privilege to speak twice, and the Lord blessed the services.
The ten days’ meetings in Wisconsin, at Appleton, Green Bay, Fond du Lac, Milwaukee, Raymond, Milton Junction, and Madison, were seasons of special blessing. It was a great pleasure to meet our dear people in these churches, and to join with the conference workers in setting before them the importance of doing personal work for souls.
Considerable time was spent in instructing the brethren and sisters how to do practical home missionary work. The Harvest Ingathering campaign is being pushed forward in real earnest in many parts of the Wisconsin Conference. We shall hope to hear of better and larger things accomplished for God as a result of our special meetings.
From the example of the apostles we learn that there are to be no idlers in the Lord’s vineyard. We are constantly to enlarge the circle of our influence. Constantly we are to do more, and never less. God’s work is to widen and broaden until it encircles the world.
F. W. PAAP.
Continue reading: Medical Missionary Department