p. 17 | Review and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 29. (7/18/1907)

“Signs of the Times” Increase from Jan. 1 to June 1, 1907

Atlantic Union Conference

	JAN. 1, 1907			JUNE 1, 1907			INCREASE
	CLUBS	SINGLES	TOTAL	CLUBS	SINGLES	TOTAL
Maine	96	24	120	84	81	165	45
New Hampshire	17	13	30	55	23	78	48
Delaware	20	3	23	25	3	28	5
Rhode Island	25	6	31	68	24	92	61
New Jersey	359	53	412	531	101	632	220
Maryland	410	24	434	634	38	672	238
District of Columbia	122	34	156	591	47	638	482
Connecticut	150	44	194	137	110	247	53
Virginia	118	50	168	321	136	457	289
West Virginia	5	28	33	54	48	102	69
Vermont	45	47	92	66	147	213	121
Massachusetts	276	65	341	615	153	768	427
New York	1,271	361	1,632	1,457	679	2,136	504
Pennsylvania	406	217	623	1,460	426	1,886	1,263
Totals	3,320	969	4,289	6,098	2,016	8,114	3,825
*Central Union Conference*
Missouri	545	177	722	730	458	1,188	466
Iowa	257	246	503	702	570	1,272	769
Nebraska	134	204	338	1,018	707	1,725	1,387
Kansas	184	219	403	477	508	985	582
Colorado	514	166	680	905	298	1,203	523
Wyoming	22	27	49	44	68	112	63
New Mexico	26	25	51	88	57	145	94
Totals	1,682	1,064	2,746	3,964	2,666	6,630	3,884
*Lake Union Conference*
Michigan	596	205	801	1,618	573	2,191	1,390
Ohio	428	150	578	1,006	377	1,383	805
Indiana	325	122	447	1,073	372	1,445	998
Illinois	337	182	519	572	465	1,037	518
Wisconsin	464	127	591	871	354	1,225	634
Totals	2,150	786	2,936	5,140	2,141	7,281	4,345
*Northern Union Conference*
Minnesota	155	136	291	506	345	851	560
North Dakota	30	51	81	159	132	291	210
Northwest Territory	28	45	73	93	150	243	170
South Dakota	77	76	153	244	244	488	335
Totals	290	308	598	1,002	871	1,873	1,275
*North Pacific Union Conference*
Alaska	5	16	21	15	23	38	17
British Columbia	43	39	82	122	78	200	118
Idaho	94	114	208	215	317	532	324
Oregon	400	179	579	760	391	1,151	572
Montana	83	79	162	131	183	314	152
Washington	839	285	1,124	1,598	688	2,286	1,162
Totals	1,464	712	2,176	2,841	1,680	4,521	2,345
*Pacific Union Conference*
Arizona	17	26	43	90	68	158	115
California	3,127	726	3,853	6,955	2,627	9,582	5,729
Nevada	5	29	34	35	74	109	75
Utah	...	16	16	148	57	205	189
Totals	3,149	797	3,946	7,228	2,826	10,054	6,108
*Southern Union Conference*
Alabama	19	19	38	124	29	153	115
North Carolina	..	18	18	..	29	29	11
South Carolina	6	4	10	..	7	7	(−3)
Florida	..	38	38	23	60	83	45
Georgia	..	10	10	60	34	94	84
Kentucky	19	51	70	37	79	116	46
Louisiana	15	16	31	230	31	261	230
Mississippi	33	15	48	32	23	55	7
Tennessee	16	45	61	65	76	141	80
Totals	108	216	324	571	368	939	615
*Southwestern Union Conference*
Arkansas	..	42	42	164	81	245	203
Indian Territory	..	27	27	183	59	242	215
Oklahoma	156	82	238	537	170	707	469
Texas	263	121	384	440	292	732	348
Totals	419	272	691	1,324	602	1,926	1,235
Canada	122	125	247	402	297	699	250
Foreign	...	...	827	...	...	2,425	1,598
Total number of copies taken June 1, 1907			44,462
Total number of copies taken Jan. 1, 1907			18,780
Increase			25,682

Mission Notes

ANOTHER Central American field is to be entered. Elder U. Bender, who is visiting that region, writes that he has just accompanied Brother C. A. Nowlen to Guatemala, where the latter hopes to introduce our Spanish literature. In Spanish Honduras, where Brethren Allen, Peebles, and others have been laboring, some earnest Spanish-speaking believers have been raised up to join in the work.

THE people of Italy are simple-hearted and religiously inclined. Though lying under the dark shadow of Rome, yet perfect freedom for the preaching of the gospel exists. This country is a stronghold yet to be won from the enemy. The government, like a great river, is draining the resources of the people for its military prowess. Therefore, the people are poor. But it is a mistake to believe all Italians to be like the emigrants who arrive in America. There are many men of ability, whose fame has not journeyed so far as that of Marconi, but who have raised Italy to merit being esteemed a great nation. And what has been done shows what can be done.

AMONG other places recently visited in China by Brother and Sister P. J. Laird was a large tea-garden. This was a large, open space, of about twenty acres. The tea-house is not large. It contained two rooms, with etched glass windows on all sides. The first was a reception-room, with fine carved chairs, rich silk tapestries, and other seats. The next was a tea-room, furnished with lacquered tables and chairs of foreign style. The outlook from this place was very pleasing, over an artificial lake, skirted with trees and shaded walks. We were reminded of the lines—

“Where every prospect pleases, And only man is vile.”

Here the wealthy come to hold their wine parties. In the lake is an island with a miniature mountain upon it, and a picturesque bridge crossing to it from the mainland. A host was there, awaiting his guests for a tea party. He insisted that we come and sit with them, and have some cakes and sweets. They had heard of our work from some young men who are attending our classes, and seemed pleased to meet us. Japan is famed for its beautiful tea-gardens; but we saw nothing there that could begin to compare with this, in its large dimensions and in the amount of money spent in beautifying the place.

China

By P. J. Laird

CHANG-SHA.—Yesterday a letter came from Brother Allum, with the good news that one of the Honan doctors is to visit Chang-sha. It will be a treat to meet one of like faith.

The foreign brother who was keeping the Sabbath has gone back, having loved this present world. Yet our prayers ascend that he may hear God calling by the Holy Spirit. It is being evidenced more and more as the end approaches, that our faith can not rest upon feeling, but rather on duty and principle, which run in perfect harmony with God’s Word. In his mercy, God says, “I will guide thee with mine eye.”

Yesterday, when the afternoon classes were over, we went for a walk on the city wall, to enjoy the sunshine. Our attention was called to two sadly interesting scenes. Connected with funeral rites in most lands there is oftentimes a lavish expenditure of money, though many can ill afford this expense. In China there are ceremonies often lasting over a period, the length of which is usually governed by the fees of the priests. One part of these rites is the burning of paper money, clothes, trunks, houses, etc., such being thought necessary for the use of the dead in another state. It was this part of the proceedings that we saw. In one case it was a poor family, in another a wealthy one. A tiny pile sufficed for the former, while the latter had made elaborate preparations. There was a large bamboo and paper house, in sections, the main one higher than a man. Temple, servants, horses, and chairs were arranged in order inside and outside the house. Boxes of clothes and bags of money—all paper—made a huge pile. All was fired, and men ran around the blazing heap, beating gongs.

The same lie that brought sin into this world lies at the bottom of whatever the Chinese really hold as a creed: “Ye shall not surely die.” The Confucianist may be a governor-general, the Buddhist a prominent business man, the Taoist among all ranks; immortality of the soul grips each and all in its vise. How different from the “liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” What a wonderful privilege to be a “bond-slave of Jesus Christ!” Would to God we lived it more. “The heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.” Eze. 36:23. God knew, when these words were uttered, that very few of China’s millions would read or write. But they have eyes. Especially is this so at Chang-sha. We have been grieved to overhear Chinese Christians talking of this and that foreign worker. Personal experience has proved some statements correct. Hence, preaching is valuable only so far as the messenger is in living and vital communion with God. The value of Paul’s writings lies in the fact that they are largely based upon his personal experience in Christ.

Last week three evangelists visited me to talk on the Sabbath question. With two we had a blessed time opening up the Scriptures. The third came as a result of the report given him by the two, and he took a tract on the Sabbath for another evangelist. With one exception these men are from different places; so the truth will get into the “regions beyond,” in preparation for those who may follow to give further instruction.

It is with deep feelings of thankfulness we can record an increase of confidence in us manifested by the student class. Several of those enrolled at first have left, but we do not know of one who has done so because displeased with us in any way. Their places have been filled, and with even a better class. My wife has seven enrolled for her evening class; these are well advanced. We are working and praying that these may be led into our Bible class, and get a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

The prayers of God’s people are greatly needed in this unique effort. It is not what we have been accustomed to do in previous years in China, but it has been thrust upon us by our loving Heavenly Father. In this we have perfect peace. Yet there is a deep longing that other classes also may be reached.

Interviewing the students and the parents or friends who accompany them gives opportunity for testimony. This may lead to public lectures in the future. Those of a more sensible turn of mind are beginning to realize that the schools of Chang-sha will not suffice in the line of morals, and this makes them hesitate about allowing their sons to attend.

P. J. LAIRD.

The Lord's Day Act in British Columbia

By B. L. Stewart

We have just passed through a great crisis in this province. The Lord's Day Alliance has been working with all its power, seeking the enforcement of the Dominion Sunday law. This Sunday law is enforced in the different provinces at their own pleasure; that is, each province can adopt or not adopt this law. Consequently, since the enactment of the law at Ottawa a few months ago, the Lord's Day Alliance is leaving nothing undone to secure its enforcement in all the provinces. As the time approached for a new Parliament to convene, they petitioned according to their usual methods, numbering the entire family, Sunday-school, and the various organizations, for a strict enforcement of the law; they also had a strong committee lobbying for it.

As soon as the election was through, we began a systematic canvass of the province for petitions against the law. It was the time when the public mind was greatly agitated, and the subject was discussed in all parts of the province pro and con. Our people had an excellent opportunity to let their light shine. The papers were ready to print what we had to say. We placed religious liberty literature in many homes, and in the hands of every member of Parliament, and gathered a goodly number of petitions against the Sunday law. The petitions against it were two or three to one for it. The result has been that it did not even come before the House for discussion, and we have liberty in this province for a time yet. Our Religious Liberty Secretary was asked to go to Victoria to oppose the bill. He did this, visiting and talking with the different members and men of influence. Elder Wilson also went to Victoria to oppose the bill. We are thankful for the great victory, but the bill will doubtless come up again in some future session. We hope the angels will hold back the winds, that our work may go forward in this province unhindered.

B. L. STEWART.

Southern New England Camp-Meeting

By Eugene W. Farnsworth

THIS meeting was held in New London, Conn. The camp was located in one of the best residence sections of the city, so the people could easily attend the meetings. The electric-car line was close by, and the location was certainly a desirable one. We were favored with fine, cool weather, and there was a good attendance of our people, considering the membership of the conference.

The conference business was speedily finished, and all passed off pleasantly and harmoniously. Nearly all the officers were re-elected to serve another year. The reports of the president, secretary, and treasurer showed that prosperity had attended the work in its different departments during the past year. About fifty have embraced the truth, and the tithe has increased nearly five hundred dollars. As an expression of their gratitude to God for the blessings they had received, the brethren voted to give two hundred and fifty dollars of their surplus funds to foreign missions. To make this possible, several of the ministers voluntarily reduced their wages. We feel sure God will bless them in making this sacrifice.

Profs. B. G. Wilkinson and R. F. Cottrell, Dr. Prince, of the Melrose Sanitarium, Elder H. F. Ketring, and the writer were the laborers present, besides the conference workers. We greatly enjoyed our associations with all these brethren at this meeting.

The outside attendance was not large, but some came from the city, and at the closing meeting Sunday night the tent was well filled with interested people. The brethren arranged to continue the meetings on the same ground, and we hope a large number may obey the truth as the result of this effort.

Several revival services were held during the meeting, and on the last Sabbath about seventy-five took part in a

consecration meeting. The Lord came very near his people. In the afternoon of the same day Brother A. J. Clark was ordained to the ministry.

The last meeting of the conference was held Sunday forenoon, and at that time the remainder of their proportion of the $150,000 fund was raised in cash, so the brethren are greatly rejoicing because of this finished work. The amount given at this time was equal to $2.50 for every man, woman, and child on the camp-ground. This shows what real interest and consecration will do.

The same forenoon fifteen were baptized at the ocean beach. At the close of the camp-meeting, the brethren returned to their homes with renewed hope and zeal, and we believe the work in this conference will go forward with still greater courage and enthusiasm the coming year. E. W. FARNSWORTH.

A Statement and Request

By E. W. Webster

ON account of poor health I have been obliged to leave my work in South Carolina and seek rest for a time.

After spending some months at the Graysville Sanitarium, we located on a farm in the hills of Tennessee for the summer.

I am slowly recovering from the effects of malaria and a nervous breakdown, and am gaining in strength; I hope soon to be able to have an active part again in the work I so dearly love.

There is still coming to me official matter and communications, also letters from private individuals, intended for the work in South Carolina. These I have to forward, thus causing delay and extra expense.

Will the officers of our various institutions, secretaries of the different departments of our work, and others who are interested in that field kindly send all matter or communications intended for the work in the South Carolina Mission field to Elder R. T. Nash, Campobello, S. C.? He is now in charge of the work there, and will attend to the interests of the cause he is asked to look after.

E. W. WEBSTER.

R. F. D. 2, Box 60½, Dayton, Tenn.

Somabula Mission

By T. H. Branch

I THOUGHT I would write you a few lines as I journey on my way home to Nyassaland from Cape Town. I visited M’kupuvulo, and found Brother C. R. Sparrow trying to teach the people around him the Word of God, and the better way to live, his family helping him. He is putting up a schoolhouse, which is much needed. Brother Hyatt gave a lantern exhibition there, and a large crowd came through the rain to see it, and enjoyed it very much.

February 25 we came to the Solusi Mission, where we found Brother and Sister Sturdevant, who gave us a hearty welcome; also Brother Irwin and Brother Ellingworth. They have a large school, with Brother Ellingworth as teacher. There is a good work for the Master going on at this mission, and I was made glad when I saw what perfect control they have over the children, and the harmony that exists, and how willingly the boys and girls take hold of their work. They have the right spirit, and every one seems to try to help the others. Brother Irwin is doing all he can to encourage every one to continue to seek the Lord, and to be faithful in everything. They all love him very much. They also think a great deal of Elder Hyatt, whom they call teacher. When he comes to any of the missions, the natives all come around to shake hands with him; and he is always ready to give advice to them all; so they want to see the pictures which he is showing from the lantern. He is doing a good work.

On Sunday night, March 3, we all packed our things, so as to leave on Monday morning for Somabula; but when I had dressed and gone down to the mission house, Sister Sturdevant came out of her room and said to me, “Brother Branch, Brother Irwin is sick with fever, and can not go.” Brother Hyatt stayed to help take care of Brother Irwin. They requested that I should go on to Somabula, and let the people know what was the matter.

I found Brother Walston at Gwelo, waiting for us. We left for the Somabula Mission, arriving there at one o’clock on Wednesday, March 6, and received a hearty welcome.

Sister Rogers joined us at Bulawayo. Brother Rogers, being sick, had to stop off at Kimberley.

I find a good spirit here among the missionaries. Brethren Armitage and Walston and Sister Edie, with a large school of boys and girls all studying hard and doing their work cheerfully, were glad to see me; for it is a long time since they had seen one of our brethren going about from place to place visiting the missions, and instructing them in the Word of God.

They wanted me to stay a long time, and were glad to see me, as they had heard so much about me.

I am truly glad to make this trip, for I see it is a great help to the natives to see so many different men, all teaching the same thing.

Some of the boys said to me, “Well, teacher, now we know that the work is of the Lord, for all of you, our teachers, say and teach the same words of the Lord, and now we are happy.”

May the Lord bless these missions and missionaries, and all those who are willing to make a sacrifice for the salvation of those who sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death. T. H. BRANCH.

Argentina

By Arthur Fulton

JUNIN is a city of fifteen thousand inhabitants, situated about one hundred and fifty miles due west of Buenos Ayres, on the Pacific line. It is also the terminus of a branch line of the Central Argentine Railway. The Pacific shops are here, and employ about two thousand men. The city has many English residents. We came here the first of November to answer a call to follow up an interest created by a brother who was teaching in the home of a prominent rancher, where a sister of this gentleman's wife had begun to keep the Sabbath. Since coming, the young lady's parents have also accepted the truth. These are Scotch people, and have been members of the Presbyterian Church. Others are interested, for whom we have hopes.

The twentieth of January I left for Buenos Ayres, to audit the conference books and attend the meeting of the South American Union Conference Committee, which was held in Entre Rios. In company with Brother Town, I crossed Entre Rios from east to west. It was all a barren waste; the grasshoppers had left the ground bare and the trees leafless, while a severe drought and intense heat added to the distress. We were sorry to see the orchard at the school completely destroyed; the trees that had rallied from last year's scourge were entirely barked and ruined. Surely the judgments of God are in the land.

I arrived home February 22, and made arrangements to move my family to a more healthful and favorable location for our work. We moved to our new home the twenty-seventh, and the same evening our little Bernice was taken sick with what proved to be confluent smallpox. Before she was entirely recovered, I took the same disease. The Lord came very near to us in our suffering, and at times in answer to prayer was present with his healing power. We feel very thankful for the knowledge of simple treatments, and above all for a faith that can sustain us at all times. Even though we may be brought low, we are not forsaken nor forgotten of the Lord.

In Argentina is a large English population, for which nothing has been done as yet. I feel a great burden for them, and am desirous of reaching as many as I can with the truth. For this reason I ask for a supply of our papers to be sent me for distribution among them.

ARTHUR FULTON.

Junin, Argentina.

Field Note

Two persons were baptized at Pueblo, Colo., June 8, by Brother Geo. M. Alway, and on the eleventh he baptized four at Lamar. The efforts of those laboring from house to house in these places are bearing fruit.

Still Onward

By E. R. Palmer

THE third angel's message is advancing with steadily increasing power every day. This is the cheering word from every department of the General Conference. The Publishing Department has another good report to offer, as will be seen by studying the Summary for May. These reports should inspire the heart of every worker.

This Summary is far from being complete, yet the grand total is over $51,000. The total for the month of May last year was $36,000, which shows a gain of over forty per cent.

Two years ago the sale of subscription books in Southern California amounted to about $1,000. Last year the sales amounted to $6,000. During the month of June of this year the sales went above $1,000 a week.

In the Atlantic Union Gleaner the report for week ending June 14, 1907, shows an interesting comparison with the work of the corresponding week of 1906:— NO. AGENTS. VALUE OF ORDERS. 1906...............23 $ 498.35 1907...............62 $1,487.78

This gain of nearly two hundred per cent may be partially due to improved efficiency in the reporting system.

These are not isolated cases. The success of our canvassers is world-wide. Let us gather courage from these evidences of God's goodness and his powerful workings among us, and press onward.

The New Health Books

Great interest is being shown in the two new books. “Home and Health,” published by the Pacific Press, is already in the hands of the agents. “Practical Guide to Health,” published by the Review and Herald, will soon be ready. Each of these books gives promise of being a great success. The Pacific Press has printed twenty thousand copies of “Home and Health,” and must soon print another edition. Over four hundred prospectuses are in the hands of agents, and their success is far beyond all expectations. One young man earned a scholarship in one week. Another earned a scholarship by canvassing between meetings during a two-weeks’ institute. Many boys and girls from fifteen to twenty years of age are selling from fifty to two hundred dollars’ worth of books a week.

Many Volunteers

It is encouraging to see how freely men and women, and boys and girls, are offering themselves for this service. In several States recruits are coming in faster than they can be instructed. “This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”

Let Us Build

When the work is growing so rapidly, there is danger of superficial work. We fear the results of booms. Great buildings without proper foundations will soon go to pieces. Let us build solidly and well. The following points should be carefully guarded:—

The selection of workers.
The training of workers.
Assigning territory under contract.
Promoting the success of every agent.
A perfect reporting system.
Complete, accurate records.
A sound financial policy.
A spiritual work for God.

Can Books Be Supplied?

Yes, on certain conditions, which we will explain. All our publishing houses have dropped commercial work, and are using their facilities in publishing the message. They have a great task before them to supply the heavy demands. They can do it by concentrating all their forces upon such books and bindings as the agents are selling. The weekly reports from the agents furnish the basis for their estimates. They will undertake to provide as many books as are reported, but there is no probability of their being able to supply agents who are careless, and do not report. Field agents who neglect this point, and do not instruct their agents to report, or who neglect to send in the reports in the regular way, can have no assurance of being supplied. To the faithful we can give the promise that every reasonable effort will be made to provide books promptly.

The following paragraph from a letter from H. H. Hall, of the Pacific Press, will show what an effort is being made to bind sufficient books:—

“Last Friday I suggested that some of us go to the churches near Mountain View, and see if we could not get help. Accordingly Brother Gage went to San Jose, Brother Jones to San Francisco, Brother Wilcox made a plea here, and I went to Oakland. It was a new thing to go to these churches and tell them that we were not there particularly to ask them to circulate books, but to help make books to supply those who are already in the field. It caused a stir, I assure you. But as a result, we are getting helpers. We are moving signatures so as to give more room for the bindery. It looks as if we shall have to move them out into the sun to make room for the work inside. I am sure of only one thing, and that is, we are going to supply books.”

Surely the Lord is with us, for we see the working of his mighty arm which he has made bare in the sight of all the people. E. R. PALMER.

Canvassers’ Summary for May, 1907

Atlantic Union Conference

	AGENTS	HOURS	ORDERS	VALUE
Virginia	8	481	248	$ 384.50
West Virginia	5	706	152	529.30
Vermont	5	145	64	98.75
Maine	3	144	120	53.95
Eastern Pennsylvania	5	301	191	291.25
West Pennsylvania	8	393	199	451.25
Chesapeake & District of Columbia	4	767	421	787.65
Central New England	9	888	338	749.13
Southern New England	4	139	104	117.25
Greater New York	4	179	61	128.75
New York	13	536	374	621.24
Western New York	16	747	455	646.27
Totals	84	5,426	2,727	$ 4,859.29

Canadian Union Conference

	AGENTS	HOURS	ORDERS	VALUE
Total	..	718	306	$ 622.00

Lake Union Conference

	AGENTS	HOURS	ORDERS	VALUE
Ohio	12	1,040	309	$ 914.35
Indiana	12	614	224	446.45
Wisconsin	18	1,154	263	689.76
Southern Illinois	7	314	79	233.25
North Michigan	2	14	9	16.50
Northern Illinois	5	260	155	277.50
East Michigan	2	14	9	16.50
West Michigan	9	423	191	271.90
Totals	67	3,833	1,239	$ 2,866.21

Southern Union Conference

	AGENTS	HOURS	ORDERS	VALUE
Tennessee River	8	972	....	$ 912.65
Alabama	5	691	....	548.15
Cumberland	7	1,096	....	1,264.45
Florida	5	835	....	712.85
Georgia	4	382	....	357.75
Louisiana	4	464	....	600.65
South Carolina	8	939	....	1,067.90
Mississippi	3	98	....	61.25
North Carolina	8	996	....	656.00
Totals	52	6,473	....	$ 6,181.65

Northern Union Conference

	AGENTS	HOURS	ORDERS	VALUE
Alberta	5	574	....	$ 742.05
Manitoba	4	442	173	390.15
Minnesota	4	83	13	43.00
North Dakota	4	526	227	724.50
Saskatchewan	4	540	236	692.14
South Dakota	9	858	305	918.50
Totals	30	3,023	954	$ 3,510.34

Central Union Conference

	AGENTS	HOURS	ORDERS	VALUE
Colorado	22	1,171	575	$ 1,247.10
Iowa	14	763	144	522.00
Kansas	28	1,966	667	1,552.15
Nebraska	14	1,001	254	780.40
Missouri	12	762	656	905.80
Wyoming	5	547	165	527.25
Totals	95	6,210	2,461	$ 5,534.70

Southwestern Union Conference

	AGENTS	HOURS	ORDERS	VALUE
Arkansas	5	349	104	$ 298.60
Oklahoma	32	2,175	1,114	2,763.00
Texas	26	2,482	1,022	3,363.00
Totals	63	5,006	2,240	$ 6,424.60

North Pacific Union Conference

	AGENTS	HOURS	ORDERS	VALUE
British Columbia	..	....	....	........
Montana	13	881	315	$ 967.35
Upper Columbia	5	198	77	252.00
Western Oregon	.	....	....	........
Western Washington	3	146	59	154.50
Totals	21	1,225	451	$ 1,373.85

Pacific Union Conference

	AGENTS	HOURS	ORDERS	VALUE
Arizona	..	....	....	........
California	5	129	188	$ 726.25
Southern California	7	459	433	497.60
Utah	..	....	....	........
Totals	12	588	621	$ 1,223.85

British Union Conference

	AGENTS	HOURS	ORDERS	VALUE
Irish Mission Field	5	471	134	$ 304.43
North England	17	1,350	850	1,073.93
South England	22	1,498	708	816.31
Scotch Mission Field	11	660	317	468.93
Welsh Mission Field	7	338	376	231.75
Totals	62	4,317	2,385	$ 2,895.35

Australasian Union Conference

	AGENTS	HOURS	ORDERS	VALUE
Totals	66	....	....	$ 6,500.00

South African Union Conference

	AGENTS	HOURS	ORDERS	VALUE
Cape Colony	11	438	589	$ 651.95
Transvaal	12	437	211	922.50
Totals	23	875	800	$ 1,574.45

German Union Conference

	AGENTS	HOURS	ORDERS	VALUE
Totals	263	20,927	....	$ 7,531.22

General Summary

	AGENTS	HOURS	ORDERS	VALUE
Atlantic Union	84	5,426	2,727	4,859.29
Canadian Union	..	718	306	622.00
Lake Union	67	3,833	1,239	2,866.21
Southern Union	52	6,473	....	6,181.65
Northern Union	30	3,023	954	3,510.34
Central Union	95	6,210	2,461	5,534.70
Southwestern Union	63	5,006	2,240	6,424.60
North Pacific Union	21	1,225	451	1,373.85
Pacific Union	12	588	621	1,223.85
British Union	62	4,317	2,385	2,895.35
Australasian Union	66	....	....	6,500.00
South African Union	23	875	800	1,574.45
German Union	263	20,927	....	7,531.22
Grand Totals	838	38,621	14,184	$51,097.51

Current Mention

— James McGranahan, the well-known hymn writer, at one time associated with Evangelists Moody and Sankey, died July 8 at his home in Kinsman, Ohio. He was sixty-seven years old.

— Mayor Schmitz, of San Francisco, convicted of extortion, has been sentenced to five years in the penitentiary. He has been denied bail while his attorneys are preparing an appeal to a higher court.

— On July 4 President Nelidoff of the Peace Conference received Miss Anna Eckstein, of Boston, Mass., who presented a petition signed by more than 2,000,000 Americans in favor of a general arbitration treaty.

— The Atlantic fleet of sixteen warships is to make a cruise around Cape Horn, arriving in the vicinity of San Francisco some time during the winter. This proposed change is exciting much comment as to whether it will make for peace or war with Japan.

— It is reported from Peking, China, that important edicts have been issued ordering reforms in the provincial judicial system. The changes will first be introduced in Manchuria and in the provinces of Pechili and Kiang-Su. The officials and people are also called upon to prepare for the adoption of a constitutional form of government.

— Three years ago it was accidentally discovered that the business part of Minneapolis, Minn., was built over caves about 100 feet below the surface. By the wash of running water the caverns were enlarging, and for three years the work of propping up the roofs of these caves has been prosecuted with funds appropriated by the city council under oaths of secrecy imposed on the members. Now that the threatened calamity is averted, the facts have been made known by the city engineer.

— Seven Italian miners were killed by deadly white damp in an attempt to measure the water in an abandoned slope at Honeybrook, Pa., July 11.

— The chief chemist of the District of Columbia is of the opinion that many of the sudden deaths of late years attributed to heart failure are largely due to the effect of small doses of poisonous food preservatives. Saltpeter, much used as a preservative of meats, in small doses affects the liver, and in larger ones injures the lining of the stomach, causing an irritation and a slow, weak pulse.

— The North German Lloyd steamship “Kronprinz Wilhelm” narrowly averted serious disaster when it collided with a huge iceberg off the Newfoundland banks, July 8. Reversal of the engines, when at full speed, and a sharp turn to port, avoided striking the berg in its thickest part, but cut off one end instead. More than a ton of ice fell on deck, which was utilized in the cold storage.

— In order to determine the amount of fine which in justice should be imposed on the Standard Oil Company of Indiana, found guilty of accepting unlawful rebates, Judge Landis, of Chicago, succeeded in causing to appear before him John D. Rockefeller and other Standard Oil officials to testify in reference to capital and earnings of said company. It developed that the net earnings during the years 1903, ’04, and ’05 amounted to $199,800,000, on a capital of $98,300,000. The maximum fine which may be imposed is $29,240,000, but judgment has not yet been rendered.

— On July 10 the government filed a petition in the United States Circuit Court of New York against sixty-four corporations and twenty-nine individuals, commonly known as the “tobacco trust.” The government proposes to dissolve this trust by breaking up the agreements under which these consolidated concerns are working. Much comment is aroused because the special assistant attorney-general appointed to prosecute this case has said that if it becomes necessary in order to restrain the operations of the combine, he will ask the court to appoint a receiver, who as the agent of the federal court shall carry on the business of the corporation.

— Speaking of the situation in Russia since the dissolution of the Douma, the Independent says: “There have been many arrests, and the prisons are overflowing. The Radical papers have all been suppressed, and many fines have been inflicted. Three thousand people are reported as having been arrested in Odessa alone, and at Kieff forty-eight mutineers have been condemned and shot. By imperial ukase the governors of eight large provinces have been empowered to suspend newspapers, disperse meetings, banish undesirable persons, and take other measures for the maintenance of public security by administrative process without having resort to the courts, and to inflict punishment up to three months’ imprisonment and $500 fine.” The government is actively pushing the distribution of 25,000,000 acres of land in average lots of twenty-five acres to individual peasant settlers on easy-payment terms, to make a showing before the convocation of the new Parliament.

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