MONTREAL, Canada, recently witnessed one of the most imposing parades, perhaps, of modern times. The center of this spectacular demonstration by the Roman Catholic Church was the monstrance. This receptacle contained a wafer, which was supposed to have been converted, by the words of a priest, into the very body of our Lord Jesus Christ. We need more than a consecrated wafer in this sinful life. The demoralized condition of humanity demands, not an inert, lifeless piece of bread, but a living, personal Saviour. A god which is created by a priest, and then eaten, is valueless to the people, who must have within them the Spirit of One who can renew and refine their impure, sinful natures.
With Catholics the priest has such control of the Saviour, and keeps him so completely to himself, that the members of the church are compelled to appeal to the Virgin Mary and other saints to help them out of their difficulties. But Mary did not die on the cross. She is no more able to relieve men from the penalty of a broken law than is any other human being. We much prefer to worship the Son, who sits at the right hand of God the Father in heaven, rather than the so-called god in the hand of a priest on earth. When God did dwell with men, in the most holy apartment of the sanctuary, a power was manifested which left no doubt in the minds of the people as to his immediate presence.
C. E. H.
Reckless Sports
THE spirit of recklessness which possesses the pleasure-loving world to-day is truly appalling. Contests on land, on the water, and in the air are marked with a recklessness which takes no account of the safety of health or the preservation of life. Football contests, motor racing, ballooning, and other equally fascinating and exciting amusements, furnish their annual toll of death. The recent races held on Long Island, in which four persons were killed and a score seriously injured, is but one of many similar records which come to us monthly.
These things are an indication of the spirit of wild unrest which is possessing the heart of the multitude. They seek for peace, for rest from the stress and turmoil of life's duties, for relief from sorrow or from goading remorse. Some desire the honor and applause of their fellows. In consequence they throw themselves recklessly into these contests. They become intoxicated with this spirit, and take risks and run chances in their blind zeal for victory, which, in too many cases, prove fatal to all their hopes. If these could but realize that their craving for rest, and their pursuit after pleasure, could find satisfaction in God, what a revolution would be made in their lives! The world can afford no peace save such as comes through pleasant surroundings and favorable material conditions; but the peace of God passeth all understanding. It depends alone upon a living connection with the Infinite. It appeals to the heart with the greatest sweetness in times of trial and difficulty. This is the peace which the world needs.
Titles of Men
The word reverend is used but once in the Scriptures. It is then applied, not to fallible man, but to the Supreme Being. Applying the word to man is in direct line with the present-day spirit of deification of humanity. In the recent consecration of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, Archbishop Glennon began his sermon on that occasion with this as an opening sentence: “Eminences, most reverend, right reverend, very reverend, reverend fathers, and beloved members of the laity.”
A Horrible Crime; a Fearful Sentence
By J. N. Q.
JUDGE MARCUS KAVANAGH, of Chicago, in pronouncing sentence upon a prisoner guilty of forcing his wife to become a “white slave,” shooting her when she refused to give him money, and murdering a woman who sought to defend her from his brutal assault, vividly portrayed the difference between capital punishment and solitary imprisonment for life. He said, as reported in the Washington Star of October 12:—
You committed a terrible crime. Your punishment is to be more terrible still. The instinctive, unreasoning horror of mankind regards death as a severe punishment. This idea is not correct. You are now to receive a sterner punishment. Your victim died but once. You will die a hundred times; you will suffer more the day you put on your prison clothes than she did in her death. After that there will be only the hopeless, painful years, from day to day, from month to month, stretching out forever in agony. In four or five years the eternal solitude and silence will begin to crush in upon you like an iron weight. You hear that street-car bell ringing in the street as it passes now. You will remember it in after-years as the most exquisite music. It will mean hurrying crowds that go where they like and do as they please; it will mean the greatest of all pleasures—freedom. You can only dream of it by day and by night, and your dream will be torture unbearable.
One shudders in contemplating such a terrible experience, and yet there comes relief to know that at last death will terminate its horror. According to popular theology, which places billions of human beings in flames, not for a short lifetime, but for an eternity, and the suffering to increase as the ages slowly pass by, the sentence of this judge but faintly describes the terrors of the finally impenitent. What a calumny on the character of the Almighty! How entirely contrary to the teaching of the Word of God! The wages of sin will be death, not eternal misery in hell; and eventually God will be all and in all, and every creature in heaven and earth and in all parts of God’s universe will ascribe praise to him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever. J. N. Q.
Progress of the Negro Race
By A. J. Haysmer
In 1859 there were 4,500,000 Negroes in the United States. Four millions of these were slaves, and ninety-five per cent of them could neither read nor write. Only one in six professed Christianity. When they were freed, in 1863, they were penniless and ignorant. Ninety-nine per cent were either field hands or servants.
Statistics show a great change. In 1900 fifty per cent of the Negro population of the United States were farm laborers and servants, and over one half of these were efficient modern workmen. There were 750,000 farmers; 55,000 railroad hands; 70,000 teamsters; 36,000 miners; 35,000 sawmill employees; 28,000 porters; 21,000 teachers; 21,000 carpenters; 21,000 barbers; 20,000 nurses; 15,000 clergymen; 14,000 masons; 24,000 dressmakers and seamstresses; 10,000 engineers and firemen; 10,000 blacksmiths; 2,500 physicians; 2,000,000 mistresses of independent homes; and 3,000,000 children were in school.
Fifty years ago the Negroes were penniless, and assessed as real estate. Last year they owned 500,000 homes, of which one half were farms. They owned 15,000,000 acres of farm land, worth $200,000,000. As owners and renters, they control 40,000,000 acres of land, worth $500,000,000, with a gross income of $250,000,000.
To-day they control every seventh farm in the United States, and raise every sixteenth dollar's worth of crops. They have accumulated $600,000,000 in the last fifty years.
This is surely a very encouraging report. We ought to put forth a more determined effort to get the third angel's message before them.
I should be glad to hear from any who would like to assist in the work for this people.
A. J. HAYSMER.
Italy
By L. ZECCHETTO
It was with great pleasure that I came to my native country one year ago. Since I came into the truth, my heart’s desire has been to devote my life to giving God’s glorious message to my own people. I am thankful that I am able to report results of the year’s labor.
Torre Pellice is quite an important center, as it is the capital of the Waldensian valley. Brother Bertalot is doing good work there canvassing, and the Lord is blessing his efforts. We have in Torre Pellice our first and oldest church in Italy, raised up and established twenty-five years ago by the efforts of Brethren Czechowski and D. T. Bourdeau.
At Gravina, a town of twenty-five thousand inhabitants in the southern part of Italy, we have a little company of commandment-keepers, gathered out by one who accepted the truth in America, and returned to his native country to bring to his own people the glorious message. Brother P. Creanza was once connected in the Lord’s work with the writer in New York City. Gravina seems to be a promising field. Last April it was my privilege, when I went there with Elder L. P. Tieche, to baptize two converts; and I have just received a letter inviting me to come down and baptize six more.
At another small place, Santeramo, in the south of Italy, the good seed is being sown by Brother L. Benezet, who is holding public meetings there, which are fairly well attended. To his encouragement, the Lord has given him already four precious souls for his hire. For this we all are deeply grateful to our merciful Heavenly Father.
Genoa is a great commercial center in the north of Italy, on the beautiful Mediterranean. Here I am now located. I feel that the Lord is helping me and my brother worker, F. Vaucher, in our work, although the difficulties are many, as Genoa is the most priest-ridden city in Italy. There are other adverse circumstances put in our way by the powers of darkness, yet July 16 I had the privilege of baptizing five persons, and a number more are interested.
Our monthly paper is doing good work, entering the homes of many people, and two have been gained by this silent messenger.
The most precious blessing to me is that my dear parents, who for years had opposed my faith, and almost disowned me because of it, are now eagerly studying God’s truth, and the Lord has thus brought me back to their hearts.
Catholic priests have told me on different occasions that we have such an unpopular message that we can never hope to succeed in overthrowing their long-established, world-accepted faith; therefore, they do not consider it worth while to fight us, as they prefer to be after those whose professions of faith and practise are almost like their own.
L. ZECCHETTO.
Eyes for the Blind
By CHAS. N. MILLER
Since January last, Mrs. Miller and I have been in the West, working in the interests of the Christian Record, our magazine for the blind. From Vancouver, Wash., on the north, to San Diego, Cal., on the south, we met a hearty response to our call for means to send this blessed gospel to the sightless. Several public institutions and many blind persons were visited, and from them we received much encouragement.
Truly we have spread a feast in the way of literature for those who can see. We are now printing 333 bound volumes, filled with every phase of the message; 1,096 tract messengers; 287 pamphlets, with their extensive exegesis on present truth; and 117 monthly or weekly journals. We have done a great work for those who can see; but we must also make a feast for “the poor, the lame, the maimed, the blind.”
The Christian Record is your living missionary, telling the glad story to the blind. At the present time more than two thousand copies go monthly to gladden the hearts of the sightless ones. During the past year a free circulating library has been connected with the office, in which are fourteen tracts and pamphlets, but not a bound volume. These tracts have done good work in helping some of our readers to understand the message. Some have even read this library through, and are calling for more of the literature that brings them light, hope, and comfort.
As all literature for the blind is sent post free by the government, these tracts and pamphlets can be sent to the readers and returned to the office without expense either to them or to us. So when once a library is filled, it can be read and reread until it is entirely worn out.18We believe this to be an economical plan of operating a missionary library for the thousands of blind in the United States.
Brother, sister, this call is to you. Help this poor people, who are robbed of earth’s comforts and blessings, to the hope which brings joy and peace unspeakable. This gospel is for all, and all must receive its warning. In the parable the call to the supper was first given to the man of wealth, to the busy man, to the men and women of every-day pursuits, but they all with one accord began to make excuse. Then the servant was bidden to call the poor, the lame, the maimed, the blind, that the master’s house might be filled.
In Prov. 3:27, 28, we read: “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and to-morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.” And again (Neh. 8:10): “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared.”
It is in your power to help in the great philanthropic work of the Christian Record Publishing Company in sending the embossed literature to the poor blind. All contributions should be sent to the secretary, Miss Mettie Cornell, College View, Neb. CHAS. N. MILLER.
Remembered in Prayer
“Ye also helping together by prayer for us.” 2 Cor. 1:11.
THE weary ones had rest, the sad had
joy.
That day. I wonder how.
A plowman at his work had prayed,
“Lord, help them now.”
Away in foreign lands they wondered
how
Their simple word had power.
At home, the Christians, “two or three,”
had met
To pray an hour.
Yes, we are always wondering how,
Because we do not see
Some one, unknown perhaps, and far
away,
On bended knee.
A hidden one, but one near God,
Was claiming victory,
As they went forth to battle in his
name,—
“Lord, be thou nigh.”
The hands were steady till the setting
sun.
No need to wonder more
How courage, faith, and hope were all
supplied
From heaven’s store.
—Selected.
North Carolina
By R. T. Nash
KERNERSVILLE AND GREENSBORO.—At the close of our annual camp-meeting at Kernersville, I was asked to remain to follow up the interest awakened. Bad weather followed the breaking up of the camp, and caused the attendance to fall off considerably; but as soon as the rains ceased, the attendance increased, and continued good until the close. The last meeting was held the night of October 22.
Seven adults, besides a number of young people, have begun to keep the Sabbath as a result of the work done. Others are deeply interested, and we sincerely hope will obey soon.
We have now come to Greensboro, and shall appreciate papers and tracts for free distribution.
R. T. NASH.
Porto Rico
By Wm. Steele
The native preacher mentioned in my last report has been working in the country near Manati, preaching, and distributing books and tracts. A number of persons became so interested that he wrote asking me to come and help him. After holding a few meetings, and instructing them further in the message, ten took their stand with God's remnant people. Seven were baptized, and others will take this step later. These brethren live in the mountains, and are a much more simple people than those of the cities. Brother Montanez will continue his work in the country, and we hope soon to see a large church raised up there.
Brethren Cochran and Raff are doing quite well in the canvassing work, putting out a goodly number of books each week. I also baptized three converts in Arecibo. We pray the interest may continue. Brother Cabanas holds three meetings each week with the little company, and has a fair attendance. The Centinela is generally well liked by the people. On this last trip, in four days I took fifty-eight subscriptions, working only a few hours each day.
A few months ago we obtained permission to hold meetings in the prison at Arecibo every Sunday afternoon. Brother Cabanas has continued the meetings. A letter from a young man in prison shows that this effort is doing good.
We have great reason to thank God for the encouragement he has given, and we mean to continue in the good work.
Wm. STEELE.
Waterloo, West Africa
By T. M. French
MRS. FRENCH and I moved here one year ago. At that time there was only one small town lot we could call our own. The church had been organized only a few months before. During the year thirteen members have been added, and others are awaiting baptism. We also have our church and school buildings nearly completed, and have a school home and farm well equipped, caring for eighteen boarding students at present. Our day-school has increased from thirty-three to about seventy pupils. I believe the church has made rapid advancement spiritually, and much prejudice in the town and the neighboring villages has been broken down. So we have much to thank the Lord for.
I do not feel that we should concentrate our efforts largely around these coast towns and villages, but I believe our most fruitful fields will be found far back in the hinterlands, among the real native country people. These will be freer from the bigotry of the coast cities. While the converting power of the gospel will transform the lives of some, who will give valuable aid in carrying on our work among the masses of the interior, the majority of our creole students are not such as can successfully carry on pioneer work.
After two years’ experience here, I am convinced that we should not hesitate to secure tracts of land among the various tribes, and open up self-supporting mission stations, from which to work the surrounding country.
I am ready, as soon as this station can be provided for, to push away back into the country, and open up a good central station. We have some young men who would give valuable help in opening up such a station by the first of next year.
T. M. FRENCH.
Bocas del Toro
By H. Louie Mignott
THE Lord has helped in the presentation of the truths for this time at this place. My lectures continued almost every night for nearly two months. During that time the meetings were well attended by some of the best people of the town, who manifested a decided interest in the truths taught.
The brethren and sisters have done excellent missionary work in visiting their neighbors and friends, and inviting them to the meetings. One brother has written more than one hundred letters of invitation, and the majority of those addressed responded by their presence.19Together we visited the homes of the people, holding Bible readings with them, answering their queries concerning our faith, praying with them, and inviting them to attend. As a result of all these efforts, we had quite a live interest, and a fair attendance, having one hundred twelve present on at least one occasion. This we count a good number, when we think of surrounding circumstances and contrary influences.
I also made the acquaintance of the inmates of a near-by almshouse. Visiting, reading, and praying with these, was a pleasant work. They felt, before, that no one cared for them. On Sunday evenings we cheered their hearts with some gospel songs, accompanied by the organ and the violin. Among them was an American. Sickness had reduced him to a skeleton, but in his sufferings he found the Saviour, and fell asleep in hope.
During my stay of fifty-seven days, I made four hundred four missionary visits, preached sixty-four sermons, and held one hundred forty-three Bible readings. I also held a few meetings at Old Bank, a neighboring island, and baptized seven persons there.
At the close of my lectures at Boca, six were added to the church, five by baptism; one other awaits that ordinance. There should be a laborer stationed here, who could also labor among adjacent islands.
H. LOUIE MIGNOTT.
Colorado
By G. W. Anglebarger
DENVER.— After our camp-meeting, our Conference Committee decided that I should take up work with the third church in Denver. The Lord is greatly blessing us. The conference has secured lots in a favorable location, and we are now gathering means to erect a new church building. We have rented a church building for our meetings, where we can hold our Sabbath services and prayer-meeting. We also have the privilege of holding Sunday evening services. We held our first Sunday evening service with the church well filled. Many strangers were present, and expressed themselves as being much interested. We are of good courage, and pressing forward unitedly in this glorious work. G. W. ANGLEBARGER.
Wonsan, Korea
By W. R. Smith
I JUST returned from a trip two hundred miles to the north of here. Nearly all the way I went by boat, but the village was about twelve miles from the nearest landing; and with three streams to ford, it seemed even farther. Some time ago two men from that village were in Wonsan on business, and were detained some days as there was no boat. They fell in with some of our people, learned the truth, and accepted it. When they started home, I gave them such literature as we had. After they had been home a while, they wrote us saying that there was quite an interest, and urging us to make them a visit. As soon as could be arranged, one of our Korean helpers went to them. When he had spent some time teaching them, I went. A Sabbath-school of twenty-four members was organized, and we hope soon to be able to organize a small company into a church.
We are all well, and enjoying our work. Remember us often at the throne of grace. W. R. SMITH.
Mexico
By S. Marchisio
The first of September I visited Mescquitic, where I held meetings, with fifteen to twenty present. At this place we hope to rent a room for our meetings in a more central part of town, until a church is built.
From here I visited two Sabbath-keeping brothers farther in the interior. The wife of one of them told me that she desires to be baptized. Here I had one very long meeting, with thirteen present, and all rejoiced in the Lord.
From this place I went to La Tapona, nine miles farther on in the mountains, to give Bible readings to two families. These people are not Adventists, but they rejoice very much in hearing the word of God. Still farther up in the interior there are some families writing to us that they are not idolaters, and that they wish to know the truth.
I then went on to Marthehuala. Here I met a family always exceedingly hospitable and kind to every one. They do not yet keep the Sabbath, but we hope they will soon do so.
Leaving there, I went to La Visnaga. We had several days of good meetings with all the church. The brethren in this place have had but little rain for their corn, and are very poor. Notwithstanding this, they are contented, knowing that the Lord will care for them.
Leaving this company, I went to Moctezuma, one hundred miles distant, crossing some high hills on horseback. A brother here was much encouraged in the work of the Lord. Four members of his family wish to be baptized. We had good meetings, with twelve to sixteen present.
Starting from this place with Brother Baltazar, we went to Las Cruces, where there are some who believe the Bible; but the owner of the ranch would not permit us to hold public meetings. Nevertheless, we had meetings in a private home, day and night, without singing. These people said to me that the meetings were surely spiritual feasts to them.
In the most remote places in Mexico there are a few who are rejoicing in the gospel. S. MARCHISIO.
Our School in Cuba
By H. R. S.
IN a letter from Mrs. Ida Carnahan, the principal of our school in Cuba, an interesting statement is made concerning the conditions there. As may be seen from this account, it often means hardship and rigid economy to carry on the school work in foreign fields.
“Our school is not very large as yet, but its influence is being felt, and our work is being watched and noted by the leading educators and people of this province. As I talk with this one and that one, I am surprised to see how the people feel concerning it. Whole families are trying to negotiate with the land company and sugar-mills for land, so as to put their children in the school. Our school family now consists of eleven,—our immediate family of four Americans and seven natives (six boarding students, and a good, faithful native brother to help in the industrial work with the boys). We have four boys and two girls, ranging from seven to fifteen years. These all come from good, respectable native families. They are hard to discipline, because they do and say as they please in their own homes. Usually they dislike work, and look upon common labor as menial. Our first task is to assign them their work, and work with them until we teach them how. After about two weeks of ‘breaking in,’ they do very well, and we are proud of them. It would do you good to hear the natives say, ‘I want you to take my child, and do by him as you would by your own. He is the flower of my eyes, all I have now,’ with tears in their eyes. This is strange, indeed; for we are Americans.
“We are using our parlor for the boys’ department. Both natives and Americans use this room. Our work is not so hard as it is inconvenient. We feel proud of our students, who are doing excellent work in both departments. We are anxious for our new schoolhouse, so that we may have our school home and our meetings away from our living house.
“At the time of the cyclone, we had about one hundred banana plants, many of them bearing or putting on fruit. Most of these were blown down. Our beans, about ready to bear, were destroyed, and all our garden seed, just planted, was washed out. Our papaya trees, with fruit ready to ripen, were torn up, and many of our guava trees also. Our fruit crop was ruined for a year or eighteen months. Our personal loss consisted of a fine ewe and four young lambs, and about two dozen chickens, large and small. We feel grateful that our losses are so small, though what was lost means a harder struggle financially for months to come, as our garden means so much to us, with our large family. But He who has cared for us will provide for all our needs.
“The storm was terrible. It raged for about four days and five nights. The river came up to the foot of the hill where the school stands. The small bridge over which we cross the San Claudio River was washed out, cutting off all communication with the store. As the storm continued, we were forced to portion out the food, so that we might have enough to keep us from suffering. One of our neighbors, whose house went down, came to us for shelter. He brought a big pail of cow-peas with him, and these were our mainstay during the storm. I have passed seven years in the tropics, but never saw such a storm as that. The last evening we gathered our little band around us about two o’clock, and sang some Spanish songs to keep the children’s minds on other things.
“Some day I hope to have some good charts on physiology in Spanish, especially those which show the effects of narcotics and stimulants upon the system. We are anxious that our students should be object-lessons to this people of what a healthful diet and physical exercise will do. Their hearty appetites, freedom from sickness, fairness of countenance, and gain in weight, without flesh food, wine, coffee, or tobacco, are a mystery to the people. They have argued heretofore that it was all right for the American, but the Cuban could not live that way, because of his customs; but now they see their own children doing well. At present our home is crowded, and we can not take another student into the home until we get the two rooms empty, which we are now using for school purposes. We have taken one bedroom for kitchen and dining-room. As soon as possible, we must get a kitchen and a dining-room built onto the house.
“The school land deed is to be made over to the General Conference. And as soon as the cane produces enough to pay for the home, that will be turned over also. So you can see we are not only meeting our own way financially, but are doing something besides. Our self-supporting work is different from that of the average self-supporting school. This school has a regular board, with the superintendent of the Cuban Mission field, Elder E. W. Snyder, as treasurer. We are anxious to succeed.”
H. R. S.
Selling Books in Bolivia
By N. Z. T.
We have recently received the first report of book sales from the Bolivia Mission, and we are glad to see that our brethren in that field have been able to make such a good start. The report shows 83½ hours, and 111 orders, with a value of $272.74. This is a very encouraging beginning.
Brother F. A. Stahl sends the following interesting experience along with this first report:—
“Enclosed find report of book sales. Brother and Sister Shultz arrived in La Paz, September 13, and he has gone right to work with ‘Salud y Hogar’ (‘Home and Health’). People seem to like this book, as there is nothing of the kind in Bolivia. I went to Guaqui, a20little town on the shores of Lake Titicaca, and in a few hours sold seventeen copies. I arrived there at twelve o’clock; and as I had to leave again for La Paz early the next morning, I had only a few hours to work, but this was my success. People would say, ‘I will take a book later.’ I told them I was going to leave early the next morning, and that they would have to decide at once; so they did.
“The next morning, just as the train was about to pull out, I noticed a well-dressed man half a block from the train, whom I had missed the day before. I decided to risk missing the train, and rushed up to the man, told him I had a good book for him, that the price was $6, and that the train was starting, and I would have to run to make it. He handed me the money, and I rushed back, and caught the train.”
We expect to see some more good reports from Bolivia. N. Z. T.
OLLIE OBERHOLTZER, M. D
By Ollie Oberholtzer, M. D.
Burma
One Karan man called a few days ago. He said he had been three times before, but found no one at home. He had heard of the Sabbath, and knew it was right. About seven months ago his little daughter was bitten by a snake and died. He then turned to the Lord, and promised to keep his Sabbath. He went back to his home promising he would return to Moulmein to study all the truth.
At present I am giving Bible lessons in a Chinese mission. I like the Chinese people, and there are thousands of them here. Two Chinese ministers have sent me their subscriptions for our Chinese paper.
OLLIE OBERHOLTZER, M. D
Christian Education
By H. R. Salisbury
Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference
H. R. SALISBURY Secretary
The Missionary and Publishing Work
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
A. J. S. BOURDEAU . . . . Missionary Secretary
An Encouraging Word
By N. Z. T.
Brother C. G. Bellah, general agent of the Central Union, sends us the following good word from west Kansas:—
“We have been getting some good men started out here. A big snowstorm has been on for two days, yet while out with a brother canvassing with ‘Great Controversy,’ we took $33 worth of orders in fourteen hours. Working with another brother with ‘Practical Guide,’ we took $59 worth in nine hours. Last night I found a canvasser who was planning to stop at a hotel, which would cost him about $1.50. But we drove out into the country, stopped at a farmhouse, and sold $4.25 worth of books.”