It is encouraging to us in far-off China to know that, through the liberality of our brethren, the Father is keeping to us the promise to “supply all your need according to his riches in glory.” The money sent is being used carefully; but as the work enlarges, our wants increase. Still, I believe the Lord of the harvest has his means at command for the prosecution of this work, even in China, till the great ingathering shall have been accomplished.
Sometimes I think it may be well that our people do not see this great mass of people, for they might not feel equal to the demands this work will make upon them. Here in Canton we get sight of such denseness of population. The city is not large in area: a man may walk from one extreme to the other in one and a-half hours—this taking in the later additions outside the wall. Canton has so doubled herself outside the walls that it is only on the hills of the northern limits, toward White Cloud Mountain, that this ancient barrier of feudal days is visible. But any space that is large enough to admit a man’s body will do for his nightly lodging, and when daylight comes the people pour into the streets. At any place where labor may be exchanged for a means of subsistence, human beings swarm like flies over a pot of honey. No wonder the scent of a better way, which the more adventuresome have brought back from Japan and Western lands, has quickened a sense of dissatisfaction. China is moving rapidly in a popular wave, and it seems quite apparent that the old wine-skins must go. Some phases of this new life are hopeful; but Satan sees to it that enough that is bad is mixed to make the whole odious to many of the more conservative class, who are really the more desirable and more stable class.
Many girls’ schools are being established. Their course of instruction, and their more open relation to boys’ schools, will tend to a larger freedom for women, and, eventually, to the breaking down of many of the time-honored customs relating to engagements and marriages. There is supposed to be absolutely no courtship in China. One can easily see the effect this unaccustomed liberty may have upon girls, and the evils that may arise therefrom.
Among the boys’ schools lately established, the passion seems to be for a maximum of leisure and a minimum of study. At the new school near us, the boys come in their military uniforms, caps also, in spite of queue, go through their drills, study from three to four hours, and so far as we can see, are then turned loose to wander aimlessly about, usually in groups. There is a great deal of military pretense and parade, and in this I suppose they think they are establishing schools after the Western model. Among those who work I think the demand for short hours and light work more urgent than I have known it at home. With it all they need a summer vacation, and plenty of smoking.
On the other hand, there are sober signs to indicate that when this mist of display and shadow of effect has cleared away, it will be seen that some real advance steps have been made toward more hopeful conditions in China.
One thing I like to see is the falling off of the queues; for, like the New Testament writer, I agree that if a man has long hair, it is a shame to him. Another change that is equally refreshing is that of the new half-military style of dress among men. It consists of trousers and a sack coat, the latter buttoned to the neck, where it is finished with a narrow standing collar. A light, absorbent under garment is all that is needed besides. With this suit and substantial leather shoes is worn a straw hat, or cap with front piece. Dressed like this, a man looks much more like a person let loose to do something than when he comes out in a long silk robe of so delicate a color that a hint of work soils it. Then, too, these robes are so narrow that a fairly masculine stride would split one. Usually the sleeves are a full foot longer than the wearer’s arms, and both hands are kept busy wrinkling back the superfluity of material, to let the hands out into the open. With such a gown there go tight silk trousers, or leggings, which begin somewhere above the knees, and reach to the ankle, where they are banded down over white socks with silk garters. These white socks are, in turn, let down into brocade or satin shoes, which, to be really genteel, should not have even so much leather in their make-up as to cover the sole.
In such an outfit they look about as unmanly as it is possible for a man to look, and not at all prepared for the realities of bread winning or any other useful service. I do not at all wonder they are obliged to get their wives through the intervention of professional match makers.
A FIVE-STORY WATCH-TOWER ON THE WALL OF CANTON, CHINA
There is much unrest in these southern provinces. The Cantonese in all classes are more progressive, aggressive, and anti-dynastic than perhaps any of the other people of China. One week ago a foreign river steamer, sailing under the English merchantman, was held up by a very large band of pirates. Some of these had taken passage at Canton, others got on at points along the route, and still another crew waited in junks, at a favorable point about one hundred miles up the river, near Sam Shin. The Indian watchmen were covered, the ship’s arms seized, the officers wounded, and everything was in the pirates’ possession within a few minutes after the ship had struck the cable which bound two boats on either side the stream together, and brought her enemies13to both her sides. The captain survived his bullet wounds, but Dr. MacDonald, of the English Wesleyan Mission, died almost instantly, from a bullet in the temple. Dr. MacDonald had been here more than twenty years, and had built up a large hospital at Wuchow. This is the third work he had laid. At Fat Shan, ten miles from Canton, is a large hospital, with schools, chapels, and all that pertains to full, rounded work—the fruit of his earlier labors. The Wesleyans do not support medical work. It must grow by its own strength.
Our first trip up this West River, while we yet lived in Hongkong, was made on this boat, and we were entertained for the night at Dr. MacDonald’s hospitable home. At that time his whole-heartedness as a worker, and his skilful use of the medical work for the furtherance of evangelical effort, strongly impressed us, and I may say he has always stood in our estimation as a model medical missionary.
Only a few days after this daring deed, the government customs at the same place—Sam Shui—were looted by a band of about two hundred thieves. In the skirmish several Chinese were killed. Two weeks ago a country village on the borders of Canton was raided. The village was located just back of Christian College (Presbyterian). One of the faculty told us two days ago that for the assistance the college settlement is supposed by the raiders to have rendered the village, an attack upon the college and resident faculty of foreigners has been openly threatened. Several junks have been held up in the open river some twenty miles below Canton, in daylight, and in sight of the Chinese forts at Whampoa. It is said that most of these robbers and pirates are old soldiers and naval bands, grown accustomed to the laziness of a standing army and navy, and now that the modern methods are introduced, and they are found unfit for service, they take to this reckless life. The state of affairs is really quite serious.
We have never felt very proud of the appearance of our China Mission home, which, by the way, is also our own family home, but perhaps you would like to see a picture of it. Maybe you will feel that it is not very representative; but perhaps it is just as well to have this as to have a place where a great deal would have to be paid for rent, so long as our work could be accommodated. I wish you might see old Canton, and China in general. I am sure you would find it quaintly interesting.
Our coworkers are all away for a change. Miss Vanscoy went with Dr. Law and his wife to Macao, an island Portuguese possession, about one hundred miles from here. Their teacher has promised to spend a part of the time with them.
Brother Wilbur’s family and Ida Thompson have gone up to Amoy. Our brethren there have a good foreign house, right at old Pacific’s edge, and will do all they can to give them a well-deserved change and rest. Their accounts of sea-bathing and fresh sea air cool us at this distance.
Our work is slowly making progress, and we expect to see the message find its way among these millions.
Rumania and Austria-Hungary
By Louis Richard Conradi
L. R. CONRADI
May 22 I took the fast mail steamer from Constantinople, and after a pleasant passage through the Bosporus and the Black Sea, reached Constantza, Rumania, in a little less than twelve hours. En route I had an interesting conversation with a Swedish gentleman and his wife, and I was not a little surprised the other day to meet the gentleman as a customs officer at Malmoe when entering Sweden; he recognized me, although for the moment I did not remember him, for he was now wearing his Swedish uniform.
A number of the German brethren in Constantza awaited my arrival, and next day we had some good meetings here. Quite a number of our brethren have left Rumania for South America and Germany, since my last visit, so that the Constantza membership has been reduced from seventy to about twenty. But I feel sure that if we put forth the proper efforts here, our membership could be increased.
With two of the brethren we went to Bucharest, the twenty-fourth, where we met Elder Enseleit and Brother Hinter. When I visited Bucharest last, we had a church of about twenty-five, and our meeting was prohibited by the police, for we were called before the mayor of the city, and the lecture was forbidden. I was surprised this time to find that Brother Hinter had secured a nice hall for the church, and that at every meeting he was having from sixty to one hundred present. Our church-membership here has increased to sixty-five. Brother Hinter, who has been laboring here, has surely done good work among the Rumanian- and German-speaking people. He had just recently baptized sixteen, and next day after I left, he intended to have baptism again. The city of Bucharest was all decorated, celebrating the king's forty-years' jubilee, as it had been that long since he had entered the country as a Hohenzollern prince, to take the throne at the request of the people. Then this land was a Turkish principality, while it has since developed into a strong, independent government. I was pleased to see so many good, strong men in the Bucharest church. We more fully organized this church, supplying the necessary elder and deacon and church committee. We have every reason to hope that the work in this city will continue to grow.
Elder Enseleit, who entered Bulgaria last fall, has put in hard work studying the Bulgarian language, and has made good progress. He has recently baptized three there. Thus the cause is slowly but steadily making progress in the Balkan States.
Sunday night we had a meeting in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, where I was glad to meet Elder Huenergardt. They had secured comfortable quarters, and while the work in Budapest goes slowly, we are pleased to report that throughout the country it never went better. They had just organized the second Servian church, a substantial one of twenty-three members. This last quarter has been the best they ever had, for they report no less than seventy-one additions, bringing their membership up to about three hundred, most of whom were formerly Roman Catholics, representing the Hungarian, Rumanian, Servian, Slavonic, and German nationalities. We are thankful that God has given us so much success among these various tongues. Our Hungarian paper is steadily increasing in usefulness, and has a growing list.
Our next visit was to Vienna, where we have a few faithful believers. I had quite a conversation with one of the rabbis in this city.
On the twenty-ninth I reached Nymburg, a small town, near Prague, where we have lately been working. I met here one of our brethren, a photographer, with whom I spent most of the day making arrangements about the beginning of our proposed Bohemian paper, Herald of Truth. He is to assume the legal responsibility for its editorial management, as he is a citizen of the country.
We then went into Prague, where we held an evening meeting, and I was pleased to see that the work is growing here. In spite of many difficulties, and the lack of liberty in Austria, we are glad that our membership has reached about seventy, most of whom were formerly Catholics. We hope that the publication of our Bohemian paper, which appears first in the early part of August, will assist us in spreading the truth far and wide. The difficulty we have thus far had is not only that in most parts of the empire we could secure no permission to hold meetings openly, but we have also been unable to circulate our books and publications through the canvassers. Thus everything has had to advance rather slowly and tediously; but yet the Lord is opening hearts, and we are glad that at last we have secured some legal rights to do colporteur work. Brother Markowski, the future Bohemian editor, has reached Hamburg, and will spend a number of weeks in getting acquainted with the work there, and will arrange for getting out the first paper. We also expect him at Friedensau during our camp-meeting.
As there are thousands of Bohemians and Slavonians in the States, who can read Bohemian, we would be very much pleased if our people would help us to circulate the Bohemian literature among them. We shall gladly send from our Hamburg office sample copies of either the Russian, the Hungarian, or the Bohemian papers. Any correspondence to the International Tract Society, Grindelberg 15a, Hamburg, will be gladly attended14to. The Hungarian and Bohemian papers are printed quarterly, but they are sent out as monthlies; we print three numbers at a time, and mail them at once, to save postage; they are so arranged that a copy each month can be distributed, where this is found best. They generally contain thirty-two pages each quarter.
After spending a short time in Leipzig, and then visiting Friedensau, where we had a full school, and twenty-five patients in the sanitarium, I reached Hamburg, June 1, where I met Brother Peter Nyambo, our colored brother from Nyassaland, who spends a little time with us in Hamburg, and then goes on to Friedensau, after having visited some of our German churches. He expects to return with the brother whom we shall choose for German East Africa, and then will go on to British East Africa, if nothing prevents, to help open the mission for the British Union Conference.
Thus is the truth going from land to land. The field is everywhere ripe for the harvest, but the great cry is, “Where are the reapers?”
Hamburg.
The Oklahoma Camp-Meeting
By R. C. Porter
The annual conference and camp-meeting for Oklahoma was held at Kingfisher, August 23 to September 2. Kingfisher is a city of forty-five hundred inhabitants. The city council very kindly placed at the disposal of the conference their beautiful park with all its buildings, water privileges, electric lights, and other conveniences, free of charge.
One hundred and forty family tents were pitched upon the ground. This did not prove adequate to accommodate the people, and many camped in a large building, which was curtained off into rooms. One large tent was then divided into apartments to accommodate the campers, and fifty covered wagons were used as living-rooms. In addition to this, quite a number rented rooms in the vicinity. A census of the camp-ground was taken, showing twelve hundred in attendance at the meetings.
The annual reports of the president and the treasurer showed that over one hundred had been added to the membership during the year. Six churches were received into the conference. The tithes received during the year amounted to $17,900, an increase of $2,913.76 over last year. The offerings for foreign missions for the year came to $3,046.30; other funds outside of the conference to $2,445, making a total of $5,491.30; donations to funds in the conference amounted to $943.01, making a total of all the offerings received during the year of $6,434.31, an increase of $1,791.95 over the previous year.
The business of the conference was all completed during the first half of the meeting, leaving the last part for spiritual work. A spirit of unity pervaded, and some differences that had formerly caused difficulty were harmoniously adjusted, and all were united in all the recommendations of the conference. Fifteen hundred dollars tithe was donated to the General Conference to be used in the foreign mission work. Twenty dollars a week was given to the support of the German work in the east, and two hundred and fifty-six dollars for the Spanish work in the southwest.
During the meetings the Sabbath-school offerings amounted to $228; the offering to the Oakwood school to $268, and to the work for the blind to $192.
A good new tent, seventy feet by one hundred and five feet, had been purchased during the year, and a collection for the tent fund and the religious liberty work was taken to the amount of six hundred dollars. Other collections during the meetings added considerably to this amount.
The religious services throughout the camp-meeting were both instructive and spiritual. The revival services were marked by special manifestations of the working of the Holy Spirit. Some battles were fought and victories gained that gave the clearest evidence of the terrible conflict between angels of light and angels of darkness contending for the mastery of souls. One man left the ground Sabbath morning, to avoid the revival service. He could not remain away, so he returned and gave his heart to God. Another sent his family to camp-meeting, but would not come himself. On Sabbath morning he decided to come and see what was going on. He also gave his heart to God, repenting heartily of his backslidings. All encamped were greatly refreshed by the meetings. Seventy-five were baptized.
Elder Andrew Nelson was re-elected president, and the other officers and laborers remain about as last year. The visiting brethren were Elders G. A. Irwin, J. N. Loughborough, Geo. B. Thompson, H. Shultz, C. Santee, F. G. Haffner, G. A. Grauer, U. Bender, Professors Hughes and Giddings, Edith McDonald, Sister Lackey, and the writer. Elder Loughborough's talks on the spirit of prophecy were greatly appreciated.
The outside attendance was good the first evening of the meeting, and the interest and attendance steadily increased to the close. Elders G. G. Rupert and H. Giddings will follow up the interest with a tent effort.
All who attended the camp-meeting returned home encouraged to press the battle more strongly the little time that remains before the final triumph. It was the prevailing sentiment of the brethren and sisters that the camp-meeting this year was the best ever held in the conference. R. C. PORTER.
The Canadian Union Conference and the Ontario Conference and Camp-Meeting
By I. H. Evans
THE Canadian Union Conference and the Ontario Conference held their sessions in connection with the Ontario camp-meeting at Paris, Ontario, according to appointment.
Arriving on the ground, I found the meetings well under way, with a goodly number of our people in attendance. I had feared that a session of the union conference together with a session of the local conference would occupy so much time that there would be little time for spiritual work; but this was not the case. The early morning meeting and the eleven o'clock and the three o'clock hours were invariably given to work in behalf of the campers, while the evenings were given to teaching the message to those who came in from the city. The business of both conferences was done with dispatch and unity. The officers of both were largely re-elected, changes being made in but few cases.
Nearly three thousand dollars was raised in cash and pledges for the Lornedale Academy. They also voted to proceed with the erection of a suitable building for this school. It is greatly needed. We met many bright young people at this conference who greatly need the help15to be obtained in one of our schools. The Lornedale Academy is a timely provision for the young people of the Ontario Conference. It should be filled with intelligent students securing a training for service in the cause of God.
Besides the Ontario laborers there were present at this meeting. Elder W. H. Thurston, president of the Canadian Union Conference; Elder Wm. Guthrie, president of the Maritime Conference; Elder C. H. Keslake, superintendent of the Newfoundland Mission; Elder D. E. Lindsey, of Ohio; Brother Ballou, of the New York Conference; Dr. Geisel, in the interest of the health work; and the writer.
The meetings brought encouragement to the hearts of our own people, while some from the city gave their hearts to God. Twenty-one were baptized.
Elders Burrill and Howe remained to further develop the interest aroused by the meetings. We hope that a church of believers may be raised up in Paris.
Ontario is an inviting field. The rich, fertile soil has encouraged an intelligent, progressive people to inhabit her borders. Thrift and prosperity are on every hand. The future looks promising, and we trust many souls here may come to a knowledge of the truth the coming year.
I. H. EVANS.
Darkness in the Dark Continent
“THIS is a darkness that may be ‘felt’” says Dr. A. T. Pierson. “In many places paganism here reaches its lowest depth. Superstition, cruelty, worship of demons, immorality sanctified by the example of the gods, lying, stealing, polygamy, slavery—this is, for three fifths of her people, Africa’s religion. Here depravity meets no real obstacle in its gravitation toward destruction.
“Islam, though holding a smaller number in bonds, presents a graver problem than paganism. It has more truth, being monotheistic and non-idolatrous. Its converts are more decent and intelligent, less barbarous and degraded. But it only refines the vices it can not reform, and makes the sinner only a little more proud and self-satisfied with his respectability. A Moslem said to a European: ‘You must not wear our clothes.’ They are given us of God to set forth the character of our religion, as yours set forth the character of your own. Our clothes are wide, easy, flowing; so is our religion. We can steal, lie, commit adultery, and do as we wish, and our prophet will make it all right for us at the last day. Your clothes are like your religion: tight-fitting, narrow, and restraining.’ ‘The pliant pagan readily becomes the fanatical Moslem’—more unreachable than ever by the gospel.”
The Best Things Are Costly
By T. L. Cuyler
ALL the best things are costly. Jesus Christ laid down his life to redeem you: from sin and death. “Free grace” for you meant Calvary for Christ. A strong, godly character is not to be had gratis. — T. L. Cuyler.
The Gothenburg (Neb.) Camp-Meeting
By Chas. Thompson
This meeting was held from August 31 to September 9. Twenty-one family tents, two pavilions, a book tent, and a dining tent were pitched upon the grounds. About seventy of our people were encamped, while a number lived close enough to attend quite regularly from their homes.
Meetings were held daily in the English and Scandinavian languages. The laborers present were Elders A. T. Robinson, M. D. Mattson, L. E. Johnson, and the writer, in English, and Elders L. Johnson, S. Mortenson, and August Anderson, in Scandinavian.
Prof. E. E. Farnsworth labored untiringly and successfully for the youth and children.
Prof. C. C. Lewis, of Union College, was present one day, and gave the educational work a lift.
The meeting was characterized throughout by the Spirit of the Lord. The messages were of a personal nature, and a heart-searching work was done.
The attendance of those not of our faith was good, and the evenings were occasions when the distinctive points that make us a people were dwelt upon with excellent impressions.
One thing that is encouraging to report from all the camp-meetings I have attended is the loyalty of the rank and file of our people to this message, especially to the spirit of prophecy. In nearly every home tracts are found that have been written and sent out for the purpose of unsettling the people’s faith in this precious gift, but I know of no one who is unsettled, and many have been and are studying the Testimonies who never studied them before. Thus it is written, “We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.”
On Wednesday, September 5, a missionary meeting was held, when the work in distant lands was considered.
At the close of this meeting a resolution was adopted asking the conference committee to appropriate from the surplus tithe fifteen hundred dollars, to be used by the Mission Board in the prosecution of the work in needy fields. After the vote a brother asked the privilege of adding to the sum five hundred dollars, which makes two thousand dollars from this little meeting, and $7,093 from the conference during its camp-meeting series, for foreign mission work.
Some gave their hearts to God at this meeting for the first time. All were strengthened and encouraged, and the universal testimony was that it was good to be present. CHAS. THOMPSON.
A Visit to Graysville, Tenn.
By K. C. Russell
There were a few days between the Nashville and the Knoxville, Tenn., camp-meetings, so I improved the time by visiting Graysville, Tenn. I arrived there the evening of September 4, just in time to attend the evening service, at which I spoke to a good congregation of our people, who had gathered in their commodious church building. It was indeed a pleasure for me to meet with these people, and present some important features of the third angel's message.
I was persuaded to remain a day longer than I had intended to, in order to attend the soldiers' reunion which was held September 6. There was quite a number of the veterans in attendance at this reunion, besides the citizens from Graysville and its vicinity. Elders R. M. Kilgore and Smith Sharp and the writer were among the speakers. The Lord blessed in presenting some of the basic principles of this government, and the dangers which threaten their overthrow. We believe that those who heard the principles discussed were impressed with their truthfulness. We endeavored to make a clear application of these principles, especially concerning the dangers that threaten us in this country in the exercise of our religious rights.
The Southern Training-school at Graysville is doing an excellent work in preparing laborers to carry this16message to the people in the great Southern field. The per cent of workers who have entered the field from this institution during the past four years is very encouraging indeed. The sanitarium in this place, under the supervision of Dr. M. M. Martinson, gives promise of being a great blessing to the sick and suffering in that section of the South, and also in wielding an influence in the promotion of the third angel's message.
K. C. RUSSELL.
Nashville (Tenn.) Camp-Meeting for Colored People
By Sydney Scott; M. C. Strachan
A CAMP-MEETING for the colored people of the Tennessee River Conference was held in Nashville, August 23 to September 2, the same time that the camp-meeting for the white people was held.
Besides the large audience tent, six family tents were pitched which provided sleeping quarters for over thirty campers. The audience tent was provided with comfortable canvas seats, a good organ, and a very neat and attractive platform. The motto placed over the platform in large letters was, “The Coming King Is at the Door.”
In many respects this camp-meeting was a profitable one. The weather was excellent; and the visiting Sabbath-keepers, together with the local church, made a company of about forty believers. The average attendance at the night meetings from the outside was from one hundred to three hundred. A good interest was aroused, and it seemed advisable to continue the meetings after the close of the camp-meeting proper.
The colored laborers were Elder Sydney Scott, of Kansas City, Dr. L. C. Isbell, of Birmingham, Ala., and the local worker, Brother M. C. Strachan. The holding of the meeting at the same time that the white camp-meeting was held, made it convenient for the General Conference, union conference, and local conference workers to be present.
A large number of children were present, and separate meetings were held for them. Dr. Isbell and Sister Julia Lowe looked after their interests. The last Sabbath of the camp-meeting an old-time revival service was held, and a few gave their hearts to God for the first time. A wave of deep contrition swept over the entire camp, and many renewed their covenant with God, and consecrated their all to his service. That was a heart-searching day in the camp, and one long to be remembered. At the going down of the sun on that glorious Sabbath-day, in a solemn and impressive service Brother M. C. Strachan was set apart to the full work of the gospel ministry. Early Sunday morning, the last day of the camp, eight dear souls were baptized in the Cumberland River.
A few souls took a firm stand as the result of the meetings, and many others called for further instruction, so the camp-meeting is now being followed by a tent effort.
SYDNEY SCOTT, M. C. STRACHAN.
The Ohio Camp-Meeting
By J. G. Lamson
It was my privilege as religious liberty secretary of the Lake Union Conference to attend the annual camp-meeting at Troy, Ohio. I found the camp pleasantly located on the fair-grounds north of the city, and a large number of beautiful shade-trees made the camp very pleasant.
Every tent was rented, and had it not been for the commodious buildings, which were partitioned off and rented to campers, it would have been absolutely impossible to accommodate those who came to attend the meeting.
A most excellent spirit was manifested from the first. Sabbath, almost the entire congregation, numbering probably five hundred, made a new consecration to God. Quite a number of backsliders were reclaimed, and several who had never given their hearts to the Lord, made a surrender.
The first Sunday was used for the discussion of religious liberty. Several spoke at the forenoon meeting, while in the afternoon and evening special addresses were given, covering different phases of the question. The meeting continued in interest and power until its close.
It was necessary for the writer to leave early, and the last portion of the meeting will probably be reported by others.
The workers from outside the conference during the first part of the meeting were Elders Gilbert, Slade, and Curtis, and Brother J. B. Blosser.
Ohio does not hold its business sessions with its camp-meeting this year, so the entire time could be devoted to the spiritual work of the camp. This seems to be a most excellent arrangement.
J. G. LAMSON.
East Jordan and Lapeer
By B. F. Stureman
Michigan
EAST JORDAN AND LAPEER.—Through the kindness of the East Michigan Conference I was enabled to accept the invitation to take charge of the music at the North Michigan camp-meeting.
About seven years ago I spent a year in this part of the State, during which time my labors were blessed in bringing quite a number to a knowledge of the truth, and seeing several of the churches revived. It was indeed a great pleasure to meet these brethren and sisters, and those with whom I formerly labored before the division of the Michigan Conference.
The Lord came very near at times, and altogether it was a good meeting, although the president of the conference felt that the meeting was somewhat affected by the absence of the General Conference brethren, and hopes that another year some will be there. Personally, I believe that our General Conference laborers are a great stimulus to a camp-meeting.
I was glad to see the marked difference in attendance over that of former years before the old Michigan Conference was divided, and I fully believe that the division has proved a great blessing to this conference.
The Lord has blessed the labors of Brother Wight and his colaborers, and from now on they are able, financially, to carry on their work alone. Two baptismal services were held, thirty-one going forward in that rite. We were glad to see Elder Moon present at this meeting, and able to take such an active part in it.
All went home much encouraged. We17hope and pray that success will attend this conference.
From here I went to Lapeer. After the sermon on the Sabbath and a good testimony meeting, we went to the river, where baptism was administered.
B. F. STUREMAN.
An Old-Time Camp-Meeting
By W. J. Fitzgerald
SUCH was the central New England camp-meeting held at Lawrence, Mass., August 30 to September 9. The location of the camp was very desirable, and the attendance was large for an Eastern camp-meeting.
On the first Sabbath about two hundred and fifty of our people were present. This number had increased to about four hundred and fifty by the last Sabbath. A strong, genuine Adventist ring was manifested in the testimonies of all who attended. All courageously pledged themselves to renewed and abiding loyalty to the third angel’s message.
From the beginning a spirit of revival was in the camp. This spirit revealed itself in mighty power and glorious refreshing on Sabbath, September 8. A considerable number made a good start in the Christian life. Many learned the blessedness of a full consecration and cherished sins removed. Almost the entire congregation sought and received a fuller outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Truly our hearts did burn within us, and our hope and faith were greatly strengthened.
Twenty-three rejoicing souls were baptized on the final day of the meeting. Aggressive plans were formulated and adopted for the carrying forward of the message. There is reason to hope that there will be united and vigorous effort put forth by the entire conference membership during the ensuing year for the advancement of the work in all departments.
Elder H. F. Ketring was elected to the presidency of the conference. The members of the executive committee chosen to serve with the president are the same as last year. The other officers also remain the same.
On the closing day of the meeting, contributions aggregating about four hundred and fifty dollars were made to various phases of the work. Adding to this amount over sixty dollars donated at the two sessions of the Sabbath-school held on the grounds, the total offerings exceeded five hundred dollars. Of this amount about two hundred dollars was donated to foreign missions.
Besides the local conference ministers and workers, there were present, either all or a portion of the time, Elders E. W. Farnsworth, W. W. Prescott, W. A. Westworth, and the writer. Prof. Frederick Griggs represented the interests of the union conference academy. Brother F. E. Painter was present in the interests of our denominational book work.
A fairly good interest was manifested by the citizens of Lawrence. On the whole, the Lawrence camp-meeting can be classed as a very successful one. It will doubtless prove a source of real and lasting blessing to the Central New England Conference.
The brethren and sisters returned to their homes full of faith and courage, glad to have been at the camp-meeting. They all desire a camp-meeting next year, and will plan to attend. May the blessed work move strongly forward in the Central New England Conference.
W. J. FITZGERALD.
The October Collection
By M. C. Strachan
The colored brethren and sisters in the South look forward with a great deal of interest to the coming October collection, and we are praying that the thirteen thousand dollars of last year will be more than doubled this year. If this can be done, then not only can our mission school work be strengthened and extended, but it will be possible to add to the industrial features of the Oakwood school, the only institution we have among us for the training of colored workers for this neglected field.
We must hasten to put our training-school on vantage-ground, so that the colored laborer who is to go out into the work can be taught to accommodate himself to the conditions which demand the service of his head, his heart, and his hand, at his very door. Our colored youth should not be handicapped as they go out into the field. Their training should fit them for the peculiar conditions which they will meet in the field.
It is a grievous wrong to leave the Oakwood school to do the work of teaching the spelling-book and grammar, without providing it with the facilities with which to operate the different industrial features which would give to our colored youth a peculiar fitness for the work in the field. The hand, the eye, and the brain of our youth should be trained while he is learning to talk, read, spell, write, and cipher.
Various industrial features must be added to the Oakwood school, and the students should be taught to labor, and taught also to think with their labor, and to direct their labor by thought, and by labor increase their thought. Such manual labor will not only give strength to mind and heart, but it will also revolutionize the prevailing false notions and feelings in regard to the question of labor.
Labor has too long been divorced from such ideas as are herein set forth; but I believe it is possible, with the proper facilities and intelligent management, to instil the correct principles into the minds of our colored youth, and they can be made to see that the divine stamp has been placed upon honest toil, and that civilization in the future will make of its working men also thinking men, and by its processes of education, will make its working men cultivated men.
Workers trained in this manner and then sent forth into the field could accommodate themselves to the situation they meet from time to time, and their labors would give better results; but this can not be done now, as the Oakwood school is unprepared to do it. We trust that our brethren throughout the United States will do their very best in this October collection, and possibly our hopes may then be realized. M. C. Strachan.
