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Review and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 40.

Our Publishing Work
Earlier text: A Glimpse About Canton

Interesting Statistics

By C. F. Dart

THE following are some of the statistics of literature distribution presented at the South Carolina camp-meeting at Cowpens, August 9-19:—
For the seven months of the present year to August 1 the canvassers have worked 5,860 hours, taken 4,442 orders (this averages eight orders a day), delivered 2,397 books, large and small, valued at $1,670.15. They have about 2,000 orders yet to deliver. One brother alone has 1,300 deliveries to make.
Since the last camp-meeting a year ago, the canvassers have placed 1,100,000 pages of “present truth,” valued at $2,539.70, in the homes of the people. This is about five pages to every family in the State. The profit per hour is 15 4-5 cents for books already in the hands of the people. Adding to this undelivered books (after deducting the time and expense of delivering, and a liberal amount for probable failures in delivering), we find the profits per hour to amount to twenty-two cents.
We give the Lord all the glory for this. We have not had the natural canvasser nor the gifted and talented men, but have had consecrated, God-fearing agents, those who were seeking perishing souls, those who were faithful in their work and faithful in reporting.
This is new territory, and there is plenty of room for any who might wish to join us in the good work here.
C. F. Dart, Field Agent.
Campobello, S. C.

Canvassers’ Summary for July, 1906

Conference or field Agents Hours Orders Value Members Average
Atlantic Union Conference
Central New England 2 166 50 $155.15 1,037 $.15
Chesapeake 3 251 58 $159.50 547 .27
Eastern Pennsylvania 8 505 334 $528.80 989 .53
Greater New York .. ... ... ... 650 ...
Maine 5 80 28 $105.00 548 .20
New Jersey .. ... ... ... 440 ...
New York 10 966 702 $1,144.62 1,750 .65
Southern New England 3 250 172 $228.50 420 .54
Vermont 2 41 8 $13.00 512 .02½
Virginia 5 535 224 $365.45 423 .86
Western Pennsylvania 11 396 296 $859.45 750 1.15
West Virginia 5 252 26 $75.15 220 .35
Totals 54 3,442 1,898 $3,633.57 8,286 $.43

Lake Union Conference

Field Agents Hours Orders Value Members Average
East Michigan 6 551 161 $244.50 1,951 $.12½
Ohio 18 587 339 $814.05 2,350 .34½
Indiana 25 1,181 367 $815.30 2,100 .39
Northern Illinois 10 816 419 $776.70 1,188 .65
North Michigan 8 721 165 $405.40 809 .50
Southern Illinois .. ... ... ... 725 ...
West Michigan 1 22 7 $28.75 5,000 .00½
Wisconsin 8 361 54 $189.95 3,268 .06
Totals 76 4,269 1,502 $3,274.65 17,391 $.18¾

Canadian Union Conference

Field Agents Hours Orders Value Members Average
Totals 8 ... 327 $569.55 1,095 $.52

Southern Union Conference

Field Agents Hours Orders Value Members Average
Alabama 3 236 ... $403.75 314 $1.28
Cumberland 12 356 ... $458.95 500 .91½
Florida 5 310 ... $146.70 450 .32
Georgia 5 344 ... $310.05 190 1.63
Louisiana 11 851 ... $1,058.00 260 4.07
Mississippi 5 77 ... $324.85 243 1.75
North Carolina 11 626 ... $385.10 250 1.54
South Carolina 9 933 ... $1,030.15 80 12.87
Tennessee River 12 407 ... $754.90 534 1.73
Totals 74 4,140 ... $4,872.45 2,821 $1.73

Northern Union Conference

Field Agents Hours Orders Value Members Average
Alberta 2 36 12 $32.50 162 $.20
Manitoba 3 193 52 $219.80 429 .51
Minnesota 16 1,121 338 $996.95 2,049 .43
North Dakota 8 907 311 $902.10 639 1.41
South Dakota 14 1,727 605 $1,349.05 1,040 1.30
Totals 43 3,984 1,318 $3,500.40 4,319 $.81

Central Union Conference

Field Agents Hours Orders Value Members Average
Colorado 5 417 189 $737.20 2,500 $.29
Iowa 15 916 326 $850.09 3,821 .22
Kansas 13 1,192 387 $1,191.85 3,270 .36
Missouri 20 1,746 601 $2,206.25 1,500 1.47
Nebraska 8 537 173 $679.25 2,117 .32
Totals 61 4,808 1,696 $5,664.64 13,208 $.43

Southwestern Union Conference

Field Agents Hours Orders Value Members Average
Arkansas 5 486 194 $526.50 555 $.95
Oklahoma 16 1,957 1,087 $3,306.00 1,650 2.00
Texas 27 1,827 832 $2,519.45 1,165 2.16
Totals 48 4,270 2,113 $6,351.95 3,370 $1.88

Pacific Union Conference

Field Agents Hours Orders Value Members Average
Arizona .. ... ... ... 152 ...
California-Nevada 31 2,073 1,931 $3,404.60 4,000 $.85
Southern California .. 1,473 820 $1,439.85 1,432 1.00
Utah .. ... ... ... 200 ...
Totals 31 3,546 3,751 $4,844.45 5,784 $.83½

North Pacific Union Conference

Field Agents Hours Orders Value Members Average
British Columbia 1 33 10 $25.00 140 $.01¾
Montana .. ... ... ... 400 ...
Upper Columbia 25 1,638 607 $2,226.65 1,475 1.50
Western Oregon 18 922 491 $1,006.55 1,500 .66
Western Washington 20 952 499 $1,124.30 1,114 1.02
Totals 64 3,549 1,607 $4,382.50 4,629 $.94

British Union Conference

Field Agents Hours Orders Value Members Average
Irish Mission Field 6 837 407 $348.12 124 $2.80
North England 24 3,663 1,244 $1,889.68 497 3.80
South England 18 2,427 801 $1,215.18 579 2.09
Scotch Mission Field 16 1,587 735 $932.12 126 7.40
Welsh Mission Field 7 656 490 $323.47 170 1.90
Miscellaneous 1 151 57 $138.97 ... ...
Totals 72 9,321 3,734 $4,847.54 1,496 $3.26

Australasian Union Conference

Field Agents Hours Orders Value Members Average
Queensland 4 184 135 $832.75 289 $2.88
New South Wales 16 1,238 420 $1,673.62 863 1.94
New Zealand 24 1,433 478 $1,883.50 592 3.20
North Queensland Mission 3 514 77 $258.87 ... ...
South Australia 10 822 254 $1,077.43 320 3.36
Tasmania 5 ... 89 $566.37 254 2.23
Victoria 13 1,002 339 $1,337.18 680 1.96
West Australia 6 569 150 $753.50 331 2.27
Malaysian Mission 2 188 142 $747.00 9 83.00
Totals 83 5,950 2,084 $9,130.22 3,338 $2.73

South African Union Conference

Field Agents Hours Orders Value Members Average
Cape Colony Conference .. ... ... ... ... ...
Natal-Transvaal Conference 10 423 270 $837.97 106 $7.90
Totals 10 423 270 $837.97 106 $7.90

General Summary

Union conference Agents Hours Orders Value Members Average
Atlantic Union Conference 54 3,442 1,898 $3,633.57 8,286 $.43
Lake Union Conference 76 4,269 1,502 $3,274.65 17,391 .18¾
Canadian Union Conference 8 327 327 $569.55 1,095 .52
Southern Union Conference 74 4,140 ... $4,872.45 2,821 1.73
Northern Union Conference 43 3,984 1,318 $3,500.40 4,319 .81
Central Union Conference 61 4,808 1,696 $5,664.64 13,208 .43
Southwestern Union Conference 48 4,270 2,213 $6,351.95 3,370 1.88
Pacific Union Conference 31 3,546 3,751 $4,844.45 5,784 .83½
N. Pacific Union Conference 64 3,549 1,607 $4,382.50 4,629 .94
1 British Union Conference 72 9,321 3,734 $4,847.54 1,496 3.26
2 Australasian Union Conference 83 5,950 2,084 $9,130.22 3,338 2.73
3 S. African Union Conference 10 423 270 $837.97 106 7.90
Grand Totals 624 48,029 20,300 $52,009.89 65,813 $.78

Notes of Progress

By E. R. Palmer

Our joy and courage are rising higher every month as the reports come in from the field showing the splendid progress of the work of our canvassers. Take another glance at the summaries for the present year, and note what excellent advancement has been made. They are as follows:— January .......... $21,398.47 February .......... 15,285.74 March ............ 17,995.43 April ............ 23,699.79 May .............. 36,791.90 June ............. 46,298.38 July ............. 52,009.89
As we look over the reports of our canvassers from all parts of the world, we feel sure that there has never been a time in the history of our work when our agents have put in such full time and sold so many books each week. In many letters received recently we have found expressions similar to this: “There seems to be an apprehension on the part of the people that the end of all things is near, and when we present our books to them and mention the signs of the times, they seem more impressed than they did years ago, and more readily buy the books.”
There is another most interesting reason why we are selling many books this season. There has been a decided movement in all our schools. Many students have gone into the field to work for scholarships, and they have indeed worked with a will. The reports from these students indicate that nearly all have been successful in securing scholarships. We trust that this success will lay the foundation for a great work among our young people. We naturally look to them for stalwart, earnest work from house to house. God can do great things through the strength of youth if that strength is consecrated to him.
In the strenuous days of the great Reformation of the sixteenth century, young men from the schools of Europe acted an important part in carrying the message from house to house. Near the close of one school year Luther and Melanchthon trained a company of forty young men to go to Switzerland and distribute tracts and books from house to house. Zwingle was so pleased with their work that he wrote enthusiastically to Luther concerning it, and said: “O, if we only had a hundred instead of forty such young men, we could set Switzerland on fire!”
Not long ago the Review and Herald Office was burned to the ground. Now the Pacific Press factory lies in ashes. But from the ashes of the Review and Herald has sprung up another smaller office, devoted wholly to the work of the third angel’s message, which is a more efficient factor than the other for spreading this truth. During the past few days a large council has been held in Mountain View to consider plans for the future of the Pacific Press. These plans indicate that from the ashes of these ruins will soon spring up another office, smaller indeed, and with less facilities, but devoted wholly to the message. We are confident that this new office will also be a more powerful factor in publishing the truth than the one that was burned.
At the Pacific Press council the Lord spoke to the stockholders through his servant, Sister White, in no uncertain terms concerning the work of our publishing houses. Among many earnest words were the following: “From the light given me the commercial work has been a curse to our printing-offices from the time it was first introduced.” “All commercialism should be swept out of our institutions. And the workers should strip for the race, and prepare for the battle.” This is a glorious message, and so much in harmony with God’s providences during the past few years that we greatly rejoice in the prosperity of a publishing work in the near future, free from all commercialism, perfect in its unity, and beautiful and strong in the oneness of its work.
What an encouragement it is, at the very time when our printing facilities have been so greatly reduced, that the field work is marching on with steadily increasing strength and success. “The big end of our work is in the field.” Our printing facilities may be reduced, but they are only a small part of our publishing work. If the field work prospers, we may look with bright hopes to the future.
A general publishers’ convention has been appointed at Takoma Park, Washington, D. C., from October 3 to 10. This promises to be the largest and most important meeting ever held of representatives of our publishing interests. We trust that our people, and especially our agents, will earnestly pray that the work may be unified and greatly advanced by this meeting.
E. R. PALMER, Sec. Gen. Conf. Publishing Dept.

E. A. MERRELL

By E. A. Merrell

Missouri

VERSAILLES.— Our camp-meeting at this place, August 2-12, was well attended by our own people, and by those not of our faith. After the camp-meeting I remained to hold a tent-meeting. Brother Miller and Sisters Hough and Warnock remained to assist in the work, and a few others stayed a few days only, to help in the singing, and in awakening an interest.
The attendance has been good, and the people are deeply interested. We are in the midst of the Sabbath question, and some seem to be deciding for the truth of God.
One minister has been preaching against the truth for three Sundays, and last Sunday he said that a man could “keep every one of the ten commandments and go to hell.” This rather startled some of his own members, and some of them attend our services even on prayer-meeting evening.
I have been loath to hold a tent-meeting after a camp-meeting as the people are usually so prejudiced they will not attend, and I believe there is a reason for it. As I expected to remain here, I requested that the change of the Sabbath and the United States in prophecy be not presented. Elder Porter spoke one evening of the Sabbath and First-day texts, and the subject of religious liberty was also presented in evening services, but these did not prejudice the people. They have come out to hear the truth from the beginning, and we have brought them up to these great subjects gradually, giving them time for consideration as we went along, and as a result, they are still deeply interested.
One of our leading ministers has written me asking if the camp-meeting proved to be an entering wedge so large that nothing more was wanted. I have seen many meetings where it seemed there should be a good interest after them, but no interest was manifested; and I believe that although the Testimonies say we should present the Sabbath at our camp-meetings, it is not wise to present the strong points of doctrine, which always arouse prejudice, until the subjects can be presented from the beginning in the regular course of the tent-meeting, so the people can have time to consider them as they go along, and have some one visit them to help them.
We are of good courage in the Lord and in the final triumph of the message. Remember us in your prayers.

E. A. MERRELL

Alabama

By W. J. Blake

HUNTSVILLE.—Believing that the readers of the REVIEW will be glad to learn of the progress of the Oakwood church, which is very largely composed of the students of the Oakwood Manual Training-school, we are glad to note some points of interest in connection with this work. We feel that the Lord has especially blessed the efforts put forth for the conversion of our students the past few months. At the present writing only a very few, perhaps four or five, are not Christians, and these, with but one exception, have been with us but a short time.
Some come to us who have never kept the Sabbath, and know nothing of the message. These come at first for only the educational advantages of the institution, but after being with us for a time they begin to realize, both by teaching and by example, that the Lord is soon coming, and that they ought to prepare to meet him. These soon request baptism and church-membership. During the past year twenty-one have been baptized on three different occasions.
Several of our student members have for some time manifested a deep interest in missionary work, such as visiting families, holding Bible readings, selling and loaning books, tracts, and papers. About fifteen hundred of the special Earthquake number of the Signs were sold and given away in the surrounding country and neighboring cities by the members of the church. We believe that much good will result from the sowing of this precious seed. An effort is now being made to interest our neighbors and friends by holding public services once a week in the school chapel, but so far the attendance has been small. It appears that the message must be carried to the homes of the people, for many, and seemingly the majority, are so indifferent to Bible truth that they will not exert themselves sufficiently to attend our meetings, though they seem to be interested when visited at their homes.
We enjoy, each Friday night at the beginning of the Sabbath, a good prayer-meeting, conducted by the different members of the faculty. The weekly meetings, at which all have a chance to pray and hear testimony, are occasions of spiritual refreshing.
The Sabbath-school work is under the direction of Elder F. W. Halladay, as the general superintendent. There are four assistants selected from among the students. These in turn take charge of the Sabbath-school exercises. This plan is working nicely, as it gives a practical experience to several. The usual Sabbath-day services are held each week, and on each Tuesday night the students hold a prayer-meeting, which is conducted by the young people themselves. In addition to these services the young men and women assemble at different hours each Sabbath afternoon for Bible and mission study.
A portion of the membership of our church is made up of individuals who were once students, but have left the school. We know that many of these young people as they go out from the school among those who have no interest in the message or in health reform, experience many severe temptations. But we are glad that the Lord is able to guide all such. Of course they need the encouragement and prayers of the church. We try to help them by frequently writing personal letters to all as far as we know their addresses. However, there are some whose whereabouts we do not know, owing to their frequent change of location and their failure to inform us of such changes. We hope that if any such members should chance to read these lines, they will write us immediately. We receive many encouraging letters from absent members each quarter, but wish to hear from all.
In conclusion, we will say that our church is of good courage, and we believe there is a great work and bright days ahead of us if all remain loyal and faithful to the message.
W. J. BLAKE.

Western Pennsylvania

By W. F. SCHWARTZ

HOLLIDAYSBURG.—The tent that was shipped from Clearfield was pitched at Duncansville, August 20, and meeting opened Wednesday, the twenty-second, with a small attendance, but it grew larger each night, until a week ago last Sunday night we had an overflow meeting, every seat in the tent being taken, and many standing on the outside. Brother J. E. Veach was to have assisted me in this effort, but he was detained by other duties. Brother R. H. Wiper, of Clearfield, came over and preached three sermons, which were highly appreciated by this people. The president, Elder C. F. McVagh, also made a visit of a few days, and spoke on the millennium and the United States in prophecy. Outside of this help, I had Brother J. S. Glunt to look after the tent and to assist in the singing. Last week I gave the testing truth of the Sabbath to a well-filled tent each night. Two nights a Catholic gentleman opposed me on the law and the Sabbath, but as time was taken to answer all his questions, he is now stating that we are right in what we say upon these subjects. There is power in truth, and it always triumphs.
A week ago last Sabbath, September 15, we held our first Sabbath-school in the tent. Thirty-five were present, five of these being our own people. And last Sabbath, the twenty-second, we had forty-seven present, three of these being our own people. How many will finally give themselves to the Lord we can not say. The tent will stand until October 1. The Sabbath truth has not cut off the interest, as the people have expected to hear this subject from the first.
We trust we shall have your prayers in this good work, and that God will finally reveal a number of precious souls to walk with him. We hope to have a baptismal service soon.
W. F. SCHWARTZ.

Progress at Oakwood Manual Training-School

By O. R. Staines

As we come near the time for the annual collection in behalf of the colored work, our minds naturally turn back to the offerings made by our people last year. We wish all could realize how much their sacrifices were appreciated by our colored people, and by those who are engaged in this branch of the Lord's work.
We feel that you should know something as to what has been accomplished with that part of the last collection coming directly to this school. Previously to last year nothing had been paid on the teachers' salaries by the school itself. But this collection enabled us to pay about one thousand dollars on these salaries that year, though largely in supplies. The present year the school is furnishing about fifteen hundred dollars in supplies for the same purpose. Aside from these items the two teachers' cottages have been completed; a new tool house, and a shed for our young cattle, have been built; a much-needed cistern has been put in at one of the cottages; both cottages have been equipped with eaves-troughing and piping, and extensive repairs have been made in the troughing of the older buildings. This summer, as a result of this collection and some additional funds, the basement of our study hall has been cemented, a seven-hundred-foot sewer laid, and neat bathrooms have been installed. Many other small, but very necessary improvements about the buildings and farm have also been made.
On the farm this year we have been attempting to carry out the instruction of the spirit of prophecy in raising more garden produce and less cotton. The Lord has seen fit to bless our efforts in heeding his instruction, and already about five hundred dollars' worth of garden produce has been marketed. We have also canned about sixteen hundred quarts of fruit this summer. We have about twelve acres of peanuts, with prospects for a good yield for this section.
We have endeavored by God's help to use the strictest economy in the expenditure of the funds that have come to us, and those who have visited the school often enough to be familiar with conditions and the improvements have repeatedly testified to the substantial progress made for the outlay involved. To the Lord be all the praise for whatever degree of success has attended our work as a faculty.
Our school opened Wednesday, September 19, and though our attendance is not yet large, the spiritual atmosphere is excellent; those who are here are manifesting much interest in the work, and we have assurances that others will be with us in the immediate future. Aside from our regular intellectual work, classes in the following manual training lines have been organized: blacksmithing, carpentry, broom-making, agriculture, poultry raising, dairying, bee culture, horticulture, carpet weaving, cooking, plain sewing, and dressmaking.
The prospects for the future are from many standpoints more encouraging than at any time in the past two years. We who are daily brought to face the needs of this great work are praying God that he will put it into your hearts not only to give as liberally as you did one year ago, but as much more generously as the necessities of the work and the shortness of time would indicate.
O. R. Staines, Business Manager.

A Sabbath at Caterham, England

By M. E. Olsen

AFTER an absence of nearly a year I had the pleasure of spending a recent Sabbath at the Caterham Sanitarium, and it occurred to me that the readers of the REVIEW, many of whom have contributed toward the purchase of this institution, might be interested in a brief account of the visit.
I arrived there Friday evening a little after sundown. They had had their evening worship in the parlor, attended quite fully by helpers and patients, and the helpers had all assembled in their own little chapel for the evening Testimony study. There were just eighteen of us, including a brother who is engaged in traveling for our food company, and one of our own people who is a patient. Every helper in the building, as far as I am aware, with the exception of one who had to remain in the office to answer the bell, was present. We had a precious prayer season together, in which all took part. This was followed by a brief study conducted by the superintendent, based upon the chapter on the “Extension of the Work in Foreign Fields,” in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI. It was cheering to note the hearty response which came from the workers present.
I looked about me and saw a number of faces with whom I was familiar, and others who had come in more recently. We have workers there from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, also from Germany, Switzerland, and America; so it makes quite a representative family.
The study was on missionary work. Much was said in reference to the progress of the work in foreign fields, and the thought was impressed that the time might soon come when some workers who had received a training at Caterham would be sent to those needy fields. It was good to look about on the earnest faces, and feel that they would all be willing to go if they were called.
Sabbath morning at worship I met a Mr. Owen, a leading clergyman of Wales who is an intimate friend of Evan Roberts, the young evangelist who was chiefly instrumental in bringing about the Welsh revival; also another clergyman who is pastor of a Congregational church in London, the manager of a large temperance publishing company; and other interesting people.
The Sabbath-school was held in the gymnasium, and was attended by the helpers, and quite largely by the patients. It was conducted by Elder Ritchie, who happened to be there at the time as a patient. A very interesting hour was spent in the study of the lesson.
Truly the Lord is using our little institution at Caterham to bring us in touch with earnest and efficient people in this kingdom, many of whom we might not be able to reach so well in any other way. The outlook is encouraging for a much larger work. We feel deeply grateful to our brethren in America for helping us to get this institution started, and feel confident that in God's hands it will not prove in vain. We desire the continued prayers of the friends of the work that it may be so conducted as to accomplish the greatest possible amount of good.
M. E. OLSEN.

Progress in Mississippi

By W. H. Sebastian

We came to Natchez July 25, pitched our tent August 1, and began our meeting on the second. The interest has been very good, and the Lord has given us eleven dear souls. We now have in all twenty-one Sabbath-keepers and five children. Many others are interested and desire to unite with us.
We greatly need a building, as the weather will soon be too cold to hold meetings in our tent. If our dear brethren and sisters will co-operate with us, we believe a good work could be accomplished here in the near future. The Lord has opened the work here, and all should join hands and help. The Lord has promised to go before us to open the way, so he wants his people to follow and take up the work that he has left them to do.
Our Sabbath-school will soon be one month old. Among the believers here are four teachers. One of these and another young lady desire to enter one of our schools.
We have good prospects for a church and school. In the north part of the city, on a car line, there is a frame church building, with seating capacity for two hundred persons, and parsonage of four rooms in the rear, owned by the Episcopal Church. This place is for sale. They want twelve hundred dollars for the whole. Lots near the tent are selling for from four hundred to four hundred and fifty dollars each. Will you help us in some way to secure a building for this people? Send remittances to L. V. Crawford, Box 29, Vicksburg, Miss.
W. H. SEBASTIAN.
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