The fourth annual session of the Natal-Transvaal Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held in connection with a most successful camp-meeting, at Pretoria, the capital city of the Transvaal Colony, April 12-22, 1906.
Between eighty and ninety persons were present, including a few welcome visitors from our sister conference in Cape Colony. The camp-ground, with its twenty-one family tents and two large pavilions, surrounded with many trees, was both shady and very picturesque, as the accompanying picture will show.
THE CAMP-GROUND AT PRETORIA, TRANSVAAL COLONY
The weather was perfect throughout the meetings, which enjoyed a fair patronage from the citizens, and much interest was shown in our proceedings.
Assisted by a small mission company, the writer began a series of meetings about six weeks previously, and the camp-meeting came just as we were about to close, with the result that the company of nine who had decided to obey was increased to seventeen, most of whom seem very promising Christians and earnest workers.
Pastor W. S. Hyatt was the only minister besides myself present, and upon us fell the heaviest part of the spiritual work. Brother Hyatt had been traveling prior to these meetings, and came to us with a hard cold, and the writer was greatly fatigued from the heavy work that our small income forces upon him. But the Lord strengthened us both, and we rejoiced daily in the evidences of his blessing that rested upon our work. There was an entire absence of excitement and criticism, and many victories were gained, and we praise the Lord for the spiritual lift he has given us at this meeting.
The business part of the conference occupied but four hours, most of this time being spent in giving instruction along the lines of the resolutions presented, rather than in discussing them.
One church, consisting of twelve members, at Vryheid, the result of the faithful, self-supporting labors of Brother and Sister F. C. Ernst, and Sister C. Birckenstock (wife of a member of the Legislative Council of Natal), was added to the conference, making our number, five companies.
The following officers were chosen by unanimous vote, for the ensuing year: President, Herbert J. Edmed; Vice-President, J. C. Baumann; Secretary and Treasurer, Frank Macdonald (the latter was also elected to fill the office of Secretary and Treasurer of the local tract society); Sabbath-school Secretary, Miss M. E. Robertson; Conference Executive Committee, Pastor H. J. Edmed, Brethren J. C. Baumann, A. Biessner, W. F. Walters, and D. Sparrow.
Ministerial credentials were granted to H. J. Edmed, and ministerial licenses to F. C. Ernst and W. H. Haupt. Missionary licenses were given to Sisters M. E. Robertson, A. Edmed, and A. Strachan, and Brother F. MacDonald; teachers' licenses to Misses Olive Pote and Mary Lawrence; and colporteur's licenses to Sister C. Dixie, and Brethren H. Schmidt, G. Webber, D. Sparrow, and A. Tickton.
The reports showed that during the year about twenty-five members had been added, bringing our membership to about one hundred and fifty. The tithes received amounted to $2,801, the Sabbath-school offerings to missions to $387, the weekly offerings to $262, and the annual offerings to $124. The book sales for the year amounted to $4,201. This item would undoubtedly have been three times as large, had it not been for the loss we sustained in the death of Sister Howard, one of our most successful canvassers, last April. She was accustomed to bringing in from three hundred to four hundred dollars' worth of orders a month. Another very successful canvasser, Brother Spearing, now connected with the work in England, also contracted malarial fever, and had to leave us, thus weakening our canvassing staff very materially. The present worth of the conference was shown to be $1,927, besides holding the title deeds to all the local church property. The present worth of the local tract society is $1,991. Resolutions were passed to thank the Lord for his blessing during the past year; to revive the canvassing work; to continue the Pretoria Mission; to place on record our deep thankfulness to the General Conference for their generous gift of one thousand dollars to our tract society; to send a thoroughly representative delegation to the South African Union Conference meeting next January; to revive the sale of the South African Sentinel; to urge our laity to make a systematic study of the Testimonies of the Lord; to conduct all business on the cash basis; to devote all Sabbath-school offerings to mission purposes, and pay for supplies separately; to make a strong appeal for £150 ($750) to build a much-needed church at Vryheid; to co-operate with the South African Union Conference in establishing Young People's Societies in all our churches; and to continue issuing the local weekly circular letter.
Last, but not least, on the recommendation of Brother W. M. Crothers, we decided to establish a "stamp-collecting department" in our churches, to collect and sell stamps, and give the proceeds toward the work among the Zulus in this field.
After the camp-meeting closed, several workers stayed for a few days' study, and then left for their respective fields. We thank the Lord for the good results of this meeting that we see already, and we pray that grace and strength may be given us to carry the triumphs of the third angel's message into every home and heart in this great world. Our motto in this field is, “The gospel to the world in this generation.” May the Lord make it a living fact, as well as a motto.
HERBERT J. EDMED, President.
WM. SIMPSON
By Wm. Simpson
California
PASADENA.—I have just closed a two months’ effort in this city. The Lord has gone before us in a marked manner, for which I praise him. I had intended at first to erect a large pavilion, but was hindered on account of a very stringent city ordinance, which forbids the erection of any building not made of brick or stone, within certain prescribed territory, which includes the main part of the business section. It seemed for a time that it would be impossible to enter the city with the message. I finally secured a large empty store in the center of the city, and went to considerable expense in fitting it up for a series of meetings. I also secured the largest auditorium in the place for every Sunday evening. I can now see the guiding hand of the Lord in this arrangement, as the weather has been very unfavorable for a tent effort.
Our expenses have been about five hundred dollars, but I am glad to be able17to say that they have been more than met by the collections, and I have taken up only one collection a week. The Lord has doubled every dollar that has been invested. The collection last Sunday evening alone amounted to five hundred and thirty dollars, which would more than pay the expenses of the whole two months’ effort. Truly the glory of the Gentiles (which is their money) has been flowing unto us, as the Lord has promised. Best of all, some of the Gentiles have come along with it. Over forty adults have taken their stand on God’s side, and are rejoicing with us in this precious truth. Thirty-six were baptized and were taken into the Pasadena church last Sabbath. Some have moved to other places, and are witnessing for the truth. Others are awaiting baptism. Many are yet in the valley of decision, and we are praying that God will give them the courage to obey their convictions.
Truly the Lord has poured out such a blessing on the Pasadena church that they are not able to receive it. The church is crowded to its utmost. Plans are now being laid to enlarge their borders. We feel that a great responsibility rests upon the older members of the Pasadena church to care for these lambs of the flock. I am glad that I can leave them all under the care of the Great Shepherd.
I will now take a few days of rest with my family, and then begin another series of meetings in the city of Santa Ana, Cal., the Lord willing; and from there I am planning to work some of the large cities in the northern part of the State. Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may be glorified, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men. As I sense the responsibility resting upon us who know this truth, it almost overwhelms me. I am thoroughly convinced that there is nothing on this earth of so much importance as this message. I thank God from the depth of my soul for a humble part in his cause, and with you dedicate myself with all that I have or ever expect to have in helping to sound the loud cry of the third angel’s message in all the earth in this generation.
WM. SIMPSON
The Minnesota Camp-Meeting
By K. C. Russell
The camp was located between the cities of St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids, in a most delightful grove. The camp was accessible to both of these thriving little towns, and everything seemed to conspire to make it a most desirable place for a camp-meeting.
It was feared that, the meeting being located so far north in the State, there would be but a small attendance of our people, but to the surprise and satisfaction of those in charge, it was the best attended by our people and those not of our faith of any meeting that has been held in this conference for years. Several severe wind- and rain-storms broke over the camp during the session, but this did not prevent the people from attending in large numbers. The soil being sandy, the water occasioned by several rain-storms soaked quickly away.
Besides the local laborers in the conference, there were a number of visiting brethren, among whom were Elders A. G. Daniells and R. A. Underwood, Brethren J. S. James, S. M. Mortenson, L. H. Christian, T. Valentiner, Valentine Leer, and C. J. Kunkel, and Profs. C. C. Lewis, P. T. Magan, and Otto Graf. This large corps of general laborers were able to render valuable assistance to the brethren of many nationalities gathered at this meeting. Elder Daniells's visit, although short, was very much appreciated. Elder Underwood, president of the Northern Union Conference, left for the South Dakota meeting after the first half. Regular meetings were held in the German and Scandinavian languages.
The meetings were very spiritual from the first. On the first Sabbath a large number responded to a call to consecrate themselves to God, and the revival which began then continued with increasing strength until the close of the meeting. The last Sabbath of the meeting was one long to be remembered by those in attendance. It was gratifying to see such a goodly number of young people giving their hearts to God for the first time, and to note that the Spirit of the Lord was revealing to many their sins, and leading them to a full surrender of themselves to his service. In the closing hours of the Sabbath the entire camp went to the beautiful waters of the Mississippi River, where twenty-nine precious souls followed their Lord in baptism. Five others afterward went forward in this ordinance.
The various departments of the work were taken up and considered. The educational work received a large share of the attention of the conference, and was placed upon a firm basis by electing a conference educational secretary who would be permitted to devote his entire time to the development of this important branch of the work. Brother W. W. Ruble was unanimously chosen to fill this responsible position. The Religious Liberty Department was also given its share of attention. One feature of special interest in connection with this phase of the work was a program that was rendered one evening by the students of the Maplewood Academy. The exercises were most impressive, and we believe enlightened the large audience which filled the pavilion to its utmost capacity that evening. We expect that this department of the work will be attended with even greater success in the future in this conference than it has in the past.
An encouraging report was rendered by the president of the conference concerning the work of the past year, showing an increase in tithe of one thousand dollars, and an increase in membership of one hundred Sabbath-keepers. It was voted by the conference to give five hundred dollars to the support of foreign missions. Elder H. S. Shaw was again unanimously elected as president of the conference for the coming year. Brother C. M. Babcock was ordained to the gospel ministry, and other young men were encouraged to enter the work.
We were much gratified to learn that a number who had been attending the meetings from the cities had decided to take their stand to keep the Sabbath as a result of the truth presented. We believe that the coming year will be one of greater success for the cause of present truth in this State than it has ever experienced. Expressions of loyalty to the spirit of prophecy and the message were given by all. Our prayer is that the Lord may greatly bless the people of this conference in maintaining the principles of this message until the “well done” shall be said to each.
K. C. RUSSELL.
The Western Washington Conference
By W. C. Raley
In the meetings of the fifth annual session of the Western Washington Conference, held in connection with the camp-meeting at Puyallup, Wash., May 10-20, 1906, the following business was transacted. Ninety-one delegates were seated, representing twenty-five of the thirty-four churches of the conference.
Two new church organizations, Meadow Glade and Lynden, were represented, and by vote these organizations were accepted and recognized as regular members of the conference. The Meadow Glade church has, as a help in its work, the Meadow Glade Industrial School, which is being established in the southern part of the conference.
For the year beginning May 1, 1906, credentials were granted to E. L. Stewart, W. W. Sharp, W. C. F. Ward, A. J. Stover, H. C. J. Wollekar, T. Godfrey, T. H. Watson, O. E. Davis, J. T. Clark, F. M. Burg, J. A. Holbrook, and Joel C. Rogers. Brother O. E. Davis was ordained on Sabbath, Jan. 27, 1906, and Brother Joel C. Rogers was ordained on the camp-ground, Sabbath, May 26. Ministerial licenses were given to W. J. Boynton and J. E. Van De Mark, and missionary licenses to David Dodge, W. H. Coffin, Jack Johnson, J. A. Bartow, T. J. Linrud, J. H. Wiertz, R. T. Cornell, H. B. Ham, W. C. Raley, Mrs. W. W. Sharp, Miss M. Belle Shryock, Mrs. J. A. Holbrook, and Mrs. L. E. Cox.
Resolutions
Among the resolutions recommended by the committee on plans, and adopted, were the following:—
“That we recognize God’s special care over his work and workers in our conference during the past year, and hereby return thanksgiving to our Lord, and renew our consecration to his service for quickly giving this gospel message to the world.”
“That we express to our brethren of the Pacific Union Conference and the Pacific Press Publishing Company our deepest sympathy in this their hour of calamity and loss, and that we will render whatever financial assistance we are able in this time of perplexity and trial.”
“That we as conference officers, ministers, and people generally, resolve that from this meeting we will renew our efforts in the line of a reviving of the subscription-book work among us, giving special prominence to the sale of such books as ‘Great Controversy,’ ‘Daniel and the Revelation,’ and ‘Heralds of the Morning,’ which contain truths of so much importance to the people just now.”
“That we will endeavor as a people to be more active and vigilant in tract and paper distribution, having this literature near us, that at favorable opportunities we may sow the seeds of truth beside all waters, that in due season fruit may appear for the kingdom.”
“That the executive committee of this conference take into careful consideration the advisability of the conference supplying at reduced rates such papers as The Signs of the Times, Liberty, Life and Health, and possibly our foreign18papers, to our workers who will enter our larger cities and sell the same from door to door among the people.”
“That our ministers and other conference laborers, and also our church elders and librarians, put forth during the coming year earnest efforts to secure from the members of every church in the field subscriptions to our periodicals, especially the REVIEW AND HERALD, Signs of the Times, North Pacific Gleaner, and Life and Health; and we recommend further that each church provide a sufficient fund to supply the REVIEW AND HERALD to such of its members as are not financially able to pay for the paper.”
“Whereas, The holding of Sabbath-school and missionary and also young people’s conventions has in many conferences proved a means of much help in these several lines of work, affording a good opportunity for interchange of thought and for counsel as to plans and means for carrying the work forward successfully; therefore,—
“We recommend, That these conventions be held in the Western Washington Conference during the coming year at such time and place as the executive committee may arrange.”
“Whereas, The Lord has spoken clearly regarding the sacred responsibility of his people to provide Christian education for the children and youth; therefore,—
“Resolved, That we as a conference recognize this sacred trust, and that we pledge ourselves to the support of the educational work among us, financially and otherwise; and we recommend the adoption of such plans by the executive committee in reference to the church-school work, and also our intermediate schools, as will give stability and permanence to both these important phases of the educational interests among us; and also plans looking toward a more satisfactory organization of the same; and in the carrying forward of such plans we pledge all necessary support.”
“That our church-school and intermediate-school teachers be encouraged, by some financial help if found necessary, to attend the institute for teachers which the North Pacific Union Conference is planning to hold at or near Tacoma in August.”
“That immediate steps be taken to open a training-school for Bible workers; that persons having a talent for this work be sought out and encouraged to enter this training-school; and that qualified instructors be employed.”
“That a workers’ institute be held at some convenient time during the winter months for the study of the Bible, the Testimonies, and methods of work; and that all conference laborers and church officers be urged to attend.”
“Whereas, God has greatly blessed our conference in funds since adopting a broad mission policy,—
“We recommend, That this policy be continued, and that we still hold our workers and funds ready for any call from the Mission Board, in consultation with our executive committee.”
“That we donate the missionary boat, the ‘Evangel,’ to the British Columbia Conference, and that Brother David Dodge be permitted to accompany it to that field, as requested by said conference.”
“That this conference take steps to organize and vigorously prosecute the work of religious liberty.”
“That the executive committee select such a person as may be adapted to the work to act as secretary of the religious liberty movement among us, and that as far as practicable each church place this line of work upon a proper person who shall give special attention to its development and prosecution.”
“Whereas, Considerable perplexity arises in our auditing boards with reference to settling the accounts of the wives of our ministers who to a more or less extent accompany their husbands in labor, the board finding it difficult to know where to draw the line on this question without being partial, which it earnestly desires to avoid; therefore,—
“Resolved, That in the cases where wives of our ministers accompany their husbands in labor we do not hereafter grant them a separate wage from their husband’s salary.”
“We would, however, recommend to the auditing board that it carefully take into account when settling with our workers whose wives labor with them, the following considerations: (1) The character and extent of this kind of labor; (2) the cost of railway fare, etc., that the worker is to incur in transportation of his family to his field; (3) the comparative cost of living where the laborer is working, with other fields in the conference; (4) the situation surrounding his family; namely, size of same, demands on the worker in a financial way, and other considerations of a like nature.”
“That we favor a liberal and generous policy in settling with our conference workers, but in the interests of harmony, impartiality, and good feeling, the wage of the husband must hereafter cover the labor of his companion.”
“That we release in favor of the General Conference the note which we hold against it for the sum of twelve hundred dollars.”
“Whereas, We are confronted at the present time with some very grave dangers against which we ought especially to safeguard our young people who are desirous of becoming workers for God, and are seeking a preparation for some line of work in the cause, and who may, without counsel from those who are more mature and whose experience qualifies them to give safe advice at this critical time, come under influences and instruction which will unsettle them in their faith; therefore,—
“Resolved, That we counsel our young people who are contemplating entering sanitariums, restaurants, and other institutions for education and training, to first advise with our ministers, conference officers, and other responsible persons with reference to their plans.”
Officers
Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: President, F. M. Burg; Secretary and Treasurer, W. C. Raley; Educational Secretary, Joel C. Rogers; Executive Committee, F. M. Burg, J. A. Holbrook, J. R. Clark, H. C. J. Wollekar, R. T. Cornell; Board of Directors of the Meadow Glade Industrial School, J. R. Clark, A. J. Stover, A. C. Hardy, James Watson, W. H. Battson; Board of Directors of the Forest Home Industrial Academy, L. I. Stiles, J. E. Van De Mark, W. W. Sharp, E. D. Slossin, E. H. Little.
Financial
During the year ending April 30, 1906, there had been received by the treasurer $16,774.24 tithe, a per capita payment of $13.54, and $5,649.74 donations for the various lines of work at home and abroad. Of the amount of donations received, $4,345.52 was for work outside of the Western Washington Conference, and $3,128.94 of this amount was for work outside of the United States.
The following statement shows some of the receipts for the year in comparison with the receipts for the year ending April 30, 1905:—
1905
1906
Tithe,
$11,961.83
$16,774.24
Annual offerings,
716.83
1,275.74
Weekly offerings,
780.29
762.39
Sabbath-school offerings,
822.31
970.77
Haskell Home offerings
149.23
99.85
Special Mission Board offering
65.75
W. C. RALEY, Secretary.
Recommendations Adopted at the Fourth Annual Session of the Western Oregon Conference
By G. W. Pettit
_Held at Woodburn, Ore., May 31 to June 10_
Whereas, During the past year our conference has been blessed with a good degree of prosperity, and we are surrounded with many evidences of divine favor, therefore,—
Resolved, That we render thanks and the gratitude of our hearts to God for his continual benefits, and we pledge ourselves to renewed earnestness and consecration in his service.
Whereas, The North Pacific Union Conference at its last session held in Portland passed a resolution recommending the holding of ministerial institutes for conference workers and church elders in all the conferences of this union during the winter of 1906, therefore,—
Resolved, That such an institute be held in this conference at some accessible place, and at such time as can be best arranged by the conference committee.
Whereas, The servant of the Lord has spoken frequently about entering new fields, therefore,—
Resolved, That the workers of this conference be encouraged to labor as much as possible in such places this year.
Whereas, About one-half the population of our conference is in the city of Portland and its vicinity, and,—
Whereas, The Testimonies instruct us to enter the large cities with the message, therefore,—
Resolved, That this conference plan to enter the city of Portland with an adequate corps of good laborers as soon as possible. And we further recommend that the executive committee search out consecrated persons to be trained for Bible and missionary work in the cities.
Whereas, God in his providence has established in our midst Portland Sanitarium, an institution where the sick and afflicted may receive rational treatment, and where our young men and women may receive a training in medical missionary work, and,—
Whereas, In harmony with the resolution passed by the Pacific Union Conference held at Portland, Ore., Feb. 15–25, 1906, the control and ownership of the institution has now passed to the19North Pacific Union Conference, therefore,—
Resolved, That we rally unitedly to its support both morally and financially, and encourage our young people who feel a burden for medical missionary work to enter the class of this training-school for a preparation for the work.
Resolved, That we express our appreciation of the services of the founders of this institution, especially Dr. W. R. Simmons, who has labored faithfully in its upbuilding, and would also express our gratitude to the General Conference, which has released from its work Dr. J. E. Froom, to act as medical superintendent of this institution, and gladly welcome Dr. Froom to our midst. And we would also recommend that our people who have money to loan, lend the same at as low a rate of interest as possible.
Whereas, There is all about us a great perishing world who have not as yet heard the truth for this time, and who possibly never may unless it is carried to them through the medium of the printed page in the form of books, tracts, or periodicals, therefore,—
Resolved, That we endeavor to arise to the demands of the hour and encourage the sale of our subscription books as never before (1) by inquiring what God requires at our hands and what he would have us do, and (2) by looking out and encouraging bright, consecrated men and women who feel a burden for the work who may go forth into the already ripened harvest and gather fruit unto eternal life.
Resolved, (1) That our tracts and leaflets shall, during the coming year, have a wider circulation at our hands than ever before, and that we shall endeavor to keep this literature near us, that opportunities for missionary work may be well improved; (2) that the work of circulating the special issues of our English and foreign missionary papers be extended by subscribing for the same in clubs, and also by their sale from house to house; (3) that the North Pacific Gleaner, which has been established as a means of communication between the several conferences, giving reports from the field, items of interest, and matters of general importance to every family in the union conference, be indorsed by our conference; (4) that we will do what we can in its circulation.
Whereas, The Lord in his mercy has abundantly blessed the school work in our conference during the past year in the conversion of many youth, therefore,—
Resolved, That we rally to the support of our schools, and encourage them by our influence and means, and,—
Whereas, Our intermediate schools are in great need of facilities and improvements, therefore,—
Resolved, That this conference shall come to their relief at this time by rendering all the assistance possible, both moral and financial.
Whereas, The General Conference has established a Religious Liberty Bureau for the purpose of looking after the interests of the cause against religious legislation, and,—
Whereas, The union conferences are working in harmony with the General Conference by placing individuals in the field who will devote some time to the study of the question of religious liberty, therefore,—
Resolved, That this conference place in the field some suitable person who shall devote such portion of his time to this work as the interests of the cause demand.
Resolved, That in each church some person be appointed who shall study the question, and be prepared by correspondence and otherwise to keep in touch with the union conference, thus forming a link between the General Conference, the union conference, and individuals in the churches.
Whereas, God has prospered our conference financially to that degree that we have a surplus of funds in the treasury, be it therefore,—
Resolved, That we show our appreciation of his blessings by giving one thousand dollars to the Mission Board to be used in foreign mission work.
G. W. PETTIT, Secretary.
Field Notes
ELDER F. F. PETERSEN recently baptized seven persons at Eau Claire, Wis.
BROTHER R. F. CULPEPPER reports the baptism of three persons at Longview, Tex. The church-membership at that place is now fourteen, and the Sabbath-school has thirty-three members.
AT Streator, Ill., five persons were baptized and joined the church, Sabbath, May 26.
THE work at Albuquerque, N. M., is prospering. Six persons were baptized by Elder James Leland, June 5, and three others united with the company of believers there.
A CHURCH of thirteen members was organized at Quinlan, O. T., May 27, following the baptism of seven of their number by Elder J. R. Bagby. Three more have received baptism since the organization.
BROTHER W. S. LOWRY reports from Paducah, Ky.: “Our meetings at the tent are progressing nicely, and are full of interest. The Sabbath has been presented, and several have decided to obey. We enjoyed the presence of some new Sabbath-keepers at our excellent meeting last Sabbath, June 2. Since then others have decided to obey.”
ELDER E. A. MERRELL reports that on a recent Sabbath in Kansas City, Mo., two persons were baptized and united with the church, two were rebaptized, two joined on profession of faith, and two handed in their names, requesting to be taken into church-membership. Last Sabbath a brother in Sedalia, manager of a grocery store, began the observance of the Sabbath.
OF the tent-meeting in Nashville, Tenn., Elder G. I. Butler writes in The Watchman as follows: “Beginning May 31, the meetings have been in progress up to this writing, June 12. The interest thus far has been much greater than in the meeting last summer, and indeed has been quite encouraging, though not specially remarkable. Through the week the attendance has probably reached ordinarily about one hundred and fifty; Sunday nights nearly twice as many have been present. Last Sunday night the seats would not hold all in attendance. We expect to have more seats very soon. The interest holds up well, and many seem interested.”
PLANS were recently laid by the conference committee to have five tent companies in the field, immediately after the close of Fernando Academy, which will be about the first of June. These companies have been assigned fields of labor as follows: Elder S. N. Haskell, with a large corps of canvassers and Bible workers, at San Bernardino; Elder R. S. Owen and Brother H. J. Hoare, at some beach town near Los Angeles, which will probably be Santa Monica; Elders S. Thurston and S. T. Hare in a large colored community in the suburbs of Los Angeles; Elder G. W. Rine, assisted by Brother E. C. Silsbee as tent master and Bible worker, at Escondido; Elder W. W. Simpson, assisted by Brother and Sister Errington, who recently embraced the truth under Elder Simpson’s labors at San Diego, as Bible workers, to hold a series of meetings in the large pavilion at Santa Ana, the effort probably to be followed by the general camp-meeting for southern California, which will begin about August 9.—Pacific Union Recorder.
Dedication at Chatham, Ontario
By E. K. Slade
It was my privilege to attend the dedicatory services of a neat church building at Chatham, Ontario, June 15-17. A tent effort was conducted in that city a few years ago, resulting in the formation of a small nucleus to which others have been added until there is quite a good company there now. The members of the Chatham church are all of limited means, the most of them being sisters. To raise the money and erect their church building has been a hard struggle from the start, but their efforts were blessed in a marvelous way, so that it was possible to dedicate their chapel practically free from debt.
It will be remembered that Chatham is the place where Brethren Howe and Simpson were made to serve a term in jail for violation of the Dominion Sunday law while engaged in the work there a few years ago. It is a place of much prejudice and marvelous loyalty to Sunday. The establishment of a church with a house of worship in this city greatly encourages the brethren of the Ontario Conference.
Elder A. O. Burrill, president of the Ontario Conference, was present at the dedication. He gives a very encouraging report of the state of the work in Ontario. Especially is their industrial school in a prosperous condition, financially and otherwise. We were much pleased to meet with Elder Isaac Sandborn, who took an active part in the meetings, and spoke several times with much power, giving the definite message with a true ring although he is a man past eighty-four years old. It was a source of great encouragement to hear this veteran laborer in the cause give the distinctive lines of the message with such clearness and power. The dedicatory sermon was based upon the words, “The Lord reigneth.”
E. K. SLADE.
Laurelwood Industrial School
By R. W. Airey
ACCORDING to announcement our school term closed on May 17, with a very interesting and instructive program. Our attendance was much better this year than last, having reached sixty-five for a time. Most of the students did faithful work during the term, and made commendable progress.
Our motto, at the beginning of the term, was “Laurelwood for Christ,” and, glory to his name, during the week of prayer all but one student in the home confessed his sins, and realized that they were forgiven. Many of those dear ones are still faithful, and are enjoying a precious experience in the service of the Lord.
A canvassers’ institute, under the direction of Brethren Phillips and Oberg, was held at the school for a short time before the term closed, and fifteen or sixteen received a training in that work. Immediately at the close of school some of them went to work, and have already taken orders enough to pay for one fourth of a scholarship for next year. Several young men will go into the field this year with the ministers to get a training for future usefulness. To the Lord belongs all the glory.
R. W. AIREY.
Gaston, Ore.
Mt. Ellis Academy
By J. L. Jones
TWENTY acres of fertile land in the beautiful Gallatin Valley of Montana was purchased in the spring of 1905 by the brethren of this State for school purposes. Nestled among the Rocky Mountains, a building of three stories, including the basement, and capable of accommodating twenty persons, was erected for a home. The erection was retarded by unfavorable weather, so that, on the day of opening, November 1, as previously announced, much remained to be done. The students entered heartily into the work of cleaning it for use, and class work began to the sound of hammer, saw, and plane.
Twenty-five were enrolled, fourteen of whom resided in the school home. A vacant church, a few rods from the home, was rented for a school building. The seventh, eighth, and tenth grades were represented.
The Spirit of God was present in a marked manner throughout the year, bringing in a happy, harmonious atmosphere, and a “mind to work” in any line—industrial, literary, or spiritual.
Realizing that the discipline of life and the development of character are obtained more from the faithful performance of the common duties than even in the plying of a trade, and that a knowledge of these is of much importance, we endeavored to make the domestic work and farm chores compensate for the lack of facilities for teaching other kinds of manual labor. A class in domestic science and general culture was conducted once a week by the matron. We were especially gratified by the interest shown in our Sabbath-school and Young People’s Society. The responsibility of these was placed almost entirely upon the students. This gave them a practical training for the duties that must come to them as workers in this great cause.
Having for a number of years been connected with one of our large training-schools as a student and as a teacher, I have been much impressed with the wisdom of the counsel found in Vol. VI of the “Testimonies,” to establish many small schools. The burdens and perplexities incident to school life are reduced to a minimum by such a location as ours.
Our farm is under a good state of cultivation. Vegetables grown here are seldom equaled anywhere for size and flavor. Our expectation is to make the farm of great assistance to us financially. Although our numbers this year were small, we were able to pay all bills promptly, and close free from debt.
