Earlier text: The German Union ConferenceTHERE are quite a few interested among the Samoans, and several have remarked to me that if our teachings did not prohibit tobacco and pork, they would like to join our church. But there is too much religion like that already in Samoa. It is surprising how externally religious the natives are. They never fail to have their morning and evening worship, and they always return thanks at meals. Even the criminals who work for the government can be heard singing and saying their evening and morning prayers, while locked up in their prison cells. My heart would be made glad if some experiences could be reported similar to those in the early missionary history in these islands, when the Spirit of God convicted the poor sinners in Samoa, and men could be seen and heard a little way from the roads, pleading with God, and his Spirit seemed to drive some of them into the woods, where they would stay so long that their friends would become anxious and begin searching for them. Meetings would be held at night, and they never seemed to grow weary of talking to one another of the love of God, and how unworthy they were. The missionaries here at that time had never seen such manifestations before. God has promised the latter rain, and I hope the time will soon come when sinners shall be converted to God, and his Spirit will be manifested in godly sorrow for sin. Pray for the work in this field. I enclose a tract, which is my first19 effort at printing. In the first part of the tract are the texts that treat of the character and work of God and his Son; the second part treats of the gospel of Christ; and the third part consists of the same matter found in the tract “The Two Ways,” from Apples of Gold Library. You do not know how happy I am that I have the press, and that God is helping me to understand the running of it. With his blessing, I believe a good work may be done in Samoa, and the Lord will help me to redeem some of the years which I spent away from this field. I am looking forward to the arrival of the doctors, so that I shall be released from the responsibility of the institution and its work, and can devote my whole time to evangelistic work.
W. A. FLODING. Central America
By A. J. Hetherington
COXEN HOLE, RUATAN.—Our hearts are cheered as we hear how the Lord is directing in the work, and is leading some of his people to enter mission fields. It is one of the sure evidences, to my mind, that the message will soon reach earth's remotest bounds. The Lord has certainly directed in the matter of the move of the General Conference offices out of Battle Creek. It encourages us who are at the outposts, to see how confidently those who are at the head of the work lean upon God for guidance in following out his directions. I am sure this will inspire confidence in all parts of the field. By no means must the forward move slacken. Our general meeting was a success in many ways. The Lord came near, and several took their stand for the truth. We need more ministerial help in this field, to relieve Brother Goodrich of part of his burdens. The calls for the message come from every quarter, and he can not begin to answer them, although he labors faithfully, joyfully, and uncomplainingly. The battle here is onward. The Lord is good, and we have much for which to be thankful. The openings for medical missionary work seem to be quite favorable in many ways. A. J. HETHERINGTON, M. D. Western Camp-Meetings
By J. S. Washburn
My last report was written Thursday, August 6, on the camp-ground at Peru, Ind. As stated in that report, Elder Daniells and Elder Underwood had gone that day to the Ohio camp-meeting. Brother P. T. Magan, of Berrien Springs, and Dr. John F. Morse, representing the Battle Creek Sanitarium, were present, and took an active part during the last days of the meeting. Sabbath forenoon after a sermon by Elder J. M. Rees, on the time and the message of Elijah, those who desired to surrender all were invited forward. The Spirit of the Lord was present in power, and many made the great decision which we trust will be eternal. It was a good day for Indiana. The importance of obeying the voice of God as heard in the spirit of prophecy during the sounding of the last great message, amid the terrible perils of the last days, was the subject of a discourse by the writer in the afternoon. The wonderful leadings of the Spirit of God in the removal of our headquarters to Washington, and the solemn warnings against calling our young people to Battle Creek, were emphasized. Later Testimonies have most strongly confirmed the necessity of the stand taken then, though at the time not fully understood by all present. A remarkable praise meeting followed, which it seemed impossible to close until dark. The Spirit of God was present, and many praised him for his direct guidance, as of old by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, and for his clear warnings of peril and danger. On Sunday thirty were baptized. Two very pointed sermons on the Sabbath question were preached on Sunday afternoon and evening. There was a very large outside attendance, and an unusual interest was manifested. Elder Smith Sharp was present, and made an appeal for the South. Over two hundred dollars was raised for this purpose, and about five hundred dollars for the Boggstown industrial school. The attendance of our people on the last Sabbath and Sunday was almost double that of the first part of the meeting. From Wednesday, August 12, till Monday, August 17, I was at the camp-meeting in Oshkosh, Wis. This meeting has been reported in the REVIEW. The location of this camp-ground, as in Indiana, was good. A special interest was manifested here on the great truth that Christ is really coming in this generation, and that none of the brethren and sisters present were too old to live to see that glorious event. I know of nothing more pathetic or cheering than the joy and the courage that come into the hearts and are manifest in the faces of the aged veterans of the message at the preaching of the actual nearness of the coming of Christ. The blessed truth of the second advent of our Lord is fresher, newer each day as we see the great day approaching. There is a large number of young people in Wisconsin who we trust will soon find a place in the Lord’s work as ministers, Bible workers, or canvassers. The large foreign population in Wisconsin ought to make it a great missionary center from which to reach all lands represented by the different nationalities in the State. From August 18 to 27 my work was in Colorado, speaking to the churches of Denver and Boulder, on the recent guidance of the Lord in the move to Washington. I was present five days at the Salida camp-meeting. This camp-ground was in a narrow valley, surrounded by some of the highest mountains of the great Rocky Range. Marshall Pass was in sight, and the Great Divide, where one stream flows east, another west. The attendance of our people was not quite so large as it was when the camp-meeting was held in the eastern part of the State. But this meeting was a real success. Elder Loughborough was present, apparently younger and fresher than for many years. His talks on the power and spirit of the message years ago were most cheering and deeply interesting. After a sermon by Elder E. T. Russell on Sabbath forenoon, there was a most unusual manifestation of the power of the Spirit of God. There was more than a shower; there was an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It seemed as if the great reservoir of divine life was ready to burst in a great flood upon the Lord’s people. I arrived at the Kansas camp-ground at Newton with Elder Loughborough and Elder L. A. Hoopes, on Friday, August 28, and remained through the entire meeting, until Monday, September 7. This was the largest camp-meeting I attended during the summer. Over eleven hundred of our people were present, and there was a large outside attendance, and deep interest was manifested. The people of the town seemed most friendly. Elder Luther Warren spoke in the Presbyterian church the first Sunday, and I spoke in the Baptist church. I also spoke by invitation to the Y. M. C. A., on the last Sunday afternoon. Elder Loughborough’s message was received with earnest attention, and all seemed to be deeply interested in the preaching of the great truths of the coming of Christ, the signs of the end, the Eastern question, and the Sabbath question. Drs. Droll and Paulson were present during the latter part of the meeting, and Dr. Kellogg spoke three times the last Sunday afternoon. There is a very large number of intelligent young people in Kansas, and from this State, as we have said in regard to Wisconsin, there ought to be sent out a large number of ministers, Bible workers, canvassers, and Seventh-day Adventist medical missionaries. September 8-14 I was in attendance at the Nebraska camp-meeting at Grand Island. The attendance of our people was not quite so large as in Kansas, but there was a good spirit in the meeting. The weather was somewhat cold and stormy at the last, which prevented a large outside attendance. I was glad to meet the president of this conference, Elder A. T. Robinson, whom I had not met since the winter of 1891-92, in London, on his way to South Africa. A large number of General Conference laborers were present at this meeting, among them being Elder W. C. White, whose counsel was timely and helpful. He left Thursday, September 10, for California. The counsel and warnings of Elder Loughborough, especially on the last Sabbath of the meeting, were deeply appreciated. The stirring discourse by Elder Henry Schultz on the Eastern question Sunday afternoon, will not be forgotten by any present. In all these five camp-meetings there was a deep, a thrilling interest manifested in the marvelous providences and guidance of God in the removal of our denominational headquarters to Washington, D. C. All seemed to realize that as of old the Lord was guiding his people to a safe and sure habitation, and that this step was a step upward and onward into the light. In all these States, substantial evidence was given of the interest all felt in this great move. In Indiana over $800 was subscribed to help establish the work in Washington, in Wisconsin over $600, in Colorado about $600, in Kansas about $1,400, and in Nebraska $500,—fully $4,000 in all,—and we know that this is but a beginning, and that all through this country our loyal people will rally as one man to plant the banner of truth at the capital of the United States. We shall never forget the thrill of joy and hope that was felt as the clear, direct leadings of God were recounted, and we are certain that the faith of many, yes, all, was greatly strengthened and confirmed in the Testimonies of the spirit of prophecy as manifested in the remnant church. The writer will remember always the deep interest manifested by the German brethren in Kansas in this move, and, in fact, by all the brethren at every camp-meeting. Truly,— “The Pillar of cloud is rising;
Behold what a glorious sight!
It leads to the land of promise.
Awake! O ye children of light!
The trump of God is calling
The wilderness-marching host
Away from the desert sinful;
Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”
Washington, D. C., and Battle Creek
By R. C. Porter
It was my privilege to be present at the council, and to look over the grounds selected for our institutions in Washington. The Testimonies giving instruction about the location of the various institutions had been carefully studied; and the selection of a location for each was made as nearly as possible in harmony with the instruction given. The soil is not so fertile in this vicinity as in some places; but it is well adapted to fruit raising. The site at Takoma Park for a sanitarium and a school building is on the banks of a beautiful stream. It is high, and as healthful as can be found in the vicinity of Washington. The price was also very reasonable. The location for the General Conference offices and the Review and Herald building, just inside the District of Columbia, is nicely elevated. It lies near the railway station, and is connected by street car with the city of Washington. Its surroundings are quiet, and of a20 rural nature. I was convinced of the importance of the removal of the Review and Herald and General Conference headquarters as I saw the impression it made upon the people of that city, and the welcome extended by the business men with whom we came in touch. If our work is now established upon the right basis, I am sure we shall have reason to be grateful to God for his counsel that directed our steps in locating at Washington. I am confident that our people throughout the denomination will be glad to join in the effort to establish the work in this place free from debt. The time is near when we can neither buy nor sell except we have the mark of the beast. The Lord is now proving his people with financial prosperity; but his calls for his work indicate his pleasure in the use of our means. Shall we be wise in the use of earth’s treasures? On my way from Washington I spent the Sabbath in Battle Creek. This was my first visit to this city since the fires. I could but feel sad as I looked upon the ruins of the great central publishing house of the denomination. This place from which for years the light had gone forth to all parts of the earth is now a silent testimony of our departure from the Lord’s plans for his work and his kindly judgments of correction. The new Sanitarium which occupies the place where the former building was destroyed in testimony of God’s displeasure, stands with the opportunity of shedding the glorious light of the message throughout the world, if those in charge will be instructed by the counsel given of the Lord. I was pleased to note on Sabbath evening that all business ceased before sunset, and the Sanitarium family of physicians and nurses, associated with Elder G. C. Tenney, assembled during the evening to study how they could be most instrumental in carrying the third angel’s message to the world in this generation. The decided keynote of the meeting was that under Christ “we can do it if we will.” The prevailing sentiment was that they stood surrendered for service in any part of the world where the Lord could best use them for the proclamation of the message. On Sabbath forenoon about four hundred of the Sanitarium family and patients gathered for worship in the gymnasium. I was pleased to see a goodly number of patients uniting with the family of workers, eagerly studying the truths that make us a distinctive people. Elder Tenney told me of one lady who had just accepted the faith, and said that enough had accepted the message within the past six months to form a good little church if they were all together. On Sabbath afternoon, in company with Elders Tenney and Jones, I attended a meeting with the heads of departments. They had come together to study the recent Testimonies with reference to the medical missionary work. The interest manifested in the study of these Testimonies gave me assurance that these brethren and sisters wish to follow the instruction the Lord is giving in order that the medical missionary work may be placed upon the right basis, and accomplish all that the Lord designs in the spread of the message. This visit has given me fresh reason to hope that soon all departments of our work shall glow with the brightness of the third angel’s message. A united people, “fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners,” will then go forth to victory. R. C. PORTER. In the time of the apostles a cry came to them from Macedonia, “Come over . . . and help us.” We also read, “Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.” There are about eight millions of Ethiopian descendants in the South, and from many, many places the Macedonian cry is coming, “Come over . . . and help us.” In every place where we have labored, there were people who were crying to God for light. They realized that their churches could not be right with God, and they felt that unless they had help, they would perish. A work for these people has been undertaken in a few places, but how inadequate this has been! Shall we not quicken our pace and bring the light of God’s truth for our times to the thousands who are hungering for it? For several years the Southern Missionary Society has been engaged in this work, largely in Mississippi. It has six mission schools in operation in that State. Last year as a result of this work about fifty were brought into the truth, and a vast amount of other good was done in educational and Christian Help work. This is laying the foundation for more important results in the future. At the last General Conference a sum amounting to nearly fifty dollars a week was voted to assist this work. From that time donations to the Society practically ceased. But the Society has on its pay-roll ten teachers, and has for years supported three and sometimes four ordained ministers. It can be readily seen that the appropriation of fifty dollars a week must fall far short of meeting the present expenses, to say nothing of the numerous calls from new places. A little help has come from book sales, etc., and we have so far kept free from debt to the laborers, but some permanent, reliable aid must come soon if advance work is undertaken, or even the present work maintained. About a year ago a little book for children was issued, entitled “The Story of Joseph.” The author, realizing the great need of aid for the colored work, dedicated this book to this work, as “Christ’s Object Lessons” had been dedicated to the school work. An effort was at once made to introduce the book among our people according to this plan. A few thousand were soon sold, at a time when the treasury of the Society was very low, and this alone enabled the Society to go on with its work. Two ways of helping this book plan are now open: first, donations to pay the first cost of printing and binding the books, as has been and is still being done for “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Who will help in this, so that the total receipts from sales can be used in the work? Since the writing of this article was begun, a donation of twenty-five dollars has been made in the office of the Society, to start the list. All donations will be promptly reported from time to time. Second, let our people everywhere, especially the women and children, take up the sale of this book on a purely missionary basis, giving their time and all the proceeds of their sales to the work of bringing light to the colored people. This plan was fully indorsed by the Southern Union Conference Committee, and this indorsement was ratified by the General Conference of last spring, hence none need hesitate in undertaking it. The book is printed in three colors, and is very attractive to the children. The missionary edition is bound in board covers, and sells at the low price of twenty-five cents. From many localities the word has come that “it is the easiest-selling book ever put upon the market.” Many of the State tract societies already have a supply of the book, and are handling it on a missionary basis. Send orders and remittances for books and donations to the book fund to Southern Missionary Society, Nashville, Tenn., Station “K.” If your State tract society has a stock of the books, your order will be forwarded for it to fill. SOUTHERN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Washington (D. C.) Memorial Church
By J. S. Washburn
THE anniversary of the purchase of our church passed, leaving about four hundred dollars still due. The debt now stands at $31; but money is coming in quite rapidly, and we hope all will be paid within the next few days. One interesting feature of the work of paying for this first “memorial for God” in the capital city has been the large number of aged veterans in the work who have sent in contributions. Among these are a sister of eighty years of age, the widow of one of the ministers who first used tents in our ministerial work, old soldiers in soldiers’ homes, inmates of the Battle Creek home for old people, and many others. Some have sent quite large contributions, making real sacrifices in order to do so. Among these there seems to be a general belief that the move to Washington of the headquarters of our work means that the end of the journey is in sight. Is there anything more pathetic than the joy that moistens and brightens the weary eyes so long strained to behold the eternal day’s dawn,—the joy that has thrilled every loyal believer in the message because of the marvelous leadings of God during the last few months in this great step,—the joy of the soldier who sees through the conflict certain victory,—the joy of the traveler who sees beyond the breakers the headlands of home? Whence this universal thrill of joy that has pulsed through the ranks of Seventh-day Adventists?—It is of God—the touch of the Spirit, which is the earnest, the foretaste, of the purchased possession, the blessed land of eternal light. I shall never forget the many touching letters from those who have truly given the “widow’s two mites.” A tiny parcel containing nineteen cents, dated October 30, had enclosed these words: “I am a poor man, and have not much money, but I read the Testimony, and wished to have that blessing for my own, so I send every cent I have at the present time, every cent I can get. God21 bless you and the work. You need not reply, as it will cost a stamp, and God knows it.” Surely those who thus sacrifice will not lose their reward. After the church is free from debt, and the expense of the baptistery, alterations, etc., is met, as explained in the last REVIEW, in a manner satisfactory to the General Conference officers located here, the surplus will be turned at once into the fund for establishing institutions located here, so nothing will be lost. If the Lord should move on some one to send one thousand dollars, the remainder above the needs of the Memorial church would be used at once to help build a lighthouse here from which the light would shine out to all the world. A sure foothold would be given to the workers here, that with strong hand and sure aim the life-line might be thrown out to perishing souls, even to the ends of the earth. The church is not simply receiving; it has given largely, and some have not yet fully recovered from the effort made at the first, and more will yet be given by the local church, which is deeply grateful to God and to the many friends who have helped establish this monument of the third angel’s message in the nation’s capital. Below is given a partial list of donations sent directly to the writer, and not previously reported in the REVIEW:—
Previously reported ............ $4,854 22
Mrs. D. B. Foster .............. 2 00
Mr. & Mrs. S. J. Hersum ........ 1 00
Alonzo J. Huntington ........... 1 00
Willa Grant .................... 1 00
Cora Andrews Webber ............ 1 00
J. E. Huffman .................. 1 00
Mrs. Amos Fish ................ 1 00
Margaret Wilson ............... 1 00
Mrs. Susan Johnson ............ 50
Mrs. E. M. Stone ............... 1 00
Ann M. Johnson ................ 5 00
Mrs. C. P. Wood ............... 50
Mrs. A. Fetter ................ 1 00
R. C. Spohr ................... 2 50
R. W. Province ................ 2 00
Mrs. Bessie Anderson .......... 25
W. E. Arnett .................. 5 00
Mrs. D. Sterling .............. 1 00
Mrs. J. W. Arnold ............. 1 00
C. E. Tift .................... 1 00
Thomas Bickele ................ 1 00
Melissa Cookendorfer .......... 1 00
A. E. Smith ................... 2 00
Bettie Osgood ................ 1 00
A friend ...................... 19
Mrs. S. D. Curby .............. 2 00
Nina L. Edgerton .............. 5 00
Knoxville (Iowa) church ....... 4 45
Octavia Bowman ............... 2 00
A. R. Hiatt .................. 10 00
Mrs. M. C. Crawford ........... 5 00
Uretta M. McEwen ............. 10 00
W. E. A. Aul ................. 10 00
G. W. Edwards ................ 10 00
Henry Ferris ................ 20 00
T. E. Bowen, treasurer ....... 21 85
Johnstown (Pa.) church ........ 24 00
H. W. Saxby & friends ......... 15 00
A. D. Benton & friends ........ 13 00
Woodburn (Iowa) church, per
Jacob Shively ................. 14 75
H. C. Matthews & friends ...... 13 00
T. S. Whitelock & friends ..... 13 00
College View church ........... 37 10
Hattie Adams .................. 25 00
New York Tract Society ........ 69 45
Total reported ............ $5,214 67 J. S. WASHBURN.
1728 14th St., N. W., Washington,
D. C. FIVE were baptized at the recent quarterly meeting at Calhan, Colo. A SMALL industrial school was opened October 14, near Vancouver, British Columbia. AT the October quarterly meeting at Shelby, Mich., two believers united with the church. FOUR persons were recently baptized and united with the church at Conneaut, Ohio. TWO have recently been baptized, and have united with the church at Idaho Springs, Colo. OCTOBER 10 a Sabbath-school was organized at Rocky Ford, Colo., with eleven members. NEW treatment rooms have just opened up in Whatcom, Wash., with Brother and Sister J. S. Emmerson in charge. ELDER H. L. HOOVER reports the organization of a Sabbath-school at Estancia, N. M., of fifteen members. AS the result of a tent-meeting at El Reno, O. T., conducted by Brother C. Sorenson, ten have accepted the present truth. ABOUT one hundred students were present at the opening of Walla Walla College, at College Place, Wash. This does not include the primary department. TWELVE new Sabbath-keepers are reported as the result of a tent-meeting at Kalama, Wash., conducted by Brother W. F. Martin. A CHURCH building will be erected at once, and a church will soon be organized at Palisades, Colo. Preparations are also being made to build a place of worship at Cedaredge, in the same State. AS the direct fruit of a series of meetings conducted at Aberdeen and Hoquiam, Wash., by Brother J. H. Watson, fifteen were baptized. Others have identified themselves with God’s commandment-keeping people, and the churches have been much strengthened.22 THE young people of the Missouri Conference have been called to meet at a convention at Kansas City, November 27-30. It is expected that Brethren Luther Warren and H. H. Hall will attend this meeting. Keene (Texas) Summer School For Teachers
By Floyd Bralliar
At the request of the Southwestern Union and the Central Union Conferences, I arrived in Keene, Tex., September 15, to assist in their summer school for teachers. This was the first work of this kind ever attempted in the Southwestern Union Conference, and the brethren had not expected a large attendance. However, they were greatly surprised with the enrolment of more than thirty earnest young workers who took hold of their work with a determination to get all they could. This school clearly demonstrated that it does not take a large place or a large number of teachers to make a successful school, but that the one central thing is the presence of the great teacher, the Spirit of God. All took hold, realizing that their only hope was in God, and the work was more than a success, for which we are very grateful. At the close of the school many said they had come expecting a good school, but it had been much better than they had expected. I could not help but feel very grateful for this experience. The Keene Academy is situated at quite a distance from a city, in the little village of Keene, which resembles a rural neighborhood rather than a town. This is as it should be. Surrounded by the things of nature, and away from the bustle and noise of the city, there was nothing to divert the minds of the teachers from the one object for which they had come. All went to take up their work with good courage, and I believe that the church-school work in the Southwest will receive a new impetus as the result of this meeting. The brethren are planning for another such school next summer. One Million Copies
By C. H. Jones
THE announcement that we made a short time ago that a special edition of The Signs of the Times on the subject of Capital and Labor was soon to be issued seems to have touched a responsive chord in the hearts of our people everywhere. Most encouraging letters have been received from conference presidents and others, indorsing the plan and promising hearty co-operation. One million copies seems to be the smallest number named to be circulated, and Nebraska comes first with a definite order for fifteen thousand copies. This order was given when the brethren thought that the paper was to retail at ten cents. Now that it is to be sold at five cents a copy, we trust they will double the order. Elder A. T. Robinson, the president of the conference, has sent a stirring letter to all the churches, calling them to action, and others are taking hold of the work vigorously. In view of this, we have placed an order for paper for one million copies, and we confidently expect they will be called for. The only question in our minds is, Will this be enough? In view of the importance of the question on which this special number treats, and the intense agitation of the subject in all parts of the world, we ought to dispose of two million copies or more. This special number is to contain twenty-four pages, including cover, and will be beautifully illustrated. The retail price is 5 cents a copy. 5 to 24 copies to one address, 4 cents. 25 or more copies to one address, 3 cents. No doubt there are many who would like to have the paper sent directly from the office of publication to friends. For the benefit of such the following offer is made:— Single copies will be mailed directly from the office of publication to lists of names furnished, at the following rates:— 1 to 24 copies, 5 cents per copy 25 to 99 copies, 4 cents per copy 100 or more copies 3½ cents per copy This price includes wrapping, addressing, and postage. The publishers have decided to donate one half of the profits on this special number to the Foreign Mission Board, to carry the gospel to the regions beyond. Papers will be ready to mail not later than November 12. Orders should be sent in at once. Address your State tract society, or Signs of the Times, Oakland, Cal. NOTICE is hereby given that the names of those members of the Ferndale, Cal., church, of whom we can get no knowledge before Jan. 1, 1904, will be dropped from the roll. Please write, addressing Mrs. W. W. Wheeler, Clerk, Waddington, Cal. —An insurrection is in progress in Santo Domingo, West Indies. —Theodor Mommsen, the eminent German historian, died in Berlin, November 1. —Twenty thousand miners in Colorado threaten to go on strike, having received permission to do so from President Mitchell of the mine workers' union. —Striking miners at Bilbao, Spain, blew up several public buildings in that city with dynamite, October 27, and the situation became so serious that martial law was proclaimed. —It seems probable that Japan and Russia have come to an agreement regarding China, by which Russia is to have a free hand in Manchuria in return for a like liberty to Japan in Korea. —Austria and Russia are bringing pressure to bear on Turkey in the matter of reforms in Macedonia, and insist that civilian agents of these two governments shall accompany the Turkish inspector-general through the country to call his attention to the reforms needed, and report to their governments as to whether they are put into effect. —According to Secretary Wilson, of the government Department of Agriculture, it is impossible to exterminate the insect parasite known as “boll weevil,” which is causing great damage to the cotton crop in Texas. Secretary Wilson’s opinion is that this pest is bound to spread across the Sabine and Mississippi Rivers. —Russia has reoccupied Mukden, which had been evacuated shortly before by the Russian forces, with the understanding that the evacuation was to be permanent on the fulfilment by China of certain conditions imposed by the Russian government. Russia claims that China has failed to comply with the stipulated conditions. It is rumored that China is contemplating war with Russia. —The most noteworthy of the results of the recent elections in the United States, is the return of New York City to the control of Tammany. If there was a clean city government under the administration of Mayor Low, then the latest vote is a declaration by the majority of the citizens of the metropolis that they do not want clean government. Unfortunately there is much reason to believe that a “reformed” government is not likely to be popular in the larger cities for any great length of time. —The Isthmus of Panama has seceded from the republic of Colombia, and at present appears to have practically attained its independence. The Colombian government has withdrawn its troops from the Isthmus. Very little fighting has taken place, and the revolution has been practically bloodless. The new republic has been acknowledged by the United States government. The revolution, if successful, will probably do much to hasten the completion of the Panama Canal. It is well known that the secession of Panama was aided, if not directly instigated, in the United States. A large quantity of arms and ammunition was shipped from a Louisiana port about three months ago, and after an unsuccessful attempt to land it on the Colombian coast, it was landed in Porto Rico, and there delivered to the Panama revolutionists. European powers accuse the United States of complicity in the matter, and it is reported that there is much talk in Colombia of war with the United States. A statement issued by Secretary-of-State Hay justifies the action taken by the United States government as being strictly in harmony with treaty obligations between this country and Colombia. Sabbath-School Lesson Notes
By A. T. Robinson
Lesson VI—The Restoration of Israel to Their Own Land
THE divine resources were exhausted in behalf of the Israelitish nation, to enable them to fulfil their mission in the world. Throughout their almost continual rebellion against God, the inspired testimony is, “The Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear. They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the Lord hath given unto you and to your fathers forever and ever.” Jer. 25: 4, 5. “But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy.” 2 Chron. 36: 16. “Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words, behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the Lord, and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof. . . . And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.” Jer. 25: 8, 9, 11. “For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.” Jer. 29: 10. The seventy years expired in B. C. 536, and it was in that very year “that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing.” Ezra 1: 1. That proclamation made the most complete and ample provision that every Jew on the face of the whole earth might have immediately set out on his journey to his own land. Concerning those who lived long distances from Jerusalem, and who might be too poor to make provision for the journey, Cyrus’s decree read as follows: “And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.” Ezra 1: 4. Thus at the end of the seventy years, the Lord, according to his good word of promise, caused that people to return to their own land. It was only their unbelief and disobedience that hindered the full realization of their complete restoration at that time. After seventy-nine years of delay on the part of that people under the provisions of the decree of Artaxerxes, A. D. 457, they were fully restored to their own land. This was forty-two years later than the latest prophetic utterance concerning the return of the Jews. So we see that everything the Lord promised concerning their return to their own land was fulfilled on the Lord’s part. Lesson VII—God’s Promises and Israel’s Failure
AFTER the failure of Israel to fulfil their mission in the world, and the Lord had to send them down to Babylon as captives, he promised them that after the expiration of the seventy years he would visit them, and cause them to return to their own land. After God had made every necessary provision for their return, he bore with their unbelief and murmurings for seventy-nine years before he got them established in the land of Canaan. Then, having again planted them in their own land,—the land of promise,—the Lord gave them two special promises, the fulfilment of which would have been a divine guarantee that the time would come when that nation would fill the whole world, and that the whole earth would have become like that good land which was given them as a sample. One of those promises was that not an enemy in the whole world would be able to stand before them; and the other was that every place upon which their feet should tread should be theirs. Yes, and we might mention another promise, which was that their time should continue forever. The terrible failure on Israel’s part calls forth from the lips of the divine messenger the following mournful words: “But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up to their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels. Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. The haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured forever.” Ps. 81: 11-15. A. T. ROBINSON. An Opportunity to Assist a Very Worthy Enterprise
By N. W. Allee
Our intermediate school at Hazel, Ky., under the efficient management of Prof. C. L. Stone and his wife, is doing excellent work for the young people of our conference who are enjoying23 the privilege of attending. The industrial features are limited, as the institution is quite young. A small printing plant would add greatly to the usefulness of the school. If any of the friends of the cause of education in our Southern field have such an outfit, and would sell it at a reasonable price, or, better still, donate it, a worthy as well as a needy cause would be greatly benefited. Address Prof. C. L. Stone, Hazel, Ky., or the writer at 1025 Jefferson St., Nashville, Tenn.
N. W. ALLEE.