Earlier text: The Helpfulness of HelpingFiji
By Myrtle Griffin Parker
Lomaloma, Lau District.—My heart is full of praise to God for giving me a place in this vineyard. I feel so unworthy. My physical strength is small, but God’s grace sustains me, and enables me to help hold up the banner of truth. When I am unable to get about in the villages, my work comes to me. I am just as comfortable and well off here as I could be anywhere, and do not wish for a better place. The first part of the year it seemed as if I should be prostrated again; but God in his rich mercy again thwarted the enemy, and I am able to take up my work of teaching the children as formerly. Before we obtained this piece of land, we lived for eight months in a native house, a hut fourteen by twenty-four feet, with thatched roof, ground floor,17 and reed walls. It was on the beach, within a few feet of the restless waves, and served as bed-room, sitting-room, and schoolroom. Our present little house, which Mr. Parker has put up, seems like a palace to us. It has a board floor, corrugated iron roof, and reed walls. Help was unattainable, and my husband was obliged at last to prepare and weave on the reeds himself, as the hurricane season was approaching. We lived for months with only a roof and floor and part of a wall around two rooms, and this in all kinds of weather. We have prayed, hoped, and worked for more than a year to prepare a place where students might come. There are now two native houses, and a third in process of erection. You can not realize what a slow, taxing, tedious job it is to procure native help. They wait and wait, and never do to-day what can be put off till to-morrow. And then there is another drawback—the native is not his own master. He must do the work appointed by the town chief and the district chief. It will be different with the students, for they are released from town and district work. You can imagine our joy when at last we can see our hopes materialize. A man and his wife of mature years now occupy one native house. Two young men occupy the other. Students will have a piece of land, and provide for themselves while carrying on studies. They pay their tuition by working a few hours a day for us. In our home we have two native girls from another island, who have come here to be taught. We find many sick to care for, and we receive many callers upon one pretense and another. As the people come in, their backs are covered with flies, and many of them have bad sores. They do not always regard the rights of property, and perhaps a choice mummyapple or pineapple will be missed. We have had very little fruit, bananas being our mainstay, and we have been without them for three months at a time. Fruit is the only food which we miss very much. The Lord has blessed our garden, and we have had some green corn and beans. Sweet corn will not mature, only the field corn. Last January a severe hurricane devastated some portions of Fiji. For four days and nights the wind blew with unabated fury. Each blast seemed to be stronger. The tall, majestic cocoanut-trees bowed like reeds in the wind. It is taxing upon one’s nerves to pass through such a strain. (I only mention this that you may know what we have to meet.) During the storm Mr. Parker was busy keeping things about the house from being blown to pieces. Our little daughter said, “Mama, the angels are holding the house.” Yes, God has protected us from several severe storms. When the house was in erection, our temporary walls were blown down one night, and we escaped to the bush to await the morning. Near daylight the rain fell in torrents, and all we had was drenched, but we were unharmed. Mr. Parker has had several narrow escapes in boating. The Lord answered his prayer, and the winds ceased in time to save him from being driven upon the reef. The work seems to go slowly sometimes, but it is steadily advancing. God has precious souls here, and we must find them. I. G. KNIGHT
By I. G. Knight
BOCAS DEL TORO.—We went to Colon to meet Brother Lee Wellman, but the day he was to arrive, we received word that he had been taken ill. It was a sad disappointment to us all, as Colon is destined to become a great center of the world's interest. We feel much concerned about getting a footing. We have a church there of fourteen members. They are doing what they can, but find it difficult to do much. They have no place to meet. The rents are exorbitant, and they are poor. The cheapest way by far is to build a church, as the lots will cost but little. I do not know of any place where five or six hundred dollars could be spent to better advantage. Or a tent could be used quite well, although it rains a great deal there. We would like to see a good, roomy chapel there. We had hoped and planned to give the people more attention, as they have not had much help. However, we still hope that the Lord will overrule all, and that we may soon see the banner of truth waving over the canal zone. The brethren in Costa Rica are doing well. They have two buildings ready for dedication. We expect to go there next week. I want to go to St. Andrews Island also, at the close of my trip to Costa Rica. Bay Islands
By Garfield Smalley
BONACCA.—I am kept busy with the school and work on the plantation. Every two weeks I walk to Northeast Bight, about eight miles from here, where Elder Goodrich has been laboring of late, and conduct Sabbath services in the morning and at the close of the day. This has been a good experience for me, and the people are glad to have me with them. Two of the pupils of the school recently bore Christian testimony for the first time since they have been connected with our school. One new student from Coxen Hole, Ruatan, entered this morning. There are twenty-five or more students at Northeast Bight that I have been trying to persuade to come with us. But if I do not succeed, perhaps I shall spend three months of the year with them, if thought best. My heart aches when I see these children and youth growing up in ignorance, except for what they are taught in the Sabbath-school. We are striving not for numbers, but perfection; for if we can educate a few so that they can instruct the many other children, we shall do more than we could do by instructing many youth. God will multiply our labors if we trust him. I am interested in the work more than ever before, and praise God for all the experiences that he has given me. It is encouraging to know that if we stand at our post just a little longer, faithfully discharging our duties, we shall receive crowns. It will not be long. Another Good Day in Tokyo
By W. D. Burden
TO-DAY, Sabbath, June 25, we had the privilege of seeing one more precious soul follow his Lord in the ordinance of baptism. This brother, a middle-aged man, is one of the carpenters who was first employed in building our house. While the men were working here, we were always seeking to direct their attention to the true God and his salvation. This one seemed more promising than the others, so we kept him for some time after the other men were discharged, the meanwhile giving him the truth as we had opportunity. Last winter his wife contracted quick consumption shortly after the birth of their first child. She rapidly grew worse, and died early last spring. A few weeks later the baby also died. During the sickness of the wife we tried to do what we could to show our sympathy for them in their trouble, and this had its effect in opening their hearts to receive the truth. One day while talking with him about his wife's sickness, I said, “Sickness is a dreadful thing, and it all comes as the result of sin.” Then I read to him a few of God's promises relative to the new earth and its freedom from sin, sickness, and death; and asked him if he did not wish to be there. He took the Bible and read again the promises. His countenance showed that he was deeply moved. I asked if he had a Bible. He answered, “No.” That evening when he quit work, I gave him a Testament, and asked him to read it carefully. He received it gratefully, and a few days later he said, very thoughtfully, “Jesus was very kind to the sick people. I wish he were here now.” I wish you could have heard him say this; it would have done your hearts good, as it did ours. It was evident that God's Spirit was working with him. After a time his wife was sent to her parent's home, about forty miles in the country, but it was too late for the change to do her any good. Hearing that she was very low, and being unable to go myself, I asked a Japanese brother to go in my stead; for we were very anxious that she should find the Saviour before death should make it too late. When Brother Matsukura called, she was suffering such intense pain that she could not listen to what he said. He tried to encourage her to trust in God, and she promised that she would, but said, “If there is a God, I wish he would take away this suffering.” Much of that night Brother Matsukura spent talking with the parents and family, and though it was their first opportunity to hear anything about Christianity, they listened very interestedly, and invited him to come again. They also said, “Bring along your Ijin san” (Mr. Foreigner). I hope to visit them this summer. The next morning our brother left them, but we all sought God to reveal himself to the poor sufferer, and when, a few days later, we received word that she was dead, we rejoiced to hear that the Lord had heard our prayers and had given her quiet rest. Her parents wrote, “We are so glad for your visit; for after you came and told us about God Jesus, our daughter's pain all left, and she had rest.” Death is always an unwelcome visitor, but God is able to use even this to his glory, and make it a blessing in disguise. We trust this dear soul rests in hope; and that the seed which has been sown in the hearts of other members of the family will yet bear fruit. In the case of the husband, the affliction led him to decide for God and his truth. He said his wife's first illness came on the Sabbath, and she died on the Sabbath; the baby also sickened on the Sabbath, and died on the Sabbath, and he felt that it was a judgment from God because he had not obeyed when he was first convinced of his duty. We are glad also to report that another carpenter now doing some work for us is much interested. He attends our Sabbath services, and comes at other times for Bible study. We hope it will not be long till he, too, will be one with us. We thank the Lord for his many blessings that have been over us here in this field, and rejoice as we see the message advancing. W. D. BURDEN. A Practical Gathering in South-western New York
By T. E. Bowen
THE brethren in southwestern New York decided that a gathering near Quaker Bridge, on a piece of ground intended as a school site, would be of profit. Brother Hicks sent out from Salamanca a very cordial invitation to the brethren and sisters in surrounding churches to meet on this unimproved land, to seek the Lord together. The time appointed was August 19-21, and the attendance was good, considering the circumstances. Two tents were pitched in the woods, and there was an old shanty on the place which had been used by the lumbermen when getting off the timber. These were the only means of shelter provided, but, generally speaking, the weather was good. About seventy-five brethren and sisters attended the meeting sometime during its progress, and about twenty-five not of our faith were present, among whom were some Indians from the reservation along the Alleghany River. The meeting was good, and the Lord blessed. Hearts were touched as at stated times the brethren gathered under the shade of the trees to study the Word of the Lord and seek him together. Sabbath was a day of victories. Some who had been indifferent renewed their consecration to the Lord, others made a start for the first time. Four were baptized on Sunday. Elder K. C. Russell, of Boston, Mass., met with the brethren and sisters, Sunday afternoon, and his presence was appreciated by all. Brethren Hicks and Carr, Dr. A. R. Satterlee, and the writer were present. As a result of the industry of those present, one hundred and eighteen quarts of blackberries were picked, looked over, and canned during the meeting. Some one presented a little more canned fruit, so one hundred and twenty quarts of canned berries were taken away at the close of the meeting, for use in some sanitarium. This fruit grew on the ground on which the meeting was held, and would have gone to18 waste had it not been gathered at this time. There are communities where large quantities of fruit might be preserved and sent to needy places in the South, could two or three churches unite in the effort. Certainly this gathering demonstrated that the Lord blessed in seeking to preserve this fruit for places where it was much needed. All felt that the occasion had been a profitable one in every way, and rejoiced that the Lord had met with his people and blessed this effort. North England Conference at Leicester
By Elmer E. Andross
Annual Address of the President
THROUGH the tender mercies of our God, a goodly number have been permitted to assemble in this, the second annual meeting of the North England Conference; and in behalf of the executive committee of the conference we welcome you to these pleasant grounds, and to all the meetings of the conference, which, we trust, may be graced by the presence of our Great Leader and coming King. We feel that we have great reason for gratitude to God that the lives and health of our people have been so graciously preserved through the past year; and yet in the midst of our gratitude for these mercies we remember with sadness the fact that death has taken from our midst three of our most promising young people: Sisters Lillian Burbridge, of Birmingham; May Howell, of Ulceby; and Helen Brandt, of Leeds; besides these, Brother Chapman, of Leeds, and Brother Wharrie, of Hull, have been laid to rest; but we are cheered with the thought that they all sleep in Jesus, and are safe in his keeping; and that soon, yea, very soon, the Life-giver will return for his own, and we shall meet them where death's reign will be ended. With deep gratitude of heart we acknowledge the Lord's special blessing in the prosperity that has attended the labors of our workers in the field, and the efforts of our brethren and sisters throughout the conference to carry the gospel of the kingdom to the world. A good degree of success attended the labors of Elders Haughey and McCord, Brother Ellis, and Sister Bacon, in the tent which they pitched last summer, first in Higher, and later in Lower Broughton, Manchester. The work was continued in a hall through the winter, by Elder Haughey, the efforts resulting in the baptism of fifteen candidates, and the organization of a church with a membership of thirty-two and a full corps of efficient workers. These results are, to a large degree, due to the faithful seed-sowing for several years in the past, of the company of Sabbath-keepers who now act as pillars in the church. Elder Haughey, Brother Ellis, and Sister Cousins have been successful in arousing an interest on the opposite side of Manchester, in Moss Side, where they have had their tent pitched since June 5. The tent-meeting conducted here in Leicester last summer by Elder Altman, Brother Marchus, Sister Cousins, and myself, and continued through the winter in a hall, has resulted in the organization of a church of sixteen members, fully officered. This number has since been increased to twenty-seven. A good interest in the truth still continues, and we have reason to expect substantial results from the efforts put forth. Last year after the tent season was past, by invitation of the committee, Elder McCord located in Birmingham, and, assisted by Sister Sanders, began an aggressive effort in Kings Heath, which, with the Lord's blessing, has resulted in the organization of the second church in that great center of population, with a membership of nineteen. The first of June of this year Brother Marchus joined the company of workers, and they have since been conducting a successful effort in Sparkhill, adjoining Kings Heath. Believing that it would be to the advantage of the work in Birkenhead for the company of Sabbath-keepers there to be organized into a church, this was accomplished January 28, and it now numbers fourteen. Elder Haughey has the immediate oversight of this church, as well as of the church in Liverpool and the companies in Wigan and Bolton. In these two latter towns he has conducted weekly meetings through the winter, with some results, especially in Wigan, where twelve have taken their stand for the truth. Elder Parsons and his mother have been laboring the greater part of the past year in Hull and Ulceby with a good degree of success. During the past year fourteen have been baptized in Hull. Since Brother Parsons and his mother have come to Leicester to assist in the work here, Brother Gillatt has been continuing the work in Hull and Ulceby, and not without fruit. After the close of our tent season last year, Elder Altman located in Nottingham, and was soon joined by Sister Bacon. Within a few weeks of this time, however, in response to an earnest invitation from the General Conference, Elder Altman and his family left us, to connect with the work in South Africa. We felt this loss very much at the time, and still feel it; but realizing that “the field is the world,” and that the tried and experienced workers are most needed in the more difficult fields, your committee felt it a privilege to acquiesce in the call of the General Conference and the British Union Conference, and released these workers, whom we had learned to esteem very highly in love for their work's sake. Brother and Sister Marchus were then asked to join Sister Bacon in the work in Nottingham; and while the work there has moved slowly, it is onward, and their hearts have been cheered by seeing a few take their stand with God's remnant people. Brother Brandt has been faithfully laboring in Leeds throughout the year. Peculiar difficulties have had to be met there, but I am pleased to say that the Lord is giving the victory. Several have been led to accept the faith, and the outlook for the work is not at all discouraging. I would not forget to mention the untiring efforts of our faithful canvassers. Through the past year we have had about forty agents in the field handling our different periodicals; and they, with the assistance of our local tract societies, have each week placed in the hands of the people 6,206 copies of Present Truth, or a total of 322,719 for the year; and each month 18,928 copies of Good Health, making 227,136 for the year. Besides these, 14,893 copies of that most excellent paper, Our Day, have been distributed, making a grand total of 564,748 papers for the year. From twelve to sixteen agents have been engaged in the sale of our bound books, and they have succeeded in placing books to the value of £1,084 17s. 6d. in the homes of the people. Brother Gillatt spent six months of the year in the employ of the conference as general agent. What the results of this most excellent self-denying missionary work will be, will not be fully known till the glorious day when the Master will give every man according as his work shall be. “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Besides attending to the work of the office, Brother Castle has rendered efficient service in the tent work, and also in corresponding with and visiting our churches and companies, with the special object of reviving the missionary spirit, and setting the members to work with tracts, loaning them from house to house. Some very encouraging results have followed this effort; and we sincerely hope that this meeting may result in awakening a much more general and active interest in this and all other missionary efforts in behalf of our friends and neighbors, as well as those in heathen lands, that they may be led to the only place of refuge from the impending judgments against the transgressors of God's law, the pavilion of divine truth. We are happy to report that this long-neglected work has had a beginning in the school so successfully started by Sister Castle in the church at Kettering, shortly after our last annual conference. On account of the necessity of the daily journey from Leicester to Kettering, through the winter season, resulting in the breaking down of her health, it became necessary for Sister Castle to resign her work the middle of March, very much to the regret of all, both parents and students. The school board, however, was fortunate in securing the services of Sister Raywell, of Hull, who has since continued the school. It had an enrolment of twenty-six, with an average attendance of twenty-four. Believing that we are near the end, it behooves us to take a more lively interest in the education and training of our children for the kingdom; and we look forward with earnest solicitude to the time when all our churches shall have the advantage of thoroughly equipped schools, where our own and our neighbors' children may receive such a training. Believing the Sabbath-school to be one of our most important departments of church work, and that it should receive19 special attention on the part of the conference, at its last session Sister Castle was elected Sabbath-school secretary. After diligent effort on the part of the secretary, we are able to report some progress. At the end of the first quarter of the conference year, we had thirteen schools, with a membership of three hundred and fifty-five, and an average attendance of two hundred and fifty-one. At its close, we have seventeen schools, with a membership of four hundred and ninety, and an average attendance of three hundred and sixty, representing an increase for the nine months of four schools, and one hundred and nine members. The total donations for the year were £93 11s. 3d. This year a much larger per cent of the donations has been turned over to the mission work than formerly. Not having the statistics of the previous year, it is impossible to compare this year's work with the past. Brother and Sister Castle have held a number of conventions with the different schools, with good results. We praise the Lord for what we have seen in the forward movement in this department of our work. It is with much pleasure that we speak of the opening of our sanitarium, February 8, last. The Lord has blessed the efforts of Dr. Richards and her faithful staff of workers; and with the visits of Dr. Olsen, they have been successful in bringing health and happiness to many who have sought their assistance. The building, with its excellent equipment, which has so providentially been placed in our hands for a period of years, has an accommodation for ten or twelve in-patients, besides a large number of out-patients. While the patronage has not been large, it has in no way been discouraging, considering the fact that it is our youngest child in this department of the work. Our tithe has increased during the year to the extent of £123. While this is not so large an increase as we had hoped, and as we had reason to expect, yet you will be pleased to know that with the very generous assistance of the California Conference we have been able to settle with all our laborers, leaving a small amount in the treasury. During the past year we have organized four new churches, besides the conference church that consists of our scattered members. Three of these churches were formed very largely of new Sabbath-keepers. We have baptized eighty-five, and forty-eight have been received by vote, making a total of one hundred and thirty-three for the year, bringing our membership up to four hundred and one, June 30. This does not include unbaptized Sabbath-keepers. We have at least twenty-five or thirty throughout the conference awaiting baptism. We now surrender into the hands of this conference the responsibilities placed upon us one year ago; and while we acknowledge with gratitude the many blessings received while attempting to discharge the responsibilities, and rejoice that we are able to report some degree of progress in the work, yet we are sorry that a larger degree of success has not crowned all the efforts put forth; and now, with you, we gladly consecrate all to God, praying for the fulness of the Spirit's power that, in the coming year, we may go forth ‘conquering and to conquer,’ and thus hasten the final glad reunion of the scattered hosts of the Lord, when, with the palm branch of victory and the crown of glory, we shall join in the victor's song of triumph around the throne of God. “Feed My Lambs”
By Golda L. Abbott
In considering the work for children there is perhaps no text in the Scriptures more frequently referred to than that found in Matt. 19:13-15. Here the Saviour has set forth in its true light this phase of missionary enterprise. Seeing in the little group that surrounded him the grown men and women who would be called to tread with him the path of sorrow, to share with him the joys of the redeemed, he, the Majesty of heaven, gave them the blessing for which they came. To-day, as nineteen hundred years ago, the command is given still: “Suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven;” and “Feed my lambs.” The children are a sacred trust. To the parent this sacred trust belongs. But there are those whom misfortune and death have robbed of the protecting love of parents. They are thrown on the cold mercies of the world, and left to grow up not only a burden to society, but a possible menace to its peace. The Haskell Home was established especially in behalf of the motherless and homeless little ones. The sore need of such a home has been demonstrated in its experience. The rich results obtained in the steady progress which this work has made, eternity alone can reveal. And as our work becomes more widely known, its opportunities far exceed its facilities for relief. When the Home is filled to its utmost capacity, the number of applicants for admission does not diminish. The world is full of heaven’s suffering, homeless little ones. Shall we not as a people stand ready to receive and train those whom God shall send to us? A family of boys recently expressed their sympathy for the work in its present financial embarrassment by making a contribution to the Home fund of the few little earnings which they had obtained in fruit picking for a farmer who employs them yearly. This little gift touched our hearts, leading us to feel that effort is not being unappreciated. One of our little kindergartners, while visiting her mama, learned of the latter’s intention to bake on the Sabbath. The child earnestly remonstrated with her, insisting that they had far better deny themselves bread than to break God’s holy Sabbath. A caretaker in charge of one of the “families” of little boys recently arose before the ringing of the rising bell, and to her surprise found one of her little ones in an attitude of prayer. Learning to repose in the love of Jesus, he had arisen in the quiet stillness of early dawn to commune with his heavenly Friend. These few of many instances have been selected with the hope of assuring those who have lent their support to this work, that it has not been given in vain. Could you but step into some “family” circle in the Haskell Home, just at the twilight hour, or in the early morning, and listen to their childish voices ascending to heaven in prayers of thanksgiving for the blessings of the Home with which they have been surrounded; could you listen to their earnest petitions for heavenly grace and strength to withstand temptation; could you hear the childish accounts given of victories gained in the name of Jesus, your inmost soul would be touched, your whole being would vibrate, with that great heart of infinite love, and with him you would see in these little ones the precious “lambs” that he has left in the charge of his people, and has bidden us to “feed.” And from the Home of this little flock of his, I write this appeal in behalf of his own “lambs.” In assisting in the care of these little children you are not only responding to the call of Jesus to feed his lambs, but you are sowing good seed that will spring up after many days in the going forth of many of these into the active work of the great third angel’s message which we love. To-day this work is suffering for lack of means. The work has not in anywise diminished, and can not truly. Yet the donations during the past year, instead of being increased, have been greatly diminished, although applications for relief have been more urgent and more numerous than ever before. This institution is a sacred trust whose mission found its birth in the thought of him who has promised to be the “Father of the fatherless.” Shall we, his co-laborers, no longer harken to the command which he, not man, has given? Shall we, like his disciples of old, turn aside the dependent, anxious mothers who fain would bring their little ones to Jesus? O dear readers, as one who has been closely connected with the work for some time, witnessing the self-sacrificing efforts of those bearing the burden of this work, together with their co-laborers, and observing the development and spiritual growth of the children, I plead with you as one united whole to stand true to this sacred trust that God has entrusted to this people. And, reaching deep into our pockets, let us hasten to lift the work from the meshes of financial embarrassment into which lack of co-operation and support have plunged it. Again I plead, shall these dependent ones cry in vain for food and shelter, and for the bread which endureth unto eternal life? As to Peter of old, so to us to-day, the Master has given a test of love: “Feed my lambs.” The next regular collection for the Haskell Home children does not come till October. But these little ones need help now. Will not the readers of this appeal respond just now to the Saviour’s call of love—“Feed my lambs”? Brother E. B. Hopkins reports the baptism of five persons at Hermitage, Tex., August 21. Seventeen persons were baptized at the Missouri State camp-meeting at Columbia, which closed August 21.20 Nine persons, all adults, were baptized at Sayville, L. I., August 28. A new house of worship was dedicated, free of debt, at Buffalo Gap, Tex., August 28. Thirty-seven persons were baptized at the close of the Indiana State camp-meeting at Martinsville. A successful tent effort was recently closed at Clinton, Ontario. Several persons were led to accept the truth. Reporting the result of a tent effort in Newark, N. J., Brother W. H. Loose says: “Ten have already taken their stand for the truth.” Four persons have recently taken a stand for the truth at Pony, Mont., as a result of meetings and house-to-house work in that place. A church of thirteen members was organized at Pleasant Hill, Ohio, August 6. Immediately following the organization twelve persons received the ordinance of baptism. Prof. Geo. W. Rine reports the baptism of four persons at Sacramento, Cal., August 13, where he had previously held a number of cottage meetings. Brother J. W. Beams reports the baptism of six persons at Cuba, Neb., also that four have accepted the message at Miller, at which place a Sabbath-school has been organized. Fifteen persons were baptized at the Provo, Utah, camp-meeting, and seven others expressed a desire for baptism later, these together constituting about one fifth of all who were in attendance. In a report of meetings at Western Washington, closing August 14, Brother W. W. Sharp says: “Some have taken their stand on the Lord’s side, and others have promised to do so soon.” The Pacific Union Recorder of September 1 states: “As a result of the tent-meetings at Missoula (Mont.), ten persons have been baptized, and have united with the church at that place. The tent has been removed to Elliston, a small town between Missoula and Helena.” In a report of meetings at Grass Valley, Ore., Brethren W. S. Holbrook and F. D. Wagner state: “Three have decided to keep the Sabbath and obey the commandments, and two others expressed themselves as being convinced of the truth of God, but did not take their stand, on account of their families.” Four tent companies will be in the field in Missouri this fall. Elders Merrell and Scoles will be in Columbia; Elders A. A. and H. E. Meyer will work among the Germans in St. Louis; Elders W. S. Cruzan and D. P. Ziegler will be in the vicinity of Poplar Bluff; and Elders H. M. Stewart and H. K. Willis will be located near Pleasant Hill. Prosecuted for Sabbath-Keeping
FROM the Canadian Union Messenger we take the following account of the trial of the two brethren who were arrested under the Sunday law of Ontario, as mentioned in our last issue:— “On Monday, August 15, Brethren Charles Sweeten and Fred Boettger, who for more than a year past have been employed on the Lornedale Academy farm, were summoned to appear before the magistrate in answer to a complaint made against them for working on ‘the Lord’s day, commonly called Sunday, in violation of the law.’ The summons was made returnable on Friday, August 19, at 2 P. M., at Cooksville. “At the time set for trial the brethren were present, and when the case was called by the magistrate, the crown’s attorney being present, Brother Sweeten requested the case adjourned, and offered as a reason that the counsel employed for their defense had not appeared. The crown’s attorney demanded of the defense his pay for a day’s attendance, and pay for the attendance of the witnesses, of whom a large number had been called, as a condition on which adjournment could be obtained; but Brother Sweeten did not wish to comply with this demand, and, therefore, the case proceeded. Elder Eugene Leland, being present, assisted the brethren in their defense. A plea of ‘not guilty’ to the charge was made by the brethren. “In the case of Brother Boettger the complaint specified that the work was on Sunday, July 24, but when the prosecution put their first witness on the stand, he could not testify to seeing the defendant at work on that date, and after a hurried investigation of the witnesses called by the prosecution, it was decided by the attorney for the crown that an amendment of the charge must be made, and although objected to by Elder Leland, this was done, and one or two witnesses testified to seeing the defendant picking berries on Sunday, and, strange as it may seem, one testified that he knew they were being ‘picked for shipment, for the reason that he saw them ship berries the next morning.’ “In the case of Brother Sweeten three witnesses were sworn, but none of them could say positively that they saw Brother Sweeten at work, but they thought they saw him in the berry patch, and they thought that he was at work. The only witness put on the stand who could bear positive testimony was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church, a young girl who had been employed at the farm, picking berries, who reluctantly testified that Brother Sweeten was in the patch on the day specified, and was carrying berries. “Elder Leland’s defense was that the law under which this charge is made was enacted in 1845, and does not include ‘farmers’ in the class prohibited by its enactment from Sunday labor, which is proved by the enactment of what is known as ‘the Ontario act’ of 1885, which was made to include farmers, and the word ‘farmers’ was specifically mentioned. But this act had been declared invalid by the privy council of England, and therefore there was no law except the one of 1845 on the subject of Sunday labor, and that did not include farmers in its scope. Both Brother Boettger and Brother Sweeten were put on the stand, and testified that they were farmers. After a few remarks, in which Elder Leland set forth some principles involved in Sunday laws in general, and showed that there is no Bible authority for Sunday observance, the case rested, and the magistrate adjourned till the 25th ult. for a decision, which decision we have not heard at the time of going to press, but from the remarks made by the magistrate in adjourning the case, we do not expect anything but a conviction, as he said that while he sympathized with ‘this people’ because he thought them sincere, yet he ‘did not believe that anybody had a right to set a day apart different from the majority of people, on which to worship, but should conform to the day on which the majority worshiped.’ “Thus it can readily be seen that an influence is at work to enforce the ‘worship of the beast,’ and to war against those who ‘keep the commandments of God.’ Shall we not all be faithful, trusting to him who said: ‘Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled’?”