The twenty-second session of the Colorado Conference convened at Longmont, Colo., in connection with the camp-meeting, Aug. 18-28, 1904. A large number of delegates were present. The visiting ministers—Elders R. A. Underwood, E. T. Russell, W. H. Anderson, and Smith Sharp—Profs. C. C. Lewis, and M. E. Kern, and all conference laborers took part in the deliberations of the conference.
Committees were appointed as follows: On nominations, F. M. Wilcox, William Kennedy, Meade MacGuire, H. A. Aufderhar, J. W. Horner; on resolutions, S. F. Svensson, F. M. Wilcox, L. A. Spring; on credentials and licenses, J. B. Wilson, H. L. Hoover, G. W. Anglebarger, L. A. Spring, G. F. Watson.
The president, Elder G. F. Watson, made an encouraging report of the work in the conference during the past year. Four good, strong, active churches were added to the conference, and more calls are being received for help than can be filled with our present force of workers.
Resolutions pertaining to the revival of the old-time missionary spirit and work, the honest and prompt payment of tithe, the church and intermediate school work, young people's work, medical missionary work, religious liberty work and literature, Sabbath-school conventions, etc., were presented, and received careful attention. The canvassing work has shown an encouraging degree of prosperity the past year.
About fifteen teachers will be engaged in church-school work the coming year, an increase of one hundred per cent over last year. An industrial school opens October 3, at Palisades, on the western slope, under the management of Prof. B. A. Wolcott, of Michigan. Donations of land have been received, and steps are being taken to establish an industrial school near Loveland, on the eastern side of the range. This will probably open in the early spring, if not before.
Colorado has for some time been supporting Brother Wibbens in Holland and Elder Branch in Central Africa, but the delegates unanimously passed the following resolution:— “Recognizing the great need of laborers in the regions beyond, and that our field is the wide world, we express our desire to see one or more of our experienced laborers go to some needy field to be supported with tithe from this conference treasury, providing there may be found among our ministry men upon whom the Lord has laid this burden, and that we invite the General Conference to arrange the matter in connection with the Colorado Conference Committee and the workers so called.”
Officers were elected for the coming year, as follows: President, G. F. Watson; Vice-President, S. F. Svensson; remaining members of executive committee, H. L. Hoover, G. W. Anglebarger, Judge C. C. Holbrook, William Kennedy, H. M. J. Richards; Corresponding Secretary and Conference Secretary, Meade MacGuire; Secretary and Treasurer of Tract Society and Treasurer of Conference Funds, Mrs. Bertie L. Herrell; Secretary of Sabbath-school Department and office assistant, Mrs. Minnie MacGuire; Educational Superintendent, Superintendent of the Young People's Work, and Canvassing Agent, E. E. Farnsworth.
The committee on credentials and licenses reported as follows: For credentials, G. F. Watson, Watson Zeigler, G. W. Anglebarger, Dr. W. W. Hills, H. M. J. Richards, G. O. States, M. Mackintosh, L. A. Spring, J. B. Wilson, S. F. Svensson, H. A. Aufderhar, H. L. Hoover, F. M. Wilcox, William Kennedy, C. H. Bates, and Thomas Branch; for honorary credentials without being placed on pay-roll of conference, U. P. Long, Dr. F. A. Washburn, B. W. Marsh; for ordination and credentials, M. D. Warfle, Geo. M. Alway; for ministerial license, Meade MacGuire, E. E. Farnsworth, Charles Lightner, J. F. Jensen, L. Vargar; for honorary license, W. F. Hills, C. M. French, J. A. Rippey; for missionary credentials, Celia Green, Lida B. Moore, Celia McDonald, Alice Finch, Mrs. Minnie Proctor, Carrie Dowden, Mrs. Bertie L. Herrell, Mrs. Minnie MacGuire; for honorary missionary credentials, Cush Sparks, W. H. Moore, Monte Proctor, Mrs. Flora Watson, Mrs. Ella Anglebarger, Mrs. Ura Spring, Mrs. Bertie Richards, Mrs. Rose Svensson, Mrs. Mary Ziegler, Mrs. Mary Warfle.
Plans were laid to locate a colored minister in Denver, and also to place a worker among the Spanish-speaking people of New Mexico.
The treasurer's report of the conference funds and work of the tract society was encouraging.
G. F. WATSON, President.
E. E. FARNSWORTH, Secretary.
The First Camp-Meeting in France
By B. G. Wilkinson
THE hearts of the brethren in France were filled with joy and thanksgiving to have a camp-meeting in their own country. Yet so widely scattered are our brethren in France that it was difficult to choose a spot central enough to accommodate all. It was decided to hold the meeting in the southern part of the country. To reach this location from Paris one must travel a day and a night in the train. And as there were four of the nine churches and companies still farther north, a large attendance at the camp was not expected. We thought that about thirty would be present, but we were happily surprised to see fifty-three17of our brethren and sisters present at one time.
From the first, a good interest was manifested upon the part of those not of our faith. The first night of the meeting, the tent, and the chestnut grove where our tent was pitched, were thronged with people listening to the preaching, but unable to see the preacher, as our lighting apparatus had not then arrived. And during the entire time of the meeting, the attendance ranged from one hundred to two hundred and fifty persons from the outside.
A very kind reception was given from the local authorities to this new style of preaching which had made its appearance in France. The mayor of the city announced that any one who should disturb the meeting would be fined ten francs (two dollars), and that he would station secret detectives among the people to see that his decree was carried out. This had a restraining effect on a large number who were disposed to create disturbance. The Catholic priest also gave notice in his church that he did not wish any of his flock to disturb those assemblies, as these people preach the truth. And a large part of the time, we were favored with the presence of three Protestant preachers who happened to be in the place during their summer vacation.
The brethren were organized into missionary bands, going out daily to visit the people in the city, and inviting them to the meetings, and, when possible, selling our tracts and papers. The brethren became enthusiastic in the work; and the sales, though small in comparison with American sales, were very encouraging.
In business sessions, resolutions were passed expressing gratitude to God for his blessings on the work in France the past year, pledging greater faithfulness in the payment of tithe, adopting the weekly donation principle, and calling for greater developments in our canvassing and educational work. There was an excellent spirit among the people. They resolved to pay the expense of the meeting, including the purchase of the new tents and of lumber. Most of this amount has already been raised. It was also voted to buy more tents and material, looking forward to a larger camp next year.
The last Sabbath was a day of spiritual refreshing to the saints. Many who had come to the camp knowing that they had not walked faithfully in the past, found pardon and peace for their souls. Besides the workers of France, among whom was the undersigned, there were present no other laborers, except Elder Tieche, of the French-Swiss Conference.
B. G. WILKINSON.
The General Conference Committee Council at College View, Neb.
By Arthur Grosvenor Daniells; William Ambrose Spicer
The usual autumn council of the General Conference Committee was held at College View, Neb., September 15-26, in connection with the meetings of the International Publishing Association, the new association which has in charge the circulation of literature in foreign languages in the United States. The following members of the General Conference Committee were present during the council: A. G. Daniells, Geo. J. Butler, S. N. Haskell, W. W. Prescott, H. W. Cottrell, W. H. Thurston, Allen Moon, A. T. Jones, R. A. Underwood, E. T. Russell, N. P. Nelson, W. B. White, L. R. Conradi, W. C. White, L. A. Hoopes, A. J. Read, D. Paulson, W. A. Spicer.
The following conference presidents, general workers, and ministers were also present: A. G. Haughey, I. H. Evans, H. S. Shaw, A. T. Robinson, C. A. Burman, G. F. Watson, W. M. Adams, C. McReynolds, S. E. Wight, R. C. Porter, C. N. Woodward, James Cochran, Smith Sharp, S. N. Curtiss, H. H. Hall, C. M. Everest, H. Shultz, M. B. Miller, J. H. Morrison, F. M. Wilcox, G. F. Haffner, W. J. Stone, C. J. Herrmann, J. E. White, I. A. Ford, L. Johnson, R. F. Andrews, J. J. Graf, R. J. Bryant.
Sister White was in attendance at the council, speaking each Sabbath morning, and addressing the people on several other occasions.
The ten days were pressed very full of business. The council was in truth a missionary council, planning for missionary work at home and abroad; and during the meetings addresses were given by J. E. White, on mission work in the South; by L. R. Conradi, on the progress of the cause in the general European field, including Asia Minor, Egypt, and German East Africa; by W. H. Anderson, on mission experiences in Rhodesia, South Africa; by J. Lipke, on Brazil; and by Dr. Myrtle Lockwood, on medical missionary work in Japan. At the close of the latter address a collection of forty-one dollars was taken to aid in the erection of the first Seventh-day Adventist meeting-house in Japan.
Following are some of the actions taken, which will be of general interest to our brethren, the recommendations regarding the missionary conventions and campaign having already been printed in the REVIEW of September 29. It was recommended,—
For the Colored Work
“That the first Sabbath in November be appointed for a collection in all our churches for the colored work throughout the South.”
The Week of Prayer
“That the time for the week of prayer be set for December 10-17.
“That the following be the program of readings:—
“Sabbath: ‘What This Denomination Exists For,’ E. W. Farnsworth.
“Sunday: Reading by Mrs. E. G. White.
“Monday: ‘The Spirit and Power of the Message in the Early Days,’ S. N. Haskell.
“Tuesday: ‘Our Message and Work To-day,’ W. W. Prescott.
“Wednesday: ‘Incentives to Service in Current Signs of the Times,’ E. T. Russell.
“Thursday: ‘Review of the Field,’ W. A. Spicer.
“Friday: Reading by Mrs. E. G. White.
“Sabbath: ‘The Mission Outlook,’ A. G. Daniells. (The annual offering for missions is to be taken at this service.)
“Supplementary: missionary program for children, by Miss E. Houser, for Christmas day, or the Sabbath preceding (December 24), optional with each church.”
The Canvassing Work
“Since the winter missionary campaign, beginning November 1, has for its object the enlistment of the rank and file of our people in a vigorous forward movement in the circulation of our small publications, and—
“As this campaign should develop a large number of successful workers, who, by proper encouragement and instruction, would become efficient in the regular canvassing work, therefore,—
“1. We recommend, (a) That our conference and church officers and laborers make note of all these workers that give promise of success as canvassers, and that they send their names promptly to the State agent or the State tract society secretary; (b) that as soon as possible after January 1, a series of canvassing classes be held in every conference, into which shall be gathered these newly developed canvassers; (c) that in large conferences, and where these workers are widely separated, several classes be conducted simultaneously; (d) that the talent and experience of our successful canvassers be recognized and made use of by selecting from their number those best adapted to give instruction to classes where the State agent can not be present; (e) that the conference officers arrange for suitable remuneration for these instructors while engaged in this class of work; (f) that these classes devote at least half of their time to canvassing, thus putting into immediate use the instruction given.
“2. We recommend, That all canvassing agents be requested during the months of November and December, to unite with other workers in actual canvassing, to the end that their future work may be thus vivified and strengthened by fresh personal experiences.
“In order that the sale of our publications may be stimulated, especially in trade books, tracts, and pamphlets,—
“3. We recommend, That all our ministers and Bible workers be urged to return to the good old way of always carrying with them our publications to dispose of wherever possible.”
Report on Calls from the Fields
The mission committee, having considered the most urgent calls from the fields, submitted the following list of needs, to which they recommended favorable response if found possible:—
JAPAN
1. Funds for printing two tracts already translated.
2. Minister for Yokahama.
3. Minister for Korea.
CHINA
1. Worker for Hongkong.
2. Additional worker to join staff in Canton.
3. Additional worker to join the staff in Honan.
INDIA
1. Minister to join workers already under appointment for India.
2. Minister for Burma.
3. One lady and one gentleman nurse for Calcutta Sanitarium.
4. School-teacher for India.
5. Man and wife for Karmatar orphanage school.18
CANADIAN NORTHWEST
1. Minister for city work at Calgary, Alberta.
2. Minister for Assiniboia.
3. Minister for Saskatchewan.
4. Six hundred dollars for Indian work.
5. Teacher for training-school in Manitoba.
AFRICA
1. Two men for Nyassaland.
2. One man for Barotseland.
3. One man for Bechuanaland or other native work.
4. Lady teacher for Claremont College.
5. Minister for Gold Coast, West Africa.
SOUTH AMERICA
1. One printer for Brazil, Brother Sabeff, of College View.
2. Return of J. Lipke and wife to Brazil.
PANAMA
Minister to join Elder I. G. Knight.
CENTRAL AMERICA
1. Minister to join Elder H. C. Goodrich.
2. Bible worker for British Honduras.
MISCELLANEOUS
It was further recommended that Elder H. Krum, now on furlough in Pennsylvania, be invited to connect with the German Union Conference, that Brother Adam Schlotthauer and wife, of Union College, be invited to go to Germany, and that Miss Harvey, nurse, of the Portland Sanitarium, be invited to go to Japan.
It was also voted that Prof. B. G. Wilkinson, of the European field, be recommended to come to Washington to engage in school work, in harmony with the invitation of the board of trustees of the Washington school.
Mission Finance
MISSION FIELD APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE YEAR 1905
Bermuda ........................ $350
Brazil .......................... 3,000
Canadian Union Conference ....... 4,864
Canadian Union ................. $1,240
Maritime ........................ 2,624
Quebec .......................... 1,000
Central American Mission ........ 2,000
China Mission Field ............. 8,400
Cuba ............................ 1,000
General European Conference ..... 26,300
British Union ................... $7,600
Latin Union ..................... 6,500
Oriental Union .................. 6,000
Scandinavian .................... 3,000
German Union .................... 2,500
General ........................... 700
East Caribbean Conference ....... 5,435
India Mission .................... 11,000
Jamaica Conference ............... 1,820
Japan Mission .................... 6,000
Mexico ........................... 3,604
Panama Mission ................... 1,600
Porto Rico ....................... 1,500
Polynesia ........................ 8,500
River Plate Conference ........... 3,500
Southern Union Conference ....... 7,500
South America Union .............. 1,200
South African Union Conf. ....... 11,000
West African Gold Coast .......... 1,500
West Coast South America ......... 4,000
Arkansas Conference .............. 1,700
Philippines ...................... 2,000
Canadian Northwest Territory ..... 3,000
Emergencies ...................... 4,000
Total ............................ $124,773
For colored work in the South, the November offering.
It was recommended that this collection be disbursed as follows: seventy-five per cent to the Southern Union Conference, twenty per cent to the Southwestern Union Conference, and five per cent to the Virginia Conference.
THE ANNUAL OFFERING
“Whereas, We have now opened missions in nearly every country in the world, thus permanently establishing our cause in all lands; and,—
“Whereas, The steps we have already taken bring to us most pressing calls for more laborers and means; therefore,—
“We recommend, That a call be made for an annual offering of $80,000, and that we earnestly request the vigilant co-operation of all conference officers, ministers, church officers, and people everywhere in raising this amount during the next week of prayer.”
THE TEN-CENT-A-WEEK PLAN
“Whereas, The ten-cent-a-week plan for the support of foreign missions has been recommended by the General Conference, as well as adopted by most local conferences, a plan by which, if generally accepted, our means for the support of foreign missions would be greatly increased; and,—
“Whereas, The opening providences of the Lord in the regions beyond are an imperative call to this denomination to rise to the great opportunity to send this message throughout these distant lands, where as far as our missionaries have entered, many souls are accepting the truth; and,—
“Whereas, It is impossible for the Mission Board to answer this call of the hour unless the means to support more workers can be produced, therefore,—
“We recommend, That each conference committee make it a part of its conference work to co-operate with the officers of the various churches to establish in each church in its territory the ten-cent-a-week envelope plan of giving for the support of foreign missions, and that each conference be urged to raise for foreign missions, by means of the envelope plan, a sum equal to ten cents a week per capita.
“Whereas, There are many demands for financial aid in building up institutions in our weaker conferences and mission fields; and,—
“Whereas, It is often desirous that some person representing these enterprises be permitted to solicit donations in our stronger conferences; and, unless care is taken, confusion is likely to result from several persons’ soliciting donations through the conference for various enterprises at the same time, therefore,—
“We recommend, That any person sent out to solicit donations for any special local enterprise first receive suitable credentials from the Mission Board or from the union conference from which he comes, and that satisfactory arrangements be made with the executive committee of the local conference in which he wishes to solicit, before such delegate enters upon his work.
“Whereas, The Sabbath-school offerings have been an important factor in the missionary campaign, and the needs of the fields now call for a continued increase in all our funds for missions, therefore,— “We recommend and urge upon all the adoption of the plan recommended at the Oakland Conference, that of devoting all the contributions to missions, save on the specified Sabbath, and we urge all to be watchful to increase the mission funds.”
MISCELLANEOUS
“We recommend the following enterprises as objects for which funds may be solicited by those in charge of the fields represented, in such manner as may be mutually arranged with the home conferences: Quebec sanitarium, $3,000; Maritime school, $1,500; Hildebran (N. C.) school, $1,000.
“Resolved, That we favor opening the Northwest Rhodesia Mission, according to plans outlined by W. H. Anderson, provided the funds can be secured, and that we endeavor to raise ten thousand dollars with which to establish the mission, and to operate it the first two years.
“Resolved, That in view of establishing a school in the Central Canadian Northwest for the purpose of training workers in that field, we supply one thousand copies of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ in the various languages, free to this field, and that these books be supplied in lots of one hundred copies until that amount is exhausted.
“Whereas, The periodicals published by the International Publishing Association are missionary papers, and are used for missionary purposes in every part of the world where the Scandinavian and German languages are spoken, and,—
“Whereas, There is a deficit on these papers from Dec. 31, 1903, to the present time; therefore,—
“Resolved, That the General Conference, the Lake Union Conference, and the Central Union Conference share equally in making up the deficit.”
The Next General Conference
It was voted that the next General Conference should be essentially a missionary conference, and that the keynote should be the coming of the Lord and the finishing of the work.
The following recommendations were adopted:—
“1. That the next session of the General Conference be appointed to be held at Washington, D. C., May 11-30, 1905.
“2. That the conference be located, planned for, and conducted with the view of interesting and benefiting the public of Washington.
“3. That this council make some provision for subjects and speakers for the public services in connection with the coming General Conference.
“4. That a general delegation from home and foreign fields be called to the forthcoming conference, and that the officers be requested to make the best arrangements possible for the foreign fields during the absence of the delegates.
“5. That provision be made by raising a fund for the entertainment, free of expense, of the delegates from foreign lands.
“6. That our American conferences best situated to do so, be requested to provide, without rental, the tents that will be required by the conference.
“7. That a daily bulletin be published, and that we authorize the officers to appoint a competent committee to edit the19bulletin, and to report to the daily press.
“8. That the general officers, presidents of union conferences, superintendents of mission fields, and heads of departments be requested to prepare their official reports in writing, and that duplicates be provided to hand to the secretary of the conference, the editor of the bulletin, and the reporters of the daily press.”
“9. That in order to relieve the committee on plans and recommendations of the usual strain of perplexity and taxing labor, and also to secure greater efficiency, a committee be appointed by this council, to be composed chiefly of the heads of department committees, to prepare recommendations covering all phases of our work, and to place them in the hands of the committee on plans and recommendations that shall be appointed by the General Conference.”
“10. That a transportation committee be appointed to make provision for railway rates for delegates to the General Conference.”
The following-named brethren were appointed as the committee to prepare recommendations provided for in recommendation 9: A. G. Daniells (general), H. H. Hall (publishing), W. A. Spicer (missions), G. B. Thompson (Sabbath-school), Frederick Griggs (educational), W. A. Colcord (religious liberty).
DELEGATES FROM MISSION FIELDS
The following were appointed delegates from the mission fields to the next General Conference, and the executive committee was authorized to make any further appointments which might seem advisable:—
F. W. Field, of Japan; J. N. Anderson, of China; J. L. Shaw, of India; W. H. Wakeham, of Egypt; B. G. Wilkinson, of the Latin Union; J. W. Westphal, of South America; G. M. Brown, of Mexico; A. J. Haymer and J. B. Beckner, of the West Indies.
A. G. DANIELLS, Chairman,
W. A. SPICER, Secretary.
A Neglected Work
By J. O. Johnston
FOR some time in the past I have been receiving letters from different ones in the North and West, saying that they had read my article in the REVIEW with reference to persons coming to the South to live, and stating that they had a burden for the South. Some say they have felt this burden for years, and yet but few have come, and the work to be done here is still waiting almost untouched, while a neglected field is sending up its appeal to heaven for help.
For many years the South has been calling for means from the North, and much has been given; but the field is so large and the work so great that all that has been given is scarcely a tithe of what must be expended before we can hope to say that our work is done.
It is the opinion of the writer that the South is more in need of men than means. The Lord says, “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.” We may have thought that this simply meant persons who were supported by the conferences, and have therefore said, “Give us more means; for we are not able to support the laborers we already have.” But I know whereof I speak when I say that the South needs men more than money. Money it must have, but the money we so much need would be here if our people had followed the instruction which the Lord has been pleased to give us for many years past.
In order that the reader may have this brought again fresh to his mind, I will quote a few sentences from the testimonies of God’s Spirit:—
“Why should not Seventh-day Adventists become true laborers together with God in seeking to save the souls of the colored race? Instead of a few, why should not many go forth to labor in this long-neglected field? Where are the families who will become missionaries, and engage in labor in this field? Where are the men who have means and experience so that they can go forth to these people, and work for them just where they are? There are men who can educate them in agricultural lines, who can teach the colored people to sow seed and plant orchards. There are others who can teach them to read, and can give them an object-lesson from their own life and example. Show them what you yourself can do to gain a livelihood, and it will be an education to them. Are we not called upon to do this very work? Are there not many who need to learn to love God supremely and their fellow men as themselves? In the Southern field are many thousands of people who have souls to save or to lose. Are there not many among those who claim to believe the truth who will go forth into this field to do the work for which Christ gave up his ease, his riches, and his life?”—Review and Herald, Nov. 26, 1895.
Again I quote a most precious promise: “The same assurances given to Moses will be given to those who go forth to be co-laborers with Jesus Christ in the Southern field. We are not to wait for great men to undertake the work. We are to encourage those who have a burden to go to this field, who are willing to undertake the work.”—Id., Jan. 21, 1896.
“God calls for missionaries, and asks us to take up our neglected duties. Let farmers, financiers, builders, and those who are skilled in various arts and crafts, go to this field to improve lands, and to build humble cottages for themselves and their neighbors. Christ says to you, Lift up your eyes and look upon this Southern field; for it needs the sowers of seed and the reapers of grain.”—Id., Jan. 28, 1896.
“In his providence, God is saying, as he has been saying for years past: Here is a field for you to work. Those who are wise in agricultural lines, in tilling the soil, those who can construct simple, plain buildings, may help. They can do good work, and at the same time show in their characters the high morality which it is the privilege of this people to attain to.”—Id., The Southern Work, page 114.
Many more quotations might be given. Please read pages 220 to 230 in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VII, where much of this instruction has been repeated. Had these testimonies been followed by our people, what a different state of things would exist in the Southern field to-day. Schools and meeting-houses would have been established. The tithe from these brethren, and from those brought into the truth through their efforts, would have been sufficient to amply support the ministry, and there would not now need to be appropriations sent here by the General Conference; for we would have enough and to spare.
Shall this state of things continue forever? The writer has been laboring in the Southland for over thirteen years. He has seen the need, the pressing need, of suitable persons coming South to do the very work outlined in these testimonies; but the years roll round, and the work drags along in the same slow way,—a few laborers struggling against poverty, without means to do aggressive work, and much of the time without even the wages which they have earned and need for the support of their families. He has seen company after company of Sabbath-keepers raised up by the faithful labors of earnest workers, left to drift away from the truth because there were no suitable persons to take the oversight of the little centers when the time came that the laborers were compelled to leave. O, how happy would the ministers be if at such a time as this they could have one or two good families from the North to locate among these companies, and act as leaders, holding the flock together, and leading out in the Sabbath meetings! But even this is not all that the Lord has been calling for. The Lord would have families go ahead of the minister, and move into neighborhoods where the truth has never been proclaimed, and there begin the Sabbath meetings, and become acquainted with the people. Then when the time comes for a public meeting to be held by those who labor in the word, and a company is thus brought out, how natural it would be for those who had awakened the interest to take their places as leaders, and hold the work together after the ministers had done their work, and must of necessity move on to other fields.
There are conditions existing in this field which we can not describe to our brethren in the North through the columns of our papers. You may say, Why do you not do this or do that? And we can not publish the answer, which would of necessity be sent back here to be read by those of sensitive minds, who would be quick to exclaim, “By so saying thou speakest against us,” and our opportunity for doing them good would be destroyed.
J. O. JOHNSTON.
What the Lord Helped a Woman to Do
By A. O. Burrell
About two years ago a tent-meeting was held in an Ontario city of about eight thousand inhabitants, resulting in gathering about half a dozen believers, all women but one. The ministers felt that the effort was nearly a failure; and if it had been left to them to bind off, it probably would have been. A sister, who had had some training in the Bible work, and had spent one year in the nurses' course at the Battle Creek Sanitarium, was called to take up the work. The tent effort had made the work more difficult, but she went forward. She bound off the Bible work with readings,20and when occasion presented itself, went into the city hospital to give massage. A leading doctor of the city said to me: “When Miss —— came to the hospital, we turned over for massage a case which we did not know what to do with. It was a woman about twenty-five years old, to whom we had given our drugs until they seemed to have no effect. We were very glad to get her off our hands, but, to my great surprise, she began to recover, and to-day is well. She puts on her bathing suit, and goes into the lake to take her morning bath. Her cheeks are rosy, and she is the picture of health.”
A few days after, the writer had the pleasure of meeting this patient, and all the doctor said was true. Her recovery has filled her with such gratitude that she tells every one what massage has done for her. Others have had similar recoveries, and this nurse has a good name. This doctor offers to send all the patients for treatment that three nurses can care for. He urges this nurse to open treatment rooms in the city.
Besides doing this nursing, this sister has bound off the work with the believers, and others have begun to keep the Sabbath. A small dwelling has been bought and refitted for a church, and all is paid for but one hundred and ten dollars. A church has been organized. Two from this church have gone to one of our sanitariums, and are in training for nurses. If any one who may read this, desires to do a similar work, we have hundreds of openings in Ontario, and he will receive a cordial welcome.
A. O. Burrell.
Galt, Ontario.
Wisconsin Camp-Meeting
By WM. COVERT.
The annual conference and camp-meeting for Wisconsin was held August 30 to September 12, at Oshkosh. The attendance of our people probably did not exceed seven hundred at any one time during this period. Elder L. R. Conradi was with us four days of the first week, and Elder E. W. Farnsworth assisted during four days of the second week. The earnest labors of these brethren were appreciated, and were very helpful to those present.
Excellent liberty was given most of the speakers in presenting the Lord's message. Four new churches were received into the conference, making the aggregate number of churches organized in the conference one hundred and one. Forty-five persons received the ordinance of baptism in the beautiful waters of Lake Winnebago, which washes the shores of North Park, where the camp was located. The weather was ideal during the greater part of the time the meeting was in session.
Elder Lipke, of Brazil, South America, was with us a few days, and presented the needs of the cause in the field whence he came. He desired to raise six hundred dollars for the benefit of an industrial school which is being established in Brazil. He secured five hundred dollars in cash and pledges, and the gift of forty acres of Wisconsin land, which was valued at four hundred dollars. Brother Lipke was well pleased with the response made to his plea for help. Funds were pledged to the amount of four hundred and seventy dollars for the maintenance of our Chinese school for girls during the coming conference year. There was also a pleasant and liberal response to a request for funds to meet the initial expense of founding treatment rooms in Canton, China. I do not know the exact amount raised for this enterprise. The people quickly voted to continue the support of Sister Thompson in China, and Brother and Sister Ritchie in Scotland. Several hundred dollars was secured for the sanitarium at Madison, and for other enterprises relating to the needs of the cause in the State.
About one hundred persons received certificates as workers in the various departments of the conference, about half of whom are self-supporting, or nearly so. Brethren R. T. Dowsett and L. E. Sufficool received ordination and credentials.
Much time was devoted to the consideration of the canvassing work. Albert J. Olsen, who has devoted many years to the sale of our literature, was chosen to the office of field secretary, or State agent. He has entered upon the work with much earnestness, and we believe an excellent work will be done this year in the distribution of our literature. Liberal plans were also laid for the missionary campaign which is to begin in all our churches the first week in November.
Many other items of interest will be remembered by those who were in attendance, but all can not be written. Indeed, those who remain away from a good meeting must, of necessity, lose most of it; for it can not be put on paper.
WM. COVERT.