p. 12 | Review and Herald, Vol. 81, No. 41. (10/13/1904)

Earlier text: An Invitation to the Country

Travel by River

By A. C. Selmon; H. W. Miller

A. C. SELMON AND H. W. MILLER

Hauling goods across the country by cart is very expensive, and during the farming season it is almost impossible to hire carts of any kind.

The rivers of China are very numerous; and although they are long, by reason of their crookedness, they form one of the cheapest avenues for travel. So upon returning from Hankow we left the railroad at a city about one hundred miles from our station, and decided to make the remainder of the trip by water. We engaged two pair of rafts to carry our goods. These are made of about twenty bamboo poles from four to six inches in diameter, fastened together with bamboo withes. Two

rafts thus made are fastened together into an end to end, to form a pair. When the rivers are very low, these rafts are of service, because they draw only from five to eight inches of water. Where the water is shallow, the men wade alongside and pull them. In deep water a rope is attached, and the men walk along the river bank.

After hiring any kind of conveyance, it requires a great deal of time and patience to get started. In this case we were ready to start by noon; but they had an unlimited number of excuses why it would be better to wait till the next morning. After urging the men in vain, we finally took charge of affairs, and began pulling the two rafts ourselves.

It was a very slow way to travel. In many places the river was only two inches deep. Here a large shovel was used to make a ridge of sand across part of it, leaving only a narrow channel.

This would serve to dam up the water, and so float the rafts. Our living quarters on the raft was a little booth made of cane mats. Our two Chinese boys shared this with us.

The diet of the men consisted largely of boiled rice. They consumed immense quantities of it. With the rice they always had some coarse vegetables, usually onions or greens, and as a special delicacy they would occasionally buy a small piece of fat pork.

Sometimes a fish would leap out of the water, and land on the raft. This suggested a way of fishing. The rafts were fastened end to end in line across the river, and as they were pulled along, the men would make an uproar by shouting and pounding on the bamboo poles. The frightened fish would come up to the shadow of the rafts, and then leap out of the water to try to clear the obstruction. Landing on the rafts, they were an easy prey. In this way the natives succeeded in catching fifty or sixty pounds of fish.

Fishing is carried on so extensively in the rivers that very few large fish are seen, most of those caught being from three to six inches long. In addition to the numerous kinds of dip and drag nets, they make use of a novel method. A kind of large water-bird is trained for the work. A fisherman will have a flock of ten or more of these birds, a little larger than ducks. As he rows along in a small boat, the birds are taught to swim alongside and dive into the water for the small fish. When the bird comes to the surface, he is caught at the end of a long pole, and drawn together into the boat. The fisherman grasps him by the neck, causing him to disgorge the fish.

In order to prevent the rafts from making a long stay at Si Hsien, we decided that Dr. Miller should go ahead to make the purchases and have the supplies ready to load on the rafts, while Dr. Selmon should remain and push the raftmen along as fast as possible. It was sundown when Dr. Miller and one of the Chinese boys left the raft. The doctor gives the following account of their experience:—

We had a walk of fifteen miles before we could get any conveyance to take us to Si Hsien. Neither of us was familiar with the foot-paths in this part of the country, and we had to depend on the varied statements of the Chinese whom we could arouse. There were more whom we were not able to awake, however, for, it is claimed, China could raise an army of a million men each of whom could successfully undergo the test of sleeping across a wheelbarrow with his mouth open, and a fly in it. As a consequence, we lost much time by taking wrong foot-paths. About midnight we heard the report of two guns, and people yelling at a farmhouse. Believing it to be robbers attacking the house, we extinguished our light.

A Wheelbarrow Ride

Reaching Lo Shan at 2 A. M., we soon secured a wheelbarrow to convey us the remaining twenty miles. Having no bedding with us, we were compelled to sit on the bare boards of the barrow as the big wheel rolled over the bumps, with its musical squeak. We made good time, reaching our destination about noon. We spent the afternoon in buying charcoal. The next morning, hearing of the attack of the robbers, and that some of the men were badly injured on the rafts, I returned to meet the rafts, following back along the river five miles. After redressing all the wounds, we were all soon at Si Hsien.

Riding a Donkey

No sooner had we arrived, than a Chinaman from a neighboring city rode up with a note, requesting that one of us come at once to see a patient. As Dr. Selmon was disabled, the boy and I returned, he riding a horse, and I a donkey. We were also accompanied by a soldier to act as our guide. The night was dark and rainy, and it was with difficulty that the animals kept the road. We reached the city gate about two in the morning. After calling for the gatekeeper several minutes, we gave up trying to arouse him. Examining the lock, its frailty soon manifested itself, as it easily pulled apart, and we entered the city, fastening the gate as well as we found it. This again shows the ridiculous side of Chinese protection. They will spend years in erecting a wall thirty feet high around the city, and then secure the main entrance with a lock that can be pulled apart and put together again without detection.

Traveling in a Sedan-Chair

In the morning I was again on my way, returning to Si Hsien, hoping to meet the rafts there. The conveyance used this time was a sedan-chair, which is a chair made of bamboo, carried by two men, and supported upon two long bamboo poles. Reaching the city, I learned that the rafts had left in the morning. As I had no Chinamen with me, nor a single cash, I was obliged to call upon the mandarin for help in order to get a conveyance to carry me to the next village. No sooner had I reached the official's quarters, than a heavy rain dashed down, and this meant delay for me. But a missionary must learn to be happy under disappointment, and I saw before me an opportunity I had not heretofore had, to see how affairs were carried on among the officials of China.

The mandarin of a city corresponds to the mayor in the States, and around him are a large number of “hangers-on,” corresponding to the politicians in the United States. His rooms were very ordinary, being made of mud, with a dirt floor. His room had only two pieces of furniture besides the chairs, a table which served as writing-desk and dining-table, and a bed. The latter was curtained off, and he would lie on it and smoke opium during the day, and sleep during the night. I was given the seat to the left of the table, which was the seat of honor, and his best clothes were offered me, the best food, and, in fact, the best of everything.

Many of the officials called on me, telling me they were sick and desired foreign medicine. One of them has since come to our station after medicine. They were also interested in finding out all they could about American customs. The mandarin thought he knew a little more than the rest, so seized both of my hands, to show the officials how Americans shake hands. He next brought a picture of himself and son, which they considered a wonder. A Chinaman will never permit his wife to be in the same picture with him; that would be a disgrace. She must have hers taken separately or with her daughters.

His business did not occupy much of his time. He seemed most interested in the men that supplied him with food and

prepared his opium for him to smoke. He seemed to have four duties, and these he must faithfully perform; namely, smoke tobacco, drink tea, smoke opium, and eat his meals. This required so much of his time that very little was left for other things. I was offered all these luxuries, but partook only of his sumptuous meal. I was treated with the greatest courtesy. During the night I was aroused every hour by the ringing of bells, beating of drums, and firing of guns, for five minutes. This noise was to drive the evil spirits away from the official's quarters.

In the morning a chair was made ready, and after two days' travel I again joined the boat.

Attacked by Night

The experience of those remaining on the raft is given by Dr. Selmon:—

The following night after Dr. Miller left the rafts, I told the men to keep moving all night. About midnight the rafts were in a very shallow part of the river. I was suddenly awakened by the report of guns at the rear end of the rafts, and above the noise of the fearful yelling could be heard the captain shouting, “Get up! get up! Strike the robbers!” I sprang from my bed, to find that we were being attacked by a band of robbers. At first sight the water seemed to be swarming with them, but a later count showed there were fifteen in all. They had planned to take us by surprise when the rafts were tied up at the bank, and we were all fast asleep. But, failing in this, they selected a shallow place in the river, far removed from any village. They were armed with guns, swords, and long spears, and greatly outnumbered the men with me. The robbers would make a rush at us, and try to climb on the rafts, striking at the men with their swords and spears. The only weapons we had were the long bamboo poles used for pushing and guiding the rafts. The robbers knew the goods belonged to foreigners, and they thought we had a lot of silver with us.

As soon as I saw our situation, I began praying to the Lord for help. Seizing a long bamboo pole, I ran to the side of the raft to help keep the robbers off. Although it was a dark night, their large lanterns enabled them to recognize me, and several of them made a rush toward the place where I was standing. After striking an effective blow on the head of the nearest robber, I was disabled by a blow on the arm; and had not some of our men come to my aid, I would have fared badly. After half an hour's fighting, the robbers left us. I felt thankful to the Lord for this deliverance; for had they continued the attack, we could not have kept them off much longer, several of our men, besides myself, being disabled. The Lord's deliverances are always at the right time, and his promises are the surest defense against the enemy, whether that enemy be Satan or men inspired by the evil one. After the robbers left us, we soon reached a village by the riverside, and waited there till daylight.

The report of this affair quickly reached the mandarin of the district, and the next morning, accompanied by a large number of soldiers and officials, he came to make inquiry of my welfare, and to express his regrets that such an outrage had happened in his territory. He at once sent out a company of fifty soldiers to search for the robbers. He also gave us an escort of six soldiers to go with us to the next city. He was quite a little concerned for fear the incident would reach the ears of the United States consul, and was very energetic in his attempt to bring the robbers to justice. After six and a half days' travel on the rafts, the shallow river which we had used thus far, emptied into a large deep river, and we exchanged our rafts for a boat.

The bickering encountered in engaging this boat will give some idea of the difficulty one constantly meets in doing any kind of business with the Chinese. Whether the Chinaman is dealing with a fellow countryman or a foreigner, it is just the same, with the exception that he will probably ask a much larger price of the foreigner; for the Chinese think all foreigners are rich. After looking at two boats, we finally engaged one large enough to carry all our goods. After making the bargain, the captain came to us and said that charcoal was too dirty, and that he could not carry it on his boat. He said that he had an old boat that would be very good for carrying charcoal. We told him that we would go with the charcoal and other goods in one boat. After thinking about it for a time, he decided that he could haul part of the charcoal. We had learned a few of the Chinese business tactics, and told him there were some other good-looking boats near by. He then decided that he could haul it all, and began loading our goods. After our boxes and about half of the charcoal were on board, he came to us with the information that the boat was loaded as heavy as it would carry. We knew from the capacity of the boat that it was not half loaded; and taking matters into our own hands, we soon found plenty of empty space. This little incident of hiring the boat and transferring our goods from the rafts took us about eight hours.

Travel on the boat proved to be slower than by rafts. During the first day we came to a likin (collecting station). Persons taking goods up or down the river must pay a tax of a certain per cent on all goods on board, before they are allowed to pass this point. The “likin tax” is a kind of revenue collected at various places in the inland of China to help pay the war indemnity. It is a very unjust method of raising money, and will go out of effect at the beginning of the new year. Our cards, showing that we were foreigners, served to pass our goods without tax. We had already paid a likin tax of two and one-half per cent on our goods before we started from Hankow.

In order to enforce the law there was a government revenue cutter stationed here. It could hardly be called modern, and it did not look as if it could do much harm if a boat refused to stop and pay the tax. It was an old river junk, whose only motive power was a square sail and “rice power” (a man walking along the shore, and pulling by means of a rope, fastened to the mast). In the stern end, almost covered up with old matting and ropes, there was a small muzzle-loading cannon, of the type used a hundred years ago.

From the city where we hired the boat to our mission station, the distance by cart road is one hundred and ten li (thirty-seven miles), but the distance by river is many times this. It required six and one-half days to make the trip by boat.

China has the most crooked rivers in the world, and we gave this one the credit of being the most crooked in China. After going all day, we would find that we were only two miles nearer our destination than in the morning. When the wind was favorable, we could make use of the sails, but the greater part of the way the boat was moved by “rice power.” In the course of our river trip we saw the bodies of three men floating in the water, and dead dogs and other animals in great numbers. No more attention was paid to the floating bodies of the men than to the dead dogs.

Not knowing all the superstitious beliefs of the Chinese, we threw some refuse over the front end of the boat. The boat people became frantic, and seemed to fear that some calamity would soon overtake us. Upon inquiry, we were told that the boat's spirit moved along in the water at the bow of the boat, and that throwing refuse into the water here would be treating the spirit in a very disrespectful way, and would bring misfortune.

We reached our station after an absence of three weeks, during which time we had many opportunities of studying the characteristics of the people.

There is but little joy or happiness in the life of the great majority—nothing to live for in this world but self, and nothing to look forward to in the next. These are surely they that now sit “in the region and shadow of death.”

Sin Tsai Hsien, China.

J. W. WESTPHAL

By J. W. Westphal

Brazil

J. W. WESTPHAL

It must be remembered that Brazil is a republic whose area is about the same as that of the United States. It is composed of twenty States, whose average area is more than double the average area of the States of the American Union. The population is not far from twenty million, located principally in the coast States and in the southern portion of the republic. As these States are gradually being filled with European immigrants, many of the older inhabitants are leaving for more sparsely settled portions, principally for Matto Grosso, a large State on the border of Paraguay, Bolivia, and Peru. There are many thousands of Indians, and of some of their tribes but little is known.

Only seven of the States have any Sabbath-keepers: namely, Minas, Espirito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Parana, Santa Catharina, and Rio Grande do Sul. In the first named we have one church; in the second, two; in the third, one; in the fourth, one small company and one family; while in each of the remaining three States we have several churches. To go from the most northern church to the brethren most remote in the south will take at least one month, and it may take considerable longer. To reach intermediate points there will take a proportionately long time. Filling calls in new fields is also done already at a great loss of time. It is therefore clear that the work in Brazil must be carried forward at much greater expense in time and money than would be required in the United States. Indeed, many lines a laborer can not do more than one half as much as he can in the States, while the hardships and deprivations are multiplied many times.

In the State of Minas we have no laborer; in Espirito Santo there is one, Elder W. Ehlers. In Rio Janeiro we have our office, but there is no public laborer. Neither is there a laborer in Sao Paulo. In the State of Parana, Elder F. W. Spies, and Brother Emil Hoelzle, a licentiate, and several young canvassers are at work. As soon as Brother Spies can consistently leave the work in this State, he is expected to enter the State of Sao Paulo. In Santa Catarina, Brother John Linke, the former principal of the Brusque school, is to look after the work. The school is now being conducted by one of its former students. In Rio Grande do Sul, Elder H. F. Graf is the only minister. There are two canvassers, one of whom is now assisting Elder Graf in some public efforts. Our missionary paper, O Arauto da Verdade, is also published here, and the editor, Wm. Stein, is also translating tracts and books, and assisting in other ways. Here is also our second mission school, conducted by Brother Emil Schenk. Dr. A. L. Gregory is engaged in self-supporting mission work, necessarily devoting his time principally to medical and dental practise. It was only after many severe conflicts and discouragements that the doctor was able to establish himself in the midst of the opposition he has had to meet.

This is, in brief, the situation in which our work finds itself in Brazil. Only a few know anything about the message. At every step we are cramped for men and means to carry it forward. Should there not be at least two laborers in each of these States at once? The results already attained show that the Lord has many jewels not only among the foreigners, but among the native Brazilians. There are fields to-day where there are many ready to welcome the devoted laborer that can not possibly be supplied.

Opposition to the message is being carried on systematically and aggressively, and it seems to me is already far ahead of us. Sunday closing is even now the order of the day. This is not only the case in the larger cities, but is common in the smaller country villages. This is a condition developed in the last year or two. No doubt those who have been most prominent in the agitation that has brought it about have been the Protestant missionaries from the United States, and it is in imitation of the example of the world's greatest republic. Thus the United States is rapidly inducing these people to face about, again directing their steps toward Rome, and toward the worship of the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

There are other ways in which the enemy is working. Articles have appeared in prominent American newspapers to the effect that Germany has designs upon southern Brazil. This is strongly resented by many of the Germans of Brazil. In view of the aggressions of the United States in the Philippines and other places, and the position with reference to Panama, it is reported by many of them that the United States has designs upon Brazil, and the subject is argued in the public press. Since the American missionaries of various denominations are coming in contact with the established churches, and are taking some of their members, a bitter feeling against them has been aroused among many. The result has been that the American missionaries have been represented as spies sent out and supported by the American government. Not long ago a native minister who is now keeping the Sabbath was whipped by the authorities, and one of his flock, a little girl, was severely injured, because in a German paper he was represented as an American spy.

While I was sleeping under the hospitable roof of an Estanciarao, my traveling companion, Brother H. Mecking, was having a warm discussion with the proprietor. After he had learned that I was a missionary from the United States, he declared that I was a spy. No amount of argument could make him believe otherwise. He declared that he could not make an intelligent man believe otherwise. Thus the enemy is working to hedge up the way for the advancement of the message, and to make it as difficult as possible. It is clear that with every delay we are making our work harder. To the hardships and deprivations as they are in the field to-day will soon be added persecution. Will not our brethren remember this field in their prayers and with their means? and are there not some of our younger men who are willing to share in the conflicts, self-denials, and deprivations, and, both now and at the end, in its glorious triumphs?

A Japanese Mother’s Sacrifice

A JAPANESE mother, on hearing that her son was exempted from military service on the ground that she was dependent upon his earnings, took a dagger and plunged it into her own heart, and, giving the dagger to her son, told him that now he was free to fight for the fatherland. He immediately volunteered for the service. Parents who stand in the way of their children's going into the mission field may learn a lesson from this woman. Her love of country did for her what the love of Christ has not done for them.—Selected.

Argentina

By F. H. Westphal

ENTRE RIOS.—We rejoice to be back here once more. Yesterday my brother came home from his long journey in Brazil and Corrientes. We shall hold some meetings among the brethren here, and then go to Urdinarrain. After that we shall go into the province of Santa Fe and attend the camp-meeting and conference of that province. Then we shall continue our journey to Chile. We expect to reach that country about the first of November. Brother and Sister Steele went directly to Chile.

It has been colder this year than in the past. The leaves on some trees are frozen. The abundant rains give promise of a good harvest. The fields of wheat are green, and growing fast. I hope that the brethren will have a good harvest. They have had some very hard times since we left this country, but if they have a good harvest this year, many will be placed on vantage-ground.

We visited the school, and were much pleased with its appearance. The building has been improved, and the grounds also. There are young men in the school who can soon take responsibilities in the work. With some of these I am well acquainted, having baptized them. It seems to us that the school work has not been a failure here. We have a large field to be supplied with laborers, and many of them must be developed here. The brethren are thinking of manufacturing more brick to extend the building further, as they do not have sufficient room. They wish to have brickmaking taught as one of the industries of the school, and it might be profitable. There is also some thought of raising bees and selling honey. I think that this would also be useful and profitable. The bees would be an object-lesson of faithfulness. A general meeting is to be held to-morrow in the schoolhouse. I think it will be largely attended. We are all well, and of good courage. May the Lord bless in his work. F. H. WESTPHAL.

Hongkong, China

By E. H. WILBUR

It has now been more than a year since Mrs. Wilbur and I arrived in China. We were located in Canton for a few months, but moved back to Hongkong last March. We have been studying the Cantonese language daily with a teacher, and also canvassing for our English publications as we have had opportunity. The Lord has blessed us with good health, and we have enjoyed the work here very much.

Hongkong is an important shipping center. In point of tonnage, it is said to be the second city in the world, Liverpool being the first. Steamers are constantly coming from and going to America, Europe, Africa, Australia, and India. There are about thirteen thousand English-speaking people here, more than two hundred thousand Chinese, and several thousand Portuguese and East Indians. Here is where Brother La Rue stood as a faithful sentinel for about fifteen years.

I am constantly meeting people who have been influenced more or less by his work. I believe that there ought to be a minister of experience located here, who could give his entire attention to the English work. We who are here have not been able to do this. Elder Anderson moved to Canton last spring, and we have all been studying the language, preparatory to carrying the message to the Chinese. Thus far, we have been almost silent witnesses, but, thank the Lord, the time is near at hand when we hope to speak with no uncertain sound. By the time this reaches you, Elder Anderson will, the Lord willing, have begun a series of meetings in Canton, speaking to the people in their own language. A suitable building has also been secured in Canton for a girls' school, which will be conducted by Miss Ida Thompson.

For months war between Japan and Russia was expected, and now we are in the midst of it. We do not know how many nations will be involved in the conflict, or what will be the outcome; but we do know what will be the outcome of the warfare in which we are engaged, and while “the powers of darkness are working with intense energy from beneath,” every Seventh-day Adventist should be doing all in his power to save men. There are honest souls in every land, and the Lord is asking us: “Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?” Eze. 13:18. May God help us to do so.

E. H. WILBUR.

Chile

By H. F. Ketring

IQUIQUE.—I am now holding the annual meeting with the church here, and with those who come in from other places. I am very busy, having two meetings a day; with the necessary visiting and work here in the office, my time is full. I hold a preaching service every night. As nearly all are poor, and must work, we hold a meeting every morning at six o'clock, in which I read and translate some of the testimonies concerning the importance of the church being a working church, and we talk over plans for future work.

The tithe and offerings for the entire field this year are two hundred dollars more than they were last year.

This morning nearly all attended the six-o'clock service. They seem to appreciate their condition, and want to be helped. May the dear Lord, who cares for his flock as for a precious treasure, give wisdom. I read from Volume VI this morning, where Sister White says that the church is the case which contains God's jewels. They all enjoyed the meeting.

The rest of the time was occupied in discussing methods of labor. At the close of the meeting, recommendations were passed, mentioning their determination to extend the message among the people about them, and especially to work the city of Iquique thoroughly with Senales and other literature. Faithfulness in tithe and offerings was also included in the list of recommendations. This was the first experience of this church in doing committee work.

For a long time I have desired to see manifested among these people a real seeking after God. I have tried to present the word to them in such a way as to awaken in them a sense of their need; but all their former education has been a form of godliness, without the power. Sabbath it seemed as though the Lord, by his Spirit, came a little nearer. I had spoken very plainly to the church all through the meetings; and as we expected to celebrate the ordinances, I tried to impress all with the solemnity of the occasion. Before participating, many went through the congregation, and with tears in their eyes, begged one another's pardon for faults committed. Two left the meeting to go to the home

of an absent one, to make matters right before partaking of the emblems. We believe the coming year will be a better one for the Iquique church.

We appreciate the efforts of our brethren and sisters at home to forward re-enforcements and ammunition. We are pressing forward just as fast as we possibly can. Our courage is the best it has ever been. Mrs. Ketring reports good meetings among the English in the south, where she is continuing the work that I began last winter.

I realize more and more the necessity of those who take up the work in these Spanish fields dedicating themselves to it for life. In order to work successfully for people steeped in Romanism, we who have been reared Protestants need years of experience. The difference can not be imagined by one in the home land. One must learn to adapt himself to the special needs of poor Catholic souls. H. F. KETRING.

South Africa

By Ellen I. Burrill

KENILWORTH, CAPE TOWN.— The work is doing nicely here, notwithstanding the difficulties to be met. So far this school year has been very trying, but God has been near, and helped us over each difficulty. I love his service more and more. The only sad thing about my leaving is the need of workers here. We need help. We need men and women who will work hard and long, who will bear their own burdens, and help others bear theirs,—workers who will do anything anywhere. We have long waited for help, but had none until Brother and Sister Walston came. The field is the Lord's, and we are doing what we can. The harvest is great, and the laborers are few everywhere; but the harvest day is near. What a day it will be!

ELLEN I. BURRILL.

India

By Anna Knight

SIMLA.— The burden and heat at Karmatar told on me, and I came to Simla for a rest. I can not rest; I must work. But the change will help me much. I am doing some Bible work, and other missionary work. There is so much to do here in Simla! I am sorry that there is not a regular Bible worker stationed here this year, but I hope help will come soon.

Miss Wilcox and I are together here. God is truly blessing her, and giving her marked success in her work.

Simla is an important center. I could get twelve Bible readers weekly, if I were expecting to remain. Many have recently become interested, and others whom we had previously met are still our friends, and are investigating. I am not taking up any new work while here, only trying to strengthen the things that remain, or, better still, water the seeds already sown.

The work is gaining ground in India, and the health principles are being more widely disseminated. Miss Wilcox has all she can do in this line. We need workers in all the cities. We must reach thousands where we are now reaching one—and we shall in the near future. ANNA KNIGHT.

The Superior Mission Field

By M. C. Guild

Last July, by invitation, I came to the Superior Mission Field to labor, and after the good camp-meeting at Gladstone, remained for a few weeks with the workers here, to follow up the interest that was awakened. Six or seven adults have accepted the message, and several others are deeply interested.

I next went to the Mancelona camp-meeting in the North Michigan Conference, stopping at Sault Ste. Marie on the way. Elder E. R. Williams and his wife, Sister Belle Campbell, and other laborers have brought some precious souls into the truth here, three of whom were lately baptized by Elder Williams. A building for church purposes has recently been erected, and the members are united, and love the truth.

The meeting at Mancelona was a season of great refreshing, and our people returned to their homes, full of hope and good cheer. Surely those who neglect to attend these annual gatherings suffer much loss.

From the camp-meeting I went to Iron River, near the center of the iron mining district of the Upper Peninsula. There is a good-sized church of our Swedish people at this place. They have a neat church building in a pleasant farming region, and are now about to put up a building for church-school purposes.

Returning, I stopped at Iron Mountain, a city of ten thousand inhabitants, where a little company is striving to hold up the light of present truth. At Wilson I found a church of Belgian French. The unity and love prevailing among them made my heart glad. They have decided to start a church-school in a few weeks.

During the past year Elder F. J. Harris and Brother R. J. Bellows have labored at Ensign and Rapid River, and the Lord has richly blessed their efforts. About one year ago there was only one or two Sabbath-keepers in each of these places. Their example and influence have been felt, and now many of their neighbors rejoice with them in the Saviour’s love. September 24 and 25, I met with the believers at Ensign, and assisted in organizing a church of nineteen members. Elder Harris and Brother Bellows were present, and all enjoyed much freedom in presenting the message, and six requested baptism. They have a Sabbath-school of thirty members, and are about to erect a church-school building. At Rapid River a number of adults have accepted the truth, and their Sabbath-school numbers twenty.

There are many places in this field where the truth has never been presented, and we invite those who have a love for souls, and who now live in crowded churches where they are not needed, to come and help us by settling in some of these places and holding up the precious light of truth. Farmers do well here, and there are many localities where land is cheap and good. I am of good courage, and can truly say that the way is growing brighter.

M. C. Guild.

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