“Thy people offer themselves willingly in the day of thy power, in holy array.” Ps. 110:3, A. R. V.
Special Campaign Week, Nov. 1-6.
Full Campaign Period, Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.
Summary of Last Year's Thanksgiving Fund
Revised to October 1
THE publication of the previous summary in the REVIEW of September 23, created a healthy interest in the great missionary effort of last year.
The present summary submitted by our General Conference treasury department shows all returns received up to Oct. 1, 1909. It also rectifies a few errors in the previous summary, due to the failure of one or two conference treasurers to segregate the Thanksgiving remittances from other foreign mission funds sent in, and also to a few credits given to the wrong conferences. These few inaccuracies, however, did not affect the standing of the various union conferences.
The number of copies of the REVIEW sent out last year remaining the same, every remittance now received on last year's fund improves the standing of the conference remitting.
It is encouraging to note that of the sixty-six local conferences reported, only two now show a “balance short.” A small church in the South came to the rescue of its conference by taking up a collection equal to the “balance short.” A few days later a second donation came in from the same territory, for the same purpose, thus placing the conference in the “balance over” column.
In glancing over the list, we note that the New Jersey Conference made a splendid record, considering the number of copies of the REVIEW taken. Each copy of the paper circulated brought in over eleven cents for foreign missions.
A comparative summary of the average amounts raised for foreign missions by each union and local conference, per capita, would make interesting reading. Figured on that basis, the Atlantic and the Northern union conferences stand perhaps the highest in the list.
Another interesting set of comparisons might be drawn out by estimating the amount of returns received by each union and local conference for each copy of the REVIEW circulated.
How much did you assist, dear reader, in the campaign carried on in your union and local conference? and what part are you planning to take in the present Harvest Ingathering campaign for missions?
A. J. S. B.
Let Us All Take Part
By A. J. S. B.
ALL should participate in this great effort in behalf of our foreign missions. Let the following be our campaign motto: “Our sisters, the youth, the middle-aged, and those of advanced years may all take part in the closing work for this time.”
The following considerations will help to inspire our workers with courage:—
1. God says to us: “Go work to-day in my vineyard.” All of his commands are enabling promises.
2. God says: “Ye are my witnesses.” Isa. 43: 12. As such we should not burden ourselves with fruitless attempts to convert people, nor to argue with them. We are simply to witness,—to tell them what we know of Jesus. God alone can convert people.
3. God requires not great ability, but only “a willing mind.” He says: “If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” 2 Cor. 8: 12.
4. Christ sends us to the world as missionaries. “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” John 17: 18.
5. God’s angel is the advance agent, guide, and protector of every consecrated house-to-house worker. “Behold, I send an angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.” Ex. 23: 20.
6. Jesus himself is praying for his missionaries, and also for those we visit in his behalf. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.”
Can we possibly afford to disappoint God and retard the progress of his precious cause in our hearts and in the world, by refusing to answer his loving, urgent call to service?
The thirty-one thousand dollars collected during last year’s campaign enabled the Mission Board to send twenty-five new missionaries to needy fields, and support them for one year. To support the workers sent out last year, and to answer the many additional calls for laborers, makes the burden of the Mission Board still heavier than before.
Shall we not, therefore, distribute at least twice the number of copies of the REVIEW, and collect double the amount of money for foreign missions, that we did last year? “Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?” 1 Chron. 29: 5. A. J. S. B.
Bearing His Cross in India
By George F. Enoch
It was the sultry evening of a still more hot and sultry day. In a little chapel in the city of Poona, India,—a city in a country where Christian churches are the small places of worship, in a sad minority,—there had gathered a few missionaries of different shades of belief, with a few other Christians, about a score all told, in the weekly union prayer-meeting.
An earnest Christian from the British army, wearing the uniform of his regiment, asked permission to read a letter. That letter was short and simple, but it gives an insight into things as they are.
This soldier had given a New Testament in English to a Jain boy whom he had met in the Punjab. This Jain boy, solely from reading this Testament, became possessed of a desire to become a follower of Jesus, but for two years he had not the courage publicly to take the step. Now he wrote:—
“I am glad to let you know that your prayers and the prayers of your friends are answered. Last Wednesday I went to ——, and took an open stand for Christ. Some of my people tried to drag me away, but I got away from them. Last Sunday I was publicly baptized. My relatives came in a crowd to take me away forcibly, but the minister protected me. Then my mother, having taken down her hair, seated herself on the steps and began to weep for me, vowing that she would never again taste food until I had returned home. But O! I had learned of Jesus, and I could not give him up. I have lost my mother, my family, my friends, and all I possess, but I have Jesus. I dare not return home again, as I fear what my relatives will do. Pray for me that I may neither be kidnapped nor poisoned.”
To one of the higher castes it means everything to become a Christian in India. O how slow we are to do our part in the seed-sowing campaign among these millions! May this brief glimpse stir young people to volunteer for service. GEO. F. ENOCH.
The Novo Hamburgo Conference
By F. M. Spies; John Lipke
The last of the series of Brazilian conferences, the Rio Grande do Sul conference, which was held February 23-28 at Novo Hamburgo, has just closed. Hamburgo is a town with about three thousand inhabitants, mostly Germans. It is near the Catholic center of this state, and about twenty-two miles distant from the capital. It is surrounded by quite a number of German colonies. Unusually heavy rains weeks before our meeting had filled rivers and made the roads bad. Therefore we did not expect a large number of our brethren. But we were happily surprised to see more than one hundred ten at our meeting. Some had come by rail, others on horseback and in farm wagons and ox carts. Some brethren traveled about four days; they had to overcome many difficulties. During the early part of the meeting the weather was not very favorable, but during the last days it was excellent.
The evening meetings were well attended by people from Novo Hamburgo and vicinity. It is estimated that at one evening meeting four hundred strangers were present. The one lecture on alcohol and tobacco made quite a stir, and many were thankful for the light received on the subjects. There are many interested souls at this place, and we hope they will take their stand on the side of the truth.
For the first time since we have held conferences in Brazil, almost all our people lived in tents made by our brethren here. It was the first real camp-meeting ever held in Brazil. The conference owns a meeting-tent, a dining-tent, and a goodly number of dwelling-tents.
The interest manifested on the part of the brethren was good, and it was certainly a time of rich blessing to all whose hearts were open to receive the good things the Lord had to give. Inasmuch as about one third of those present were Brazilians, meetings were held in both the German and Portuguese languages, or in case the entire conference was addressed by one speaker, his talk was translated into the other language.
All the business of the conference was transacted with the greatest harmony. In accordance with the recommendation of the South American Union Conference Committee, the president, Elder John Lipke, was released by the conference, in order that he might engage in the educational and young people's work, while Elder Waldemar Ehlers was elected as his successor.
Financially the conference had not been as prosperous during the year 1908 as during former years. In various places of the conference locusts and droughts have caused the crops to be almost an entire failure. But the prospects for the present year are good. Still for the last two years the conference had a surplus tithe of nine hundred dollars, and of this they voted six hundred dollars to the South American Union Conference.
The brethren here took a deep interest in the institute to be held for workers in Sao Paulo, and decided to send a number of their promising young men to attend the course of instruction. The meeting-tent remained to follow up the interest. We hope that as a result of the effort there may be a good harvest of souls.
F. M. SPIES,
JOHN LIPKE.
From Inland China
Dr. Mrs. Emma Laird writes encouragingly of the work in Chang-sha, Hunan. She says:
“We have been reading our good Bulletin, which tells of the world-wide work. It is indeed inspiring to read these accounts of how the Lord is putting his hand to this work. This is none the less true right here at Chang-sha. Our little work is making slow and steady progress. We might sometime wish we could see quicker results, but the seed has been sown, and we must await patiently the time for the harvest.”
“We are looking forward to the time when some one can come to baptize those who have been waiting a long time for that sacred rite. It is felt that a church organization would strengthen our work and help to bind our workers closer together. We praise God every day for the faithfulness of those who are obeying God’s commandments.”
“In spite of threats against them there are a few who are bold enough to come and inquire for themselves about the truth. Their testimony invariably is that we have the truth. Others who would probably not come for other reasons, wish to be fitted for spectacles, and thus are brought into contact with the truth. This does not apply to Chang-sha only, but being the capital city, inquirers from other parts of the province come with their questions as to why we differ from their respective churches in our teachings. As an illustration of this, last week there were two teachers from a station not far from the Hunan-Kwang-tung border who called to see us. Thus we keep working and praying, daily doing the best we can, teaching all who come.”
Our Scandinavian Tent in Minneapolis
By Gabriel Loftfield
ON July 1 we pitched our tent on the corner of Riverside and Twenty-first Avenues, South. We scattered about three thousand hand-bills. The tent seated over three hundred persons. Through the generosity of the Minnesota Conference we were provided with many conveniences essential for our work. From the first meeting, the attendance was good, and the interest keen.
The Scandinavian field offers much encouragement to the worker. The Norwegians, Swedes, and Danes are conceded by all to be among the very best immigrants coming to this country, capable of adapting themselves to new conditions and environment. They are intelligent and independent, and illiteracy is not found among them.
The Scandinavians are naturally conservative about adopting new things, but when a follower is once gained, he becomes a stanch believer. They adapt themselves readily to our customs, and learn the English language quickly, make great progress along all lines, and are giving their American brethren a merry chase for offices of trust and emolument. “The Norwegians are found in every public office except those filled by Swedes,” is a common witticism in Minnesota and the Dakotas.
The message has made good progress among these people, and while a large number of the converts are found in American companies, many Scandinavian churches have been raised up. We experience a great dearth of competent Scandinavian workers, because the process of establishing schools, or departments in our American schools, for our Scandinavian workers, has only begun. This department of our work must be strengthened. Our Scandinavian workers need, above all else, a liberal education.
Our services at the tent were conducted entirely in the Scandinavian languages, principally Danish and Norwegian. We had no Swedish worker with us; nevertheless large numbers of Swedes came to our meetings.
Elder L. H. Christian, who is at the head of the Norwegian-Danish work in America, was our principal speaker. His sermons carry conviction to the hearts of the hearers.
The tent-meetings are to be continued as long as the weather permits; then a suitable hall will be engaged for the winter.
On the seventh of September, when I parted with this tent company, to take up again my duties at the Washington Foreign Mission Seminary, many of those who had attended our meetings were standing in the valley of decision. It was wonderful indeed to see how the Spirit of the Lord was striving with them, to reprove sin and to turn their hearts to God. I believe that there will be a goodly company coming out from this effort to join the army of the Lord18and to strengthen the Scandinavian church of Minneapolis.
Scandinavian tent-meetings were also held at St. Paul and Fergus Falls, Minn. The reports are encouraging.
We ask our American brethren to join us in prayer for the “adopted children” of the Scandinavian north.
GABRIEL LOFTFIELD.
DELLA BURROWAY
By Della Burroway
India
I HAVE started a school among the Santals, with Matta in charge. We have twenty-eight boys attending, and shall have a few more. They are very poor, so I am having them pay one anna each for the first book, other schools charge two annas. When they take up the second book, we shall increase the tuition.
They are going to build a schoolhouse, and I wish you could have seen their enthusiasm last Friday. The head man wanted us to come and say what each parent must do to have a school. So Prova and I went and met all the fathers. We drew up a paper, and took the names of all, telling them that each one was to bring so much wood and straw, and that all were to come together this week and build the house. It really meant as much to them as building our sanitarium will to us. We hope that by the time our building is ready, our Bengali Brother Dey will be here to open up school work. One aged brother and his wife are requesting baptism, and I think they are about ready for it; for they are living up to the light they have received.
DELLA BURROWAY
Burma
By H. H. Votaw
IN the matter of our literature in Burma, God has signally worked for us. It is difficult to sell sufficient small tracts and pamphlets to make a livelihood, but a brother was especially burdened to labor in this way. All over Burma the government has rest houses, where the officers can stop when traveling. I went to the government, and asked if our brother canvasser might have the same privilege. I approached the governor's assistant secretary first, and he said, “That is a pretty tall order.” That dampened my enthusiasm a little; but the more I thought about it, the more firm was my faith that God still works in the affairs of men; so I went to the chief secretary, who gave me a very kind hearing, and said, “Write it out.” And when I wrote it out and sent it in, the reply came that the governor in counsel is pleased to grant the request that this brother be allowed to occupy the bungalow free of charge.
Just before coming away [to attend General Conference] one of the sisters in our church came to me and said, “I was very much impressed in talking with my tailor who sews for me. He said, ‘Mistress, many things in the world aren't right to-day.’ I said, ‘Yes, what do you mean?’ He said, ‘The Christians do many things that the Bible prohibits. They aren't careful even in matters of eating and drinking, and you know to a Mohammedan a pig is the filthiest thing in the world.’ Then he said something upon another subject, using a term in his language meaning that it is time for him to appear. I said, ‘Whom do you mean? Mohammed?’ ‘O, no,’ he replied, ‘I mean Jesus Christ.’”
The Mohammedans are expecting Christ. I have talked with many educated Mohammedans, and they have told me that it is almost time for Jesus Christ to come and set things right. Isn't God going before us to prepare the nations for this message that we bear? I do not see how we as a people can listen to the suggestion of the enemy that God can not finish this work. Brethren, we make a fatal mistake if we try to limit the power of God. When I think of what there is to be done, it seems impossible; but when we turn to the infinite power of God, it seems as easy as can be, and God places before us those things which show that the end is approaching, and that very rapidly. H. H. VOTAW.
Southern Illinois
By S. E. Wight
I AM glad to report through the columns of the REVIEW that the laborers in this conference are of good courage. There are three tents in the field at the present time, and each company reports an excellent interest.
At Flora, two ministers are studying the truth. One of these, a man of prominence in the place, has advised his people to attend the meetings held in the tent. One person has already begun the observance of the Sabbath, and the prospects are bright for others.
During the month of September I baptized seven,—four at Alton, two at Jacksonville, and one in Springfield.
As a result of the meetings conducted in the city of Springfield by Brother L. W. Browne, seven have been baptized and united with the Second Springfield church. Several others have accepted the Sabbath truth, and are expected to join the church soon.
The prospects all through the conference were never better for the speedy triumph of the message than now. S. E. WIGHT.
WALTER L. FOSTER
By Walter L. Foster
Japan
KARUIZAWA.—We were much encouraged to hear of the missionary spirit at the General Conference, and hope to see all the good resolutions carried out as soon as financial help can be secured. We are much in need of a place for a sanitarium, school, and publishing house; but we are also in need of more workers. There are two large islands in which our work is started, without a foreign worker. Two other large islands and one group are waiting.
At the end of nine months’ hard study, June 1, I was ready for a rest, or at least a change, so we left Kobe for the mountains. By coming here, I have been able to continue study all summer. In one week we shall return to Kobe to study a short time, then shall move to Shikoku. I could profitably study Japanese for three or four years yet; but it will be much better to spend at least half the time working among the people, and the other half in study.19
Miss Cornish arrived, and began work on the language the following week, and is making good progress. I believe much time might be gained if we had several good evangelistic workers studying the language.
The brethren are holding meetings at Wakamatsu this month, for the native believers north of Tokyo. Our people spend part of each day visiting the people of the village. The interest is good, and some nights the tent will not hold even the visitors, so our people and a number of others often are compelled to stand outside. Our health is good, and all are of good courage.
WALTER L. FOSTER
Eastern Pennsylvania
By W. H. Heckman
SABBATH, August 28, was a special occasion for the brethren and sisters at Souderton, where I organized a church of twenty-seven members. About fifty were present, including Brother and Sister Freed, of Allentown.
A number of the charter members of this new organization were formerly members of the First and North Philadelphia churches, who, with brethren and sisters holding membership elsewhere, settled from time to time in the vicinity of Souderton. This new member of our conference will be known as the Fairhill church, which is beautifully situated, overlooking a number of thriving towns a few miles distant. The brethren are building a plain but neat meeting-house twenty-five by forty-five feet.
In building the church, provision will be made for the church-school, which is enjoying a successful second year under the able direction of its first teacher, Miss Anna Worrall. There are twenty-two pupils in attendance this term.
The following officers were elected: Elder, Irvin Fisher; deacons, H. Gerhart and H. Zearfoss; treasurer, H. J. Sterner; clerk, T. W. Webb; librarian, G. W. Hollman.
The possibilities for the material and spiritual growth of the Fairhill church are many and favorable, and I am glad to say that the brethren are conducting successful Sunday evening meetings. Pray for them. W. H. HECKMAN.
The Simcoe (Ontario) Meeting
By I. H. Evans
SELDOM has it been my privilege to attend a camp-meeting more favorably located than the one held at Simcoe, Ontario. In a well-shaded greensward, in the very heart of the village, the camp was neatly located. The place had already been consecrated by a long series of tent-meetings held by Brother M. J. Allen and wife, and other helpers. Several had given their hearts to the Lord. The night meetings were well attended, and on Sunday morning at nine o'clock we had a baptism, in which twenty-seven candidates went forward.
The meeting passed off pleasantly, and it was a great pleasure to me to be present. I met some of the workers with whom I had labored in past years, and I rejoiced to find them actively advancing the third angel's message.
Brother H. T. Curtis made a report of the operating of the Lornedale Academy, and it brought good cheer to the hearts of all present. This school is doing a good work for Ontario, and it deserves the support and patronage of all the believers in the conference.
I met some bright young people at this meeting, whom I hope to see connect with the work of the message soon. Ontario is a splendid field for labor. The people of that province are religious, are lovers of the Bible, and are earnest in their service to the Lord. There should be a rich harvest of souls gathered into the garner of the Lord in the coming years. I. H. EVANS.
Indiana Local Camp-Meeting
By W. A. Young
This meeting was held at Linton, September 9-19, for the benefit of those residing in the southern part of the State. The attendance from this section was good, there being about one hundred fifty persons present. From the first, the spirit of the meeting was excellent. On the first Sabbath most of those in the camp earnestly sought a greater consecration. On the second Sabbath, many others joined them in seeking the Lord.
It was also voted at this meeting that the business sessions of the conference be held in connection with our general camp-meeting. The matter of new tents, also the refurnishing of the Beechwood dormitories, and a special donation for mission fields, was presented, and the people heartily responded.
The Beechwood Academy and Wabash Valley Sanitarium were each represented, and recruits were added to the classes in both institutions. There were a goodly number of bright young people at the meeting, and they had interesting meetings twice each day. A good work was done, we believe, for the youth here.
There was a good outside interest, and the meetings were continued for one week on the camp-ground, by Elder C. J. Buhalis and the writer. The former has now gone to La Fayette to take up the work assigned him there, and Elder U. S. Anderson has joined me, and we are now moving into the town, where we shall continue the meetings. Elder F. W. Spies, of South America, and Elder Allen Moon, of the Lake Union Conference, gave excellent help in the meetings. W. A. YOUNG.
Western Oregon
By W. F. Martin
The last few months have been busy ones. It was my privilege to attend the closing exercises at both the Meadow Glade and Laurelwood schools. The former is located a few miles from the Columbia River in Washington. By request of the graduating class, I delivered the address. There was a fine class of young people here, a number of whom went into some branch of the work. It was my privilege to preach the closing sermon at the Laurelwood school. Here was also a graduating class of excellent young people. A good spiritual atmosphere pervades this school. By rightly relating themselves to the Lord, these schools may be mighty factors in fitting strong young men and women to finish the work of warning the world of the coming of the Saviour.
The Lord is blessing his work in the city of Portland. Early in the season, Elder C. J. Cole and myself, assisted by Brother T. L. Thuemler, held a short tent-meeting in Woodlawn, a suburb of this city. The Lord blessed our labors in giving us fruit. At the close of this effort we pitched the seventy-foot circle of the large pavilion in a prominent place on one of the main thoroughfares of the city. We seated the tent with chairs, put in electric lights, decorated the tent, and thoroughly advertised the meetings. From the first, the attendance at the services was good. A number of evenings the three hundred chairs would not seat the people. The smallest attendance at any time was one hundred twenty-five.
We were joined here by Elder J. M. Comer, of Minnesota. The Lord blessed the meetings. As a result of these two efforts, seventeen have taken a stand for the truth. Ten have been baptized, and a deep interest has been awakened.
The daily papers gave extended notices time and again, and commented favorably upon the meetings. Our collections amounted to one hundred twenty-five dollars.
These meetings have not only been a great factor in bringing the truth before those not of our faith, but they have aroused our own people to more active labor. Some of them had not had the privilege before of hearing a connected line of discourses on the points of the message, and it confirmed them and strengthened their faith. The Lord is adding to the church such as will be saved. I love the message, and by God's grace intend to triumph with it.
W. F. MARTIN.
South Lancaster (Mass.) Academy
By C. S. Longacre
Our school opened in the South Lancaster Academy with the largest attendance in its history. Every seat and all the chairs were filled with students. Students are coming in fast daily, and at present we have an enrolment of about two hundred eighty-five. There are many others who are yet to come, and there is no doubt that we shall soon pass the total enrolment of last year.
It is most inspiring to look into the earnest faces of our students and to know that they are here for the sole20purpose of the work of the Lord. Earnestness seems to be expressed in the countenances of all. The Lord has wonderfully blessed our Friday evening students’ meetings, and we trust that ere the school closes, every student will be converted. We are of excellent courage, and the future looks bright. We need your fervent prayers and the blessing of God to make our work a success.
C. S. LONGACRE.
Tent-Meetings for Colored People
By Jos. H. Laurence
LAST October Elder T. B. Buckner and the writer pitched a tent in Pensacola, Fla., for about six weeks. Owing to cool weather and a poor tent, we were forced to close. About ten became Sabbath-keepers as the result of this effort. I followed the interest with Bible readings, and a few others were added.
In May I pitched the tent in the western part of the city, with Brother Geo. E. Peters assisting. The results were much better. Our motto was, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Prov. 3:6. The dear Lord graciously fulfilled his promise. When I presented the Sabbath, thirty-four gave their names, pledging to observe it. Our company now numbers about forty faithful Sabbath-keepers, paying their tithes and offerings.
Fourteen were baptized, and about the same number are now awaiting the solemn rite. Our hearts are grateful to God for his blessing. The people were kind and benevolent. We met with much opposition, and one Sunday discourses on the Sabbath question were given in all the churches. Some of our sisters have suffered much, but are still of good courage.
We have secured two good lots, and we hope soon to have our church building up. Elder A. J. Haysmer visited us, and spoke twice to a full tent. I sincerely beseech the readers of the REVIEW to remember this young company in their prayers.
I left them for Montgomery, September 5. Brother Peters is stationed at Pensacola, and has a mission school started. He writes that others have recently taken a stand for the truth.
I hope to pitch a tent in Montgomery next spring, and, with the Lord’s help, I am expecting good results.
Jos. H. LAURENCE.
New Zealand
By J. L. McELHANY
CHRISTCHURCH.—A service of more than usual interest to the church in this city was held on Sabbath, August 7. At eleven o'clock, immediately following the Sabbath-school, the congregation went to the municipal bath-house, and there the writer baptized thirteen precious souls. It was a bright, sunny day, and the sunlight of God's blessing also rested on the scene. It was an occasion of blessing to all present, we trust. The candidates were all adults. One interesting fact in connection with this solemn service was that three married couples were among the number of those baptized. On the following Sabbath these persons, with two others who had been baptized a short time before, were received into the church, making an addition to the church-membership of fifteen. Of those baptized all but three have recently accepted the truth as a result of the tent-meetings and house-to-house labor.
Since the close of our tent-meetings we have held services in the church on Sunday nights. We have begun a series of prophetic studies on the important points of the message. The outside attendance has been encouraging. There seems to be an increasing interest on the part of many to hear the truth for this time. Our time is fully taken up in visiting, holding cottage meetings and Bible studies.
J. L. McELHANY.
Cumberland Industrial School, Daylight, Tenn.
By Clifford G. Howell
THERE are many evidences which indicate to my mind that the pillar of cloud still lingers over this place. Since my last report to the REVIEW, I have had the privilege of visiting the home of Sister E. G. White, and of talking with her about the work in the South. I told her of our work, and how we came to locate here seven years ago. She gave me much encouragement in my work here, and I feel that this is where God wants me to be.
To-day one of the pupils in my advanced Bible class read a passage of Scripture especially well. I said, “You read that the best I ever heard you read.” Later she said, “I asked the Lord to help me read that—something I never did before.” Our opening lessons had touched the subject of prayer and the help we may expect through prayer.
Our small school home is plastered now, and each room is occupied. We expect to put up another building this fall. Our first week’s enrolment is only about a score; but our numbers are increasing. A class in simple treatments and care of the sick, conducted by a trained nurse, is a new and helpful feature of our work.
A letter received from an old college friend to-day says: “I have watched with interest the progress of your work in Tennessee, and am glad you are coming through severe struggles victoriously.” I am glad, too. It is the “good fight of faith;” and faith that is seen is not faith. I am deeply thankful for the kindly interest so many have shown in this part of the Master’s vineyard.
CLIFFORD G. HOWELL.
Christian Education
By Frederick Griggs
Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference
FREDERICK GRIGGS - - - - Secretary
Western Normal Institute, Lodi, Cal.
By E. D. Sharpe
School opened with one hundred forty-seven in attendance,—thirty-seven more than last year,—a very intelligent class of students. There are yet a large number to come, as the crop season is late this year. The prospects are bright and encouraging. The student homes accommodate seventy-two, and eighty have applied for admittance. We are looking forward to a successful school year under the blessing of the Lord.
E. D. SHARPE.
Fireside Correspondence School
By W. E. Howell
The first and last session of the Fireside Correspondence School opened Monday, October 4. Its opening exercises were simple and unostentatious, partaking of the same practical, businesslike nature that characterizes, at least in purpose, all the work of this school. They were held in the principal’s office on the third floor of the General Conference Office building, and consisted in the enclosing and mailing in the city of Washington, D. C., by the principal of the school and his office assistant, of the first lessons to the charter members of the Fireside Correspondence School. There were no instrumental or vocal solos, duets, or quartets, and no congregational hymns, but there was the music in the soul that comes from something attempted, something done. There was no assigned “invocation,” and no one was called upon to lead in prayer, but there accompanied these exercises a fervent prayer in the heart that the work of this school may turn out to mean much more to its students, its promoters, and the cause with which it is connected, than any of us have been able to foresee.
The Correspondence School family is steadily increasing in number and growing more cosmopolitan as the days roll by. Every State in the Union has its representatives; and as we enrolled recently two young men in the Emerald Isle, one young woman in Argentina, South America, one believer in Costa Rica, Central America, and one laborer in Syria, on almost the same day; and as we think of the applications that have come in from several countries in Europe, Africa, and the islands of the sea,—none of these foreign countries having had any advertising matter to interest them except these articles in the REVIEW,—we seem justified in concluding that the work of the Correspondence School will follow the message wherever it and the English language may penetrate. And not only this, but the school is enjoying the rather unusual favor of having some honor in its own country, if indeed it may be said to have a country; for the General Conference Office and the Review and Herald Office are not without their membership in our family.
The reason we have not been talking much the last two or three weeks, is that we have had to work. We have hardly dared to know whether it was hot or cold, day or night, dinner time or bedtime; just one thing have we had to know,—that everything must be ready to open the doors of the Fireside Correspondence School bright and early Monday, October 4. And they opened. We now have more sympathy with the correspondence students, many of whom are very busy people, yet who have, like us, set some definite point or standard before them to work to. During the past few weeks we have been obliged to put the principles we have been setting forth in these columns, severely to the test. Our work upon lessons and other preliminaries has had to be as portable as the work upon the lessons in the hands of the correspondence students will often have to be. To this truth the street-cars, waiting stations, shops, and sidewalks in and around Takoma Park, will bear witness. We recognize that this is the best preparation we could have for this new enterprise. No teacher can successfully impart what he has not himself experienced, and the best preparation for aiding and sympathizing with others is to pass through the fire before them. We thank God for timing and doing all things well.
The work of the Correspondence School is beginning at a highly favorable season of the year. The pure, bracing air of autumn exhilarates the spirits and stimulates to greater activity the ambition we already have to be something better than we are and to know something more than we know. The evenings are growing longer, and fires are beginning to be lighted on the hearthstone. The most attractive spot in the home is now coming to be the family circle around the fireside. It is the sacred spot where many a long and useful career had its small but substantial beginnings. Young man, young woman, are you going to permit the precious hours of these winter evenings to be whiled away aimlessly? Grown-up brother and sister, you who had to leave school young in order to help at home or for any other reason, do you realize that “it’s never too late to mend,” that in the prime of your natural strength you can, with a little patience and resolution, set your mind at work to redeem lost opportunities? Father and mother, do you know that among our applicants for correspondence study are numbered several from forty to fifty-five years of age, two who are sixty, and one who is seventy? While time is rapidly passing into eternity, will you not all, youth, grown-ups, and parents, resolve this day to admit the Fireside Correspondence School into your family circle?
Let it be clearly understood by all that the doors of the Fireside Correspondence School are not to be closed for sunshine or for frost. Students will be admitted any day in the year, and for any number of studies they can pursue with thoroughness. Announcements and registration blanks can be procured from any State young people’s or educational secretary. After filling out the blanks send them direct to Fireside Correspondence School, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. Do not remit with a personal check unless you add ten cents for collection. All currency is sent at the remitter’s risk. In remitting, send both the tuition and the matriculation fee of one dollar. The postage may be paid by enclosing a two-cent stamp with each lesson sent in.
Be very explicit in naming the particular subject you want, using the terms employed in the announcement. If you do not find in our list exactly the subject wanted, select some other to begin with, then write and tell us what you want that is not listed. All such requests we are placing on file to serve as a basis for developing new courses. We already have on file a large number of such requests, and hope to have some new courses ready to announce early in 1910. Meanwhile, make sure that your preparatory work for a given subject is strong. It would be far better to take a thorough review of a preparatory subject by our method, than to try your hand on some advanced study for which you have not an adequate preparation. Be strong in fundamentals, is a principle that can not be emphasized too much.
We have arranged with the Review and Herald Publishing Association, 32 Union Square, New York City, to act as our supply house. All books and supplies should be ordered direct from there. We now have ready a complete printed list of text-books and supplies needed for all our courses. A copy will be supplied to prospective students.