The Brusque general meeting was held January 3-7. Although the weather had previously been quite bad, we were favored with good weather during the meeting, and there was an average attendance of about eighty. The Holy Spirit was with us, and gave effect to the spoken word. The Lord gave messages of comfort and encouragement as we studied the life, the temptations and victories, of the Saviour, and also other examples of faith and victory given in the Word.
The general meeting just closed was a source of strength and blessing to God's people. May all be faithful to the Lord until he comes. On Sabbath, January 6, the ordinances of the Lord's house were celebrated, and this also was a season of great blessing. I now go to the province of Panama, where work is awaiting me.
F. W. SPIES.
CHARLOTTE SIMPSON
By Charlotte Simpson
China
SIN-TSAI HSIEN.—We have a nice little company of believers—some who have been baptized, and others who are waiting for Brother Pilquist to come and administer the rite. Most of our believers are farmers. They attend meeting very regularly, although they have quite a distance to come. One man walks forty-five li (fifteen miles) every Sabbath, weather permitting. Every Sabbath the evangelist, and our Chinese teacher, who is a Christian, hold three meetings. We help in these. Both men and women attend. During the week Miss Ericksen and I have the women come to us, or we go to some of their homes, and teach them the Bible. This is not easy, for scarcely any of the women can read, and our poor Chinese talk prevents us from saying many things we would like to say. But we do the best we can, and I know the Lord blesses our efforts, for the women seem to understand much better than we thought they would. We take courage in the thought that, though we are not able to do a great deal now, the time is not far distant when we shall be able to put all our thoughts into work.
We are thinking of opening a day-school for girls, in the near future. At present, however, we have plenty of work on hand, and are still hard at work on this very difficult language.
We have a dispensary, and although we are not doctors, we treat many sick people. It seems rather strange that, as the Chinese have such contempt for women, they are so willing to come to us for treatment, in preference to their doctors. Skin diseases, sore eyes, malaria, enlarged spleens, are the most common ailments. We have had several children who were paralyzed on one side, who recovered completely after a few treatments.
We treat many kinds of sores, but ulcers are perhaps the most common. We use the water treatment, and usually have success.
CHARLOTTE SIMPSON
H. R. SALISBURY
By H. R. Salisbury
England
We had a good time in the South England Conference during the week of prayer, which closed a week ago. I was able during the holidays to visit all the churches and companies in the South England Conference, and I found things in a most encouraging condition. I saw many new interests springing up, and also found the older companies taking hold anew.
We will have our general meeting March 9-13.
This last quarter alone our tithe was seven hundred and thirty-five pounds two shillings and seven pence, as against four hundred and fifty-seven pounds nineteen shillings and ten pence of last year. We began the second quarter nineteen pounds in debt, and we closed the year with a net gain of four hundred and ninety-seven pounds twelve shillings and nine pence.
Also, we have bought two new tents for our summer campaign. The large tithe was a surprise to us, and the committee was greatly pleased when the report was placed before it. This means that we shall be able to enter the field more aggressively in 1906 than ever before. We hope to put four new tent companies into the field, in places where the truth has never gone, and also to keep up the interest in places which we have been developing. Everything seems to point to the fact that 1906 will be a far more prosperous year, both in church-membership and in finances, than we have ever enjoyed.
We have added Brethren McCord and Gauterau to our staff of workers in the south, and are also arranging to take our proportion of young men from the training college during the holidays. Some will finish their studies at the college, and we shall be able to take our share of these as regular laborers.
H. R. SALISBURY
Plainfield Mission, Cholo, British Central Africa
By Thomas H. Branch
At the close of another six months' service, we report the work in good condition. The message is awakening an interest among the people, and many are coming to hear this new way, as they call it. They ask about the change of the days, and when we make it plain to them from the Word of God, they say, “Now we see, we see.” Truly Ethiopia is awakening from her long slumber in darkness, and is stretching out her hands to God for the words of life; her sons and her daughters are crowding the schools of learning; others will walk for miles to buy a book, that they may learn to read. There is a great thirst for knowledge among the people, but they can not all enter the missions. As soon as they learn to read the primer of the language, the next book that is placed in their hands is the New Testament Scriptures; this they read with unabated interest, and wherever you see one who has begun to read this blessed book, you will find him with a copy. On a journey or at their labor, when there is a little time, several of them will get together, and read a few words from their Testaments. Is this not the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to them?
The spiritual work at the mission is being carried on daily; each evening we have a Bible study, and much interest is taken both by the boys and by the women. Some of our boys are truly walking in the light of the Sabbath truth, and are anxious about the salvation of their brethren; so when their work and school hours are finished, they take their Bibles and wend their way to the villages to instruct the people concerning these things. The Sabbath afternoon services in the villages still continue, and by these means from two to three hundred are reached who do not come to the services held at the mission, and otherwise would not hear. The boys report good interest at these services.
On the thirtieth of September, eight precious souls were buried with their Lord in baptism; this was a solemn and impressive scene. Four brothers, who had confessed the Lord, were buried together with him in the watery grave, and rose to walk with him in newness of life. Truly this was a precious time, and the Lord, by his Spirit, came very near in blessing. A large number of natives assembled to witness this scene, and I trust that an impression was made for good, and that others may soon follow in the way of righteousness.
Our farm work is all that could be desired at this stage of the planting and growing. I have managed to get in, with my small force of boys, fifty acres of corn, fifteen acres of peanuts, eight acres of beans, five acres of sweet potatoes and two of Irish potatoes, also one acre of cassava. This work has all been done with our only farming implement, the hoe, the handle of which is only eighteen inches long. It is anything but an easy task to perform labor day after day in this manner; yet the farming is carried on successfully. I am trusting for an abundant yield.
The Lord has wonderfully blessed us this year in the mission finances; we have been able to collect thirty-four pounds on the corn contract of 1904, and have sold five and one-half tons of the 1905 corn for thirteen pounds eight shillings three pence, and have received from the sale of goats, vegetables, butter, and English clock, eight pounds eight shillings. This income has greatly helped with the running expenses of the mission, and praise to the Giver of every good gift, we have had enough to feed our school family.
The mission stock is thriving well, there are thirteen head of cattle, and twenty-nine goats.
The school work is exceptionally good, although the attendance is small, as many of the boys are working out their taxes. The enrolment is forty-five. Many of these boys on entering the school two years ago, did not know even their alphabet, but now they can read, and can translate a good portion of the English Bible into their own language, and a change is noticeable in their lives, which tells for something better than their old village life and habits. Two of the boys help in the teaching here at the mission, and only one out-school is running at present, as the other one was burned down. We have six women and two girls staying at the mission, who attend school, and eight girls who come from the villages to school. It is hard to keep girls at the mission or in school, as they marry at the tender age of from six to ten years, and then, of course, their duties keep them at home, for they are not only housewives and cooks, but also the ones to raise the food.
The general health of the mission has been very good until the last two months,18when there has been a great deal of sickness. My wife and Paul have had a serious attack of fever, also many of the natives, but the lives of all have been spared to us. Quite a number have come to the mission to be treated, and the Lord has blessed in restoring them all to health. The land seems to be full of lepers, who are in a pitiful condition; they are not isolated as they were in the days of Christ, but are going to and fro among the people, and living with their families. This they continue to do until the flesh begins to drop from their bones; then they are put into a little house, and fastened in, there to die.
This is a large country teeming with her millions. Calls for schools and the Word of God are coming in continually. Truly the work is great, and the laborers are few. Are there not some who will consecrate themselves to this great work? God is calling. Who will go to carry the bread of life to the starving multitudes in the regions beyond? Did Jesus not say, when he saw the multitude that were weary and sad, and thirsty and hungry, “Give ye them to eat”? Brethren, the Macedonian cry is sounding, come over and help us.
“Breathe a prayer for Africa: God the Father's love
Can reach down and bless the tribes from his heaven above;
Swarthy lips, when moved by grace, ever sweetly sing;
Pray that Afric hearts be made loyal to our King.”
Dear brethren, we need your prayers that we may ever dwell in the presence and unerring counsel of God, that he may impart wisdom and strength, that we may do to his glory the work he has entrusted to our hands.
THOMAS H. BRANCH.
G. W. CAVINESS
By G. W. Caviness
Mexico
Our Mexican brother whom I brought into the truth last fall by reading, is canvassing. He takes over one hundred subscriptions for our paper in a month.
We have organized a Sabbath-school of twelve members, and when Brother Colunga comes with his family, it will number sixteen. He will be here in a few days. We have eight adult Sabbath-keepers here, who nearly all accepted the truth from reading. A German Bible Society agent has also accepted the truth, and has gone to scattering the seeds. I spent three weeks in daily study with this man, and sent him on his way rejoicing, with plenty of tracts and papers, which he bought.
G. W. CAVINESS
Ecuador
By T. H. Davis
ABOUT a month ago we went to Posorja, from Guayaquil, to spend the winter. Posorja is a small town about thirty miles from Guayaquil. Many families spend the rainy or warm season at this coast town. This is a very dry year at this town and neighboring places. Water is brought by donkeys a mile or more in small barrels.
After getting settled, Elder Casebeer and I started out to visit the other three small towns on this peninsula. At Moro, the first place at which we stopped, we were able to sell a number of small books and papers; we also took two orders for “Patriarchs and Prophets.” At first we thought that nothing could be done, as it seemed that all the town had gone to church, but the Lord soon opened the way for us to sell something. At Playas, the next small town, we were welcomed by a friend of mine, who, like ourselves, had gone to the coast to spend the hot season. This man, who was a strong Catholic and had once opposed me at his home, welcomed us, and provided for us for the night. In this we could see the hand of God. At these small towns there are no hotels or lodging houses. The first man we saw was the only man I knew in town.
Playas is a very cool place, but dry like the others. The inhabitants live largely on fish. Very early in the morning we looked out upon the beautiful bay, and saw many of the people out fishing. They stood in their dugouts, which are so small they can hardly be seen. At a distance the people seemed to be walking upon the great deep. We were able here to sell several books and tracts. Elder Casebeer, although having only a limited knowledge of the language, was able to sell quite a number of small books and papers. He thinks this a good way to learn the language.
After dinner we started for Data, which lay around the peninsula, on our way home. The road along the beach is the prettiest I ever saw, very wide and covered with pretty, colored shells. Some places were literally covered with red crabs. After a long walk we arrived at a palm grove, and asked for some green coconuts to quench our thirst. To get the nuts a man climbed the tree by walking up the trunk on all fours, like a monkey. Coconut water is a delicious drink, and is the best we have here in the tropics. After trading the Senales de los Tiempos for the nuts, we started for home.
At Posorja I was able to sell several copies of “Patriarchs” and a number of small books. The governor bought a copy of “Patriarchs” and one of “Christ Our Saviour.” The teacher of the public school bought a Bible of me, and the same day the priest came to see him; on seeing the book, he took it to the door, tore it in pieces, then threw it out in the public square. Some of the children brought me a piece of the Bible, and this was the first I heard of what had happened. This same priest not long ago went to see a young man who was very ill, and on seeing a Bible on the table, ordered it to be burned. The teacher got another Bible from me, and says he will change the priest ten sucres for the one he tore up. This he can do, as he owes the priest that amount.
At the present writing I am in Guayaquil, and it is carnival days. People, houses, street-cars, and fences are painted, or rather blotched, in about all the colors of the rainbow, by the colored water which the people throw at one another during these three days. I am staying indoors, for if one would go out, he would be sure to get soaked with water thrown from the windows, or with dye, which they put in egg shells. I am glad this is the last day, for I am anxious to take some orders for the Senales and for books.
Brother Vaca, our only Sabbath-keeper in Ecuador, came to see me to-day. He began keeping the Sabbath just a few days before we all left for Posorja. I was glad to see him first, although he has been sick, without money, work, or friends.
T. H. DAVIS.
Guayaquil.
Burma
By Heber H. Votaw
INSEIN.—Upon my return to Rangoon from Moulmein I found Brother and Sister Hansen fairly swamped in work. The medical work is keeping them very busy at present. They are also doing evangelical work. Brother Hansen has given over to me a part of his Bible readers. I believe he has written concerning the pastor who is studying with us. He is still coming to us three times a week. Just now we are in the midst of the Sabbath question. God has stirred this man's heart, and we are praying that he may obey fully. He has been in Burma for about twenty-five years, and is a very active, vigorous man still.
One man has recently begun to keep the Sabbath through reading the Oriental Watchman. He is not instructed in the other points as yet, but we hope to hold studies with him soon.
Three young Burmese women who have been attending the Sabbath-school for some time, have very recently begun properly to observe the Sabbath. They show evidences of a good work being done in their hearts, and we hope ere-long to baptize them. One is from a Buddhist family, but has been staying with one of our sisters for some time.
Soon after our arrival here, a missionary told me that if I baptized only those who gave up the use of tobacco, I would never be overworked. I bless God that his power is just as great in Burma as in America, and already we have seen several stop the filthy habit. God is endeavoring to have us ready for the “glorious appearing,” and every man that has this hope purifieth himself.
I have learned of an aged brother down at Tavoy who is keeping the Sabbath. I hope during this dry season to make a trip to that place.
The great cry in these fields is for some one to stay with the converts, and teach them; and so much has this been done by other churches, that we find the people afraid to try to stand alone. The most telling thing that the enemy uses is, “Soon your teacher will leave you, and then you will have no church to go to.” We are sowing the seed of personal trust in God. We seek to have all understand that God loves the laity as much as the teachers, and will hear the prayers of one as quickly as of the other.
Moulmein was the first capital of British Burma. But since the transference of governmental offices to Rangoon, the former city has ‘died.’ To give you an idea of it, let me describe the city. There are seventy thousand inhabitants, not a railroad, not a street-car line, mail arrives three times a week only, not a four-story building in the place. It is built along the river front, and is about seven miles long, but a range of hills hems in the town on the back so closely that its greatest width is but little over one-half mile. The Baptists first secured a real foothold in the city and its vicinity. After Dr. Judson found it unadvisable to stay longer in the territory of Burmese kings, he located in Moulmein, which was at that time in the hands of the British. It is near here—at Amherst—that his first wife lies buried. As we entered the river (Moulmein lies some twenty-eight miles from the sea), we could see the village of Amherst off to the east. We hoped to visit it, but did not have an opportunity to do so. The only means of reaching it was by a large rowboat; and it would have taken all night to go, consequently we deferred our visit. We had the privilege of meeting one of the very, very few persons who still live to whom Dr. Judson administered baptism. This woman—Pwa Hla by name—is the mother of our Brother Maung Maung. She has reached the advanced age of ninety-three, I believe. As I looked at her kindly old face, and compared it with those who have been idolaters all their lives, I was convinced19anew that the religion of Jesus Christ is infinitely superior to all the combined philosophies of the East, in its power to transform sinners.
We are well, and of good courage. The plague has abated somewhat, but cholera has broken out. This but helps us to remember that God is our keeper.
HEBER H. VOTAW.
The Northern Union Conference
By R. A. Underwood
ELDER THOMPSON has already written of this important meeting, but a few additional statements may be of interest to the readers of the REVIEW.
Nearly all the laborers of the Northern Union Conference, including its mission field, were present. Six delegates and laborers came from Alberta, three from Saskatchewan, and five from Manitoba. The entire force of laborers from Minnesota was in attendance, and most of the laborers in North and South Dakota were present.
Elders Daniells, Thompson, Haffner, and Mortenson, and Dr. Froom were present, and took an important part in the conference. The studies upon the subject of the Holy Spirit, given by Elders Daniells and Thompson, were greatly appreciated. A most excellent spirit pervaded the entire session, and steadily increased in power till the close of the meetings. Important and far-reaching steps were taken more fully to organize and equip the union conference for aggressive work. While at first there were different opinions expressed touching the advisability of some of the steps proposed, yet after a free and full discussion of all questions, a united action was taken upon each one. In this respect the meeting was remarkable. I think no measure was adopted during the entire conference where there was a single dissenting vote. The conference was somewhat perplexed to know how to meet the demands and openings of its mission field in the great northwest of Canada. From six thousand dollars to eight thousand dollars should be expended in Alberta and Saskatchewan the coming year. It took steps to assist in starting the medical work in Manitoba. The three conferences of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota have all acted a liberal part in sustaining and helping the work in foreign fields. Our brethren in Canada, according to their ability, have also done nobly in this respect. A little less than fifty thousand dollars during the past two years was raised for the general work. About eighty-five per cent of this amount was sent into fields and regions beyond. Among the important steps taken at the conference that will have a bearing upon the future prosperity of this great field, was the unanimous action of the conference in starting a union conference paper, to be called Northern Union Reaper. Another important step was to locate the headquarters of the union at Minneapolis. A third step in placing the union in a position to do better work was in selecting union conference secretaries to fill the various departments that had heretofore been left vacant. The Northern Union Reaper will be issued weekly from Minneapolis, beginning the first week in April. Elder C. L. Emmerson has been chosen as its editor. The price of the paper was fixed at fifty cents a year.
We were sorry that circumstances made it necessary that Sister Alice H. Robinson be disconnected from the union conference work. She has acted as treasurer of the union since its organization, and filled that position in a most acceptable manner. Sister Robinson had acted as secretary and treasurer of the North Dakota Conference in connection with her work in the union conference. North Dakota thought it would not be wise for Sister Robinson to disconnect from that conference, therefore a change was made necessary in the Northern Union.
The following officers were unanimously elected:— President, R. A. Underwood; Vice-President, C. A. Burman; Treasurer and Transportation Agent, C. M. Everest; Missionary and Recording Secretary, C. L. Emmerson; Educational Secretary, Otto Graf; Field Secretary, J. S. James; Religious Liberty Secretary, E. G. Hayes. All communications to the Northern Union treasurer should be directed to C. M. Everest, Box 989, Minneapolis, Minn.
R. A. UNDERWOOD.
The Haskell Home and James White Memorial Home
By Mrs. E. H. Whitney
A YEAR has passed since our last mention of these Homes and their needs in the REVIEW. “Tell the people of your work and its needs,” was the instruction given in view of the coming collection.
We have given in the current issue of our little quarterly sheet, The Haskell Home Appeal, a report of the receipts and expenditures of the past year and also a statistical report of both of the Homes.
Other items concerning the Homes are also to be found in this issue of the Appeal. This number, as has been the case with the other collection numbers, is sent, through the courtesy of the REVIEW, to its list of subscribers.
As to the past year, the summer was spent by the children, after school closed, for the most part on the farm. All indoor work, except what was absolutely necessary for the comfort of the family, is dropped during the summer season, so the energies of caretakers and children may be devoted to the fruit farm and market garden, both of which did well last year, and thus helped to contribute to the support of the family. The children enjoy the outdoor work, as a rule, and are glad of the change from study.
The opening of the fall term was deferred to October, in order to give more time to the harvest, and no special indoor manual training was attempted until winter closed in. The education of the children is thus made practical, and we try to teach them not only to work, but how to do it intelligently. While we have been compelled to make their work contribute toward their support as far as possible, we have endeavored not to lose sight of the educational side, and we do not see that their studies are hindered by manual work.
Some years the children have done repairing of chair seats for the Home, and some outside work, and have made and repaired mattresses for the beds. We have not done as much of this work this year for various reasons, one of which is lack of sufficient help for the instruction.
The school work is conducted by loyal, devoted, Christian young women who recognize their duty to develop not only the intellect, but the character of the children, and to lay the foundation of an intelligent Christian faith, and an acquaintance with the doctrines so dear to us as a people.
It has been our constant endeavor to secure earnest Christian women as caretakers for the different families, and those whose lives and teachings were in harmony with our faith.
This has not been an easy task, as not every one otherwise qualified is able to deal tenderly and wisely with children, and this lack has added to the perplexities of our work almost more than our straitened finances.
Homes have been offered for quite a number of children. These applications we have filled as far as we were able, but have had to defer many of them for lack of suitable children, for whom we had a legal right to thus arrange. The Home is not like most State institutions, given permanent custody of the children placed in it. A limited number only are thus received. In a very large majority of cases we are urged to take the children temporarily until they are old enough to help do for themselves, when the mother hopes to recall them. In a number of cases those placing the children in the Home have expressed in the correspondence their willingness to relinquish them to us, but when once here, they have refused to permit them to be placed in homes, even when most desirable ones have been offered.
We have tried to keep our aims high, and our earnest desire is to have the work in all respects what the Lord would have it. Like the apostle Paul, we have to say that we count not ourselves to have apprehended, but are still pressing toward the mark.
The James White Home for the Aged has always shared with the Haskell Home in whatever donations have been received. In this Home are a number of our aged brethren and sisters, some of them pioneers in the message, and many of them whose experience runs back to its early days. These are, as a rule, cheerful and contented, and appreciate the privileges they are enjoying. In some cases these are more than they have had at any other time of their lives.
MRS. E. H. WHITNEY.
Field Notes
Six persons were recently added to the membership of the Douglas, Tex., church.
Six persons recently united with the Glenwood, Iowa, church on profession of faith.
ELDER J. H. KRAFT reports that a company will soon be ready for church organization at Lucas, Iowa.
ELDER N. J. ETHEREDGE reports that money is being raised for the purchase of a new tent for work in western Texas.
At Roswell, N. M., the truth is gaining converts in the face of considerable opposition. Brother and Sister M. D. Warfle are located there, and report that eight persons have accepted the truths presented during the past two months.
“It Is the Law”
The following letter appeared in a recent issue of the Grand Rapids Evening Press, from the pen of Brother A. Smith:—
“Editor of the Evening Press: Kindly permit me to reply to Valdez in your issue of March 8 under heading ‘Because It Is the Law.’ He says that Sunday is properly called ‘the Lord’s day,’ but God calls the seventh-day Sabbath ‘My holy day’ (Isa. 58:13); and again, ‘The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord;’ therefore, the Sabbath is the Lord’s day. Valdez says concerning the Sunday closing ordinance, ‘It is the law.’ Ancient Babylon had a law, and by it three Hebrew children were cast into a fiery furnace. Medo-Persia had a law that consigned Daniel to a ‘lions’ den.”
“The popular religionists of Christ’s day said, ‘We have a law, and by our law he ought to die;’ and yielding to their persistent clamor, the governor consented to the crucifixion of the Son of God. There are thousands of people in our country who ‘breathe in liberty with the very air.’”
“As to attending churches or theaters, or going on excursions, engaging in plays and other innocent recreations, they have a right, guaranteed by our national Constitution, to choose their own time and place for them, so long as they do not in so doing interfere with like rights of other people. Valdez voices a widespread sentiment among religious advocates of Sunday law when he says, ‘Disregard of law is anarchy.’ Therefore, according to this unjust charge, Daniel, Christ, and Paul were anarchists.”
“If free men are not awake and alert just now, they will soon be bound in fetters that can not be easily broken. Their danger lies chiefly in their apathy.”
Russia’s Crisis a Terrible Warning
By K. C. Russell
THE student of the “sure word of prophecy” can not fail to understand the terrible import of the awful experiences through which Russia is daily passing. These demonstrate how God’s judgments are visited upon the nation that overrides and subverts the principles of religious and civil freedom. As surely as a harvest follows seed sowing, just so certainly will there be yielded a harvest of lawlessness and terror where the seeds of religious intolerance, sedition, and anarchy have been sown. This principle is voiced in the following words of inspiration: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” “They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.”
This principle has been demonstrated in the history of nations both in ancient and in modern times. One of the last, and perhaps the most striking, illustrations of how God deals with a cruel and despotic power is the case of Spain, the history of which is fresh in the mind of the reader.
The awful judgments which have befallen Russia are signal warnings to this or any other nation which attempts to follow in the steps that have led to the crisis through which Russia is now passing. The daily record of the terrible atrocities which appear in the public press cause one to shudder, and even to shrink from reading the sickening and heart-rending descriptions of the barbarous destruction of human life which is being inflicted upon innocent women and children as well as others.
It would almost seem that the czar of Russia had had a presentiment of the awful experiences through which his kingdom was to pass when we read and consider what he said in his world’s peace and disarmament proclamation in 1898. In speaking of the massing of war material, he said: “It appears evident that if this state of things were prolonged, it would inevitably lead to the very cataclysm which it is desired to avert, and the horrors of which make every thinking man shudder in advance.”
It is not surprising that he should make such a proclamation as he did if he saw, even in a moderate degree, what has come during the recent perils that have befallen his country.
With this nation’s awful history before us, should we not pause and seriously ask ourselves the question, What kind of seed are we sowing? It is not difficult for one who is familiar with the seed that has been sown in Russia for ages to detect the seed that is being sown in this country, and in some instances is already beginning to yield its fruitage. The widespread demand throughout the country for religious legislation, the untiring efforts of influential and powerful religious organizations seeking to have an acknowledgment of the moral laws of Jesus Christ the basis and standard of our legislation relating to the family, the great church federation movement, which is destined to gather the whole world in its embrace, and numerous other things, are springing from the same kind of seed. This condition of things will inevitably and logically lead to the same results which we now see in Russia.
As truly as the blood of Abel cried from the ground against Cain, his assassin, so surely have the cries of the imprisoned souls in Siberia who for conscience’ sake have been confined and tortured in that dreary and desolate spot, been heard by him who has promised never to leave nor forsake those who put their trust in him. It should be remembered that not only those who are engaged in this awful work of sowing seeds that will result in the oppression and persecution of those who for conscience toward God refuse to acknowledge the authority of their mandates will be held responsible, but also those who withhold the light and truth from those in darkness concerning these things. May every soul awaken before it is too late, and realize his solemn responsibility before God and man, and cause the searchlight of truth to shine forth and dispel the darkness that is hanging over souls like a funeral pall. K. C. RUSSELL.
Advantages Afforded by the Press
By S. B. Horton
That the press affords great possibilities in the dissemination of our message will be readily recognized by those who have had any experience in preparing articles for the same. Two very recent instances will serve to illustrate. The writer has had access to the columns of newspapers in Louisiana in which synopses of discourses on the message have been printed. By speaking and writing on the subject of religious liberty and Sunday laws through the press the attention of several prominent men has been gained. One gentleman, mayor of one of our towns, said to me, “I read your letter to the editor of the Times-Democrat, and will say that I agree with your argument against Sunday laws.” This gentleman is a member of the Baptist Church.
Another, a merchant of another town, wrote me, and said, among other things, “I read your letter of February 26 to the editor of the Times-Democrat in regard to Sunday laws. You are correct in your arguments, and I am glad that you are not a fanatic. . . . The Sunday law is not only destroying the liberty of the working people, but it is making slaves of liberty-loving people.”
One prominent man in New Orleans said, “The church folk are driving people away from the church by this inordinate clamor for laws to compel their fellow men to be religious. It will take more than Sunday laws to bring men and women to church.”
S. B. HORTON.
How the Jews Regard Seventh-day Adventists
THE Judean, a Jewish paper, published in Minneapolis, Minn., bearing date of March 9, 1906, contains a first-page report of our work in the Northern Union Conference. After giving a summary report of the conference, the article continues as follows:—
“What interests us in this connection is the earnestness and zeal with which these people live up to their principle of observing the Biblical or Jewish Sabbath, and the valiant fight they are making for justice and freedom of conscience. The Sunday laws of the different States and communities seriously interfere with these people's religious convictions and practices. But they are not passive onlookers and sufferers from this interference. On the contrary, small as they are in numbers and though not endowed with a superfluity of worldly means, they are still waging a battle royal against every infringement of their rights, against every attempt at a union of church and state. For that is what in the last analysis, all Sunday legislation means. They are maintaining a special office at Washington, D. C., in which close watch is kept on all legislation proposed or enacted in the nation's legislative halls which might in some way affect the principle of freedom of conscience in this country. And just now petitions are being circulated by the Adventists for signatures to prevail on Congress not to pass a certain law which aims at the enforcement of stricter Sunday observance in the District of Columbia. For, say our friends, the Adventists, such a bill passed for the District of Columbia will serve as a stimulus for fanatics and bigots to have more stringent laws passed in other communities, and ultimately to drag God or Jesus into the Constitution, and so we must try to nip it all in the bud.”
We Teach What We Are
By F. G.
SOME one has said that what we are speaks so loudly that what we say can not be heard. This is no truer of any one than it is of the teacher. Every look and act of the teacher is made note of by his pupils. How necessary it is, then, that the fountain or mainspring of this look or act should be a pure and true one, and that kindness, courtesy, gentleness, and yet firmness should be always manifest. The most powerful influence we exert is the unconscious one. When we look forth upon a landscape, it is not any particular tree or building or any other single feature that most forcibly impresses us. It is the general effect made up of the whole that influences us most. So it is with our influence. The unconscious acts of our lives affect others more powerfully than do those words and acts which we study to perform. Our unconscious acts come as the result of our conscious ones, and show forth just what we are if we have learned of the true Teacher. His Spirit and acts and manners will influence us, and there will flow out from our lives a vigor and a power for righteousness which can never be measured. The radius of the atmosphere that we cast about us is indeed a long one, reaching into eternity. If, then, we are guarded in every conscious moment, we may depend upon the unconscious things of our lives casting an atmosphere about us reaching into the eternity of God's love.
F. G.
Christian Education
By FREDERICK GRIGGS; C. C. LEWIS
Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference.
FREDERICK GRIGGS, Chairman,
C. C. LEWIS, Secretary.