Earlier text: Uniting Church and StateTHE St. Louis (Mo.) newspapers report that “the matter of Sunday closing” is being given attention by the retail grocers’ association of that city. It was reported from Indianapolis, Ind., on February 24, that “the Indiana House of Representatives to-day defeated the bill to allow Sunday baseball games, by a vote of forty-eight to forty-four.” A similar measure was defeated at the former Indiana session. Brother Connerly writes from the Porto Rican field as follows: “After a long absence we are home again. I have made two trips to San Juan, one to oppose the plans of a confederation of the churches of the island. In this I had splendid success and a good experience. The other trip was made to do what I could against a Sunday bill that has just passed the House of Delegates.” It will be remembered by many that Elder Baharian and others of our brethren in Turkey were arrested and imprisoned by the Turkish government in August, 1904, for the crime (?) of preaching the gospel. Word has recently been received that they have already had two hearings, and ere this have doubtless had their trial. It is feared that unless the Lord interposes, they may have to forfeit their lives, to meet the demands of that intolerant government. Elder Geo. I. Butler said in a recent communication: “I was president of the General Conference when those persecutions first began in Arkansas, and we bestirred ourselves as well as we could, and the law was changed so that we have never been troubled any more. I have always kept posted on those subjects. We often hear it said that the question of Sunday observance is a live question of late years, more so, perhaps, than ever before. Of course, as a people we have been expecting this; but we have, from time to time, taken measures that have seemed to put off the persecution a little longer. I greatly rejoice at every effort of this kind. You who are at Washington most certainly have the best opportunity to work of anybody, and I wish you the heartiest success. We used to have troubles here in Tennessee, but of late years they have seemed to dry up, though the people are a little particular here yet.” Elder Allen Moon writes in a recent communication concerning the present issue in Washington: “I have been following with interest the movement for teaching religion in the public schools in Washington, and I think this is one of the strongest indications of the times in which we live that I have noted in many a day. I have been very sure in my own mind for the last four or five years that something of this character would be sprung upon us in Washington, and for this reason, this does not come so much as a surprise, except that I had looked for it to come in a somewhat different form. The author and promoter in Congress of the only national Sunday measure that has ever been forced upon the attention of the country, the ‘Blair Sunday Rest bill,’ which was pending seventeen or eighteen years ago, and over which there was considerable agitation at the time by those classes of citizens who are in favor of, and those who are opposed to, such legislation, Ex-Senator Henry W. Blair, of New Hampshire, is still active. He was in Washington early in March in attendance upon a conference for the discussion of the race question, at which he was one of the principal speakers. He is interesting himself in the improvement of the condition of the negro race.” We glean the following from the Wisconsin Reporter, under date of March 8, in which a most interesting account is given of a brother who has been engaged in the petition work against Sunday legislation: “We were subjected to many abuses and hard speeches from them, but in spite of all their opposition I secured the names of nearly all the business men and county officials, from the judge down. Many became really interested in the principles underlying Sunday legislation, and men congregated in stores, and followed me from place to place, to discuss the question. In the post-office there were about thirty men present. Many of them took part as we read and discussed the Sunday bills for the District of Columbia. While church-members railed on us, non-professors took the arguments out of my mouth, and defended the true principles of religious liberty. An evangelist who is here said I would get a few fools to sign it, whereupon a member of the M. E. Church, who has for some time been interested in the truth, said, ‘I will sign it, whatever they call me.’ I found that many did not understand the principles involved, and at first refused to sign, but after I had talked with them from ten to thirty minutes, most of them signed. It gave me the privilege of reading to them from the Bible the claims of the true Sabbath, and we distributed a number of the new tract, ‘An Appeal to Clergy.’” K. C. RUSSELL. Resting and Praying
By GEO. O. STATES.
It is nearly one year since, on account of nervous breakdown, I was obliged to cease from public labor, and it is several months since I went to my little farm to rest. While my health is slowly improving, yet it is very hard for me to content myself with not laboring to advance the cause that lies so near to my heart. One day while looking over some things in the cellar, I found an old copy of the REVIEW, and in looking it through I saw an article entitled “An Answered Prayer,” which related how an old man who had always been very active in church work had a long spell of sickness. When he recovered, he had dropped out of the procession, and all looked upon his breakdown as a sign that his days of work were over. It looked to him as if all he could do was to stay at home and pray; he could do nothing to answer his prayers. One morning after breakfast the aged couple read a chapter and knelt down according to their custom, and prayed. A carpenter who had come to repair the roof ascended a few rounds on a ladder, and heard the old man pray for the scattered members of his family and for God’s blessing on the work which others were doing, and in which he no longer had a part. The carpenter retired a little way, and reflected over the past, how he once had praying parents, and how they never failed, while they lived, to pray for an absent son. A few months after, the carpenter came and told the aged couple how that prayer followed him until he gave himself to the Lord. As I read that article, tears came to my eyes, and I felt that while I am not able to go out in active work, yet I can pray for God’s blessing to rest upon those who are actively engaged in the proclamation of the message. I know that this message will gather out a people for the coming of the Lord. While for a time I am not able to preach the message, yet I thank the Lord I feel a deep interest in the advancement of the work, and can pray for God’s blessing upon its various branches. I know that God is leading this people, and I am praying that the coming General Conference will mark a new era in the advancement of the work, and that plans may be laid which will result in speeding that glad day when this truth shall enlighten the whole earth. I have firmly believed this truth for over fifty years, and although at the first we believed the Lord would come long before this, yet I have not lost confidence in the final triumph of the work. One hundred and forty-four thousand are to stand upon the sea of glass. Brethren, I have faith to believe that I shall yet have a part in swelling the loud cry of the message. In “Early Writings,” page 10, we have an account of the Lord’s people in traveling to the city, and they are represented as high above the world.20 “Some grew weary, and said the city was a great way off, and they expected to have entered it before.” I have felt sad to learn of some who have known this truth for many years losing their interest in the message. The Lord has given this people great light, and it is only by earnest prayer, study of the Word, and of the Testimonies which God has placed in this church from the very beginning of the message, that we shall be kept from losing our hold upon God. My brethren, let us take courage in the Lord; for soon this message will triumph, and we with it if we remain faithful. A SABBATH-SCHOOL of sixteen members, several of whom are recent converts to the truth, has been organized at Thornton, Tex. MEMBERS of the Keene, Tex., church are considering the matter of erecting a church building there. A committee has been appointed to select a suitable lot for the building. BROTHER W. C. F. WARD says of the result of a recent meeting at Olympia, Wash.: “Four honest souls decided to obey the Lord, and took their stand for the truth in the face of opposition.” ELDER J. R. BAGBY says of the result of a three weeks’ course of meetings at Altona, O. T.: “Five more took their stand on all the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus. Three more were added to the Altona church last Sabbath, and two others will be in a few days.” At the annual meeting of the Upper Columbia Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association, held in connection with the recent conference session at Spokane, the following-named persons were chosen as trustees for the ensuing year: Silas Yarnell, M. D., S. A. Anderson, W. R. Simmons, J. W. Posey, I. A. Dunlap, M. D., C. M. Christiansen, J. L. Kay. BROTHER B. E. FULMER says, in a report of progress on the Sanitarium building at Wichita, Kan.: “Two stories are floored, another partially, and the cement floors in the basement are nearly all laid. The doors were snow-bound for some time, but are now here, and are being hung. One set of treatment rooms will soon be ready for operation, and by that time we hope to have some rooms furnished, so we can receive such patients as can endure the noise and confusion incident to the work on the building. We are now receiving numerous applications for treatment and care, which must be refused until we are more fully prepared to receive.” WEDNESDAY noon meetings are conducted in the Park Street Congregational church, Boston, by Elder L. S. Wheeler. Brother Wheeler says of them: “They are a real success, nearly self-sustaining in offerings, and widening continually the sphere of influence for the truth.” Sunday night meetings are also continued in Berkeley Hall, with a good attendance and interest. ELDER HENRY SHULTZ sends this word from Lockeford, Cal.: “I have spent two Sabbaths at Lodi with Elder T. H. Watson, where I organized an American church of about twelve members. We now have a German church and an American church at Lodi. These were nearly all members of churches in Dakota, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, who have moved here the past year. Some who had backslidden took a new hold of the truth.”—Pacific Union Recorder. OFFICERS were recently elected for the Upper Columbia Conference, as follows: President, A. J. Breed; vice-president, F. D. Starr; secretary, J. L. Kay; treasurer, T. L. Copeland; missionary secretary and treasurer, T. L. Copeland; general agent, T. G. Johnson; educational superintendent, J. M. Willoughby; educational secretary (including Sabbath-school and young people’s work), Mrs. J. L. Kay; executive committee, A. J. Breed, F. D. Starr, H. J. Schnepper, C. E. Ford, J. M. Willoughby, Silas Yarnell, C. M. Christiansen. RECENT meetings at Buckeye, Ariz., near Phoenix, have been followed by good results, though not to the extent that had been hoped, heavy rains having greatly interfered with the work. In a recent report Brother C. E. Knight says: “Several adults have begun to keep the Sabbath, thus strengthening the little company of believers here. February 16 two persons, a brother and his wife, were baptized by Elder Bond, and sometime during March we expect that four or five others will go forward in this ordinance, after which, the Lord willing, a church will be organized, numbering about fourteen, all adults, with perhaps one exception. It is hoped that this organization will be effected before the conference in April.” FROM the Union Conference Record of February 1 we take the following items relating to the progress of the work in the Australian field:— Eight persons are keeping the Sabbath at Forbes as a result of the tent effort in that place. At Quorn, South Australia, where Brethren Craddock and Rogers are laboring, nine have decided to keep the Sabbath. As a result of the New South Wales camp-meeting, held at Mosman, fourteen persons have thus far expressed their willingness to obey the commandments of God. The glad tidings of Christ’s soon coming are now being proclaimed in Northam and Geraldton, West Australia. At the latter place, the large tent was blown down and badly torn, but each letter brings news of increased congregations at both places. The One Hundred Thousand Dollar Fund
The donation of $7.25 credited to “Alice,” Broken Bow, Neb., in the REVIEW of February 23, was intended for another fund. The same is true of five dollars of the twenty-five dollars credited to J. N. Loughborough in the same issue. For these two items, we subtract $12.25 from the total reported last week. Amount previously reported . . $60,102 16
Mrs. R. J. Carson .......... 100 00
Wahroonga Sanitarium (Australia) .......... 53 67
Sarah Stem .......... 50 00
Elisher Godfrey .......... 50 00
T. M. Clark .......... 40 00
Annie Larson .......... 30 00
Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Cornell .. 25 00
Newark (Ohio) church .... 17 50
South Dakota Conference .. 14 70
Jessie M. Deming .......... 12 50
Palisade (Colo.) church ..... 12 23
Western Slope Academy students .......... 10 17
Redding (Cal.) company .... 9 05
J. T. and M. J. W. .......... 8 57
Southern New England Conference .......... 8 00
Litchfield (Minn.) church ... 8 00
L. Butler (Australia) ........ 7 34
Central New England Conference .......... 6 33 Mount Vernon (Ohio) church, Genevera Lickey, John K. Lane, W. W. Vyle, Margaret Meays, Mrs. R. E. J. Keck, a laborer, a friend, Mina Hildreth, Daniel P. and Mary E. Hayes, a friend, George H. Boyd, F. Routheaux, D. J. and Mrs. M. J. McCall Sutton, Mary Roseberry, T. C. Thornhill (Canada), W. T. Marshall. Mrs. Merrick (Fiji), Mrs. Brown (Fiji), S. W. Carr (Fiji). Mrs. L. L. Peck, $3.05; Mrs. Gunda Serns, $3; Thomson (Ill.) church, $2.75; Miss T. Belden (Australia), $.97; R. Judge (Australia), $.97; friends, $.80; Hazel M. Coon, $.30; Taveta (Fiji), $.24; Denver M. Coon, $.20; Thomas Swain, $.05. Guy Hallem, Mrs. W. D. Bowen, Mrs. Lovina Howard, Mrs. Lucy Conely, Lena Nichols, H. S. and A. C. Chase, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Cox, Mrs. George O. Fox, Mrs. E. S. Over. Clara Grindle, Delaware, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel McGee, Mrs. Eva Anxier, Justina Maxson, a friend, Mrs. Mary Grove, Mrs. J. Weaver, Brainerd (Minn.) church, F. Kennedy, F. C. Morse, Daisy Morse, Mrs. Sophia Hansen, Mrs. C. M. Bussing, Children's Missionary Band (Pomona, Cal.), Miss S. Adams Burk, Arnold Rossell, Emma Stout, W. L. Pitcher, Julia Seibert, Agnes Beal, Mrs. E. Hughey, Mrs. W. H. Cheeseman, T. R. Rubush, M. D., Mrs. J. H. Titus. Mrs. M. J. Walton, Mrs. Louisa Bower, Luella Rossell, S. A. Murray. Mrs. David Dake, C. T. Bordendecker, Retta McLane, Charlie Johnson. A friend, M. S. Brown, Harrison Rogers, Nellie Kline, Eva Weymer, Esther Weymer, Lizzie Weymer, Ruby Edwards, John Perkins. N. C. Rogers ............ $ 8 00
Acie Martin .............. 20 00
L. W. Baylies ............ 50 00 Total reported .......... $60,802 03 A further list will follow. Send all donations to W. T. Bland, Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. The Rarotongan Church-School
By Evelyn Gooding
OUR school is doing well in many ways. An excellent spirit prevails among the children and parents. One interesting feature is the gardening class. A large portion of the front yard was divided equally between the boys and girls. When the boys had finished their digging, they were taught that it would be kind, as well as proper, for them to help the girls, which they willingly did. When all was well dug, we made a path between the boys' and the girls' gardens, and also around the same, using a line and a ruler in order to have the edges straight and the width uniform. While making the path, we talked of the text which says, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” The children were so anxious to sow their peas, beans, turnips, etc., that it was hard for them to wait till all was ready for planting. Here was a lesson in patience. The seeds were sown in straight lines at equal distances apart, and then the Lord sent a rain to water them, for which the children thanked him. After a day or two of waiting and watching, the leaves came peeping out of the ground, and soon the children were able to distinguish the different kinds. The parable of the sower was studied in connection with this class, and its beautiful lessons were easily impressed upon the hearts of the children. We are watching our gardens daily with much interest. The children are planning to tithe the vegetables when they are ready for gathering. They are expecting to learn how both to cook and to eat them; for to the Maori, the legumes are as yet unknown. Another good feature in our school is the willingness and good spirit with which the children enter into the manual work connected with the schoolroom and grounds, also the teacher's private grounds and the housework. These are our plans: Every Tuesday after school hours, the boys have the privilege of working in my garden half an hour to earn a penny each for the missionary box, which is passed around in missionary meeting each Sabbath afternoon. The girls have this same privilege each Thursday, their work being chiefly in and about the house, washing, etc. When I made this offer to the boys and girls, I am afraid that I misjudged their missionary zeal; for I now find that I have to give out a good many pennies each week. But it gives me great joy when, on Sabbath, I see them joyously dropped into the money box of the Children's Missionary Society. This money is to be used in helping to send a native worker to some of these islands. On each Friday all the children work a quarter of an hour cleaning up the school grounds for the Sabbath. Every day one child remains after school to sweep the room and tidy it for the next day, each child in his turn. When it is necessary, we choose a day for all to bring their working clothes, and we scrub, and clean the floor, furniture, windows, etc. All these things are lessons of industry, cleanliness, thoroughness, etc., with their respective spiritual lessons. I think that the children are progressing well with their studies, perhaps even better than might be expected of Maori children. But this is due to the influence of Bible study. Each Sabbath the children say their memory verse in English and Maori, and sing an English hymn in Sabbath-school. For what has been accomplished in our Rarotongan church-school, may the Lord have all the praise; for to him alone the praise is due. Parents’ Meetings
By F. A. Page
From the very foundation principles of education, aside from the many statements in the Testimonies in regard to co-operation of parents and teacher, it would seem a foregone conclusion that every progressive teacher in our church-schools would take advantage of parents’ meetings, or something equivalent, for the purpose of coming in heart-to-heart touch with her patrons. Recently one who has been a regular and active attendant expressed the thought that they were “the best thing that ever happened.” This at least shows that they have been enjoyed. The general plan followed here has been to meet once every two weeks at the home of some patron of the school. Evening after the Sabbath has been the time selected. The discussions on various topics have been led by the parents, the topic for the evening being assigned a few weeks in advance to the person who is to lead in its discussion. Our meetings have not been formal, though always opened with a season of prayer, in which every one joins. Some scripture bearing on the topic of the evening is read by the teacher, then follows the reading of a paper on the subject, or extracts from the Testimonies, by the leader for the evening, then free discussion. An effort is made to apply our study, research, and discussion to the practical needs of our children. Many experiences in the control and correction of children are exchanged. Subjects for the future meeting are suggested, and a pleasant, cheery evening passes all too quickly. The Discussion on “How to Teach Independence” brought out thoughts on the teaching of independence in money matters, and also on the proper dependence of children upon their parents and others. “How to Teach Firmness” was considered by one who needs much of that element of character, and who found much help in her search through the Testimonies preparatory to the evening’s discussion. “Reverence in the Home, Church, and School” was dwelt upon for two evenings with profit to all. The fact that our conduct in little things day by day has much to do with our teaching this important element of character was clearly brought out. “How to Avoid saying “Don’t”” “Proper Recreation and Amusement,” “Our Children and the Sabbath,” and “How to Use and Train the Child’s Curiosity” are some of the subjects yet to be discussed. No attempt is made to make the discussion of any subject exhaustive. The meetings, as a whole, have broadened our knowledge of the Testimonies, deepened our devotion to God-given responsibilities, and united us more firmly in our work for God. F. A. PAGE. Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference. L. A. HOOPS, Chairman;
FREDERICK GRIGGS, Secretary. Worth Having
By Harvey Shoup
MANUAL training is of primary importance in true education. If parents recognized this fact as they should, the mistaken idea in the minds of many young people as to what constitutes an education, would be removed. From a lack of proper training, the majority of the youth of to-day look upon manual work as being low and degrading. They think that education is a mental development for some professional work which requires no physical labor. But true education is directly the opposite of this view. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the moral powers. The proper place for an education of this kind to begin is in the home. The training of a child's hands to do little domestic duties skilfully and well should be regarded by the parents as of equal importance with the teaching of his letters. He should not be allowed to perform any duty in a hurried, slipshod fashion that he may be at play. This kind of service causes him to dislike work, and it soon becomes a drudgery. On the other hand, if he is taught to take an interest in his work and do it thoroughly, no matter how menial it may be, he will soon see the true dignity of the task, and take a pleasure in doing it; for thoroughness makes all work a pleasure. A child brought up in this way, with the proper estimate placed on the value of work, will have little difficulty in making his way through the world. His health will be better, and his morals stronger; for he will be guarded against many of the evils which tempt the idler. He also has the advantage in the pursuit of any course of study, if thrown upon his own resources; for his knowledge of practical work becomes a means to an end, the means of accomplishing this purpose. The acquiring of facts becomes easier as his experience has already developed his judgment beyond one who has not had this training, and the lessons learned, instead of becoming mere theories, are compared with past experiences, and put in practise, and thus made practical. Instead of having a fictitious view of life, he will see it as it really is, for experience has taught him some of its sterner realities; and when obstacles and perplexities come, he will be better able to grapple with them and make them stepping-stones to his final goal. Looking at manual training from these view-points, it will occupy a position of equal importance with the mental or spiritual training in any system which aims at true education. The student, graduated from a school of this character, carries with him into life an insurance policy of inestimable value. Should he meet with failures in a professional line, he still has something to rely upon for a livelihood, and with confidence in his ability to work, he starts with renewed courage to reach the top of the ladder of success. — A great storm of hurricane violence swept over England, March 13 and 14, causing great damage to property on land and sea. The largest individual disaster was the wreck of the British ship 'Khyber' off Lands End, resulting in the loss of twenty-three lives. — By vote of a strongly Republican legislature in Colorado, before which body the contest for the governorship of that State had been brought for settlement, Governor-elect Adams was ousted from his seat and Ex-Governor Peabody, his political opponent, was installed as governor. The latter, according to previous agreement, resigned one day later, and his place was given to Lieutenant-Governor Macdonald. — President Castro of Venezuela has assumed a defiant attitude toward the United States and European powers, refusing to discuss matters in dispute with diplomats, and even hinting at a projected invasion of America with a Venezuelan army. The majority of the people of Venezuela, it is said, would welcome foreign interference. — Dispatches from Valparaiso, South America, bring word of the prevalence of bubonic plague in portions of Chile. The population of the seaport town of Pisagua has been thrown into a state of panic by an epidemic of the scourge that is raging there. Hundreds of persons have died from the disease. — Fighting is still going on between Turks and Bulgarians. A dispatch dated at Salonica, March 15, says: “The report that Apostol, the notorious Bulgarian leader, has been killed is confirmed. A sharp engagement took place yesterday between 500 Turkish infantry and cavalry, and a strong band of Bulgarians at the village of Smola, near Ghevveli. The Bulgarians were defeated with the loss of forty-two killed, including Apostol.” — The Russian forces under Kuropatkin which survived the great battle at Mukden have continued to retreat northward, making a brief stand at Tie Pass, which had been strongly fortified, the Japanese following in pursuit with the evident purpose of enveloping and capturing the Russian army if possible. General Kuropatkin has been succeeded as commander-in-chief by General Linevitch. It is announced that Russia will raise a new army of 400,000 men. At St. Petersburg hope is now staked upon a victory by the Russian Baltic fleet for a turning of the tide of disaster, and a naval battle now seems probable. It is further reported that the Japanese fleet under Admiral Togo is in the vicinity of Singapore at the entrance to the Straits of Malacca. — The question of charging tuition in the theological school at Yale University is under discussion at that educational institution, and is making considerable stir in religious circles. The sentiment in favor of tuition is strong among some, having started, it is said, with President Hadley himself, the argument advanced being that an education that was worth anything was worth paying for. It has been decided, however, that for the present theological instruction will continue to be free. It is believed that if Yale should initiate the practise of charging tuition in this department of its educational system, other divinity schools in the country would soon imitate the example, and the ministerial profession would be placed in this respect on the same basis as that of law and medicine. — Conditions of life which prevail in the crowded tenement districts of New York City gave rise to a terrible tragedy there on March 14, when a tenement building full of people was destroyed in the early morning by a fire supposed to be of incendiary origin. Nineteen persons lost their lives, and forty others were injured. The fire started in the basement, and spread with such rapidity that in a few minutes the exits and fire-escapes were impassable. Like most buildings of the kind, the tenement proved to be a veritable fire-trap for its inmates. — The committee of the French Chamber of Deputies having in charge the bill providing for separation of church and state, has made a report stating that it is useless to put off the separation until after the popular election, as such a delay would be advantageous to Rome, and dangerous to France. Moreover, a popular election upon the subject would stir up a clerical agitation. The report also says: “We maintain that the sole possible solution for the interior difficulties growing out of the regime of the concordat is a loyal and complete separation of church and state, particularly under the democracy wherein the existing universal suffrage and sovereignty of the people make the continuation of an official religion such a defiance of logic and good sense that it seems astonishing that the French republic continued such an equivocal regime during the last thirty-four years.” — Russia has floated a new war loan of $120,000,000 in France, but upon terms which include a commission of four and one-half per cent, a commercial treaty encouraging the importation of French wines into Russia, and the deposit of a large sum in France to pay for warships ordered there. Russia's difficulty in obtaining this loan is regarded in some quarters as an augury of an early peace with Japan, though the autocracy strongly assert that no peace will be made until Russia has been victorious. Berlin newspapers state that government officials in Russia are fomenting systematic violence against the Jews throughout the empire for the purpose of diverting attention from the revolutionary movement now in progress there. A mob consisting of three thousand persons has burned the houses and plundered the shops of Jews in Minsk. The outrages lasted three days, and the casualties from beatings and stabbings were numerous. The survivors are destitute. Similar atrocities have occurred at Duenaburg, where nearly two hundred Jews were injured. It is reported that anti-Semite riots, systematically incited by state-paid agitators, have occurred in forty-eight places in south Russia, the casualties exceeding 700. The orthodox priests support the agitation from their pulpits. St. Petersburg dispatches state that the destruction of government property by rioters in central and south Russia is extending. Another sugar refinery in Kieff Province has been burned. Refineries and distilleries are chiefly marked for destruction, because both industries, even when nominally private, are controlled by the government. Refugee landowners and agents who have reached the towns state that hordes of peasants visit estates, and say to the owners: 'We have come to take back our land.' If the owner does not resist, he is sent to the nearest town in a cart. If he hides or resists, his property is wrecked. There is no sign of troops to check the lawless element. Announcement of Special Rates to the General Conference
THE reduced rate of a fare and one third, on the certificate plan, has been secured for those attending the General Conference to be held May 11-30, at Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. Full-fare tickets must be purchased by those going to the meeting. Dates of purchase may be any time from May 8 to May 13. Secure a regular certificate from the agent where ticket is purchased (a receipt will not answer). All certificates, together with a fee of 25 cents each, must be deposited in our office before May 18, when they will be signed and returned. Tickets can then be purchased for the return trip for one third the regular fare at any time up to June 2. All persons expecting to attend this meeting should notify their ticket agents in sufficient time for them to secure certificate blanks for this meeting, in case they do not23 have them on hand. In case any agent can not sell a through ticket to Washington, make arrangements with the nearest agent who can do so. Next week more complete information will be given. Those planning to attend should read the suggestions carefully and carry them out fully in order to avoid mistakes and consequent loss. Transportation Agent for the General Conference. NOTICES AND APPOINTMENTS
By E. J. Dryer
Western Pennsylvania Conference Association Meeting
The first annual meeting of the Western Pennsylvania Conference Association will be held in Wilkinsburg, Pa. (Lohr's Hall), April 21, at 9 A. M., for the election of officers, and the transaction of such other business as may come before the association. Pres. Western Pa. Conf. Assn. The Thirty-sixth Session of the General Conference
By Arthur G. Daniells
THE thirty-sixth regular session of the General Conference (ninth biennial) will convene in Washington, D. C., May 11-30, 1905, for the election of officers, and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the body. The constitution of the General Conference makes provision for the election of delegates in the following manner:— “Each union conference shall be entitled to one delegate without regard to numbers, an additional delegate for each conference in its territory, and an additional delegate for each one thousand of its membership. Each local conference not included in any union conference shall be entitled to one delegate, without regard to numbers, and one additional delegate for each one thousand members.” The officers of the various union and local conferences are hereby requested to send the credentials or a certified list of their delegates at once to the secretary of the General Conference, Elder W. A. Spicer, Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. By order of the committee,