Earlier text: Australasian Union Conference and Ministerial InstituteTrue Stories From Persia
By F. A. ALLUM
THE following stories of mission work done in Persia were sent to the writer by Sisters Geiss and Knight, of London, England, who wrote them down from an address given in London, by Dr. Donald Carr, of the C. M. S. They have been a blessing to me, and I hope they will be a blessing to others:— “A man of a robber tribe, a Mohammedan, stole some things, and among the loot was found a Bible (Arabic). He then returned home, and his father welcomed him; but when he saw that his son intended preaching his religion, he turned him out. The son then had to get a living as best he could. “One night another man, a Mohammedan, dreamed that Christ was coming soon again. He desired to know more. He told his brother, who had the same dream. They went to a friend; he had had the same dream. The three set out to find some one to teach them. On the way they came across this first robber convert by the wayside. He directed them to the mission hospital, where they are now being taught. “Another man dreamed he saw a vision of a shining person who directed him a certain way. He felt that this was Jesus Christ, and told a friend, who agreed to go with him in search of light. They went two days’ journey to where a white man was, and asked him, expecting that he was a Christian; but he told them that he could not help them. They traveled six days to another place with the same result. Finally they came to the mission where the workers received them gladly and taught them. At the close of the teaching they were advised, ‘Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.’ They did so, but it is feared that they were poisoned. “Some Mohammedans were heard to say of a lady missionary, ‘I think there must be a corner in heaven for her, though she is a Christian, for she is so kind.’ “The hospital of which the doctor was the head, had been closed by Mohammedan authority, and ousted from five places. Now after twenty years they have a good central position for the hospital, and the head Mohammedans send patients to them. They have crowded services and overflow meetings. Once when orders came to the patients to leave the hospital, a patient sent a message back to the authorities: ‘I came here ill. I was taken in and cared for and am getting better. If you will do the same for me, I will leave; if not, I will stay.’” The above notes show us that in a wonderful way the Spirit of God is at this time stirring up those who have been sitting in darkness, and especially calling their attention to the important doctrine of the imminent coming of Christ. Thus as the Spirit of God is drawing special attention to the second coming of Christ, he is preparing a people who will gladly accept the whole message when it is brought to them. Then let us earnestly pray that the people of God will double their efforts to send the message to those who are so earnestly seeking for the truth. Time is short. The work is great. But, thank God, the mighty agency of the Spirit of God is going to do a work that we cannot do, and thus cut the work short. Let us co-operate with this mighty power. “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” John 4:34. HERE is a word from Brother G. A. Hamilton, who went to India about two years ago to begin work among the Karens:— “Word came last week to tell us that the land we have been trying to get for over a year for a mission station has been granted, and I am to go tomorrow night and sign up for it. This is at Kyankkyi. We are also applying for a piece of land up the Salwin River, at a place called Kawkayet. We have good prospect of securing it in the next few weeks. This will give us two good stations, both in the Karen country, about one hundred and twenty-five miles apart. “It is raining hard just now. The rain will soon be over. We have had nearly ninety-five inches already this season, since the eighth of May. One hundred and ten inches should be enough for the season. There will probably be big crops of rice this year. “Now is the time for us to build in mission fields like Burma. Lumber is cheap because shippers cannot get ships to take the teak timber to Europe. We are told that teak is down one fourth from what it was before the war. We are hoping and praying that God will somehow stop this cruel war, and let his work go on. We are of good courage in the Lord.” How to Talk With Our Children About Spiritual Matters
By Mrs. C. C. Lewis
Practical Problems of Home Makers—No. 6
How to Talk With Our Children About Spiritual Matters
Often parents want to talk with their children about spiritual things, but do not know how. And sometimes it is not best. The way is not open. Sometimes we repeat these things in their ears so much that they become wearied, and close their hearts to our efforts. At such times it may be best to let them alone, only loving them, doing nice little things for them, and patiently waiting and praying for a more favorable opportunity. It will come sometime, perhaps when we least expect it. How to solve this problem is best shown by an example of how others have solved it. Here, for instance, is a dear mother whom I have known for years. She has been successful in rearing some of her children to maturity and in holding them in the love of the Saviour and his truth. In a personal letter she tells of a sweet experience she had with a younger child, and through these columns I shall let her tell her experience for the instruction and encouragement of other mothers:— “O, how thankful I am that my companion and children are in the truth! It is worth all the prayers and sacrifices that I ever have made, and many more than I ever could make, to have them with me in the truth. I do not know what mothers are like when they think of everything else but the salvation of their children. I know that it helps us to teach our children the right way, to have a verse of the Bible ready to give to them when they ask questions or inquire of us concerning Bible truths. Then if this is so, how important that we mothers know God’s Word.” “I haven’t been well for several days, and for that reason have been having my little boy help me with the housework. This morning, while we were washing the dishes, we were talking about heaven, and he began asking me questions about what we should have ‘up there’ to make us happy. He said, ‘Will there be any bow and arrows there?’ I said: ‘Why, there will be so many things there so much nicer and better than bows and arrows to play with that we won’t care for bows and arrows. Just think, Jesus says, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” We cannot think of anything and have not seen anything that will in any way compare with the lovely things God is going to give us if we try to do right and ask him to help us.’ My little boy spoke up quickly and said, ‘It is worth trying for, isn’t it, mamma?’ I said: ‘It most surely is.’ “Again he said: ‘Will there be any school there?’. (He doesn’t like to be confined in school.) I first said, ‘No;’ then I said, ‘Yes, there will, too. God will take us through the lovely woods and everywhere, showing us and teaching us about the beautiful things he has made, and helping us through all eternity to understand them.’ His big eyes grew larger, when he said, ‘Through all eternity! Won’t that be nice!’ Then he said, ‘I want to be there. But, mamma, how do we know we shall be saved?’ I said, ‘Jesus says if we are faithful unto the end, we shall be saved.’ Then he said, ‘How near to the end can we be bad, then be good?’ I said, ‘We must be good every day, because we don’t know which day will be the last for us, and if we want to do right, Jesus will help us.’ He said, ‘I want to, I’m sure.’” “I have had many such talks before with my little boy on these things, but it seemed to me that this morning the Holy Spirit was present and impressed the truth that I in a feeble way was trying to teach my child, and it made us both happy. Then he said, ‘I am going to read the Bible through this year; it is better than a story book.’ O, how these words make our hearts rejoice, when we have tried to do what we could! I pray the Lord to bless the dear children, and may many be led in the paths of righteousness by the words of truth and the influence of the Holy Spirit and the teaching of kind and loving mothers. May the dear Heavenly Father bless you, dear Sister Lewis, in the helpful and unselfish work that you are doing, and may his blessing rest upon us all, is my prayer.” The Mother; Her Responsibilities
By Dr. Madison C. Peters
MAKE rules for your daily life. Keep them conscientiously. Put the service of God first, and then show your sweetest piety in your home duties. Even though husbands are possessed by the spirit of the age, which is to claim the best of everything for self, still you must act on the principle of giving the first and the best of your time and thoughts to your home. If I look not out for myself, who will look out for me? is the sentiment of our time. We talk on principle, but act on interest — self-interest. Our children are brought up not to think of duty or of work, but of amusing themselves, the middle-aged think of amassing fortunes and of improving their condition in life, the old crave comforts and luxuries, and care little what happens to others, with the result that society is in a rush and race for riches — a little more comfort, a little more luxury, a little more of this world’s goods. This love of self is at the bottom of the disinclination for the church, and is the real cause of the growing tendency to neglect the lofty duties and serious responsibilities of the home. If you wives have such selfish, worldly husbands, what shall you do? Give way and sink to their level, or try by a loving and consistent example to raise them to a higher level? Paul’s wise counsel to husbands and wives who are not of one mind in religious matters may help you in your difficulty. Read 1 Cor. 7: 10-40. He was writing to those who had come over to Christianity from heathendom; and while he bids women not wilfully to marry unbelievers, he also counsels them to dwell with their husbands if already married, and to try to win them to the truth by good living. The same applies now: seek as much as possible for sympathy on the highest subjects in those you think of marrying or have married; and if you awake later to the17 truth and find you have been mistaken, still follow Paul’s advice and make the most of a bad bargain by high thinking and right living. Every earnest-minded mother, when she comes to consider her responsibilities toward her children, feels that she must first begin with herself; she must do her duty herself before she can make her child obedient. How can she teach her child to be upright, obedient, and straightforward unless she sets the example? If mothers would do all the good the world expects of them, they must learn to keep themselves — the lower part of their natures, the fleshly impulses and natural inclinations — under strict discipline, exact obedience to rule, so that the spiritual, the nobler part of their nature, the unselfish strivings, may have sway, and the soul have control of the body. If the mother would exercise all the good influence in her power over her children, she must strengthen and develop the higher side of her nature. If baby may be influenced by the mother even before birth, for good or ill, why should she not learn to keep under her body and bring it into subjection,—in other words, discipline herself,—developing a calm and unruffled temper, not allowing her nerves to yield to alarms or fancies, leading a healthy life, philosophically accepting the discomforts and disagreeables that are her portion in God’s divine plan for the world? Peculiar are the trials of motherhood. They come, too, in depression of spirit, in weariness of body, in countless aches; but trials are not gusts of wind to carry us off our feet, but are meant to prove us and see if our wills are rooted in the right direction. The leaves of the aromatic plant shed but a faint odor as they wave in the air, the gold shines scarcely as it lies hidden in the ore, the ragged crust of the pebble conceals from the eye its interior beauty; but let the aromatic leaf be crushed, let the ore be submitted to the furnace, let the pebble be cut and polished, and the fragrance, the splendor, and the fair colors are then brought out. Discipline is absolute obedience and submission to the rule that we know to be binding upon us, and we know to be good for us.—Dr. Madison C. Peters. Conducted by Mrs. C. C. Lewis, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C
By Mrs. C. C. Lewis
Through the columns of this department, hints will be given on all matters pertaining to the home life. Short articles and letters are solicited from home makers, telling of their everyday experiences,—their joys and sorrows, their failures and successes. Fitted for Service
By Horatius Bonar
O TURN me, mold me, mellow me for use,
Pervade my being with Thy vital force,
That this else inexpressive life of mine
May become eloquent and full of power,
Impregnated with life and strength
divine. Put the bright torch of heaven into my
hand,
That I may carry it aloft
And win the eye of weary wanderers
here below
To guide their feet into the paths of
peace. I cannot raise the dead,
Nor from this soil pluck precious dust,
Nor bid the sleeper wake,
Nor still the storm, nor bend the light-
ning back,
Nor muffle up the thunder,
Nor bid the chains fall from off crea-
tion's long enfettered limbs. *But I can live a life that tells on other
lives,
And makes this world less full of anguish
and of pain;
A life that like the pebble dropped upon
the sea
Sends its wide circles to a hundred
shores.* Creator of true life, thyself the life thou
givest,
Give thyself that thou mayest dwell in
me, and I in thee. Do It, and It Will Be Done
By Wellspring
“Oh, you have to ask leave of your memorandum pad!” Eleanor scoffed impatiently, as Ethel skipped upstairs to see whether the day’s engagements allowed of the all-afternoon frolic she was asked to join. “That memorandum pad has grown to be a sort of incarnate conscience, always pricking you, sleeping or waking, I do believe, with some suggestion of duties unperformed! Catch me ever making myself such a slave to one!” “Slave to nothing!” retorted her girl friend gayly, running down with light steps to say that she could go, and have a good time, and stay till after supper, if they liked, and come home by moonlight. “Oh, but I can’t!” said Eleanor, gloomily. “There’s a horrid history lesson I’ve got to do — tabulate all the kings and queens and straighten out the dynasties. You know Professor Forsyth hears us Monday, and he doesn’t look on failure with the least degree of allowance. Might have had it done and out of the way as well as not if I’d thought of wanting this evening for anything else. Got to use it for that. Can’t go. How did you manage it?” she added, curiously. “Oh, my memorandum pad!” answered Ethel, slyly. “I’ve printed a motto right across the top of it: ‘Do it, and it will be done,’ and I live up to it; that’s all. If I know of anything that has simply to be done, sometime or other, I just try to get it out of the way, if possible. It leaves me a lot of free time, first and last.” To many a hurried worker it would be a relief from slavery to follow Ethel’s example. A memorandum pad in itself has no magic in it. To commit one’s tasks to a piece of white paper is not to perform them. But a daily resolute living up to the program, checking off each task as it is dealt with, is a help to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.— Wellspring. Saving and Giving
By P. W. Paulson
[The following article contains suggestions worthy of careful consideration. We believe, however, that others should be careful in endeavoring to apply in their experience the principles enunciated by the writer. Some might find such a rigid dietary as here proposed altogether too restrictive or unsuited to their needs. The experience of one man cannot be made the gauge of every other man's experience. Each must study for himself and adapt to his own peculiar temperament, physical condition, etc., the principles of healthful living. The danger of an impoverished diet is equally as great as the opposite extreme.—Ed.] As there has never been a time in our history when it was so extremely urgent for us to give liberally of our means to the gospel cause, therefore it is more important now than ever to learn how to economize in every possible way in order to be able to give freely. If we deny ourselves some useless and even hurtful indulgences, and earnestly try to save to give, then God will surely bless our efforts financially. One expression in the Morning Watch Calendar, in “My New Year's Resolve,” which has been a great help to me, is this: “Exercising economy in expenditure, carefulness in conversation, . . . and a childlike trust in God.” Our dear Master left us a good example in careful economy, when feeding the great multitudes, by saving all remnants. We also should be careful not to waste any morsel of food that can be used in some way. Above all, we should learn to select only such foods as the body really needs for its sustenance, and to reject such foods as are commonly eaten merely to please a perverted palate,—rich, sweet desserts, pies, cakes, pastries, candies, etc. Each time you sit down to eat, just ask this question: Does my system really need this food to make pure blood, a sound body, and clear brains, or am I eating it just as a matter of habit because it tastes so good and sweet? For several years I have been experimenting on various ideas in regard to diet, especially with the object of learning how to live in perfect health on the lowest possible cost. To me it has become a most interesting study. To keep the body and mind in a perfectly healthy and harmonious condition should be the first study of our lives. See “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. III, pages 164, 485. It is a study that brings rich reward to us in every way,—physically, financially, mentally, and spiritually. About ten years ago I was a physical wreck from wrong living, and had been given up by my doctors to die of Bright's disease and other ailments within a few months. I went to one of our sanitariums, and the superintendent said to me, “You have one foot in the grave, young man, and cannot last much longer unless you change your way of living.” He told me what foods to discard, how to live a more natural life, and advised me to go South, and to live out of doors as much as possible in the warm, salubrious climate near the Gulf of Mexico, and to drink plenty of the pure, soft water found there. I followed his advice, and not only recovered, but found better health than I had ever before enjoyed. Two things especially I have learned:— First, that it is possible to live year after year without any pain or disease (except from accident) if we obey the laws of nature, so clearly revealed to us in the abundant light God has given us on healthful living. While ancient Israel was living on the wholesome diet God prescribed for them, there was not a feeble person in that vast multitude; but when they murmured and demanded flesh, thousands of them died. God holds out the same promise to his present Israel, that he will allow no disease to come upon us if we hearken diligently to the instruction he has given us. See Ex. 15:26. And not only we, but many others—Christians, non-Christians, and even heathen—are accepting the light of health reform. If we all fully obey the laws of nature, there need be no sick or feeble person in Israel today. I know from my own experience that this is possible. Although I was formerly often ill, I have not had a headache, toothache, sore throat, cold, or any organic disorder for years. The only exception was during a few months, while eating with some workmen whom I was feeding. I then deviated from my simple, natural way of living, and my health began to fail. Second, that it costs so little to live a natural, healthy life that it is almost incredible. Years ago I heard of a pamphlet entitled “Living on Ten Cents a18 Day.” At that time I thought it was impossible, but since then I have proved in my own experience that it is possible to live well on even less than that. In some of my diet experiments the cost was as low as 3 cents a day. Owing to peculiar circumstances, my earnings for the last few years have been very meager. For July, August, September, and October my net earnings averaged below twenty dollars a month, and for several months previous much less than that. But with my experience and ability to economize in every way, I have been able to feed and clothe myself well, and still be able to have a share in the Lord's great work in the world today. I submit these extracts from my expense account for the four months already mentioned:— | MONTH |
EARNINGS |
TITHE |
S. S. DON. |
FOOD |
|---|
| July |
$10.00 |
$1.00 |
$2.06 |
$3.07 |
| August |
9.00 |
.90 |
2.18 |
2.36 |
| September |
24.50 |
2.45 |
3.35 |
2.06 |
| October |
33.25 |
3.33 |
4.20 |
1.67 |
|
$76.75 |
$7.68 |
$11.79 |
$9.16 |
In years past I occasionally spent fifty cents or more for a Sunday dinner, and squandered considerable money during the week on sodas, candies, etc. Then I would drop a nickel into the collection on Sunday and feel satisfied that I had contributed my share to the Lord's cause, although I was earning about ten times as much as of late. How sadly the Lord must have regarded such offerings! But now the order is reversed. I can get enough wholesome food for a good meal for a nickel, and drop the half dollar into the collection. I cannot afford to spend 15 cents or 25 cents for a meal, for then I could not give so much to missions. You have probably heard the story of the penny which claimed it was more religious than the quarter, in spite of the quarter's religious inscription, “In God we trust,” because the penny went to church oftener. At our last camp meeting my expense for food was just about five cents a day, and my diet while there was mostly grapes—then about two cents a pound—and wheat flakes, which I make myself with a hand-flaking machine. The weather was wet and cold, so that many were sick and some had to leave; but I felt perfectly well. Although I shivered from cold and from wet feet, I did not catch cold. I fasted a few days before camp meeting, in order to feel at my very best, so that I could receive every blessing the Lord had in store for me. And why should not I feel well on such a heavenly diet, the delicious fruit of the vine and the flakes of the noble wheat, the most perfect food? See Ps. 81:16. These delicious wheat flakes are very suggestive of manna, the bread of heaven. Instead of paying twenty or twenty-five cents a pound for corn flakes, etc., I buy the corn and wheat by the bushel (about two cents a pound), and with the flaker and other machines I make a large variety of palatable, wholesome foods of these grains, and combine them with nuts and fruits. The only drink I use is water, freely, but not at meals. We should not buy package foods at exorbitant prices, but buy in bulk or make our own. I never eat any pie, cake, pudding, jams, candies, sugar, or other harmful and expensive dainties, nor any kind of animal food. The more I deny myself such things the keener my appetite becomes for the simple, natural foods, and I enjoy my frugal and wholesome meals better than I formerly did those fine dinners. Many make the mistake of taking a supply of rich, sweet, and dainty foods with them to camp meeting, in order to have a good time, but it often results in a bad time. O, what a great blessing it is in every way to live a simple, natural, self-denying life, and enjoy such splendid health, and at such a small cost! What a sweet joy it is to be able to give liberally even on such a small income! Just think of it, my Sabbath school donations exceeded my board bill, and with the tithe more than doubled it! It seemed like a big sacrifice at first to put a quarter or a half dollar in the collection out of my meager earnings, but now I feel it is a glad and blessed privilege; and if the Lord blesses my efforts so that I can earn more, as formerly, may he help me to contribute correspondingly to his cause. It surely pays to save when we can invest our savings in such “gilt-edge” securities. I feel impressed to mention these personal experiences, in the earnest hope that they may be an encouragement and inspiration to others to strive more zealously to live right and give right. THERE were six children in the family — three sons and three daughters. The mother was a cheery, quiet, religious woman, thoroughly bound up in her household. The husband was a resolute, defiant, outspoken unbeliever. He was a journalist, and lost no opportunity to have his fling at Christianity. Unbelievers, bitter as himself, were frequent guests at his table, and made themselves merry with the Bible and religious faith before the children. The mother seldom bore any part in the conversation. Not one of the children entertained the opinions of the father. As they grew up, one after another came into the church. The sons, especially, were noted for their intelligent piety. I felt a great curiosity to know how Mrs. Long had accomplished her difficult task,— by what means she had neutralized the influence of her husband, and how she had led her entire flock into the fold of the Redeemer. I asked her to give me some clue to her method. “Well,” she said, “it is a very simple matter. I never opposed my husband, never argued with him nor disputed on the subject of religion. I never belittled him in the eyes of the children. But I never allowed them to go to bed without reading a few short verses of something the Saviour had said. I put his words over against the words of men. If the devil cast in the tares and went his way, might not the truth be as potent? And that’s the whole of it.”— Selected. ONE of the most trying faults of two impulsive boys proved to be a disposition to interrupt when some one else was speaking, in order to interpolate their own views, understanding of the matter, or comments. The disagreeable habit did not yield to explanations of the rudeness of the practice, nor to reprimands upon the numerous slips of this kind. Each boy was the recipient of a small allowance of pocket money weekly to supply small personal and school needs, and the distressed mother noticed how eagerly plans were made ahead for its use. She determined to use this fact as a leverage of control. Quietly she announced that at the least sign of a break in the way of the interruption of another’s conversation she should unostentatiously raise one forefinger. If this warning was not heeded, she would raise two fingers, which signal would mean a fine of five cents. At the end of the first week both boys had not only lost their whole allowance, but were in debt besides; this, too, without a word of faultfinding or scolding. The second week saw a decided improvement, and the end of the month proved the objectionable habit to be a bit of ancient history. — Selected. An Aimless Life Is Unhappy
“An aimless life is always an unhappy life.” Forget Yourself—and Be Cheerful
By Lucia Noble
There is one thing of which I am positively certain, and that is, if we ever expect to find success in this life, we must early learn to be cheerful; if we do not possess natural cheerfulness, the habit must be cultivated, and the sooner we fix this fact in our minds the better we shall find life in general; we must be unselfish; we must forget ourselves and try to help our fellow creatures. The old command of “Love your neighbor as yourself,” is a good one; and if we did, there would be less fault-finding. Love is a weapon which Omnipotence uses to conquer rebellious men when all else fails; love is a sun against whose rays no wintry condition can stand. No one can withstand the warming, exhilarating influence of love and cheerfulness; even the dumb animals respond to a smile and silent caress, and so do the hardest hearts. Try to forget yourself, for self-consciousness is really a disease. No one can climb upward while his thoughts are entirely self-centered, no matter how he tries. There is no better way to overcome self-consciousness than to forget self. At first it will doubtless seem impossible, but make the resolution and stick to it; in a short time you will wonder how you ever lived before. Cheerfulness once attained, you will know the real joy of life and love.—Lucia Noble, in American Motherhood. Lay Members Using Newspapers
By W. L. BURGAN
WHILE ministering brethren in different parts of the world have given their cooperation to the efforts that are being put forth to herald the second advent message through the newspapers, it is also encouraging to learn of the interest that is being manifested by lay brethren and sisters in this feature of our great movement. One of the most recent demonstrations of cooperation by lay members of the church in North America to tell the world of the magnitude of the work of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, was given in connection with the statistical report of the growth of our cause. Copies of this report were sent to practically every local elder or leader in North America, with a request that it be read to the church members for their encouragement, and then submitted to the home newspapers for publication. Up to the first of the year we had heard from brethren and sisters in thirty States and some of the provinces of Canada where this report was published. The clippings, pasted together, would make two hundred columns. No doubt many of those who had this report published were encouraged by the favorable comment they heard from friends who had read of the remarkable growth of our denomination. The newspaper is one of the best mediums we can use to educate the world concerning the largeness of our missionary operations, and, if used, it will also be the means of giving honest persons right conclusions concerning the Lord’s work, and lead them to inquire further into the mystery of godliness. Not only have our local elders and leaders appreciated the importance of using the papers for the enlightenment of those in darkness, but our faithful co-porteurs are also securing the publication of precious words of life as they visit from place to place. This is a time above all other times when editors will give our cause and the truth we hold publicity, because many of them are convinced that the Lord has blessed us with a knowledge of the Scriptures for these last days. One brother in Kansas has recently had some encouraging experiences in his newspaper efforts. When he arrived in that State a short time ago, he saw that much more could be done to advance the message through the newspapers than was being done, and began to write. In a letter he says:— “After learning that very little was being done to advance the truth through the secular press, I at once proceeded to see what the papers here would do for us. It was no trouble to get in almost anything we wanted published. I have had brief articles on the statistical growth of the denomination published in several papers, and perhaps they have been published in others of which I do not know, as I have sent articles to the brethren to use. “While in Topeka a few days ago the president of the conference spoke to a small audience in the church there on the signs of the times. I wrote up a short report of it and took it to one of the leading dailies. The editor did not print quite all of it, but put in the headlines that the seven last plagues are soon to visit the earth. I had made reference to them in the report. The next day the elder of the church was in an office down town. The manager has been practically an infidel, and it seemed could not be reached, as this brother has done business with him for years. On this day, when he saw our brother he called him to his desk and gave him a chair, and said he wanted to talk with him. He referred to the article in the morning paper, and wanted to know what it meant. Our brother pointed him to the prophecies, and supplied him with reading matter, as he was anxious to read anything he could get on the subject of the signs of the times. I felt that this was worth while, and it encouraged me to go ahead. “You see I have no appointment to do this kind of work, though the president seems willing that I shall do what I can. There may be more being done than I know of. What little I can do I do on the side, and let the Lord look after the results. I am on good terms with the editors here, and have requests for more material from one of them.” One sister in the West Pennsylvania Conference became burdened over the importance of using the newspapers in connection with our evangelistic work. and she has been rewarded for her efforts. In her letter she says: “The attendance at the meetings was small, the sermons were excellent, and it seemed such a pity that so few people were getting the benefits to be had at the tent. I talked with the brethren about writing for the papers. They said they couldn’t do it. I had in the past written some at camp meeting time, so I tried it here. Everything sent to the leading daily was used.” Another sister, in the State of Washington, who is employed as a typesetter on a newspaper in her home city, has met with success in having articles published. She says the editor is glad to get the information she submits to him. A brother in Virginia has had access to the columns of his home papers, and is giving various phases of the message in an extensive way. Recently the editor of one paper has published a series of articles for him, and has just started another series. These articles have aroused the ire of an opposer, but our brother has been permitted to answer his arguments with words of truth, and considerable interest has been manifested by the readers of the paper. Reports come from other brethren and sisters of the laity who are using this agency for the advancement of the message. It is encouraging to learn that this phase of our work is continuing to increase in its scope. W. L. BURGAN. Southern Oregon Conference
By T. G. BUNCH
It has been some time since a report was sent to the REVIEW from the Southern Oregon Conference, but it is not because we have been idle. Our little band of laborers has been working hard, and the Lord is blessing its efforts. A series of meetings in Eugene by Elders C. J. Cole and T. L. Thuemler, added thirty new members to the church there. At the close of a seven weeks' effort in Bandon, by Brother C. L. Lingenfelter and the writer, a church of twenty-eight members was recently organized, all but five being new in the faith. A number of others are keeping the Sabbath, and will be ready for baptism soon. The prospect is bright for this church to make a healthy growth during the winter. The Sabbath school attendance was fifty-seven the last two Sabbaths, and it is inspiring to see the interest taken by these new Sabbath keepers. Although Bandon is a town of 2,500 inhabitants, this is the first time it has been entered, and never had we seen a town so stirred by the message. It is indeed encouraging to see the awakening among our people throughout the conference, and the missionary zeal that is taking hold of them. They seem anxious to do something, and have taken part in the campaign work in earnest. Over 32,000 of the War Extras have been given out in our little conference. The general impression seems to be that the latter rain has begun to be poured out, and that sin must be put away and a speedy preparation be made for the oncoming crisis. We rejoice to see that for which we have been longing and praying for years, and pray that we may daily live so the Lord can manifest his power through us in the finishing of his work. The present widespread alarm of war is opening the way for many opportunities to present the truth as to what these20 things mean. We never before saw so many good openings for meetings, and we cry to the Lord of the harvest to send forth more laborers. Good audiences are easily secured by announcing subjects relating to the war. The writer has spoken on the war question in the light of prophecy in most of the leading towns of the conference, and finds the people concerned over these things and anxious to hear. During these meetings hundreds of our new tracts have been handed out, and a number of books sold. The newspapers published quite full reports of the sermons, sometimes placing them on the front page, with big headlines. Surely it is high time for every Seventh-day Adventist to take up the cry, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him,” and to show by his life that he believes it. We enter upon the duties of the new year with renewed hope, courage, and consecration. SAGINAW.—Last May, being invited to labor in the East Michigan Conference, I settled my family in Saginaw, a city of sixty thousand inhabitants. During the summer Elder W. E. Videto united with me in a series of tent meetings, and since then I have conducted services in our church building. Dr. Nellie M. Stevens is laboring with us as Bible worker. I have been privileged thus far to baptize fifteen persons, and six others have begun to keep the Sabbath. Some who were on the background have been reclaimed, and a number of persons are now deeply interested in the truth. As the converting power of God has come in, purse strings have been loosed, and the church here is helping in a substantial way to speed the message. The city papers are granting us space for reporting our work. We look for a rich harvest of souls during 1915, for the field is ripe for harvest. Twenty-one years ago I started in public labor in eastern Michigan, and as I return to this field, my heart rejoices to see some of the children of those who embraced the message at that time now engaged in labor for the Master. I would invite those who have friends in this city to send me their names and addresses. Pray for the work in Saginaw. M. C. GUILD.