p. 15 | Review and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 51. (12/3/1914)

Atchin, New Hebrides

By C. H. Parker

C. H. PARKER

[This personal letter was written to the Mission Board shortly after Brother and Sister Parker were left alone at this newly opened mission. There had been an uprising in that part of the island, and some missionaries at another mission had been killed, and doubtless eaten.]

THE good work is progressing here on the island of Atchin. We have had no fears, for we know that we have a mighty fortress in the God whom we serve, and whose we are. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe [lifted aloft].” If we can serve this message better in death than in life, then we want to sleep the sleep of the righteous. We believe, however, that we shall live, and have the glorious privilege of seeing this people sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in their right minds.

There is nothing in this world that is worth a passing thought; the cross of Calvary is the focal point, and there we want our compass to point each moment.

This is a wonderful work, and the greatest wonder of all is that God has connected us with it, and counted us faithful by putting us into its ministry. May our part be perfectly performed, and may we be able to say at the close, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith;” so that Jesus can say to us, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

In just five weeks we shall be leaving for Australia, to attend our union conference. We expect to be gone about four months. We are sorry to leave the work here just at this juncture, as the omens of the coming day for this people are very plain. Some are already beginning to struggle under conviction, eyes sparkle with interest and fill with tears, while oftentimes the voice is choked from feelings that are aroused. I read what you wrote me to communicate to one of the men here. It would have done you good to see his eyes fill with tears, and hear his voice choke, at the thought that there were people over in America that loved Man-Atchin, and that they were praying for him. Such communications are a great help to us in laboring for a people like this.

We have been supplied with additional help in the person of Brother Wright. This relieves us some, but the weight of the work here is increasing very fast, and it will grow heavier instead of lighter. The Fijian government has refused to grant permission to one of our native workers of Fiji to come to our assistance. But the Lord moves in mysterious ways his wonders to perform, and we know that even this he will turn to advantage for the work here.

In Nigeria

OUR first step toward the West African mission field was aimed at the Yoruba country, now included in southern Nigeria. An interest, however, in the Gold Coast, turned our first workers in that direction, in 1893. This year, however, the work has been opened in Nigeria by the European Division Conference. Elder D. C. Babcock, formerly of Sierra Leone, is there, leading out in the work. From a recent letter we take the following items of interest concerning the work rapidly progressing in this new field:—

“By invitation from the chief at Ibadan, I had a very pleasant interview with him. He gave me an earnest invitation to open our work in that city of 180,000 people. Our present location is about sixteen miles from this place. It is on the site of the old city of Erimu, once very large and prosperous. Here are remains of the old fortifications built to protect the people from the invasions of the Egba tribe, at Abeokuta. They eventually captured most of the Erimu people, destroyed their city, and sold them into slavery. “The Yoruba people have evidently

been quite industrious. Traces of their mining iron ore and of the manufacture of implements for the farm and of cutlery are yet found on the land where we are located. We dig pottery of almost every description out of the earth, part of it evidently very old. Some of the work was quite artistic.

“Owing to the time required to get official promise, we have not yet been able to erect a suitable place to live in. Our present house is built of galvanized iron, and some days the heat is almost unbearable to our children. But we cannot do better. Now that there is war, we do not know how long we may have to wait.

“We are not idle, however. We have two schools in operation. One young man that we took into our family while he was yet a little boy in Sierra Leone, is now conducting a school three or four miles from our location. He has learned to speak the Yoruba in about five months, so that he can carry on ordinary conversation. We shall probably open a third school in two or three weeks.

“Brethren Dauphin and Morgue are both doing well in the language study. A young man, the son of the Erimu chief, and our teacher in the language, has accepted the message. This young man can also speak the Hausa language.”

Sowing the Living Word

“THEY reap the richest harvest of good deeds Who sow the living words — most precious seeds.”

Letter to a Perplexed Mother

By Mrs. C. C. L.

Practical Problems of Home Makers—No. 1

Mrs. C. C. L.

Letter to a Perplexed Mother

I HAVE been very much interested in reading your letter, and my sympathy certainly goes out to you in your perplexing situation. I hardly know where to begin, but I want to congratulate you on having so many boys. Perhaps I should tell you that I am not prepared to sympathize with the one condition you speak of, that of not liking boys; for I like boys very much, although I confess I do not always understand them. However, I think boys would be more easily managed if more people understood them and tried to hold their interest and their sympathies.

You speak of poverty. That is the common lot of many, and we have to make the best of it. I am very sorry about your poor health. I certainly hope that it will soon improve.

On general principles, the best thing to do is to enter into as close companionship as possible with the boys. Plan little surprises for them, and strive in every way you can to win their affection; because, if they love you and see that you love them, you will be able to accomplish much more for them than if you simply deny their requests. It is sometimes hard for boys to see that their parents are working for their good when they are denying them the privileges which the boys think are only reasonable.

You speak of the little boys going away, but do not say whether or not they have returned home. I am anxious to know whether they have come back. Usually boys who do this are glad to return. I think it is well at such times to say as little as possible, but try to show affection and interest for the youngsters.

You speak of having fallen into many evil ways. Now, I do not need to tell you that the first thing to do is to put away these things. You cannot, of course, expect the Lord to bless you when you continue to do the things which your conscience disapproves. If the children see that you are sincerely striving to overcome, and you manifest patience and kindness in your dealings with them, it will help them to be more obedient.

I think perhaps your poor health is one cause of your darkness. It may be that your feeling of depression is due to that more than to wrongdoing. I deeply sympathize with you in this frame of mind, for I personally know something of what it means to be in darkness. I think, as I have said before, that it may be largely due to your physical condition, for poor health and a run-down condition of the nervous system have a great influence on the mind. Now, can you not cheer up, my sister? God is very pitiful, and he is especially tender to mothers who are striving to hold up a high standard in their homes. I should advise you to trust the Lord and cultivate a cheerful spirit. Try to hum or sing little songs of faith, and let the sunshine come into your life. This will have a wonderful effect on the children, and I am sure it will lighten your heart.

You speak of having been so disappointed when you found that the family cares took you away from giving the message. I wish I could help you to see that the mother who in her own home holds up the standard of righteousness and is trying to bring up her children for the Lord, is really in the work. Who could have a greater mission than to have the rearing of children in the principles of righteousness? Do you not remember that the spirit of prophecy says that the mother who abides at home and faithfully performs the tasks devolving upon her is doing as great a work as the minister in the desk? Now, I want you to put the thought forever from your mind that you are not in the Lord’s work. You are doing a work that no one else can do for you; and while these children are about you is your opportunity to plant seeds of truth and righteousness in their minds. You cannot tell what they may do as they grow to be men. I want to encourage you again to look up and cheer up. Put away everything that you are conscious is wrong, and trust God to bring out all right in the end those things over which you have no control.

I notice that you speak of the amusement question. I should try to plan amusements at home as much as possible, and sometimes the neighbors could come in and spend the evening in some simple, wholesome way that would satisfy the children while keeping them under the supervision of their parents.

I shall be glad to hear from you again. I am much interested in your problems, and deeply sympathize with you; so please be free to write me, and if I can help you in any way I shall be glad to do so. I pray that the Lord may give you light, and health, and strength, and that your children may grow up to be obedient and may prove a joy to you.

Is It Too Much?

By Worthie Harris Holden

WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN

JEHOVAH calls the house of Israel, Who in the latter days abide on earth, To greater light and blessings in its train, To greater heights of goodness to attain, And to a nobler sacrifice of worth.

The annals of the years reveal how men Gave their hearts' blood to claim a diadem; How torture, scourging, banishment, and death Ne'er won a faint recant with bated breath— So bravely stood these sons of second birth.

Not now are many called to charge the foe Or meet one mighty, grievous, dire woe; But each a covenant with God must seal By sacrifice, allegiance to reveal— A daily, hourly dwelling at the cross.

No arbitrary, barren mandate this, But fruitful, for our good and highest bliss, To purify the true and lose the dross.

Upon the altar lay thy meager all, For tribute to the Infinite too small; Cry to Gethsemane and Calvary, Is my life sacrifice too much for thee? And thou shalt ask a greater, heavier cross.

The Privilege of Prayer

“To realize the full value of prayer, we must realize it as not only a means, but an end; what boon or privilege we ask in prayer could be higher than the privilege of prayer itself, the privilege of holding communion with the Most High?”

Promise, Prayer, Performance

By D. L. Moody

Promise, prayer, performance, are one three links in the chain of blessing. If that the middle link is missing, we have no right to expect the third.—D. L. Moody.

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.

“The Law of Kindness”

By MRS. S. N. HASKELL

MRS. S. N. HASKELL

A young mother in her kitchen, busy with the morning work, discovers that five-year-old Johnny is entertaining himself by making paper tapers and lighting them in the kitchen fire. At once the command is given, “Johnny, do not play with the fire.” But Johnny, unmindful of her words, lights another taper. In a higher tone the mother calls out, “Johnny, did I not tell you to quit playing with the fire?”

But Master Johnny has never been taught to respect the simple commands of his mother. Mere words mean nothing to him, and he proceeds to light another taper. In a rage the mother calls out, “Johnny, if you do not stop, I will punish you.”

That alters the situation. Johnny has vivid memories of punishments of various kinds administered in anger by his mother, and he leaves the fire to find other entertainment. The mother’s command has no influence over his actions; he follows his own will until punishment for doing so seems certain if he persists.

Ten years have passed, during which time Johnny has been governed not by the word of his mother, but by the fear of punishment and scolding.

Johnny, at the age of fifteen, chooses foolish amusements and wicked companions. He is too big to fear the punishments his mother inflicted in his childhood, and he has become soured and hardened by her angry scolding.

The mother is heartbroken; she sees him going down to destruction, but has no power to hold him. It is a pitiable sight, but a common one in many homes.

What is the difficulty?—Simply this: the “law of kindness” is not known. Many connect law only with threats of punishment, made in anger. That is not the law of kindness, but an unstable government. The law of kindness is firm and steady, based upon sound judgment, always the same. The law of kindness does not condemn a wrong act in the child today and overlook it tomorrow. It rules every day alike.

The mother who requires obedience to the first command, spoken in a kind, gentle tone, and never repeats the command a second time, will control her children by her word, and not by fear of punishment. “Her children arise up, and call her blessed.” Prov. 31:26, 28.

I know a quiet little mother of stalwart sons who taught them from babyhood to mind her word, and now they, like Esther, still respect the word of their parent. Esther 2:20.

The Good Book says, “A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.” Prov. 29:15, 17. “Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.” Prov. 19:18. There is no hope in chastening him when the mother has lost control of her own spirit and is in a fit of anger, neither is there hope after the child has entered manhood or womanhood.

Mothers, did you ever stop to think that when you are teaching your babe in the high chair to mind your simple word once spoken, you are laying the foundation for your child to obey the Word of God? God has given us his simple word. We are to obey it because it is his word; not from fear of punishment, but because we love him.

When children are taught to obey the word of their parents, and that obedience is enforced by firmness and kindness, the children will love their parents and fear to disobey them. From such Christian homes children are sent forth into the world with a reverence for the Word of God which will shield them when assailed by the tempest of sin and wickedness.

How can children really love parents who are continually nagging and scolding them? There can be no tender love in such homes. How sad it is that—

“We have careful thought for the stranger, And smiles for the sometime guest; But oft for our own, the bitter tone, Though we love our own the best.”

South Lancaster, Mass.

Truthfulness

By E. G. Reavis

MRS. E. G. REAVIS

HONESTY of purpose in a man counts for much in life, when founded on a just estimate of himself, and a constant obedience to the principles he knows and feels to be right.

“No man,” said Benjamin Rudyard, “is bound to be rich or great—no, nor to be wise; but every man is bound to be honest.” But the purpose, besides being honest, must be inspired by sound principles, and pursued with undeviating adherence to truth, integrity, and uprightness. Without principle, a man is like a ship without a rudder or compass, left to drift hither and thither with every wind that blows. Talent is by no means rare in the world; nor is even genius. But can the talent be trusted? Can the genius?—Not unless based on truthfulness, on veracity. It is this quality, more than any other, that commands the esteem, the respect, and secures the confidence of others.

Truthfulness is the foundation of all personal excellence. It exhibits itself in conduct. It is character in action, and shines through every work and deed. It means reliableness, and convinces others that it can be trusted. One is already of consequence in the world when it is known that he can be relied on; that when he says he knows a thing, he does know it; that when he says he will do a thing, he does it. Thus reliability becomes a passport to the general esteem and confidence of mankind.

The principles of truth and uprightness have their beginning in early life, in the home, where habits are formed and characters molded either for good or for evil. It is in childhood that the mind is most open to impressions, and is, like fire, easily kindled. Ideas are then caught quickly and maintained throughout life.

Childhood is life’s human mirror reflecting in afterlife the images first presented to it. The first things usually continue forever with the child. The first joy, the first sorrow, the first success, the first failure, the first achievement, all contribute to the painting of the background of his life. The child cannot help imitating that which it sees. Everything—manner, gesture, speech, habit, character—is to him a model. Models for children are, therefore, of great importance in molding the nature of the child; and if we would have them have good characters, we must necessarily present before them good models. Now, the model most constantly before every child’s eye is the mother.

Example is far more than precept. It is instruction in action. It is teaching without words, often exemplifying far more than language can teach. In the face of bad example the best of precepts are of but little avail. The example is followed, not the precept. Indeed, precept at variance with practice is worse than useless, inasmuch as it only serves to teach the most dreaded of vices—hypocrisy.

As children have some conception of consistency, the lessons of the parent who says one thing and does the opposite, are teaching the children to do what the parents do rather than what they say. If you would know something of the impressions made upon a child through home influences, watch the little girl playing with her doll. Here is an instance: A mother heard her little one scolding her dolly in no uncertain tones, for some imaginary wrong, using the exact words her mother had used to her. This led the mother to ponder. She changed her method of discipline, and, sure enough, later on, Miss Dolly received milder treatment.

Another mother noticed her little girl playing “visit” with her dollies. She had one dolly calling on another. The home dolly expressed great delight upon seeing her visitor, and urged another call real soon. That sounded very cute to the mother, who was listening; but imagine her consternation when, the visitor having gone, the home dolly said she hoped she would not come again, because she was not a nice dolly anyway.

Untruthfulness exhibits itself in many forms: in exaggeration; in disguise or concealment; in pretended concurrence in others’ opinions; in making promises, or allowing them to be implied, which are never intended to be performed; or even in refraining from speaking the truth when to do so is a duty. If a child is allowed to exaggerate when relating an incident, without due correction, until he forms a habit, he soon receives the idea that the exact truth is not necessary. While it is true that young children play with words without understanding all they mean, yet by careful watchfulness and example they can easily be taught to distinguish the difference between truthfulness and untruthfulness.

To gain truthfulness in our children, to have it a part of their nature, it is imperative that we persistently watch

for even slight deviations from the facts, and insist upon the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. There are many instances of early impressions made upon a child’s mind, springing up into good acts, late in life, after an intervening period of a sinful life. Parents may do all they can to develop an upright and virtuous character in their children, and it may apparently be in vain. It seems like bread cast upon the waters and lost; and yet sometimes it happens that long after the parents have gone to their rest, it may be twenty years or more, the good precepts and the good example set before their sons and daughters in childhood, at length spring up and bear fruit. One remarkable instance of this kind was that of John Randolph, an American statesman. He said, “I should have been an atheist if it had not been for one recollection, and that was the memory of the time when my departed mother used to take my little hand in hers, and cause me, on my knees, to say, ‘Our Father which art in heaven.’” We have this promise left us, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

So, then, let us as mothers take courage while faithfully performing the duties lying at our door, as the home missionary worker, for the precious little souls intrusted to our care. It is not enough to feed and clothe their bodies; our greatest concern is to feed their little minds with the fruit of the Holy Spirit; to clothe with the cloak of right doing, or righteousness.

Therefore, if we would have truthfulness in our children, we must be truthful ourselves—truthful in words, truthful in motive, and truthful in example.

Takoma Park, D. C.

The Power of Example

I WONDERED in my childish way how it was that father never suspected me of doing what he so openly and in my presence accused mother of doing. It was the same with mother. If she ever missed change from her purse, she suspected the wash woman, or the iceman, or the errand boy — any one and every one but her daughter. I suppose she never realized that in teaching me to deceive father, she was teaching me to deceive not only him, but herself and others as well, and that, in letting me know how she took money from father without his knowledge, she was giving me a lesson in dishonesty that I could hardly fail to learn.

Like many parents, mine were not alive to the fact that every word and action I heard or saw in my home was just so much training along the right or wrong line of life. Father and mother gave me good housing, dressed me seasonably, sent me to school, punished me when it satisfied them to do so; but it was all without the slightest perception of the truth that when womanhood was reached I should be what they, in their wisdom or lack of it, had made me. Outsiders thought I was well brought up, and would have pitied my parents — certainly not blamed them — had I been found straying into any path of vice. But in this apparently good upbringing I was never taught the lesson of self-control that every child needs. I was not even taught to be industrious. When, as a child, I tried in my busy little way to help mother, I was told that I was more bother than my assistance was worth. Later, when mother wanted me to set the table, wash the dishes, or make my bed, I did it unwillingly, or got out of it altogether.— The Mother’s Magazine.

Our Costumes

By Mrs. H. E. Sawyer-Hopkins

MRS. H. E. SAWYER-HOPKINS

WHAT saith the Scripture regarding our dress? “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” 1 Tim. 2:9.

Our dress should be modest, cleanly, healthful. It should have the grace, the beauty, the appropriateness of natural simplicity. Christ has warned us against the pride of life, but not against its grace and natural beauty. The most beautiful dress, he says, is a meek and quiet spirit, which in his sight is “of great price.”

Extravagance in dress and gaudy colors are prohibited. “Our clothing, while modest and simple, should be of good quality, of becoming colors, and suited for service. It should be chosen for durability rather than display.”—“Ministry of Healing,” page 288. A fantastic taste of putting on different colors is bad.

Look at the people of this world, madly rushing into the freaks, follies, and vanities of fashion. They seem to be striving to imitate the poor ignorant Indian and some of the customs of the heathen nations. Many who profess to be disciples of the meek and humble Nazarene, and to be looking for his soon appearing, are following customs and practices unbecoming to their profession.

God’s children are to be peculiar above all people upon the face of the earth, not patterning after the frivolities of this vain world. “And as soon as any have a desire to imitate the fashions of the world, that they do not immediately subdue, just so soon God ceases to acknowledge them as his children.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. I, page 137.

Patterning after the changeable fashions takes valuable time and involves needless and unnecessary expense. “Useless trimmings and adornments should be discarded.” Those God-given moments devoted to embroidering and fancywork are not pleasing to him soon to claim his own; far better spend the time in prayer and studying how to reach the youth, relatives, and friends who are perishing for the knowledge we have.

A warning comes to us: “Delay shall be no longer.” Time is fast hastening on, and we are on the very verge of the eternal world. A crying need for means constantly comes to our ears: “A dearth is in the treasury;” “Missions are languishing;” “Some may be compelled to return because of a lack of means to assist missionaries who have left home, friends, and pleasant surroundings to labor in foreign lands.” Can we read such stirring appeals and fail to be moved enough to practice self-denial in our manner of dress? Is it possible that we are so blinded by the god of this world that we fail to see beauty and simplicity in plain costumes? May the mist be removed from our eyes, and we be enabled to sense our true condition before it is too late. “In these last days fashions are shameful and immodest.” “The inhabitants of earth are growing more and more corrupt, and the line of distinction must be more plain among the Israel of God, or the curse which falls upon worldlings will fall upon God’s professed people.”

Why not have a reformation on this question, and let it be our chief and highest aim to be loyal and true to our high and holy calling? King Immanuel demands it.

Loma Linda, Cal.

Silence

“SILENCE marks the working of the greatest forces of life. No ear hears the sun draw up into the sky the countless tons of water that fall in rain. No man hears the groaning of the oak’s fibers as it grows to its strength and height. Noise is usually an aftereffect, and does not often accompany initial power. Sounding brass and tinkling cymbal are noisy, but not powerful. So the will reaches its decisions in silence, and it does not need much shouting to know when a man is in earnest. Love grows without a sound. The great Fisher of men worked quietly, as fishers usually do, and, as Isaiah said, not crying nor lifting up his voice in the streets; yet he was doing his Father’s work every minute. We need not become anxious when our sincerest work makes no great noise nor has any immediate effect. If we are dead in earnest, let us do what we can and keep still. Our great Partner is a silent partner.”

He Comes in the Storm

“And sometimes on the wings of storm He comes, In the deep midnight of our black despair. Mid raging waves, and winds that never cease, When the helm fails us and the cold benumbs Our helpless hands, then as we lift our prayer He speaks, and lo! our hearts are filled with peace.”

Loving Words

“Loving words are strains of music, Dearly prized and treasured long; Like the echoed tones that linger When the bird has ceased its song, They are treasures, golden treasures, Making brighter all our pleasures.”

Newspaper Publicity in California

By Frank A. Coffin

MORE than 300,000 persons were reached with anti-Sunday law articles through the California newspapers during the religious liberty campaign which closed with the election of November 3. Returns received to date indicate that the Sunday bill has been defeated by at least 40,000 votes. However, all the ballots have not yet been counted, only 1,405 out of 4,585 precincts having been heard from. The returns to date show that 133,289 voters favored the bill. How many more votes it will have received when the final returns are given, we do not know.

The ballot this year was a large one, containing forty-eight initiative and referendum measures, besides the candidates. Sunday law advocates waited until almost the last moment before filing their petition, the bill being No. 45 on the ballot. This gave only a short time to work against it, while advocates of the measure had all summer to work for it. When it became known, about two months before election day, that the bill would be on the ballot, the Pacific Union Conference Committee voted to secure publicity as far as possible through the newspapers, and to print a large number of leaflets for free distribution. Elders J. O. Corliss and W. M. Healey wrote these tracts, and directed in their distribution.

At least fifty-two newspapers printed articles against the bill. Brethren throughout the State wrote to their home papers, telling how similar laws had operated in other States, and how Sunday laws are bringing about a union of church and state, which is disastrous to the country.

In one case a sister took a communication on religious liberty to the editor of a newspaper in her town, but he refused point-blank when she asked that he print it. Later she went to him with another letter. She found him more agreeable. He consented to print her letter if she would make it reasonably short, as he had received a letter that morning from one of the advocates of the law, and had promised to use it. The two letters appeared side by side in the next issue of the paper. The person who wrote the article favoring the law, saw his error, changed his mind, and wrote a second letter to the editor, in which he said he had decided against the bill, and advised everybody to vote “No.” How many more changed their minds upon reading the articles is hard to say.

A number of our brethren and sisters wrote for more than one newspaper. One brother says he sowed his town with literature, and that in the district covered, the vote was four to one against the Sunday bill; while in another town near by, the vote against the bill was only one and three fourths to one. This brother also lectured against the bill at places where the ballot measures were discussed, and wrote several articles. Some of the California newspapers wrote editorials showing the evils of Sunday legislation, basing them upon the leaflets or other material put out by this denomination. Other newspapers copied these editorials word for word.

FRANK A. COFFIN.

Field Notes

The baptism of five persons is reported by Elder W. H. Saxby, of National City, Cal.

Elder R. E. Bliss writes of the baptism of six new believers at Willet, in eastern New York.

The baptism of four persons at Harland, N. H., and six at West Burke, Vt., is reported by Elder F. W. Stray.

The tent meeting recently conducted at West Union, Iowa, resulted in twenty-eight taking their stand for the truth.

At the close of the recent Queensland camp meeting in Australia, thirty persons were baptized, most of whom were young men.

On a recent Sabbath twenty-five persons were buried with their Lord in baptism at New Haven, Conn., where tent meetings have been in progress.

From the Philippine Islands, L. V. Finster writes: “The past quarter has been most fruitful so far as numbers are concerned. The last six weeks I have baptized sixty-six persons. Baptism has been held in five different places. In nearly every place we found some who wished to join the people of God. Our native evangelists have been greatly blessed of God in their work.”

Elder E. K. Slade reports that tent meetings conducted in Mount Vernon, Ohio, following the recent camp meeting, have resulted in between twenty-five and thirty converts.

Elder C. B. Haynes has conducted a very profitable series of meetings in Wilmington, N. C. Among those who have accepted present truth as the result of his labors are three ordained ministers from the First-day Adventist Church.

From Greater New York, Elder J. K. Humphrey reports the baptism of twenty-five converts as the result of a tent effort conducted at Washington Heights, New York City. During the German tent effort in Brooklyn, twenty-two were baptized.

Elder Gustavus Rodgers reports that fifty-five adults have already united with the church of colored believers in Baltimore, Md., as a direct result of the tent effort just closed, and a number are now awaiting baptism. The colored believers in Baltimore have recently erected a new church building.

The Australasian Press Bureau

By A. W. ANDERSON

THREE years ago the General Conference Committee established a press bureau for the purpose of publishing the doings of this denomination to the world through the secular press. So successful were the efforts of the press bureau in securing reports of the meetings of the General Conference in newspapers throughout the States, that it was apparent to some of the delegates to the General Conference that we should be overlooking a splendid opportunity for promulgating this message if we did not make use of the public press.

At the first opportunity the matter was considered by our union conference committee, and the organization of a press bureau was committed into my hands. Owing to my camp meeting work during the summer, nothing was done toward organizing this branch of the work until March last, when we began correspondence with our conference officers and church leaders.

After considerable correspondence with the churches, a number of persons were appointed to look after this work, and already something has been accomplished in giving publicity to the denomination and its operations. In the Melbourne papers especially, considerable space has been utilized, and our scrapbook also contains many columns of news items which have appeared in the newspapers of the other states, as well as those of the Dominion of New Zealand. At the present writing we have received a response from forty-six churches and companies throughout the union conference, and they have appointed, in all, sixty-four persons as correspondents.

In 1911 our special press correspondent, Brother John Bell, began work with the secular newspapers circulating in Australia. In a short time articles from his pen were being published in eighty newspapers a month, and these figures continued to increase until now articles on present-day issues are appearing in from one hundred to one hundred and twenty papers a month. Recently Brother Bell began to encourage our ministers to endeavor to secure the publication

of their sermons in the local newspapers where they are conducting missions, and we are pleased to report that several of our laborers have been successful in securing space, in some cases amounting to considerably over a column in an issue.

We believe that the time has fully come when this message should be heralded to the remotest parts of the earth. In these days newspapers reach the smallest hamlets, the most isolated sheep stations and farms, and even the lonely boundary riders on the outskirts of civilization. Our work should occasionally find a prominent place in these papers; and as reports from our missions, both home and foreign, appear in the columns of the secular press, many persons may become interested in this denomination, with its world-wide message, which is already being preached in over seventy countries.

We appeal to our brethren throughout the field to cooperate with us in organizing this department of the work, thus enabling this message to receive that publicity which its magnitude calls for.

A. W. ANDERSON, Secretary.

Church Dedication

By A. R. Sandborn

For several years the church at Camden, N. J., has been meeting in rented halls, and as a result the work has not advanced as it should. Two years ago last spring we invited Elder M. C. Whitmarsh to take up work in this city. Two tent efforts and a camp meeting have been held there since that time.

About a year ago the church, under the leadership of Brother Whitmarsh, began to plan for a building. The Lord has blessed all the way along in the effort, so that Sunday, November 15, we were able to dedicate a fine brick building to the worship of God. Elder W. A. Spicer preached the dedicatory sermon.

This building is worth $6,000, with a debt of less than $2,800, and provision has been made for raising that. The membership is now over seventy. Seven have recently been baptized, and others are now ready for baptism. We are thankful for the way the work is advancing in these Eastern cities.

A. R. SANDBORN.

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