Earlier text: The September Number of Life & HealthRespect for Civil Authorities
By F. M. W.
GOVERNMENT has been ordained of God. Evil government is better than anarchy and mob-rule. The Scriptures of truth enjoin respect for civil rulers. Even under the corrupt heathen government of Rome, Christian believers were admonished to show their respect for civil authority. Romans 13. The apostle Paul on one occasion unwittingly rebuked the high priest, but apologized on becoming cognizant of the fact, quoting the scripture found in Ex. 22: 28: “Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.” Not only the apostles, but the Lord himself, during his earthly work, showed this same respect for constituted authority. When about to enter Capernaum, he, with Peter, paid the tribute money demanded, even though this was unjustly required of him. This he did in order that he might not offend the authorities, and so give occasion against the work he was seeking to do. Matt. 17: 24-27. But this does not mean that Christ or the apostles compromised the truth, either in their teaching or by their example. On the contrary, while studiously observing the utmost courtesy and respect for the civil authorities, they taught principles showing the limitations of civil power, and that when civil authority overstepped its proper bounds and interfered with one’s duty to his God, then the civil requirements should be disregarded. Matt. 22: 15-21. This is strikingly illustrated by the answer of the apostle Peter as brought to view in Acts 5: 27-29. When required by the council to refrain from preaching the gospel, “Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” But though compelled by their consciences and the requirements of God to take this stand, it was taken with most deferential courtesy and bearing. This is the relationship which we should sustain toward the civil authorities. We should be careful indeed that no unwise words of criticism escape our lips which can be turned to advantage against the work we represent, and which may be construed to class us as lawbreakers or as sympathizers with evil-doers. In “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, pages 394, 395, there is found this excellent statement of the attitude which should be sustained toward the civil authorities:— It is not our work to attack individuals or institutions. We should exercise great care lest we be understood as putting ourselves in opposition to the civil authorities. It is true that our warfare is aggressive, but our weapons are to be those found in a plain “Thus saith the Lord.” Our work is to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God. We should not be turned aside to lines that will encourage controversy, or arouse antagonism in those not of our faith. We should not work in a manner that will mark us out as seeming to advocate treason. We should weed out from our writings and utterances every expression, that, taken by itself, could be so misrepresented as to make it appear antagonistic to law and order. Everything should be carefully considered, lest we place ourselves on record as encouraging disloyalty to our country and its laws. We are not required to defy authorities. There will come a time when, because of our advocacy of Bible truth, we shall be treated as traitors; but let not this time be hastened by unadvised movements that stir up animosity and strife. The time will come when unguarded expressions of a denunciatory character, that have been carelessly spoken or written by our brethren, will be used by our enemies to condemn us. These will not be used merely to condemn those who made the statements, but will be charged upon the whole body of Adventists. . . . Then let our workers be careful to speak guardedly at all times and under all circumstances. Let all beware lest by reckless expressions they bring on a time of trouble before the great crisis which is to try men’s souls. . . . In the name of the Lord we are to go forward, unfurling his banner, advocating his word. When the authorities command us not to do this work; when they forbid us to proclaim the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, then it will be necessary for us to say, as did the apostles: “Whether it be right in the sight of God to harken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we can not but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 4: 19, 20. The child of God will respect civil authority, not from fear, but for conscience’ sake. Rom. 13: 5. The same spirit will lead him to pray for the civil rulers that they may be guided of God in their great responsibilities, in order that the work of the gospel shall not be hindered. We are entering upon times which will try men’s souls. The people of God will be brought into strait places; they will be brought before rulers and councils to answer for their faith. They need to hide in God, and to place themselves under the control of his Holy Spirit, that their words may be spoken always with grace and meekness. Let us watch carefully every word, and guard every action, that nothing that we shall say or do may reflect upon the holy truth we represent. Let us manifest unfailing courtesy to all men, and at the same time be firm as a rock to the blessed principles of truth. F. M. W. The Biennial Council in Friedensau, Germany
By William Ambrose Spicer
The Russian reports required three sessions of the council. H. J. Loebsack told about work in that most difficult field of West Russia (the Polish and Bohemian and Jewish region). There are more Jews in that region than in any union conference field in the world. In 1910, 40 new members were received; but thus far in 1911, 35 have already been baptized. O. Wildgrube spoke for the Middle Russian Mission, where there is one ordained minister for 50,000,000 people. In Moscow the state church missionaries are especially active against us, having issued six pamphlets to oppose our work. To their activity is due the arrest of our brother, who must stand trial on his return to Moscow. We have 100 members in this new field. A Russian choir sang a portion of Luke 1 (verses 46-55); then the Siberian Union reported, G. Perk for the general field, and F. Ginter for the eastern part of European Russia, where he finds8 it against the law to baptize any one under twenty-one years of age, or any one not released from the Orthodox Church. To secure this release is often very difficult for the people. Elder H. K. Loebsack, of Omsk, spoke for West Siberia, where there are 286 members. Four churches are now awaiting admission to the conference. Elder J. Ebel, of the Turkestan Mission, had already described his field in one of the services. He returns from the council to far Tashkend. And Elder E. Gnaedjin had also told of the believers in Harbin, Manchuria, and of work and service along the Mongolian border. Elder J. T. Boettcher remarked that in these vast Siberian fields we have brethren in this blessed hope who live one thousand miles from a railway. Thus the message is penetrating to “the uttermost parts of the earth.” The session devoted to this field was a cheering one. L. P. Tieche introduced the reports for this union, with its 100,000,000 inhabitants, mostly Catholic, where we have 1,060 members. H. H. Dexter spoke for French Switzerland, the cradle of our work in Europe, the smallest field of all, but still a base of supplies for the Latin work. F. Bond, of Spain, reported 23 new members in 1910; but thus far in 1911, 24 have already been received. The brethren were greatly cheered by the coming of Brother J. Brown, from Mexico, to push the book work in Spain. C. E. Rentfro reported 5 new members thus far this year in Portugal, and L. Zecchetto made a good report for Italy. The company at Genoa numbers 22; another company in Gravina, south central Italy, numbers 27. T. Nussbaum spoke for south France, U. Augsbourger for Algeria (where he had formerly worked), and J. Curdy for the north France field. Only eighteen months ago there was but one member in this newly-set-apart mission field—one among 20,000,000. Fifteen have now been baptized. P. Steiner, of Paris, closed the report with a message of love and fellowship from the French believers to the German brethren. Elder W. J. Fitzgerald, for the British representatives, stated that the British Union was not asking now for financial help to work out its mighty city problems, but they did ask that effort be made to secure five or ten young men of the class who secure scholarships by canvassing, who might be persuaded to finish their school work in England, and prepare for work in some part of the British empire. The council recommended,—
That the request regarding students from America for the Stanborough Park College be approved, and that the educational secretary be asked to take the responsibility of securing these students. Further actions were taken, as follows:—
That A. G. Daniells be requested to attend the British ministerial institute to be held in England next winter.
That L. R. Conradi arrange to visit the Siberian and the East African missions before the next General Conference, and that the secretary of the European Division, G. Dail, accompany him to Africa.
That, after about eleven years’ service, Elder L. V. Finster and his wife be granted a furlough from the Philippines, and that he be requested to plan his furlough so as to include attendance at the next General Conference as a delegate.
That the Egyptian Mission be constituted a mission field separate from the Syrian Mission, and that it be placed under the management of the Levant Union in connection with the European Division. The fields of the Asiatic Division have been set before the council in addresses and with stereopticon views by Elder I. H. Evans. Elder J. Westrup has also briefly recounted experiences. It is a wonderful situation that opens before us in the Orient so rapidly that we are far behind the providences of God. The Sabbath-keepers spring up in China faster than they can be visited and instructed. The following recommendations were made by the council:—
That Manchuria be made a separate mission field, under the direction of the Asiatic Division of the General Conference.
That for the present, until the work in Manchuria becomes more fully developed, the Russian work in that field be continued under the direction of the European Division.
That the Publishing Department be asked to recommend at once a bookman for China.
That Elder G. A. Irwin and the officers of the Southern California Conference make the selection of an evangelist and his wife to go to China this autumn, this request being made on the suggestion that a brother offers the support of these workers in China.
That the officers of the General Conference find an evangelist for the Philippines, to enter the field this autumn.
Other calls from Japan, Korea, and China were agreed to as most urgent, but it was decided to wait until the autumn council before taking further action, owing to the insufficiency of the current income to keep up with the rapidly expanding work. One session in the large tent was devoted to departmental reports. The report for the Educational Department was given by H. R. Salisbury; for the Publishing Department by E. R. Palmer; and for the North American Foreign Department by O. A. Olsen. These reports were intensely interesting. It was stated in the educational report that the German school at Friedensau has sent out 525 students, 250 of whom are preachers or Bible workers. There are 6,500 students in our higher training schools, just the number of Sabbath-keepers that we had in 1874, when our first missionary, J. N. Andrews, crossed the sea; and it was in that year that our first college was being established. In the same year the International Tract Society was organized, Elder Palmer told us, to be the parent agency in the international distribution of our publications. The story of the canvassing work, year by year, was vividly told with the aid of charts. To purchase to-day one copy of all of our literature would require $500, representing a purchase of 1,860 publications, in 67 languages, with the imprint of 27 publishing-houses. Elder O. A. Olsen showed how, through the providence of God, peoples of all nations have been gathering in America. He reviewed the history of the spread of the truth to other lands by means of those who have heard the message in the United States. He appealed to the brethren in Europe to cooperate in every way possible in the efforts now being made to evangelize the foreign peoples of America. During the council, the strengthening of the work of the Foreign Department in America received earnest consideration. In planning for the great and growing German work in the States, the council recommended,—
That the West German Union Conference be requested to release Elder J. H. Schilling, president of the West German Union, and that he be invited to take the superintendency of the German work in North America; also that the General Conference Committee in America be asked to make arrangements for the future work of Elder G. F. Haffner, who has been doing faithful work in the German department. When this action was reported by Elder Daniells on Sabbath afternoon in the large tent, after a stirring missionary service, expressions of surprise and regret rose involuntarily from hundreds of lips; but very cheerfully, as the matter was explained, the congregation voted to acquiesce in this gift to the German work in America, though they felt that it was indeed a sacrifice. In the sessions of the West German Union Committee following the council, Elder J. G. Oblaender was selected to take the presidency of the West German Union. At the close of the council the following vote was passed:—
Voted, That the visiting members of the General Conference Committee Council, meeting in Friedensau July 4-16, 1911, extend to the East and the West German Union conferences and to the brethren and sisters of these unions, hearty thanks for the hospitality which they have freely bestowed upon delegates from other fields, and for the kind care and brotherly welcome which they have given us; we assure these brethren and sisters that we shall ever treasure9 the memory of these days of association together in Christian fellowship, and shall pray that God’s richest blessing may abide with them until the Saviour comes. Our space does not allow reporting the proceedings of the East German Union Conference, which occupied one of the morning hours during most of the time of the council. This union, under the presidency of Elder H. F. Schuberth, is vigorously pushing forward the work in the eastern part of Germany and in Hungary and the Balkans. One meeting of the camp was devoted to the financial interests of the school and institutional enterprises at Friedensau. The congregation subscribed about $11,000 to these enterprises, sufficient to practically set them free from all indebtedness, we understand. As the Lord richly blessed on the first Sabbath in the great congregation, so also his blessings were showered richly upon us the last Sabbath. The people came seeking God, and throughout the Sabbath hours the presence of the Spirit of God was felt in our hearts. In the morning service as those who knew that they had definite surrenders to make to God were invited to come forward to seek him for definite victory, so many responded that it was impossible to ask them forward. As they stood in the aisles and amid the congregation, their needs were spread before the Lord in prayer. The after-meeting, attended by upward of 500, who had come to receive definite help, was a season of blessing. All hearts rejoiced as heavy burdens were laid down, and the bands of sin were broken. At the afternoon service, Elder Daniells presented the high calling and work of the gospel ministry, and following this 12 men were ordained to the ministry. These men represented work in 7 different languages. The following is the list of the 12 who enter the full work of the gospel ministry from this council meeting:— A. C. Enns (German-American), German East Africa. George Keough (English), Egypt. R. P. Paulini (Rumanian), Bucharest, Rumania. J. Schneider (Lettonian), Baltic Conference, Russia. C. Motzer (German), Bulgaria. A. Langholf (Russian-German), Rumania. B. Schmidt (German-Russian), South Russia. F. Koch (Russian-German), Caucasus, Russia. R. Lusky (teacher formerly), Germany. W. Schaefer, Saxon Conference, Germany. Guy Dail, European Division secretary. Each of these brethren spoke a word to the congregation, and then the following workers, under appointment to leave Germany, spoke each a few words, and were bidden Godspeed by the brethren:— R. Stein, and his intended wife, Miss Eichler, under appointment to Victoria Nyanza, German East Africa. E. Lorntz, of Norway, under appointment to the Abyssinian Mission. P. Hennig, of Germany, called to the Clinton German Seminary (Missouri). O. J. Olsen, under appointment to Iceland. R. Kuempel, under appointment to Brazil. J. H. Schilling, under appointment to North America, German work. Thus closed the last Sabbath in the camp amid blessings fresh from heaven. The following Sunday, the public again visited the camp in large numbers, and the day was devoted to public preaching services; and again the children (this time of the Berlin churches) rendered a missionary program, and gathered a large offering for the missionary cause. The biennial council of 1911 has been a rich spiritual feast to all, and all are assured that it will mark a long step forward in the finishing of the work. “LET every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” Speaking of the efforts of Mr. Carnegie and other peace advocates to bring about national disarmament, America of August 5 makes the following sensible comments:— While we admire the zeal of those behind the world's peace movement, we must recognize that universal peace is not among the feasible things the world's condition to-day allows us to hope for. We have not reached that stage of national development where, much as the thought may appeal to one, war is impossible or out of the question. Perhaps men may come so to love justice that the dream of a permanent court for the settlement of international disputes will be effectively realized—but it requires no deep study of the selfishness of nations to satisfy one's self that the happy day has not yet dawned. Much point is being made by the peace advocates of the peace treaty which has recently been proposed between the United States and Great Britain; but Great Britain by no means proposes to maintain peace at a sacrifice of national prestige, nor does she anticipate cutting down her naval appropriation or equipment or abating her naval program one iota. Mr. Lloyd George, chancellor of the exchequer, in a recent address at the Mansion House in London, said:— I believe it essential in the highest interests, not merely of this country, but of the world, that Great Britain should at all hazards maintain her place and prestige among the great powers. Her potent influence has been many times in the past, and may yet be in the future, invaluable for the cause of human liberty. It has more than once in the past redeemed Continental nations, who are sometimes too apt to forget that service, from overwhelming disaster and even from national extinction. I would make great sacrifices to preserve peace. I conceive nothing that would justify the disturbance of international good will except questions of the gravest national moment; but if a situation were to be enforced upon us, in which peace could be preserved only by the surrender of the great and beneficent position that Great Britain has won by centuries of heroism and achievement—by allowing Great Britain to be treated, where her interests were vitally affected, as if she were of no account in the cabinet of nations—then I say, emphatically, that peace at that price would be a humiliation intolerable for a great country like ours to endure. America truly adds that this “is not a message that will give much cheer to the enthusiast who looks for the speedy realization of universal peace in the world.” That there might be universal peace every child of God might devoutly wish. But when the Scriptures of truth plainly declare that such conditions will not prevail, and that the nations of earth will move steadily forward in preparation for the battle of the last great day, and when the conditions before our very eyes indicate that they are doing this, and that the Scripture is meeting its fulfilment, why be deceived by the siren song of peace and security? Better indeed to open our eyes to the realization of whither we are drifting and the times in which we are living. Thus only can we be prepared for the events which are coming upon the earth. The Power of the Ministry
Is the ministry losing its power? This is the question which the United Presbyterian of August 3 raises. It answers it as follows:— If we may believe some writers, it is. They say the day of theology is past, and ministers must be content to take a lower plane. This may be true of some ministers, but not of the body. The man who comes before the people with a consciousness of a call from God, and who speaks as from God to the souls of men, has power, and makes for himself a place in the hearts of the people. It is for every gospel worker to determine to which class he belongs. He who established the gospel ministry and sent it forth on its divine mission, said, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” This is the divine power upon which the gospel laborer may take hold. The arsenal of heaven is his great storehouse. He himself is human, but he represents the infinite God, and with the call to divine service there will come divine power for every need. An Incident of Missionary Life
By S. M. Zwemer
An Incident of Missionary Life
No man can be a pioneer missionary who does not have his convictions in regard to Christ and the gospel wrought out in his own life experience. The pioneer is dependent on his own resources; he stands alone. He must be not only a man with a message, but must embody that message in his own life and character. The pioneer missionary is, therefore, in a peculiar sense, the representative of Christ. Some years ago I was preaching in one of the hospitals in eastern Arabia, and spoke of the love of Christ,—its length and breadth and depth and height,—using the words of the apostle as the basis of my talk. I endeavored to present the subject simply, so that it could be understood by the uneducated people who had gathered in the waiting-room. At the close of the address, a Moslem, unprepossessing in appearance, who had evidently not been to the hospital before, stepped forward, and with Bedouin bluntness exclaimed, “I understand all you told us, because I have seen that sort of man myself.” In the conversation that followed, this Arab, who came from a city about five hundred miles distant, began to describe, in response to inquiries, a stranger who had come to his city and taken up his residence there. “Why,” he said, “he was a strange man. When people did wrong to him, he did good to them. He looked after sick folks and prisoners, and everybody who was in trouble. He even treated Negro slave boys and sick Arabs kindly. He was always good to other people. Many of them never had such a friend as he was. He used to take long journeys in the broiling sun to help them. He seemed to think one man was as good as another. He was a friend to all kinds of people. He was just what you said.” To my surprise, this rude, uneducated man had recognized, in the description which I had given of the love of Christ, a Christian missionary, and greater was my surprise later to find that it was my brother, Peter J. Zwemer, who, in 1893, opened work in Muscat, and died in the Presbyterian Hospital, New York, in 1898. That Mohammedan had not only heard the word of the missionary, but he had seen it exemplified in the missionary ’s life. What higher tribute could be paid to the daily life of one of God’s servants than the fact that an ignorant Mohammedan, studying him day by day, recognized Christ?—S. M. Zwemer, in Bombay Guardian. The Women in New Guinea
By Mrs. Edith M. Carr
As in most heathen lands, the women of New Guinea are despised and downtrodden. It is a common sight to see a man walking along empty-handed while his wife, or even his little daughter, carries the heavy load. One may often see a woman carrying a very heavy burden suspended from her head, on the top of which she places her two-year-old baby. Last week two native women, who came from the village near by, were quite interested in the progress that is being made at Bisiatabu, and exclamations of appreciation were heard when they saw the way in which we had arranged our native house. After a while one of the women produced a huge, fat wood-bug which she had tied up in some leaves, and asked permission to roast it on the stove. I could not help showing my horror, and tried to convince her that it was a filthy thing to eat; but she thought I was altogether wrong, and very soon she was enjoying her dainty morsel as we would a piece of good cake. She also brought me two scrub-turkey eggs, but doubting their freshness, I asked if I might open them. The first tap showed that they were well developed, but these, too, were roasted and eaten in like manner. On the Fly River, some two hundred miles west of Port Moresby, some of the villages consist of only one long house, which is divided into compartments like horse stalls, only with lower partitions, each family occupying one division. In some of the mountain villages not far from Bisiatabu, there are only two houses in the village,—one for the men, the other for the women and children. The women, who do all the hard work and should have the comfortable home, live all together in a small house, which most people would call a pigsty, while the men have the better and larger house. The mother of one of our boys, accompanied by her husband, came to visit her son, bringing as a present to him a large basket of food. She had walked sixteen miles, including a very steep hill which she climbed. She remained with her boy for two days, and then, not feeling well, started on her return journey. She expected soon to have another little one in their family, but the trip proving too much for her, she died on the road. A platform was erected on which they placed the corpse until the flesh should decay, or be eaten by the birds, when the bones would be taken to the village to be buried. Think of these things, dear Christian sisters, as you live in your comfortable homes, and when tempted to spend your money for that “which is not bread,” decide that for His sake you will deny yourself to help your dark-skinned, downtrodden sisters in heathen lands. Riga, Russia
By Mrs. J. T. Boettcher
RECENTLY a high official was sent from St. Petersburg especially to get our 1911 year-book, and learn all about our work. The department for “sects” wishes to publish statistics of our work. The officials in St. Petersburg also wanted to know about the new union in Russia, and that man Perk. Brother Perk, so far, has not been able to get permission to work in Russia, but Mr. Boettcher thinks that this interview will help matters somewhat. The St. Petersburg official and Mr. Boettcher were together several hours, the former writing down what was said. This evening Mr. Boettcher is away holding a Bible reading with a gentleman from Moscow who attended the meeting Sunday. We also learned to-day that one of the high dignitaries of the Lutheran Church has attended a number of our meetings, and is much interested. Mr. Boettcher has just brought home a large and interesting work by Hedin, describing his trip in Central Asia and Persia; and when I read in this and other books of perilous journeys and adventures, I must say that surely the angel of the Lord accompanied us on our long journey through Siberia and Central Asia. No one ever molested us, or even disturbed us, although we took along no guards or firearms. From the north to the south we found hospitable homes open to us everywhere, regardless of race or religion. We never paid for a night’s lodging anywhere. I did not see many beds in Siberia, and none in any of the inns at which we stopped in Central Asia. These inns, or stage-coach stations, were kept by Russians. Two or three rooms of the house were open to the travelers, and were, as a rule, surprisingly clean and comfortable. They were quite often carpeted, and contained a table, chairs, and some kind of couch. Sometimes there were blooming plants in the windows, and always holy pictures on the walls, as well as portraits of the czar and czarina. These rooms were as free and open to us as are the waiting-rooms in a depot, and I often wondered that the landlady did not object to the disorder our baggage and lunching made. Sometimes we waked the family out of sound sleep by our coming in the middle of the night, and I heard children cry. The woman of the house, however, got up and brought us the samovar full of boiling hot water, and the necessary cups and saucers. From Harbin there is not much that I can write. As far as I know, none of our people have died of the plague, but they have passed through trying times, and some of them have become discouraged. They are begging earnestly for a worker to be sent to them again. District of Columbia
By S. W. Van Trump
ANACOSTIA.—This suburb of the national capital is on the Virginia side of the Potomac, and is accessible by trolley from the city. The population is about 3,500, and the town reminds one of the period of the civil war or earlier. A company of five workers from Takoma recently visited this place, distributing religious liberty literature, conversing with the people, and learning their attitude toward the Sunday-closing movement which is now being agitated there. As the place is within the District of Columbia, the people have no voice in its government. Like the city proper, its affairs are managed by the three District Commissioners appointed by Congress. This arrangement does not seem to please some of the people of Anacostia, especially the Sunday-law advocates; for the District Commissioners do not enforce the old 1801 blue-law, since Judge Maloney, in 1908, sitting in the District Court of Appeals, declared it obsolete. Left without this enforcement, the Sunday-closing forces have been carrying on a campaign of moral suasion, securing signers to a petition for a general closing of all stores, and the release of all employees from Sunday labor. Not all the merchants are willing to sign the petition, one prominent druggist taking a decided stand against it. The idea of letting every man choose his own time of labor is repugnant to those at the head of the movement, and they would covet the paternal duty of regulating the time when free citizens should work and rest. It is hard to lead men to see that this would be an entering wedge for religious persecution. About five hundred copies of Liberty and a greater number of tracts were given to the people. The leader of the movement received two of our brethren in a most kindly manner, and requested more of our literature, voluntarily subscribing for the Protestant Magazine, upon being told that we printed such a periodical. The right of franchise may some day be granted the citizens of the District of Columbia, and now is the time to present to them the true principles of liberty as set forth in our excellent publications.
S. W. VAN TRUMP. Work for Colored People in Winnsboro, S. C.
By J. F. Crichlow
WEDNESDAY night, July 12, Elder M. C. Strachan preached the gospel in our tent, which was filled to its capacity. Since that first meeting, the attendance has steadily increased. Sister Mabell Mason, our mission-school teacher of Asheville, N. C., is our organist. Many say the Lord has indeed sent us here. The mayor of the city has spoken favorably of the way in which our services are carried on. Because of his endorsement, from ten to fifteen white persons visit our meetings every night. The colored ministers of the city are very friendly toward us. After the services, many remain to ask questions. There is nothing in all the earth like the last message of mercy, which is being proclaimed in all the world with power. We have much for which to praise the Lord. He is good to us. The enemy is ever busy, but our hope is in God. The people are very kind and hospitable, though poor. They say the Bible is a new book to them. We expect good results from this effort. The Lord alone is to be exalted. His message is full of power. J. F. CRICHLOW. Santa Catharina (Brazil) Conference
By F. W. Spies
The sixth annual session of the Santa Catharina Conference was held at Tijucas, a small coast town of about twenty-five hundred inhabitants, April 12-15. Although somewhat out of reach of the majority of the brethren in this conference, Tijucas was selected because of an interest that had been created there by previous work. The Santa Catharina Conference not having a president at the time, the writer took charge of the meeting. About fifty brethren were present. The evening services were attended by from three hundred to four hundred people, who gave the best of attention to the truths presented. Brother Adolfo Asthesiano, the native Bible worker, remained at Tijucas to follow up the interest, increased by the conference; and the writer hopes to return to spend several weeks. Already some have desired baptism. Although not very large in numbers, the conference at Tijucas was a season of rich blessing; and as the nearness of the Lord's coming and the need of a preparation for this solemn event were presented to the brethren, sins were confessed and put away. We believe that as those who enjoyed these blessings return to their homes and communicate to others the good things received, the influence of the blessings the Lord bestowed at Tijucas will be far-reaching. Not having any one in the conference who could be elected to the office of president, the conference starts out in its new conference year without either a president or a minister to look after the four hundred fifty members gathered in ten churches, and the interests which in a number of places demand attention. We hope, however, some one may soon come from abroad to take this responsibility, as we have no one in our union conference who is not now already overburdened with work, and it is consequently impossible for us to provide a man for this field from our union. The secretary and the treasurer and the conference committee were elected, and all other business of the conference was transacted, with perfect harmony and unity. Although the brethren for the present have no leader in their conference, no one offered a discouraging or complaining word, but all planned to do more than ever before to finish the work entrusted to us. And as the Santa Catharina brethren take up the work for the coming year, we can but say, Dear Lord, bless them, and help them ever to be of good courage. COCHABAMBA.—The work is going forward in this country. The Lord is blessing me continually. I need one more worker for the book work. I would not be so alone then when people persecute me. The bishop and priests have condemned “Coming King.” Whoever buys the book is committing a sin, because I am a heretic. A certain young man is especially doing great harm to my work. He ordered a book, but now he is waging war against me through the newspaper. The people meet me with these words: “You are a Protestant. Your books and papers are prohibited.” Already I have lost many orders. Last month I took over one hundred orders, and have delivered about thirty-two. This caused a stir among the people. Some talk about burning and stoning me. The enemy is preparing his weapons of persecution because the truth, the banner of Christ, is set up here. The Word of God gives light to some hearts. Several intelligent young men and a blacksmith and his family are interested in our literature. The seed is sown. The fight is going on. After darkness comes light; after the battle, victory. The blacksmith is studying the second coming of Christ. I am trying to help him to get nearer to God. Now, last but not least, a priest has bought a Bible of me. The Lord bless this man, and make him a true witness for gospel truth against its enemies here. Often when clouds are thick around me, and it seems the Lord has forsaken me, and Satan is ready to lay his grip on me, in the barren mountains without a human companion, tired and hungry, I remember these words: “I know that my Redeemer liveth.” The thought of all the souls yet to be warned gives me strength and new hope and courage to work for the Master. Daily I meet severe opposition, but still I go from house to house, knocking at every door that every one may have a chance to receive the truth. I am known in every part of this city, as I live here and am working the place the second time with our books. The great trouble is the bishop forbids the owners of houses to give me a home, so I must keep moving. I can stay only one month in a house. This makes it hard for me to find a suitable, clean room, but the Lord will surely help. Brethren in the home land, pray for the laborers of Christ in foreign fields. I pray that the Lord may open the hearts of some to give more money to send more workers to the dark lands. Forty-One Young People Baptized
At the South Dakota camp-meeting forty-eight persons were baptized; forty-one of these were young people.