By far the most effective temperance lesson that San Francisco ever has had was the recent great fire. Men were frightened out of their senses by the earthquake, and when the fire broke out and appeared to be beyond control, they became frantic and took to intoxicating drink. At the very time when the occasion demanded cool heads and sober minds, they were crazed with drunkenness. Civil law and municipal officials were not equal to the occasion; it was not till martial law backed by the regular army was given prestige that the diabolism was overcome.
The army, yes, the army — so often counted as the synonym of debauchery and rowdyism — had to step in and protect the citizen populace from themselves and from one another, because so many of them were drunk. And the army began its work of protection by a radical prohibition of the liquor traffic. There is no doubt that many lives and much property would have been saved had prohibition been in force before the fire.
It was not till the army had destroyed the supplies, and men became sober, that really effective work was accomplished in checking the fire fiend. Nor was order fully restored until the army went outside the city and closed the drinking resorts that hung upon the borders by sanction of the civil authorities of the adjoining county. Order, under the intense excitement and suffering and anxiety, was an utter impossibility until the demon alcohol was abolished from the community.
Even the city administration — elected by the combined labor union and saloon elements and the Examiner — had to concede the necessity of prohibiting the “personal privilege” of selling and drinking fiery beverages during the great emergency. The innate fiendishness that crops out of human nature where men are abnormally enmassed was all that the authorities could well keep under, without the addition of artificial intoxication.
The Examiner says: “The city has had before its eyes the salutary effects of closing the rum shops. The decrease in the amount of crime in a disorganized city has caused the astonishment of the police and the gratitude of the people.”
Yet the Examiner never has been, nor12is it yet, a prohibition advocate, notwithstanding the logic of its admission leads one to wonder why. Here is a further admission in the same connection: “Crime is one of the most expensive luxuries in which a city can indulge. If half the crime could be cut off by closing the saloons, the cost of running the city government could very easily be kept under the dollar tax limit, and there would be plenty of money left for permanent improvements. It is the saloon that makes taxes high by making necessary the maintenance of a large and expensive system of police protection.”
Yet the Examiner, admitting that the saloon is such a prolific source of crime, is willing to continue the evil provided the saloon proprietors will pay a sufficiently high license to meet the expense of the necessarily increased police force. What would the editor, and other license advocates, say to a general licensing of crime provided that those who procured the licenses would pay enough to meet the expense of an increased police force?
But after the suggestion of a thousand-dollar saloon license, which it is supposed a thousand saloon-keepers would be willing to pay, the Examiner makes the further concession that “there should be no hurry about restoring the licenses” which the authorities “so wisely revoked.” And this concession is backed by the following good reasons: “If the city is quiet and orderly now, it is in no small degree due to the fact that a taboo has been put on whisky. It should be a matter of months at least before the ban is raised. The experience of the past month has demonstrated that the saloon is not necessary to the life of this city; it is a luxury that can well wait until the process of reconstruction is so far advanced that the opening of drinking places will not add to the police and civic problems that beset the city.”
Here we have admissions from a leading political daily newspaper, not by any means a prohibition advocate on general principles, that the saloon at best is a dispensable “luxury;” that it is a prolific source of crime; that it is not to be tolerated at all in a time of general calamity; and that as a source of revenue it costs more than it produces. Surely a business that causes only evil and expensive disorder, whose revenue can be advantageously dispensed with at the very time the city is most in need of revenue, is a “luxury” that thoughtful people will hardly care to encourage at any time. The lesson certainly warrants prohibition for all time.
Even Oakland, just across the bay, has seen the wisdom of closing the saloons during the night time, at a time when the business has a boom. Were it a legitimate business, there would be general appreciation of an increased trade. That it is not a legitimate business is demonstrated in the fact that no one, except the liquor dealers, feels encouraged by its prosperity. They know that the safety of the community demands its limitation, and the more it is limited the better.—Signs of the Times.
European Canvassing Work
By L. R. Conradi
L. R. CONRADI
It is now nineteen years since the canvassing work began in Europe. Prior to that time, our laborers were glad if they could even be successful in giving away our journals and pamphlets. But as books were provided, and the proper instruction given our brethren, the work gradually developed. In some countries we have had difficulties to contend with that are unknown in the States.
To give one or two examples: In Switzerland there is, even until to-day, a high license for canvassers, amounting to twenty or thirty dollars per annum, for the individual permission to sell books. In Germany, the license costs from four to fifteen dollars a person, yearly.
Aside from the item of expense, there are a great many other restrictions. The German canvasser must be twenty-five years old, and he must have a recommendation from the police as to his moral character for the last three to five years. Then there is the district committee, whose duty it is to look after the books that are circulated, and to issue the permission for their circulation, so that there may be nothing in them that could give moral or religious offense to the people.
Now, while all these laws were made with good intentions, their authors having in mind only the protection of the public against immoral literature, or anything that would denounce religion, yet this latter provision can easily be misapplied.
In spite of all these things, our canvassing work has grown until there are now in the German Union 189 canvassers, whose sales last year, together with the sales of the tract society, amounted to about $65,000; Great Britain reports 122 canvassers, and sales for $67,000, about half of which the regular canvassers are responsible for; Scandinavia had 83 canvassers, with sales amounting to $39,000; and the Latin Union, eight canvassers, and sales for $3,700, making a total for 1905 of $174,700 for this field. Eternity alone will reveal what is being accomplished by the 400 faithful canvassers of Europe.
Not only do we have a good stock of books in the English, German, Danish-Norwegian, Swedish, French, and Dutch, but we are getting out books in the Spanish, Portuguese, Icelandic, Finnish, Welsh, Russian, Polish, Bohemian, Lettish, Livonian, Esthonian, Hungarian, Arabic, and Italian, and small publications in a number of other languages.
While the Lord has given us such efficient means for the circulation of present truth, the enemy is not at all asleep. He tries in every way possible to hinder this work. One of the greatest difficulties we have seems to be in the very country of the Reformation itself—in the German empire. Here dwell about sixty millions of people, one third of whom are Catholics, while the other two thirds profess Protestantism, although there are millions who really do not believe in any religion at all.
For some years our canvassers, when handing in their list of books to the district authorities, would find certain of the publications stricken from the list; and two years ago we found that twenty had thus been forbidden. Upon inquiring, we discovered that the opposition came from a pastor in the kingdom of Saxony. We visited the pastor, and called upon the chairman of the district committee, and finally secured an interview with the minister of morals and religion, to whom we submitted the doubtful books for examination. We were able to have this decision revoked. The great trouble is, if an adverse decision of this sort is rendered in one part of the empire, it is published in the government organ, and circulated throughout the country, so that a decision against us in one kingdom or principality is very apt to affect our securing permission for the circulation of the literature in other parts of the empire.
Since our canvassers have been pushing out more and more into Catholic neighborhoods the last few years, we have found still greater opposition to meet, and lately, in the city of Dusseldorf, not less than twenty of our publications had been stricken out. This was reduced upon our strong protest until finally only two books remained—“Great Controversy,” and the book “Revelation,” by the writer.
After this decision, there was only one way open, and that was to appeal to the highest administrative court in Berlin. We appealed to this court in writing, and Sept. 21, 1905, they confirmed the decision taken by the lower court regarding the two books. There was one way still left,—that some one appear personally before that court.
Jan. 25, 1906, the writer himself took up the matter in the name of the canvasser who had been refused the permission to sell these two books. Besides the president of the court, there were present six of the higher judges, the court secretary, a reporter of a leading Berlin paper, and two of our people. The decision of this court had been rendered in writing substantially as follows:—
“In the Name of the King:
“On the appeal of the plaintiff, is the decision of Dusseldorf, June 20, 1905, confirmed. The costs of the appeal must13be borne by the plaintiff. In setting the cost, the object of contention is valued at one hundred marks.
“The District Committee of Dusseldorf has by its decision of June 20, 1905, denied to the plaintiff a license to circulate the two books published by the International Tract Society in Hamburg—‘Great Controversy,’ by E. G. White, and the ‘Revelation of Jesus Christ,’ by L. R. Conradi, basing their decision on Sec. 56, par. 12, of the Statutory Laws for the Trades, because these books are apt to give religious offense to the Catholic population in matters of religion. Sec. 56, par. 12, states that in house-to-house canvassing there shall be excluded literature which is apt to give offense in matters of morals or religion. This ruling can not be understood as the plaintiff interprets it—that only those publications which would offend all religious persons, are to be excluded; but it is also to be understood as meaning that offense which might be caused to any part of the population on account of their belonging to any particular creed. This interpretation of the legislation is sustained by par. 166, of the Imperial Code of Laws, in which there is granted special protection to all Christian churches, and to all religious societies and other institutions that have the right of incorporation in the empire. In accordance to this, there is to be in the sense of Sec. 56, par. 12, of the statute, the prevention of any offense which might be caused through the circulation of printed matter to the members of the different Christian confessions. The interpretation of the lower court, that Sec. 56 is also to be applied if there is the question of offense only to the Catholic portion of the community, is therefore free from legal error.
“The result is attained by an investigation of the two books in question, as to whether they give any offense in this legal sense. It does not matter whether the passages in these books which are said to give offense are only extracts from other works, or are the words of the author himself; nor does it matter what the object of the books is, or whether the controversy conducted in them be just; nor does it matter whether these publications would be tolerated according to the criminal laws, or the laws of the press. The sense and purpose of the statute in Sec. 56 go farther than this: in principle, there is to be excluded from house-to-house canvassing any literature apt to give cause for any well-grounded offense in religious matters, because this manner of circulating printing matter in which the agent approaches unsolicited any person and offers his merchandise carries with it the danger of giving offense in a special way. The only question is, whether the real contents of the two controverted books, if circulated by the canvasser, would give offense to the people. This is to be affirmed with regard to the Catholic portion of the community, in harmony with the decision rendered by the lower court, based on the following passages from the two works, directed with great severity against the institution of the Catholic Church.”
Then the document quotes from “Great Controversy,” chapter 3, on “The Apostasy,” where the papacy is said to be the “man of sin” referred to in 2 Thessalonians 2; chapter 35, “Character and Aims of the Papacy,” where the confession is mentioned. In the book on “Revelation,” pages 56, 57, 65, 66, are referred to, where Pergamos and Isabel are spoken of. Then the decision continues:—
“There can be no doubt that books having such contents are apt to give offense to the Catholic portion of the community in the sense of Sec. 56, par. 12, in matters of religion. In view of this, the decision of the lower court is to be confirmed.”
Naturally, this decision thus rendered will be used as a precedent in all future decisions, in dealing with any books that in any way show up the true character of Romanism.
As remarked before, the writer had the privilege of appearing and speaking before these judges, and stating to them the real purpose of the books—that they are not directed against any person, but against a system of religion; and that if the law be interpreted in this manner, it will be but a short time until no religious literature can be circulated through the canvasser, for naturally enough the Romanists would be offended at any Protestant publications, and the Protestants would be offended by Catholic literature. That this is a danger, I produced as proof a leading Lutheran paper, in which an account is given of the bitter complaint of the Lutheran pastors at their last synod, because in some Catholic districts all Lutheran literature is excluded.
I was then requested to read all the passages in question. I did this, taking about an hour, during which the best of attention was given to what I said. When the judges retired, the reporter of one of the leading Berlin papers said that as long as we could not show that there was a legal error, the judges would quickly return, simply upholding their previously rendered decision, without taking time to go into the details of the arguments I had presented. However, to the reporter’s surprise, the judges were out nearly an hour, and instead of making a simple statement, they went again into all the details in reply to my argument, showing that it would not matter whether the author’s words were offensive, or whether it were the words he had quoted from some one else—even from a generally recognized authority, such as Wylie’s work on the papacy, that had received the prize of the Evangelical Alliance. It was stated that nothing whatever would hinder our circulating these works through the book trade as long as they could not be shown to contain anything criminally wrong.
The Berliner Tageblatt of Jan. 29, 1906, which is a leading Berlin daily, gave this comment on the decision:— “It will soon be four hundred years since Luther published his attacks on the pope, which were circulated in all corners of the German empire, through the canvasser. But we have happily reached a point where publications which contain an attack on the pope can be no longer offered for sale by house-to-house canvassing in the German empire. The decision is based on an ordinance of the Statutory Laws of the Trades, whereby house-to-house canvassing for literature can be forbidden if the printed matter is apt to give offense in morals or religion.”
Here it gives the decision of the highest administrative court, and then closes with these remarks:—
“Legislatures can see from this decision, how carefully they must formulate their laws in order not to give the courts any chance to put another sense into them. Evidently the legislature understood under ‘religious offense,’ only insulting attacks upon religion, but did not refer to an attack against the pope; but courts only too often act in harmony with the principle, ‘Legt ihr’s nicht aus, so legt ihr’s unter.’ (This is a German play on words, to indicate that either you explain the meaning, or else you substitute it.) Thus we have reached that condition of things where most of Luther’s writings, for example, would be excluded from house-to-house canvassing.”
I think these words and sentiments speak for themselves. But we should not be in the least discouraged by them. The Lord, who has helped thus far, has promised to be our wisdom and strength, and he will continue with his humble children in the future. However, we see that by appealing the case, we are able to reach a class of men who would probably never attend our public lectures. As they have to render decisions, they naturally have to read all these different books, and so become fully conversant with the truth. Thus the Lord is providing a means whereby the message shall be known even in the courts of justice in the land.
Entering the Philippine Islands
By J. Lamar McElhany
J. LAMAR MCELHANY
On Wednesday, March 28, we left Sydney, Australia, for the Philippine Islands, on the Japanese liner “Yawata Maru.” After our last view of the many dear friends who stood waving their “farewells” from Circular Quay, and while steaming down the beautiful Sydney harbor, we took a retrospective glance at the past few years. In July, 1903, we left our home conference, the Southern California, to come to Australia. We were moved to take this long voyage to a distant land by the appeals made for more workers to carry the third angel’s message into the ripening fields of the Australasian Union Conference. The experience we have gained in our labors in Australia has been a great blessing and benefit to us. And now we were starting on another long14voyage to the Philippine Islands; but with our original purpose still in view, however, for this group, together with all the other Malaysian islands, forms a portion of the Australasian Union Conference. During our voyage of sixteen days we sighted almost countless islands. These islands are waiting for the law of God. O, how long must they wait? We wish all our people could have the privilege of seeing these great unentered fields; surely it would kindle the spark of missionary zeal into a flame that would burn until the Lord comes.
We reached our destination, after a safe and pleasant voyage, on April 13. At present we are the only workers in this great and needy field. Elder E. H. Gates spent a few weeks here looking over the field, and then proceeded to Singapore. Brother R. A. Caldwell, who canvassed here for some time, is at present in Hongkong. He will doubtless return here soon to make this field his headquarters.
ALONG THE BOTANICAL GARDENS: BAGUMBIA ROAD
At present we are endeavoring to find a suitable location for a mission home, but this is a most difficult thing to do in Manila on account of the high rents. A house suitable for our use, and that is proof against typhoons, rents for from fifty to sixty dollars a month. With water and lights and living expenses proportionate, it is an expensive place in which to live.
Our arrival was just at the beginning of the hot season, and we have found the heat quite trying. A few days ago we experienced our first typhoon, which was severe, but fortunately of short duration. A few native houses were blown down, and some buildings unroofed.
On the evening of the same day that we landed, we witnessed a spectacle that clearly set before us just the conditions existing here. A “Roman Catholic Good Friday procession” was fully an hour in passing the building where we were staying. A vast crowd witnessed the procession, while thousands were in line marching, each one carrying a lighted candle. Image after image, gaudy with decorations and some decked with priceless jewels, were carried in the procession. Bands of music, singers, and surpliced priests, and the American archbishop in his purple robes, all combined to make up a scene long to be remembered. It would be impossible for one to imagine such a scene without seeing it. To the Filipino, this is religion. Naturally excitable and emotional, his senses are wrought upon as he sees and hears. He is carried away and mystified. The mystery of iniquity, Rome, makes ample provision for keeping him in that condition. As for touching his life and making a better man of him, restoring the moral image of God in his soul, there is nothing of the kind done. He turns away, after bowing to the image of the virgin, with its potential charm, to break every commandment of the decalogue.
The Filipinos need the third angel’s message. True, they do not sense their need, but their need is emphasized by just such scenes as described above. This message is the only deliverance for any people from all the deceptions of the papacy. May God help us in giving the message to these millions in the Philippine Islands.
There are many obstacles confronting us in starting the work here, chief of which is the language. It has been generally supposed that the Spanish language was universally spoken here, but this is not true. Out of a population of nearly eight million, only about eight per cent of the people understand even colloquial Spanish. The others must be reached through their own tongues, of which there are many. One good authority declares that “there are in the Philippines one hundred and fifty native tribes with names.” There are said to be forty-seven tribes of Malayans, sixteen of Indonesians, and twenty-one of Negritos, and even these tribes are subdivided into many more, each speaking different dialects. The Visayan tribe is the most numerous, numbering 2,601,600; the Tagalogs come next, with 1,663,900. The natives in and about Manila are mostly of the Tagalog race. The native newspapers of Manila are printed in Spanish and Tagalog. A great deal can be done in sowing the seeds of truth through the medium of the Spanish language, and for this purpose we need a large supply of Spanish literature. As fast as these native languages are acquired, literature must be produced in them so these people can receive the message. It is impossible to speak of the Filipino people as a whole; they range from the civilized Tagalogs to the head-hunting Igorrotes in the north of Luzon and the fierce and warlike Mohammedan Moros in Mindanao and Sulu.
The people are suspicious of Americans, and it takes some time to win their confidence. Medical missionary work will prove to be a great door-opener here for the message. We are anxious to have this part of the work begun soon in connection with our mission. The natives are very ignorant of the laws of health, and can not understand why they must keep clean. The health authorities have had a great deal of trouble with them, especially in times of cholera outbreak. Often they would conceal the presence of the disease until some one died, and then, to avoid quarantine, bury the body under the house or throw it into the river. There have been several cases of cholera since we have been here, resulting fatally in each instance. There is great need of medical missionary work in the Philippines. We need a good doctor to connect with the work here.
There are about ten thousand Americans here besides the army, which numbers probably between twelve and fifteen thousand. The Australasian Union Conference has entered heartily into the work assigned them by the Lord, of carrying the third angel’s message to the great island field of the Pacific Ocean and adjoining waters, and as fast as their slender resources of men and means admit, move out into the unentered territory. We believe, however, for reasons too apparent to need stating, that our brethren in the States will take a special interest in the opening up and development of the work in the Philippines. We hope the way will open for the mission to own a building suitable for the work. This is our most pressing need.
We shall be able to use a large amount of literature, both English and Spanish. Signs, Watchman, Life and Health, and all standard publications and tracts, also Spanish papers, health journals, tracts or books for free distribution, will be thankfully received. Domestic rates of postage apply between the States and15the Philippines. Pray for the work and workers in the Philippines. Our present address is 107 Calle Fundicion, Walled City, Manila, P. I.
Iceland
By David Ostlund
REYKJAVIK.—The last winter was a very blessed time to us. Our meetings bore signs of deeper interest than ever before, and the attendance was good. During the first three weeks of the year we had revival meetings every day, and our hall was always crowded. About thirty or forty persons then gave themselves to the Lord, and some of them have already united in fellowship with us, but of course they have much to learn. The Lord has richly blessed our efforts.
The nineteenth of May it was my privilege to baptize seven dear souls, and the same day we organized a church in Reykjavik, with thirteen members. Some of the Sabbath-keepers are yet unbaptized, and we hope to win many other souls.
Our paper Frækorn (Seed-corn) has a subscription list of about three thousand eight hundred.
During the winter we had a day-school with forty-five children, most of whom are children of those not of our faith. We intend to have a school next winter. We also have a Sunday-school and a mission society, which are doing well.
The Icelanders have been a little slow in accepting present truth, but I hope the work among them will have a splendid future. DAVID OSTLUND.
Central America
By A. N. Allen
LA CEIBA, SPANISH HONDURAS.—Since I wrote last, another man, a liquor dealer, has come to us, and said he wished to unite with us. He is studying his Bible, reading tracts, and attending Sabbath meetings. As soon as his partner returns from the States, he will sell out his share in the saloon. He is a colored man of considerable ability, being the son of one of the Methodists’ most successful native preachers. For several years he has been in the employ of the United Fruit Company. He still holds his position with them, and so far has been allowed to keep the Sabbath.
While God is working, Satan is not idle. Yesterday while passing eleven cases of Bibles through the customs, I encountered the most malignant spirit I ever met. The custom-house officer forbade his clerk’s reading a tract which I handed him, and then he began abusively to condemn our work. When he had ceased speaking, I spoke in favor of the work which he had condemned. While I was talking, his clerk and several natives who were present, continued to say, “Truth! truth!” The harvest is ripe, the laborers are few, and Satan knows that his time is short. How much more ought God’s people to know it!
There are now nine keeping the Sabbath on this coast, who, with proper labor and instruction, I believe could be baptized. Seven of these are Spaniards. Is it not possible to find a minister who can speak Spanish, to come and follow up this work? It is hard to tell you what it means for one of these people to step out and obey; and then comes the work of education, to bring them to a knowledge of the whole truth, and these people are no exception to those who have to receive line upon line, precept upon precept. A. N. ALLEN.
South Carolina
By D. E. Blake
SPARTANBURG.— We have reasons to be thankful to the Lord for the steady progress of the truth among the colored people in this city. Our hearts are made glad as we hear the earnest calls to “come and study with us about the Sabbath; we want to know about it.” We are sorry, however, that we can not do the justice we would like to these calls, on account of the pressure of other duties equally important.
We hold three meetings regularly each week, besides the Sabbath services, and at each of these the room is usually filled. As the interest in the truth is increasing, the ministers are being stirred up, as some of their most earnest members are among the interested ones. One sister with whom I have been studying, requested a council with her minister and myself on some points of the truth, at which she and other interested ones would be present to be benefited by the discussion; but he failed in meeting16the appointment, on the plea that he was too busy, so this sister has decided to meet with us, and keep the Sabbath till her pastor’s business permits him to come to her rescue; she met with us Sabbath, June 30.
Our church building still rests heavily on our hearts, as the lack of it places us in extremely trying circumstances. We would have begun work on it, having secured a spot, but after “counting the cost,” we were afraid we had not enough money “to finish it” free from debt, so we have decided to work, pray, and do the best we can under the circumstances a little longer. Please remember us in your pocketbooks and in your prayers.
D. E. BLAKE.
Mission Notes
THE liquor traffic on the Gold Coast of Africa is said to have amounted to nine million gallons in twelve years.
“BLESSED are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.” Isa. 32: 20.
THERE are twelve million souls in Brazil, besides a million wild Indians who have scarcely any knowledge of the gospel.
EVERY village on the eighty inhabited islands of Fiji has built for itself a church, and a good house for its native minister.
SEVEN shoemakers in Hamburg, Germany, founded fifty churches in Africa, which have to-day ten thousand communicants.
“AND that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24: 47.
MANY Chinese Christians have gone to the Transvaal to labor as evangelists and catechists among the forty thousand Chinese coolies there.
“AND this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24: 14.
DR. GEDDIE, of Aneityum, has this epitaph on his monument: “When he came, there were no Christians; when he left, there were no heathen.”
BEIRUT is to-day a Christian city. Stately churches, hospitals, a female seminary, a college, a theological seminary, and steam printing-presses are to be found there.
AN EAST Indian, an intelligent man, well-educated in his native language, was baptized in Kingston, Jamaica. It was expected that his wife would receive the rite the following Sabbath.
DURING the month of March, our press in Shang-tsai Hsien, China, put out nine thousand tracts. Brother Allum was expected to reach that city in April, and join Brother Miller in his work.
A VETERAN missionary from China tells of a Chinaman who had read the whole New Testament three times. He was not an avowed Christian, but when asked what most struck him in his reading, he replied: “The most wonderful thing I read was that it is possible for us men to become temples of the Holy Ghost.”
G. W. CAVINESS
By George W. Caviness
Mexico
MEXICO CITY.—We have recently rented a small hall in Mexico City, and have begun a series of meetings. We have an attendance of from twenty to thirty persons. We are giving a complete course of lectures for some who have recently accepted the truth and some who are investigating. Our place is well located, being about two blocks from the park where all the street-cars meet. The place costs forty dollars a month for rent, but we have already received about three hundred and fifty dollars for expenses, and have promise of more. We took up our first collection last Sabbath, and received twenty-three dollars. The prospect seems encouraging for good results here in the ancient city of the Montezumas.
A postmaster in the State of Puebla, who has been taking our Spanish paper for a number of years and getting subscriptions for us, writes that the Catholics are trying to oust him from his position. He has now taken forty subscriptions, and says he hopes to secure one hundred for the coming year. His enemies can find no fault with him except his interest in the gospel. He hopes to retain his place, but intends to follow his convictions whatever comes. He asks if we can not give him something to do if he loses his situation. He is convinced on most points of the truth, and says that the subscribers are also investigating. Some of us must soon visit this place and see what can be done. None of us have as yet seen the man. Our literature is preparing the field. God's Spirit accompanies it.
G. W. CAVINESS
South Dakota Camp-Meeting
By K. C. Russell
THIS meeting was held at Woonsocket, S. D., June 7–18, on the same ground on which the camp-meeting was held last year. The citizens of Woonsocket made our people a liberal donation both seasons as an inducement to have the meeting held in their city. The high winds which prevailed during the first few days of the meeting hindered the pitching of the large tent, but meetings were held in the small tents until the storm abated.
The attendance of our people was good to begin with, and it increased until the last Sabbath, at which time it was thought to be the largest they had had for years. The outside attendance and interest were not so good as last year.
Besides the local laborers, there were on the ground Elder R. A. Underwood, president of the Northern Union Conference; Elder S. Mortenson, chairman of the Swedish Department of the General Conference; Elder Lewis Christian, chairman of the Norwegian Department of the General Conference; Prof. P. T. Magan, in the interests of the work in the South; Prof. Otto Graf, the educational secretary of the Northern Union Conference; and Brother T. Valentiner, in the interests of the German work. Elder H. S. Shaw, president of the Minnesota Conference, and C. L. Emmerson, the editor of the Northern Union Reaper, were also in attendance a portion of the time.
The spiritual interest of this meeting was excellent from the first. Opportunity was given early in the meeting for all to give their hearts to God and to reconsecrate their lives to his work. Services of this nature were held in the English, Scandinavian, young people's and children's meetings. The last Sabbath was a meeting long to be remembered by those in attendance, on account of the deep movings of the Spirit of God in convicting and delivering souls. Forty-one persons followed their Lord in the sacred rite of baptism in the afternoon of the closing day of the meeting.
One feature of special interest at this meeting was the liberal response to the various and numerous calls which were made in behalf of the work. The estimated aggregate amount voted to be paid toward the support of laborers outside the conference was $2,782. These laborers are to be sustained in Peru, Korea, and Alberta, and a German laborer will be supported in Pittsburg, Pa. There was donated and pledged for the work in India, $517.17, and a collection amounting to $114.31 was taken for the work of the blind. There was $500 tithe donated to the General Conference, and a donation of $230 was given for the work in the South. A collection (cash and pledges) amounting to $577 was taken for the Elk Point school. On the last day of the meeting, a special collection, amounting to $650, was taken for the work in Peru, to be used in sustaining other laborers. There was also a donation of $75 toward the work of reaching the foreigners in our large cities in the East. Thus it will be observed from the foregoing amounts that these donations aggregate $5,445.48.
In response to an earnest call for Elder C. A. Burman to connect with the work in Alberta, Canada, the conference voted to release him. Elder Burman has rendered most efficient service as the president of the South Dakota Conference for the past three years, and as a result, the Lord has prospered the work in every way during his administration. It is gratifying to those who are chosen to plan for the extension of the work in other fields to know that young men are being trained as presidents of conferences, and in other ways, in the home field, where they can become qualified to bear burdens in unentered fields in other countries which require men of experience to carry on and develop the work successfully. Elder E. G. Hayes was unanimously elected president of the South Dakota Conference, and Elder N. P. Neilsen vice-president. Brethren J. W. Christian and C. M. Clark were duly ordained to the gospel ministry.
The work in the world-wide mission field was presented. After placing before the people of the conference the Battle Creek situation, a resolution was offered protesting against the recent published attacks upon the spirit of prophecy and the organization, and also affirming their unbounded faith in the gift of the spirit of prophecy and the third angel's message. The resolution was carried by a rising vote of the congregation. We believe that even greater prosperity will attend the work in South Dakota in the closing days of the message. K. C. RUSSELL.
