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Review and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 47.

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Earlier text: Necessary to Our Salvation

North American Division Council

By G. B. Thompson

Extension of Church-Schools

RECOMMENDATIONS touching the efficiency and extension of our church-schools was presented by the Educational Department, and adopted as follows:—
Whereas, Our church-schools are proving one of the strongest forces among us for the spiritual and cultural uplift of our children; and,—
Whereas, An increase of efficiency in their service means not only more effective results in character building during the most impressible years of child development, but also added recruits for our higher schools and for field service; and,—
Whereas, One of the most urgent needs at present is the development of manuals in the various lines of study for the use of the teacher; we recommend,—
1. That the Educational Department be authorized to arrange with one or more of our stronger normal departments for the preparation of material for such manuals, with a view to having them criticized and finally revised at our general convention and the normal institute following in the summer of 1914.
2. That we appropriate $600 as a fund to promote this work.

Ranking of Colleges

In pursuance of the recommendations passed at the recent General Conference on the ranking of our academies in relation to the college, the following was passed:—
1. That in each union a careful study of the academy and college interests be made on the ground by the union men and a representative of the North American Department of Education, with a view to ascertaining the merits of the case for each academy from the viewpoint of its efficiency.
2. That in determining this efficiency four main points be kept in mind: (a) its faculty, (b) its equipment, (c) its finances, and (d) its ability to serve the best interests of its constituency.
3. That the result of these findings and the bearing that the rank to be fixed for the academy would have upon the welfare of the college with which it is affiliated, be made a basis for determining the number of grades the academy shall carry.
4. That where found advisable the decision reached in such counsel be submitted to the North American Department of Education for further consideration and approval.

Efficiency of the Local Church

The question of how to make the local church a stronger factor in carrying forward plans laid for the advancement of the work was given careful study, and the following recommendations were passed:—
Whereas, The rapid growth and expansion of the third angel's message throughout the world demands a greater efficiency on the part of conference and church officers in order to keep pace with said growth, and,—
Whereas, It is recognized that the link between local conference organizations and our churches should be strengthened, as a means to this end we recommend,—
1. The immediate preparation of a church officers' manual or handbook outlining in detail the duties of all officers, and giving special attention to the duties of elders on—
a. Spiritual work for their members.
b. Their relation to the organized work as a whole, in cooperation in conference campaigns, etc.
c. Their relation to church finances as they pertain to local, conference, and general work.
2. The holding of church officers' institutes, where instruction can be given on the duties pertaining to each office, with special regard to instructing elders on such subjects as,—
a. How to conduct Sabbath services in the absence of a minister.
b. How to enlist the interest and support of their members in local and conference lines of work.
c. The elder as a pastor and under-shepherd.
d. The elder's duty in cooperating with conference officers in carrying out plans covering all phases of the work.
e. How to enlist the interest and support of their members in raising funds for the local and the general work and in increasing the tithe.
3. That every minister be instructed that in organizing a new church he should give careful instruction to the church officers, giving them to understand that they are a part of an organized body, the strength of whose efforts lies in the unity with which they carry out the general plans.
4. That every minister and licentiate who visits and labors with the churches should, in harmony with the Testimonies, give more time to instructing the churches along such lines of practical missionary work as distributing tracts and papers, selling magazines and home workers' books, holding Bible studies, Christian Help work, and the Harvest Ingathering campaign.
5. That every church and isolated believer be kept fully informed by the conference in regard to all general plans for promoting different branches of the work and raising mission funds.

Transfer of Laborers

The following transfer of laborers was voted:—
1. That Elder L. C. Sheafe, of Washington, D. C., connect with the Pacific Union Conference.
2. That the request of the Atlantic Union Conference for the labors of Elder K. C. Russell be granted.
3. That C. F. Woertz, of New Jersey, make the Southern Illinois Conference his field of labor.
4. That T. H. Jeys be invited to take the editorship of the Gospel Herald.
Some other actions were taken in reference to the exchange of laborers, which will be published later when all the arrangements for their transfer have been made.

Election of Officers

The following recommendations of the committee on nominations were passed:—
1. For treasurer, W. T. Knox.
2. For educational secretary, J. L. Shaw.
3. For assistant educational secretary, W. E. Howell.
4. For auditor, J. J. Ireland.
5. For home missionary secretary, J. R. Ferren.
6. For assistant home missionary secretary, Miss Edith M. Graham.
7. That the securing of an assistant for the Sabbath School Department be left to the officers of the division conference.

Religious Liberty Offering

Voted, That the religious liberty offering be taken the fourth Sabbath in February.

Foreign Department Offering

Voted, That the offering for the North American Foreign Department be taken the fourth Sabbath in August, 1914.

Appropriations

The committee on appropriations made the following recommendations, which were passed:—
The organization of the North American Division Conference has resulted in some changes in our financial situation which ought to be clearly understood. The agreement entered into, about two years ago, by which all local conferences were to pay a per cent of their tithe to the treasury of the General Conference, added largely to the funds previously available, and enabled the General Conference Committee to make quite liberal appropriations for city work in Eastern conferences. The available funds for the North American Division Conference for all purposes consist of the tithe from union conferences, the per cent of tithe from local and union conferences, and special donations. The organization of the new conference necessitates maintaining an executive force to carry the work hitherto done by the General Conference, and this expense must be met from these funds. It is, therefore, plain to all that the North American Division Conference Committee cannot appropriate for evangelical work as large a sum as has been appropriated by the General Conference Committee, unless the per cent of tithe from local and union conferences be increased; but some of the fields in the East and South must receive help. We, therefore, recommend,—
1. That the per cent of tithe from local and union conferences, as hitherto agreed upon, be paid in full to the North American Division Conference.
2. That the special offering for the Negro Department and the North American foreign work be well worked up by all local and union conferences, that a large donation may be received.
3. That the strictest economy be practised in administration, and that traveling and operating expenses be reduced to the minimum, in order that funds may be available in the local, union, and division conferences for aggressive work.
4. That all our people be encouraged to bring a full tithe into the treasury, that the work be not hindered because of a lack of funds.
5. That we unite our best efforts in every local and union conference to bring the donations up to twenty cents a week per church-member.
6. That we earnestly entreat each worker in the division conference to produce the largest possible results in the great work of soul-saving during the coming year.
7. That the request from the International Publishing Association for an appropriation of $1,500 be referred to the Pacific Press Publishing Association for such action as it deems best.
8. That in making these appropriations the North American Division Conference is not owing these sums, and if not able to secure the funds, is responsible only for passing to each field its pro rata share of what is available.

Financial Policy

The study of our financial situation occupied much of the time of the council. After prayerful deliberation the following restatement of our financial policy was made by the finance committee and adopted:—
From the annual financial reports prepared by our statistical secretary, it is evident that the indebtedness of our denomination is rapidly increasing. The chief cause of this present situation has been the launching of various enterprises with borrowed money. The large amount of interest which these institutions must pay, together with their expensive operation, requires an expenditure far beyond their income. The result is a continual addition to the indebtedness that already exists. We by no means consider the present financial situation alarming, but it is serious, and requires that immediate steps be taken to change the situation that exists. This can be done only by an entire change of denominational policy.
In 1902 this same question, only in much smaller proportions, was before the General Conference Committee. At that time it was decided to adopt a cash policy in the operation of our work. Had that policy been followed it would have saved us from the embarrassing situation that now confronts us.
At the fall council of the General Conference Committee in 1912, this question was again considered, and at that time the action of the committee in 1902 was reaffirmed, with additional recommendations regarding the policy to be pursued. We believe that we can do no better at this time than to present as a part of our earnest recommendations the action of the General Conference Committee Council in 1912, which is as follows:—
Whereas, The work of carrying on the third angel's message is rapidly enlarging and extending into new fields; and,—
Whereas, Unless careful management be given to the operations in extending the message, large debts will be contracted; therefore,—
We recommend, That all evangelical and missionary enterprises carried on in the name of the denomination, or under the denomination's support, be conducted on a strictly cash basis.
Whereas, Most of our corporations and institutions are carrying large liabilities; therefore,—
We recommend, That said corporations and institutions be requested to give special attention to the rapid liquidation of their obligations.
We further recommend,—
1. That the General Conference or Mission Board from this day shall not be held financially responsible for any obligations that they have not assumed by their own action.
2. That the foregoing be the general policy of the union and State conferences and other organizations and institutions of the denomination.
3. That all parties undertaking local enterprises, such as institutions, church buildings, and other undertakings in this country, secure their means in their respective local territories, and not by general call for means, unless previously arranged.
To this action we recommend that the following counsel be added:—
Whereas, Investigation shows that our present indebtedness has, to a large extent, been created by the starting of enterprises and the erection of buildings by individuals, boards, and committees, without due counsel with the people upon whom such obligations fall; and,—
Whereas, This indebtedness is steadily growing larger because of the failure of various enterprises and institutions to meet operating expenses, therefore we urge,—
1. That when any local conference committee proposes to start an important financial enterprise, erect or purchase an institutional building, or make any large addition to either the buildings or equipment already provided, it shall first secure the authority of the people who are to furnish the funds; and further, that it shall obtain the approval of the union conference committee having general supervision of said local conference.
2. That when such authority and approval have been obtained, the local conference shall raise the funds required to meet the proposed expense, so that no additional debt shall be created.
3. That any union conference committee desiring to launch any large financial enterprise, erect a building, or take over an institution, shall, before doing so, secure the vote of the union conference in session, or of its several local conferences in session; and also obtain the counsel of the division conference committee and General Conference Committee.
4. That having been duly authorized to make such expenditure, the committee shall proceed to raise the amount necessary to finance the enterprise so that no debts shall be incurred.
5. That we earnestly counsel all committees and boards in charge of enterprises and institutions already established and carrying heavy financial obligations, to maintain the most rigid economy consistent with the purpose and welfare of said enterprise.
6. That our people be requested to loan to the institution without interest as far as they can do so, and that those who need interest make it as low as consistent with their needs.
7. That continuous and earnest efforts be made to secure donations to pay off liabilities.
8. That the financial condition of each institution be kept before its staff of workers, that they may be stimulated to aid in every possible way to remove the financial burden.
9. That an appeal be made to our people everywhere to stand by conference committees and institutional boards in their efforts to carry out these recommendations.
10. That earnest effort be put forth by every conference to raise their full quota of the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund for the support of our missionary work and to afford relief to our institutions.
11. With respect to the operation of our conferences we believe that much may be accomplished by a more careful economical management. We would urge that conference committees give careful attention to the following features of conference work:—
a. Elimination of unprofitable workers.
b. Greater economy in hall rents, advertising meetings, traveling expenses, and greater endeavor to secure contributions to meet expenses of evangelistic effort.
c. Greater economy in the operation of camp-meetings and general gatherings.
d. Increasing receipts in tithes and offerings by systematic and thorough education of the members of the church.
We recommend further,—
12. That the finance commission be asked to investigate the advisability of continuing training-schools for nurses in connection with some of our smaller sanitariums, and that this matter be taken under careful advisement by the managing boards.
13. That as a means of bringing special help in the campaign for lifting the burden of debt from our institutions, a self-denial week be appointed, and that all conference and institutional workers be asked to dedicate that week's salary to this purpose, in special token of the dedication of our hearts and lives to the work of rolling away the reproach of debt from the cause of God; and that we invite all our people to make that week a week of self-denial for the benefit of our institutions; and further, that the last week in May be the time for this united endeavor and consecration of life and service.
The fund thus raised to be sent through the usual channels to the division conference treasury, to be disbursed by its executive committee on the same basis as that part of the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund given to institutional relief.

Educational Convention

It being decided that an educational and Missionary Volunteer convention be held, it was voted,—
That we invite the Sabbath School Department to join in the educational and Missionary Volunteer convention to be held in 1914. G. B. Thompson, Secretary.

Statement of Twenty-Cent-a-Week Fund for Three Months Ending Sept. 30, 1913

Membership Amt. at $2.60 per member Amount Received Amount Short Amount Over Net Amount Short Net Amount Over
ATLANTIC UNION CONFERENCE
Central New England 1192 $3099.20 $2468.54 $630.66
Greater New York 1051 2732.60 2031.12 701.48
Maine 430 1118.00 727.38 390.62
New York 712 1851.20 1211.69 639.51
Northern New England 474 1250.60 1359.42 247.50
Southern New England 481 1232.40 1479.90 108.82
Western New York 800 2080.00 1690.74 389.26
Totals 5140 13364.00 10968.79 2751.53 356.32 2395.21
CANADIAN UNION CONFERENCE
Maritime 270 702.00 491.16 210.84
Ontario 531 1380.60 755.32 625.28
Quebec 160 416.00 148.25 267.75
Newfoundland 55 143.00 187.16 44.16
Totals 1016 2641.60 1581.89 1103.87 44.16 1059.71
CENTRAL UNION CONFERENCE
Colorado 1736 4513.60 2483.84 2029.76
East Kansas 1210 3146.00 1577.58 1568.42
Nebraska 2188 5688.80 3820.71 1868.09
North Missouri 632 1543.20 926.16 717.04
Southern Missouri 729 1895.40 1591.52 303.88
Western Colorado 405 1053.00 1023.82 29.18
West Kansas 826 2147.60 1985.04 162.56
Wyoming 474 1232.40 1364.04 131.64
St. Louis Mission 192 499.20 499.20
Totals 8392 21819.20 14772.71 7178.13 131.64 7046.49
COLUMBIA UNION CONFERENCE
Chesapeake 562 1461.20 858.79 602.41
District of Columbia 795 2067.00 1196.39 870.61
Eastern Pennsylvania 1132 2943.20 2867.33 75.87
New Jersey 682 1773.20 1220.46 552.74
Ohio 2100 5460.00 5021.39 438.61
Virginia 470 1222.00 1026.16 195.84
West Pennsylvania 735 1911.00 1804.03 106.97
West Virginia 172 447.20 454.75 7.55
Totals 6648 17284.80 14449.30 2843.05 7.55 2835.50
LAKE UNION CONFERENCE
East Michigan 1817 4724.20 2920.66 1803.54
Indiana 1815 4719.00 2409.11 2309.89
Northern Illinois 1348 3504.80 2541.74 963.06
North Michigan 857 2228.20 1441.15 787.05
Southern Illinois 608 1580.80 1310.18 270.62
West Michigan 2376 6177.60 4245.89 1931.71
Wisconsin 2658 6910.80 2559.60 4351.20
Totals 11479 29845.40 17428.33 12417.07 12417.07
Membership Amt. at $2.60 per member Amount Received Amount Short Amount Over Net Amount Short Net Amount Over
--- ---: ---: ---: ---: ---: ---: ---:
NORTHERN UNION CONFERENCE
Iowa 2448 $6364.80 $5240.20 $1124.60
Minnesota 1550 4030.00 3350.70 679.30
North Dakota 1205 3133.00 2645.70 487.30
South Dakota 899 2337.40 1745.33 592.07
Totals 6102 15865.20 12981.93 2883.27 2883.27
NORTH PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE
Montana 412 1071.20 951.08 120.12
Southern Idaho 646 1679.60 1366.47 313.13
Southern Oregon 549 1427.40 1016.77 410.63
Upper Columbia 1828 4752.80 1365.50 3387.30
Western Oregon 1625 4225.00 3329.38 895.62
Western Washington 1463 3803.80 2316.90 1486.90
Alaska 3 7.80 7.00 .80
Totals 6526 16967.60 10353.10 6614.50 6614.50
PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE
Arizona 274 712.40 148.70 563.70
California 2573 6689.80 5042.28 1647.52
Southern California 3300 8580.00 4449.15 4130.85
Utah 205 533.00 533.00
Central California 1090 2834.00 831.01 2002.99
N. California-Nevada 1143 2971.80 1954.03 1017.77
Totals 8585 22321.00 12425.17 9895.83 9895.83
SOUTHEASTERN UNION CONFERENCE
Cumberland 517 1344.20 922.39 421.81
Florida 700 1820.00 1673.08 146.92
Georgia 354 920.40 1259.30 338.90
North Carolina 404 1050.40 756.83 293.57
South Carolina 233 605.80 300.72 305.08
Bahama Mission
Totals 2208 5740.80 4912.32 1167.38 338.90 828.48
SOUTHERN UNION CONFERENCE
Alabama 195 507.00 663.39 156.39
Kentucky 196 509.60 712.12 202.52
Louisiana 267 694.20 671.44 22.76
Mississippi 157 408.20 125.00 283.20
Tennessee River 550 1430.00 776.32 653.68
Southern Union Mission 605 1573.00 287.53 1285.47
Totals 1970 5122.00 3235.80 2245.11 358.91 1886.20
SOUTHWESTERN UNION CONFERENCE
Arkansas 405 1053.00 424.02 628.98
New Mexico 261 678.60 317.31 361.29
North Texas 1380 3588.00 1080.22 2507.78
Oklahoma 1854 4820.40 1964.66 2855.74
South Texas 270 702.00 525.28 176.72
West Texas 340 884.00 188.27 695.73
Southwestern Union Mis. 115 299.00 299.00
Totals 4625 12025.00 4499.76 7525.24 7525.24
WESTERN CANADIAN UNION CONFERENCE
Alberta 425 1105.00 1240.98 135.98
British Columbia 336 873.60 740.82 132.78
Manitoba 204 530.40 424.80 105.60
Saskatchewan 121 314.60 860.33 545.73
Totals 1086 2823.60 3266.93 238.38 681.71 443.33
Summary
Atlantic Union 5140 $13364.00 $10968.79 $2751.53 $356.32 $2395.21 $
Canadian Union 1016 2641.60 1581.89 1103.87 44.16 1059.71
Central Union 8392 21819.20 14772.71 7178.13 131.64 7046.49
Columbia Union 6648 17284.80 14449.30 2843.05 7.55 2835.50
Lake Union 11479 29845.40 17428.33 12417.07 12417.07
Northern Union 6102 15865.20 12981.93 2883.27 2883.27
North Pacific Union 6526 16967.60 10353.10 6614.50 6614.50
Pacific Union 8585 22321.00 12425.17 9895.83 9895.83
Southeastern Union 2208 5740.80 4912.32 1167.38 338.90 828.48
Southern Union 1970 5122.00 3235.80 2245.11 358.91 1886.20
Southwestern Union 4625 12025.00 4499.76 7525.24 7525.24
Western Canadian Union 1086 2823.60 3266.93 238.38 681.71 443.33
Miscellaneous 182.00 182.00
Totals 63777 $165820.20 $111058.03 $56863.36 $2101.19 $55387.50 $443.33

Our Mission Funds

By W. T. Knox

THE accompanying report gives the results of the offerings of the denomination in North America on the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund for the three months ending September 30. By this time all will understand that this basis of offerings has been in force since July 1, with the understanding that all that is realized over and above fifteen cents a week per member is to be devoted to the relief of our training-schools and sanitariums, the basis of offerings for the first six months of the year being fifteen cents a week per member, with no relief measures for these institutions.
It is with regret that the attention of the reader is called to the fact that this report for the first quarter during which the relief measure has been in force shows such a heavy shortage in the offerings, that no measure of assistance can be expected by the institutions from this quarter's offering.
According to our membership in North America, there should have been realized $165,820.20. The results, however, show a net shortage of $55,387.50. Inasmuch as the fifteen-cent rate, which is entirely devoted to missions, should have amounted to $124,365.15, the quarter shows a deficit of over $13,000 on mission funds alone. When the reader remembers that the report for the first six months of the year for mission offerings showed a shortage of $80,449.63, it will at once be realized that our mission funds must be in a serious condition, the shortage for the three quarters totaling over $93,000, this, too, notwithstanding the great increase that has been made by the Mission Board in our working force in foreign lands during the present year.
The General Conference is now seeking to carry this heavy responsibility, with a deficit in its treasury and the monthly receipts inadequate for its expenditures.
This is a serious condition. It is not too late, however, to redeem this situation, if all will take hold with earnestness during the closing months of the year. Much can be done with the Harvest Ingathering campaign, and now that the year's work is so nearly completed, should there not be a preparation for large gifts to the mission treasury, as a token of appreciation of the mercy and kindness of God manifested to his people during the present year?
W. T. Knox.

The Industrial Problem at the Avondale College

By Bertha S. Chaney

BERTHA S. CHANEY
In the Australian field the educational work has long been established, and has for many years had its center at the missionary college near Sydney. This school was built in the Australian bush, far from the cities, on a large estate. Its secluded position has caused it to develop some features not to be found in any of our other denominational schools.
From the first, the manual work has received a great deal of attention. The pen of prophecy has made very plain the many benefits which students receive from spending a part of each day in physical work. More than this, the location of this school called for much hard work. Before a building could be put up or a field planted, the heavy eucalyptus bush had to be cleared from the ground. Being situated so far in the country, many industries which are required to build up a big institution and to keep it in running order have gradually grown up on the place.
Besides the industries of blacksmithing, carpentering, sewing, baking, etc., which the needs of the college, with its ever-increasing family of students, call for, there have been established a large food factory and a printing-press.
As student labor has to a large extent been used to operate these several departments, opportunities have been given for a number of students to attend the college and work for their schooling. At the present time there are one hundred out of one hundred and thirty-three in attendance who are either part- or full-working students.
The young people vary in their ability to work. Some come whose work is skilled; they are cabinet-workers or typesetters or handy mechanics, and so are worth more to the school than the unskilled workers. As it was necessary to differentiate in the amount of credit granted to the skilled and the unskilled, it has come to be a long-established custom to grant a stated wage to all working students.
The situation is certainly peculiar. Young people receive wages from the college while attending it. The management has always considered that the work done was in lieu of fees, and it was for the convenience of keeping the accounts that a wage of so much an hour was granted.
While this is the way the business manager looks upon it, the government inspector, who regularly visits the factory and press, has recently taken a very different view of it. For a number of years the inspectors seemed satisfied with the conditions under which the students worked, their suggestions for improvement being in regard to guarding the machinery and such details; but a few months ago a new inspector was appointed for this district.
He decided that the young people working in these two workshops were regular employees in the eyes of the law, and that the college should conform to the different awards covering the several kinds of employment. There is an award or law for printers, stipulating the number of hours the printer may be allowed to work, the price he must be paid an hour, the number of journeymen that the office must employ for each apprentice, and every other detail which relates to the employee. For the engine-driver there is a similar award, and so for all the different classes of laborers.
Now while these laws are excellent for the laboring people and give to the workmen and workwomen of Australia most enviable work conditions, equaled perhaps nowhere in the world, they are not practicable for the school. The award requires that all Sunday work shall be paid at double rate, and overtime at time and a half. The press has a further difficulty in that the students are neither journeymen nor apprentices, the only classes recognized in the award for printers.
As those who work in the printing-office do so as a means to an end, simply to earn their way through school, not to learn a trade, they have no wish to serve a long apprenticeship of seven years. Nor is the office able to employ so many persons at journeyman's wages. The Avondale Press is not a commercial enterprise; it is essentially a missionary one, the main business of which is to print papers and books for the South Pacific islands. But of course such a printing establishment is not recognized in the award.
A similar difficulty was pointed out by the inspector in regard to the engine-drivers. A regular engineer has charge of the factory engine, whose work and wages are entirely in accord with the engine-drivers' award, but for the students who drive the engine morning and evening to furnish power for the electric lighting the conditions of the award are impracticable.
An application was made by the conference for a variation from this inspector's ruling in the award to students, and also for Sunday work. The case was carried to the court of industrial arbitration, which has its sittings in Sydney.
Pastor Teasdale, the principal of the college, had to appear before the court and explain the peculiar circumstances of the case. As is the custom where lawyers are concerned, every detail of the case was thoroughly aired. The missionary aim of the college was again and again emphasized, and the character and scope of its work made clear in the questionings and cross-questionings. In a sworn affidavit Pastor Teasdale stated that “the college board has always considered the industrial departments to be only private adjuncts of the college for its convenience and the benefit of the students. In no way do the departments compete with business firms.” “The members of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, by whom the institution is operated and patronized, keep Saturday instead of Sunday for Sabbath, and, at the college, work only half a day on Friday, as the award directs concerning Saturday. For this reason they desire to be exempted from the letter of the awards which require extra pay on Sunday.”
After lengthy discussion the judge was satisfied with the explanation of the case, although he hesitated on the Sunday work, saying: “I see a little difficulty about that. The Jews might make the same request. Saturday is their Sabbath, the same as yours; but if they work anybody on Sunday, they have to pay him overtime. It is one of the matters in which the conditions of life established by the immense majority have to be considered. The immense majority of people in the country are people who observe the Sunday for a day of worship or rest. It is true you are an isolated community.”
After some further questioning he granted “exemption from the award as regards its students, and as regards any members of the classes of labor included in the award who may be Seventh-day Adventists, . . . exemption from the provision that ‘all time worked on Sunday shall be deemed overtime.’”
The teachers, students, and friends of the school had prayed much that the work of the college would not be crippled by being compelled to comply with these labor laws, and deep gratitude was felt and expressed when the word came that exemption was granted.
Although the case for the printing-office has not yet been settled, it is confidently hoped that the favorable finding already made will establish a precedent for future decisions.

Grahamstown, South Africa

By Helen Williams

HELEN WILLIAMS
BOTH my Sabbath and Sunday evening meetings are splendidly attended by the outside people. One young lady has just commenced keeping the Sabbath, and I think her mother also will soon take hold. On Sunday night almost every seat is taken.
Elder H. J. Edmed baptized three when he was here. I got out some invitations for the occasion, and our young people helped in distributing them. Three more are now keeping the Sabbath. I am happy in the work, but will be glad when it is finished and the saved all go home together. What a happy reunion that will be!
Brother Bookout, one of Elder Anderson’s helpers, went off to hunt up natives for the home school, and was taken with blackwater fever while out on the veld. He wrote telling of his condition, and that was all we could learn, as Brother Anderson’s communications to him were returned. Brother Bookout’s wife had not been able to learn whether he was dead or alive. So Brother Anderson sent Erwin (my son) to hunt for him. He took the train at the nearest point, and traveled for one hundred miles, when he hired a native to carry his luggage, and started in the direction that Brother Bookout had taken. The native did not want to travel at night, but Erwin felt that they must hurry over the ground.
In the early part of the night they were overtaken by two lions. They came so near that they could hear them breathe, and one was lashing his tail. Erwin put the native behind him, and faced the lions with his repeating rifle. He made sure to shoot high above them and shouted. This he did three times, but the first shot and shouts were enough for the lions, and they scampered away as rapidly as they had come. He then set the grass on fire behind them. I believe the Lord helped my lad.
As soon as it was near daylight, the native took to his heels, and left Erwin with all the baggage to go on alone. In a few days he managed to hire more natives, who took him to Brother Bookout. He had had the fever twenty-one days. After a few days they started back with twenty young men natives for the home school. When they reached the mission, Erwin had traveled five hundred miles. He himself then had a severe attack of fever, but Brother Anderson gave him good care. He now has two running sores caused by the bite of insects. They are doing what they can to get them healed.

The Belgian Mission

By Guy Dail

GUY DAIL
The fourth annual meeting of this field has just been in session here at Brussels, beginning October 2. About one hundred of our people were in attendance,—two thirds of our Belgian membership,—making it the largest gathering of Seventh-day Adventists ever assembled in this land.
Brethren L. P. Tieche, of the Latin Union, J. G. Oblaender, of the West German Union, and H. Boex, the general canvassing agent of the Hamburg House, rendered good help in counsel and in the public lectures. The French and the Flemish languages are about equally represented in our membership, and each evening lectures for the public were conducted in French at the tent, and simultaneously there were services for the Flemish in the rented hall where the conference was held.
Brussels itself, with the suburbs, contains about 800,000 people. Aggressive evangelical efforts are going forward in three parts of the city, with encouraging omens. We also are seeking to make continued progress in Antwerp (400,000 population). New work will be opened to the west of Brussels and at Verviers.
Our work in Seraing will be continued.
Last year’s net gain in membership was forty, and we now have a membership of 149 here. Good advancement is seen in our offerings to missions, for this field has reached the mark set for it—an average of fifty centimes a member each week. The tithe shows a normal increase.
We were much encouraged by the warm response to the call for reconsecration made by Brother Oblaender at the close of the Sabbath morning preaching service conducted by Brother Tieche, workers and people renewing their vows to God. Some hearty confessions were also made at the meeting, and we think all experienced a blessing at the hand of the Lord.
There was a good interest manifested in the call for a missionary offering, 320 francs cash, 165 francs pledged, and 43 francs Sabbath-school donations, representing in a material way the appeal to the missionary liberality of our brethren who were present.
Sabbath afternoon Brethren J. L. Loots and J. H. Weidner were ordained to the gospel ministry. One lack is, however, very evident: there are no Belgian young men just entering the work. So we must exclaim here, as do many others in various parts of our great European Division Conference. The field truly is great,—7,500,000 inhabitants crowded together in this small kingdom,—but the laborers are few. “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.”
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