Earlier text: West Virginia Camp-MeetingCirculate the Literature
By W. A. C.
THE following from a letter recently received from a brother in the South indicates how fast the principles of religious liberty are fading from the minds of the people in this country, and how far they have drifted from the fundamental principles of our national government:— “The religious Sunday is so enthroned in the hearts of the people here, that they look upon one as worse than an infidel when he opposes Sunday legislation. I worked for several hours one time in — among the lawyers with a petition, and could not get even one to sign it. Nearly every one was ready to defend the Sunday and Sunday legislation. I was much surprised that this class of professional men seemed so utterly unable to see the evil of such legislation. All I could do was to leave them some literature; some refused to read, while others were indifferent. “In some places here the circulation of petitions among all classes only arouses the most bitter prejudice, and hedges up the work for the public. We must make free use of our literature, and give it a wide circulation. We shall do all in every way we know how to stay this terrible tide of religious intolerance that is sweeping over the land.” God has made us the custodians and standard-bearers of these great principles of religious liberty for this time, as he has of his law and his Sabbath, which are so intimately bound up now, as in former ages, with the question of religious freedom, or the right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience. We must not, therefore, be recreant to duty in failing to sound the great message of warning which God has commissioned us to give at this time, though it arouses enmity and opposition. But wisdom and good judgment are needed in order to know how best to present the truth. The free circulation of literature, as recommended in the foregoing letter, is of primary importance, and is a wise course to pursue. Writing of the campaign now on in California, Brother A. J. S. Bourdeau says: “We have found that it is better first to distribute the leaflets, and then call for signatures to21 our anti-Sunday law petitions.” This is a good plan to follow everywhere. The silent but potent influence of good, well-prepared literature is a mighty factor in influencing men’s minds and in molding public opinion in times of reformation and great crises. Let the good work go on. When to Flee
By Ellen G. White
“And when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another.” You are not to expose yourself when it is not necessary for the glory of God, and have your life cut short when there is no occasion. When you are endangered because of the spirit of persecution, seek another refuge. This is what Jesus did, and there are other places besides the one in which you are, where God will manifest his power through your efforts for the salvation of souls.—Mrs. E. G. White, in Review and Herald, May 3, 1892. Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of the Rights of Conscience Conducted by the Religious Liberty Bureau K. C. RUSSELL . . . . . Chairman W. A. COLCORD . . . . . Secretary Another Medical Missionary Council
By W. A. B.
FEW of us realize the importance of the medical work in preparing the way for the entrance of the third angel's message, or perhaps I should say as an advance guard in presenting this closing message to the world. Many times have we been told that medical missionary work, including the sanitarium effort, is the right arm of the gospel message for this time. It has been urged upon us repeatedly to establish centers for health work in every city in the United States, and to push more vigorously than ever before this branch of work in other lands. We realize the difficulty there is in reaching all grades of society, especially the more fortunate classes, with the message. The advantages of sanitarium work in accomplishing this have been urged upon us again and again. In every large city we should have companies of trained workers,—nurses' exchanges, if you please,—from which consecrated young people could go to homes, and by ministry to the sick obtain opportunity to present the message for this time. In the time of the Waldenses, men and women adopted the plan of selling different wares from house to house, in order to secure access to the people, that they might tell them of Jesus. A plan of work with far greater possibilities has been opened up before us, which will bring us into touch with all classes. The need for such work is also a crying one; for despite the fact that physicians are increasing in number every year, and medical knowledge is also increasing, disease is making greater ravages than ever before. This condition of affairs is destined to go on until This is the fulfilment of the prophecy takes place: “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand.” Who can fail to see in this coincidence an overruling Providence, bringing people of all classes where they are glad to accept anything that will promise them better health, at the same time developing a people trained in principles underlying health, who have, with it all, the saving message for this time? But what has all this to do with a medical missionary council? Just this: Wisdom is needed in conducting such a stupendous work as lies before us, and “in a multitude of counselors there is safety.” The appalling question comes to every one who has any realization of the importance of this movement: “Who is sufficient for these things?” Surely not the officers of the Medical Missionary Department; not the General Conference Committee; not the combined efforts of our sanitariums and other medical institutions, but the people of this denomination. Every true Seventh-day Adventist must repeat the work of the great Medical Missionary. Wherever he goes, he must be prepared to heal the sick, as well as to say, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” We are in need of a medical missionary council of men and women from all parts of the world, that we may plan the best methods for making of the medical work what God wants it to be in this closing campaign. Surely it is time to cease making merchandise out of God's heritage. We must no longer sell our birthright for a mess of pottage. God calls to us to arouse and arise to the great work before us. Thousands dying in sin about us every day offer a fertile field for our unselfish labor, the like of which has never before been open to any people. Shall we take up this work as we should? Shall we come together with one desire, and that to finish this work at the earliest possible moment by uniting as one man to give all our energy to it? Shall we have a council that will unite us in this supreme effort? The plan has been adopted by the General Conference Committee to hold a medical missionary council at Takoma Park, Washington, D. C., in connection with the next General Conference in May, 1909. The writer has corresponded with all the local and union conference presidents throughout the world regarding this council, and over forty have responded, heartily promising their support in helping to make this the best council we have ever held. Delegates to the conference will be appointed from our medical men throughout the world to take an active part in the proceedings of the conference, and all our representative men will take part in the proceedings of the medical council. Could there be any better way of strengthening the union between the medical work and the general work than this? It is necessary that a common interest in the medical work and the other work of the conference be shared by every worker, and, in fact, by every Seventh-day Adventist. The following are a few of the expressions used in these letters referring to the above:— “I am in favor of something definite for the furtherance of the medical work among our people and before the world. The Central Union Conference will be willing to co-operate with the Medical Department of the General Conference in having that branch of the work well represented at the coming General Conference by representatives from our territory.”—President Central Union Conference. “I firmly believe that there should be a reform in this denomination along the line of health reform, and I am with you heart and hand in this work. I will remember your request, and do my very best to secure a representative of our medical work.”—President Southern Illinois Conference. “It seems to me that the plan of holding a large medical convention at the next General Conference is a good one; for there is no time when so many of our medical and evangelical men can come together as at that time. I see no reason why, if plans are laid far enough ahead, very much might not be done toward lifting this work at that time, and placing it on the plane that it should occupy.”—President Pacific Union Conference. “I think it would be a good plan to hold a medical council in connection with the General Conference. If that shall be the plan, I shall encourage the selection of one or more physicians in our union conference as delegates in the next General Conference.”—President Northern Union Conference. “In my judgment medical people ought to be selected as delegates along with ministers to attend the General Conference in Washington. It will be a splendid opportunity to get the medical men together for council, and to lay plans for the furtherance of the work in that line of missionary endeavor. I am heartily in favor of the plan you outline.”—President Lake Union Conference. “I would think it well to have a goodly number of our medical men attend the next conference as delegates, and take a hearty part in the doings of the conference, and also to hold a medical council as you have suggested. There is certainly great need of a coming up on the question of health reform and healthful living among our people; and if a forward movement is started at the General Conference session, it will penetrate the whole body.”—President Canadian Union Conference. More than forty such testimonies might be given here, but these suffice to show the hearty response to a suggestion to advance the medical missionary work in any way possible. We hope to receive such suggestions from any who are interested in this movement as will cause this gathering to give a powerful impetus to the medical missionary effort as a part of the third angel's message. It might be mentioned here that the next annual meeting of the American Medical Association will be held at Atlantic City, N. J., at about the same time as the General Conference. This will enable our physicians and others to secure reduced railroad fare to this part of the country, at that time. It is desirable that progressive physicians attend these meetings of the Medical Association as far as possible. The two meetings occurring near together, as they do, will make it possible for physicians to attend both at a comparatively small cost. Let as many Seventh-day Adventist physicians as possible plan to attend the General Conference and the medical missionary council. W. A. B. IN his letter of indorsement of the Foreign Missionary Conference, composed of missionaries and missionary workers from all parts of the world, to be held in Edinburgh, Scotland, in June, 1910, President Roosevelt says: “The forces of evil are more mighty than ever before; but so are the forces for good. It is an age of combination; and if we are to accomplish anything of value, we must all strive together for a common end.” It will be interesting to watch and note whether this world’s missionary conference takes any action in regard to the question of Sunday enforcement, to accomplish which the churches are federating more and more every year. Medical Missionary Department
Conducted by the Medical Department of the General Conference W. A. George, M. D., - - - Chairman W. A. Ruble, M. D., - - - Secretary The Teacher and the Bashful Pupil
As a result of Christ's journey to Samaria, so far as we have record, but one soul acknowledged him as her Master. In this journey and work Jesus gave to teachers a valuable lesson. To the conscientious teacher the retiring, bashful pupil is an especial object of solicitude. He seeks to help each individual, no matter at what cost. The under-shepherd who is possessed of the spirit of the Great Teacher searches out the lonesome, home-sick, and disheartened one, and draws him to courage and hope and good cheer by the cords of love and tender sympathy. This principle particularly applies at the beginning of the school year. “Why am I teaching? What are the motives underlying my work?” are questions which each teacher may well ask himself. No teacher succeeds best in his work unless his motives are pure and his ideals lofty. It is easy to enter the work of teaching without due comprehension of the underlying processes. No greater work is given an individual than teaching. Christ might have pressed his work through many different avenues than that of a teacher, but he chose this one. Teaching is a gift of God, and it ranks high among his gifts. The true motive of a teacher is not a pecuniary one; money is necessary, but it is far from the chief thing in the work of a teacher. The most precious gems of all the earth are given into the teacher's hands, that he may assist in polishing and refining them to shine as diamonds in the crown of the Saviour's glory throughout all eternity. Many persons make teaching a stepping-stone to some other work. While it is true that every day's duties, and every line of work in which we may be engaged should be but a stepping-stone to higher and broader usefulness, yet we should not regard any work in itself as a stepping-stone. We should recognize that each work has a completeness and a fulness, and that it demands the most thorough and effective effort on our part. If this be our motive, we are not likely to enter upon our work unprepared, nor are we likely to be careless with it. We are led to realize that every question which we ask has a direct effect upon the character of the pupil, that the very tone of our voice has its influence, that the very carriage of our body, and, in fact, everything that we do, teaches that which is helpful or the opposite. Many teachers are found in schools without the proper motive, and none of us can too often inquire into our purposes for work for the Master. TEACHING should be a profession. There is a great deal of difference between “keeping school” and serving as a true teacher. Thorough instruction, normal and technical, on the part of teachers will do more than anything else toward lifting the standard of their work. Every teacher is bound to do all that he can to elevate his work. Lord Bacon said, “Every man owes a debt to his profession.” In every work of progress, in the church, in the community, the teacher should lead. He should recognize23 that as he is supposed to be highly intelligent, he will be called into responsible positions. He should energetically endeavor to magnify and make honorable, not himself, but his office. To this end, it is binding upon him that he should work energetically to improve himself, that he should seek constantly to increase his storehouse of knowledge. The strong, progressive teacher is not only wide-awake to all opportunities for self-improvement, but is ready to fill positions of responsibility where these gifts which he has acquired may be used in a manner helpful to others. He is ready to speak, to read, to take part in all that comes for the uplifting and betterment of the church and the community as well as the school. He is ready to make himself a factor of usefulness. Such a teacher is constantly seeking to employ the latest and best methods in his work, and as a consequence his standard of education, and the ideals which he holds before his pupils are constantly advancing. This constant advance is the spirit of every real profession, and this continual improvement makes him the ideal teacher, and enables him to carry into his work a professional feeling. Association with fellow teachers helps to increase a sense of the importance of the work of the teacher. In our work these associations are not easily carried on during the school year, but this may be supplied by correspondence with those whom we believe to be energetic and capable teachers,—those whose hearts are in their work, and whose rule of life is progress. This interchange of progressive ideals between teachers stimulates and enlivens the teacher, and enables him to do his work more joyfully and successfully. THIS denomination is now engaged in the greatest missionary campaign which it has ever undertaken. Definite plans have been laid for appraising the people of the United States, and indeed of some of the foreign countries, of the missionary enterprise of this people. It is planned not only to instruct hundreds of thousands, but to raise a large sum of money for the maintenance of our gospel workers, and for the extension of missionary enterprises in heathen lands. Here is a work in which old and young can most heartily engage. Inasmuch as the one purpose of our schools is to qualify efficient gospel workers, and inasmuch as we learn best by doing, here is one of the most valuable opportunities to impart lessons of inestimable worth to the children and young people in all our schools. As teachers, we must not shirk responsibility, its faithful discharge gives to us added strength for greater service. We must be wide-awake to assist in every practical way in the finishing of this work; for the finishing of this work should be to us the most real and intensely interesting occupation with which we are connected. Our great school organization can by proper effort circulate thousands upon thousands of the missionary REVIEW, and derive a vitality and power from so doing which will be of inestimable value. Here is our opportunity; let us heartily embrace it. The Teacher’s Lesson of Service
“He took upon him the form of a servant.” As our great example, the Master taught us the lesson of service. He was ever helpful, and his helpfulness was inspiring—it led others to service. He said, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” In like manner the true teacher is one who is not only energetic, but one who by his activity inspires and encourages his pupils to unselfish service, a service that is born of love. Looking not upon our own things, but also upon the things of others, is the rule of action in every Christian school. Choose the Right Standard
Choose the right standard, and erect it high. In nearly seven hundred schools of this denomination the true standard of education is being again erected. For the next nine or ten months twelve or thirteen thousand children and young people will look to it. Each teacher’s conception of this standard is determined almost entirely by his study of the principles of Christian education as set forth by inspiration and by the personal application of these principles to his own life. The more nearly the teacher approximates the standard, the higher will he lift his pupils. Perseverance in Every Good Work
DAVID was called a man after God's own heart. What a wonderful distinction to be given to a human being! David had sought for, until he possessed, the characteristics of God's heart of love. One reason why he could be so called was because he persevered in every good work. He was a victor over himself. “When I fall, I shall arise,” was a rule of his life. It was prophesied of Christ that he should “not fail, nor be discouraged.” God perseveres in all his work until he accomplishes his design. He who has a high, noble purpose, should never falter until he attains it. Perseverance in every good work is well pleasing to God.