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Review and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 47.

Alone with God
Earlier text: Pioneering Experiences in the Solomon Islands

Conducted by Mrs. I. H. Evans, Takoma Park, Washington D. C

By Mrs. I. H. Evans; Miss Lora E. Clement

Assisted by Miss Lora E. Clement
Through the columns of this department, hints will be given on all matters pertaining to the home life. Short articles and letters are solicited from home makers, telling of their everyday experiences,—their joys and sorrows, their failures and successes.

MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Good-By

MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE

The saddest word in the world to me, That I speak with a tear and a sigh That sounds like the moan of the solemn sea, Is that little word, “Good-by.”
And so, whenever we bid adieu To the friends we love so dear, Shall we grieve the hearts that are warm and true By dropping a bitter tear?
We know, we know we shall meet some day, In the good time by and by, Where lonely hearts shall be cheered for aye, And no sorrow shall dim the eye; When the friends we've loved in the olden days Look into our eyes once more, And our lips shall be tuned to the Master's praise, At home on the golden shore.
Yes, the saddest word in the world to me, That I speak with a tear and a sigh That sounds like the moan of the solemn sea, Is that little word, “Good-by.” And so, instead of a sad farewell, We will clasp each other's hand, And say, with never a tear or sigh, “We shall meet in the morning land.”

Do You Know That —

SEDENTARY habits shorten life?
Cockroaches may carry disease?
Pneumonia is a communicable disease?
Many a severe cold ends in tuberculosis?
Heavy eating, like heavy drinking, shortens life?
Health first is the highest form of safety first?
Physical fitness is preparedness against disease?
Intelligent motherhood conserves the nation's best crop?
A low infant mortality rate indicates high community intelligence?
The hand that carries food to the mouth may also carry disease germs?
Neglected adenoids and defective teeth in childhood menace adult health?
The registration of sickness is even more important than the registration of deaths?

Test Yourself

By Amos R. Wells

You should be able to walk ten miles with ease. Are you? The only way to find out is to try it—not all at once, but see if you can work up to it.
You should be able to enter into conversation with a stranger of your own sex (under suitable circumstances), courteously, agreeably, and profitably. Are you? Try it.
You should be able to entertain company at your own table so that all present will enjoy themselves. Are you? Try it.
You should be able to read a volume of history, biography, essays, or poetry with as much real enjoyment as a novel. Are you? Try it.
You should be able to listen to a sermon or a lecture on a substantial subject, and carry away the main points so that you can repeat them afterward. Are you? Try it.
You should have mental resources so that, if left alone for a day, you will be good company for yourself, and be happy all day long. Have you? Try it.
You should have grace enough to submit to insult or injustice patiently, put up with crossness serenely, and answer anger with love. Have you? Try it.
You should be able to read your Bible by the book instead of by the chapter or verse, and delight in the reading. Are you? Try it.
You should be able to pray for at least fifteen minutes by the watch (mechanical?—there is no other way of getting at the facts), and still have much left that you want to talk over with your heavenly Father. Are you? Try it.
These all indicate fundamentals of the physical, social, mental, and spiritual life. Have you ever tested yourself in regard to them, strictly and honestly? If not, do it. I dare you!—Amos R. Wells, in the Christian Endeavor World.

Southern Publishing Association

By R. L. Pierce

The Southern Publishing Association was organized and incorporated in June, 1901. During the first few years of its existence, our people throughout North America contributed liberally to its establishment; and as there are many readers of the Review who had a part in this work at that time, a brief report of the progress that has been made may not be out of place.
The original location was on Jefferson Street, near the business portion of Nashville. On that site a four-story building was erected. About ten years ago, however, that building was sold, and the plant moved to a large and high plot of ground about one-half mile outside the city limits, and yet within easy access of mail and shipping facilities. This has proved to be a wise move in every way. It not only enabled our workers to escape much of the dirt, smoke, and noise of the city, but what is perhaps equally important, it provided plenty of room for the plant, so that all the manufacturing could be done on the ground floor. This in itself has proved a great saving in both time and labor.
SOUTHERN PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION, NASHVILLE, TENN.
SOUTHERN PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION, NASHVILLE, TENN.
The accompanying cut was made from a photograph, and shows the office building and a portion of the main factory building as they appear today. On the second story of the office building is a neat chapel, the employees' library and reading-room, the art department, and the Watchman editorial rooms. All the other departments of the plant, including the business offices, circulation, shipping, and manufacturing departments, are on the ground floor. This arrangement has materially facilitated the handling of the work, and has greatly increased the efficiency and production of the plant.
The size of the main factory building, shown in the picture, is 72 feet wide by 170 feet long. As the roof is of self-supporting design, there are no posts or other obstructions to interfere with the work. The plant is now equipped with up-to-date machinery. It is operated by electricity, with an individual motor for each machine. The large windows shown are of the Fenestra steel-frame style, fitted with rib and prism glass, thus giving ample light to all parts of the building. With the exception of the garage and one storeroom, all the buildings are brick. The amount of actual floor space, inside measurements, is nearly 25,000 square feet.
The Southern Publishing Association is the home of the Watchman, of which magazine Brother L. A. Smith is editor. For the past two or three years the Watchman has enjoyed a very satisfactory circulation, and from the many words of appreciation received and the interesting experiences reported, we feel constrained to believe that the magazine is accomplishing a vast amount of good.
The office is also publishing practically all our large subscription books, besides a considerable number of juvenile and smaller books, as well as pamphlets, tracts, etc. Although the little book, “The Other Side of Death,” by Carlyle B. Haynes, has been on the market but a short time, it is having a splendid sale. At the present time we have two more books by the same author in process of manufacture, entitled “The Christian Sabbath; Is It Saturday or Sunday?” and “The Return of Jesus.” A further announcement of these books will be made as soon as they are ready for circulation.
A few days ago a carload of books was shipped to our Fort Worth (Texas) Branch, which consisted of 109 cases, containing 11,025 volumes, and having a retail value of $26,576.50. These books weighed 33,200 pounds, or more than sixteen and one-half tons. In this connection it may be interesting to note that out of the $97,000 gain shown by the canvassing summary for the North American Division for the first six months of this year as compared with the same period last year, nearly one third of this amount has been reported by the three Southern Unions.
We are seeing many evidences of the protecting, prospering hand of God, and feel indeed thankful for the way in which he is blessing our work. As the end draws nearer, we believe it will become more and more apparent that, as recorded in “Testimonies for the Church,” Volume VII, “it was in accordance with God's purpose that the publishing work was started at Nashville.”
We believe that the time is not far distant when the facilities of the Southern Publishing Association, as well as those of our sister institutions, will be taxed to their utmost to supply the demand for literature containing the third angel's message. To this end we solicit the earnest prayers and continued co-operation of our people throughout the field.
R. L. PIERCE.

Moline, Ill.

By T. F. Hubbard

I BEGAN tent meetings in Moline, Ill., July 6, and continued until recently, having for our tent company Brother J. D. Reavis and his wife as musicians, and Sisters Kate Williams and Alfreda Johnson as Bible workers. The Moline church coöperated with the effort, and in these few weeks we have succeeded in adding to the church nineteen new members, and several others are preparing for baptism in the near future. The last summer's effort added twenty-one members, making a total of forty added to the Moline church in a little over a year. We attribute this success somewhat to the nearly eighty-five thousand pages of literature which our Bible workers and church members have helped to distribute, reaching practically every home in the city. We have now begun the same systematic effort of distribution of literature in the city of Rock Island. We solicit an interest in your prayers, that our work in these cities may be so blessed of God that we may have a large ingathering of souls for his kingdom.
T. F. HUBBARD.

The Day of Opportunities in the Philippine Islands

By L. V. Finster

THE Filipino people had been kept in darkness and ignorance of the progress of other parts of the world until the American occupation of the islands.
Even their maps represented Spain as occupying the larger part of Europe. They were taught that the only Christian people in the world were the people of Spain, Mexico, Italy, and a few other small nations; that the American people were not Christians; that disease, plague, and calamity could be banished by calling upon the saints, and holding processions in their honor. Penances and indulgences were the order of the day.
But with the arrival of the public school system, the establishment of hospitals, and the campaign on sanitation, these conditions have changed. The young people now know something of the world, the cause of disease, and the history of the past. This knowledge has caused them to lose faith in the church that has kept their people in such superstition and darkness for so many years. It also influences the older people, although many of them still continue in the old forms.
All are now grasping for knowledge. They are willing to listen to the preaching of the Bible, although in the past it was impossible to obtain a hearing. At both our tent meetings this year, we have had from three hundred to one thousand in attendance every night, and most of these are from the Roman Church. We could have hundreds of such meetings if we had money and men to put in the field.
Now is the time to work in the Philippines. If we fail to improve this opportunity, I fear each succeeding year will be harder for our work. Many islands of this group have not as yet been entered by any Protestant church. May God help his people to arise and enter these wide-open doors.
L. V. FINSTER.

Nebraska Camp Meeting

By F. W. Paap

It was the privilege of the writer to attend the annual conference and camp meeting in the Nebraska Conference. The meeting was held in Hastings, Nebr., on a well-chosen spot. At the appointed hour to begin the meeting, August 17, everything was in readiness. Much hard work had been done, principally by the regular conference laborers, in preparation for the meeting, and their efforts were rewarded by expressions of the keenest admiration, by both campers and visitors. These completed arrangements were the result of careful planning and appointments of a month earlier.
The attendance of our people was quite large at the first, and steadily increased from day to day, until the last Sabbath, when we had a very large congregation.
The weather was ideal, and this we appreciated after the excessive heat experienced at Clinton, Mo.
Among those outside the Union Conference who attended and assisted in the services and general conduct of the camp meeting, were Elders J. T. Boettcher, J. P. Anderson, Dr. P. T. Magan, and the writer. We greatly enjoyed our work together, and God blessed the labors of his servants.
The various committees appointed by the conference did their work in a reasonably short time; and virtually every action taken by these committees passed unanimously. All departments of the work were fully considered, and the resolutions were freely discussed. All in attendance seemed hungry for the bread of life, and greatly appreciated every effort put forth to teach them how to do service for God, and how to win precious souls from darkness to light.
The last Sabbath of the meeting was a busy day. At seven o'clock all the workers gathered in the church building, a little removed from the camp ground, and spent two hours in study, social meeting, and prayer. From this season of refreshing all came forth to enjoy the feast of good things in store. The Sabbath school, at half past nine, was a busy hour. The offering for missions for that one day amounted to $1,365. The regular morning service was followed by a revival effort, in which about three hundred gave themselves anew to God for complete victory and service. Among these were some who gave their heart to the Lord for the first time.
At 3 P. M. all assembled in the large pavilion for an ordination service. Brother Johnson was set apart to the gospel ministry. Following the ordination service, various sections of the big tent were assigned to conference workers, who led the worshippers in a social meeting.
Immediately at the close of the social meeting all repaired to the banks of an artificial lake about one hundred feet from the camp, where they witnessed a baptismal scene. Twenty-six followed their Lord in this solemn ordinance.
A liberal spirit was shown when the call was made for foreign missions. Altogether, $6,099.73 was given in cash and pledges.
Very definite plans were laid for a strong Harvest Ingathering campaign. Five dollars per capita is the goal set, and a rising vote on the part of all clearly indicated a determination to reach it.
With considerable reluctance the delegates consented to let Elder D. U. Hale go, though he had been elected president of the Missouri Conference. Elder J. S. Rouse, the former president of the Missouri Conference, was called to take the presidency of the Nebraska Conference. With as fine a field as any in the Western States, with as loyal and as intelligent a people as you will find anywhere, we see no reason why Nebraska should not take a leading part in any and all branches of this great reformatory, soul-winning movement. F. W. PAAP.

North Michigan Camp Meeting

By G. B. THOMPSON

THIS meeting was held at Cadillac, a progressive city of about twelve thousand inhabitants, situated on a beautiful inland lake of the same name, some eight miles in circumference.
The citizens manifested a very kind and helpful spirit toward the meeting. They donated the use of the fairgrounds, with such public buildings as we needed, and lighted the grounds. The Commercial Club secured the names of most of our people in the conference, and wrote them a personal letter, inviting them to the meeting, and to feel at home while in the city. During the meeting a carnival came to the place, and the promoters desired to establish their headquarters across the street from our camp. Realizing that this would be detrimental to the best interests of a religious gathering, they were required by the city authorities to select another location; and on the last Friday of the meeting enough automobiles were provided by the citizens to take the entire camp on a free ride through the city and around the lake. Although the camp was outside of the city limits, some of the meetings were well attended. A desire was also expressed to have the camp meeting here another year.
About sixty tents were pitched to furnish homes for those who came to the meeting. The possibility of a railway strike hindered some from attending. The proportion of young people present seemed large, which is always encouraging. The meeting was blessed with excellent weather, and a splendid spirit of unity was manifested in all the business meetings of the conference. Aggressive plans for advancing the work were carefully considered and adopted. The first Sabbath more than $260 was given by the Sabbath school for foreign missions. An offering was taken later for missions, but I have not learned the amount given. A quiet, yet deep spiritual atmosphere pervaded the camp, and sixteen persons, I understand, were baptized.
Elder E. A. Bristol was elected president of the conference, and took hold with good courage to strengthen and build up the work in all its departments. The other officers elected were the same as the past year. Elders L. M. Christian and W. H. Wakeham, Brethren J. B. Blosser, J. W. Mace, R. Hook, Jr., Profs. R. U. Garrett and J. H. Tiney, and the writer were present during some part of the meeting, and shared with the local workers in the burdens and blessings of the meeting.
The Lord blessed in the presentation of his word, and all returned to their homes thankful for the encouragement and help of the meeting.
G. B. THOMPSON.

The Bible Can Take Care of Itself

“THERE is not much virtue in worrying about the Bible. Being true, it can take care of itself; and the immediate duty of the disciple is to defend it by living out its precepts.”

The Japanese Mission Training School

By H. F. Benson

OUR school year 1915-16 has closed, and all our students are now out in active missionary work, and we are receiving some very encouraging reports of the success they are having. Most of the students are canvassing, but quite a number were ready this year to enter other branches of the work. Some have gone out as tent masters, others as Bible workers, one is in the church school work, and one is in the printing house. Three Bible workers from the school are opening up work in a district of Tokio that has as yet been unentered by us.
Our tent masters in Japan have a responsible position, and need very thorough training for their duties. The climate is such that in a very little time a tent will be ruined if not properly cared for. This year all the students received special instruction in erecting and caring for tents.
One of our student canvassers, who is working chiefly with a magazine that sells for two and one half cents a copy, has reported as high as $2.25 (U. S. gold) worth of sales in a day, including subscriptions. Others are not doing quite so well as this, but all the reports show a very good return for the time spent.
We have a church school here in Tokio for the first time, and the enrolment is about fifteen. The superintendent of the public schools for this district has recognized our church school, and grants our students government certificates, which enable them to enter any government school without examination.
The Lord is blessing our educational work, and we are praying that we may be kept from making mistakes that will hinder its progress. Pray for our school and for the success of our students.
H. F. BENSON.

Church Schools

Selections from the Writings of Mrs. E. G. White

WHEN the children of Israel were gathered out from among the Egyptians, the Lord said: “I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord.” . . .
This experience of the Israelites was written for the instruction of those who should live in the last days. Before the overflowing scourge shall come upon the dwellers of the earth, the Lord calls upon all who are Israelites indeed to prepare for that event. To parents he sends the warning cry, Gather your children into your own houses; gather them away from those who are disregarding the commandments of God, who are teaching and practicing evil. Get out of the large cities as fast as possible. Establish church schools. Give your children the Word of God as the foundation of all their education. This is full of beautiful lessons, and if pupils make it their study in the primary grade below, they will be prepared for the higher grade above.—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, pp. 194, 195.
Fathers and mothers should cooperate with the teacher, laboring earnestly for the conversion of their children. Let them strive to keep the spiritual interest fresh and wholesome in the home, and to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Let them devote a portion of each day to study, and become learners with their children. Thus they may make the educational hour one of pleasure and profit, and their confidence will increase in this method of seeking for the salvation of their children. Parents will find that their own growth will be more rapid as they learn to work for their children. As they thus work in a humble way, unbelief will disappear. Faith and activity will impart assurance and satisfaction that will increase day by day, as they follow on to know the Lord and to make him known. Their prayers will become earnest, for they will have some definite object for which to pray.—Id., p. 199.
Teachers are needed, especially for the children, who are calm and kind, manifesting forbearance and love for the very ones who most need it. Jesus loved the children; he regarded them as younger members of the Lord’s family. He always treated them with kindness and respect, and teachers are to follow his example. They should have the true missionary spirit; for the children are to be trained to become missionaries. They should feel that the Lord has committed to them as a solemn trust the souls of the children and youth.—Id., p. 201.
When properly conducted, church schools will be the means of lifting the standard of truth in the places where they are established; for children who are receiving a Christian education will be witnesses for Christ. As Jesus in the temple solved the mysteries which priests and rulers had not discerned, so in the closing work of this earth, children who have been rightly educated will in their simplicity speak words which will be an astonishment to men who now talk of “higher education.”—Id., p. 202.

The Bible Year

Assignment for September 24 to 30

September 24: Nehemiah 1 to 3.
September 25: Nehemiah 4 to 6.
September 26: Nehemiah 7 to 9.
September 27: Nehemiah 10 to 13.
September 28: Psalms 1, 119.
September 29: Malachi.
September 30: Matthew 1 to 4.

To Think About as You Read

September 24: The importance of praying for the prosperity of God's work.
September 25: The effect of willing, united service.
September 26: Reading God's law attentively.
September 27: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
September 28: “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies.”
September 29: The day of the Lord is at hand.
September 30: “He shall save his people from their sins.”

Nehemiah

The genealogy of Nehemiah is unknown, save that he was the son of Hachaliah, and presumably of the tribe of Judah. While occupying a high office in the court of Persia, his heart was stirred by reports that came to his ears of conditions at Jerusalem. Obtaining a commission from the king, and promising to return to the court at a set time, he went to Jerusalem and entered immediately upon his labors. Nehemiah was evidently a man of action. He could work as well as talk, execute as well as plan. He "was a noble example of Christian patriotism. He was a man of profound piety, connecting everything, great or small, with the will of God. His prudence is equally marked; and there is no better example of constant dependence upon God, united with practical forethought. He was disinterested and unselfish; his wealth was used for public ends; and there is not the slightest reference to self apart from the common good.'
The book of Nehemiah gives a history of Nehemiah's great work of rebuilding the city wall, establishing the government, and carrying into effect the needed reforms, especially in regard to honoring the Sabbath. Incidentally, the book admits us to “a glance at the condition, moral and political, of the Jews; at the growing bitterness between them and the Samaritans; and at some scenes in Assyrian life. The account of the walls and gates in chapter 3 is among the most valuable documents for the settlement of the topography of ancient Jerusalem.”

Psalm 119

“In psalm 119 we find the peculiarity of alliteration, the chapter being divided into twenty-two sections of eight verses each, and each verse in each section in the original writing beginning with the letter of the Hebrew alphabet standing at the head of the section. The alliteration shows the psalm to be divided into verses. It is well known that the books of the Bible were not generally divided into either chapters or verses until long after they were written. But the fact that the book of Psalms was thus divided may doubtless have suggested the propriety of so dividing the other books of the Bible, and certainly it is a very convenient and helpful arrangement. . . . The one hundred and nineteenth psalm is the most noted of all inspired productions that set forth the excellencies of the law of God. Every one of the one hundred and seventy-six verses seems in some way to speak of the commandments of Jehovah.”—Starr.

Malachi

Malachi, the twelfth and last of the minor prophets, is sometimes called “the seal.” With his book the Old Testament Scriptures close, and it is well to remember that for four hundred years the Bible ended with Malachi. Little is known, but a great deal is conjectured, about this prophet. It seems certain, however, that he prophesied after Haggai and Zechariah. The new temple was completed, and its services re-established. The sins of the people and the corruption of the priests are reproved; the obligation of tithing is clearly set forth; and the final utter destruction of the impenitent is foretold. One of the most precious texts in the book is the assurance that the Lord hears those who speak of his goodness, and has their names inscribed in a book of remembrance. Since he so values the faulty expressions of love and gratitude from his frail human children, how often should we speak forth his praises!

The Worth of Sold Honor

“The man who sells his honor, sooner or later finds out that he did not receive what it was worth.”

Educational Department

FREDERICK GRIGGS . . . General Secretary
W. E. HOWELL . . . Assistant Secretary

Missionary Volunteer Department

M. E. KERN   - - - - -   Secretary MATILDA ERICKSON   - - -   Assistant Secretary MRS. I. H. EVANS   - - - -   Office Secretary MEADE MacGUIRE C. L. BENSON               - - -   Field Secretaries J. F. SIMON

Our Literature Appeals to Him

By S. A. Ruskjer

A few days ago I shared my seat in a crowded railway coach with Dr. —, who is at the head of the Congregational Church in three States.
As soon as he found out that I was a Seventh-day Adventist, he began to talk about our activity as a people and the splendid literature we are circulating. Among other things, he said that Seventh-day Adventist literature appealed to him as being fair and reliable. He further stated that he was interested in our position on the war question. He said he had read in several papers about some lectures on the war question delivered in many cities by one Elder Daniells, but that he had never been fortunate enough to be present when such a lecture was given; I had several copies of Elder Daniells’s lectures in my grip, and handed him one. He read every word of it while we were speeding along, and when he had finished he said, “I am sure you people hold the right position on the prophecies, and everything that takes place in the world confirms your position.”
I had a good visit with the gentleman, and I trust our visit was profitable to both. However, the point I have in mind in writing this is the fact that we have literature of which we need not be ashamed, and that fact ought to cause us to be tenfold more active in distributing it. Let the world know what we as a people are doing. There is no better way to give that information to the world than by distributing hundreds of copies of the Harvest Ingathering Signs this year. Let us make use of every golden opportunity to do home missionary work.
S. A. RUSKJER.

The Essential Tincture of Scripture

I SHOULD like to see a huge pile of all the books, good and bad, that were ever written, prayer books and sermons, and hymn books, and all, smoking like Sodom of old, if the reading of these books keeps you away from the reading of the Bible; for a ton weight of human literature is not worth an ounce of Scripture: one single drop of the essential tincture of the Word of God is better than a sea full of our commentings and sermonizings, and the like.—Spurgeon.

Home Missionary Department

E. M. GRAHAM   -   -   -    General Secretary F. W. PAAP   -   -   -    N. Am. Div. Secretary

The Reward

By C. B. Sappenfield

C. B. SAPPENFIELD
Others may reap where you have sown, And toiled through weary years; Others may garner sheaves you've grown, And watered with your tears; Others may have the world's loud praise, While you are hid from sight; Others may shine for many days, While you toil in the night.
Others may wear a crown of gold, While yours has many a thorn; Others may hear their virtues told, While you are met with scorn. Though hard your lot appears to be, 'Twas harder yet for One Who gave his life for you and me— God's holy, gentle Son.
Compare your burdens and your deeds With those he wrought and bore. Have you desire for greater needs? The world may give no more. Transcendent gifts from God above, For all who labor here, Will be bestowed in gracious love When Jesus shall appear.
Golden, Colo.

A Unique Home Missionary Effort

By S. A. Ruskjer

DR. C. P. NELSON, of Minneapolis, Minn., has just taken a step that may open some homes to our message. There are five hundred physicians and surgeons in that city, with very few of whom we are in touch. These men ought to be reached with the truth.
After Elder A. G. Daniells gave his lecture to such a large and appreciative audience in Minneapolis, Dr. Nelson decided to place a copy of the printed lecture in the hands of every physician in the city.
He had a very neat card printed, bearing the words, “With compliments of Dr. C. P. Nelson,” and giving his office address. These cards were attached to the front page of the lecture by means of small neat clips. Coming from a fellow practitioner, the lecture will naturally have the attention that it deserves.
Why should not our people take a special interest in their fellow men who are “of the same craft”? It seems that much good would be done by many such efforts as the one mentioned above.
S. A. RUSKJER.

Home Missionary Report for Quarter Ending Dec. 31, 1915

By Edith M. Graham

THIS report gives the work of all but four conferences in the North American Division. It is interesting to note that the number reporting has grown by twelve hundred, and that every line of work but three shows a good gain over the previous quarter. Not so many tracts were used, but many more papers, so doubtless the increase in the use of one kind of literature partly accounts for the drop in another. There were not quite so many missionary visits made.
The number brought into the truth by the efforts of our lay members has grown from 393 to 506. This good work was done by 12,034 of the members. If all the 77,650 had worked with equal zeal and faith, and with corresponding results, we should have had 3,000 more members instead of 500. That would have meant a much longer step toward the finishing of the work.
The total figures of different lines of work are large, and show that a great many people have been given some light on the truth during that quarter.
We have been unable to obtain reports from the four German unions. The brethren have tried to get them through, but so far have failed, though we expect to receive them later. We know their efforts have not diminished. Our Russian people are hard at work, and are bringing souls into the truth, but we cannot collect reports from that field at present.
The South American Union Conference has also failed to report. Their staff of workers is small, and they have had to change and adjust to meet the needs; so the home missionary work has been temporarily suspended. But the brethren are doing their best, and we expect soon to see the missing reports put in their appearance. Owing to these missing reports, the grand totals are smaller than they were the last quarter.
These quarterly home missionary reports should encourage every one of us. All these letters, visits, Bible readings, literature circulated, acts of kindness done, must be exerting a mighty influence in behalf of this message. They are the leaven that is spreading everywhere. Shall we not press forward and do more and yet more, until every soul is warned and the work finished?
EDITH M. GRAHAM.
Continue reading: CONFERENCES AND MISSIONS