Earlier text: Are We Afraid?A Word From the South
By O. C. GOSMARK
ONLY those who are in this Southern field can know or appreciate what the Lord is doing in this part of his vineyard. From the beginning there has been a steady growth. The work in the Cumberland Conference (eastern Kentucky and eastern Tennessee) has gone forward during the past year in a manner that can but bring gratitude to the hearts of those who are interested in the advancement of the Master’s cause here. We have only a small conference, but little more than five hundred members in all, and but four ordained ministers, two licentiates, four Bible workers, and a small corps of canvassers in the field; yet the Lord has gone out before us, and opened the way for the message to be carried to a large number of the people of this conference. We have had five tents in the field a large part of the summer, one of these being donated and practically run by Brother Ramsay, of Battle Creek, Mich. During the past summer there have been two churches organized in Kentucky. In Tennessee there has been a good strong company raised up at one place, while at another, one of our older churches has been greatly strengthened, and a new church building is in process of erection. Two camp-meetings have been held, and the colored work has received a new impetus. A number of new tents have been purchased, and under the earnest efforts of Brother Cole, our conference canvassing agent, our literature is being circulated among the people. This simple report may not seem like much to our strong Northern Conferences; but to us who are here in the South, and have the conditions of this field to meet, these omens of the Lord’s blessing bring hope and courage. We17 have everything here to encourage us in the work, and we look forward to the time when we shall have strong conferences established in this long-neglected Southern field. We frequently receive letters of inquiry from those in the North whose hearts the Lord is stirring to come South and live out the truth. There is an ever-open field here awaiting the proper persons. A living can be made just as easily here as in the North with its long, cold winters. We pray that the Lord will send just such as should come to this field, where there remains so much to be done to prepare the people to meet the Lord at his coming. Brethren, remember the work here in your prayers. GLEN HOGAN, SIMLA.— We have good reason to be thankful for all the Lord has done for us. Sometimes I wonder at the Lord's using such a dull instrument, but in this is his great love and mercy manifested. Then I remember that “God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty,” and I thank him for placing me among this class, that I may glory in the Lord and the power of his might. The other day I entered the Grand Hotel here, and sent my card in by the servant to one of the guests. The lady came out, and said her husband was not prepared to see me. I spoke to her about the paper, and asked her to show it to her husband. Then I asked the Lord to reveal the contents to them while I awaited an answer. Soon she returned with the money, and asked me to place her name on the list. These people are generally very hard to reach, and I felt especially thankful at the result. I met the proprietor, who also took the paper. There are many office men here, and it takes some time to reach all these; but I have the place more than half worked. A list of two hundred paid subscriptions is now in hand, and I am working for at least one hundred more, if the Lord wills. The upper classes are yet to be visited, and it is much more difficult to interest them in these things. Mrs. James is very busy with her readers. She expects to see some of them baptized and united with the church.
W. O. JAMES. Travels in Behalf of Brazil
By John Lipke
The Lord is indeed gracious, merciful, and a helper in time of need. This I experienced in my journeys in Brazil and in the United States. As it was thought best for us to return to the latter country for a while, we started from Brusque, Brazil, May 6. After about ten days we arrived in Santos, a city of one hundred thousand inhabitants, in the State of Sao Paulo, where the truth had been preached a number of years ago. There we stayed ten days, visiting, preaching, canvassing, etc. We saw the great need of locating a laborer there, as the whole State has none. May God raise up workers for that field. Proceeding on our journey, we reached New York, June 19, after an absence of more than six years. We were glad to see that the truth gains the victory there. At three places where we spoke about our work in Brazil, an interest was shown by our people. After counseling with Elder Daniells, I went west to visit our parents, and to attend some of the camp-meetings. The first of these was at Columbia, Mo., where I was glad to find a goodly number of our people with whom I was associated about seven years ago. The talks about Brazil were received with interest. A quilt, made by a few children of one of their church-schools, and twenty-five dollars, besides other donations, amounting to fifty-eight dollars in all, were given to help purchase a printing outfit for Brazil. The next camp-meeting I visited was that at Guthrie, O. T. There was quite a large attendance, and a good spirit was manifested by those present. Though they had given already to other enterprises, they responded to the call for a printing outfit, giving $133.50 in cash and pledges. They also voted to send a laborer to Brazil, and to support him. Before the close of this meeting, I left for Wichita, Kan., where I stayed only one day. In the forenoon, and also in the afternoon, I spoke in regard to our field and its needs. In response, a donation in cash and pledges to the amount of $169.33 was made. September 2 I arrived in Omaha, Neb. Again I had the opportunity to speak to our people in camp about the Brazil work and its needs. I was surprised and thankful to see how nobly our people answered the call for means. Five hundred dollars was given here in cash and pledges. My attention was called to the Wisconsin meeting. And as I yet had time, I thought the Lord wanted me to go to Oshkosh. A good interest was manifested there in missionary work. Several times I had the privilege of addressing the people, and I found them ready to lift. The contributions amounted to nine hundred dollars. One brother gave forty acres of land, a sister two hundred dollars, others fifty dollars, ten dollars, etc. As other brethren have reported other features of the meetings already mentioned, I confine myself to the report in regard to the work in Brazil. I am thankful for the means received at these camp-meetings, and am also glad to know that those who helped have received blessings, and will receive more. Above all, I wish to praise the Lord for what he has done for us, in that he has touched the hearts of our people to give freely. His mercy and goodness endure forever. For some time it had been my desire to visit Emmanuel Missionary College at Berrien Springs. The Lord granted my desire, and it was arranged for me to go there. As the school was not in progress, I could not so fully observe the methods of its operations; but I wondered at what our brethren there have accomplished with student labor in such a short time. The Lord has surely been with them. Hard work in school, readiness to give up conveniences, and diligent study were some of the means of preparation for missionary work in foreign lands. Before I left Berrien Springs, my heart rejoiced when the college board decided to donate one of its printing-presses to one of our industrial schools in Brazil. Attending the council of the General Conference at College View was indeed a great blessing to me. I praise the Lord for all the blessings which I received while in the United States. Soon we shall, if God so wills, be in Brazil, to engage again in the work which is so dear to our hearts.
JOHN LIPKE. Labors in West Michigan
By Daniel T. Bourdeau
DURING the last six weeks I have visited the churches at Bauer, Wright, Lowell, Lyons, Grand Ledge, and Eaton Rapids, and in public and in the homes of believers and those not of our faith, I have dwelt upon the stirring, practical themes for our times, especially on the importance of entering heart and soul into the work involved in the present campaign. Since the opening of this campaign, I have, besides doing other work, given special attention to extending the circulation of our papers. Thus far the list of subscriptions obtained is as follows: for the REVIEW, 52; for Life and Health, 12; for the Southern Watchman, 1. And let none, in comparing these figures, conclude that the Signs, Southern Watchman, and other papers published by our people, were disparaged and neglected. In not a few cases I found that a grand work was being done with the Southern Watchman and with the Signs, and that in some churches the interest in these excellent papers assumed such a phase that there was danger that their original design and their relation to our church paper should be lost sight of, and that they should be made to supersede our valuable and indispensable REVIEW AND HERALD, the parent of all our denominational periodicals, and special instructor of our churches in essentially church matters, in methods of labor for others, and in the progress of the cause, and withal a faithful exponent of the doctrines held by Seventh-day Adventists, and a weekly chronicler of the events of the day answering to prophetic utterances of Holy Writ, and showing unmistakably that the final consummation is indeed imminent. In view of these and other facts, I have thus far put the REVIEW in the front; and in doing this, I have not, by any means, divorced it from our other good papers, nor have I shown myself at all partial with regard to heaven-ordained instrumentalities, which have been created and brought into use as a result of the rise and progress of the cause of the second-advent messages of Rev. 14:6-14. I am thankful to be able to report that the churches already mentioned can say, Henceforth the REVIEW shall make its weekly visit to all the families and isolated believers that we are associated with in church capacity. As these churches have been stirred up on this and other subjects, the true, old-fashioned missionary spirit has revived among them, the bond of love and union has been strengthened, and special effusions of the Holy Spirit have been enjoyed; and at every point calls have come in for a course of lectures for the general public. The enthusiasm shown in favor of the REVIEW has been of a marked character. Even those not of our faith have subscribed for it, as its important mission has been set forth in public and in the homes of the people. We were particularly affected, and were reminded of the spirit of sacrifice that existed among us in the early history of this cause, by the following circumstance: A vote has been passed by a church to see that the REVIEW was taken by all the families and isolated believers within its jurisdiction. But this was not to be accomplished with folded arms. Those who did not have the REVIEW were away in the country, and to reach them we had to travel several miles in a strong, cold wind. In the night, while praying over this matter, I felt especially impressed that this trip must be made. I could not make it on foot, and proposed that a horse and carriage be secured at my expense. A brother who was laboring on the self-supporting plan, and knew from experience what was meant by self-denial and sacrifice, stepped up and said, “This expense shall not rest on you. I have arranged to work half a day to pay for the use of a horse and carriage for you.” These words touched me, and more than made up for the suffering I experienced in making the contemplated trip that day, and I received an additional compensation, at least in my feelings of satisfaction, in securing the object for which I made this trip. May God increase among us the spirit of sacrifice manifested by the aged brother who helped me over this hard spot,—a spirit that characterized all our labors in the early history of this cause.18 Within the last two weeks, notwithstanding the rigor of the latter part of autumn in this latitude, I have baptized one person in Grand River, at Lyons, and another in a baptistery kindly offered us by the Baptists at another place. God signally blessed us and those who were with us on these occasions; and especially did we realize the divine presence, and were encouraged last Sunday night in giving our last discourse during this trip, in the town of Eaton, to a respectable and deeply interested audience composed mostly of those not of our faith. There had existed great prejudice against us at this point; but the feelings of the people were so changed that we were kindly offered the use of a large church. And thus the way is opening in almost every place we visit.
D. T. BOURDEAU. The Place of the Religious Liberty Work in the Message
By K. C. RUSSELL
ALL will agree that the religious liberty work is a branch or department of the third angel's message. But there seems to exist in the minds of some a question as to its place in the message. There would be no hesitation on the part of any of our people in defining the relation of the health reform work to this message; for its position as the “right arm of the body” has been indicated so clearly by the testimony of the spirit of prophecy that it is a familiar expression to nearly every Seventh-day Adventist. Now, since every branch of the work is an important part of the great whole, why should not the religious liberty department be as clearly defined as any other? From our attitude toward this work during the past few years it might be regarded as the tail to the message, if indeed it be recognized as a part of it. But we are glad to say that definite instruction has been given us that this line of work should be “kept to the front.” If there ever was a time when we should take heed to this instruction, it is now, at this advanced stage of the message; for there never was a time when the enemy was organizing his forces more persistently to hasten on a crisis, and abridge the liberties of God's people, than at the present time. Upon our vigorous efforts to stem the on-coming tide of religious legislation depends our freedom in carrying on our other departments of gospel work untrammeled by oppressive laws restricting our religious and civil rights which we now enjoy. Thus will be seen again the importance of heeding the counsel to keep this work to the front. Not only should it be kept to the front, that our liberties may be preserved, but chiefly that the gospel of liberty—for that is, indeed, the only gospel—may be brought to the attention of all men and women. There never was a time when people talked more of liberty and patriotism than now, and never a time when they knew so little of either. How important, then, that we hold up the torch of true liberty, that all men may clearly distinguish between true and false principles. If any ask whether our efforts in opposing religious measures in national or State legislature, are in the past, our answer is most decidedly, No. By this very means the light of truth will be brought to many, and thus bring them into the full light of the liberty of the gospel. There is, therefore, occasion for the circulation of petitions against religious legislation; for it is another most effective way of proclaiming the gospel liberty to those who may sign them, as it is also to those who are petitioned. For we find that these legislators are not only ignorant of the principles of Christian liberty, but some do not even know that any Sunday bills have been introduced in Congress. It may not be generally understood that those who are working to promote these religious measures in Congress are doing it in a quiet way without any blowing of trumpets, and hence it requires great vigilance on our part, in order that these bills may not be passed before a thorough warning is given to all concerned. Young People's Convention in Ohio
By G. B. Thompson
A CONVENTION of the young people of the Ohio Conference was held December 6-8, at the Mt. Vernon Academy. The presence of a number of young people from the various churches, in addition to the students in the academy, made the gathering a large and representative one of the young people of the conference. The meeting was in charge of the educational secretary. Elder Burkholder and several other members of the conference committee were present. These, with the teachers in the academy, all entered heartily into the work of the convention. Elder W. H. Anderson and the writer were present from outside the conference. The design of the meeting was more fully to organize this branch of conference work, and the organization effected was of the simplest kind possible, and the entire work and management of the department was placed under the direction of the conference. From the very beginning of the meeting, the especial presence of the Holy Spirit was experienced, and a marked missionary enthusiasm was manifested among all in attendance. This spirit permeates the academy in a very encouraging manner, and nearly all the students in attendance are preparing themselves for work in the message, especially in the foreign fields. A number have gone from this school to the “regions beyond,” and our visit here convinces us that in a short time scores of others will join them in the work of extending the message in those needy fields. The one purpose of the school is to develop workers for God. It was encouraging to see so many of the young men preparing to enter the ministry. The keynote of the convention was that of missionary work, at home and abroad. The thought was strongly emphasized that the young people of this denomination have but one object in organizing themselves into societies, and that is to labor for souls. This is the only purpose expressed in the call which has come to the young to form themselves into bands. The convention adopted as the object of their organization the following: “To study the Bible; to study missions; to save souls.” Motto: “The Advent Message to the World in This Generation.” The move taken at the last camp-meeting by this conference, to hold one half of its laborers and one half of its tithe at the call of the Mission Board, was a step in the right direction, and is proving an inspiration to the whole conference. As they look out into such nations as India, China, Egypt, etc., and see some of their own laborers seeking to plant the truth in these fields even in the midst of many difficulties, the missionary spirit is increasing more and more. Every such step will be blessed of God. This same missionary spirit was manifested by the young people in their convention, and they planned to focus their effort on some definite foreign work, in addition to the home missionary work planned for, and voted to sustain one or more workers in a foreign field. A letter from Brother F. W. Field, in Japan, giving a detailed account of how the message is spreading in Korea, was read, and they decided to support a worker in that field, and voted to pay the salary for one year of the native worker, Brother Lim Ki Pan, now laboring in that country. A collection was taken at the evening service to start this work, and $30.50 was received in cash. The needs of Africa were presented to the convention by Brother Anderson, and the Lord moved in a special manner upon the convention to assist in the work of the mission being established under the direction of the General Conference in Barotseland. By vote they agreed to pay the salary for one year of one of the native workers whom Brother W. H. Anderson is planning to take with him from Buluwayo to this mission. A collection was taken, and $48.58 was received in cash, which is more than enough to pay the salary for the year. In addition to this, $25.22 previously raised by the young people of the State for missionary work, was voted to the work in India. I greatly enjoyed this visit to the academy, and the missionary spirit manifested was an inspiration to all who had the privilege of attending the convention. We received some drops of the latter rain, and a special preparation for the week of prayer. The deep missionary interest manifested we believe to be but the beginning of that mighty work which is to lighten the whole earth with the message, and prepare a people for the coming of the Lord. We saw more clearly than ever before the great work which is within the reach of our youth. The youth in other conferences can do a similar work to that begun by the consecrated young people of the Ohio Conference. Let some simple plans be perfected, and under wise and consecrated leaders let the youth and the children be set to work for the Lord. In working for others they will save their own souls. The work is onward in this conference, and the Lord is indicating something of the great work that he is soon to accomplish in the earth. The long delay in the work of God is to end, and such a work in the history of the message as we have longed for, but not seen hitherto, is now19 to be seen. It is surely a time to lift up our heads and rejoice, for the coming of the Lord draws nigh. A new church building was dedicated recently at Eastport, Mich. Brother J. W. Beams reports a good interest at Wood Lake, in Cherry Co., Neb., where several conversions have taken place. An increase of twenty per cent in the membership of the New Jersey Conference is reported for the past ten months. Meetings held with the Waukon (Iowa) church, November 16-20, resulted in the addition of eight to the church-membership, four of these being subject to baptism. Brother T. G. Lewis reports an interest at Rose City, Mich., and vicinity, where there are a number of Sabbath-keepers who have not yet received baptism. The annual graduating exercises of the Iowa Sanitarium Medical Missionary Training-school are to be held in the Des Moines Seventh-day Adventist church, Dec. 29, 1904. Elder A. G. Daniells will be present, and deliver the principal address. In a report from West Virginia, Elder S. G. Huntington says: “A lady and her children were found recently in Fayette County, who are keeping the Sabbath. We have not yet learned how she found the truth, but she sends us words of good cheer, and asks for a minister to come and hold meetings in her neighborhood. This instance alone ought to stimulate every true Seventh-day Adventist in the State to a more zealous effort in spreading the truth by every possible means. . . . Our canvassers are doing excellent work. New workers are entering the field, and still others are preparing to do so.”20 Elder C. B. Rule reports the recent baptism of four persons at Naruna, Va., and states that others will soon follow. The company at that place now numbers eighteen, and the Sabbath-school numbers twenty-three. They are planning to build a church soon. Brother U. Bender says of the work in Little Rock, Ark.: “The church at this place is doing well. They have a good Sabbath-school with interesting after-meetings. The young people have organized themselves into a society for their advancement, that they might be able to help others see the truth.” The president of the West Michigan conference, Elder A. G. Haughey, in a recent letter sends this word from that field: “You will no doubt be pleased to learn of the progress of the work in the West Michigan Conference. We have had four tents in the field during the past season. Three new churches have been organized, and three other companies have been formed which will be organized into churches later. Truly this field is ripe unto harvest.” Brother C. B. Stephenson reports from Florida: “The interest at Plant City continues good. There are between fifteen and twenty Sabbath-keepers there as the result of the lectures and camp-meeting. I believe we shall have a church house here in due time. “November 26, 27, I visited the Wauchula company. Elder L. H. Crisler has labored there several weeks, preparing them for organization. The company seemed very much helped by his ministry, making some marked reforms. It was clear to us that this company should be organized into a church, which was done. Eighteen were admitted into the organization. Brother Sanbourn was chosen elder. “I came to Punta Gorda, November 29, and organized a church consisting of ten colored members. Some of this number had been members of other churches. Two new members were received, and will be baptized next Sabbath by Elder O. N. Whetsel, who was chosen elder of the church. They have erected a nice little church house, and are progressing well.” A four-days’ general meeting of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference was held recently in Philadelphia, at which Elders H. W. Cottrell and K. C. Russell and all the conference laborers were present. Three days were spent by the executive committee in laying plans for an aggressive campaign, a part of which will be to push the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” In a report of the conference, Elder Cottrell says: “There have been more than sixty persons converted to the truth in the last eight months, who have united with the churches, and are awake to the present situation, and ready to do their part in spreading the light of truth. I was much pleased to see the committee take hold of its work with so much energy and zeal. The work in Philadelphia is growing rapidly. The church on the west side has secured a few thousand dollars with which to assist in the erection of a new church building in the near future.” The One Hundred Thousand Dollar Fund
AMOUNT previously reported .... $49,420 91 Lincoln (N. D.) church .... 26 50 John Peterson ........ 25 00 C. J. Robinson ........ 25 00 North Dakota Conference .. 23 90 J. N. Loughborough ........ 20 00 W. J. and V. O. Cross .... 15 00 Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Hill .... 15 00 U. E. Whiteis ........ 10 00 Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Sweany (Trinidad) ........ 10 00 Mrs. William Martin .... 10 00 J. A. Lorenz ........ 10 00 J. M. Rees ........ 10 00 S. A. Hill ........ 10 00 John Glenbin ........ 10 00 Thayer (Kan.) church ..... 9 00 Dinuba (Cal.) church .... 8 15 Creston (Iowa) Company .... 6 30 John Leland ............ 6 00 Mabelle F. Hebard ........ 5 75 A friend H................ 5 25 Myrtle and Flossie Hall, Mrs. Anna Signor, Mrs. Eva Elliott, Burlington (Mich.) church, Mrs. B. Montgomery, Mrs. C. F. Simmons, Central Union Conference, George W. Young, Knoxville church, Mr. and Mrs. George F. Williams, Blendon (Mich.) Sabbath-school, Mr. and Mrs. William Ogden, Frank E. Walton, Mrs. Flora Garey, Grand Junction (Colo.) Sewing Society, Mr. and Mrs. S. L. Benson, Mrs. Mary Morris, Robert Gillis, James Johnston, Lizzie McAlpine, Thomas McAlpine, a Chicago friend, Mrs. T. H. Boyd, James Price, Mrs. E. J. Hall, Sydney King, Mrs. Sydney King, Mrs. V. L. Stoner. Mrs. M. J. Rhoads, $4; a friend (Dallas, Tex.), $3.75; Cynthia Hutchins, $3.50; Elizabeth H. Foos, $3.40; Mrs. Anna Evans, $3; Mrs. Emma Warren, $3; Mrs. B. A. King, $2.50; Frances Kennedy, $1.50; a friend, $1.50; Ida Hall, $1.35; Harold Hebard, $.65; Dodo Hebard, $.65; Mrs. C. C. Ward, $.15; Vera Johnson, $.10. Lewis A. Rhoads, John N. Bower, Susan M. Potts, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Wagner, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Rhoads, E. W. Stone, George Kennedy, John Gill, Friends (per Lucy G. Tracy). C. J. Gifford, Harry Cram, M. M. Wells, Tenie R. Rhoads, Minnie Livengood, M. E. Nielson, J. A. Powers, Tracy E. Randall, E. M. Webster, Mrs. Sylvia R. Blanchard, Allen B. Wentworth, Florence Percival, Adel (Iowa) church, C. C. McReynolds, Mrs. A. B., M. A. Johnson, Mrs. John Sheldon, Mrs. Elma Warner, Roman H. Carman, Martha J. Severens, E. L. Fuller, L. W. Cornell, Mrs. E. S. Cornell, Frances A. Benson, H. A. Peebles, Mrs. E. Yates, George Smith, Mrs. Margarette Linnerby, Mrs. Belle Hebard, Emma Locke, Mrs. M. E. McDonald, D. B. Benner, J. B. McLean, Emma Anderson, Mrs. A. L. Bliss, Mrs. E. R. Curren, Samuel L. Bracebridge, Mrs. Ada Scarborough, Mrs. S. E. Scarborough, Mrs. E. H. Cramer, a friend in Buffalo (N. Y.), cash. Mr. and Mrs. John Gilbert, Thomas Reeser, Jacob Houck, W. T. Willetts, Tillie M. Rhoads, R. Pfeffer, Mr. and Mrs. Mahlon Schautz, Mr. and Mrs. Harver Kerper, H. K. High, Winterset (Iowa) church, Mrs. Will Rowe, Mrs. M. M. Powell, Walter Doll, Eva Caldwell, John App, Andrew G. Doll, Charley Doll, Joshua Carey, Samuel Burry, John Barth, Tom Mullen, Rex Strom, Charles Imell. Isaac E. Kulp, William H. Reitnauer, Howard S. Wiedman, Edward J. Huyette, J. L. Gearhart, Henry Blunline, William Duisert, Lizzie Forsberg, Julius Capitake, C. C. Ward, Arthur Forsberg, Harry Ward, Bell Sheer, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Martha Wilcox, Mrs. Ida Merritt, Miss E. W. McDonald, Mrs. O. C. Harness, Paul H. McDonald, Merritt R. McDonald, E. C. McCarty, J. E. Doll, W. F. Goodman, R. Miller, I. W. Clinton, W. M. Mullin, Eliza Harness, Merritt Rogers, Coy Spog, A. W. Rogers, Jefry Walsh, W. D. Burry, W. M. Harness, W. Jenkins, Robert Rogers, Fritz Oswald, John A. Stewart, Mrs. L. Phost. C. A. Frederick .......... $10 00 T. E. Hare ................ $20 00 Mr. and Mrs. A. Christensen .... $25 00 F. H. and Alice H. Robinson .... $25 00 Total reported ........ $50,011 81 A further list will follow. Send all donations to W. T. Bland, 222 North Capitol St., Washington, D. C. Nashville Sanitarium Fund
By L. A. HANSEN
Amounts Received During October
Mrs. L. Koch ..................$ 2 00
E. A. Mesick ................... 1 00
Mrs. E. Ogden .................. 1 00
A. E. Stromberg ................ 5 00
A friend in need ............... 100 00
G. W. Knapp .................... 1 00
Mrs. A. L. Whittemore .......... 1 00
Mrs. J. P. Jasperson ........... 3 00
North Mich. Conf. Treas. ....... 9 50
James Fatic .................... 5 00
Previously reported ............ 773 50
Total .......................... $902 00 In the list given above it will be seen that, were the one hundred dollar item not included, the past month would have been rather small in donations. This item of one hundred dollars came to us at a time when we were sorely pressed for means. As the donor did not want the name given, we can but report it as above; for it was indeed a friend in time of need. If those who have means to spare knew how much relief it gives to those who are engaged in pushing forward the work under financial pressure, they would be only too glad to respond to the urgent calls that are being made. We do not like to be constantly pleading for help, but we know not what else to do in order to fill the urgent needs at this place. We are certainly grateful to those who have so kindly responded thus far. Are You Coming South?
By C. F. Dart
I SHALL be glad to correspond in reference to the “Palmetto” State with Seventh-day Adventists desiring to come South for their health, for a milder climate, or to help in a needy field, and especially with those coming to canvas. It is a new field, and there is plenty of room to work. We have a mild temperature both summer and winter. South Carolina has a seacoast of two hundred miles. Low and high altitude, plain and hill country. Questions will be gladly answered to the best of my ability. The Week of Prayer Number
By L. JOHNSON
HAVING just finished reading the Week-of-Prayer number of the REVIEW, I desire to say that its contents have done me much good. It has been food for my soul, and has filled my heart with hope and courage. Surely our dear Lord will soon come. May we all do what we can to hasten that glad day, and may God give his people liberal hearts to give of their means to his precious cause. May we not hope at this time to see even more than eighty thousand dollars come into the Lord’s treasury?
L. JOHNSON. Boarding Schools for Children
By F. G.
By children I mean those who are below the age of ten or twelve, those in whom principles of truth and righteousness can not be said to be well established. Shall these children be taken from their own parental homes and placed in a school home in company with a number of children of similarly unformed habits of life? This is a very practical question to many parents who are desirous of having their children in a school where the Bible is made the basis of all that is studied. The Lord has been giving some very plain instruction concerning the importance of educating our children on a Christian basis. But he has also been giving us some very plain instruction concerning the importance of home training. By “home training” I do not mean the home which begins with a capital “H,” but the parental home—the dearest and sweetest place on earth, or at least should be. God has a purpose in having our children grow up beneath the parental roof, and that purpose is wider, deeper, and higher than the majority of parents have comprehended. There is a most important ministry now due the world. To this ministry many a boy and girl in their humble homes are called. There was never a greater need than now for mothers like Hannah and children like Samuel. Why should not our children be consecrated to God? They certainly can be set apart to no greater service than his. Why should parents have aims of a worldly nature for their children? The parent has perhaps a greater influence upon the child’s aim than all other influences combined. An aim must be established worthy of the highest endeavor of the child. Success is never given to any except those who have this definite aim. To give to a child this definite aim for a part in the world’s ministry of to-day is the highest privilege of parents. For parents to turn this work to others, in a great part, is for them to lose the richest part of their life’s experience. Others can not possibly feel the importance of this work of character building for their children as should they; nor can others begin to do the work so successfully as can these parents if they are connected with their Heavenly Father. It becomes, then, a very serious question when children thus leave their own home and parental training for that of a school home as to whether they do not lose more in the work of real growth in character than they can gain from the school which they attend, even though that school be built and conducted upon right principles. Adventist children are an object of an especial attack of Satan, and, on the whole, can not be said to be any better than the children of those who do not believe in this message. This may seem rather a hard thing to say, but from rather an extended observation I believe it to be only too true. This being so, the danger of grouping quite a number of children, with their unformed characters, together with the home life, is only increased. It should be borne in mind that I am speaking of children. It is right, and in nearly all cases necessary, that a little later these children should go from their homes to school home life, where they are thrown in contact with many others similarly trained. But it is the privilege and duty of parents to have so trained and educated their children that they will stand against the harmful influences that they will meet. Now, I can conceive of circumstances that would warrant parents in placing children out of their own homes and under the care of others. Some children are certainly far better environed for the building of a good character in a well-conducted home than in their own homes. We must not disparage the great value of an education in a good church-school where the Word of God is taught and revered as the rule of life. We must not make this school and its work paramount to that of the parent. A sign of our times is that the hearts of fathers are to be turned to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. It is incumbent upon us to fulfil this prophecy by our godly home lives.
F. G.