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Review and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 22.

A Prayer
Earlier text: The Tobacco Habit

***Atlantic Union Conference

By I. H. Evans

Received on the $150,000 Fund

up to May 19, 1908

Atlantic Union Conference

Central New England ........$ 2,775.18 Greater New York .......... 1,510.46 Maine ..................... 852.89 New York ................ 2,326.50 Southern New England .... 1,210.50 Vermont .................. 1,394.74 Western New York ........ 2,073.09
Total ..................... 12,143.36

Canadian Union Conference

Maritime .................. 566.49 Quebec .................... 169.94 Ontario ................... 807.78 Newfoundland .............. 20.80
Total ..................... 1,565.01

Central Union Conference

Colorado .................. 4,596.44 Kansas .................... 3,944.86 Missouri .................. 2,003.50 Nebraska ................. 5,819.18 Wyoming .................. 872.81
Total ..................... 17,236.79

Columbia Union Conference

Chesapeake ................. 787.73 Eastern Pennsylvania .... 2,554.51 New Jersey ............... 1,202.45 Ohio .................... 6,302.43 Virginia ................ 1,034.77 West Pennsylvania ....... 1,976.56 West Virginia ............ 558.86
Total ..................... 14,417.31

District of Columbia

Washington churches ...... 1,384.54

Lake Union Conference

East Michigan ............. 3,181.78 Indiana .................. 5,248.02 North Michigan ............. 1,705.22 Northern Illinois ......... 2,968.06 Southern Illinois .......... 1,466.96 West Michigan ............ 8,733.70 Wisconsin .................. 5,046.25
Total ..................... 28,349.99

North Pacific Union Conference

Montana ................... 886.64 Upper Columbia ........... 3,036.43 Western Washington ....... 3,364.53 Idaho ...................... 1,037.65 Western Oregon ............. 2,992.35 Hawaii ..................... 21.05 Alaska ..................... 20.00
Total ..................... 11,358.65

Southern Union Conference

South Carolina .......... 268.09 Alabama .................... 623.14 Tennessee River .......... 1,405.31 Florida .................. 951.48 North Carolina ........... 954.75 Cumberland ............... 1,360.99 Louisiana ................ 572.54 Mississippi ................ 413.33 Georgia .................. 457.97 Conference not specified ... 97.41
Total ..................... 7,105.01

Northern Union Conference

Iowa ..................... 9,654.36 Minnesota ................ 5,766.98 South Dakota .............. 2,671.47 North Dakota .............. 2,156.63 Conference not specified ... 73.82
Total ..................... 20,323.26

Pacific Union Conference

Southern California ...... 4,792.48 Arizona .................. 466.79 California-Nevada ....... 10,249.03 Utah ..................... 440.58
Total ..................... 15,948.88

Southwestern Union Conference

Arkansas .................. 938.93 Oklahoma ................... 4,132.00 Texas ...................... 2,548.90 Not specified .............. 22.82
Total ..................... 7,642.65

Western Canadian Union Conference

Alberta .................. 1,211.35 British Columbia ........... 224.50 Manitoba ................... 349.76 Saskatchewan Mission Field . 59.60
Total ..................... 1,845.21 Unknown ................... 161.70

Foreign

Algeria .................. 13.33 Australia .................. 178.71 Bermuda .................... 36.00 China ...................... 165.60 South Africa ............... 439.02 Jamaica .................... 66.01 Yukon Territory ............ 20.00 England .................... 282.77 West Africa .............. 50.00 Mexico ..................... 65.97 Costa Rica ................. 6.25 India ...................... 418.25 South America .............. 83.81 Switzerland ................ 9.69 Panama ..................... 27.11 Nicaragua .................. 9.00 Central American Mission ... 26.00 Trinidad ................... 28.69 Norway ..................... 25.00 Japan ...................... 12.50 Haiti ...................... 5.00 Egypt .................... 51.55 Palestine .................. 2.00 Tobago, W. I. .............. 1.22 Cuba ....................... 8.00 Hungary .................... 3.00 Tahiti ..................... 14.88 France ..................... 6.80 Philippine Islands ......... 1.00 Samoa ...................... 8.00 Barbados ................... 5.00 Portugal ................... 6.00 Straits Settlements ........ 10.08 Pitcairn Island ............ 20.00 New Zealand ................ 1.52 Fiji ....................... 4.87 St. Kitts .................. 7.51 Ireland .................... 25.56 Russia ..................... 5.00 Denmark .................... 14.59 Santa Domingo .............. 2.50
Total ..................... 2,166.79
Grand Total $141,649.15
I. H. EVANS, Treasurer.

West Indies

By W. Durant Forde

ST. LUCIA.—Baptismal services took place here at Castries and Choiseul the first and second of April. Elder L. E. Wellman arrived from Barbados on the morning of March 31, the two of us leaving the same day in the afternoon for Choiseul. The company here assembled, and a meeting was held in the evening. Next morning four were buried with their Lord in baptism.
After baptism we walked about five miles to meet the boat returning to Castries. A special service was also held here in the evening, when Elder Wellman spoke from Matt. 28: 19, 20. Next day in the morning we all repaired to a fine sea-beach, where nine were baptized. We thank God for these, and pray that they may remain faithful, walking in the light amid the moral darkness of this place.
Seeing the necessity of a church in this city as soon as possible, it has been planned that funds be raised for the purpose. In the last report mention was made of this.
W. DURANT FORDE.

School Work in the South

By D. T. Shireman

[In the April issue of the Toluca Industrial Advocate, a paper published in the interest of the Toluca (N. C.) Orphans’ Home, we find an article by Elder D. T. Shireman concerning his work in behalf of the poor and neglected. This article, with a view of one of the buildings mentioned in it, is given herewith.—Ed.]
TOLUCA (N. C.) SCHOOL BUILDING AND TEACHERS’ HOME
TOLUCA (N. C.) SCHOOL BUILDING AND TEACHERS’ HOME
WHILE traveling through the mountains of the Southland doing colportage work, such as placing Bibles and reading-matter in the homes of the people, was I found many persons, both old and young, who could neither read nor write. The disadvantages these unfortunate people lived and labored under were great. The days of the cruel war no doubt had something to do with the existing conditions. As they told of the hardships they experienced during that mighty struggle, my heart was touched, and as I looked into the many bright little faces, this question came home to me, “What can I do to help these people?”
My means were limited, as I was unfortunately left a homeless orphan boy, with only a few months in the public school, and most of that before I was seven years of age. What could I do? I resolved I would make an effort, and by beginning in a humble way do what I could. A young man who was with me volunteered his services, and he began work in a small church building, teaching the children during the day and the older people at night. This was the beginning of the Hildebran Academy. When we turned the school over to other parties, there were about seventy students enrolled.
By earnest request of the citizens of a country place, now called Toluca, we located there. This is our present site. It is seventeen miles south of where we started the first school. Here we are making a home for children whose parents are too poor to pay their tuition. We have erected a school building that will seat seventy pupils, with a home for teachers attached. This is very convenient. We have likewise erected a sixteen-room building, with cellar, bath, and green room. Some more land has been purchased, and we hope soon to erect another home for children. When this is completed we expect our work to be self-supporting.
We have given ourselves and all we have to be used for this needy work, believing the Lord will impress men, whom he has made stewards of means, to assist us in this work of charity.

Dedication of the Fiji Printing Plant

By C. H. Parker

BURESALA.—From the commencement of the work of the third angel's message in Fiji, our literature has occupied a prominent place. Our first tract, written by Elder J. E. Fulton, was Siga-ni-Vukacecegu (“The Rest Day”). It was printed by the Pacific Press about 1898. This was followed by another, by the same writer, on the “Second Coming” Na Nona Lako Tale Mai Na Turaga. Early in 1898, through the kindness of Elder J. M. Cole and some of our brethren on the Pacific Coast, a small hand-press and a supply of type were given to the mission here.
Since that time a paper, called Karama (“Light,” or “Torch”), has been printed in the native language. It was not much larger than the size of our largest English tract, and contained only four pages. Only a few hundred copies were issued at first. Since then, under the blessing and help of the Lord, this paper has been enlarged to about an eight-by-ten-inch page. It still contains only four pages, but has a circulation of two thousand, and we could use a great many more copies. A number of small tracts have been printed, and a number more are being prepared for printing at the present time.
At a recent council, of the Australian Union Conference, it was decided that we build a wooden building sixteen by twenty-four feet at Buresala, to be the future home of our printing work for Fiji. They also gave us a large double-demy cylinder press, a large size paper-cutter, and a good supply of new type. The form and size of our paper will soon be changed, to a sheet about the size of Life and Health, and will contain eight pages.
March 27, we dedicated the building and new machinery to the work of the Master. It was an evening of great rejoicing to one and all. The pulpit was the first press; the texts, Num. 23:23; 1 Sam. 7:12. As we compared the past with the present, and the little press with the large cylinder press, the present building with the leaky, dark, native buildings which we have had to use in the past, we were all led to exclaim, “What hath God wrought!” Many good testimonies were borne, and one and all reconsecrated themselves anew to the service of God. This building and contents we have named Ebenezer (the stone of help); for hitherto hath the Lord helped us. And our prayer is, as David prayed of old, “That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there.”
C. H. PARKER.

E. H. WILBUR

By E. H. Wilbur

China

KONGMOON.—Our hearts are stirred as we see how wonderfully the Lord has gone out before us in this land. Nine months ago we moved from Canton to Kongmoon, about forty-five miles distant. This place has been practically closed to the gospel. For several years the Church of England Missionary Society has had a small chapel here, but the people have strongly opposed any other being opened, no one wishing to sell or rent his property for chapel purposes. Nevertheless the Lord has opened the way before us. A Chinese Christian dentist enlarged his house, that we might have a place in which to live. A Christian widow, a shop-keeper, who was one of the first women to accept the gospel, is also the first to accept the Sabbath. Soon after our arrival, she consented to our using one room of her house for meetings, and regular Sabbath services have been maintained there ever since. In the meantime we have canvassed the town, and several large villages near by for our literature.
Now the Lord has in a most unexpected manner opened the way for us to carry on permanent work in Ngoi Hoi, a wealthy village of over ten thousand inhabitants, five miles from here. The people nearly all belong to one family named, Ch'an, who are noted for their great learning, many being distinguished scholars. Some of the members of this family have accepted the gospel, uniting with the church mission in Kongmoon. About three months ago six or seven of these brethren came together to see us, and asked many questions about our faith. Some of them became convinced of the Sabbath, and decided to keep it, while others held tenaciously to the observance of Sunday. While I was away in Shanghai, attending our China committee council, early in February, between eighteen and twenty people from this village came twice to attend our Sabbath services in Kongmoon. They urged our Chinese evangelist to visit them. This he did, and found the people deeply interested. One of their number had recently built a new brick house, and they were anxious that we should occupy one part of it as a chapel.
After my return, I went down to visit them. We held a service in the afternoon, and another in the evening, at which about forty men and boys were in attendance. Over and over again they said to me, in Chinese, “Come and be our bishop.” The whole thing came so unexpectedly to me, that at first I hardly knew whether to accept their offer or not. Then I remembered the statement that the Lord “provides opportunities, opens up lines of influence and channels of working. If his people are watching the indications of his providence, and stand ready to co-operate with him, they will see a great work accomplished.” Accordingly, we decided to take these people under our care, and teach them the everlasting gospel. We agreed to pay eighteen dollars gold a year for this meeting-place. Last Sabbath we began regular weekly services with them. They are people of various trades, who have families which will later also meet with us. Truly, this is a wonderful opening! In the natural course of events, we could not have found so good a place, or built up such an interest, in two or three years.

E. H. WILBUR

Maryland

By J. F. Piper

BALTIMORE.— We have now been located in this great city of almost seven hundred thousand inhabitants, one month, and new avenues are frequently opening to present the important truths of the Bible. There are three Seventh-day Adventist companies meeting each Sabbath in this city. If there are those of our people who have relatives or friends in Baltimore with whom a correspondence has been conducted on present truth, and upon whom they would like to have some one call, please send their addresses to the undersigned at 28 Wesley St., Baltimore, Md. J. F. PIPER.

Natal-Transvaal (S. A.) Camp-Meeting

By E. R. Williams

RECENTLY I had the privilege of attending the Natal-Transvaal Conference and camp-meeting held in Durban, April 2-12. Durban is a beautiful town of about fifty thousand inhabitants, situated on the Indian Ocean, southeast coast of Africa. The climate is sub-tropical, and there is an abundance of tropical fruit the year around.
The conference is a large one, territorially, covering an area of about one hundred fifty thousand square miles. The population, including Europeans, Hebrews, Asiatics, and natives, is about two million five hundred thousand. Of the Europeans, upon whom most of the work of the little band of laborers must be bestowed, there are about three hundred eighty-five thousand. These are scattered over all this large territory; and thus it will be seen that the work in such a field must be harder and more expensive of execution than in the more densely populated districts. Notwithstanding the difficulties, the work is moving forward, and God is blessing the efforts to spread the message. During the last two years there has been an increase in the membership of the conference of over eighty souls. The tithe and other receipts for the year 1907, were as follows: Tithes, £715, 12s, 1d; Sabbath-school offerings, £69, 10d; First-day offerings, £26, 16s, 5d. The book sales amounted to £1369 1s. The amount of book sales for 1907 was somewhat less than for 1906; but four of the canvassing force had left for other fields or other work, thus reducing the force to a mere handful. When we remember that Africa is passing through a very severe financial crisis, we have reason to thank God that the work has gone so well.
There were about eighty brethren and sisters from the different parts of the field in attendance at the camp-meeting. Besides the resident workers there were present Elder W. S. Hyatt and the writer. The blessing of God came into the meetings in marked measure, and so far as I know there were none upon the ground who did not have a good Christian experience. Even the children told how God was blessing them.
The different departments of the message were considered at the meetings, and there was a hearty response from the people to all phases of the work. The brethren in this field are a loyal people, and I believe there is as high a standard maintained here as in any country in the world. The evening meetings were conducted especially with a view of interesting the public, and the work in the tent will be continued after the camp-meeting.
The officers elected for the ensuing year were as follows: President, H. J. Edmed; Vice-president, J. C. Bauman; Secretary and Treasurer, F. Macdonald. Executive Committee: H. J. Edmed, J. C. Bauman, F. Macdonald, D. H. Groenewald, A. Beissner, R. Bell, J. H. De Beer. Sabbath-school Secretary, Miss A. Strachan; Secretary of Young People's Societies, Miss M. E. Robertson; Field Missionary Agent, H. J. Edmed, assisted by D. H. Groenewald. Credentials and licenses were granted to the following persons: Credentials, H. J. Edmed, D. H. Groenewald. Ministerial license, W. H. Haupt. Missionary licenses, Sisters A. Edmed, M. E. Robertson, A. Strachan, and I. Groenewald; also to Brother F. Macdonald. Colporteur licenses were given to T. G. Grouch, H. Schmidt, and Miss C. Dixie.
Our prayers go with this little band as they go forth to another year's work, and we shall hope that the fruit gathered for the Master may be more abundant than ever before.
E. R. WILLIAMS.

At South Lancaster Academy

By Morris Lukens

In company with Elder E. R. Palmer and Brother L. W. Graham, the writer attended a most interesting canvassers' institute at the South Lancaster Academy.
Brother R. J. Bryant, the general agent, spent some time at the academy several months ago, interesting the students in the book work, and as a result a large number were ready to take part in the classes. Studies were conducted daily in “Great Controversy,” “Home and Health,” and the periodicals. There were about fifty-five in the “Great Controversy” class. The “Home and Health” class numbered twenty, and about the same number will work with the periodicals.
Brother F. M. Dana, the general field missionary secretary, was present, and gave some valuable assistance to those who were preparing to go out with the periodicals.
Brother Bryant has won the confidence of every student, and the practical talks which he gave each afternoon were greatly appreciated.
One very noticeable feature of the institute was the fact that although the large majority were young canvassers, most of whom have had very little field experience, they were all preparing to go out with the large books. A good share of the credit for this bright class of young canvassers is due to the untiring efforts of Prof. B. F. Machlan, the principal, who has encouraged and aided the students in every way possible.
At the close of the institute the State agents from the different fields into which the students are going, came in to make arrangements regarding territory. Immediate work will be taken up at the close of school, and we look for good results from this consecrated company of young people.
MORRIS LUKENS,

Field Notes and Gleanings

BROTHER W. A. THEO. MILLER reports that at the close of a three weeks' meeting at Riverside, N. M., two heads of the families had publicly taken their stand to keep all the commandments of God.
SISTER MARY A. MILLINGTON, engaged in Bible work at Albany, N. Y., writes that the work there is very encouraging. Four more have recently begun keeping the Sabbath, and are regular attendants at the meetings.
FIVE persons have recently been baptized, and three others who had previously been baptized, are keeping the truth at Bath, Maine, where Brother and Sister H. C. Giles are laboring. Nearly all these new converts have responded to the call for active missionary service.
AT the time of the canvassers' institute at Trenton, N. J., baptism was administered by Brother B. F. Kneeland to “nine willing souls, eight of whom united with the Trenton church. Six of the candidates were members of one family. Another had been a pronounced atheist. He borrowed ‘Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation’ for the purpose of combating its teaching. But the prophetic truths burned their way into his soul, and he is now engaged in pushing the sale of the book that brought him the truth.”
SINCE connecting with the work in Buffalo, N. Y., last November, Brother E. J. Dryer has held one series of meetings, and is now conducting another. He writes: “Since January we have had thirteen accessions to the church and four have been baptized. This month we expect to baptize several more. There are more openings than we can fill. We have been endeavoring to push the sale of our periodicals that the seeds of truth thus sown might make many openings for our Bible workers and the public work.”
BROTHER Charles Thompson reports the organization of a church at Essex, Kan., “where Elder N. T. Sutton and Brother H. R. Godfrey held a series of meetings during the winter. The Lord blessed the efforts put forth, and as a result several took their stand for the truth, and were added to the Sabbath-school held in that neighborhood by some isolated families.” April 25, 26, a meeting was held, and twenty-one persons were organized into a Seventh-day Adventist church, and officers were elected. “After the organization, the congregation repaired to the banks of the Pawnee River, where Elder Sutton baptized three persons. Others who were not prepared at this time will soon be baptized.”

Field Missionary Secretaries

By Editor

WE are pleased to be able to announce that Brother D. W. Reavis, who for many years has had charge of the Department of Circulation of the Review and Herald Publishing Association, has accepted an invitation from the General Conference to act as general missionary secretary of the Publishing Department. Brother Reavis will enter immediately upon his duties in that capacity. We anticipate that union conferences, and State conferences will quickly follow the example of the General Conference, and will appoint efficient missionary secretaries, so that very soon our periodical and tract work may be handled on a well-organized, educational basis. It will be a great satisfaction to all Seventh-day Adventists to see the church tract and missionary work, including the periodical work, organized upon as thorough and systematic a basis as that upon which the subscription-book work has achieved its present success. We bespeak for Brother Reavis, the hearty co-operation of the leaders and lay members of our conferences as he enters upon the great work to which he has been called.

Canvassers’ Summary for April, 1908

Atlantic Union Conference Agents Hours Orders Value
Central New England 9 1,007 160 $902.45
Southern New England 1 36 14 39.00
Vermont 1 10 1 2.00
Western New York 20 526 240 483.85
Greater New York 12 608 247 673.75
New York 11 1,348 758 1,454.60
Totals 54 3,535 1,420 3,555.65
| Columbia Union Conference | | | | | | Ohio | 11 | 986 | 405 | 792.25 | | West Virginia | 12 | 1,012 | 192 | 394.10 | | Virginia | 12 | 622 | 186 | 381.05 | | Chesapeake | 6 | 353 | 366 | 527.25 | | East Pennsylvania | 11 | 1,428 | 636 | 1,371.45 | | West Pennsylvania | 14 | 287 | 107 | 249.95 | | New Jersey | 2 | 97 | 49 | 160.75 | | Totals | 68 | 4,785 | 1,941 | 3,876.80 | | Lake Union Conference | | | | | | Southern Illinois | 6 | 492 | 225 | 531.30 | | Northern Illinois | 5 | 290 | 80 | 215.90 | | East Michigan | 2 | 40 | ... | 71.40 | | Indiana | 5 | 234 | 81 | 213.85 | | Wisconsin | 13 | 424 | 44 | 233.55 | | Totals | 31 | 1,480 | 430 | 1,266.00 | | Southern Union Conference | | | | | | Alabama | .. | 513 | ... | 893.40 | | Kentucky | .. | 61 | ... | 72.45 | | Louisiana | .. | 762 | ... | 869.07 | | Mississippi | .. | 295 | ... | 171.30 | | Tennessee River | .. | 617 | ... | 584.75 | | Totals | .. | 2,248 | ... | 2,590.97 | | Southeastern Union Conference | | | | | | Cumberland | 10 | 613 | 359 | 476.60 | | Florida | 7 | 281 | 209 | 307.60 | | Georgia | 7 | 941 | 487 | 845.15 | | South Carolina | 12 | 1,011 | 798 | 985.95 | | North Carolina | .. | 593 | ... | 323.45 | | Totals | 36 | 3,439 | 1,853 | 2,938.75 | | Central Union Conference | | | | | | Colorado | 7 | 484 | 87 | 275.45 | | Kansas | 19 | 1,218 | 295 | 1,081.90 | | Nebraska | 10 | 326 | 94 | 341.80 | | Wyoming | 2 | 14 | 7 | 25.75 | | Missouri | 13 | 1,220 | 488 | 1,177.70 | | Totals | 51 | 3,262 | 971 | 2,902.60 | | Southwestern Union Conference | | | | | | Arkansas | 18 | 1,329 | 718 | 1,557.00 | | Oklahoma | 29 | 1,725 | 637 | 2,052.75 | | Texas | 13 | 994 | 543 | 1,773.10 | | West Texas | 4 | 287 | 198 | 439.50 | | New Mexico | 2 | 137 | 38 | 146.15 | | Totals | 66 | 4,472 | 2,134 | 5,968.50 | | Northern Union Conference | | | | | | South Dakota | 4 | 271 | 144 | 403.30 | | Minnesota | 5 | 350 | 75 | 250.50 | | Iowa | 7 | 426 | 94 | 191.20 | | Totals | 16 | 1,047 | 313 | 845.00 | | North Pacific Union Conference | | | | | | Montana | 1 | ... | 2 | 44.85 | | Upper Columbia | 2 | 147 | 111 | 250.25 | | Western Washington | 3 | 163 | 32 | 111.10 | | Western Oregon | 10 | 361 | 156 | 392.15 | | Southern Idaho | 3 | 250 | 200 | 700.00 | | Totals | 19 | 921 | 501 | 1,498.35 | | Pacific Union Conference | | | | | | California (six weeks) | .. | ... | ... | 2,727.72 | | Australasian Union Conference | 52 | 3,350 | 1,206 | 4,669.25 | | British Union Conference | 65 | 3,314 | 1,377 | 1,882.92 | | Canadian Union Conference | 2 | 135 | 55 | 101.75 | | Western Canadian Union Conference | 4 | 655 | 139 | 445.75 | | German Union Conference | 273 | ... | ... | 7,207.41 | | Mexican Mission Field | 4 | ... | ... | 139.82 | | Latin Union Mission Field | 17 | 5,401 | 8,753 | 1,241.05 |

General Summary

Agents Hours Orders Value
Atlantic Union 54 3,535 1,420 3,555.65
Columbia Union 68 4,785 1,941 3,876.80
Lake Union 31 1,480 430 1,266.00
Southern Union .. 2,248 ... 2,590.97
Southeastern Union 36 3,439 1,853 2,938.75
Central Union 51 3,262 971 2,902.60
Southwestern Union 66 4,472 2,134 5,968.50
Northern Union 16 1,047 313 845.00
North Pacific Union 19 921 501 1,498.35
Pacific Union (six weeks) .. ... ... 2,727.72
Australasian Union 52 3,350 1,206 4,669.25
British Union 65 3,314 1,377 1,882.92
Canadian Union 2 135 55 101.75
Western Canadian Union 4 655 139 445.75
German Union 273 ... ... 7,207.41
Mexican Union 4 ... ... 139.82
Latin Union Mission Field 17 5,401 8,753 1,241.05
Grand Totals 758 38,044 21,093 $43,858.29

An Interesting Comparison

The following figures are the grand totals of the canvassers’ summaries for the first four months of 1906, 1907, and 1908:—
1906 1907 1908
January $21,000.00 $26,325.50 $25,929.06
February 15,000.00 26,369.61 30,466.40
March 18,000.00 36,253.65 36,390.09
April 23,700.00 35,276.76 43,858.29

The Publishing Work

Conducted under the auspices of the General Conference Publishing Department.
C. H. JONES           -     -     -     -     Chairman E. R. PALMER          -     -     -     -     Secretary H. H. HALL             -     -     Assistant Secretary

Notes of Progress

By Editor

For the first time in many years we have the satisfaction of seeing the organization of our field forces approximately complete. According to our best knowledge there is now a general agent in each union conference, and a State agent in each State conference in the United States.
Through the prompt co-operation of our general agents, we are able to publish our monthly summary one or two weeks earlier than usual. This is an indication that our general agents are little by little, introducing better system and order in the management of their field work. This is indeed gratifying.
When efforts are being made to strengthen the departments of this cause by providing sufficient leaders to man the territory efficiently, we are met with these objections,—“Will it pay to employ another man?” “Will not this move add another officer?” “Will not the carrying out of this recommendation add another spoke to the wheel?” “Do we need another wheel for this vehicle?” While it is true that organization may become too complex, yet, it is equally true that a sufficient number of leaders is needed to handle the field thoroughly so as to develop all its resources most effectively. A good illustration of this truth may be discovered by comparing the reports in the accompanying summary from the Atlantic and Columbia Union Conferences with the report for the corresponding month last year. During the year 1907 this entire territory, not including Ohio, was under the direction of one general agent. Near the beginning of 1908 the territory was divided into two union conferences, Ohio was added to the Columbia Union, and a general agent was placed over each of these smaller unions. During 1907 the old Atlantic Union Conference, together with the State of Ohio, sold books during the month of April to the value of $3,454.09. The same territory, under the direction of two men, with less favorable conditions in the field, reports for the month of April, 1908, a total value of $7,432.45. These figures speak eloquently in behalf of the wisdom of maintaining a field force sufficiently strong for efficient leadership.

Victory After Hard-Fought Battles

MANY of our canvassers who read these notes will recall how the writer in past years has frequently called attention to the fact that many canvassers who have attained the greatest success, have often passed through a very trying experience near the beginning of their work. One agent worked for two weeks without taking an order; and then after gaining a decisive victory upon his knees, he took orders for five books during the next half-day, and averaged large sales for many years following. Another canvasser worked six weeks without taking an order, and then after the victory which grew out of his experience, averaged seventy-five dollars’ worth of orders a week during the rest of the season. Such experiences are not uncommon, nor are they strange to the child of God. Men who undertake to sell books which “make manifest the wiles of Satan, and the means by which he may be successfully resisted,” may expect to meet in open conflict the wily foe whom they assail. A wonderful illustration of this familiar and very common experience is told in an interesting letter recently received from Brother R. L. Pierce, manager of the Western Branch of the Southern Publishing Association, at Fort Worth, Tex. Brother Pierce says:—
“By the way, Brother Palmer, I must tell you about a report which we received in the mail this morning. Last week a young man who is canvassing in Arkansas with the view of securing scholarships for himself and sister in Keene Academy next year, took eighty-three orders for the new edition of ‘Daniel and Revelation’ in forty-five hours, amounting to $356. Besides this he sold $2.50 worth of ‘helps’ and secured nine dollars’ worth of orders for Bibles. Last year the same young man worked three months before he secured his second order. However, he did not become discouraged, but kept writing that he was “of good courage in the work,” and stuck right to it. During the winter he attended Keene Academy. About the first of April he left school and attended a canvassers’ institute, and now he is having most wonderful success.
“In fact all of our workers seem to be having better success than they ever did before. To my mind it is an indication that the Lord is preparing to close the work up speedily, and he is blessing it in a special manner at this time. It gives us new courage, and we feel exceedingly thankful to him for the success that is attending the efforts of our canvassers this spring.”

The Sixtieth Congress

By K. C. Russell

THE closing days of the first session of the Sixtieth Congress are of unusual interest to those who are watching the trend of events in this government in the light of the prophecies. Within two days after the opening of the present Congress, there were three Sunday bills introduced, and this number has been increased to the unprecedented number of ten Sunday bills for this session of Congress. Two hearings on these bills have been held, one before the District Commissioners, and another before the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia, at which we had an opportunity to present arguments in opposition to the bill.
The Johnston Sunday bill for the District of Columbia, known as Senate Bill No. 3940, is the only one which has received any consideration. It has appeared that the champions of Sunday legislation have focused every effort possible to secure the passage of this bill. We learned that the District Sunday bills which have twice passed the House of Representatives in preceding sessions, were held up in the Senate, and thus failed to pass, because of the opposition which was exerted by senators who were not in favor of Sunday legislation. It appears, however, that during this session, the pressure from the champions of Sunday legislation has been so strong that the Senate finally yielded to the demands of those who have been so persistent in their efforts to secure a District Sunday law.
Members of the Senate would not consent, however, to the passage of this bill until after it had been loaded down with no less than twenty-seven exemptions. With these exemptions attached, it was thought by some of the senators it would meet the approval of seventh-day observers. Indeed, the exemption provided for those who observe another day than Sunday was so broad that Mr. Crafts hastened to Congress before the passage of the measure, to see its author, Senator Johnston, with a hope of having the bill so amended as to change the exemption clause; but this he was unable to do, for there were senators who would not consent to its passage under any other conditions. Of course those who are opposing these Sunday bills from the standpoint of principle are well aware that a Sunday law with such an exemption clause commits Congress to the question of Sunday legislation, as verily as if the bill was free from any exemption.
At this writing it is a question whether the Johnston bill will pass the House of Representatives this year or not, owing to the pressing business in Congress and the limited time before its adjournment. This Sunday bill has much prestige, in view of the fact that a similar bill has once, twice passed the House, as previously stated, besides the fact of its having passed the Senate. In view of these facts, it would make it more possible for such a bill to pass the House again.
Whatever the outcome may be, these things should be a signal to every loyal Seventh-day Adventist to put forth most earnest and vigorous efforts in enlightening the people concerning the principles of the third angel's message.
K. C. RUSSELL.

Good News From Georgia

By A. L. Manous

It is doing my own soul good to read the many encouraging letters that I am receiving daily. One worker writes:—
“I have succeeded in getting orders. . . . I have worked only about five blocks in ——, and I am going back to finish taking orders for the seventeenth and eighteenth. You see I have one hundred ten orders in two weeks, and the work I hope to do this week, will give me about fifty more. . . . I shall push the printed message into as many homes as possible.”
If you are, or can be, interested in this work, please let me know at once. My address is 2602 Capitol Ave., Atlanta, Ga. A. L. MANOUS.

Christian Liberty

By K. C. Russell; W. A. Colcord

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
Continue reading: Current Mention