PROF. JOSEPH A. BEET, who has for seventeen years held the position of principal of Richmond College, the most important training school of the Wesleyan Methodists in England, has embraced the view that man is not by nature immortal, and that there is no Scriptural foundation for the doctrine of eternal torment in hell for those who fail of salvation. Being asked what kind of immortality he believed in, he replied, “Eternal and blessed life for the righteous through Jesus Christ.” But for his belief on this point he is likely to be deposed from the position he has so long and ably filled in the Wesleyan communion, preliminary steps to this end having been taken by the general educational committee which governs the Wesleyan colleges. Dr. Beet declares that whatever success he has gained has been due to the fact that he has devoted his life to the study of the Bible, as “the only safe method of learning the truth revealed in Christ;” that he cannot “disavow principles which a life of study declares to be sound,” and therefore that he will not shrink from their consequences. He affirms his readiness to accept whatever may come, laying it “with joy as a lowly sacrifice on the altar of Him who, in order to bear witness to the truth, laid down his life.”
Excusing Atrocities in the Philippines
By L. A. S.
It is very significant of the nature of the spirit which is becoming dominant in this republic, that the effort is made on the part of those high in governmental authority to excuse and belittle the iniquities perpetrated under the American flag in the Philippines. We refer to those things which have been done by American soldiers and officers in those islands, contrary to the rules of “civilized warfare,” such, for example, as the infliction of torture to extort information from prisoners. At first it was denied that such things were done at all; but when the proof of them became so conclusive that denials could no longer be made,— when the persons charged with these iniquities openly admitted that they had done them,— then, instead of disavowing them and expressing deep regret that such dishonor should have come upon the republic, and taking steps to right the wrongs as speedily and completely as possible, American history is searched by officials and others here to see if it does not afford some precedent by which such things can be justified! In Congress and out of it, by statesmen, newspaper editors, and other public men, the effort is made to prove that such things are really proper and right after all, notwithstanding certain contrary sentiments which have been associated with this government heretofore. Savagery has become a thing to be imitated by those representing the world’s highest civilization. This is a sign of the times, and may well admonish us of the speedy coming of the day when men everywhere will be given over to the sway of intemperance and carnal passions, separated from all good by the complete withdrawal of the Spirit of God. Yet a little while the day of probation lingers, before the night cometh, in which no man can work. L. A. S.
What the Sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” Will Accomplish
By Ellen G. White
MRS. E. G. WHITE
My heart is made glad in the Lord as I hear of the result of the effort to sell “Christ’s Object Lessons.” The sale of this book is the Lord’s own plan, and his blessing is attending the effort being made to carry this plan to completion.
About two years ago, when I was asked what could be done to relieve our schools from debt, I laid the matter before the Lord, and there came to me the thought that I could give the book, “Christ’s Object Lessons,” to the schools. Then came another thought, “I have depended on this book to pay my workers, and I must be just before I am generous.” In the night season I was considering the problem of my finances. I desired to save money to pay my debts, that I might be free from the burden of interest. But I could see no other way for the schools to be relieved than for me to give “Christ’s Object Lessons” for this purpose, and I said, “It must be done.” Then the conflict ended. Light filled my mind. I began at once to write to our publishing houses, asking them if they would not share the gift with me by giving the work that must be done in the publication of the book.
The plan was presented to me by the Lord as one that would be an all-round blessing. It was a plan by which leaders and people would be enabled to act a part and receive a blessing. Scene after scene was presented to me in which ministers were being aroused to act their part. Church members became interested, and whole families took part in the work. Angels of God united with the workers, opening doors for the canvassers to enter and tell the people of the work they were trying to do in selling “Christ’s Object Lessons.”
I saw that the book found ready sale. It was bought by thousands not of our faith; and some, after seeing the value of the matter it contained, bought several copies for distribution among their friends.
The workers gave their time, receiving nothing as far as money is concerned, but receiving a reward of infinitely greater value.
Individual action brought a consciousness of well doing. Those who engaged in the work improved in health of body and health of mind. They gained an experience that made their hearts glad in the Lord. They had no time to speak needless words. Their one thought was, “The book must be sold; for the debt must be lifted from the schools.” It seemed as if in every place prayer could be heard; and faith in the work constantly increased. A happy enthusiasm filled the hearts of the workers.
I was made very happy by the result of the plan. And those who engaged in selling the book were happy. They helped one another to make the work a success.
I saw that in selling “Christ’s Object Lessons,” our people were learning how to handle larger books. They were being prepared to enter the canvassing field. The earnestness with which they took hold of the work showed that they appreciated the opportunity of learning how to canvass. Prejudice was removed. In becoming acquainted with the people, the workers gained a valuable experience. And as they were thus sinking fresh shafts, their example helped the church to see that all around them was work to do. There were those in the church who needed the experience to be gained by telling others of the truth; and as they went forth to this work, their talents were greatly increased. The Saviour went before them, and the blessing of the Lord became his people’s strength. The pulpit became a place of power.
I saw that the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” opened the way for the establishment of missions. In the church there was a revival of the missionary spirit. An earnest desire to learn how to work for the Lord was shown. Small companies gathered for prayer and Bible study. All moved forward with harmonious action. Believers went to places where the people have no opportunity to hear the Word of God, and gathered the children for Sabbath school. Efforts were made to help isolated families. Plans were laid for these families to meet with other families for Bible study. Thus the way was opened for light to shine forth from the Word of God.
The foregoing is a brief description of what can be done by those who know the truth. With this representation of the results of selling “Christ’s Object Lessons” before my mind, I have looked for the success now attending the faithful workers. I believe that this effort will arouse our people to see what can and should be done.
A Work in Which All May Help
Many of the servants of Christ, although constantly reminded, seem to forget that they are stewards of their Lord’s goods. I have been shown that many of them have become rusty from inaction. The Lord in his providence has now given them something to do, and has thus opened the way for them to help others to become acquainted with the special truths for this time. He has given them a work to do that will bring a great and grand result. In getting out of the easy-chair of self-satisfaction, and going forth to give the light of truth to their fellow men, they will learn an excellent lesson. By selling “Christ’s Object Lessons,” they are doing a twofold work,—helping to lift the debt from our schools, and at the same time giving the precious light of truth to those who need it.
I hope that no one who can engage in this work will excuse himself, and so lose the blessing that there is in it. This work is the means that the Lord has ordained for uniting the hearts of his people to one another by the same link that unites them to himself. “We are laborers together with God.” These words seem so appropriate to the work now being done.
There are many, many souls that the Lord Jesus desires to save. And he asks for our co-operation in this work. These souls cost him an infinite price. Let the questions come home to us, “Are we willing to be workers together with God? Are we willing to go to those outside the faith, and plant in their hearts the seeds of truth?”
The work now being done with “Christ’s Object Lessons” is a good beginning of the work the Lord desires to see carried forward by his people, because it calls for sacrifices and gifts, and because it enables all to act a part. It is a work in which old and young can engage. The Lord’s plan has provided a way for all to do something. The more you do of this work, the less weary and the less perplexed you will be. As you go forth to sell the book the Lord has declared should be sold, you will realize that to you is spoken the benediction, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you.”
The work of selling “Christ’s Object Lessons” is to accomplish double and triple good in different lines. Those who purchase the book feel that they are doing something to advance a worthy cause. The work is done with an earnestness that appeals to their hearts. It is a lesson to them, and although they are not of our faith, they appreciate the effort that is being made. They are impressed with the earnestness of the workers. They realize that what they are doing is commended by the Lord, who blesses every good work. Light shines into their hearts. To many the conviction of the Spirit will come through the seed sown by this unselfish work for the Master. The saving of precious souls will be the result of the work done in canvassing for “Christ’s Object Lessons.”
In Company with Jesus
The Lord comes very near the workers, and angels go before them. My brethren and sisters, never forget whose company you are in. See by faith an angelic host around you. Believe that the Lord Jesus is by your side, that his glory enfolds you, that he is pouring upon you the refreshing showers of his grace. Speak and act to the glory of God. Say, “In thought, word, and deed I will be a blessing to those I meet. I will let light shine forth.” Enter into conversation with the people. Become familiar with their experience, and from the book you are selling read passages that will help them. Take with you into their homes the sunshine of heaven. Outside of the truth, there is little enough of this sunshine now in the world.
As you seek to become acquainted with those who have no knowledge of the truth, as you strive to speak words in season, remember that you are God’s helping hand, and that he will teach you to speak words which will cause light to shine into darkened minds.9Doors will open for the work of soul saving. Many who enter Christ’s service at the eleventh hour will labor with great earnestness for him. They will appreciate the wonderful truths of the Word of God, and will bring these truths into the daily life.
Let the workers remember that their spirit and their actions have a great influence on the minds of those they meet. Let them feel their dependence on God. It is only when we place ourselves in his hands, to be worked by his Spirit, that he can use us in breaking the power of the enemy over souls. Let them remember, too, that to those with whom they become acquainted in this work, they are to speak of the love of the Saviour, who, though he was rich, yet for our sake became poor, that we might be rich. He gave himself to a life of lowliness, privation, and poverty, that he might know how to reach every suffering child of his. In all our afflictions he is afflicted. “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Let us follow where he leads the way, denying self, and taking up the cross. As we share his humiliation in this life, partaking with him in his suffering, we are preparing to share his glory in the future life.
I have never seen so good an opportunity for those who are willing to work, to give spiritual help to their neighbors and to strangers, as is presented in the work of selling “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Let all engage in this work, striving, in the meekness of Christ and the love of God, to communicate the light of truth. Go forward, brethren and sisters, and in forgetfulness of self and unselfish effort for others you will receive a rich reward. Trust in the Lord for aid. Remember that when with thankful hearts you do the very best you can, you are closely allied with the angels of heaven. There is sympathy and co-operation between divine and human agencies. The Lord will open ways for you. He does not limit his grace to any special time or special effort. Only have a heart to obey his word, and your example will make an impression in favor of the truth. Only be wide awake to see your opportunities, and God will help you to improve them. Only do what you can, in humility and sincerity, and you will not lose the blessing the Lord has for you.
Our Educational Institutions
By L. A. Hoopes
Reports from Schools at Home and Abroad
An Interesting Summary of the Past Year’s Experiences
Union College
L. A. HOOPES
UNION COLLEGE has passed through experiences similar to those of all our schools so far as courses of study and changes in the policy are concerned. We believe that the institution is on the road to success, and feel encouraged to see some progress.
From the beginning of the school year, each teacher was expected to take a prominent part in the chapel exercises and the religious meetings. This inspired the students with confidence in their teachers as men and women of God. Twice each week “students’ prayer services” were held. These were conducted by students, and were well attended. Tuesday was missionary day.
All interested in missionary topics met at a stated time to talk over the plans of missionary operations. Each Wednesday at the morning chapel, a regular missionary program was conducted under the auspices of the college and the Young People’s Society. Frequently several gave a report of the work in different fields. At other times the students gave a report of their work in the city and its suburbs, some relating experiences in canvassing, others of Bible readings given, and still others of regular preaching services. General missionary correspondence was conducted during the year by the members of the society. The missionary society endeavored to embrace every phase of missionary work connected with the denomination that it was possible to carry in connection with the school.
Young People’s Society
For the past two years there has been a Young People’s Society connected with the school. This society has for its object the improvement of the students, spiritually as well as physically. Its meetings were held Sabbath afternoons, and were usually well attended. About every third or fourth Sabbath was devoted to a consecration meeting.
Special Course
A special course was arranged, beginning January 8 and lasting eight weeks. Thirty-two availed themselves of this opportunity, and special classes were organized in Bible, history, language, and arithmetic. These students brought an excellent spirit into the school, as nearly all of them were active workers in the cause. At the close of this special course a canvassers’ institute was conducted, which was also a blessing to the school as well as to all who attended it. The general and district canvassing agents were present to render valuable assistance in this institute.
Church School
There has been a church school connected with the college this year. At the earnest solicitation of the church at this place, the executive committee decided to open a school to carry all the grades from the kindergarten to the seventh grade. There have been two teachers in charge, under the direction of the Normal department of the college. This department of the school has demonstrated it to be a necessity for the college to take hold of this branch of the work, and in the future to conduct a model school, thereby giving all who contemplate entering the church-school work an opportunity to study this question in a very practical way.
Courses of Study
The faculty has been earnestly praying and endeavoring so to arrange the courses of instruction that the widest range of work may be offered to every one who is seeking a training in one of our institutions. There has not been a desire to pattern after worldly schools, nor to comply with their curricula, but in every instance to arrange a course of study of higher standard than can be10obtained in worldly institutions. There is a constant endeavor to encourage students to take a short course of instruction which will fit them quickly to enter some department of gospel work. Those who expect to become teachers or physicians have been encouraged to take longer courses.
There are ten courses of study arranged for the English language, besides the regular courses for the Scandinavian and German departments. In nearly every instance the longer courses include the short ones.
Industrial Department
Union College is endeavoring to keep abreast with the times on the subject of industrial education. While our equipment is not all that we could wish, yet our efforts are to make the work of a practical nature. We guarantee the students one hour’s work each day. Between twenty-five and thirty have met all their school expenses by their work the past year. More than fifty per cent of all the students are constantly employed. The plan of the institution is to have the students and instructors do all the work connected with the institution.
Work Accomplished
In looking over the statistics of the institution since its establishment in 1891, we find that 4,530 students have been enrolled, 174 of whom have been graduated. Of these there are one from the Special, three from the Missionary, five from the Literary, ten from the Biblical, eleven from the Scandinavian, eleven from the German Biblical, thirteen from the Classical, twenty-one from the Commercial, forty-eight from the Normal, and fifty-one from the Scientific courses. The average number of teachers per year is nineteen.
Enrollment
The present enrollment of the school is four hundred and fifteen. This includes the church school in connection with the college. On the enrollment slips of the students, we note the following: three have entered to take the Missionary course, five the Preparatory Medical course, eight the Biblical course, nine the Scandinavian Missionary course, nine the Literary course, thirteen the Ministerial course, thirty-two the Special course, thirty-seven the Normal course, forty-two the Commercial course, and fifty-one the Scientific Course.
Spirit of Work
Of the thirty-seven students in the Scandinavian department, only five were undecided as to their work for the summer, and these five are very promising young people, capable of doing earnest work for the Master. Two of the twenty students in the German department were undecided. These are capable of teaching or of doing Bible work or canvassing, and doubtless will find a place in the Master’s cause. Many in the English department are young, and would hardly be expected to take up active missionary work in the field. Many of the older students, however, have left the school with the intention of engaging in active labor.
It is not extravagant to say that more than fifty per cent of Union College students have found their place in some capacity of the local or general work of the third angel’s message. Eighty per cent of those appointed to foreign fields at the last General Conference were Union College students. While there are many features about this that are encouraging, we are not fully satisfied with the results; for we long to see the day when every student who comes to the school will come with a desire to become a thoroughly prepared missionary, and when he leaves the institution, will leave with a greater desire to be a real missionary for Christ than when he came.
A goodly number of students have their faces turned to the great French and Latin field,—some to France, some to Spain, some to Mexico, and others to the Spanish-speaking people of Central and South America. Upon others, the appeals which have come from the great British empire have made an indelible impression. Still others have their eyes turned toward the German field. As we come before the students day after day, we are profoundly impressed that the one object of the institution is to train workers for Christ, to give the advent message to the world in this generation. We can conceive of no more important mission intrusted to this people than that of taking the youth of this denomination who are strong and buoyant with life, and giving them a training for the Master’s service. We close our report with the one earnest plea, “Brethren, pray for us.” “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ. . . . That I [we] may make it manifest, as I [we] ought to speak.”
Turkey Restricts Foreign Education
The Missionary Review of the World gives the following account of the position taken by the sultan of Turkey, showing that he is not a lover of knowledge for his subjects: “Following the graduation of the first Turkish girl at the American Girls’ College, the Turkish government has issued an edict prohibiting Turkish children from attending foreign schools, the employment of private teachers in Turkish households, or the appearance of Turkish women in public accompanied by Christian women companions.”
Work at South Lancaster Academy During the Present School Year
By Frederick Griggs
FREDERICK GRIGGS
ALL things considered, South Lancaster Academy has had a good year's work. The attendance has been regular, one hundred and sixty having been enrolled during the year. The health of the students has been most excellent throughout the year. We have had with us, on the whole, a very earnest class of young people. A goodly number are planning to enter the work, about twenty expecting to engage in canvassing this summer.
A canvassers' institute was held in April, and a lively interest was awakened in this important branch of the Master's work. From fifteen to twenty are prepared for church-school work next year. Several of our young men are going out with tent companies this summer. Some are looking forward to the mission work in New York City.
Nearly all our students had some experience in the canvassing work the past year, the school having closed twice to give them an opportunity to canvass for “Christ's Object Lessons.” A number of books were sold, and better than this, the students gained rich experiences. As the result of their work, several have become interested in the truth, one having been baptized and joined the church. As the students went into the surrounding towns and cities, in many cases they awakened a lively interest in our school.
In many ways the students have shown a most commendable spirit and loyalty to the work. They have been deeply interested in the building of a boat for the New York harbor work. The proposed erection of a dormitory for the young men has also aroused much enthusiasm. One of our students made a gift to the institution of thirty-five hundred dollars toward the erection of this dormitory. This at once made the building of the dormitory seem possible, and all united in an effort to secure the remainder of the funds necessary. A good degree of success has attended this effort. We hope, with the blessing of God and the help of our friends, to have this building ready for occupancy in September, when the next school year will open.
The church schools throughout the Atlantic Union Conference have been successful. From twenty to twenty-five were in operation during the past year, and most encouraging reports have been received regarding the work of these schools. Plans are already being laid for the establishment of schools in new places this coming year.
A good interest has been shown in our industrial work. The farm has been productive; the broom shop, which was established four years ago, has had a most prosperous year. There is an increasing demand for the products of the shop. This work has been the means not only of educating young men in the art of manual work, but of helping to pay current expenses.
For this coming year arrangements have been made to introduce a strong commercial department. The work is to be made practical as well as theoretical.
The sanitarium and the New England Tract Society have thrown open their offices, and are planning for a part of their regular accounting work to be11carried on by the students when they shall have attained a degree of proficiency that will enable them to do this. This will give the students an opportunity to gain a practical knowledge of accounting, which may, we believe, be used to advance the cause of present truth.
The school management are planning for a stirring summer school in the interests of our church-school work, from July 2 until August 19. We hope to have with us all our church-school teachers, and many of our young people who are engaged in public-school work. A most excellent course of work has been outlined, and we believe that this will be a more profitable summer school than any which we have ever held in the interests of the church-school work in the Atlantic Union Conference.
The spiritual condition of the school has been good. Eight have been baptized, and others are looking forward to this ordinance. The faculty continually endeavor to keep before their minds the importance of this central school here in the East, and to realize that it is the mind of God that it should do a great work in preparing laborers for this large and important field.
