p. 17 | Review and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 20. (5/16/1912)

A Temperance Victory in Mountain View, Cal.

By CLYDE LOWRY

AFTER what is conceded to be one of the most remarkable campaigns ever conducted in this part of the country, Mountain View and the Fifth Supervisorial District, of which our town is about the center, has voted to banish the saloons and road houses. After about August 1 there will be no licensed saloon within eight miles of the Pacific Press, and in some directions it will be even farther to one. This temperance victory leaves but three incorporated cities and practically no country districts, in Santa Clara County, where the saloon is tolerated. The prospect that at least two of these cities will go dry within the next few months is very bright, and it is but a question of time until the last saloon will be driven from the country.

From the very beginning, any and all trace of “politics” was carefully excluded, and the campaign was remarkably free from personalities. The temperance forces were bound together by a principle they knew to be right, and the battle was fought and won strictly on its merits. When but 57 signatures were needed on the original petition to put the saloon question on the ballot, 175 were secured. All our people were urged to register, and almost without exception they did so. The question was, “Shall the sale of alcoholic liquors be licensed?” The answering vote was “Yes” or “No.” The final count in Mountain View and the district was “No”—1,913; “Yes”—774.

From the beginning, the Pacific Press was an active and powerful factor in the fight. Its linotypes and presses rendered most efficient service in the campaign of education which was carried on. Its stereopticon flashed vivid pictures on the screen where hundreds could see, while our speakers impressed lessons of right living, and the evils of the saloon. A fourteen-column supplement to the Mountain View Register-Leader, containing stenographic reports of several temperance speeches, was printed, and sent to every voter two days before election. In all, about forty or fifty columns of temperance matter were supplied by Pacific Press reporters to the Mountain View, San Jose, and Palo Alto papers, and the news was sent broadcast over the United States by the Associated Press the day after the election.

The editors of the Signs weekly and monthly and several of our church elders were active leaders in the campaign. A choir and an orchestra, composed largely of Adventists, contributed to the interest and the success of the fifteen or more public meetings held. The Young People's Missionary Volunteer Society contributed 550 copies of the Temperance Instructor, every home in town being supplied with this powerful educator. The church missionary society provided 250 copies each of the tracts “It Doesn't Pay” (A. G. L. No. 82) and the “Dark Valley Railroad Time-Table.” Several very effective letters and circulars were written by the editors of the Signs weekly. Even the church-school children contributed their mite by widely distributing the circulars and handbills inviting people to the temperance meetings.

At daybreak on election day, five automobiles, decorated with flags and painted banners, began the pleasant task of conveying our voters to the polls, and by noon fully ninety per cent of the temperance vote had been cast. The banners bore such inscriptions as, “Protect Your Home,” “Vote for Your Boy,” “Clean Up the Town.”

The vote demonstrated the results of the educational campaign so energetically conducted, and the best citizens, members of the various churches, and the W. C. T. U. rejoiced with us. A mass praise-and-prayer meeting is to be held in the town's largest hall in the near future, and praise and thanks given to Him who blessed us with victory.

But interesting as a recital of the history of the campaign may be, it is of even greater interest to know that by cooperating with our friends, neighbors, and the members of other churches, the Pacific Press and the Seventh-day Adventist Church now undoubtedly enjoy the respect and esteem of the community as they never did before. From all sides come words of grateful thanks and congratulation for the substantial assistance and moral support given the campaign by the Pacific Press and our people generally.

When it was found that the First Precinct, in which all the hotels and saloons are located, had voted wet, scores of people flocked to the town hall, where the votes of the Second Precinct were being counted. When an overwhelming majority of votes in this precinct assured victory, the Methodist minister, chairman of the Clean-Town Committee, exclaimed: “The Adventists' vote won the fight. God bless the Adventists.” Rev. A. C. Bane, president of the Northern California Anti-Saloon League, has proclaimed in a public meeting since the election that the support of the Pacific Press and the Adventist people made victory possible, and he congratulated the local committee on its fight.

And so the words of commendation come, not only from official sources, but also from our friends and neighbors nearer home. While the workers feel well repaid for their efforts, there is strong feeling that the work should be continued. The church realizes that the saloon is not the only evil in our land, and the campaign along health, temperance, and other lines will be continued energetically. CLYDE LOWRY.

The Song Chalice

By FRANCES R. HAVERGAL

FRANCES R. HAVERGAL

“You bear the chalice.” Is it so, my friend? Have I indeed a chalice of sweet song, With underflow of harmony made strong, New calm of strength through throbbing veins to send?

I did not form nor fill; I do but spend That which the Master poured into my soul, His dewdrops caught in a poor earthen bowl, That service so with praise might meekly blend.

May he who taught the morning stars to sing, Aye keep my chalice cool, and pure, and sweet, And grant me so with loving hand to bring Refreshment to his weary ones,—to meet Their thirst with water from God's music-spring; And, bearing thus, to pour it at his feet. —Selected.

Ohio Constitutional Convention

By H. A. WEAVER.

At the request of the Ohio Conference, I have spent several weeks in Columbus, assisting Elder J. F. Olmsted, the religious liberty secretary of that conference, in the work connected with the fourth constitutional convention, now in session there.

This convention is not only the center of interest for the people of Ohio, but is developing into a veritable arena for the discussion of political creeds.

Some of the most prominent men in the country’s public life have been invited to address the convention, nearly all of whom have accepted, including Mr. Theodore Roosevelt, Mr. William J. Bryan, Governor Harmon of Ohio, Governor Johnson of California, and Senator J. B. Foraker.

Although at the time of writing this report there have been 308 proposals introduced into the convention, yet favorable action has been taken on but three, these being, in order, the Good Roads, Liquor License, and Woman Suffrage amendments. The convention is now considering the Initiative and Referendum proposal.

Consideration of all proposals providing for religious amendments to the constitution has been “indefinitely postponed” by the committees having them in charge. This seems providential.

The committee on the judiciary and bill of rights is composed almost entirely of lawyers and judges. The committee on education is made up largely of heads of colleges, teachers, and lawyers. To these two committees were referred all the religious proposals introduced. I secured a personal interview with nearly every member of both committees, and presented each with a copy of “American State Papers.” The result in most cases was very satisfactory. A number of these men voluntarily pledged me their word that they would oppose any effort to amend the constitution so as to favor Sunday or any other religious institution.

It is indeed gratifying to know that the principles of justice and equality have not yet been banished from the hearts of all men. Let us not permit the torch of truth which God has charged us with holding aloft in this dark world to grow dim. H. A. WEAVER.

Colporteurs' Institute

By C. J. TOLF.

THE colporteurs' institute held in Rome, N. Y., April 4-14, was attended by twenty-four earnest volunteers for service, and was signally blessed by the presence of the Spirit of God. Heart-searching work was done, new and higher ideals of consecration were attained by many, and a more full surrender was made by all.

The earnest labors of Elder W. H. Holden, the president of the conference, and Elder J. E. Jayne, the religious liberty secretary of the Atlantic Union Conference, added greatly to the value of the institute, and were much appreciated by all.

NEW YORK CONFERENCE CANVASSERS' INSTITUTE

The principles of scientific salesmanship were taught, and applied to the sale of our large denominational books. Through a knowledge and application of these principles, coupled with the mighty help of the Captain of our salvation, the average Seventh-day Adventist can become successful in the sale of our literature.

We feel certain that, with such a band of colporteurs, filled with the Spirit of God and assisted by their able field agent, Brother E. E. Covey, many thousands will be reached with the message for this time. C. J. TOLF.

Statement of $300,000 Fund

By W. T. KNOX

April 30, 1912

Atlantic Union Conference Central New England ........ $ 3811.10 Greater New York .......... 3404.60 Maine ..................... 516.61 New York .................. 1900.58 Northern New England ..... 1175.33 Southern New England ..... 637.69 Western New York .......... 2024.90 Total ..................... 13470.81

Canadian Union Conference Maritime .................. 354.94 Ontario ................... 1790.80 Quebec .................... 616.60 Newfoundland .............. .... Total ..................... 2762.34

Central Union Conference Colorado .................. 2189.04 East Kansas ............... 1846.10 Nebraska .................. $12120.95 North Missouri ............ 1117.82 South Missouri ............ 549.45 Western Colorado .......... 891.26 West Kansas ............... 2150.61 Wyoming ................... 1679.85 St. Louis Mission ......... 118.50 Total ..................... 22663.58

Columbia Union Conference Chesapeake ................. 1191.49 District of Columbia ...... 1626.37 Eastern Pennsylvania ...... 2436.85 New Jersey ................ 1931.85 Ohio ...................... 5550.72 Virginia .................. 510.85 West Pennsylvania ......... 1377.36 West Virginia ............. 505.50 Total ..................... 15130.99

Lake Union Conference East Michigan ............. 5269.95 Indiana ................... 4716.42 Northern Illinois ......... 2769.76 North Michigan ............ 851.82 Southern Illinois ......... 2278.54 West Michigan ............. 6554.29 Wisconsin ................. 2472.76 Total ..................... 24913.54

Northern Union Conference Iowa ...................... 6651.03 Minnesota ................ 4469.94 North Dakota .............. 2397.37 South Dakota .............. 3194.77 Total ..................... 16713.11

North Pacific Union Conference Montana ................... 1649.64 Southern Idaho ............ 2058.76 Southern Oregon ........... 1124.75 Upper Columbia ............ 3675.72 Western Oregon ............ 4369.05 Western Washington ........ 4011.62 Alaska .................... 7.15 Total ..................... 16896.69

Pacific Union Conference Arizona ................... 773.11 California ................ 10410.73 Southern California ....... 6895.64 Utah ...................... 217.65 Central California ........ 2630.14 N. California-Nevada ...... 3099.01 Total ..................... 24026.28

Southeastern Union Conference Southeastern Union Conf... $ 70.66 Cumberland ................ 1852.24 Florida ................... 1938.35 Georgia ................... 891.32 North Carolina ............ 538.90 South Carolina ............ 478.25 Asheville .................. 1.00 Total ..................... 5770.72

Southern Union Conference Alabama ................... 264.81 Kentucky .................. 343.20 Louisiana ................. 539.82 Mississippi ............... 723.53 Tennessee River ........... 1006.26 Southern Union Mission .... 6.15 Total ..................... 2883.77

Southwestern Union Conference Arkansas .................. 381.06 New Mexico ................ 264.85 North Texas ............... 1336.27 Oklahoma .................. 2524.21 South Texas ............... 296.21 West Texas ................ 184.20 Southwestern Union Mission 3.05 Total ..................... 4989.85

Western Canadian Union Conference Alberta ................... 787.10 British Columbia .......... 944.98 Manitoba .................. 1043.60 Saskatchewan .............. 1060.00 Total ..................... 3835.68

Grand total ............... $170,037.12 W. T. KNOX, Treasurer.

The General Work in Brooklyn, N. Y.

By B. E. MILLER

WE are having some encouraging experiences in the German work in this large city. Since the very beginning of our tent effort last summer, we can see the hand of the Lord manifested in a very marked manner in the work, and some very definite victories have been won over the powers of darkness.

The two Bible workers, Misses Kehrein and Meyer, together with some members of the Brooklyn German church, have rendered valuable help, and we feel like praising the name of God that our united efforts have not been without visible results.

Last Sabbath we had another baptismal service in the Brooklyn German church. I had the privilege of baptizing fourteen persons, who all united with this church. Since last summer the Brooklyn German church has gained in strength and blessing through the baptism and addition of twenty-eight new members. We feel grateful to God that several whole families have taken their stand for the truth, and are now united with the people of God. We hope to have another baptism before we begin our summer’s work.

While Brooklyn is in America, we feel like calling it a German city; for out of about 1,750,000 inhabitants 1,000,000 are Germans. It is commonly rated as the second largest German city in the world, Berlin being the largest German city. From the present indication, we believe that in the near future the German work in the Greater New York Conference will develop into a strong work. B. E. MILLER.

The Washington Sanitarium City Dispensary

By L. A. H.

The opening of the Washington Sanitarium City Dispensary, Wednesday, May 1, marked an important move in the development of the work of the Washington Sanitarium and the Foreign Mission Seminary, providing a factor that goes far toward making the training feature of these two institutions complete. The cooperation of the District of Columbia Conference and of the Washington Sanitarium-Seminary Board, with help from our various churches in Washington, has made possible the beginning of an enterprise the need of which has been strongly felt for some time.

While a city dispensary is not a new thing among us, the particular one of which we now speak is a new feature in our work. Its work includes much that we used to do, but its scope is a broader one than that of anything of this kind we have as yet undertaken.

A two-story building has been rented at 427 Four and One-Half St., S. W., and furnished and prepared for dispensary work. For some time preceding the opening of the institution, three women nurses had been at work in the district. Their observation and experience more than bore out the selection of that location as the most needy portion of the city, and as offering a field for the fullest activities of the dispensary.

The District of Columbia Conference meets the rent of the building and the salary of the manager. The Washington Sanitarium provides the services of Drs. H. N. Sisco and Margaret Evans, each of whom has dispensary hours three days in the week. The Sanitarium also provides transportation for the workers to and from the car-line station. The Seminary supplies nurses, and will bear a portion of the operating expenses.

The managing board consists of Elder J. L. McElhany, president of the District of Columbia Conference, Prof. M. E. Kern, Drs. H. N. Sisco and Margaret Evans, and Brother V. E. Peugh, manager of the dispensary.

Sabbath services have been held in several of our Washington and Takoma Park churches in behalf of the dispensary proposition. Opportunity has been given to the members to assist by donations of money and furnishings. So far, the response has been good. Some money and household goods have been contributed. Not all the money needed has been received, nor all necessary equipment.

A portion of the talk by Professor Kern at one of the Sabbath meetings is here given as presenting the need of this new enterprise:—

“Health and temperance should be a part of our educational system, a part of the preparation of missionaries and workers to give this complete gospel. First of all, we should have this knowledge for our own sakes, and then we should have it for the sake of others; for we have been instructed that ‘in His service healing and teaching are to be linked together. To-day they are not to be separated. The nurses who are trained in our institutions are to be fitted to go out as medical missionary evangelists, uniting the ministry of the word with that of physical healing.’ I think this is especially true of the education of missionaries who are going to heathen lands. It is true of all, but especially true of them. I read:—

“Whether in foreign missions or in the home field, all missionaries, both men and women, will gain much more ready access to the people, and will find their usefulness greatly increased, if they are able to minister to the sick. Women who go as missionaries to heathen lands may thus find opportunity for giving the gospel to the women of these lands, when every other door of access is closed. All gospel workers should know how to give the simple treatments that do so much to relieve pain and remove disease.’—‘Ministry of Healing,’ pages 145, 146.

“The great World Missionary Conference at Edinburgh, in 1910, recognized the need of well-qualified medical workers in passing the following resolution:— “1. That there is still a great need for qualified nurses in the foreign missionary field. “2. That an adequate training for such nurses is essential. “3. That the training should be (1) general—three years in a properly equipped hospital or infirmary, with a resident medical officer; (2) special. After obtaining their certificate, such nurses should, if possible, receive further training in such subjects as midwifery, dispensing, elementary hygiene, cooking, district work in the slums of a city, and ophthalmic and fever nursing.’

“That is a plan we are endeavoring to work to at the Foreign Mission Seminary. We have made special efforts along this line the past year. We have a postgraduate nurses’ course, and we are endeavoring to do more for those who are going out as missionaries, so that they may be prepared, when separated from any medical help, to take care of themselves and to help take care of the people. That gives us an open door in all fields, and women may work where they could not otherwise. In our postgraduate course we need something more than our training-schools and hospitals can give.

“I will read some statements from ‘Special Testimonies,’ Series B, No. 8, referring to the needs we are considering:—

“Henceforth medical missionary work is to be carried forward with an earnestness with which it has never yet been done. This work is the door through which the truth is to find entrance to the large cities.’

“It has seemed strange to me that in past years our work was not better represented at Washington. For many years I have been anxious to see a sanitarium established in this place. A medical institution in Washington will greatly help in opening the way for the truth to be presented. God has counseled us that if the sanitarium work shall be carried forward in the right manner, it will be a means of doing great good.

“In Washington, the sanitarium work should make rapid advancement. In our Washington work, wise, competent physicians, efficient managers, and nurses with the very best qualifications, will be needed. Earnest, devoted young people also will be needed to enter the work as nurses. These young men and women will increase in capability as they use conscientiously the knowledge they gain, and they will become better and better qualified to be the Lord’s helping hand.’

“The sanitarium at Takoma Park is to be a source of strength to the school already established. The school and the sanitarium may be a help one to the other.’

“The Lord calls upon us to awake to a realization of the opportunities presented before us to let our light shine in the city of Washington, by establishing there memorials that will hasten forward the proclamation of the third angel’s message to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.’

The interest, prayers, and assistance of our people elsewhere are solicited in behalf of this enterprise, the outcome of which may mean much to the preparation of our missionaries, as well as for the help of those directly reached.

L. A. H.

Thrilling Experiences in Mexico

By J. A. P. Green

It seems as if Mexico is making the struggle of her life. Terrible things have happened just a little north of Tacubaya. As yet no damage has been done to our buildings, and no harm has come to our workers. The other day forty persons were killed in the train that was coming from Cuernavaca. We had thought some of canvassing in that vicinity, but of course we do not wish to do anything rash, and we may stay in the vicinity of Mexico City till quiet is restored.

We feel that God is testing us to see if we really can stand some difficulties, and be faithful to the work he has called us here to do. We pray that we may not be slow in learning our lessons, and that God may use us to help these poor people.

Our trip homeward from Yucatan was marked by at least one incident long to be remembered. The steamer “Yucatan” left Frontera, Tabasco, Wednesday afternoon, March 27. Thursday evening we were ten miles from Vera Cruz, and were glad to feel that soon we should be on land again. But we did not get ashore until a late hour. The steamer “Hidalgo,” belonging to the same company, was on her way to Frontera, under full steam. Our captain kept in the right course, but it seemed as if the other captain wanted to cross our bow. It so puzzled our captain that he ordered the ship stopped, but the order was given too late. Our steamer rammed the “Hidalgo” amidships, and in fifteen minutes the other boat sank. The cry of “Save us,” from both ships was very pathetic. There being nothing we could do, Brother Henry Brown and I prepared for the worst, and removed our

outer garments, knowing that if we were thrown into the water with all our clothing on, we would stand very little chance of reaching shore.

Nearly every one on the other boat was saved. For a time it was thought our ship was sinking. The people were frantic, and Brother Brown and I felt sensations better imagined than described. But he and I were praying while many of the others were threatening the captain of the “Yucatan.” As we go through life, we never know just what is before us. If we must die in an accident or in the revolution, I hope that, like the apostle Paul, I can say, “I am now ready.” As we were spared, we feel that God still has work for us in Mexico. J. A. P. GREEN.

Medical Missionary Department

Conducted by the Medical Department of the General Conference

GEORGE THOMASON, M. D. Secretary

L. A. HANSEN Assistant Secretary

The Publishing Work

Conducted by the Publishing Department of the General Conference

N. Z. TOWN Secretary

Demanding Recognition

THE appointment of the new cardinals for the United States has opened the way for the Roman hierarchy to put forward in this country some of the arrogant claims made in behalf of the Papacy in the Old World. According to Roman Catholic teaching, the ideal form of government is found in a union of church and state, and growing out of this papal idea of government there arises the claim for recognition on the part of the state of those who occupy high positions in the church.

With the evident purpose of testing public sentiment in this country, there appeared a short time ago in various papers an article, doubtless inspired by the leaders of the Roman Church, which asserted the precedence of cardinals over all state officials, and placed them next in rank to the President of the United States. That the claims made in this article meet with the approval of the Roman hierarchy, is shown by the fact that the essential part of it was reprinted in the Boston Pilot (April 6, 1912), a paper which is owned personally by Cardinal O'Connell. The extract follows:—

“Some confusion appears to exist with regard to the exact position of the four American cardinals on the official table of precedence at Washington and in the various States of the Union, writes Marquis de Fontenoy. This was brought to light by the attitude of the governor of Massachusetts at the St. Patrick's day dinner, at which the President of the United States was present.

“In the first place, it is necessary to call attention to the fact that the point raised about discrimination in favor of one church at the expense of another can not be said to apply in the case of cardinals. They are something besides ministers of the gospel and ecclesiastics.

“Indeed, a cardinal is not necessarily a priest, but he is from a purely secular point of view a very great personage, who is regarded and treated everywhere abroad not as a dignitary of any church, but as a prince of the blood.

“Under the circumstances, it must be borne in mind that even though Cardinals Farley, O'Connell, and Gibbons are at heart patriotic Americans and members of an American hierarchy, yet they are, as cardinals, foreign princes of the blood, to whom the United States, as one of the great powers of the world, is under an obligation to concede the same honors that they receive abroad.

“Thus, were Cardinal Farley to visit an American man-of-war, he would be entitled to the salutes and to the naval honors reserved for a foreign royal personage, and at any official entertainments at Washington the cardinal will outrank, not merely every Cabinet officer, the Speaker of the House, and the Vice-President, but also the foreign ambassadors, coming immediately next to the chief magistrate himself.

“Incidentally, it may be mentioned that when a royal personage not of sovereign rank visits New York, it is his duty to make the first call on Cardinal Farley.”

The recent incident in Boston, when Cardinal O'Connell demanded precedence over Governor Foss, shows that this “prince of the blood” intends to enforce this claim for the precedence of a cardinal over any state official, and this purpose is manifested in the following paragraph, which appeared in the Pilot of April 13:—

“This country would be showing a contemptible and narrow littleness which does not become it, and which will never be manifested, if it were to endeavor to set at naught the century-old rank which all nations accord to their eminence.”

We have long maintained that Roman Catholicism was the same in America as in the Old World, and that if it did not make some record as in the middle ages, it was because the time was not ripe for it. In recent years, however, the Roman hierarchy has become much more bold in asserting the claims of the church, and this demand for the same recognition of the rank of cardinals in this republic as in the monarchical governments of the Old World is a bold step toward the assertion of the supremacy of the Roman Church over the state. Fifty years ago it would have been thought incredible that such a step would be taken by the representatives of Rome. There has been a cardinal in this country for many years, but never before have the representatives of the Papacy felt sufficiently sure of their position to put forward the claim for such a recognition of the rank of a “prince of the blood.” It is one of the significant signs of the times that this step has now been taken, and we shall wait with much interest to see whether a cardinal of the Roman

Catholic Church will be accorded at state receptions the position of honor next to the President of the United States.

From Cuba

BROTHER GEORGE SANDBORN, field agent for Cuba, writes:—

“The Lord is still blessing our work here, and giving us a large number of orders. Last week’s record stands as follows: Harold Robinson, 41 hours, $223 (American currency) worth of orders; G. A. Sandborn, 47 hours, $289 worth. Brother Robinson took $91 worth of orders in one day. Yesterday I was able to take 21 orders in a large school. The director took a book, and then gave me an attendant, so that I could visit each of the teachers during class hours, were a privilege not often granted. We have on our list the mayor of the town, three judges, the leaders of the Cuban Y. M. C. A., and a large number of the leading men here.”

“The longer I work, the more wisdom I see in the methods we are following in introducing our books in the Spanish fields. We are full of courage to press forward.”

Brother Harold Robinson sends an account of an interesting experience:—

“I must tell you of my experience in a bank here. I asked for the manager as I entered, and soon had his name for a half-morocco book. I thanked him, and then told him I was sure some of his men would like to see the book, too. He replied that they would not buy, as they were too poor. But I urged him to let me see at least one of them, so he called the accountant. He was soon intensely interested, and ordered a morocco binding. He then took me to three others, telling them what a good book it was, and they—those ‘poor’ fellows—ordered morocco bindings. Next he took the book to the cashier, who also ordered a morocco binding, without even hearing the canvass. This made a total of six orders (value, $29) in the bank.”

“Yesterday I secured the mayor’s name for a morocco binding. Monday closed with 24 orders on my book (value, $91). Brother Sandborn took $77 worth the same day.”

Good Words From Mexico

FROM a general letter which Brother J. A. P. Green sent out to his workers, under date of April 30, we take the following interesting items:—

“On shipboard, when there is nothing ahead, the lookout reports, ‘All’s well!’ I am sure that you will all be glad to know that ‘all’s well’ with the workers in Mexico. From every corner we are receiving good reports. The enemy is at work, but God’s hand is doing a greater work. In the city of Mexico the colporteurs have chosen the hardest part to work; namely, among the business men. It did go hard at first, but by persistent effort and prayer they have succeeded in proving to these business men that they must take time to read concerning the meaning of the great things that are taking place in the world.

“During the week ending April 26, our eight workers in Mexico, six of whom are in Mexico City, working 358 hours, took $981 worth of subscriptions for our periodicals. In the National Bank one of the workers took 18 subscriptions. In a large hardware store another took 12 subscriptions.

“It is evident, by the reports, that revolutions do not bother the canvasser. Many are leaving the country, many are complaining of the hard times, but the colporteur in the field keeps at his work, relying on God’s promises. We have every reason to rejoice, even though the nation is having a hard time. Nothing seems to frighten our colporteurs any more. This revolution is leading them to attempt great things. Of course they are not breaking records, but they are gaining an experience that will be of inestimable value to them in the future.”

These experiences show that the Lord can give success to his work when from a human standpoint it would seem impossible.

Christian Liberty

By W. W. Prescott; S. B. Horton

Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of the Rights of Conscience

Conducted by the Religious Liberty Bureau

W. W. PRESCOTT Secretary

S. B. HORTON Corresponding Secretary

News and Miscellany

Notes and clippings from the daily and weekly press

— The old Cruces road, built in 1530 across the Isthmus of Panama, is to be repaired and put in first-class condition. This probably is the oldest road in the western hemisphere.

— A special train carrying war-scarred Confederate veterans to their annual reunion at Macon, Ga., plunged over an embankment near Estabutchie, Miss., on May 6. Nine persons were killed and fifty-five injured.

— It is estimated that there are 4,000 evangelists, men and women, who give their time to rescue mission work in the United States. They come in contact annually with as many as 300,000 persons of all degrees of wretchedness.

— An exchange states that the extra day in leap-year is not without its practical consequences. This year it brought to the British government an extra $1,800,000 in revenue, and will add $17,000,000 to the foreign trade for the year 1912.

— The State of Kansas, according to the American Medical Association, has shown a marked decrease in the percentage of insane persons to population in the last few years. The association significantly adds that the “State is a dry State.” This is scientific testimony for temperance which is most valuable.

— The MacAll Mission in France recently completed its fortieth year of evangelistic activity among the dechristianized population in the working men’s quarters in Paris. After forty years of quiet, persistent Inner Mission work the MacAlls and their helpers have halls all over the city. They labor among the depraved populace at Marseilles, Lille, and Rouen; have two boats plying on the Seine, and automobiles visiting the country fairs.

— Since 1909 archeologists have been busy in excavating the eastern slope of Mount Ophel, in Jerusalem. The explorers, in search of the tombs of David and Solomon, have cleaned out and carefully investigated the so-called Virgin’s Well and the tunnel that runs from it to the Pool of Siloam. One of the most interesting discoveries was an Israelitish lamp found near the bottom of the Virgin’s Well. The lamp, which is in excellent condition, is believed to date from the eleventh century before Christ; that is to say, from the time of King David. The excavators have definitely ascertained the site of David’s Jerusalem and of the Jebusite city that preceded it, and have obtained evidence of Jebusite occupation for 2,000 years before David’s conquest.

— The large transatlantic steamship lines are arranging a sailing schedule by which a steamer will sail from New York and also from the European side at least every day in the year.

— According to census figures there are 5,500,000 children over ten years of age in the United States who can not read nor write. Of this number, forty per cent are Negroes. There are, however, 1,535,000 illiterate white children.

— The “Washington Irving,” now being built, will be the largest river steamer in the world, and will ply between New York and Albany. She will carry passengers only, and will accommodate 6,000 persons. She will have six decks above her water-line.

— The ninth international Red Cross conference convened in Washington, D. C., May 7-17. More than two hundred delegates, representing thirty-two nations, were in attendance. This is the first conference of its kind ever held outside of Europe.

— More than 1,000,000 square miles of the continent of Africa — an eleventh of its total area — still remains unexplored. About three fourths of the unknown country lies within the desert of Sahara, but there are also many fertile regions that have never been visited by a European.

— A bill for the construction and equipment of 1,000 miles of railroad in Alaska has been introduced in Congress, and is now under the consideration of the Senate Committee on Territories. Its declared purpose is to develop the natural resources of Alaska, and to secure a supply of coal for the navy.

— China now has the Scriptures translated into about twenty of her languages and dialects. Just recently two new versions were brought out, one in Lisu, the other in Laka, spoken in Yun-nan, a province in southwestern China adjoining Tibet and Upper Burma. The Gospels of Matthew and Mark only have as yet been printed.

— A notable gift from the French nation to the people of the United States was brought to this country recently when a delegation of distinguished Frenchmen arrived in charge of the bust of “La France,” by the famous sculptor Auguste Rodin, which is to be placed at the foot of the Champlain memorial lighthouse, at Crown Point, Lake Champlain.

— Chicago is the second largest Polish town in the world; Warsaw in Russian Poland is the first. There are living and increasing 350,000 Poles in Chicago. Next comes New York with 260,000, and Buffalo with 100,000. There are 60,000 of them in Philadelphia, and 50,000 in Pittsburgh. All in all, there are 4,500,000 Poles living in our country, more than in Germany.

— Reports from Mexico City tell of a victory for the federal forces on May 6, as the result of a battle in which six hundred insurgents were slain. There seems to be a growing spirit of hostility against Americans, and army posts throughout the United States have been ordered to hold their men in readiness to move on to the Mexican border at a moment’s notice.

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