The restoration and uplifting of humanity begins in the home. The work of parents underlies every other. Society is composed of families, and is what the heads of families make it. Out of the heart are the “issues of life;” and the heart of the community, of the church, and of the nation, is the household. The well-being of society, the success of the church, the prosperity of the nation, depend upon home influences.
It is by the youth and children of to-day that the future of society is to be determined, and what these youth and children shall be depends upon the home. To the lack of right home training may be traced the larger share of the disease and misery and crime that curse humanity. If the home life were pure and true, if the children who went forth from its care were prepared to meet life's responsibilities and dangers, what a change would be seen in the world!
Great efforts are put forth, time and money and labor almost without limit are expended in enterprises and institutions for reforming the victims of evil habits. And even these efforts are inadequate to meet the great necessity. Yet how small is the result! How few are permanently reclaimed!
Multitudes long for a better life, but they lack courage and resolution to break away from the power of habit. They shrink from the effort and struggle and sacrifice demanded, and their lives are wrecked and ruined. Thus even men of the brightest minds, men of high aspirations and noble powers, otherwise fitted by nature and education to fill positions of trust and responsibility, are degraded and lost for this life and for the life to come.
For those who do reform, how bitter the struggle to regain their manhood! And all their life long, in a shattered constitution, a wavering will, impaired intellect, and weakened soul power, many reap the harvest of their evil sowing. How much more might be accomplished if the evil were dealt with at the beginning!
This work rests in a great degree with13parents. In the efforts put forth to stay the progress of intemperance and of other evils that are eating like cancer in the social body, if more attention were given to teaching parents how to form the habits and character of their children, a hundredfold more good would result. Habit, which is so terrible a force for evil, it is in their power to make a force for good. They have to do with the stream at its source, and it rests with them to direct it rightly.
Parents may lay for their children the foundation for a healthy, happy life. They may send them forth from their homes with moral stamina to resist temptation, and courage to wrestle successfully with life's problems. They may inspire in them the purpose, and develop the power to make their lives an honor to God and a blessing to the world.—“Ministry of Healing.”
Each by Name
By Margaret E. Sangster
NEVER a little foolish lamb astray in the
gloaming dim;
But the tender Shepherd knoweth its name, and calleth it home to him.
In the flock and the fold the sheep are his, and he keepeth them close in his care;
And each for itself in the Shepherd’s heart hath its own peculiar share.
Never a moor so wrapped in mist, nor a hill so gray and dun,
But the Shepherd counteth his lambkins there, and watcheth them one by one.
Never a day so bleak and chill, nor a night so dark and drear,
But the tireless love of the Shepherd waits for the sheep that are passing dear.
Never a weary, wayworn sheep in the great world-flock to-day,
But may hear the call of the Shepherd’s voice, may follow him and obey.
The Shepherd hath ransomed the great world-flock, he hath bought it for his own;
And he loveth and guardeth it, one by one, as were each in the world alone.
—Margaret E. Sangster.
The Missing Home-Maker
By Rollin A. Sawyer, D. D.
The salvation of a boy is a home that to him is heaven. And it is only a good woman who can be the saving angel to child or man. When a boy at school or in business thinks of “going home” as the end of all longings, wearings, waitings, plans, and hopes, he knows the delights of the saved. And his paradise is made for him by a mother who is worth the name, with possibly sisters of equal merit. Father and brothers are simply comfortable and convenient accessories. When we say that “the sphere of woman is the home,” we mean just this angelic ministry to human life. The strangest delusion of our American women is that they can do more for their men and their country by being abroad and keeping before the public.—Rollin A. Sawyer, D. D.
A Visit to Guadaloupe
By Philip Giddings
PHILIP GIDDINGS
ACCORDING to the suggestion of the West Indian Union Conference Committee, I paid a visit to this island. Our boat, leaving after midnight, arrived at seven o’clock the next morning at Basseterre, the capital, a town of about seven thousand five hundred souls. I set down my parcels at the hotel, and started out, with a collection of tracts, to make acquaintances. Learning of a man who was preaching, I went in search of him, and found him one who, so far as I can tell, is converted to the Lord. He was very glad to see me, although on finding that I was a Seventh-day Adventist, he was sorry, as he did not adhere to any day, except as it might afford opportunity to speak to the people.
The next morning I left Basseterre, taking the coast boat to a village called Pointe-Noire, which has over seven thousand inhabitants. Here is a school-teacher who has been reading our literature. I spent five days with him. During the day different ones would call for instruction, when I would read the Bible to them. Many had never heard of or seen a Bible before.
On Sunday I obtained permission of the mayor to use La Place. Arriving there, I started to sing, and the people began to gather. Some, more cautious, stood off watching. By the time I had an audience, I took out my French Bible to read certain portions. At this time a French gendarme came up, and asked who gave me authority, and to show it. As I had only a verbal permission, he told me I would have to cease, but I might conduct the meeting in my room. The people seemed disappointed, and some followed me, and asked me to speak to them before my door, while they would stand on the street. This I was glad to do. So far as my own words and ability to use the language were concerned, I realized they were very feeble. But I put the burden on the Bible, and made it talk to the people. The next morning as I was visiting, an old lady living near La Place, called me in to sing for her. Leaving there, I was called to another home to pray.
I made several acquaintances here, distributed tracts, and took orders for the French Bible. I found a liberal-mindedness, an intelligence, and an ability to read and listen, that were surprising for a Catholic community. The Methodist minister, with whom I was14fellow passenger for Dominica had told me the same thing. He said he believed Guadaloupe was waiting and ready for Protestant effort.
From Pointe-Noire I came to Pointe-à-Pitre, the commercial capital, a city of over eighteen thousand souls. With funds so low in my pocket, I could not think of a hotel. But I had told the Lord to adjust conditions. So resting my parcels, I took my valise with tracts for the boulevard. I passed groups of men sitting in the cool shade of overspreading branches, I introduced myself as a Protestant missionary, and received a warm welcome. From group to group I passed on, distributing to those who seemed intelligent and appreciative of literature. When evening came, I had not decided where to lay my head, but an old gentleman came up, and said if his place were not so humble, he would have asked me home, but if I did not mind, he would be glad for me to go with him. I went. The following morning he took me around to several of his friends, saying to them, “Let the Protestant minister read you God’s word from the Holy Bible.” Like droughty land, so his heart and soul and mind thirsted for the water of the Word. He gave me no rest. I had to read to all his friends. Some were at work, and I thought discretion would dictate some other time; but the old gentleman would have no postponement, and so they had to stop and I had to read to them the Holy Bible. Thus day after day we went around to different persons, reading the Scriptures to his many friends.
Among those to whom he introduced me was the Secretaire General de la Bourse du Travail, who received me very kindly, and asked me to call again the next day at ten o’clock, when he would take me to the Depute de la France, and Conseiller General de la Guadeloupe. At the time appointed, I made this gentleman’s acquaintance. He was very affable, and was glad for my visit. He was entirely dissatisfied with religion as he saw it administered in his country. I handed him some French literature. He started to read, remarking, as he read, “This sounds right.” When I bade him good-by, he accompanied me to the door. Then he said to the secretary: “Tell the gentleman I have a large house, and plenty of beds in town; if he desires, he can occupy as long as he stays.” So I thanked him, and spent six days at his house. The housekeeper Isa. was as kind as her employer. When leaving, I offered her a few francs for her kindness, but she would not accept.
While there are French infidels, and these have influenced natives who have imbibed their sentiments, there is a large class besides, who, although they have lost faith in their religion, have not gone over to infidelity, but are waiting for the genuine gospel.
The general intelligence of the people, sharpened, some think, by their ardent love for politics; the school facilities, freed from all church embargo and meddling, have prepared a people who can read and reason. What the percentage of literacy is, I do not know; but it was my good fortune to meet scarcely a man in Guadaloupe who could not read, while the opposite is nearer true in Dominica.
COCOANUT GROVE, WEST INDIES
It seems to me the time has fully come to carry this message to the eighteen thousand Guadaloupans—not that it will be all easy sailing: the church party may awake to keep their Diana. But despite Ephesian uproar, there can follow an Ephesian church.
In Guadaloupe school is kept on Saturday, the weekly holiday being Thursday. On Sunday the market-places and grocery stores, post-office, etc., are opened, and are closed with a ball at night.
The manners of the people are typically French—hat-raising, bowing, and suavities. I came short sometimes, when my old friend and guide would remind me. Not only the women, but the men friends, on meeting, kiss each other in French fashion, on both cheeks.
I have taken the names of several persons to whom I hope to send literature until some one shall go, which should not be long. We can use to good advantage any French literature—tracts, old periodicals, etc. Who will help us? The isles wait for his law. Isa. 42:4. Let them wait no longer. I am asked to visit Martinique also. Pray that the Lord will open the way speedily for the work to enter both of these French islands.
A Message to China
By T. E. BOWEN
T. E. BOWEN
OUR missionaries are continually sending cheering messages to the home field, words of courage to those who are “holding the ropes” at home. We have often wished that these workers might have messages returned to them, warm from the hearts of the loyal ones at home who are laboring and praying for the success of the missionaries. As we often hear the earnest, simple prayers of the children in behalf of the missionaries “who have gone to tell others more about Jesus,” I have thought what an encouragement it would be to the worn toiler actually to hear the prayer in his behalf. The missionaries over in China may be cheered by getting a message from an earnest little band of children—also missionaries—at one of the camp-meetings in a western conference, who, after donating their pennies, wanted to express their love by having a message written out to their little sisters in China, for them all to sign. Here it is:—
“May 29, 1908.
“GREETINGS TO OUR SISTERS IN CHINA:—
“The children’s meeting at the Seattle camp-meeting sends love to the girls of China. We have given our pennies ($8.58 in all) to help our little sisters in China to learn about Jesus. We are trying to do right, so that we may be ready to meet Jesus when he comes, and then we want to see the children from China in the kingdom of heaven. Some of us sign our names, and the little ones make their marks. We pray for you.”
Following the letter appeared over eighty names and marks written by the children. Indeed, this is a message of love from these dear children to the little girls of China. And God hears the prayers of the children for China’s little ones, and will reward and bless every effort made to send them the sweet word that Jesus in heaven is their best friend, who greatly loves them, and is coming soon to get those who truly love him.
Are there not many other children who have this same loving message to send to the little boys and girls in China or some other heathen lands, who know nothing at all of Jesus? Think of the many in India, Africa, and the islands of the sea, who would also learn to love Jesus, if they knew about him. Some one ought to go to tell them about him, and not delay. By saving the pennies and nickels and dimes spent for things that do not really do us any good, many more missionaries might go to carry to these children this loving message. Let us join our little friends over in Washington by praying and also giving to send abroad this sweet message of Jesus’ love.
Takoma Park, D. C.
Cooking Without Fire
By C. G. Howell
C. G. HOWELL
A WONDERFULLY useful apparatus can be easily made as follows: Take a trunk, or a box about that size; place a dozen thicknesses of paper in the bottom and sides; then fill in hay or straw several inches thick on bottom and sides. Place a kettle in each end of the trunk, and press the hay all around them, leaving nests fitting close against the kettles. Cut two boards to put in where the till rested, and two cross-pieces to nail to them. Nail them, and then place papers on the frame thus made, so they will fit closely where the till rested. Fill with papers to the depth of an inch, and nail on an upper frame like the lower one; nailing the two together. Place the cross-pieces far enough from the ends so they will do for handles to raise up this paper cover. Then have a hay pillow made to fit under this paper cover, and use to place just over the kettles.
Oatmeal boiled for ten minutes over the fire and placed in this apparatus will cook thoroughly, and remain warm for twelve hours. Wheat boiled for the same length of time, will partly cook; it should then be taken out and brought to the boiling-point; then replaced, and left until done.
I want all our missionaries and canvassers especially to know of this, for it is such a saving. Saves fuel, “burning on,” watching, stirring, and cooks the food with better flavor. Don’t wait, but try it.
Daylight, Tenn.
Appreciating Those Among Whom We Live
THERE are few tragedies more pathetic than our every-day failure to appreciate those among whom we live, and whose lives touch ours closely. Again and again men’s “eyes are opened” only when the clods fall on the coffin, and the saddest words of grief are those which confess lost opportunities of appreciation, failure to see the fine and noble spirit in the daily round of commonplace toil.—Selected
Crumbs From the Canton (China) Workers’ Meeting
By Mrs. J. N. Anderson
FURNISHED BY MRS. J. N. ANDERSON
Topic—Our Message
Rev. 14:6 speaks of a present-day message. We need not here say who is to give this message. We all very well understand. This angel is represented as flying in the midst of heaven. What does this indicate—a messenger flying in the midst of heaven? Every man in every part of this earth can see what transpires in the midst of heaven. So this message is to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. No other denomination professes to bear a message for the world. Wherever this people go, all around the earth the law of God is magnified, and the Lord’s coming is heralded. The judgment is at hand, and the world must be warned. God will clothe this message with power and glory, but we must know that every man of us has a duty to perform.
LO KAN SHAN.
We Chinese know what meat in due season is. When we get sick, we do not eat rice, salt fish, salt eggs, and vegetables. If we have a fever, we leave off rice, and take only congee and cooling foods. At other times we need other kinds of diet. Just so God gives to his people just that kind of spiritual food they need for the conditions under which they live. Now I want to say to the students in our schools, and to all my young friends, You can not catch fish in a tree. No more can you pick peaches from a wild-thorn hedge. You are expecting to join a church some day. Now if you want the message of God for these times, you must take hold where you cast your lot. If you want the meat in due season for this generation, you must go where it is found. Take heed lest you miss the path, and go to destruction. As laborers in this cause, our message must have a decided tone. When the cock crows, the farmer calls, Get up, the dawn is breaking. No such call is given in the afternoon: it would not be true, not in season. Let us suit our message to this time, and to the people who are to hear it.
LIU KOON PING.
Topic—Means and Methods of Labor
The first way in which this truth is to be advanced is by the lives of the people who profess it. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Phil. 2:16 speaks of Christians shining as lights in the world. The stars are silent, but they guide the sailor who understands how to interpret them. Those who can not15engage in active work in the ministry can do much by writing letters. Paul said; tried by “all means” to “save some.” A certain dumb man put a placard on his back, and walked up and down, stopping now and then for people to read his message; when he was too tired to stand, he lay down with the placard exposed to the view of passers-by. At last he was driven away. Then he wrote letters. Through this mute’s labors, a great many souls heard the gospel and believed.
HUNG HEI YING.
No facilities or methods of labor can take the place of personal dependence upon our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Without him we can do nothing. Peter caught fish when he cast his net at the command of Christ. Thus only shall we be successful in winning men to him.
WONG OI TONG.
Is the Law of God Null?
Soon after I began to keep the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, an old friend and former fellow Chinese pastor called on my family during my absence, and offered some counsel to my wife. He said, “You better not follow your husband in this foolish step of keeping the Jewish Sabbath. The law has all passed away, and Christians today are under no obligation to the fourth commandment. Let me prove it to you,” he went on. “In the Old Testament times, people were put to death for breaking the Sabbath. You remember how the man was stoned for picking up sticks. Now look at me. I am well and hearty, and have been breaking the Sabbath all my life.”
When I returned home, my wife announced that she intended no longer to keep the Sabbath, and in defense of her position produced the pastor’s, to her, convincing argument.
I was in perplexity. My wife had been somewhat wavering, and now it looked as if my home might be divided in opinion on this subject. After careful thought I decided to return the pastor’s call, and took the first opportunity to do so.
When we were seated, and had chatted a few minutes, I said, “My wife tells me you say the law is done away because men no longer die for Sabbath-breaking.”
“Yes, yes, that is what I believe.”
“So? Then it is no sin to lie,” I said, appearing to be quite pleased to know it.
“Why so? How can you say that? What proof can you produce for your statement?” the pastor demanded.
“Most excellent proof,” I maintained. “Let me show you. You remember how in the days of the apostles, Ananias and Sapphira lied, and were stricken dead on the spot. Well, thousands of Chinese all about us go on lying every day, and do not fall dead because of it.”
He saw the point, and my wife has been keeping the Sabbath with me ever since.
KEH NGA PIT.
Mrs. Liu’s Testimony
When my husband died, and left me with four children, all girls, and the youngest but a mere baby, I felt very sad; but though my feet were bound, and very small, still we were not poor, and so I thought we could get along. I worshiped the idols more devotedly, and kept on praying to the gods to have mercy upon us. Then there came a great fire in the ward just west of us here. I was driven out in the night with my four children, the eldest also bound-footed, to make our escape as best we could, while our home and the shop from which we derived our principal income were burned to the ground. This left us poor, and I felt very much distressed. The eldest girl was soon married; still it was hard getting on. Things were not always pleasant at my father’s house among his four wives, but I tried to put up with it, and kept on praying that the gods would have mercy upon us. This is the way the heathen do—keep hoping that by and by the gods will have mercy. It sounds very stupid, but I did not know the true God then. My heart was not at peace, though I worshiped the idols assiduously, and I thought I must have done something to cause the gods to bring so much trouble upon me. Then I decided to give my youngest child to become an idolatrous priestess, or nun. She was taken off outside the city to a temple upon White Cloud Mountain; but this, instead of bringing the peace I sought, only vexed me the more, and the two little sisters kept crying for the baby, and pleading for me to get her back, till at last I yielded. When we were all together again, I felt more satisfied, and as our business affairs brightened up a little, I rented a little house, and we began living by ourselves. All this time I kept on praying the gods to have mercy upon us, but I was very unhappy. A distant relative from Hong-kong paid us a visit. She tried to talk to us about the gospel, and sang to us some of the sacred songs she had learned. My people all ridiculed her; but while my heart was so dull I could not understand what she was really talking about, still I saw she was very sincere, and that her life was better than ours, and the children liked to hear her sing.
Thus things continued till one day about four years ago a young woman came in to chat a few minutes. During the conversation she told me that a certain woman, a foreigner, was opening a school for girls in her own home, only a few blocks away. Now, thought I, is my chance; I will put my girls to school. They shall not grow up sad and stupid as I am.
The girls began to study the very first day the school opened; but the word no sooner got abroad than my friends began to call, and harrow my mind with all sorts of evil suggestions. One stoutly affirmed that the sole object of that school was to gather in girls, kidnap them, and take them off to America. I determined to take them out of school, but they pleaded so strongly that I wavered till the friend from Hong-kong came again to visit us. Assured by her that the foreign lady had only the best of motives toward the girls, I allowed them to continue.
Seeing how much they enjoyed their work, I sometimes went with them to the Sabbath-school, but I could see nothing in it; and my stupid, darkened heart kept on praying the gods would have mercy upon me, and that my girls might not be overtaken by calamity.
When they began to talk about being Christians, and loved nothing so much as to sing and read the Bible and pray, my father became angry, and threatened to strip us of every bit of property if they became believers. But their entreaties became irresistible, and at last I promised they might be baptized when their grandfather died. But by and by they so far overcame his prejudice that they were baptized almost one year ago. It was a great pleasure to me to dedicate them to the Lord. Since we have been living at the school, I have had opportunity to study the Bible, and learn of God’s great love for us unworthy sinners. I no longer hope the gods will have mercy upon me. I know that the true God has had mercy upon me, and forgiven my sins. I am at peace. Although I have not yet been baptized, I know that I am his child, and that the Holy Spirit dwells in my heart. This meeting has been one of great blessing and profit to me, and I pray that we may all go out from here to work for our friends and relatives, that they, too, may receive the gospel and be saved.
Mission Notes
The secretary of the South American Union Conference writes that a good opening is afforded nurses in Argentina. They do not experience difficulty in obtaining license, as do physicians, to practise, but can engage in self-supporting work from the start.
The Missionary Review gives the following interesting facts in reference to the English Baptist Missionary Society: “This oldest of missionary bodies, whose first missionary was William Carey, at the end of one hundred sixteen years reports the largest receipts ever gathered, amounting to $437,510. Its missionaries now number two hundred ninety-three, including wives and unmarried women, and its native helpers, five hundred thirty.”
Good, thorough work in the school at Nyassaland mission is being carried forward. Of their work, Brother Rogers says: “While we are not working under the educational code, we feel that our school ought to be better, if possible, than anything they give. I will give one or two instances of how our boys and girls learn. In the morning Bible classes, while having regular lessons in the Gospels, studying the miracles of Jesus, they committed to memory all of the beatitudes, the ten commandments, and parts of the nineteenth and twenty-third psalms. My wife had charge of this16class, and it would do you good to hear them repeat these verses, mostly in good English. In the afternoon school, including grades two to five, our studies were on the books of Daniel and Revelation. I had a class of about thirty. While hearing practical and doctrinal lessons from these books, they memorized thirty-three verses in Daniel, and thirty-four in the first fourteen chapters of Revelation. These included all of the third angel’s message, and all of the Laodicean message. They like this memorizing, and when they go to the heathen villages without a Bible, they are able to tell what they have learned.”
One brother, although writing privately, drops the word that he and his wife had been under the strain of mission work for over six years, most of the time carrying its responsibilities alone. During this whole time his wife had been away from the mission only six weeks. This simply illustrates that when workers keep well, because of their deep interest in the work and the great need and scarcity of workers, they are often compelled to labor on year after year, often beyond their strength; for they can not think of going aside to rest, with no one to look after the work.
It will be remembered that Brother Kalbermatten, a young brother in the army in South America, has experienced much difficulty recently because of his strict adherence to principle in the matter of obeying the Lord in keeping the seventh day, under penalties of floggings and imprisonment. The good news now comes that he has gained the consent of the army officials to keep the Sabbath, providing he will work on Sunday. Upon the Sabbath he has a little meeting by himself, studying his Bible and singing hymns. One Sabbath the officers heard him singing and gathered about him, asking many questions regarding his religion. A very interesting experience occurred at the last trial before obtaining liberty to keep the Sabbath. Brother Kalbermatten had arranged with the captain for permission to state his reasons for refusing to work on the Sabbath to the head officials of the army. This was granted. He supposed he was to meet only two or three, but was surprised to find a room full, and among them a priest. Many hard questions were asked him, but God blessed his servant with ready answers. The priest failed completely in his effort to confuse him. Then Brother Kalbermatten required the priest to produce from the Bible one single command for the observance of Sunday as the Sabbath. The priest admitted there was no such command, but that the day was changed by the sole authority of the Roman Catholic Church. The priest still visits him on the Sabbath, seeking to persuade him to refrain from keeping it; at the same time, he has been persuaded by Brother Kalbermatten to read “Steps to Christ,” and a tract upon religious liberty. Pray for this young man.
The Portuguese Publishing Work in Brazil
By James White
THE state of Sao Paulo is with one exception the most populous state of Brazil, the inhabitants numbering about two million five hundred seventy thousand. The city of Sao Paulo is the capital, having a population of some three hundred thousand. Two and one-half hours distant by train is Santos, its port, and the largest coffee port in the world, with a population of eighty thousand. Between these two cities is the busiest, best, and cheapest railway of Brazil, a railway that will compare favorably with any of the great railways of the world, considering its length. Two hours by train from Santos and one-half hour from Sao Paulo is the village of Sao Bernardo, situated at an altitude of about three thousand feet. A little more than a mile from the station our brethren have purchased a property located in the country for their publishing work which is also to be the general headquarters for the work in Brazil. It is hoped that this will prove to be a healthful place in this tropical climate.
The property consists of about twelve acres. There was located on it a house with an upright and a wing built of brick. There were also other outbuildings, one of which has been enlarged for a dwelling for the secretary at an expense of five hundred dollars. The original cost was nearly three thousand dollars. The wing is in need of considerable repairs. The building is not nearly large enough to give the necessary room for their work, and so it has been arranged to erect an addition thirty-three feet square. It is believed that this will meet the demands for some time to come.
A medium-sized Augsburg (German) power press has been ordered, and as soon as the addition is completed, it will be installed. Besides the press donated to the Brazil work by the Emmanuel Missionary College a few years ago, they will have two other small presses, one donated by the Hamburg Publishing House. A two-horsepower gasoline motor of German manufacture has just been installed, and some binding machinery has been secured. Brother George Sabeff, who has charge of the printing, is studying hard to become proficient in all lines of the printing trade. There is now a good prospect that we will soon have the much-needed books for the Brazilian work. Brother Wm. Stein is hard at work preparing material for the presses.
“Steps to Christ” has been retranslated, and is already in type. The manuscript is under preparation for “Christ Our Saviour.” As soon as it can be revised, a second edition of “His Glorious Appearing” will be printed. The first edition is practically gone. “Christian Temperance” and other books and tracts will follow as soon as they can be prepared for the press. The canvassing work is promising well for the future in Brazil. Some new canvassers have done quite well in their work, and a goodly number are offering their services. The lack of suitable books has been a great hindrance.
The brethren are all of good courage with reference to this work. Brother August Pages, who has charge of the publishing work, is well fitted for it, through his former experience in connection with the Hamburg Publishing House, and he is an untiring worker for its success. J. W.
The Vancouver (B. C.) Meeting
By W. A. Spicer
The camp-meeting for British Columbia was held in Vancouver, beginning July 5. It was a very small, and a very simple meeting, continuing from Thursday night. But it was a blessed meeting. Evidently the Lord is ready to bless this little conference of believers in a small and needy province of the developing Northwest.
All the ministers in the province were present,—Elders W. J. Wilson, T. H. Watson, and P. P. Adams. Elder White, of the North Pacific Conference, was also present, and we all appreciated the strong help his counsel and experience gave us in the meetings.
The Sabbath seemed more than a day of special blessing. Hearts melted, and lives surrendered. There was a laying hold of the power of God in a very practical way. Personal difficulties that had filled the heart with anxiety for the work seemed to melt away, and we believe the message will go forward with power in this important field.
The financial problem confronting the conference was the erection of a building for the Manson School, near Port Hammond, Fraser River. In the little company gathered at the camp, about two thousand dollars was pledged, but quite largely on condition of the sale of property. The work on the school should go forward at once, as its present equipment is altogether inadequate for the students who ought to be under instruction. Here are some of the strong, active young people with faces turned toward the work, and the brethren were most anxious to get their school up. Elders Adams, Wilson, and Watson were appointed a committee to solicit funds, and it was hoped that unconditional pledges to warrant going forward with the building might be secured this summer.
This province is a vigorous and growing country, and our work should be pushed here. The conference has done some work among the Indians of the northern coasts, and means to do more. Some day soon they should have a permanent mission station in the Indian country already entered.
Vancouver is a beautifully situated city. Snow-capped mountains look down upon it, and its fine harbor and docks17make it the western gateway of the great Canadian Dominion. In twenty-two years it has grown from a few houses among the stumps to a city of eighty thousand. A strong work will yet be developed for this cause in British Columbia. The believers there are working for it, and we must help them to hasten the time. W. A. SPICER.
