Earlier text: Two Days with the IndiansSuperintendent’s Report
By I. A. Ford
The superintendent, Brother E. L. Richmond, reported the following interesting items:— “The Review and Herald factory is one of the places where the seed is prepared for the world-wide sowing; or, to use a figure more in harmony with present world conditions, it is the place where the ammunition is prepared for the last great battles of the Lord in this world of sin. “During the past year we have not been crowded so heavily with work as during 1914, and our employees, therefore, have been relieved to some extent from the overstrain of the running of two or three shifts. The increased book sales in 1914, added to the large editions of the Harvest Ingathering Review, the War and Eastern Question Extras, and the Temperance Instructor, made it necessary to carry a larger force in the factory than usual. The additional help made it possible for us to stock up our bins with a good supply of books with which to meet the heavy business of the past season without working much overtime. “In the type room, in addition to the regular work on our periodicals, we have completed ‘The Shadow of the Bottle’ and the revised edition of ‘Gospel Workers,’ and of Bell’s Complete Grammar. ‘Songs of Zion’ was set by a music firm in Philadelphia. We have also completed one half the series of twenty-four numbers of the Review Extras, or Present Truth Series. The composition of these would make about four hundred pages if put in ordinary book form. Of these twelve numbers of the Extras we have printed 2,228,000 copies, besides 199,000 copies of extra editions of the Eastern Question Extra, and 344,355 copies of the Protestant Extra. “During the year we purchased nineteen carloads of paper; and this, together with some smaller shipments, made a total of over four hundred tons of book paper taken into our basement stock rooms. We constantly have on hand more paper than is carried by many firms selling paper exclusively.” The manager of the book department, I. A. Ford, then reported, and from his report we take the following:— “The year 1915 has been a very eventful one, both in the world and also in our own work. While America has enjoyed a year of peace, yet it has felt the effects of this terrible European war to some extent. Some industries suffered greatly, especially during the first of the year. Many of the largest organizations, such as trunk lines of railway, found it necessary to retrench, and thousands of men were laid off from work part of the time. There was a general feeling of unrest and uncertainty. “Nearly all kinds of farm crops have been plentiful, yet in some sections whole districts were quarantined on account of the foot-and-mouth disease, so that they could not be worked by our colporteurs. However, as Paul said of certain conditions in his day, these things ‘have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.’ Instead of these conditions discouraging our people and causing them to do less than before, they were rather the signal for renewed effort, and for17 greater zeal, earnestness, and faithfulness in the giving of the message. A somewhat larger number of regular and student colporteurs were in the field, and their efforts were blessed with success. The result of this has been seen in a large increase in the circulation of our literature. “While the work of the year has been somewhat strenuous, it has been a most enjoyable one. Nothing does us more good than to see our literature, filled with the special message for this time, have such an increased circulation. Certainly we have reached the time of the loud cry of this message, and we may expect to see the Lord accomplish great things through those who are willing to attempt great things for him. We confidently expect the year 1916 will see many more of our books, pamphlets, and tracts placed in the homes of the people than were placed there during the year just past.” The book department showed a total sales for the year of $338,634.06 as against $234,293.67 for the year 1914, a gain of $104,240.39, or 44 4-10 per cent. This is doubtless the largest gain ever shown by the book department of this association in any one year. Among the new books put out during the year were “Gospel Workers,” “Songs of Zion,” and “Bible Readings for the Home Circle,” India paper edition. The following is a summary of the report given by Brother L. W. Graham, manager of our Eastern Branch:— The report of the New York Branch showed the best year’s business in the history of that office, the sales being $91,649.33, an increase of $35,182.80, or sixty-two per cent, over 1914. This office has set $120,000 worth of literature as its goal for the year 1916. The books having the largest circulation in the territory of this office were, “The World’s Crisis,” 45,318; “The Shadow of the Bottle,” 15,305; “Bible Readings,” 8,289. We quote from the branch manager’s report as follows:— “Our colporteurs have had good success. This is not because times have been better, or conditions for selling our literature more favorable, but because of greater consecration and faithfulness in their work. In reports this has shown in an increase in the average hours a week per agent. With the increased time have come increased sales, and the increased income is a great factor in helping the colporteur stay in the field, and in keeping his account at the tract society office in good condition. “Many South Lancaster students were in the field this summer, and not a few were successful in earning scholarships, and are now enjoying the fruit of their toil. “Financially, 1915 has been our best year. The net gain of the branch office was $2,773.34. This is better by over $1,500 than any previous year. One thing for which we are thankful is that we have no slow accounts, all tract societies being prompt in making remittances.” The manager of the Western Branch, Brother J. W. Mace, South Bend, Ind., made a very encouraging report of the work of that office for the year. Speaking of the student colporteurs, he said:— “The enthusiasm in our schools and colleges is especially gratifying to us, and is truly phenomenal as compared with the experience of past years. In our college at Berrien Springs there is a canvassers’ band of one hundred strong, which is holding regular meetings throughout the school year. The work of this band was opened up with inspiring experience meetings, in which returned successful canvassers took active part. Their work is fostered by the unqualified help and cooperation of the whole faculty. Similar favorable conditions exist to a great extent at our academy at Mount Vernon, Ohio, and at other points in the territory. “Our student canvassers earned fifty scholarships during the vacation period. This fact is a strong argument with which to appeal to the prospective student canvasser. Some of our inexperienced young people have made record sales, as high as $1,200 worth of books in a few weeks of the summer vacation.” The territory supplied by this office had a larger number of regular colporteurs in the field than in previous years, and the success of their work is seen in the fact that the total sales of subscription books in the territory amounted to $121,111.49, a gain of $31,792.98 over 1914. The outlook for the year to come seems most encouraging from the standpoint of these reports. Brother D. W. Reavis gave the following report of his department:— “The year 1915 having been a year of wars and rumors of wars, our church periodicals and such magazines as Life and Health, Protestant, Liberty, and the Temperance Instructor, not relating directly to the war, have experienced a hard struggle, and several of them have not attained to their usual prosperity. These conditions have made the periodical department a strenuous year, filled with anxiety and earnest effort. “The general public have been swayed by the spirit of the times, and for the present seem to express little interest in the plain themes of Christian living; but at the same time they purchase with eagerness all papers, magazines, and books which deal with information pertaining to the war, or which explain the prophecies and the signs of the times, telling what these things mean. The sale of magazines published by the Review and Herald office has, therefore, materially decreased during the year. We are glad, however, that during this same time the Watchman and the Signs of the Times—which deal directly with current events—have increased their circulation, so that the magazine work of the denomination is still going forward. “The Review and Herald has the largest circulation at the present time that it has had for more than ten years. The paper has now about 16,000 subscribers. The Instructor has an average list of about 15,000. The Sabbath School Worker has gradually increased in circulation since 1909, and today stands at 10,707, the highest mark attained in its history. The Christian Educator is also slowly gaining, though it has not yet had the patronage which it deserves. The Church Officers’ Gazette has grown from 2,911 subscriptions in 1914 to 4,252, and the list is still growing. The Present Truth Series had the splendid circulation of 2,090,000 copies during the first year of its history. This little one-topic messenger, easily within the reach of all in price, and most effective in giving the message, has been accorded a hearty reception. “As the editor of the Protestant Magazine has been called by the General Conference Committee to take the position of field secretary, which will make it necessary for him to spend a large part of his time in the field, it has been thought best to suspend for the present the publication of the Protestant Magazine.” The treasurer’s report, by Brother R. Hook, Jr., was the most interesting one ever presented to this association. It revealed the fact that during the year the bills payable account had been reduced by the payment of notes amounting to $54,626.53, leaving the present indebtedness of the association as represented by bills payable, only $44,884.79. It is the expectation of the officers of the association that this amount will be very materially reduced during the present year, besides making substantial gifts to needy enterprises, and the purchase of such new equipment as may be needed. The net gain for the year, which was added to the capital account, was $28,926.76, making the total present worth $233,422.26. The committee on nominations reported the following names to succeed themselves as members of the board of directors: Francis M. Wilcox, Edwin R. Palmer, Irving A. Ford, Richard Hook, Jr., Ellsworth L. Richmond, William W. Prescott. These nominees were unanimously elected. The following resolutions were adopted by the constituency:— Whereas, The signal blessing of the Lord has rested upon the work of this institution during the past year, enabling the management to pay off more than half of its bills payable, and in view of the urgent calls for help from small, struggling printing plants in foreign fields and from the leading training schools in our territory; therefore,— We recommend, That we do not delay coming to the assistance of these needy fields and enterprises until our own debts are entirely paid, but that a portion of our net earnings be appropriated to meet these needs, and that the balance be applied as far as consistent on the interest-bearing debts of the association. That in harmony with Article VI, Section 1, of our By-Laws (as amended at this meeting), $10,000 of the net earnings of the association for the year 1915, together with a tithe of the net earnings, be set apart as a reserve, to be appropriated, from time to time, to such needy fields and enterprises as may be recommended by the General Conference Committee, the North American Division Committee, and the Review and Herald Board, sitting in joint session. “That “His Glorious Appearing,” “Our Paradise Home,” revised edition of “Helps to Bible Study,” and a new book entitled “Armageddon” be issued in similar form and at same prices and18 discounts as “The World’s Crisis.” That the Berean Library be made up of the following books, and that the wholesale price to our workers for a set in a box be $1.50:—
NO. PRICE- Steps to Christ .......................... $ .25
- Thoughts on Daniel ........................ .30
- Thoughts on Revelation .................... .35
- Religious Liberty in America .............. .35
- Sabbath in the Scriptures .................. .25
- Sabbath in History ........................ .50
- Capital and Labor .......................... .25
- Here and Hereafter ........................ .30
That the revised edition of “Facts for the Times,” copy for which is now being prepared, be issued as soon as possible in similar form to “Gospel Workers.” Whereas, The Present Truth Series is being received with general favor and satisfaction by our people, and is evidently filling an important place in publishing the third angel’s message; and,— Whereas, It can be handled with less expense and upon a more stable and satisfactory basis as an independent publication than as Extras to the Review; therefore,— We recommend, That beginning with Jan. 1, 1917, the Present Truth Series of Review and Herald Extras be issued as a monthly periodical, on the following general plan:— (a) That it be entitled “The Present Truth.”
(b) That it be published in its present form as a four-page, illustrated monthly periodical.
(c) That each number be devoted to a single subject, or feature, of the third angel’s message.
(d) That it be issued as a series of twenty-four numbers.
(e) That the subscription price for single copies and for clubs cover the full series, running monthly for two years.
(f) That a facsimile reprint of the first number of the Present Truth, published by Elder James White in Middletown, Conn., in 1845, be furnished as a souvenir premium with each subscription to the Present Truth Series.
(g) That we encourage the rank and file of our people to improve the present favorable opportunity to distribute such timely books as “The World’s Crisis,” “The Shadow of the Bottle,” “His Glorious Appearing,” “Our Paradise Home,” and other books of this nature. The meeting adjourned sine die. The newly elected board of trustees met in joint session with the officers of the General Conference and the North American Division Conference, in Takoma Park, D. C., January 19, and the board was organized by the election of the following officers: President, F. M. Wilcox; vice president, W. T. Knox; secretary, I. A. Ford; treasurer, R. Hook, Jr.; general manager, E. R. Palmer; assistant manager and superintendent, E. L. Richmond. The following editors were chosen:—
REVIEW AND HERALD: Editor, F. M. Wilcox.
Associate Editors: W. A. Spicer, G. B. Thompson, L. L. Caviness.
Special Contributors: A. G. Daniels, I. H. Evans, L. R. Conradi, R. C. Porter, W. T. Knox, W. W. Prescott, C. M. Snow.
Home Department: Editor, Mrs. I. H. Evans. Assistant Editor, Miss Lora Clement.
YOUTH’S INSTRUCTOR: Editor, Mrs. Fannie D. Chase.
Associate Editor, Mrs. Adelaide B. Evans.
LIFE AND HEALTH: Editor, Dr. G. H. Heald.
LIBERTY: Editor, C. S. Longacre.
Managing Editor, C. P. Bollman.
Associate Editors: L. L. Caviness, C. E. Holmes.
Special Contributors: K. C. Russell, J. O. Corliss, W. F. Martin, S. B. Horton, C. B. Haynes.
SABBATH SCHOOL WORKER: Editor, Mrs. L. Flora Plummer.
Associate Editor, Rosamond D. Ginther.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATOR: Editor, Frederick Griggs.
Managing Editor, W. E. Howell.
Special Contributors: J. L. Shaw, O. J. Graf, C. W. Irwin, H. A. Morrison, E. C. Kellogg, B. F. Machlan.
CHURCH OFFICERS’ GAZETTE: Editors, Edith M. Graham, Matilda Erickson.
PRESENT TRUTH: Editor, E. R. Palmer. A Religious Liberty Campaign in the Northwest
By H. W. Cottrell
A SUNDAY law similar to the colonial “blue laws” enacted in 1854, amended in 1864 and 1865, and remaining a “dead letter” until a few weeks ago, has now been resurrected and enforced upon certain offenders in the State of Oregon. This law forbids the keeping open of any “store, shop, grocery, bowling alley, billiard room, or tippling house, for the purpose of labor or traffic, or any place of amusement, on the first day of the week, commonly called ‘Sunday’ or the ‘Lord’s Day.’” Its inconsistency may be seen by comparing with the above-named lines of business its exemptions which follow: “Theaters, the keepers of drug stores, doctor shops, undertakers, livery-stable keepers, butchers, and bakers.” The first case was tried before Circuit Judge Morrow, who pronounced the law unconstitutional. However, in an appealed suit this decision was reversed, the law being declared constitutional by Justice Burnett of the State Supreme Court. Justice Burnett justifies the statutory exemptions. The trades exempted, said he, “minister to wants that are more imperative, as a rule, than those supplied by the general run of business in the occupations named, while theaters afford mental diversion conducive to rest and relaxation.” The query may arise in the minds of some well-disposed persons whether the game of bowling would not be fully as great mental relaxation to those who engage in it for pleasure, as the theater is to those who attend it for “mental diversion.” Nevertheless, Justice Burnett questions, in his decision, the wisdom of the men who enacted the Sunday law, and of necessity therefore must also question the justice of the law. Said he, “We are concerned only with the authority and not with the wisdom of the law-makers.” The Sunday law of 1854, as reenacted by the Oregon Legislature in 1864, not only specified lines of business that must remain closed on Sunday, but decreed that no person “shall do any secular business or labor other than works of mercy.” This clause was omitted from the amended law as adopted Dec. 18, 1865. The 1865 law is the same as the present law, with the exception that theaters have since been substituted for barbers in the list of industries permitted to remain open on Sunday. As soon as the agitation over the Sunday closing arose in the State, Mr. G. L. Tufts, of the National Reform Association, and their superintendent on this coast, came up from Berkeley, Cal., where he resides, and at once took an active part in promoting the agitation for Sunday closing. In the interest of the natural rights of every man, woman, and child, the Religious Liberty Association started an educational campaign throughout the State, by securing theaters or opera houses for lectures in the following places: The three largest theaters in Portland, and one each in Salem, Eugene, Albany, Forest Grove, Hillsboro, McMinnville, Newberg, St. John’s, Woodburn, Oregon City, Dallas, Cottage Grove, and Roseburg in Oregon, and Tacoma and Seattle in Washington. We were favored with the services of Prof. C. S. Longacre and Elder Luther Warren for a few days, and Elder W. M. Healey remained with us throughout the entire campaign. The assistance of these brethren was much appreciated. It is our purpose to keep the educational campaign going until next fall, when a measure to repeal the existing Sunday closing law will be initiated, placed upon the ballot, and submitted to the vote of the people. We are confident the people of Oregon will repeal this unjust law. There will also be initiated and placed upon the ballot a measure for a still more stringent Sunday law, speaking of which Mr. G. L. Tufts, the chief promoter of the religious Sunday closing, in an article in the Portland Oregonian, Oct. 23, 1915, said: “We highly esteem the opinion of the Oregonian. For this reason we will submit a copy of our proposed bill for its consideration and criticism before going to print. The editor labors under the mistake that we propose to force people to rest on Sundays, whether or no. That may be said of the Sunday laws of some of the States.” Various Portland papers have presented strong editorials against the injustice of such laws. There is no need in gospel work of greater importance at this hour, than that every lover of right and liberty throw on the searchlight of publicity, that the unsuspecting multitudes within the sphere of his influence may see the snare that is being set for their feet through the religio-civil invasion of the inherent right of personal choice. Religious Liberty Department
By C. S. Longacre
C. S. LONGACRE - - N. Am. Div. Secretary “A KIND word put out at interest brings back an enormous percentage of love and appreciation.” The Rural School Work in the South
By Frederick Griggs
At the recent council of the North American Division Conference at Loma Linda, consideration was given to the rural school work of the South. For many years the “self-supporting” or “independent” schools, as they have been variously called, have been a matter of deep interest and some perplexity to the General Conference. For some fifteen or twenty years efforts have been made by our denomination to reach the people of the South, white and colored, through school work. In a general way it may be said that this work was first begun by the Southern Missionary Society. Much instruction had come to us through the spirit of prophecy regarding the needy people of the South and the necessity of our doing a special work for them. This work the Southern Missionary Society endeavored to do. It conducted quite a number of schools for colored children in various portions of the South, but its work seemed to lack that unity of effort necessary to produce the best results. With a view to greater efficiency the work of the society was taken over by the Southern Union Conference, and became a part of its regular work. As time passed a still greater burden for this work seemed to be laid upon Sister E. G. White, and she repeatedly counseled and urged that greater effort should be put forth to establish the message firmly in the South. Prof. E. A. Sutherland and Prof. P. T. Magan felt a desire to assist in carrying out the instruction thus received, and to establish a school in which to train workers for this field, and they were encouraged by Sister White to do so. A farm of about four hundred acres of land, located some nine miles from Nashville, near Madison, Tenn., was purchased, and a school was opened in October, 1904, with an enrolment of fifteen students. The school was not under conference management, but was incorporated by Brethren Sutherland and Magan and others under the General Welfare Act of the State of Tennessee. From the training school thus established there went out men and women into rural districts to establish small schools. Within two or three years a half dozen of these schools were in operation. They were located within a radius of one hundred miles of Nashville, away from other schools, public or private, where the people were in need of them. In the establishment of these schools, farms were purchased and school work begun, either in buildings already on the farms or in small ones erected after their purchase. The means used to purchase these properties belonged in20 some instances to the purchasers, and in others it was obtained from friends and churches in the North. One object in the minds of those conducting these schools was to cultivate the soil properly, and to demonstrate that it could be a means of producing a better living than the people of the locality had been obtaining. The prime purpose, however, was to teach not agriculture, but the third angel’s message. These schools have increased in number until now there are twenty-five or thirty of them located in different States of the Southern and Southeastern Union Conferences. When the Madison school opened, and for some time thereafter, there were quite serious difficulties in the denomination relative to organization. As previously stated, this school and those schools affiliated with it were not under direct conference management, and naturally questions arose as to their relation to the organized work. In general it may be said that the misunderstandings concerning these schools have arisen from two causes: first, the teachings given, or supposed to have been given, in them, relative to organization and conference work; and second, the manner in which the funds for their establishment and maintenance were secured. These misunderstandings have resulted in a lack of that necessary and hearty cooperation which doubtless would otherwise have existed between them and the conferences in which they were located. The General Conference Committee has from the first recognized the necessity of this work so definitely outlined by the spirit of prophecy, and has at all times considered itself ready to advance it to the extent of its ability and the means at its disposal. But believing that all features of this cause should be carried forward by the denomination in a cooperative and organized way, it has not been able to enter into that sympathetic relation with these schools which is required for their best success. In an effort to bring about different conditions for the carrying forward of this work, concerning which so much instruction has come to us, the fall council of 1914 took the following action:— “Voted, That the chairman appoint a representative committee of five or more persons, the Chair being one, to give careful study to the independent work being carried forward in the Division Conference, formulate a report, and submit their findings to the next autumn council of the Division Conference Executive Committee. “This committee was chosen as follows: F. Griggs, W. T. Knox, I. H. Evans, S. E. Wight, O. Montgomery, J. J. Ireland, C. W. Flaiz, W. A. Ruble, Charles Thompson, W. C. White.” In accordance with this action, a subcommittee consisting of Elders S. E. Wight, O. Montgomery, C. W. Flaiz, and the writer, was delegated to make quite an extended visit to these schools. Some two weeks was spent in carrying out this plan, and later the whole committee, together with representatives of the schools, met at Nashville, for study of the questions involved. As a result of these deliberations, a tentative report was drawn up. Financial difficulties having arisen in connection with the work of the Hillcrest (Nashville) school for colored workers, conducted along lines similar to those of the Madison school, Elders I. H. Evans, W. T. Knox, and the writer again met, late in April, 1915, with the workers of the Madison and Hillcrest schools; and still later, in May, Drs. Sutherland and Magan came to Washington for a further conference. While the questions considered at these last two meetings related primarily to the immediate difficulties of the Hillcrest school, yet they involved a careful study of the relation of this kind of school to our conference organization, and resulted in a better understanding of that relation. The day before the opening of the fall council, Nov. 4, 1915, the whole committee met at Loma Linda to draft its final report. By invitation, Dr. P. T. Magan met with it. After a prayerful study of all the questions involved, the following report was drafted:— “Your committee appointed at the council held at Takoma Park, Oct. 25 to Nov. 3, 1914, to make a study of the independent institutions of the North American Division Conference, would submit the following with reference to school enterprises:— “We have visited many of the independent or self-supporting schools, as they are variously called, of the Southern and Southeastern Conferences. We made our investigations in this field because so many of these enterprises are located close together in this territory, thus saving expense. “A subcommittee spent two weeks in visiting these schools, and the whole committee spent three days studying the situation together. During this time we visited fifteen of these self-supporting enterprises. Our study leads us to make the following general statements:— “1. Your committee has sought earnestly and prayerfully to lay aside any preconceived opinions, and come to the study of this work with unprejudiced minds. “2. We were impressed with the spirit of devotion and self-sacrifice manifested by these workers. They are living in the plainest of homes, and in some instances their self-denial falls little short of actual suffering, but notwithstanding they seem possessed of a cheerful and uncomplaining spirit. “3. We believe there is need in the Southland for work of the general nature carried forward by these schools. It appears to us that the character of the people throughout large portions of the South, and particularly in the hill regions, is such as to demand a special effort toward permanency in our gospel work. It seems to us that if we would develop our work and give stability to it, it is necessary in many sections for gospel workers to live in the community and become leaders in the religious activities. We do not believe that people are to be brought into the truth solely by education, for the truth must be preached in its simplicity and purity. “4. We find many of these workers doing medical missionary work in their community, and as far as we were able to judge they have won the confidence and good will of the people by their ministrations. “5. We discovered two distinct classes of schools; one whose purpose primarily is to work for the people of the vicinity in which the school is located; the other seems to have to a greater or less degree the purpose of educating the children of Seventh-day Adventists outside the community, even soliciting students from other conferences from that in which the school is located. “6. We find a lack of supervision of this work, different methods being pursued in different schools, nearly every school seeming to be a unit of itself. A proper supervision would tend greatly to strengthen these schools. “7. In his prayer, as recorded in the seventeenth chapter of John, our Saviour pleaded for the unity of the church until the end of time, and in sympathy with this prayer it is our desire that the utmost unity may be found throughout the territory of the North American Division Conference, both in our evangelical and our institutional work, in order that the blessing of God may be seen and his Spirit poured out upon our work for its speedy finishing. “Based upon the foregoing, are the following recommendations:— “We recommend, 1. That this work be enlarged and strengthened, and that hereafter the Madison school, and the efforts which have sprung or may spring from it, be considered a part of the regular work of the denomination, and that the Madison school be regarded by the denomination as the training school for workers for rural schools in the mountain districts of the South. “2. That the North American Division Conference regularly provide and support a Bible teacher for the Madison training school. “3. That we encourage our conference officers and our people to consider and look upon the rural school work in the hill districts of the South as a part of the regular work of the denomination, and that we encourage proper persons in all our conferences to enter the Madison school to receive a training for this work. “4. That hereafter these schools be designated as the Rural Schools of the South, and be promoted jointly by the local and union conference officials, and by the workers in the Madison training school, and that they be fostered and superintended by the regular organized work, and be operated on what is known as the self-supporting plan. “5. That when funds for these schools are gathered from the Seventh-day Adventist people, the title to such school properties shall be held in a manner agreeable to the conferences in which such schools are located. When the funds are provided by the promoters of the schools, the property shall be held by the promoters in such a manner as will safeguard the interests and future welfare of the school. “6. That hereafter when funds are solicited for this line of work, we follow closely the General Conference recommendation in regard to previously making satisfactory arrangements with conference officials. “7. That funds for the establishment and operation of these schools, when coming from our people, pass through the regular channels. “8. That all our schools, where support is supplied by the contributions of our people, keep an account of their receipts and disbursements, and that the conference auditor annually audit the books of such schools or provide for the same. “9. That in the teachers’ institutes21 hereafter held, the managers and teachers in these rural schools have a part, and that provision be made in the program for the consideration of and instruction in the particular lines of work in which they are engaged.” This report was duly presented to the council and unanimously adopted. There is little that needs to be added at this time, for the report speaks for itself. We rejoice that this long step toward unity and cooperation in the work for the needy Southland has been taken; and now that a definite plan of organization has been effected, we look for this work to have a substantial and rapid growth. Men and women should be chosen for the work of this field with the same care as for foreign service. In the words of Sister White,— “God calls for missionaries, and asks us to take up our neglected duties. Let farmers, financiers, builders, and those who are skilled in various arts and crafts, go to this field [the South] to improve lands and to build humble cottages for themselves and their neighbors. “The most successful methods are to encourage families who have a missionary spirit, to settle in the Southern States and work with the people.” With the hearty cooperation of our conferences in the North as well as in the South, and with wise, careful management, we look for the rural schools of the South to be a valuable means of advancing the third angel’s message in that portion of the United States.