Earlier text: Two Different ViewpointsThe Fall of Nanking
By James E. Shultz
Soldiers were to be seen everywhere, but they treated us with marked civility. At last we came to the door of our chapel, over which was hanging an improvised American flag, which had been painted and hung there by our evangelist in the hope that looters would respect foreign property; but his hopes were vain. On entering, we were met by six men, one of whom was the evangelist. On recognizing us, all began talking most12 excitedly concerning the experiences through which they had passed. The evangelist had taken the precaution to send his wife and mother-in-law to the Nanking University before the fall of the city, where they would be under the protection of Americans; nor was this precaution unwarranted, for it saved them from the fate of countless other poor women who were at the mercy of the debased soldiers. Soon after the surrender of the city, a band of soldiers came and demanded that our brother give them what valuables he possessed. He complied, and they departed; but another band and still others came, until the place was looted four times. Finally, when nothing more was left, the soldiers began tearing up the floors to find whatever might possibly be hidden. Failing in this, one stepped up to our evangelist, whose wardrobe now consisted of only what he had on, and placing the muzzle of his rifle at his breast, demanded that he remove his shoes. This he did, and the soldiers made off with them, concluding that it was useless to continue the search. Despite all this, our evangelist did not complain, but rather took joyfully the spoiling of his goods that he might be accounted worthy to reign with the Lord Jesus Christ. We later visited the university where our sisters had been entertained, to thank the officials for their kindness. There we were told how a band of looters came to the gate, where they were met by a brave missionary, whom they ordered to let them pass. He knew that hundreds of native women, as well as the property of the university, must be sacrificed if he complied, so he refused, at the risk of his life. Repeated threats failed to move him, and finally, concluding it would be unwise to kill an American, they disappeared. Twice they reappeared, each time to be met by the same brave man, who never left his post at the gate for thirty-six hours. By his heroism he saved the university from ruin, and hundreds of women from the most horrible indignities. O, these poor Chinese women! Their lives are terrible at the best. Their advent into the world is the signal for bitter lamentation. They are bartered away to boy husbands as soon as they can be got rid of, who are either powerless or too indolent to shield them from the cruelty of their mothers-in-law, and then, as if they were not suffering enough, enduring all that flesh and blood are capable of enduring, they are signaled out by Satan to suffer from the most fiendish outrages during war. Far better for them could they suffer an honorable death upon the field of battle; but such is denied them. They must bear their cross of shame to Christless graves. Our next visit was to Wendehli, the compound which was occupied by our foreign students last year. Here the household effects of Brother White were stored, while he, together with his family, spent the summer at the mountain. It soon became evident that the place must suffer the fate of others. The Chinese gateman had, during the past, become much attached to our people, and could not think of permitting the looting of Brother White's goods. He accordingly closed the gates and posted upon them notices that this was a branch of the American consulate. His ruse proved effective until help arrived. In this compound also lived the local Japanese postmaster, to whose presence is due the fact that the place was not finally looted. After the slaying of three Japanese in other parts of the city, marines were sent from the Japanese war vessels lying in the harbor, to protect him. When we arrived, we found thirty-nine of them quartered in the compound. Nothing had been molested, and they courteously informed us that they intended leaving as soon as we wished to occupy the buildings. While no looting had been done here, evidences of the recent struggle were visible about the place. Rifle bullets had broken the windowpanes, while near the main entrance a six-inch shell had torn through the brick wall, entered the reception room, crashed through the next partition, thence it was deflected through the floor and into the cellar, where it failed to explode. Another small shell had struck one of the large doors, but failed to do much harm. The Missionary Hen; the Missionary Acre
By T. E. Bowen
It is interesting to note the ways and means by which the Lord impresses the hearts of those who love the third angel's message, and blesses the efforts they make in procuring money to sustain our ever-expanding mission work in distant fields. Here is how the love of a little girl out in Colorado found expression. The secretary reports:— "I was surprised, while at the White Owl church, when a little girl came to me with two dollars. Her mother had given her a sitting of eggs. She had raised the chickens and sold them, and wanted me to send the money to the missions. When I look upon the deep poverty of these homesteaders, and see the Lord blessing the efforts even of the children to do something to help give the message to the world, I wonder at the sacrifice." Then follows a story as to how certain rows in a farmer's potato field were specially blessed last year:— "A brother, at Sheridan, Wyo., went into his potato field and staked off enough rows to make one acre, and then cultivated these rows right along with the remainder of the crop. He often prayed that God would bless this acre of potatoes and make it fruitful, and promised the Lord he would give it all for missions. In the harvest this particular acre was dug separately. It yielded over four hundred bushels. These potatoes sold for $225, and the money was all given to missions. The remainder of the field yielded only two hundred bushels to the acre, although it lay on either side of the missionary acre. The brother was so rejoiced over the result of the effort that he is determined to plant another acre this year." Here are valuable suggestions as to how mission funds for 1914 may be supplemented at the Mission Board treasury. Perhaps other farmers would like to stake out claims for God on their farms, and watch the outcome. Among the Zenanas, India
By Vera Chilton
EVEN though you come to India, you can never be allowed behind the purdah; so you can learn nothing of those mysterious precincts except from what you hear. I have been having an exciting but heartbreaking time in my zenanas lately, and it seems as if the first fruits of my labors had been snatched from my grasp just as they were ripe unto harvest. Humanly speaking, they have been snatched out of my grasp, but the great Lord of the harvest will not suffer these precious first fruits to be lost, and I give them into his safe-keeping. The one very discouraging part of zenana work, looking at it from the outside, is that invariably as the reader reaches the stage of desiring baptism, the change is noticed in her life, and the worker is banished and the door closed to the gospel. But I rejoice to feel that though these dear ones may never be permitted to receive baptism, yet no one can prevent the work of the Spirit in their hearts; and "they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels." And so the leaven works; for is not the kingdom of God like unto leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal? Lucknow is acknowledged to be a veritable stronghold of Mohammedanism, which seems deadly in its strength and magnitude. It seems that every time a person tries to approach an individual for missionary work, he has to have a hand-to-hand struggle with Satan. Often it is as if Satan had built a mighty bulwark around every heart, and captive and rescuer are often bruised and mangled in beating up against it. But, thank the Lord, our God is the God of all flesh, and nothing is too hard for him, and by his Spirit he can and will prevail, and his remnant people shall be gathered out from among the Mohammedans, for the Spirit of the Lord has spoken it. "When I fall, I shall arise." And if it be God's will for me to die before our Jesus comes, I want to die with the glorious gospel banner in my hand and a shout of victory on my lips. True and Permanent Fame
By Charles Sumner
No true and permanent fame can be founded except in labors that promote the happiness of mankind.—Charles Sumner. My Personal Experience in Healing
By Mrs. J. M. Erickson
I AM glad to witness to God's healing power. I should be most ungrateful if I failed to do this. At the workers' meeting in Chicago some weeks ago I asked for special prayer that I might be restored to health if it was God's will; and I felt that it was his will, as he had given me the conviction that if I confessed and forsook my sins and asked for prayers, he would hear and answer. I had every reason to believe that I was afflicted with internal cancer, and that if it was not stayed by God's hand, it would run its fatal course in a short time. I felt deeply that I had, in a large measure, brought this upon myself by various dietetic errors. I determined to receive deliverance from these wrong habits; for I felt that if I could not obtain the victory, it would be much better for me to lay down my life, but if I could obtain the victory, the Lord would take care of the rest. I told the workers of my convictions and feelings, and asked them to pray that I might be delivered from Satan's power. We knelt in prayer, and as Elder O. A. Olsen prayed, the anxiety all left me, my mind became perfectly calm, I felt no oppression, but only quietness and peace; and the assurance came to me that this was the healing power of God; and as I grasped that truth, a thrill went through my whole body. I can only compare it to coming in contact with a current of electricity. It tingled out to the very tips of my fingers, and I could only thank and praise the Lord that I was healed. I believed that I was healed and delivered from Satan's power, and that my sins were forgiven. I am glad to say that God has been gracious to me and has kept me ever since, though I believe I had never encountered such a storm of temptations. Satan assailed me on every point where he knew I had failed. First he tried to make me doubt that I was healed. "O, you just put your hand over the growth and see if you are healed!" he said. "Look and see if that goiter is gone, and feel and see if that hard mass is gone out of your side." "I don't need to," I said; "I know I am healed, because I believe the promise of God." Then he tried to make me believe I was in pain. "Don't you feel that pain? and don't you see you are just the same?"—"No, I am not. I know I am healed." And finally I began to say, "Get thee behind me, Satan," and then the pain would leave me. I kept this up all the afternoon, and retired in the evening without as much as once putting my hand to my side, as I felt that I must believe God's promise rather than anything I saw or felt. In the night I suddenly awoke, and my hand went almost involuntarily to my side, when I discovered that the change was so great as to be easily discernible. The skin was soft and pliable, and the tissues beneath were no longer hard and tense, but felt natural, and that hard mass was gone. I could both see and feel that God had healed me, my heart was full of thankfulness, the Lord seemed very real and near to me, and his sweet peace filled my heart. To think that the great God of heaven and earth would consent to lay his healing hand on my sick and aching side and restore it, is very wonderful to me, so wonderful that I cannot find words to express it. Two or three days later, as my daughter was fastening my collar, she said, "Why, mamma, this collar is so large you can't wear it." It was one that had been uncomfortably tight. Looking in the glass, I exclaimed, "Why, my goiter is gone!" My little boy, who was standing near by, remarked, "Why, you didn't ask the Lord to take that away, did you, mamma? He has done more for you than you asked him to, hasn't he?" Wonderful as this all is to me, the most wonderful part was yet to come. You know that the Lord has promised that when Satan should come in as a flood, he would raise up a standard against him, and this he did for me. When I awoke in the morning, my first thought was, "Shall I now be able to withstand all of Satan's temptations today?" I knew by sad experience how weak I was, and I feared, because I knew the enemy would try harder than ever to overcome me. "Well," I thought, "God healed me yesterday, and he had a purpose in doing it. He kept me yesterday, he will keep me today;" and if I ever prayed in my life, I prayed that morning, not for physical help, as I felt that was not enough, but just to be kept, simply to be kept from falling. I laid my weaknesses and sins before the Lord and asked him to keep and uphold me that day. Then I went about my work, and as Satan still continued to tempt me to doubt that I was healed, I would begin to sing, "There is power, power, wonder-working power, in the blood of the Lamb," and Satan just couldn't stand that; he had to flee. I felt as if I had just learned how to be a Christian after trying to be one so long, and indeed I have tried. I believe I can honestly say that, but I have found out that Satan is altogether too wise and too strong for me to fight against, and I have just turned that over to the Lord. I never could imagine that Satan was so wily. Friday I had a hard day's work to do, and I was a little fearful at one time as to how things might go. It was a sultry day, and the children were fretful; the bread would not rise, and every conceivable hindrance seemed to come up; but every time I cried to the Lord to be kept, I felt his strength upholding me, and I praise the Lord that he kept me; and he has kept me ever since. When Sabbath came, I was thoroughly tired, but happy, O, so happy in Jesus! Was It Really a Success?
By G. H. Heald, M. D.
ALL success is relative. Success is but the fruition of good characteristics. But good characteristics do not all bunch together in the same person. In the average of mankind the good and evil appear mingled in various proportions. Joseph Pulitzer was a man with traits which destined him for a master position in the world's affairs. Coming to this country with nothing and without friends, his genius and intense energy enabled him to distinguish himself as the world's greatest journalist. He achieved fame and fortune far above the average even of gifted men; and yet he had at least one characteristic that made life a burden to himself and to all those around him; and were it not for his great genius and the power of his wealth, he might have been ostracized by others, as he ostracized himself. Walton, in "Why Worry," beautifully describes the characteristic of which I speak, under the name "obsession:"— "The passive obsessions are peculiarly provocative of worry. Such are extreme aversions to certain animals, foods, smells, sounds, and sights, or insistent discomfort if affairs are not ordered to our liking. A gentleman once told me that at the concert he did not mind if his neighbor followed the score, but when he consulted his program during the performance, it distressed him greatly. "Such instances illustrate the fact that when our obsessions rule us, it is not the noise nor the sight, but our idea of the fitness of things, that determines the degree of our annoyance. A person who cannot endure the crackling of the steam pipe can listen with pleasure to the crackling of an open fire or the noise of a running brook." Recently in the Metropolitan, Alleyne Ireland has been giving some reminiscences of Mr. Pulitzer. From these it would seem that the great man had allowed to develop in himself an obsession against noise. "Like most people who suffer acutely from noise, Mr. Pulitzer was very differently affected by different kinds of noise. To14 any noise which was necessary, such as that caused by letting go the anchor, he could make himself indifferent; but very few noises were included in this category. "What caused him the most acute suffering was a noise which, while it inflicted pain upon him, neither gave pleasure to any one else nor achieved a useful purpose. Loud talking, whistling, slamming doors, carelessness in handling things, the barking of dogs, the 'kick' of motor boats,—these were the noises which made his existence miserable." The extent to which this obsession dominated Mr. Pulitzer and made his own life and that of those around him unhappy, is well told by Mr. Ireland:— "As an instance of the constant care which was taken to save Mr. Pulitzer from noise, I remember that for some days almonds were served with our dessert at dinner, but that they suddenly ceased to form part of our menu. Being fond of almonds, I asked the chief steward why they had stopped serving them. After a little hesitation he said that it had been done at the suggestion of the head butler, who had noticed that I broke the almonds in half before I ate them, and that the noise made by their snapping was very disagreeable to Mr. Pulitzer. "With the best intentions in the world, our meals were now and then disturbed by noise. A knife suddenly slipped with a loud click against a plate, a waiter dropped a spoon on a silver tray, or some one knocked over a glass. We were all in such a state of nervous tension that whenever one of these little accidents occurred, we jumped in our chairs as if a pistol had been fired, and looked at J. P. with horrified expectancy. "There could be no doubt whatever as to the effect these noises had upon him. He winced as a dog winces when you crack a whip over him; the only question was whether by a powerful effort he could regain his composure or whether his suffering would overcome his self-restraint to the extent of making him gloomy or querulous during the rest of the meal." No doubt this distaste for noise, which may have been natural with him, was greatly intensified when his literary work was interrupted by noises; and by permitting the feeling of resentment and impatience to grow, it became an obsession which ruled his life, making misery for himself and for all who were fortunate enough—or unfortunate enough—to associate intimately with him. This is not written to mar the beauty of a great life,—that were not possible,—but to call the attention of readers to the fact, demonstrated in many experiences, that obsessions, such as the one described, can be completely overcome—that is, in a sane person—if the individual will give himself over to a little self-discipline. Dr. Walton's "Why Worry" is an excellent textbook, but better than this even, is a real Christian experience. Worry and obsession are driven out completely by such an experience. The Northern Union Conference
By E. M. Graham
THE sixth biennial session of the Northern Union Conference was held at Minneapolis, Minn., from January 27 to February 7. Each of the conferences in the union sent a full delegation, and in addition made provision for the majority of the workers to be present, in order to have the benefit of the ministerial institute which was carried on during the first part of the meeting. The services were held in the large Unitarian church on South Eighth Street. In this building were found many conveniences for such a gathering,—vestries for committees and department meetings, small rooms for stenographic work, an up-to-date kitchen with all supplies for a cafeteria, and a room suitable for a dining room. Everything was well organized, and excellent arrangements were made for the accommodation of the delegates and visitors. The studies of the ministerial institute were given by Elders I. H. Evans and G. B. Thompson. Elder Evans took up such subjects as The Call to the Ministry, The Sacredness of the Ministry, Preaching the Gospel, and Preparation for Soul Winning. Elder Thompson dealt particularly with Bible study and prayer as related to the ministry and to the finishing of the work. The Spirit of the Lord was very manifestly present as these subjects were presented with a force and directness that went right to the hearts of the hearers. A spirit of deep solemnity rested upon the meetings, and a conviction of having failed to reach the high standard God has set for his ministers. A prayer and testimony meeting for the workers was held on the first Sabbath morning at half past eight, at which many heartfelt confessions of sin were made, and expression was given to determinations that the future should see more power in lives for soul winning, because of a deeper and fuller consecration to the Lord. A similar meeting was held the following Sabbath, at which this work of soul searching and soul cleansing was continued. There was no excitement in any of the meetings, but a solemn sense of the presence of God's Holy Spirit, and of the preparation of heart that was needed to meet his requirements. The publishing, home missionary, and Missionary Volunteer departments all received attention. As study was given to the finishing of this work in the generation allotted to it, it became plain to all that these departments must have a large part in the completion of the warning message. Through the printed pages, carried by our people, from the small child to the aged pilgrims, will the loud cry of the third angel's message largely be given. Plans were laid to organize the churches for work as soon as the meeting closed, thus enlisting every man, woman, and child in active service for the Lord. All the workers present banded themselves together for a great soul-winning campaign during the year 1914. The business of the conference received attention during the last three days of the meeting. Elder Charles Thompson was reelected, and the other officers were practically the same as for the last biennial term. The financial standing was satisfactory, one very gratifying item being that every conference in the union had more than reached its quota of twenty cents a member for missions. Excellent reports were presented by the presidents of the conferences, showing that the work that had been done by the schools and medical institutions was of a substantial character. The meeting closed with a testimony service on Sabbath afternoon, February 7, at which expression was given by a large number to their thankfulness to God for the blessings of the meetings, and to consecration of lives for better service for the future. The prospects are bright for a good year's work in the Northern Union Conference. Southern Union Conference Report
By S. E. Wight
THIS union was organized in 1907, with a membership of 1,560. Those who have been connected with the work since its organization have met with difficulties unknown to other fields in North America. However, the workers have struggled on, and a few persons have accepted the truth. A gain of four members was made during the year 1908, but the following year there was a loss of 47 members. In 1910, 86 members were added, so that the loss in 1909 was made up in 1910. The laborers during the year 1911 were very successful, adding to the church membership 187 members, while 123 were added during the following year. Last year's records have not yet been compiled, but we have every reason to believe they will show a large increase in membership. This field is considered difficult to work, but with God there is nothing impossible. The great majority of the workers today know that God is opening up avenues that heretofore have been closed, and day by day encouraging reports come to us. People are coming into this truth through the influence of the colporteurs, nurses, and schools, as well as through the labors of the preachers and Bible workers. The writer has never found a people more willing to listen to this truth than in this Southern field. They pay great respect to the preaching of the word of God, and while they are slow in most cases to accept the message, yet when they do, they make substantial Seventh-day15 Adventists. For several years our faithful colporteurs have been placing books in the hands of the people. This effort is now bringing good results, and many new colporteurs are entering the field to make this their life work. The Southern Publishing Association is devoted entirely to the publishing of Seventh-day Adventist literature, and its influence is felt far and near in this field. In the cities of Louisville, Memphis, and New Orleans, churches for the colored people are being erected. In Nashville preparations are being made for a strong, aggressive work during the coming season by Elder Sydney Scott and associate laborers. There are several self-supporting workers in this field whose services are much appreciated. Many favorable openings present themselves to us for this kind of work. Those who wish to become self-supporting workers in the South should come here with the understanding that it is not an easy work, though it is profitable in the saving of souls. We earnestly invite those who have means to come and settle here with us and help to evangelize this needy field. The writer would be glad to receive at his address, 511 Cole Bldg., Nashville, Tenn., communications from any who contemplate entering upon this line of work. It would save some perplexity if those who wish to come to this field would get a recommendation from their church and also from the conference president in the conference where they reside. We solicit the prayers and the help of all our people in giving this last warning message to this Southern field. Florida
By George I. Butler
BOWLING GREEN.—The writer's post-office address for over twenty years has been the above place, yet until recently no effort has ever been made to give a course of lectures on present truth in this place. This fact has been a great surprise to many. I have been a prominent minister of this denomination, yet really nothing has been done to warn the people here of Christ's soon coming. I have become personally acquainted with many of these people. Why has there been this long delay? A brief explanation will be given. I came to Bowling Green broken down nervously. About the time my strength measurably returned, my companion was stricken down with apoplexy, and was a helpless sufferer for twelve and one-half years, until her death. I devoted myself to her care, and of course during that time could not well give a course of lectures. Within three months after her death I found myself elected president of the Florida Conference and president of the Southern Union Conference, comprising nine States. I held this latter office for six years. I labored very hard, and came very near having another nervous breakdown. Since that time circumstances and conditions have seemed to make it out of the question for me to act a part in presenting the truth in this place. This fact has often made me very sad. It seemed that the field was being sadly neglected. I have prayed most earnestly for light from the Lord concerning my duty in the matter. A short time before our Florida camp meeting it became clear to my mind that I should appeal to the leading brethren at that gathering for an able speaker to give a course of lectures in Bowling Green. They all favored Elder J. L. Shuler's going to Bowling Green immediately after the camp meeting. The tent was set up, and the meetings began. Up to this time seventy lectures have been given, and a debate of five sessions held on the question of the law and the Sabbath. Elder Shuler disliked to debate, but was challenged, and reluctantly accepted. The precious truths of this message were ably vindicated, and public sentiment was in our favor. The lecture course has been a grand success. Public opinion has had the biggest stirring up it has had since Bowling Green existed. A large number of the better class of citizens have attended our meetings, and ten have begun to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. They are people of a serious turn of mind, mostly women. A Sabbath school of thirty members has been organized. The tent has now been taken down, but the bank authorities have offered us the privilege of meeting in a good hall over the bank for a season. We purpose to build a small church, twenty-two by thirty-four feet, and have circulated a subscription paper. The response has been quite general, but no large amounts have been contributed, the believers being unable to give large sums. However, we hope to have our church building. In fact, we must have it. We hope to organize a strong church here. Brethren and sisters, pray for us that we may succeed. My own heart is grateful to God for the good already done. In my long labors in this cause I have become acquainted with many, and have a large circle of friends. I would not appeal for large amounts, nor do anything to divert contributions from the general work, but if any of my friends feel willing to send us a gift of five or ten dollars to help on our church building, it will be gratefully received; and if sent to the writer, every cent will go for the stated purpose. I thank God for his goodness in already giving us some precious sheaves, and hope for many more. GEORGE I. BUTLER. Cumberland Industrial School
By Clifford G. Howell
OUR ears have caught the sound and our hearts the thrill of the onward movement of this message. We desire to be ready, as faithful soldiers, that when the cry is trumpeted from lip to lip and heart to heart, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him," we may join the onward procession, and not only sit down at the feast ourselves, but have with us as a present for the King when he comes in to see the guests, a large number arrayed in the robes which he himself has provided. At the opening of the year, I suggested to our pupils that we each strive to win at least one soul to Christ this year. Two weeks ago a neighbor sent for me. He was sick. I had visited him several times. He was not a Christian, but he talked with me freely about his condition. I read to him the promises of pardon and cleansing through the blood of Christ. He accepted them. I then read to him how the next step following repentance, death to sin, was burial by baptism. This he accepted also; and the following day, in an improvised font by his bedside, I buried him by baptism. On Friday afternoon I visited him and told him that as the sun went down, the day would begin which God had made holy; that I thought it would be sweet for him to know it, that while he was resting in body he could likewise rest in spirit with God. This he accepted also. And on the following day, having received permission that if he should live until our Sabbath service should be held I could present his name for church membership, I offered his name for our church roll, and it was unanimously accepted. God let him live till after the Sabbath closed; then at about nine o'clock that evening he passed so peacefully to sleep that the watchers hardly knew when his hour had come. Thus having received answer to prayer in the rescue of one soul, I feel encouraged to ask now for a soul for each month in the year. Buying a Meetinghouse at Aurora, Ill.
By William Covert
DURING the past year I have not borne official responsibilities, so have been free to work where labor seemed most needed. A large share of my effort has been devoted to gathering funds to provide a meetinghouse for our believers in the city of Aurora. We purchased a church costing $4,000. The largest part of this has been paid, and also street improvement costing $313.60, and the insurance policies renewed for three years. We have put a new roof on the building, and are now preparing to repaint the church, and to furnish it with essential equipment, so that when we meet with the Lord, our sanctuary will do him honor. Not all the money is yet in hand, but we feel sure it will be paid before we have our dedicatory services, which we plan for August 7-9 of this year. In raising money for this church we have had almost unrestricted access to our people, and about four hundred persons have contributed. How encouraging it is to read the letters which come, some bringing large sums and some small. Altogether, this has been one of the most pleasant efforts of my life, and I can say assuredly that we have the best people in all the world. About $800 of the money invested in this meetinghouse was secured by the sale of our books, and about fifty persons helped sell them. Of course some had a commission for their work, but the enterprise has resulted in the sale of a thousand dollars' worth of literature, and this is no small consideration. One hundred dollars came from the sale of mottoes that were donated to us. Another blessing that has come to us as a result of the church enterprise is the organization of our sisters into a workers' band. Anxious to lend a helping hand, they organized for service, and now I see they are busy helping the needy, in addition to gathering money for the church building. In carrying forward our campaign it became necessary for many of our churches to be visited, and in doing this I preached perhaps one hundred times, and rendered such other help as the Lord seemed to call upon me to do, so that it16 has been my happy privilege during this period to baptize twenty persons who have entered into membership in our churches. It seems to me that of more than forty years' work in the Lord's cause, this last year has been the sweetest of all. If things were delayed a little, as when some obstacle blocks the way, I had recourse to my beloved closet in the secret chamber, and perplexities vanished. Many times the Lord answered my prayers, and I was constrained to weep for joy because he came so divinely near. While soliciting money for our church home, the Lord opened the way to secure some larger contributions for our missionary work, and now some substantial pledges and cash contributions are helping to answer the cry from the needy fields where darkness reigns. The Lord wishes to increase our faith so that he can do still greater things for us and through us. He advises that when we ask, we open wide our hearts, that he may have room to bestow a large answer. Practice What You Preach
By Albert Hedgecock
We moved from Iowa to Nebraska in the spring of 1870, and settled on a homestead in York County. A little later Stephen Rider, a Seventh-day Adventist and a brother-in-law of Elder G. I. Butler, settled on a homestead near us. Elder Butler and his family made them a visit in the fall of 1873, and he held a series of meetings. I heard the last sermon of that series, and well do I recollect the text used: “Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:28. I listened attentively, and when Elder Butler had finished his discourse, I turned to the one who sat next to me and said, “That man has the truth on the Sabbath question.” He stated that he would return and hold a longer series of lectures on Bible subjects, but he did not reach our community until about one year later. I was running a threshing machine and did not have an opportunity to hear his first lectures. The first I attended was on the messages of Revelation 14, and it sent to my heart the conviction that I ought to obey. A little later Elder Butler came to spend the day with us. We were threshing, and in the course of his visit, had to move our machine. He assisted by driving the stakes for the horse power. I said to him, “You would better let me drive those stakes. You are not used to that kind of work.” “O, yes,” he said, “we hold meetings in tents and have lots of stakes to drive.” In a very short time we had the machine ready for work again, and Elder Butler stepped up on the table and began to feed the thresher. I allowed him to feed a short time, and then offered to take his place, saying, “You are not used to this kind of work. You would better let me do it.” “O, yes,” he said, “I used to run a threshing machine in Iowa, and have done lots of this kind of work.” “Well,” I thought to myself, “you are not like most preachers I have seen.” I do not suppose Elder Butler knew he was preaching to me by his actions as well as by his words, but such was the case. I write these lines thinking they may help some of our young men who are just starting out in work for the Master. Take heed to the words of Christ: “Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” May the Lord indeed bless the young men who are hastening this last message of mercy to final victory, and may the rich blessing of the Lord rest upon his aged servants who have borne the burden in the heat of the day. The Murphy Industrial School
By Thos. Murphy
THIS school was established Oct. 15, 1912. Its purpose is to teach the fundamental principles of true education to the boys and girls whom God sees fit to place under its tuition. Many years ago the writer was impressed with the need of a combined primary and intermediate industrial school near the city of Vicksburg, Miss., where the children could be taught not only theories, but the practical duties pertaining to this life, as well as of the life eternal. Since the birth of this school our Heavenly Father has wonderfully blessed it with a few earnest, energetic, true-hearted children, who are hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and who also enjoy working with their hands to further the industries of the school. During the time of its existence the Murphy Industrial School has not incurred one cent of debt. What we need we pay cash for or go without. We believe and practice the Scripture injunction, "Owe no man anything, but to love one another." We have a very small cistern on the school ground, but we are never out of water. When the supply gets low, the good Father sends us more, both summer and winter. We can appreciate the truth of the promise: "If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit." Our tithes and offerings since we have been in self-supporting work have been credited to the Vicksburg church. We truly believe that God is able to make all things abound, and supply our every need. He has blessed us so far in our work, and we ask you to pray with us that this blessing may continue.