Review and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 16.
Pilgrim Fathers, Church Monopoly, and True Patriotism NumberPage 2
Earlier text: How Three Idols Were RemovedSaving Our Young People
By A. G. Daniells
By action of the General Conference the first Sabbath in May has been set apart for our young people. This is not for the year 1914 only; it is for each year that shall come to us as long as this appointment stands unchanged. I hope that this Sabbath will come to be known and recognized among us, the world over, as Young People's Day. But what is this Young People's Day for? and what is to be done on this day? This Sabbath day is to be devoted especially to the spiritual welfare and uplift of our young people and children. It is not to be an occasion for their amusement and worldly pleasure. It is not to be devoted to strolls through fields and forests, nor for social gatherings, nor even amusements in the churches. This day is to be given to the study of our young people's interests and needs; to earnest efforts to deepen their religious life, and to their instruction and training for consecrated, efficient service in the Lord's work. It is to help bind them forever in love, devotion, and loyalty to the cause of their Lord and Master. It is hoped that the Young People's Day will create a greater general interest in our young people, and lead to greater efforts in behalf of their salvation. We must feel deeply for them. We must place a proper value upon them. We must bind them to the truth and to the cause of God with cords that shall never be broken. A little study of this question will cause us to discover some very weighty reasons why the most earnest, prayerful efforts should be made by all in behalf of our young people:— 1. For the sake of Jesus. He loves them. They are dear to his heart. He died for them. He now ministers his love and life for them in the heavenly sanctuary. He calls for the loving, whole-hearted cooperation of every believer in his efforts to save them. He must work through his own redeemed people who come into personal contact with these youth and children. For his sake we must labor and faint not in this soul-winning effort. 2. For the sake of our young people and children themselves. We cannot see them miss their way and go down at last with the lost. We must keep them in the truth, and take them with us to the kingdom. But they are human, and are just as subject to the fascinating, deceptive allurements of the world as are the millions outside of our ranks who are being ensnared. The mere fact that they are our children does not insure their salvation. Nor will their outward, formal connection with the cause to which we give our lives, of itself save them. Their only hope is in the personal reception of Christ as their Saviour. They must be led to see that they are sinners, and, by repentance, confession, and faith, lay hold of him who can save to the uttermost. They can be led into this experience only in the same way others have been—by the personal efforts and influence of those who have found the way. And so, for the sake of these children and youth so dear to us we should gladly embrace every opportunity to win them to their Saviour. 3. For the sake of the great unsaved masses about us. Today there are millions of both old and young living without Christ. For some reason their eyes have never been opened to the light of the gospel, their heart's love never been reached by the Saviour's love. These dear souls whom Jesus died to save need to come in contact with those whose hearts are warm with the love of God. They need the same kind, loving ministry that reached our hearts and led us to the cross. That is exactly what our message and movement stand for. Our mission is more than to proclaim and defend sound doctrines. It is more than to carry forward a movement, more than to operate institutions. Its supreme purpose is to win the lost to Christ. It is to lead men and women to renounce sin and open their hearts to him who died for them. It is to help them to live "the life that wins." Now for the sake of these lost millions in both Christian and heathen lands we should spare no efforts to lead our young people to become true, unselfish, consecrated Christian workers. We know too well that the influence and power of the professed churches of Christ are not at this time all that they should be. They are not what they were fifty or one hundred years ago. They are not adequate to meet the powerful influences of the world that are leading away from Christ. There is need of greater piety and devotion, of a more powerful witness for the truth as it is in Jesus. Here is an opportunity for us, and as we prize the light and truth and hope that have come to us, so we should consecrate all our resources to soul-winning endeavor. When we speak of our resources for this work, we must not eliminate our young people and our children. There has never been a time in the history of the church when there were so many avenues open for young people to bear witness for their Lord as there are today. In nearly all heathen lands the doors stand wide open for the heralds of the cross. And in many respects young men and women are best adapted to meet the conditions prevailing in these lands. Those whose hearts are aglow with the love of Christ and who go to these heathen lands and work with unselfish devotion for the salvation of the people, receive a hearty welcome. The fact that they are young does not stand in their way. And they can bear the privations and hardships better than men and women advanced in years. They can also adjust themselves to new conditions and learn new languages more readily. And even in the homeland very few will resent the modest, earnest, whole-hearted endeavors of young people to witness for Christ by the teaching of the Scriptures, the distribution of religious literature, and loving ministry for the sick, and suffering, and sorrowing. It is truly refreshing and pleasing in these times to see young people who are plain, and sober, and serious concerning the things of the kingdom. But we should fully realize that we cannot bring our children and youth to this state of Christian experience without earnest, intelligent, continuous effort. First of all, we older people must get a true vision ourselves. Our ideals of what they are and of what they should and may become must be clear and true. We must also know how the work is to be done, and cheerfully and resolutely consecrate ourselves to the task of doing it. Nothing else yields such large and joyous returns as warm-hearted efforts in behalf of young people. It was to carry forward a large, well-planned, steady effort for the children, youth, and young people of our denomination that the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department was organized. We felt that the interests of our young people were worthy of our highest and best efforts. The aim of the department is much broader and more18 enduring than a mere appeal to the sentiments. Its aim is to reach the conscience, to educate and train the mind, to establish true ideals, to determine the life service. Those who engage in this line of work find it truly fascinating and inspiring. The possibilities appear greater and the burden increases with the efforts. And now what is wanted is general cooperation by all. The department has clearly demonstrated what can be done. But experience shows that full results cannot be secured without the steady, unremitting cooperation of parents, ministers, and conference and church officers. These children and young people are scattered throughout our ranks in families, churches, and conferences. They must be helped by those who come in contact with them day by day. This is why every Seventh-day Adventist should be alive to the interests, the needs, and the welfare of our young people. A few suggestions as to how we may all work together in efficient cooperation may be helpful:— 1. Let us see that the family altar is established and maintained in each of our homes. The prayer and Bible study habit should be formed early in life. Our children should not only be accustomed to the sound of prayer in the home, but they should be encouraged to raise their voices in praise and supplication. These are the two greatest safeguards we can place about our youth. A missionary on furlough to this country visited many homes. On returning to his field of labor, he was asked what impressed him most in the homeland. He replied, "The absence of the family altar in the home." 2. By showing an active sympathetic interest in the young people's society. This is a church organization, under church supervision, and working in harmony with the church. We desire to have our children worship with us around the family altar, in the Sabbath school, and in the church. We can do much to encourage and assist the young people in their meetings if we occasionally attend, and point out opportunities, suggest methods of work, and assist the children in preparing their parts on the program. 3. We can help to advance the spirituality of our boys and girls by observing with them the morning watch. Let father and mother by precept and example encourage this good work. In 1908 the Missionary Volunteer Department printed and sold 6,000 Morning Watch Calendars. But the present year 40,000 have been sold in North America alone. Australia has published 3,000, the Scandinavian countries 5,000, Japan 500; Mexico and Central and South America have published a large edition in Spanish; and the German brethren in Europe and America publish the Morning Watch texts in their paper. Thus thousands of our people are observing the morning watch. 4. Encourage your young people to get the Missionary Volunteer Reading Course books, then read and discuss these together. These will furnish excellent material for conversation at meal-time and in the evening. This effort to place before our youth helpful reading is doing much to prevent the reading of novels and other injurious literature. 5. As a people, we should devote more time to the study of our doctrinal truths. The Standard of Attainment, conducted by the Missionary Volunteer Department, is qualifying scores of our boys and girls to give a reason of the hope that is in them. 6. Be companions to your boys and girls. Help them plan suitable social gatherings, that will divert their minds from parties, moving picture shows, and other soul-destroying pleasures. Social gatherings can be made very inspirational and uplifting, or debasing and harmful. 7. Encourage Christian education. Place your children in the church school, academy, or college. Pray for these educational institutions, and cooperate with their faithful laborers. Do all you can to increase the patronage and influence of our schools. 8. Can you think of a better purpose for our Young People's Day than to make it decision day throughout the world,—a time when every unconverted youth who has reached the years of accountability will receive a personal invitation to give his heart to God, to enlist under the blood-stained banner of Prince Immanuel, willing to go "anywhere provided it be forward," heralding the advent message to all the world? (To be given by the entire church, not the Missionary Volunteer Society.) SONG: "Christ in Song," new edition, No. 480. SONG: "Christ in Song," new edition, No. 510. READING: "Saving Our Young People," by A. G. Daniells. SONG: "Christ in Song," new edition, No. 531. READING: "The Missionary Volunteer Goal for 1914," by I. H. Evans. CLOSING REMARKS: by elder or leader. SONG: "Christ in Song," new edition, No. 552. NOTE TO ELDER OR LEADER.—Sabbath, May 2, appointed by the General Conference Committee as Young People's Day, should bring a great blessing to your church. The work to receive special attention upon this day is an important one, and grows more and more interesting as it spreads over the world, gripping the hearts of thousands and thousands of young people and children and leading them forth in Christian service. The parts on the program should be assigned at once to insure careful preparation. Time is short! Only a few years remain in which to save our children and young people, whom Satan is working so hard to destroy. Will not you and the fathers and mothers in your church join us in making Sabbath, May 2, a day of fasting and prayer for the salvation of the youth? See Mark 9: 29. The offering for the day should be devoted to some phase of young people's work. In connection with the offering it will be interesting to call the attention of all your church members to the fact that our young people are working this year to raise $25,000 for the Orient. On another page you will read what this $25,000 can do. Decision days often have brought very good results. Then why should not Missionary Volunteer Day be a time when our young people should be invited publicly to give their hearts to the Lord? And would it not be well to invite all the members of your church to pledge themselves upon that day to work as never before for the salvation of the boys and girls, the young men and the young women, in your midst? We are praying that God may give your church a special blessing upon Young People's Day. MISSIONARY VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT. The Missionary Volunteer Goal for 1914
By I. H. Evans
EVERY young man and young woman should have an object in life. To attain to that objective should be the study and aim of each one who wishes to make a success. There is no real success in drifting with the tide. It takes neither ambition, application, nor energy to float downstream. But to attain a goal,—to accomplish a purpose in life,—requires determination, forethought, and perseverance. Our Young People's Department is not simply the outgrowth of an idle thought, but is the result of years of study, prayer, and purpose on the part of the General Conference. Other denominations have young people's organizations which have proved great blessings to these denominations, and a still greater blessing to the young people who have come under their ever-widening influences. One of the strongest movements today for foreign mission work is the Students' Volunteer movement, which is calling to the front many of the brightest young men and young women from the colleges and higher institutions of learning. The Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department is an organization created by the General Conference for the purpose of uniting into a solid phalanx all our young people scattered throughout the world, and so training and drilling them in service that they will soon become efficient in the great work we are carrying forward. The Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department has set its goal for 1914. The objective is worthy of the very best talent and mettle of every young man and young woman in our cause. Let us look at these objectives. We shall take the lesser one first:— The Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department has resolved to raise $25,000 for foreign missions during this calendar year. It will require a great deal of work and constant thought on the part of our young people to raise this sum. That is one fourth as much money as was raised for foreign missions in the year 1900 by all our people. It hardly seems possible that our young people in 1914 should be doing one fourth as much in the way of raising funds for mission work in the foreign fields as the entire denomination did fourteen years ago. To do this will require constant application and a steady purpose, but I am sure that our young people will not fail in accomplishing this endeavor. Twenty-five thousand dollars gathered in by the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Societies this year will mean a great deal for foreign missions. It will mean that twenty-five families can be sent abroad to the needy stations of the world, and kept one year in their chosen fields of labor. If this $25,000 should be invested in native workers in lands like China, India, Korea, and Africa, it would mean the setting to work of about two hundred and fifty native laborers. This number would vary somewhat according to the country in which the workers might be employed, but it would make a large army of recruits for any mission field. The tendency in endeavoring to raise money for missions is to delay week by week, trusting in the possibility of making a grand rush near the close of the year and redeeming the past. A better plan, however, is that each month every society raise its proportionate share of the $25,000, passing the money on to the Mission Board for its extended operations. Doing this will serve to discipline oneself and the organization in the matter of keeping up its funds. This certainly is a splendid goal to reach, and one that is worthy of every possible effort our young people can put forth. The second, which should be the greatest purpose actuating the Young People's Department today, is the grand endeavor of winning 1,500 souls to Christ during the year 1914. I cannot conceive of a greater attainment that one could possibly strive for than the winning of souls to Christ. It is the noblest work in which man has ever engaged. It is worthy of our best endeavor, and our young people should rally to this undertaking with all the united strength and force at their command. The angel said to the prophet Daniel, ‘They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.’ There is no reward that will ever be greater than the reward that will come to men and women for leading souls from sin and destruction into the kingdom of God. Henry Ward Beecher said: ‘Every Christian is a pilot boat. He is to cruise about hard by the harbor of salvation, watching for the tempest-tossed soul, if perchance he may guide that soul into the harbor of life.’ Matthew Henry said: ‘I would think it greater happiness to win one soul for Christ than to gain mountains of gold and silver for myself.’ H. Doddridge cried: ‘I long for the conversion of souls more sensibly than for anything besides. Methinks I could not only labor but die for it with delight.’ 19It was this passion for souls that led Livingstone into the heart of Africa, and Moffat to labor for the deliverance of the poor souls in South Africa from eternal ruin. It is this spirit that sent Carey and Judson to India, Morrison and Taylor to China, and hosts of other men equally worthy to distant fields in order to lead men into the kingdom of God. Fifteen hundred souls led to Christ during 1914 through the ministry of the Young People's Department is one of the grandest harvests that has yet come to our people. But I fancy this number of souls will not be won merely by resolutions. The members of the Young People's Volunteer Department will have to set themselves to work in a personal way to bring men to Christ. More souls are won to Christ through personal effort than by almost any other process. It was personal work that found the lost sheep in the parable of our Lord. It was personal work that won the woman of Samaria. It was personal work that drew Nicodemus to Christ. And nearly all the followers of our Saviour seem to have been won by personal effort. It would be a splendid piece of work if each young Missionary Volunteer would undertake to bring at least one soul to Christ through his personal effort. You may have to do this in some silent way, but God will bless your endeavor. In order to win souls to Christ, there must be prayer and the study of God's Word. One can never be a successful soul winner unless he first gets his own soul in touch with Heaven. Then you have the promise of the Holy Spirit, and you are at liberty to draw from heaven's storehouse your supply of grace in order that the work you are striving to do may be accomplished in the name of the Lord. Fifteen hundred souls born into the kingdom of God during 1914 through the ministry of the Young People's Department is certainly a task worthy of the very best endeavor of each member of our young people's movement. Our whole ministry and our General and local officials are watching with great interest the growth and progress of our Young People's Department. We are anxious that the year 1914 shall bring into this department a large number of our unsaved boys and girls. We believe the time has come when every Seventh-day Adventist should begin to work for those out of Christ, and we confidently hope that in regard to both the number of souls that shall be led to Christ through the efforts of the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department and the funds that shall be raised by that department there will be no failure for this year. Ministerial Reading Course
By Editor
It is a pleasure to read many of the letters coming in to the Department of Education from workers expressing their interest in the Ministerial Reading Course and their desire to present the truth in a more convincing manner. Some have already completed the first book, "Preparing to Preach," and given their opinion of it. Some of these letters containing suggestions to our ministers, we are sharing with REVIEW AND HERALD readers:— "I have just completed reading the first book of the Ministerial Reading Course, and as I promised, I take this opportunity of telling you of the impression it has made on my mind. "I began reading it about the last three or four days in January, and have devoted many of my spare minutes to its perusal, and can say that I feel amply repaid for the time and money spent with it. "While I have found some things advocated in the work that I do not consider straight truth, and a few methods advocated that I hardly feel justified in practicing, yet as a whole I consider 'Preparing to Preach' an excellent book for preachers, both young and old, to study; and the general principles advocated by the author for the gathering of material, the planning and organization of thought in sermon building, as well as the delivery of the same, show the thoughts of a master in homiletics, and will be appreciated by many of God's servants who are seeking to become more proficient in their calling. "I certainly do appreciate the help I have gathered from this work in the following chapters: 'Textual Analysis,' 'Planning the Sermon,' 'Materials,' 'Originality,' 'Instruction,' 'Illustration,' 'Imagination,' 'Application,' 'Pulpit Manners,' 'Extemporaneous Preaching,' and in the chapters on the various kinds of sermons. I am certain I shall profit very materially as I apply some of these excellent principles in my work. "There is one thing I have feared a little in this work for our younger ministers, those just beginning to preach, and that is that they might form the habit of following the popular style of preaching, more or less, that is, from the single text. While I am aware that many of us do use too many texts sometimes, even to the dazing of our hearers by the great array of texts, yet I would be much opposed to our supplying the place of Scripture with our own ideas about what is meant in the text. I hope this fear is groundless, yet I could not help anticipating such a result to a certain extent. "I notice in the REVIEW that the next book in the course will be 'The Acts of the Apostles,' by Sister White. I have this book now, and shall begin it at once." "As you requested, I am writing to you to inform you that I have finished reading the first book in the Ministerial Reading Course. I am unable to give you in a few words my estimate of the value of it. "I have not only read the book carefully, but have made a study of the most important paragraphs, with the view of putting into practice, as far as seems consistent, the instruction therein given. "It is evident that the Lord has led in the establishment of the Ministerial Reading Course, as many of us are sadly in need of the instruction thus afforded; and as most of us are kept busy in our work, we are likely to neglect this self-improvement unless some definite study is outlined for us. "The new and stirring truths of the messages have helped us out in the matter of gaining a hearing. But now since there are other things as new and of as much interest to the public, we are many times finding it difficult to secure a hearing. With the material which we have as a people, and with the opportunities before us, we ought to take the lead." A brother who writes as a layman says:— "I belong to a small country church. The people here are of average intelligence, hard-working, and earnest. They love to hear the word spoken, and so gain a clearer knowledge of the truth. In short, we are just average country people, working through the week at whatever our hands find to do, and that is most often physical work. We are not students, so have not the habit or power of concentrating the mind on one subject for any great length of time. "The minister stands before a congregation of this type, and begins to speak. At first they hear with pleasure the good words that he has for them. They understand, and are refreshed. But after thirty or forty minutes have passed, the brain is unable to assimilate any more food without a period of rest, and from that time on every word the minister speaks is dull, and confuses the mind. At the end of an hour, often more, of continuous speaking, the tired brain is more conscious of its weariness than of anything else. When the meeting closes, the impression of the sermon is hazy, and the conscientious hearer20 goes home mourning over his stupidity and his inability to understand a good sermon. "The reason and the remedy are easy to see. The reason is merely a practical application of the law of supply and demand. Given an average brain and a good sermon that does not oversupply it with mental food, the effect is to refresh, uplift, energize. Given an average brain and a long sermon with twice the amount of mental food the average brain can digest at one time, the effect is a sort of mental stupefaction. We have been taught the disastrous effect of an oversupply of even the best food. The stomach is injured, and the food worse than wasted. Might not the same principle be applied, in a way, to mental food and its assimilation?" J. L. S. What $25,000 Will Do!
By M. E.
THE $25,000 which the Missionary Volunteers in the North American Division are endeavoring to raise this year will do all of the following things during 1914:— Support the educational work in south China. Support the medical work in south China. Support the educational work in central China. Support all the native workers in central China. Support the medical work in central China. Equip the China Union Training School. Provide five chapels for east China. Support the medical work in east China. Support the native colporteurs in east China. Support the native workers in east China. Support native workers in the Malaysian mission. Provide three chapels for the Malaysian mission. Pay running expenses of the Malaysian school. Support the medical work in Japan. Support the educational work in Japan. Support five nurses in Korea. Support four native Bible women in Korea. Support thirteen native teachers in Korea. Support one native evangelist in Korea. Equip the new school building in Korea. Build two homes for missionaries in China. M. E. Our Sanitariums
By L. A. H.
THE New England Sanitarium (Melrose, Mass.) reports the past year's work as the best in the history of the institution. The list of patients and guests shows many names that indicate a feeling of confidence on the part of our own people. The interior of the building has recently undergone painting and papering, with other light improvements, in anticipation of a busy summer season. The following appears in a late number of the Atlantic Union Gleaner:— "The Lord has given us many evidences during the past year that this institution is one of his own planting, and that he will give success in every way if we allow him to conduct it according to his plan. We have been studying to know the mind of the Lord, and have been rewarded with much of his blessing. The faculty spends one hour each Sabbath in a study of the Testimonies concerning sanitarium work. A general Bible class is held every Sabbath afternoon to review the work of the week for those who are reading their Bibles through this year. "Besides the regular Bible classes in the training school, a Bible class is held each week for graduate nurses and others for a study of doctrines. A general Bible reading for the patients is conducted every Monday evening, and those who attend manifest a deep interest. At the same time a class for members of our family not in the training school is in session in the helpers' dining room, where the various lines of the gospel of health are studied. Lectures for the patients are given three evenings each week, and a general prayer meeting for all is held every Wednesday evening in the gymnasium. "All these, besides our regular morning chapel, prayer bands, and Sabbath services, will give a glimpse, at least, of the effort that is being made to teach not only our guests but our family the truths of this wonderful message which has been intrusted to us. All these services are well received and attended, and are not without results. We believe that in the great hereafter our hearts will be made to rejoice when we see what God wrought through this institution." The Walla Walla (Wash.) Sanitarium has found it necessary to make improvements that will give added room for taking care of its growing patronage. These improvements have not involved an increase of indebtedness, everything being paid for either from donations or the profits of the institution. The sun parlor has been converted into a ward, affording room for at least ten more patients. The interior of the building has been redecorated, and the ladies' bathrooms have been remodeled. Arrangements are in progress to install a new elevator. Quite a number of patients attended the meetings of the institute held at Walla Walla recently, and favorable impressions are being made in behalf of our work and truth. The institution is making headway financially, and it enjoys the confidence of our people. The Madison (Wis.) Sanitarium has been having a good patronage, and the work is moving on very satisfactorily. The friends of the institution have responded liberally to its call for financial aid, nearly $30,000 having been raised by the Wisconsin Conference. People are accepting the truth as a result of their stay at the sanitarium. The Missionary Volunteer Society of the Hinsdale (Ill.) Sanitarium is engaging in a vigorous temperance campaign for the entire township, making use of the Temperance Instructor. A letter is inclosed in each copy of the paper, urging the reader to work for a dry township, and offering to furnish suitable lecturers for parlor talks. Church and hall meetings are also held by Dr. David Paulson, with excellent interest on the part of the public. The Hinsdale workers are also carrying on active missionary activities in other directions in and around Chicago. Two of the people for whom they are working have commenced to keep the Sabbath, and others are deeply interested. The sanitarium workers have set their stakes for at least fifty conversions for the year, and have hopes of making the number one hundred. There is at present a remarkable religious interest on the part of the patients. Practically every patient who is not bedridden comes to the morning Bible study. Three are now ready for baptism. Both the mother and the aunt of one of them, living in Chicago, have already accepted the truth. Drs. M. M. and Stella C. Martinson, recently of the Graysville (Tenn.) Sanitarium, are in Chattanooga, Tenn., for a time, doing some special work awaiting their future location. L. A. H. Shall We Start a Church School
By W. E. Howell
This question is being considered by many of our churches since Educational Sabbath, March 7. Some have settled the matter already, and are laying definite plans to open a Christian school for their children next September. Others will improve the school they already have. Here is a sample of both classes in Colorado, as reported by Varner Johns, educational superintendent:— "Educational Sabbath was successfully observed in many of the Colorado churches. As a result of one program, one of our churches is already planning for a school next year. At the close of another educational service, one lady said, 'I have decided to double my regular monthly pledge for the church school.' All seemed to be impressed with the necessity of doing more in the interest of Christian education." The president of the Colorado Conference, Elder A. T. Robinson, said recently, "Nothing should appeal to us more strongly than a school in which strong Christian influences are thrown around our boys and girls." To the churches in Iowa, B. A. Wolcott, the educational superintendent, is saying this:— "Soon the beginning of another school year will be upon us, and it will find us unprepared to do what we should do unless we begin now to plan for it. Do not think that the easiest way to give your children a Christian education is to move to some church where a school is already in operation, but see if your church cannot be interested in starting a school." In setting before Sabbath keepers their duty to care for their children, Mrs. E. G. White says:— "Wherever there are a few Sabbath keepers, the parents should unite in providing a place for a day school where their children and youth can be instructed. They should employ a Christian teacher, who, as a consecrated missionary, shall educate the children in such a way as to lead them to become missionaries. Let teachers be employed who will give a thorough education in the common branches, the Bible being made the foundation and the life of all study." The Bible teaches us that when we undertake an enterprise of any kind, we should count the cost. We ought to do this in starting a church school, but in doing so we should not stop with counting the cost in dollars and cents of operating a school, but we should reckon still more carefully the cost of not placing our children under Christian influences during their school life. This will be found to overbalance by far the cost of carrying on a church school. Those who have had no experience in managing a school need the counsel of those who have. In every conference we have an officer called the educational superintendent, whose duty it is to help organize and direct successful schools. Let all who are considering the question of starting a school next autumn, write to their conference office and request the educational superintendent to visit them and give counsel on how to plan for and conduct a first-class school. The Drumbeat of Duty
By George S. Merriam
ONE sound always comes to the ear that is open; it is the steady drumbeat of duty. No music in it, perhaps,—only a dry rubadub. Ah, but that steady beat marks the time for the whole orchestra of earth and heaven! It says to you: "Do your work; do the duty nearest you!" Keep step to that drumbeat, and the dullest march is taking you home.
—George S. Merriam. LET us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith let us to the end dare to do our duty as we understand it.—Abraham Lincoln.