Mrs. Emory awoke very tired. Indeed, she was always more tired in the morning than when she went to bed, for the baby had been nursing all night or else crying, and so disturbed the mother’s rest.
This morning baby was still sleeping, and the mother hoped to be able to draw herself away without awakening the child, but in this she was unsuccessful, and baby set up a cry which threatened to arouse the sleeping father; so Mrs. Emory hastily lifted the child and carried him into the next room. Here she deposited him on the floor, while she hurriedly dressed herself, trying to entertain him at the same time—though unsuccessfully.
When she was dressed, she took the crying child in her arms to the kitchen, where, still holding him, she lighted the fire and filled the tea-kettle. Again she made a futile effort to put the baby down, but his protesting screams overcame her resolution, and she carried him on one arm while she set the table and made further preparations for breakfast.
As long as she carried him, he was perfectly quiet; but every effort to put him out of her arms was met with rebellious cries.
In the midst of one of these attempts, the father appeared upon the scene.
“What is the matter with this child?” he exclaimed, somewhat petulantly. “Why don’t you feed him?”
“He isn’t hungry,” replied the mother.
“See how he is chewing his fists,” said Mr. Emory. “I guess he knows better than you when he is hungry. Give him something to eat.”
Mrs. Emory obeyed the suggestion, and nursed the baby between intervals of attending to the cooking. At length the meal was placed upon the table, in a somewhat disorderly fashion, and the mother seated herself with the baby in her arms.
“Can’t you put him in his chair?” asked the father.
“You know very well how he will act if I do,” replied Mrs. Emory. “He will throw everything upon the floor that he can get hold of, and scream until we can’t hear ourselves think. I can hold him here if I feed him a little.”
“Of course,” said Mr. Emory with a smile, “a baby that has four teeth can eat, and I protest against your starving him.”
“He certainly is not starved, James,” replied Mrs. Emory, “for he has been eating practically all night.”
“Well, he is old enough to eat,” asserted the father, with emphasis. “Give him some of your potato.”
This the mother did, following each mouthful with a few drops of coffee from her cup, and occasionally taking the bread from her own mouth, and putting it into the mouth of the child, who soon learned to reach up and take the bread from her lips, at which both parents laughed.
Breakfast over, Mr. Emory departed to his business, and Mrs. Emory endeavored to put the baby down long enough to do her breakfast work.
It was a hard morning. If she put the little fellow upon the floor, he cried. If she carried him in her arms he was good, but she could not work to advantage. He seemed to be constantly hungry, and yet frequent feeding did not satisfy him.
At length, in utter despair, the mother concluded to administer a soothing sirup, which was advertised as “perfectly harmless,” and which she knew would make him sleep. After two doses, the little fellow slept,—not the rosy sleep of the normal child, but with partially opened eyes and mouth, and an unpleasant pallor which would have aroused the anxiety of an understanding observer.
During the two hours of this unnatural sleep, Mrs. Emory was able to do her housework and prepare her dinner. Just before dinner the baby woke up, and she found time to wash and dress him. Then he was nursed and placed in his high chair at the dinner table—behaving just exactly as his mother had prophesied at breakfast. Everything given to him was thrown upon the floor, and his hands were constantly reaching out for the food which his parents were eating. Each of them gave him something at intervals from their own plates, and by the time the meal was ended he had received a most heterogeneous combination of articles, totally unfit for the diet of an eight-months’-old baby.
By means of lumps of sugar, Mrs. Emory was able to keep the baby quiet until she could wash the dinner dishes and dress herself for the afternoon, after which he was washed and dressed and taken out in his carriage for an airing, during which time he was comparatively good. In fact, he slept for at least half an hour.
Upon his awakening, the trials of the morning were repeated in vain efforts of the mother to entertain or pacify him, and the rebellious screams of the child when everything did not go to suit him.
“Oh, dear!” sighed Mrs. Emory, as her husband entered the house at supper time. “Can’t you take this child for a little while? I am so tired, it seems as if I should drop, and I haven’t been able to do a thing toward getting supper.”
Mr. Emory responded pleasantly to this suggestion, for the child was now old enough to be played with, and therefore to be entertaining; and while the mother prepared the evening meal, father and baby had a most hilarious romp.
“Just see how good he is with me,” said the father, as he brought the laughing child into the dining-room.
But the goodness quickly vanished when an attempt was made to put him out of his father’s arms.
“I’ll carry him while you eat your supper,” said Mr. Emory, “and then you can take care of him while I eat mine.”
This plan was followed with success, Mr. Emory taking the baby again at the close of his meal, and romping with him until Mrs. Emory had done her evening work.
Then the baby was undressed, and at about half-past seven in the evening, Mrs. Emory sat down to rock the little fellow. Nearly two hours passed in this manner before the child was able to become quiet enough to sleep, so that it was really bedtime for the parents, and Mrs. Emory knew that if she did not get to bed during this first nap of the child’s, she would have the work all to do over again.
“I met Mr. Halstead as I was coming home to-night,” said Mr. Emory, “and he told me he and his wife were going to the concert. I wish you and I could go out together once more.”
“I really do not see how they can go out so much evenings,” said Mrs. Emory. “Their baby is just the same age as ours, but I know Mrs. Halstead does go out whenever she wants to.”
“Their baby must have better health than ours,” said Mr. Emory. “Perhaps that is the reason, or maybe she gives it soothing sirup at night so that it will sleep.”
“No, she doesn’t,” replied Mrs. Emory. “She objects to giving soothing sirup at any time, but, somehow, her baby is very good. I really can’t understand it. I guess it is just a matter of temperament, and something we can’t help.”
_The Second_
To follow Mrs. Halstead through the day with her baby would probably explain the problem which puzzled her neighbor, Mrs. Emory. Mrs. Halstead, unlike Mrs. Emory, had a system which originated in common sense, and which was carried out with good judgment.
On this particular day when Mrs. Halstead awoke after a comfortable night’s rest, she heard a very lovely cooing sound from the little bed near her, and glancing in that direction saw that the baby had kicked off his covers, and with his bare feet sticking straight up in the air, was having a happy time playing with his toes.
How long he had been awake, the mother did not know. On seeing her looking at him he stretched out his hands with an appealing sound, which she answered by raising him into a sitting position13and giving him a few playthings which were made fast to the bars of the crib by strings, so that they could not be thrown upon the floor, or if pushed out of the crib could be recovered by means of the strings. They were very simple playthings,—one or two clothes-pins; two or three buttons strung on a cord; an empty bottle; and an empty tin box, out of which he could make a rattle with the various small articles. These the child played with very happily while the mother was dressing. He protested a little when she left the room; but the father reached out his arms and drew the little fellow to him in the large bed, where he began amusing himself with investigating the configuration of the father’s face, being very much entertained with finding how he could make the eyelids come open.
While this entertainment was going on, Mrs. Halstead was busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast. While breakfast was being eaten, baby was placed in his little carriage by the mother’s side, and entertained himself with a teaspoon and napkin ring.
Breakfast over, Mrs. Halstead put away the eatables; piled the dishes up in the sink, and then it was time for baby’s bath—a most happy time for both mother and child. This over, came baby’s breakfast, and mother enjoyed a few minutes’ rest, with a glance at a favorite magazine while baby partook of his food.
The repast being ended, baby was placed upon the floor with a new supply of articles for his entertainment; while the mother was able to wash her dishes and make the bed. Then baby was taken up for a little variation, talked to and played with for a few minutes, then made warm and dry, and laid away in his own bed for his morning nap. He smiled happily, and waved his hand to mother as she left him alone to his peaceful sleep.
During the next two hours Mrs. Halstead was able to give her time uninterruptedly to her housework and to her dinner. At twelve o’clock baby waked, was nursed, and was ready again to sit in his little wagon, gnawing away at his hard roll of bread, while his parents ate their dinner in quietness. After dinner he went down upon the floor again to play until the dishes were washed, and mother was dressed for the afternoon. Then came his ride, his supper at four o’clock; another quiet hour of play, and at half-past five o’clock he was undressed for his air bath, which he greatly enjoyed. At six o’clock he was again laid quietly to rest. In a few minutes he was soundly asleep, and Mrs. Halstead went down to a quiet evening meal with her husband with the certainty that nothing would be heard from baby until ten o’clock.
This was why Mr. and Mrs. Halstead could attend lectures, or make friendly visits; they knew that the one who was left in care of the baby would have nothing to do but to sit quietly during the entire evening.—Dr. Mary Wood-Allen.
First Camp-Meeting in Central America
By W. A. Spicer
W. A. SPICER
The first camp-meeting in Central America was held in the town of Coxen Hole, on the island of Ruatan, March 5-15. Ruatan is the largest of the Bay Islands, which lie in the Caribbean, just off the coast of Spanish Honduras.
When the Central American believers made request for some one from the General Conference headquarters to visit the field at this time, it was felt that response to the request would involve quite a long journey for attendance at one meeting only. However, the believers urged the plea that in all the fifteen or eighteen years that their work has been growing, they had never had a visit from the General Conference workers, and inasmuch as the field had been self-supporting during the last two years, and had contributed liberally for the work beyond its own borders, it was decided to respond to their request. I was very thankful, on reaching the meeting, that the committee decided favorably, although for so short a trip it involved the maximum of disagreeable sea travel.
The camp-meeting was an excellent one, and important advance moves were made. Elder U. Bender, the president of the West Indian Union, who was expected to be present, found it impossible to get ship connections, and so Elder E. L. Cardey would have been left the only minister in attendance had not a representative from the General Conference joined him.
The Central American mission field was well represented, the believers coming in by little schooners from British Honduras, the mainland of Spanish Honduras, and from the islands of Utilla and Bonacca, as well as from different parts of Ruatan. About one hundred fifty of our people were in attendance. I have attended smaller camp-meetings in the States. It would have made any heart rejoice to see such a representation of earnest believers in the message as gathered here at Coxen Hole.
Coxen Hole is a little town of several hundred population, but is the chief port of entry for the Bay Islands. It has been one of the most difficult places in which to get a foothold for our work. However, the camp-meeting deeply interested almost the entire town in the truths which we preach. The people were most kind and hospitable. The camp was pitched in a cocoanut grove near the main street of the town. Nearly all the delegates found rooms in the village. Several family tents, a small tent for children's and youth's meetings, and the large pavilion gave the grounds the regular camp-meeting appearance. From early morning until late at night the meetings continued with unwearying interest on the part of the brethren and sisters, and with most excellent attendance from the public at the evening services. Every night the tent was full, with many standing on the outside. As the camp-meeting proper closed, Elder Cardey planned to continue meetings for another week, and there is every prospect that the interest aroused will develop a company of believers in Coxen Hole.
Before the camp-meeting ended, a number of people were saying that they intended to keep the Sabbath, but necessarily much instruction is to be given as to the full platform of the truth. Brother J. R. Green, one of the early believers in Ruatan, gave the conference a large house in the country, which is to be removed and put up in Coxen Hole as a meeting-house and mission room. A lot for the purpose was offered by an interested citizen at a very low price, and the money for the lot was quickly subscribed by those attending an evening service.
It was decided to organize the Central American work into a conference. The work of the committees was well done, and the meetings in which plans were discussed and business transacted were of the deepest interest. It was the first time representatives from all parts of the field had ever been brought together, and this first camp-meeting and conference session will surely mark an era in the development and strengthening of the work in Central America. It was voted to hold the next camp-meeting in the city of Belize, British Honduras. The following-named officers were elected: President, E. L. Cardey; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. E. T. Nowlen; Executive Committee: E. L. Cardey, C. A. Nowlen (British Honduras), C. E. Morgan (La Ceiba), David Haylock (Bonacca), C. Jones (Ruatan); Educational Secretary, J. G. Smalley; Secretary of Sabbath-school and Young People's Work, Miss Ida Shirley, with Miss Alma Osgood as assistant.
The key-note of the conference was that of pushing on into unentered territories within the conference boundaries. These believers have a large mission field, and a difficult one. Most of the work thus far has been done in the Bay Islands and British Honduras. Now a foothold has been gained at a few places along the coast of Spanish Honduras, and three adult believers are reported at Olanchito, well back in the interior. Two countries are unentered; namely, Guatemala and Salvador. It was voted to open the work in Guatemala at an early date, and if conditions seem favorable, the conference headquarters may be removed from Belize, British Honduras, to Guatemala, the most populous of these republics, and a healthful country.14
These brethren and sisters in Central America are good, old-fashioned Seventh-day Adventists, and are devoted to this message, and rejoice with us in every victory gained. As work is opened in fields like Guatemala, it is hoped that some of the young people in the Bay Islands may be drawn into service on the mainland. Five schools have been in operation in the field, and I believe we shall see young people from these schools joining in active field work. In fact, the conference voted to encourage one young brother, Jerett Wood, of Ruatan, to go to the Black River region of Honduras, to work among the Indian settlements in that district. The Young People's Societies in the conference are gathering a fund to assist in establishing a training-school in Guatemala or some other place on the mainland.
Of laborers known to our people in the States I was glad to meet Brother and Sister C. A. Nowlen, who came from Belize. Brother Nowlen has been blessed in selling much literature in British Honduras and adjoining regions. Brother C. E. Morgan and wife, of California, were present, Brother Morgan being engaged in the colporteur work up and down the coast of Spanish Honduras. Brother J. G. Smalley, who went down from Michigan five years ago to engage in school work, is teaching at French Harbor, Ruatan, and helping generally among the churches in that island. Brethren Frank and George Carey, of California, are in Bonacca, doing school work and canvassing, and also engaging in agricultural work. Sister Ida Shirley, of California, who has been teaching in Utilla, was transferred to the school at Bonacca, where there are many of our young people anxious for an education.
At La Ceiba, on the mainland, I was glad to meet, among other believers, Brother Moncada, a lawyer, one of the first to receive the truth among the Spanish people of Honduras. As the first-fruits begin to appear among the Spanish people, as here and at Olanchito, all feel especially encouraged to push into the Spanish fields.
Elder Cardey's report will doubtless give details of business transacted. The conference sent its greetings to the believers in the West Indian Union and in other places. This newest of the conferences is but a little one, the entire membership being only about three hundred, but it is set in a dark corner of the earth, and I am sure no conference will be more devoted and loyal to the cause of the message, or more earnest in doing what it can to enlarge the work within its borders.
The principal business along the coast of the mainland is banana raising. The little steamer on which I returned from Honduras brought thirty-six thousand bunches of bananas. From the point of view of our work, we may derive a personal satisfaction at the increasing development of trade between the States and Central America, for it means better facilities for intercommunication, and brings means into the hands of the people in those countries who must be reached by our literature. A large work must yet be done with our Spanish publications through these small republics. This sowing of the fields with publications is the work that brings returns, as demonstrated not only in that field, but in all the world. We must push in among these people with the literature of the message. This the brethren are determined to do in spite of difficulties and obstacles. They must have our prayers and our assistance in opening up unentered portions of their field.
Takoma Park, D. C.
Samoa
By C. H. PARKER
C. H. PARKER
IN company with Brother J. E. Steed and family, of South Australia, I left for Samoa, December 20. Brother Steed was appointed to this field at our last Australasian Union council. After a delightful trip of two days and a half, we dropped anchor in the harbor of Apia. Apia is a pretty place, but it has a poor harbor and no wharf. All the steamers must anchor out in the stream.
ERUPTION IN SAVAII
On the reef in front of the town lie the remains of a German warship which, with American and British war-vessels, was wrecked at the time of the great tidal wave here about twenty years ago.
The Samoan group is composed of about fifteen islands, though all are not inhabited. Savaii is the largest, and is widely known for its volcano, which has been vomiting up a stream of lava for the past two years. Upolu is the most important, on which is situated Apia, the capital. Tutuila next ranks in importance. This island and two others are ruled by the United States. All the rest are governed by Germany.
There are about 381 Europeans, 600 or 700 half-castes, and 33,000 natives. Upolu has about 18,000 of the 33,000, Savaii 10,000, and Tutuila 5,000.
The houses are built oval shape. The floors are of small stones. The sides are curtains made out of the cocoanut leaves, which can be rolled up or let down at will. When the family is at home, the curtains are always up; when away, they are always drawn down. There is no privacy about the home life, as these curtains are always up, and everything that is done can be seen by the passers-by.
The people at Apia, or a great many, have nice horses and buggies. They have copied the Europeans in many of their practises, and love horse-racing. The people in the country are more simple and more free from the vices which are so prevalent in this city.
Our medical work was started here a number of years ago, and through it our faith is quite well spoken of as it had the confidence of the people. The evangelical part of our work has not had so much attention. Just when Brother Delos Lake had reached the place where he could accomplish something for the people he had to leave on account of his health. Brother Floding was able to do something in the way of giving out literature. One after another these dear laborers had to leave on account of their health. Two years have gone by since we had a laborer here, and our sanitarium has stood idle.
At our last Australasian Union Conference council it was decided to send a laborer here to open up the work again. Pastor J. E. Steed, of South Australia, was chosen, and is now located at Apia.
We had a pleasant interview with Dr. Solf, governor of Samoa, and he has opened the door again to our work in Samoa. Perfect freedom is granted. The governor was very kind and courteous.
A small church has now been organized among the Europeans, and we pray that it may have a victorious future. Last Sabbath the ordinances were celebrated in Samoa in the Scriptural method. We had a blessed time.
The London Missionary Society’s ministers are very kind and friendly to us. They are much like brethren of the same faith. This is refreshing as we contrast it with the spirit we have to meet from other denominations in other places.
What we ask for Samoa is your prayers. The nearest way to the work and laborers here is by the throne of God. Hold Brother Steed and his family up before God in the arms of your faith.
Buresala, Levuka, Ovalau, Fiji.
Burma
By H. H. VOTAW
H. H. VOTAW
RECENTLY many of our friends have chided us for failing to report our work. Lest our silence should be misunderstood, we send this word of cheer from the “land of the Judsons.”
We are now in our fourth year in this country, and I can truly say that during this time I have never had a homesick moment nor a discouraged day. When15we have been unable to see all the results that we had expected, and for which we had hoped, we have been enabled to rest the matter entirely in the Lord’s hands. But our experience here has been so much easier than what we had expected, that we continually feel that we are doing but little for the loving Saviour who has done so much for us.
The year 1908 bids fair to be the best in the history of our work. All the workers and believers here have been impressed to labor and pray that our numbers may at least be doubled during this year. All feel that the Lord has heard, and is even now beginning to answer. The evidences that we see on every hand of the mighty workings of the Lord of hosts lead us to believe that the work is to be finished soon. I believe as I never have in times past that the Lord will do a quick work and cut it short in righteousness. The end of all things is nearer than when we first believed. It is much nearer than most of us have believed. These dark heathen lands are on tiptoe of excitement. The Lord is going before us, and is preparing the darkened minds, so long bound in the shackles of ignorance and superstition, for the reception of the glorious message of Christ’s return. This is the glad word that will arrest the attention of the weary millions who now live “without hope and without God in the world.” And when the message begins in real earnest, when we who proclaim it believe it as we should, it will pass from mouth to mouth among Asia’s illiterate millions as swiftly as a prairie fire urged by the western wind.
Last month Mrs. Votaw and I made a trip to a city called Meiktila, in Upper Burma. We were enabled to gather a few together each day for the study of the Word, and as a result of about three weeks’ study five adults took a positive and decided stand for the truth. Never, in my short experience in the work, have I seen souls so hungry for the study of the Word of God as were these souls. These believers are blessed with a number of bright children, and this makes the Sabbath-school which we organized a fair-sized one.
After our return to Rangoon, I felt very much impressed that it was my duty to return for a short visit. While there I saw clearly that my impression to go had been from the Lord. The evening of my arrival—in fact, I had just gotten in the house where I was to stay—the Baptist missionary in the station came to ask my host to send his children to a Sunday-school that was just being started. This man replied, ‘I have lately had it pointed out to me very clearly, from the Scriptures, that the seventh day, and not the first, is the true Sabbath.’ The minister replied, ‘O, that doesn’t make any difference. You can send the children to Sunday-school just the same.’ But my friend said, ‘No, if I teach them one thing, and you teach something else, they will become confused.’ Just as the minister began to reply to this, I came out of my room, and as soon as he saw me, he said, ‘Well, I guess I have gotten myself into it. I must go. I must see a gentleman about some bricks.’ This so amused my host and his wife that they laughed very heartily. They were quite convinced that he was afraid to attempt to defend the doctrines which he teaches.
Before we went to Meiktila, there had been no Sunday-school held, but now both the Baptists and the Anglicans have begun to hold Sunday-schools. One man said that our coming had been a great boon, for besides what we did directly, we were the means of getting both the other denominations to go to work.
During this second trip one more adult became deeply stirred, and since my return home she has written telling of her interest in these truths. Her husband writes that she will be baptized when we come again, he believes. She had been a Roman Catholic, and some of her ideas were deeply rooted, but God seems to be leading her out of darkness into the full light.
Already this little company has begun to send in tithes. The Lord especially opened the way for us to present this portion of the message. I have always found it hard to present the subject of tithing in this country, where there is so much said about the missionaries being here only for the money which they get. And there is some color given to the talk by the fact that the ministers of the state church receive such large salaries. But the Lord made the way easy by causing these dear souls to ask about the subject first.
During our absence Brother Cook met a soldier who belonged to a regiment which was in Rangoon for only a short time. This man became much interested, and from the studies given, he said that he saw the matter clearly, and that there was but one thing for him to do, that is, to obey. He called once or twice after we came home, and we were all impressed that he is a real child of God. We are praying that he may stand firm and true. He is not a novice in religious experience. He has learned the power of prayer. He studies the Bible faithfully, and it was most restful to talk with him. He is now in Darjeeling.
Perhaps the most significant thing that has occurred this year in our work is the following: A Karen man has bought about four thousand five hundred copies of our Burmese tract upon the second coming of Christ. In fact he bought all we had in stock, and now he wishes us to get him five thousand more copies. He even paid more than the tracts cost us. Thus we have a profit, and he distributes the tracts in out-of-the-way places that we have never yet been able to visit. Most of the Karens can read Burmese, and we are hoping that the dear Lord will raise up some commandment-keepers among them. Ever since we first came to this field, we have been writing and begging for some one to come and labor with these people. With traditions that cause them to look upon the white man as the special messenger sent from God to tell them about the true religion, they are the most hopeful of the tribes of Burma as soil for the good seed. Is there not a soul in all our numbers, not one anywhere in all this denomination, who will respond to this oft-repeated call? I am sure that there is no tribe or tongue that has so much to encourage one to labor for them as has this race of Karens. But remember they need the gospel. Let no one come with the idea that they are now perfect Christians. They are not, but they present virgin soil that bids fair to bring forth a hundredfold. The other denominations have good beginnings made among them, but it seems to me that it is much better to come first and teach the truth than to come last and be compelled to cast out error before you can teach the truth.
In Rangoon, our work is growing. Our attendance has grown until we are enlarging our meeting hall somewhat. On Sunday nights we usually have about all our chairs occupied. Last night at the close of the service, a lady came and asked for baptism. She has had a knowledge of the truth for some time, but never saw the importance of obedience until recently.
A young man who is employed in the Rangoon Electric Company’s works has recently secured permission to observe the Sabbath. He had asked his immediate superior to release him from duty upon the Sabbath, but before the man had replied, the general manager began seeking a man to attend to duty upon Sunday. Most of the men objected, but this was just what our brother wished, so he was told that he might be absent upon the Sabbath, and attend work upon the first day of the week instead. We are always glad for such blessings, for we have always been told that no man could keep the Sabbath in this country. People here have said that it may be possible to observe the Sabbath in America or here by a man who is wealthy and does not need to work, but that no employer here would give a man the Sabbath off. So often I think of a remark that Brother G. B. Thompson made while here last year. He said, ‘I have preached a good many funeral sermons, but I have never preached the funeral sermon of a Seventh-day Adventist who starved to death.’ Our God does not allow us to starve when we obey his commands. I thank him that he can work here just as well as in the home land. We desire an interest in the prayers of our brethren that we may be kept faithful till the gathering day.
Rangoon.
Calcutta Treatment Rooms Blessed
THE treatment rooms in Calcutta are being greatly blessed of the Lord. It is believed that more real good is being accomplished, in that more people are being reached, as well as better financial returns realized, than while the institution was operated as a sanitarium. The patronage is constantly increasing.
Argentina
By Arturo Fulton
BUENOS AYRES.—Sunday afternoon some of us here in Buenos Ayres went to visit Brother Kalbermatten in the prison. We found him well and of good courage. For five months he has suffered every petty persecution that perverted human nature could invent in order to make him yield. At the time of the revolution when the other troops were called to go, the order was given in his hearing, to take him along, and if he did not obey there, to shoot him down. He gave himself into the hands of the Lord, and after going some distance the commander ordered him taken back, as they said he would be only in the way.
The seventeenth he was to be tried, and I have just received his letter, which I translate from the Spanish:—
“My beloved brother in Jesus: The blessing of God be with you. Yesterday I was taken before the Counsel of War, and was condemned for one year, discounting the five months that I have already served, so I have yet seven months to serve. The judges tried me greatly, but I always showed my strong faith to be true to the law of God. They told me to be careful and not to refuse again to work on the Sabbath, that the second time the sentence would be much more severe. I answered that I could
not promise them to work on the Sabbath.
“In the end, the Lord permitted this, and he does not permit anything that is not his will, and it will all be for my good. Soon they will take me to Martin Garcia to complete my sentence; then I must return to the army and finish my time there. So I do not know the day when I shall be free. The Lord will always be with me, and he will help me in my afflictions, that I may remain faithful to him.
Without more to say for the present, I remain your never-forgotten brother in Christ, PEDRO KALBERMATTEN.”
So here, shut away from those of like faith, from his home and family that he loves so well, amid the vile, the low, and the godless, our young brother is condemned to seven months’ imprisonment on the lone island of Martin Garcia, for having chosen to obey God rather than man. At the expiration of his imprisonment he can only look forward not to release, but to be tried in the same way again. Surely he needs our prayers that he may prove true. We are certainly entering a time when the souls of men shall be tried as never before. God grant that we may shake off the lethargy that binds us down, and work as never before.
ARTURO FULTON.
Missouri
By Mrs. E. A. Merrell
KANSAS CITY.—We have entered a very interesting period in the history of the Kansas City church. Elder Meade MacGuire and Brother H. B. Steele came to this place three weeks ago to labor in the interests of the young people. For some time a burden has been on our hearts for the young people in this church, and we were looking forward to the coming of these brethren as the time when many would give their hearts to the Lord.
So little seemed to be accomplished the first week, that it was publicly given out that the meetings would close with the Sabbath service, when a work so manifestly of God began that it has been impossible at this date, three weeks later, to close the meetings, although Brethren MacGuire and Steele have been obliged to leave the work for a time.
When an invitation was extended, but few responded, until a personal work began in the congregation. At the close of our meeting over twenty took their first public stand, besides a number who had backslidden. The Lord began to roll upon us the burden of individual souls. The agony and burden of some for others was so great that they spent day and night interceding with God in their behalf, until some who were bound by strong habits and had longed for deliverance, were led to make an unconditional surrender to God, and are praising him for complete victory.
We then began to visit unconverted and backslidden souls. Not more than two or three public meetings were held each week, but the work was accomplished by individual, personal effort. Thus far twenty-nine souls have been baptized, among them several with whom we have been holding readings for several months. A number of others are seeking for deliverance, and we are crying unto God for them.
