THE native work at our different missions is very encouraging. I think I can safely say that our missionaries never were able to send in better reports than at the present time, for which we are very thankful. Reports from Nyassaland show that at the Malamulo mission the work is prospering far beyond all former experiences. Then, too, places have been found for the opening of out-schools as fast as they have been able to furnish the necessary teachers.
In Barotseland the Lord has opened the way in a wonderful manner for the starting of several more of these out-schools. It seems as if our only limit to the work is the limited number of workers to take the oversight of the work and carry it forward. We are encouraged to press on, as it is evident that the Lord has gone out before us, and is opening many doors for us to enter.
At the Solusi Mission there has been quite an influx of new students, and there are several new openings for our native teachers to take up work at the various kraals. The government sent a school inspector to the mission to examine into our work there. He remained two days, and was well pleased with what he saw. He ranked our mission school among the very best, and said the government would be pleased to give us a grant to assist in training the natives in the manner that we are doing. They feel that they can well afford to assist in training the native when he is being taught not only to read but to labor intelligently, for this makes him more useful, and lifts him to a higher plane of civilization. While this is their ideal for the native, I am thankful to say that we have one much higher for him.
Brother W. C. Walston writes from the Somabula Mission that they are very much encouraged by the large number that are applying for admission into their school. It shows that there is a growing interest, and a desire to receive an education. This desire on the part of the native gives us the opportunity to teach him the truths of the gospel. The school at this mission was never so large as at the present time, and the openings for out-schools require all the teaching force that the mission can spare for this work. The Sabbath afternoon meetings at the kraals are very encouraging because of the number who are attending, and the interest manifested by them.
While the work is onward, the demands for help are becoming greater all the time. We are thankful for letters received from the Mission Board, stating that several persons will soon be on the way to Africa. All these are needed, and more too, because it has been a long time since the mission work in this field has had much help in the way of new workers. We were very glad to welcome Elder E. R. Williams and family, and we trust that their coming may be a blessing to the work in this field.17
The superintendents of the Nyassaland, the Barotseland, and the Solusi Missions are each calling for a man and his wife to join them in their work. I am thankful that there seems to be help in sight to supply these missions with the assistance they so much need. But we see no help for the Basutoland Mission, nor for the opening of the work in Zululand. These are two of the most important fields in South Africa. Men of education and talent have gone to these fields and have built up schools from which well-educated natives are being sent out to labor for their people. If our work is to succeed in these fields, we need men well qualified to go there and be missionaries to both white and black. Some of our best talent is needed, and needed badly, for these two neglected fields.
Another of our workers has fallen at her post of duty. The loss of Sister Anderson will be greatly felt in Barotseland. We now invite others to take up the task which she bore so faithfully, but now has laid down. Surely our Father has men and women in preparation to fill the many openings he has made for us. The work in Africa needs the prayers and support of our brethren in the home land. The cause of God is calling for strong men to lead out in the work in these great fields that the banner of truth may be lifted higher and higher before the many tongues and peoples of Africa. May the Lord send us men who will come to this land and work for souls because they are constrained to do so by the love of Christ.
W. S. HYATT.
Alabama
By D. E. BLAKE.
BIRMINGHAM.—The Lord is blessing the efforts put forth in this city, in bringing the truth to the knowledge of the people. Our hearts rejoiced yesterday (Sabbath, March 28) when six precious souls were buried with their Lord by baptism, and united with our little band of Sabbath-keepers here. We are looking forward to another baptism soon, as there are several others who are keeping the Sabbath, but to whom all the points of faith have not yet been presented.
It is encouraging to see how anxious the honest-hearted ones are to know about the truth, and, thank the Lord, there are many of these. On Sabbaths we usually have a goodly number of visitors, and on Sunday evenings our little church can scarcely accommodate the members and friends. The church is in an excellent spiritual condition, and as a result of this, a remarkable missionary zeal has come in, and each member is doing something to further the blessed truth so dear to him.
A canvassers’ institute has been in progress here for the purpose of instructing those who desire to canvass for our books, and about twenty have enlisted, and are preparing to enter the field with the printed page. Spring has come, and plans are being laid to have a vigorous tent effort, which we hope may be the means of bringing the present truth to other honest-hearted ones who are looking for it. We are of good courage, and ask an interest in your prayers for the work in this large city.
D. E. BLAKE.
A Visit to Mucury, Brazil
By F. W. Spies
AFTER being deterred again and again, I could finally, on the fourth of December, embark for a trip to Mucury where the brethren had not had a ministerial visit for two years and seven months. This was my first field of labor after coming to Brazil. I had not had the pleasure of visiting it for more than nine years.
After a pleasant voyage, we reached Ponta d’Areia December 8. Here the past nine years had wrought no noticeable change. On the morning of the tenth I boarded the train that runs to Theophilo Ottoni every five days, near which city our Mucury church is located. I went as far as Peruhype, where Sister Post, with some of the members of her family, has for a number of years been faithfully holding up the light. In this place I stayed five days, or until the next train, then went to Theophilo Ottoni. On the way there the experiences of former days were repeated. We had not gone far on the second day when the front truck of one of our baggage-cars jumped the track. It was, however, quickly gotten on again. To avoid a repetition of such an accident, the already slow pace was reduced still more, and without further mishap we arrived at our destination nation, although three hours behind time.
My stay of three weeks was much appreciated. I found that the nine years with their cares had left the traces of age on the faces of some of the older members. I also found a number of new homes, as some of the young people had settled down to take up life’s cares and responsibilities. I was pleased to see a substantially built schoolhouse, with additional dwelling for teacher, but was sorry they had no teacher to instruct their children. Schools are our great need here. Our young people need very much to learn the rudiments of education, in order to be fitted later for the Lord’s work. We had a series of meetings for the youth, and seven young people gave their hearts to the Lord, and decided to walk in his ways. These seven, with an adult sister, were baptized, and united with the church.
These German brethren were glad they could invite their native friends in to hear the truths of the gospel sung and preached in their own tongue, and a good interest was manifested on the part of those who came. The brethren thought the three weeks had passed very rapidly, and wished I might remain longer. But with the work to be done in Rio, and in view of the fact that the union conference meeting was soon to convene, this was impossible. Here, as elsewhere, if we had some one who could remain and labor among the Brazilians, no doubt a good work could be done. On the last Sabbath of my stay18we had a blessed time together, celebrating the Lord’s supper. May the Lord strengthen his children here to do his will, and to remain faithful until Jesus comes.
I am now on my way home. From about one to five o’clock this morning, ships of the United States squadron which is now on its way to the Pacific Ocean sailed along with our steamer. Then as day broke, they left us behind, and will probably arrive in the Rio harbor a few hours in advance of us. As I considered the vast capital employed in these war boats, and thought of the fifteen thousand men on board, and as I remembered the descriptions given in God’s Word of the battle of the last great day, I could but shudder; but I thought how blessed it will be when all is over, and war shall be no more. While the evil one is marshaling his forces, it becomes us to be wide-awake and doing the Lord’s business.
F. W. Spies.
Progress of the Work Among the Jews
By F. C. Gilbert
WE are glad to report progress in the work among the Jews. The blessing of the Lord has been attending the work during the past months; and although at times the work goes hard, we feel thankful that we can see some progress. To work for the Jews to-day means the same kind of treatment as when the Saviour and the apostles preached to them, only to-day their prejudices are stronger perhaps than they were nineteen hundred years ago. For centuries the Jews have been persecuted, and most of this persecution has been done in the name of the Christian religion. Therefore to the ordinary Jew there is nothing so hostile and bitter as the name of Christianity.
All this, of course, has to be overcome. All these obstacles have to be surmounted, for the spirit of prophecy has said that thousands of Jews will yet take their stand for God, and will help swell the loud cry of this message. This being true, the Lord has ways of his own to accomplish this work. We have done quite a little work with them in the midst of their ghettos. We thank God that we have the privilege of preaching Jesus Christ and his pure gospel to them. It cheers us to know that there are some among them who desire to hear. Ofttimes, in the midst of a howling mob, we see honest souls who are anxious to hear the truth. This gives us courage to go on, because we know his word will not return unto him void, but will accomplish his purpose.
While it is true that we receive abuse, we thank God we get souls also. A short time ago, while out preaching in the street, a mob gathered. We had not been there long before a young man started a disturbance, and secured a drunkard to oppose us quite bitterly. Soon we withdrew, and felt thankful that no bodily harm was allowed to come to us. A day or two after this the young man who caused the disturbance came into the mission, intending to create a disturbance here. After a discussion with one of the workers, he left the mission, only to return the next night to ask the Lord to forgive him for his base conduct. On his knees he pleaded with the Lord Jesus to forgive him his sins. He is an intelligent man, and has remained quite firm to the truth ever since. Within a month after this experience he went into the street, on the very same spot where he himself had occasioned the trouble for us, and preached Jesus Christ. Before he had finished, he experienced something of what he attempted himself, coming into the mission with his lip cut, and generally beaten. He thanked God, however, for the privilege of preaching Jesus Christ.
STREET PREACHING AMONG THE JEWS
We are glad to state that there have been several baptized, and others are preparing for baptism. This is encouraging to us. But one of the saddest burdens we have is to know what to do with these Jews after they accept Christ. They are persecuted most bitterly, and have to leave their countrymen. We sought the Lord earnestly about the matter, and felt impressed that we ought to secure for them a city of refuge. The object of this undertaking was to give them work, and at the same time train them to be workers for others. The Lord very providentially opened the way to secure such a place in a fine location, and we obtained it on very reasonable terms.
We have yet to raise about three thousand five hundred dollars to pay for the place, and to stock it, that we may give the Jews work. We have two Jews there already, and we expect several others soon. We hope that the Holy Spirit will impress the hearts of God's people to do what they can to encourage this work, and that many will send in a liberal donation, as we ought to have the rest of the money before long. Donations should be sent to I. H. Evans, Treasurer of the General Conference, Takoma Park, D. C., or to H. B. Tucker, Treasurer Central New England Conference, South Lancaster, Mass., stating what they are for. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; for God has not yet cast away his people whom he foreknew.
F. C. GILBERT.
W. S. LOWRY, Pres. Miss. Conf
By W. S. LOWRY
From Oklahoma to Mississippi
IN harmony with the recommendation of the Southern Union Conference, I left Guthrie, Okla., February 3, to connect with the work in the Mississippi Conference. On the way my wife and I attended the Southern Union Conference at Keene, Tex. Here we enjoyed one of the best union conferences we ever attended. Everything went off smoothly, and the instruction given was most excellent and timely. It was good to be there.
February 20 we left Keene for Vicksburg, Miss., to attend the Mississippi Conference, which was held February 27 to March 1. We had a very pleasant conference meeting at this place. The workers were all of good courage, and all left the conference with a strong determination to push the work forward. From Vicksburg we came to Jackson, where we are located at present.
March 27, in company with Brother H. G. Miller, our missionary agent, I went to Natchez. Here we found a live little company who are just taking hold of the truth, mostly as a result of reading books that one of our canvassers sold to them. They are calling loudly for a tent-meeting, and we expect to answer their call soon.
March 27-30 I visited the Hatley and Amory churches. On the Sabbath these two churches held their quarterly meeting together. We had an excellent service. The brethren and sisters are all of good courage.
We are planning to run four tents in this conference this summer — two for the white people, and two for the colored.
In harmony with a request from the president of the Tennessee River Conference, in a few days I shall go to Hurstburg, Tenn., to help in a meeting there. This is where my son and I held a tent-meeting last summer, and where the Tennessee River Conference and camp-meeting was held last year. They have a new church building at this place. We hope to have a good meeting, and to more fully establish the people in the truth. We earnestly request the prayers of the brethren and sisters to this end.
W. S. LOWRY, Pres. Miss. Conf
[ ^1]Atlantic Union Conference
By I. H. EVANS
Received on the $150,000 Fund up to April 7, 1908
[ ^1]Atlantic Union Conference
Central New England ..................... $ 2,773.18
Greater New York ........................ 1,501.31
Maine ..................................... 852.89
[ ^1]New York ............................. 2,326.50
[ ^1]Southern New England ................. 1,210.50
[ ^1]Vermont .............................. 1,344.74
[ ^1]Western New York ..................... 2,073.09
Total ................................. 12,082.21
Southern California .................... 3,584.90
[ ^1]Arizona ............................... 466.79
[ ^1]California-Nevada .................. 10,249.03
[ ^1]Utah .................................. 440.58
Total ................................ 14,741.30
Southwestern Union Conference
Not specified ............................. 22.28
Arkansas ................................. 894.63
Oklahoma ............................... 3,938.79
Texas .................................. 2,488.90
Total .................................. 7,345.14
Western Canadian Union Conference
[ ^1]Alberta ............................. 1,211.30
British Columbia ........................ 222.00
Manitoba ................................. 336.55
Saskatchewan Mission Field ............... 59.60
Total .................................. 1,829.45
Unknown
Unknown .................................. 161.70
Foreign
[ ^1]Algeria ................................ 13.33
Australia ................................. 178.71
Bermuda .................................... 36.00
China ..................................... 165.60
South Africa ............................. 439.02
Jamaica .................................... 66.01
Yukon Territory ........................... 20.00
England ................................... 279.11
[ ^1]West Africa ........................... 50.00
Mexico ..................................... 65.97
Costa Rica ................................... 6.25
India ..................................... 190.25
South America .............................. 76.43
Switzerland ................................. 9.69
Panama ...................................... 27.11
Nicaragua .................................... 9.00
Central American Mission ................... 26.00
Trinidad .................................... 28.69
Norway ...................................... 25.00
Japan ....................................... 12.50
Hayti ........................................ 5.00
[ ^1]Egypt .................................... 51.55
Palestine .................................... 2.00
Tobago, W. I. ............................... 1.22
Cuba ......................................... 8.00
Hungary ...................................... 3.00
Tahiti ....................................... 14.88
France ........................................ 6.80
Philippine Islands ........................... 1.00
Samoa ......................................... 8.00
Barbados ...................................... 5.00
Portugal ...................................... 1.00
Straits Settlements .......................... 10.08
Pitcairn Island .............................. 20.00
New Zealand ................................... 1.52
Fiji .......................................... 4.87
St. Kitts ..................................... 7.51
Ireland ....................................... 1.21
Russia ........................................ 5.00
Denmark ...................................... 14.59
Santa Domingo ................................. 2.50
Total .................................. 1,899.40
Grand Total ......................... $136,358.73
I. H. EVANS, Treasurer.
Massachusetts
By Lee S. Wheeler
CAMBRIDGE.—The meetings being conducted by Elder H. E. Robinson and the writer in Cambridge have resulted in a number of persons’ taking their stand on the commandments of God, and give promise of more additions to the cause of truth. We are now in the midst of the interest, and can not predict with certainty what the results may be. We desire the prayers of the saints that many may be turned from darkness to light in this modern Athens.
LEE S. WHEELER.
The General Conference Department Work
By M. E. K.
IMMEDIATELY after the Mount Vernon, Ohio, Sabbath-school and Young People's Convention last July, the General Conference Missionary Volunteer Department was set in operation, with headquarters temporarily at College View, Neb. The convention outlined a large work to be done by the department, and we have had our hands more than full from the beginning. And yet it seems that we have scarcely touched with the ends of our fingers the work to be done.
After setting into operation plans for the Missionary Volunteer Reading Course and the Standard of Attainment, we began to study the work being done in the various conferences and the facilities provided for it. We have an earnest and devoted corps of secretaries engaged in this work; but in the majority of cases their time has been so much occupied with other things that the Young People's work has received the ragged edge of their attention. This condition is changing, and will still be improved as we appreciate more fully the great need of a special effort for our young people where they are, and as efficient workers are developed.
In order to further study the conditions in the field, get better acquainted with the workers, and render such help as possible, it was recommended by the General Conference Committee that I visit as many of the union conferences as possible. In response to this recommendation I have visited the Atlantic, Southern, Central, Northern, and Lake Union Conferences. At each of these gatherings the Missionary Volunteer work has received careful consideration by the delegates, and the Missionary Volunteer secretaries have held daily councils, in which many questions pertaining to the work have been studied. In each of these union conferences the secretaries are of good courage, and are going forward to do, by the help of the Good Shepherd, a better work for the lambs of the flock.
In each of the unions visited the Missionary Volunteer work is now recognized as a department of its work, in harmony with the recommendation of the General Conference. In the Southern and Southeastern Union Conferences the union secretaries have no other line of conference work to do. In the Atlantic Union one person has charge of the Missionary Volunteer and Field Missionary work. The Columbia Union has arranged to give the Educational and Missionary Volunteer work to one secretary. In the Central Union the Young People's work has never been combined with another department. Elder MacGuire, the present secretary, is giving his whole time to the development of this work, laboring from conference to conference in connection with the Missionary Volunteer secretaries in an earnest evangelistic effort for the young, and most excellent results are seen. The Northern Union Conference, recognizing the importance of this work, took steps to provide an assistant for Elder Benson, who is Educational and Missionary Volunteer secretary in that union. The Lake Union voted to have a secretary to spend his entire time in this work, leaving the appointment to the executive committee.
The conditions of our young people, and what we know of the results that can be obtained from labor in their behalf, forces upon us the conclusion that the greatest need now is that of strong laborers well adapted to this work, to lead out in an aggressive evangelistic effort for our young people. With strong men in the field to labor for the salvation of the youth, and for their organization for service, with vigorous efforts put forth by our department and workers in the preparation of suitable literature; and with a general effort on the part of the whole church to regain what has been lost by neglect, we fully expect to see a great awakening among the young. Signs of such an awakening are even now apparent. M. E. K.
Report for Fourth Quarter of 1907
By M. E.
FIGURES always speak. But seldom are these messengers freighted with more good cheer than those found in the last Missionary Volunteer Summary. (See the Youth's Instructor for April 21.) Those figures tell us that in many places the pages of truth are falling like autumn leaves, and that the Missionary Volunteers have caused another five thousand dollars to flow through the channels of missionary work both at home and abroad. This is by far the largest quarterly donation yet reported by our young people. The figures speak of new fields being entered, new victories being won, and of more recruits coming into the ranks of Prince Immanuel.
From all quarters come glad tidings. A society in California gave one thousand dollars to missions last year. One of the societies in Nebraska is raising fifteen dollars a week for the work in Nyassaland. The children in Louisiana are being interested in needy fields through their little “Penny Mission Bands.” Last quarter one of Quebec's young men sold three hundred books. There are less than three hundred Sabbath-keepers in Queensland, Australia, yet the young people there in ten months raised fifty pounds for the work in New Guinea,—about $25.10 a month. From Honolulu comes the good news that a promising young man has accepted the truth, and that one of the members of the Hawaiian Missionary Volunteer Society is sending a girl to school in India.
Such is the news from the standing army of Missionary Volunteers—an army of six thousand young men and women! What could thirty thousand do? “With such an army . . . how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the world.” There is an urgent call for recruits. The enemy is an ever-prowling foe. His picket line is ambushed along Israel's route to capture those who lag behind in the march. But Prince Immanuel knows no defeat, and it is the privilege of every young man and every young woman to join with him in the great conflict of reclaiming the lost from the hands of the usurper. Wanted—your prayers, your means, yourself, to help save others.
You are wanted—
“To serve where the elbows jostle,
To serve though it be alone;
To serve in the lightened homeland,
To serve in the heathen zone.
Yes, without halting, without rest
Ever to serve, where he sees best.”
M. E.
The Morning Watch
By M. E. K.
OVER seven thousand of the Morning Watch Calendars have been distributed, and we hope that all are in daily use. Let us persevere in the habit of daily devotional Bible study. This month the subject is “Consecration.” As a result of this study, we should more fully and intelligently dedicate our lives to God’s service. Let us not forget the “subjects for special prayer.” We know that God has heard our united petitions for the unentered field of Madagascar; and as we this month pray for the church-school work, for those with whom we are working personally, for the canvassing work, and for India, let us be ready to help answer our prayers by responding when God calls. Two editions of these calendars have been entirely exhausted, and no more will be printed. M. E. K.
Standard of Attainment
By M. E. K.
THERE is power in a purpose. They go from strength to strength who fix before them a standard, and work to it. They do not waste their energies on unnecessary things as do those who obey no definite call.
To be able to pass an examination in the cardinal truths of the third angel’s message and denominational history is an aim which appeals to the ambition of every young man and woman who believes the advent message. Doubtless many have taken one or both these examinations given during the first week in April, and many others will be prepared in September.
The church elders, who conduct the examinations from questions sent to them, should send the papers at once to the Missionary Volunteer secretary of their conference, who will examine them and record their standings. The answers must be at least three fourths correct to pass. Those who have passed in one subject this time can take the other one at the time of the next examination. When both examinations are passed satisfactorily, a “certificate of attainment” will be issued by the Missionary Volunteer Department of the General Conference.
“Johnson’s Bible Text-Book,” “Bible Readings for the Home Circle,” and “Bible Footlights” are good books from which to study Bible doctrines. The examination in denominational history will be based on “The Great Second Advent Movement,” by Elder J. N. Loughborough.
“We have no time to sport away the hours,
All must be earnest in a world like ours.”
M. E. K.
Young People's Work
Conducted by the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department of the General Conference
