Who? — My Lord. Who says this? — A servant of the Lord. What kind of a servant? — The evil servant: “But and if that evil servant shall say, . . . My Lord delayeth His coming.” How does he say this? — In his heart: “But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth His coming.” Then if he says it only in his heart, how do we know that he says it? — By his actions, which speak louder than words. If it was in words merely, it might be spoken so low you could not hear it, or it might be in terms you could not understand. But actions will be heard, and they cannot be misunderstood. If you live for self, the actions are telltales, and will witness against you. If you live for the world, your actions will brand the words ineffaceably on the object of your affections: “These be thy gods, O Israel.”
To entertain the feeling in our hearts, and express it in any manner, “My Lord delayeth His coming,” is a grievous sin. It is tantamount to saying that He will never come. If it is not this, there is no force in it; for if He is ever to come, and all that has been expected is to be fulfilled, there is no consistency in trying to take advantage of a little delay; but to say that He will never come is to contradict the whole tenor of the Scriptures and the whole course of history. It is to make God stultify himself by accusing Him of bringing to pass the greatest of all events, and giving the world no notice of its coming, and no warning in regard thereto, which He declares is contrary to His uniform course of action and inflexible purpose. “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets;” that is, He will do nothing without revealing His secret, something not otherwise known, unto His servants, the prophets (Amos 3:7); and He reveals it to them that they may make it known to the people, so that the people may not be taken unawares by the accomplishment of any of His purposes.
But when one begins to say in his heart, “My Lord delayeth His coming,” he begins to act as though he must plan for unlimited days to come. He begins to act as if he would need all his means for his own purposes, and withholds it from the work of the Lord. He begins to show a feeling that there is no need to be in haste about warning the world concerning the Lord’s coming; for He is not coming yet: perhaps expressed in the usual formula, “not in your day or mine.”
And what is the character of this evil servant? — It is a law of watchfulness to be always watchful. One who watches only in spasms, cannot be said to watch at all; since in some moment when he is not watching, the danger against which he pretends to watch may overtake him.
So it is said of this servant, that he begins “to smite his fellow servants,” — first of all, he loses all love from his heart toward his brethren,—“and to eat and drink with the drunken:” he throws off all restraint and gives himself recklessly to appetite, a sin against which the Saviour himself warns us in Luke 21:34, referring to the same time.
The servant who says, My Lord delayeth His coming, is not alone in that opinion, nor in the work he is doing. There are others associated with him. He is called “that evil servant;” and his associates are spoken of by Peter, and are called “scoffers, walking after their own lusts.” “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning.” 2 Peter 3:3, 4. “My Lord delayeth His coming.”
The Lord lays out His treatment of the two classes, the faithful and wise servant, who is found giving the household meat in due season, and the evil servant, who says in his heart, My Lord delayeth His coming. Of the first He says, “Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing.” But of the evil servant He says, “The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for Him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites.” Matt. 24:50, 51. The Greek here is very emphatic. It reads, “shall cut him in two, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites.” This is appropriate treatment. The man was acting two parts. In one capacity he claimed to be a good servant; in the other he showed that he belonged to the world, was perverting the truth, and abusing his brethren. The Lord says, Cut him in two, and distribute the parts to their respective places. One cannot serve God and Mammon; if he serves Mammon, enough must be taken off from the service of the Lord to balance up the account. To do this will require that he be cut in two, and the divisions located accordingly.
SEEKING HELP FROM THE WRONG SOURCE.
In the Review of Sept. 24, 1901, we referred to a question from a Baptist correspondent to the Western Recorder asking where Baptists would stand if they should progress toward Rome in the next ten years as fast as they had in the last ten years. We answered that at the present rate of progress it would not take them ten years to get clear over to Rome. In a Roman Catholic paper, the name of which is Catholic Opinion, for July, 1901, we find a more extensive deliverance on this subject. An Afro-American leader in the Baptist Church declares that help for the negro must come from the Catholic Church. They are warned against political alliances which are sucking the African race down to ruin, and pointed to the Catholic Church as the only power that can save them from the evils they are suffering at the hands of politicians. The article is headed “The Baptist Decision,” and is so significant that we quote it entire, as follows: —
“A prominent leader of the Afro-American council and of the Baptist Church, Prof. Jesse Lawson, spoke before a vast meeting of colored Baptists of the District of Columbia recently. This eminent man is able to see much further than most others of his race. The scales have dropped from his eyes at last, and he is now fully awake to the fact that political alliances have been the quicksands wherein the negro has been sucked down to ruin and perdition. He concluded a powerful and well-thought-out address with the following remarkable survey and counsel: —
“‘We have not advanced one step politically since 1876. We have been betrayed by the white man. Louisiana, North Carolina, and other States where the negroes are more numerous, have adopted amendments to their Constitutions making us mere animals, without power of expression or intelligence enough to vote. Maryland is following the lead set, and I warn you that it is only a question of time, if this keeps up, and we do not do something, when there won’t be a State in the Union where the negro is not disfranchised. Let us turn before it is too late. We can yet be masters of the situation if we will but act. We cannot ally with any political party, so let us ally with a strong religious force, that we may effect the change.
“‘As one of the leaders in a local Baptist church, and as speaking to an audience of Baptists, I say now that only the great and powerful Catholic Church can help us. We may not all desire to join the Catholic Church at once, but we will see the way in time. I think it must be God’s will that we effect our salvation through the agency of the Catholic Church. The leaders have offered us protection and political rights within the folds of the Catholic Church. We are assured our rights as citizens and human beings, and I see no other way in which we may save ourselves and save our future. We are being ground to powder by the white man in this country, and only the Catholic Church can save us. Let us take matters into our own hands now, and let us act.’”
“The reference to the Catholic Church was greeted with immense enthusiasm by the whole assembly. The address was debated after the speaker had closed, and each speaker favored the idea of allying with the Catholic Church as the only way out of the problem and the only hope for the negro in America.”
From the foregoing it appears that the speaker contemplates that Baptists will go over bodily to the Catholic Church, “not all at once,” he says, but in time he thinks they will see their way clear. Paul says that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. And how little it is evident that persons understand that power when they can talk as Mr. Lawson does, and turn away from that power, and appeal for help to the greatest and most subtle enemy that power has ever had in this world—the Catholic Church. The negro race is, to be sure, cruelly suffering socially, politically, and physically at the hands of politicians. But what spiritual and eternal evils will they suffer if they give themselves unto the hands of that power which the apostle Paul warns us to shun as the “man of sin,” the “son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped” (2 Thess. 2:3, 4), and the mark and worship of which we are to reject on pain of the unmixed wrath of God poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation. Rev. 14:9–11.
LET US HAVE REALITIES.
By L. A. S.
The Christian religion brings to the individual Christian realities. It does not ask him to be satisfied with anything less; it does not ask him to accept any second-hand evidence of its truth. Christianity demonstrates its genuineness by that which it continually gives to the true believer.
The Catholic religion has much to say about relics. These play an important part in its systems of supposed benefits. Christianity does not concern itself with relics; it does not need to, for it bestows always the real thing itself to which it calls the believer’s attention. The false religion presents to us the (supposed) bones of a dead saint; the true religion presents to us the risen, living Saviour himself. The false religion presents to us tradition — the decisions and decrees of man professing to interpret the will of God; the true religion takes us to God’s word itself. The true religion brings to us, each week, a genuine part of that which was before the fall — the Sabbath. The Sabbath is not a relic of Eden; it is a genuine part of Eden, existing unmarred and unchanged by the fall of Adam and all the sin and ruin that has followed.
The false religion tells a man of what he can do to save himself, or of what other men promise to do for him; the true religion presents to us the “exceeding great and precious promises” of God, whereby we may become “partakers of the divine nature.” The false religion tells us of a God afar off; the true religion proclaims “God with us;” His kingdom within us, His throne in the believer’s heart. The false religion tells us of some far-off paradise; the true religion creates a paradise within us. The true religion gives us not a dried-up relic of something good that existed long ago, but a real foretaste of the good that is to come.
It is our privilege to know the reality of the things of God; to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” “Let us know the reality of our salvation by sitting with Christ himself in the heavenly places.
L. A. S.
In the Question Chair.
[Designed for the consideration of such questions as will be of interest and profit to the general reader. All correspondents should give their names and correct post-office address, that queries not replied to here may be answered by mail.]
830.—Connection with a Liquor House.
Do you think it is right for one who professes to be a Christian to be in any way connected with the business of a wholesale liquor house? Or, to be more specific, Is it consistent for the deacon of a Seventh-day Adventist church to keep the books of a liquor house? C. A. D., Parker, S. D.
ANSWER.—In all matters of right or wrong every one must decide for himself. We cannot be conscience for any one. The foregoing question is so adroitly put that it does not require us to decide on the moral quality of the action, but only whether or not we think it right to do the acts named, which may or may not be right independently of any views we may hold upon the subject. For ourself, personally, we should withdraw from any such connection on account of the undesirable association. While one could keep books for such a firm, as he could do any other manual labor, without being at all responsible for the business, still the connection would not naturally be congenial to any Christian. We know of one who has left the employ of such a firm on this account, which we think was a commendable step to take.
831.—The Tithe.
Does the tithing system call for the laying by, every week, a tithe of our income, be it large or small, and then devoting that tithe to the advancement of the cause of Christ? Can we send Canadian money? Mrs. J. B., London, Ore.
ANS.—Yes; “upon the first day of the week let every one . . . lay by him in store.” This tithe is to go into the treasury of the Lord, and to be devoted specifically to the support of the gospel ministry. The duty of supporting the poor is made very incumbent upon the Church, but the tithe is not to be used for this purpose. Means is provided in the Lord’s plan, outside the tithe, for all other necessary purposes. This is the “offerings,” so closely associated always with the tithe: “tithes and offerings.” As to your question about forwarding Canadian money for the purpose, we have to say, Canadian money is at a discount here; and if that is sent, a sufficient amount should be included to cover that discount, so that the treasury will receive the full amount in current American funds.
832.—Joshua’s Long Day.
At the time Joshua commanded the sun and the moon to stand still was a day lost, thus jogging the reckoning one day forward, so as to bring the Sabbath upon Sunday, as is so positively affirmed by some Sunday-keepers? B. G. J., Bergen, N. Y.
ANS.—Some people seem to be greatly puzzled over things claimed to be lost; as, lost time on the Sabbath question, the ten lost tribes of the children of Israel, a lost week on the change from old style to new, etc. But the very things the objectors affirm about these lost things show that they know all about them, and therefore they are not lost. Time cannot be lost unless it mysteriously disappears from view, and people lose all track of it, so that they cannot tell what has become of it. But how was it in this incident in the experience of Joshua?—The Lord was interfering in behalf of His people. Five kings of the Amorites combined against the Lord’s people. The Lord gave His people the victory. But the day was hastening to its close, and was likely to end before Israel had put their enemies to complete rout. They needed more time before darkness interrupted their work. So Joshua lifted up a prayer that the operations of nature might be arrested in their behalf: “Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.” Joshua 10: 12. Then, says the record, “The sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hastened not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel.” Joshua 10:13, 14. It will be noticed that all this time is called “a day;” it was not two days, a day was not lost, but one day was only lengthened out to an unusual degree; but it was the same day all the while. Suppose, for instance, that it was the third day of the week when this battle began. The motion of the sun was apparently arrested, so that it hastened not to go down about a whole day; that is, the daylight part of that day was lengthened out about twelve hours more; but what day was it still?—The third day. That week had only seven days; but it was a long week; for one of its days was a long day, but that did not make a new week, nor derange the numbering of the days of the week at all. The fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh days would follow the third just as usual. No time would be dropped out, and no change of reckoning made. As to how the miracle was effected, it is only necessary to suppose that the power of refraction was greatly increased, so that the sun appeared to be above the horizon, and impart light to the earth, when in reality it was not. This of course is suggested only because it seems an easier way to have the miracle effected than it would be to absolutely stop the revolution of the earth upon its axis, and all other dependent motions of the heavenly bodies. It seems more consistent to have it all done by one simple miracle than by a multiplicity of them.
833.—Power to Forgive Sins.
Did the apostles have power to forgive sins, as positively declared by Catholics, who take John 20: 22, 23, as authority for their teaching that the Church can forgive sins? G. B. J., Bergen, N. Y.
ANS.—Undoubtedly they did, in the particular instance referred to in John 20; but that does not by any means sustain the Catholic heresy that the priest can forgive sins; for the apostles were given no power to confer that gift upon others, and did not do so, so far as we have any record. That was a special occasion for which power was particularly conferred upon them, but did not descend to their successors. The idea that it did, and that the Church can forgive sins, is forbidden by other scriptures.
JOY IN TEMPTATION.
By L. A. S.
The most that the devil can bring to any person is temptation; and we are to “count it all joy” when we “fall into divers temptations.” Therefore, to the Christian, “all things work together for good,” and even the evil one himself can only promote the Christian’s joy by his machinations.
The Christian’s joy is in his fellowship with Christ; but this means also “the fellowship of His sufferings.” Fellowship with Christ brings the Christian in touch with “the power of God unto salvation,” but this is realized by him in times of temptation. The “Captain of our salvation” was made “perfect through sufferings;” and “in that He himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted.” Christ suffered when He was tempted; likewise the Christian suffers when he is tempted. But Christ suffered the temptations of our human life, and was “touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” in order that He might deliver His people when they are tempted, and turn their suffering into joyfulness by the sense of His fellowship with them. He was made in the likeness of sinful flesh, and “like unto His brethren” in all things, that He might make himself real to us, and become a High Priest who could be our mediator before the throne of God.
For the joy that was set before Him, Jesus Christ endured the sufferings of this life, and now, when His followers are afflicted, points them to the “eternal weight of glory” set before the overcomer. Therefore, we may indeed “count it all joy” when we “fall into divers temptations;” for the Captain of our salvation has placed himself in every place where the devil, by his persecutions and temptations, can place us, so that all these things can only bring us, if we do not lose our faith, into closer touch with Him, and make more real to us His presence and His salvation. L. A. S.
Editorial Notes.
By Editor
To see duty clearly we should view it in the light of Christian privilege.
THE life that is lived for self is soon finished; but the life that seeks to serve all others requires eternity for its completion.
THE greatest obstacles in the Christian pathway are the imaginary ones—the doubts about the ability or willingness of God to do exactly as He has promised.
DOES your life show that you “seek a country” other than one to which railway or steamship can transport you? or does it show that you are satisfied to dwell permanently in this present world?
“THE grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2 : 11. And, therefore, no man can say that salvation has not come within his reach. If he is lost, it will be only because he would not accept the gift.
THE commandments of God express the height of perfection of character, not to which we must climb, but to which God will elevate us if we will let Him. We should rejoice that God does not purpose to make us merely a little better than we are.
“If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses?” Jer. 12 : 5. If you have not kept pace with the message while it has gone slowly, how will you keep up with it when it moves with the swiftness that will characterize the closing work?
THE power of God belongs with the Christian just as much as steam belongs with an engine; and for a Christian to go along satisfied without being filled with the Spirit is a spectacle no less strange than for an engineer to be satisfied month after month without steam to set his machine in motion.
DON’T try to push anybody along the way of truth, or force any person to take the stand that you have taken. Let your own light shine fully, and then let God do the drawing. Leave every person free to take his stand for or against the truth under the pressure of the Holy Spirit alone. You are more likely to force a person to a wrong decision than to a right one.
“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” But how may we know whether we truly love the brethren? The Scripture assures us that “charity [love] envieth not,” and “thinketh no evil.” If we envy any person, or think evil of any, or are willing to attribute wrong motives to any, we do not yet “love the brethren” in the Christian sense.
“THE easiest way to become great,” said the late Frances Willard in reply to a question once put to her by a boy, “is to be with great people.” Ordinary people cannot have the privilege of associating much with great people; but every one can, if he will, be always in the company of the Lord; and he who will do this will not have to study over the problem of becoming great. This was the secret of the greatness of John the Baptist, who dwelt by himself in the wilderness, of whom Jesus said there had “not risen a greater” in all the world.
FOR years the Lord has “waited to be gracious,” being “long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish,” so that it has even seemed to some that the Lord has been “slack concerning His promise;” but now the word from the Captain of the Lord’s host is, “Delay no longer.” He will delay the work no longer for you, or for any upon whom He has been waiting, but will manifest His power now to accomplish His work unchecked by human hindrances. This means that you must now move forward with the Israel of God, or be left behind.
L. A. S.
SOUTH AFRICA.
Basutoland, Kolo Mission.—We had our first Seventh-day Adventist baptismal service on the 17th of August, when two adult sisters were immersed. We had the greatest gathering we ever had since the work was started at the Kolo Mission. We were surprised at a message which came from our neighboring French mission to their converts, forbidding them to come to our service. Even young men and girls, some of whom we had instructed in the Scriptures, were forbidden to attend. Still a large number attended. Even those who were forbidden to come near us we saw climbing up behind the mission walls on the precipices facing the mission grounds toward the southwest.
After the solemn preaching about what real baptism is, and what it means, we went to the pool, which was about fifty yards from the place where we were gathered. The whole congregation followed, and stood round the pool while the baptism took place. This being just below the declivity of the hill, a great number of those who were forbidden drew near to witness the wonderful sight. It seems that the good Spirit is working upon the hearts of the people. The meeting was remarkably quiet, and the people were attentive.
Our little service building is nearly finished. Elder Freeman is buying grass for the thatching. We are glad to see a few donating grass toward this little building. Dear readers, this great and hard work in Basutoland needs your prayers. May the blessing of the Lord rest upon His vineyard, and also upon His servants. D. Kalaka.
East London and Cambridge.—Having occasion to stay a little while in East London, I visited our brethren, and was glad to be present at two Sabbath meetings. Brother Ernst had a service for the German brethren and sisters at his house; and after an early dinner we walked to Elder Tarr’s house, at Cambridge, and there met eight or nine adults and as many children. After a most interesting Bible reading, we had Sabbath-school, and the answers of the little ones showed a good understanding of the subject.
I also attended two Bible readings conducted by Sister Tarr, and great was the interest in them. One said, “I would not miss these meetings for anything.” Another said, “I am ashamed to find how little I know about the Bible.” But the one thing above all others that I have noticed was the real brotherly spirit there is among them. I have not felt so happy since I left America; it was as if we were brothers and sisters of one family.
In East London the people are hungering and thirsting for the full truth, and the laborers are so few. May God send more workers into His vineyard. Sister Rosa.
Cape Town.—In a recent report to our South African news-letter, the Fortnightly Visitor, one of our workers, Mrs. E. Stapleford, says: “I thought you would like to hear my first experience in selling Sentinels [copies of the South African Sentinel] in the bars and canteens of Cape Town. I started last Saturday night from Observatory with one hundred and four papers. At Woodstock two ladies entered the train. On seeing my papers, they asked if I was selling them. I told them I was, so they each bought one, and also another one to send up country. They had read our papers before, and knew what they were getting. It was a quarter past eight o’clock when I reached town and started for the hotels. I sold several in the first one I entered. The smoke was dreadful, but my courage was good. As I went into the next one, some gave me three-pence for the paper, although I told them it was a penny. In the next place I went, three friends were standing talking. I asked them to take a paper. They wanted to know what it was, and if I was a Baptist. I told them I believed in baptism, but did not belong to that church, but was a Seventh-day Adventist. They then asked several questions concerning the Sabbath, which I answered. One question was a very pointed one, and they were not the only ones who asked it: ‘Who gives you courage to come into a place like this?’ I said, ‘The Lord does.’ They answered, ‘We believe you.’ On being asked to take wine, I told them I was a teetotaler. Lemonade was offered, but was declined with thanks. Each of those three men took papers, and promised to read them. As they asked about the Sabbath, I told them what the Bible says about it. I sold many other papers in the same place.”
“In several instances a man would give me a sixpence and take four papers, so he could give to his friends. In other cases, one would buy and ask others to do so. When they would ask me what was in the paper, I would say, ‘Something that concerns you.’ I enjoyed telling them about the soon coming of our Saviour; and when they took the papers, I would tell them they would find more about it in the papers. One young man came to me with his face all smiles because he had read something about the pope. He asked me if it was a Catholic paper [he was a Catholic]. I told him no, but that it was a good paper. So an hour passed very quickly. I had sold sixty-one papers, and received eight shillings [two dollars] for them.”
“I was stopped in one place—one of the worst in Cape Town. They told me the crowd was too rough on Saturday nights, but any other night I could go in. They did not know that I had an unseen Protector. One man paid me for three papers and asked me to give them away, which I did, and the people promised to read them.
“This work did my soul good, and by the grace of God, it will not be the last time I shall go. It would have been easy to sell the one hundred and four papers if I had started earlier. After receiving the papers, the men would sometimes read them aloud. No one can tell the good that may result from this. In every case but one I was treated with respect, and the exception was not worth mentioning. I do hope my brethren and sisters will share the blessing there is in doing this work.”
King Williams Town.—Brother Moko is working among the natives in the vicinity of King Williams Town. He writes: “I am glad to be here. It is where my heart has ever longed to be since I became a Sabbath-keeper. Now the Lord has brought me here. Pray for me that I may be a blessing and a true witness for the Lord.” He is becoming acquainted with the better class of natives, and is introducing the message in various ways.
Uitenhage.—I am thankful to be able to report progress in the work here. The Lord has provided us with a lot for our church building. This lot cost us seventy-five pounds, and is paid for. The plans have been drawn by an architect, and we have almost finished making the bricks. The building is to be 30 x 40 ft., with baptistery and dressing rooms, and folding doors for dividing off a portion for a schoolroom.
The donations sent in and promised amount to about one hundred and seventy pounds, and we need cash with which to proceed further. We trust that enough donations will come in soon to furnish all the materials we need. So far every donation we have received has come as a voluntary offering, proffered without our personal solicitation, and we feel thankful for this manifestation of God’s leading in the hearts of His dear people. Another sister has begun to observe the Sabbath. Herbert J. Edmed.
East London.—The work in this place is progressing. Three precious souls have recently been added to our number. We are holding Bible readings with twenty-three others, the majority of whom, we have reason to believe, will soon decide to obey. All these are intelligent people and well connected, some being related to the leading families in the colony.
We have never seen such a readiness to make haste to keep the commandments. Of the six persons keeping the Sabbath, five kept the Sabbath following its presentation. Our Sabbath-school now has a membership of twenty.
Canvassing for our books has been a great help in starting the work here. Through this means several have become interested, and have invited us to their homes to teach them further concerning the truth. Quite a number have expressed their appreciation of “Coming King.” One intelligent man said that no other book had ever given him so much light regarding the events now taking place. I have delivered about five hundred copies of “Coming King,” and in addition to this Mrs. Tarr and myself together have sold about three hundred miscellaneous books.
Brother Ernst reports a good interest among the German people, having his time well filled with Bible readings as a result of his distributing tracts. One German lady has accepted the truth, and others are in the balance.
We feel that now is the time to push the work with vigor, for opposition has already arisen. Many who might now be induced to investigate will soon, no doubt, have made their decision. D. F. Tarr.
Elder F. L. Mead is still in charge of the Bulawayo Mission farm.
Brother Barnard, of Durban, recently sold ninety-one Sentinels one Saturday night.
The South African war is a source of hindrance to the work of carrying the message in that field.
The companies at Uitenhage, Cambridge, Grahams Town, and Sharon have not yet been organized into churches; but there is a Sabbath-school at each place.
Elder W. S. Hyatt, President of the South African Conference, says: “A large amount of our literature has been scattered over Africa. Thousands of papers have been placed in the hands of soldiers and sailors, and distributed in hospitals and Boer prisons and camps; yet it seems but a drop in the pail. We feel a deep interest in this work, especially that of furnishing the Boer camps and prisons and the hospitals with our good papers. Now they have time to read and consider; hence it is our time to work.”659
Elder G. W. Reaser and family, and Sister Cornwell, a Bible worker, are engaged in the work in Natal.
Our canvassers at Durban are Q. H. Jubber, S. S. Barnard and Mrs. Barnard, S. W. de Lange, Mrs. Kassebaum; at Verulam, C. H. Kassebaum; at Kimberley, Miss Webster; at Uitenhage, T. J. Francis; at King Williams Town, R. Moko; at Klipdam, A. Tickton; at East London, D. F. Tarr; at Maitland, J. Stapleford; and at Woodstock, Mrs. Stapleford. There are doubtless other brethren and sisters canvassing in South Africa whose names we have been unable to find.
Brother O. O. Fortner reports the number of missionary papers sent out during the first half of August to be 4,580, as follows: Zion’s Wachter, 1,770; Sentinels, 1,610; Bible Echo, 825; Present Truth, 375; total 4,580. “This,” he says, “does not include the papers distributed at the docks and camps of this peninsula. The Zion’s Wachter and many of the other papers were sent for distribution among the Dutch refugee camp, and most of the others for the military camps. The people are glad to get the papers. There are many other places that we wish to supply with this literature.”
MAINE
By J. B. Goodrich
WHERE I have recently been laboring, at Mars Hill and Linneus, four have begun the observance of the Sabbath of the Lord, and others are interested.
J. B. GOODRICH.
Upper Columbia Conference.
Brother Wm. Steele, who laid aside his prospectus for a few days to accept a tempting offer in the harvest field, writes: “I cannot be satisfied away from my book work, so am taking it up again in earnest; will stick to it till my delivery begins.” Floyd Moore had a similar experience, and won a like victory. This is a source of joy to the Lord, will strengthen those similarly tempted, and should be a lesson to many.
The Upper Columbia Conference contributed about four hundred dollars in response to the appeal for the Christiania Publishing House.
MONTANA
By J. C. Foster; W. A. Gosmer
BOZEMAN.—The work at this place is moving steadily forward. Since the camp-meeting the attendance has kept up quite well, from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty being present. There has been no rush to the meetings, nor a great interest; but by faithful, continued effort, both in public and from house to house, a few souls are being led to obey the Lord. Up to the present time ten have begun the observance of the Lord’s Sabbath. Others are interested. The work is broadening, and we hope to see still others come into the fold of Christ. We are of good courage. Pray for the work here.
J. C. FOSTER,
W. A. GOSMER.
MISSOURI
By W. S. Cruzan; L. W. Terry
BOONESBORO.— We have been here since August 8, and have presented the principal points of our faith. The audiences have been large, and the best of order has prevailed. Many nights our tent would not hold the people that came. Fifteen have said that they will keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Our temporal wants have been abundantly supplied by the people. Donations have amounted to $17.36. A Sabbath-school has been organized, and supplies ordered. Of late we have been holding Bible readings every other evening at private homes. We expect to remain here about ten days yet.
W. S. CRUZAN,
L. W. TERRY.