PADANG, WEST COAST.—October 27 my family and I left Battle Creek for Toledo, and after ten-days' visiting our relatives and friends and the brethren of our church there, we started for New York. We keenly felt the separation from our kindred; for we hope to labor here till the Lord comes. And they doubtless felt the farewell more than we did, for reasons that will readily suggest themselves. Aboard ship we endeavored to bear testimony to the truth, but found that out of a company of more than forty passengers we were the only believers, the only vegetarians, the only missionaries. We were given a table by ourselves on the steamship “Amsterdam,” from New York, and had a very good menu, which, supplemented with our health foods, was everything we could desire. The officers were kind and obliging in all their attentions. We tried constantly to so witness for Christ that we should have no fear to meet them in the Judgment. Most of them acted as if they had never met real Christians before in their lives. Many of the men believed in nothing but things sensual. On the voyage from Amsterdam we found the same thing true.
We reached Rotterdam, Thursday evening, November 23, where we remained overnight. The next day we went by rail to Amsterdam. Before leaving Rotterdam I walked about the city near the railway station, and came upon the bronze statue of the learned Erasmus, holding a book in his hand. He was a timid, even a cowardly, soul who opposed Luther, but who still did much to help the cause of the Reformation.
On the steamship “Prins Hendrik,” on which we embarked the night before sailing, through the kindness of the owners, we found large, airy cabins, and a very jovial, good-natured company. We left Amsterdam on the Sabbath at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, and the next day entered Southampton, where we remained two days, taking in cargo for Genoa and the Indies. On Sunday evening we went to a Congregational church and listened to an inconsequential and most disappointing sermon, prefaced by numerous announcements of church fairs, suppers, and other money-getting inventions. It was profitable to us in demonstrating the fulfillment of the prophecy, “the love of many shall wax cold.” As we were over a month aboard this ship, we had a better opportunity to bear testimony to the truth; but as we knew no Dutch, and but few of the passengers knew Malay, we could not hold any public services. But we did a good deal of private teaching, and bore a clear testimony to the truth, particularly concerning the Lord's second coming. When we left the ship, we left some Dutch tracts with the most hopeful and interested persons. We had a very pleasant voyage, particularly from Amsterdam as the weather grew milder all the way, gradually modifying from raw November to the balmiest June. On the Atlantic there were flurries of snow. As we neared the equator, summer rains moderated the heat of the tropical sun.
We prayed much on the journey that the Lord would go before us to Padang, secure a house, raise up friends, and open a wide door of opportunity before us. Our prayers have been all answered in a very wonderful way. A fine house in a most healthful part of the city was placed at our disposal at less than half its actual rental. We had hoped that the local agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society, whom we knew well in Singapore, would meet us at the wharf on our arrival here; but as he has not yet reached Padang, he was not at Emmishaven when the “Prins Hendrik” came into port. But the Lord sent another good man to meet us, who has taken a very kind interest in us, and has rendered us much service in many ways. His wife speaks English, and is a superior woman, whom we are glad to count among our friends. This gentleman is a hotel proprietor, at whose place we stopped one day after landing.
Our ship sailed from New York on Sabbath; also from Amsterdam on the Sabbath; and we landed here on the Sabbath: a singular series of coincidences.
On Sunday we called on Missionary Dorensoft, of the Rhenish Mission, who kindly assisted us in finding a cheaper boarding place. His wife went with us to the home of a widow, a truly godly woman, who has been here for thirty years or more, and who received us with great kindness of heart,12and gave us a very low rate for the five days we were there.
I called on the assistant resident and found him a very gentlemanly person indeed. He showed me much courtesy and kindness. In short, we have met with nothing but kindness. My object in calling on the resident was to apply for permission to reside in Padang, which was readily granted for six months. Before that period expires I must apply for its renewal, or approach the governor and ask for a life permit.
Besides this I must also apply through the governor of the West Coast, to the governor general at Batavia, Java, for permission to labor among the Chinese. In the meantime I expect to open a school for instruction in English, March 5; and before doing so, I have to obtain from the governor a license. Thus it is seen by how many restrictions the government hedges in missionary work. But after permission is once obtained, no other society will be permitted to enter the same field; that is, to work among the same class or race of people.
There is a lively interest in English education, and from present indications I shall have from twenty-five to fifty boys at the start. There are many who are asking me to open a night school also, in order to accommodate those who must work by day. I shall need help long before I get it I fear. There have been some most joyful tokens also in direct evangelistic work.
We found here a young Chinaman, of twenty-two years, whom I had baptized and received into the church at Singapore, and who was strongly attached to us there. He is a stanch Christian, and is preaching the Word faithfully. He is living with us, and studying the word of God. A week or two ago he went to an old uncle's house near by, and came back with radiant countenance, telling me that his old uncle, who used to be the richest man in the district, had been eagerly listening to the gospel. And this led to a visit first by myself, and then by Mrs. Munson and myself with our Bilhorn organ. The old man is eagerly reading the New Testament, and rises at four o'clock every morning to do so. I explained the Sabbath truth to him, and he said, most simply, “I shall observe all you say, for I want to serve God. I have found out the vanity of all earthly things, and I am resolved to make my peace with God.” He is not a common heathen, for he is a man of extraordinary intelligence in matters of law and public business; and although he has lost his fortune, he still has a competence, and has retired from public life. He used to be known as “Company No. 2,” or “Government Number Two.” He has a family of thirteen children. He both reads and speaks Dutch, and is often consulted by younger men in business matters. This is the man who has for two years been groping in the dark for salvation; and when he heard the gospel sung and preached, he exclaimed over and over again, “How sweet this is to my heart!”
So God is opening hearts to the Word. Only this morning a young man, a half-caste, of fine manners, and speaking English, called, and was present at our morning worship. After prayers I opened up the Sabbath truth. It came about incidentally, and after reading Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11, and Matt. 5:17-19, he said very frankly, “I never heard of such a thing, but I see very clearly that the seventh day is the Sabbath.”
Padang is a very beautiful place and very healthful. I find many Dutchmen who have been here from twenty to thirty-five years, and are now in excellent health. This makes my heart rejoice, for we hope to stay here till the Lord comes. We are all in good health, and some of us in better health than we had in America. This is particularly the case with Mrs. Munson. I am teaching the children myself at home, and they are doing well.
I want the prayers of all the REVIEW readers that God will open hearts to receive the Word and to walk in the light. Prayers have already been heard, and I am strong in faith that we shall see a company raised up here who will enter the kingdom.
I have finished reading 'Empires of the Bible' and 'Great Empires of Prophecy,' with great profit. I am now reveling in D'Aubigne's 'History of the Reformation.' Present truth seems richer and more glorious the more we study it. We never were more joyful or more hopeful than now, and feel singularly happy in being here in this field, white unto the harvest.
For six weeks we have been longingly looking for the friendly and familiar face of the REVIEW AND HERALD, but have so far waited in vain. We hope ere long to receive a copy. Several copies of the Signs of the Times have arrived, and been most keenly relished. The Harvest Number was a special treat. We read it from beginning to ending. It was worth a year's subscription. The Conference Bulletin, containing the readings for the week of prayer, was intensely interesting and was greatly enjoyed.
R. W. MUNSON.
Feb. 18, 1900.
MEXICO
By A. Allen John
More than a year has passed since we came to Mexico, and we are thankful for the mercy of God in permitting us to have a part in the closing work. Probably there is no field more needy, and I trust none more difficult than this. The nominal religion is Catholic, but with the masses it is only paganism baptized. Devout Catholics lament the superstition and fanaticism that are frequently seen.
We have found a few true friends, and we hope to raise the standard of truth, which will sanctify those who accept it. We are spending a few weeks in a village where there are no Protestants, and only one English person. As we learn the ways of the people, we are led to think that many of our people should move to some of the many places that are destitute of laborers, and form small missionary colonies, where, as living epistles, by words of kindness and deeds of love, the true Christ-life would be illustrated before the people. There are many such openings, and we will gladly do what we can to help those who have a true missionary spirit to find them. Missionary farmers, as well as teachers and nurses, would be a great blessing all over this country.
It is an impossibility to reach the people by the ordinary methods in vogue in our native land; but by establishing medical missions, schools, missionary colonies, and the circulation of our literature, while the workers are studying the language and gradually coming in contact with the people, we may hope in time for results. By these methods the work can be made largely, if not quite, self-supporting, which will give great relief to the missionaries and to the home boards as well.
Professor Caviness and his associates have found a good opening near Mexico City, and have won the friendship of some excellent people; but they are in great need of special literature. Brother Cooper is working successfully as a self-supporting missionary. Brother Fattebert also supports himself on his missionary tours.
The Guadalajara Sanitarium is having a good patronage. Many needed improvements were made during the recent visit of Dr. Kellogg. Generally our medical missionaries are too busy to follow up their work. This calls loudly for the united efforts of workers under the Medical Missionary and Foreign Missionary Boards; for medical workers have access to many who could not be reached by other workers.
As a family, we are going to try to be self-supporting workers, and co-operate with workers in both boards for the spread of the special message for our times. It is truly a step by faith; but we are willing to make the trial even at a great sacrifice. We hope to form a nucleus of a colony, and to organize and maintain a school for the blind, and thus come in close contact with the afflicted and destitute, leading them, as we may be able, to the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. We are seeking wisdom from above to guide us to the right locality, and shall hope to have the prayers of those who prevail with God. If the work succeeds, we will give God the glory; for from a financial and human standpoint there is nothing flattering in the prospect. If we fail, it will be due to a lack of faith; for the common people's great need is our only reason for such an undertaking. The work in this field must go forward, and a Christian grave in Mexico is just as sacred as in India or Africa.
What more can I say for Mexico? A liberal, noble man, General Diaz, has been renominated for another four-years' presidential term. We must get a strong foothold here during that time, and by loving service prove that we are worthy of love and confidence. As we were about to leave Guadalajara, not knowing where we would settle, the wife and daughter of a famous Mexican general said, with tears in their eyes, “Go to Mexico City, and live in our house until we return, and it will cost you nothing.”
The Mexicans are a warm-hearted, social, hospitable people, and want associations of that kind—people to live among them as being of them.
In many places the climate is almost perfect; in other places it is pestilential. Anyone contemplating moving to this country for service or for health should correspond with those who have lived here. In this field people who can support themselves and simply live out the truth would be true missionaries, no matter what their age or nationality. Read again the words from the servant of the Lord:—
“Salt must be mingled with the substance to which it is added; it must penetrate, infuse it, that it may be preserved. So it is through personal contact and association that men are to be reached by the saving power of the gospel. They are not saved in masses, but as individuals. Personal influence is a power. We must come close to those whom we desire to benefit.”
“Instead of congregating together, and shunning responsibility and cross-bearing, the members of the church should scatter into all lands, letting the light of Christ shine out from them, working as he did for the salvation of souls, and this ‘gospel of the kingdom’ would speedily be carried to all the world.”
“Christ accepts, O so gladly, every human agency that is surrendered to him. He brings the human into harmony with the divine, that he may communicate to the world the mysteries of incarnate love. Talk it, pray it, sing it; proclaim abroad the message of his glory, and keep pressing onward to the regions beyond.”—‘Mount of Blessing.’
A. ALLEN JOHN.
MISSOURI
By D. E. Scoles
CEDARVILLE.—I have held three series of meetings in schoolhouses in this vicinity, with the result that over twenty adults have accepted the message of truth. The power of God has been manifested wonderfully in some of the transformations made among these people, setting them free from sin and13wrong habits, and slavery to the tobacco habit and kindred evils. We are now erecting a church building twenty-four by thirty-six feet. Our Sabbath-school numbers forty-five. We expect to organize into a church next month. I have taken several orders for the REVIEW, one for the Signs, and one for the Good Health, besides getting “Bible Readings,” “Early Writings,” etc., into their hands. To the Lord be all the praise. D. E. SCOLES.
ARGENTINA
By N. Z. Town
DIAMANTE, ENTRE RIOS.—While we were in Las Tunas, it was decided that we come here to connect with this school; so in November, as soon as we had rooms under cover, we moved over. When we came, there were no floors, doors, or windows in any of the rooms. After about a week we got floors down in two rooms, and we moved into these. We have no doors or windows yet, but hope to have as soon as the brethren get over the rush of harvest. Not having any horses or wagon, we are rather dependent on the mercies of the brethren; and at present they are so busy with their wheat that they will not stop for anything.
We have forty acres of good land in a fine location. To the west of us four leagues lies the city of Diamante, which we can see very plainly from the house. The nearest railway station lies three leagues away to the north of us, and this also we can see. The land here is a rolling prairie, and we are in the midst of one grand wheat field. On every side is wheat. Last week when they were cutting, we could count from six to ten reapers at work within sight of us. During harvest I am doing what I can laying floors, plastering, building well curb, etc., and after harvest I hope to have help again.
Men who have had experience in building in this country say that such a house as we have put up would cost ordinarily six thousand pesos; but we have paid out only about twenty-five hundred. The work has nearly all been given. We bought eighty thousand brick about twelve miles from here, and the brethren hauled all of these free of charge. They have also hauled lime and sand, timber and zinc for the roof, and tiles for the floors, free of charge. A brother from the Chaco gave two months of mason work, another made the doors and window frames, and other brethren also worked without charge. For digging and bricking up the well, and for work on the building we have paid one hundred and twenty pesos, or about fifty dollars in gold. The well alone would have cost us more than this if we had hired ordinary help to do it. We have five rooms under cover: one, nine by five meters; one, five by five; and three, four by five. Our plan is to build on seven more sleeping-rooms, four by five, a kitchen the same size, and a dining-room eight by five. But we shall have to wait some time before finishing it. We believe the Testimony that tells us to shun debt as we would the leprosy; and as far as we have gone, everything is paid for. But our funds are exhausted, and we have only made a beginning. The brethren here have helped nobly, and are still willing to do all they can, but the most of them are poor; and unless we receive help from some other source, we shall have to turn many away who are waiting to enter the school, simply because we can not accommodate them.
We want to make this an industrial school from the start. We have forty acres of excellent land, which has been deeded to the Foreign Mission Board, but we have no horses or farming implements with which to work it. The land here is all ready for the plow. Then, too, we need money to buy fence posts and wire to fence in our land. Besides, we need a pump or windmill for the well. Drawing water with a rope from a well seventy-five feet deep is no small job. We also need money to get desks and benches and other furnishings for the house. But as we do not intend to run in debt, we must wait for these things until the money comes in. I believe if some of our brethren at home could be here, and could see the urgent needs, they would loosen their purse strings and help.
N. Z. TOWN.
News and Notes
—A terrific tornado and hailstorm did great damage in Alabama, May 1.
—Forest fires are doing great damage in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
—Eight thousand Paris (France) washerwomen have struck for higher wages and shorter hours.
—Admiral Dewey spent May 1, Dewey Day, at Chicago, where great demonstrations were made in honor of the hero of Manila Bay.
—News has been received from Colonel Baden-Powell, the British commander at Mafeking, saying that all was well there. The dispatch was dated April 20.
—Ottawa, the capital of Quebec, and Hull, across the river, were devastated by a fire April 26, causing a loss of nearly $20,000,000, and rendering more than 12,000 people homeless.
—Nine persons were killed, and nine seriously wounded, by the collapse of a bridge in the Paris Exposition grounds, April 30. The bridge had been condemned, and the public had been warned not to cross it.
—The Gillette-Herzog Manufacturing Company, of Minneapolis, Minn., has deposited a $50,000 guarantee bond to erect the new hall at Kansas City, Mo., in time for occupancy by the National Democratic Convention on July 4.
—May 2, by a vote of 225 to 35, the United States House of Representatives passed the bill providing for the construction of “a protected but not fortified Nicaragua Canal by the United States government.” It is said that the announcement that the bill was passed “was followed by hearty applause on both sides of the chamber.”
—The wife of Major General James H. Wilson, military governor of the Department of Matanzas, Santa Clara, Cuba, died on the afternoon of April 28, from the effects of burns accidentally received while driving with her daughter. While alighting from her carriage, Mrs. Wilson stepped on a match, which ignited her dress. She was terribly burned; and although everything was done to relieve her sufferings, she died about 3 P. M.
—Nine culprits were publicly whipped in Dover, Del., April 30.
—President Dole has been selected as the first governor of Hawaii.
—April 27 twenty-three lives were lost by the explosion of a Turkish torpedo boat in Beyrout, Syria.
—May 1 the Transvaal government ordered all British subjects to leave the Republic within forty-eight hours.
—The sultan of Turkey has purchased 240,000 new rifles, sixteen batteries of artillery, and ninety-six quick-firing field guns.
—Nine tons of nitro-glycerine were used to blow up a rock in San Francisco (Cal.) harbor, May 2. The rock menaced navigation.
—Thomas Harland, the practical framer of the existent patent laws of this country, died in New York April 28, aged seventy.
—A jury of one Gentile and seven Mormons, heard a case against Brigham Roberts, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and disagreed on the verdict.
—Before leaving Dublin for England, Queen Victoria conferred baronetcies on the mayors of Dublin and Belfast, and gave $5,000 to Dublin hospitals.
—During the latter part of April the Pekin (China) government dismissed twenty-five Japanese, Russian, and German military instructors from its colleges and provincial armies.
—One million pounds of tinned bacon recently left Chicago, being consigned to American soldiers in the Philippines. To haul them it took two special trains, each hauling thirty-eight refrigerator cars.
—The Transvaal government has asked Lord Roberts to be allowed to send a clergyman to St. Helena, and also a neutral consul to watch the interests of the Boer prisoners, in the same manner that Adelbert S. Hay guards the interests of the British, at Pretoria.
—A dispatch from St. Paul, Minn., dated May 3, says that “United States District Judge Lochren to-day, in this city, decided that the ratification of the treaty of peace between the United States and Spain, made Porto Rico American territory and subject to the Constitution of the United States, without any further act of Congress.”
—A terrible explosion occurred May 1, in the Pleasant Valley Coal Company's mines Nos. 1 and 4, near Scofield, Utah. Already “more than 200 corpses have been taken from the mines.” It is estimated that “of the 398 men at work in the mines when the explosion occurred, less than a hundred escaped alive.” Every house in the little town is a house of mourning.
—The South African situation is as follows: General Roberts wishes to leave the Free State and enter the Transvaal as soon as possible, as he does not think the Free Staters will fight outside of their territory. On the other hand, General Botha is blocking Lord Roberts, and is bent on carrying on the war as long as possible in the Free State where the forces of the two republics can be kept together.
—The Boer envoys sailed for New York, from Rotterdam, May 3. A dispatch from Washington says that the Republican leaders there are “scenting trouble in the coming of the Boer peace commission,” and that it is “apparent to them that a vigorous effort is to be made by the Democrats to capitalize the South African war in the coming campaign.” If the Republicans in Congress pronounce themselves in favor of Great Britain, the Democrats will make good use of any such declaration, especially if it be made in the form of a resolution.
—A dispatch from Rock Island, Ill., dated May 2, says that “the newly formed United Christian party launched its national ticket and formulated its platform here to-day. Rev. S. C. Swallow, of Harrisburg, Pa., is the nominee for president, and John G. Wooley, of Chicago, is his running mate.” Among other things, the platform declares for “the initiative and referendum, and for political, social, and economic equality of the sexes,” and “urges daily reading of the Bible in the public schools and institutions of learning controlled by the state,” and “declares for government ownership of public utilities,” and “favors the election of president, vice-president, and United States senators by popular vote of the people.”
—A dispatch from Bonn, Germany, dated May 1, says that “Michael Munkacsy, the celebrated painter, died in an asylum here to-day. He will be buried at Budapest. The real name of the great painter was Michael Lieb. This he changed to Michael von Munkacsy, from the little Hungarian village of Munkacs, where he was born, Oct. 10, 1846. His parents were very poor, and the boyhood days of the future artist were spent at his bench, where he learned the trade of a carpenter. His attention was first directed toward work with the brush by his observation and admiration of the glaring pictures on the sides of the big chests in which Hungarian peasants are wont to keep their clothes. The boy began by imitating these daubs.” In 1874 he was married to the widow of Baron de Marches. The alliance brought him “fortune as well as inspiration.” Among his most celebrated paintings are “Christ Before Pilate,” “The Crucifixion,” “The Wrestlers,” “The Last Moments of Mozart,” “Condemned to Death,” “Christ Before Pilate,” his most famous work, is now the property of John Wanamaker, of Philadelphia.14
—Governor Tanner, of Illinois, is critically ill.
—Fifteen cases of the bubonic plague occurred in Manila, Philippines, within one week.
—British agents are securing a trainload of bronchos in Colorado, for shipment to South Africa.
—Seven hundred men are reported to have left Dawson City for Cape Nome during last winter.
—On account of scarcity of pig iron, mills at Troy, N. Y., have been closed, affecting 1,000 employees.
—The New York police commissioners have decided that no prize fights shall be allowed in that city hereafter.
—Russia has compelled China to consent to the construction of a railroad from Pekin to Kiahta, in Eastern Siberia.
—The last Alaskan winter was the coldest on record. The temperature at Dawson was from seventeen to fifty-nine degrees below zero.
—Floods in Wisconsin recently caused great damage, blocking railroad traffic. The Wisconsin River is the highest it has been for twenty years.
—The striking Italians arrested at Croton Landing, N. Y., declare that they will appeal to King Humbert, through their consul and ambassador.
—Governor Roosevelt, of New York, has signed the bill to “secure equal rights to colored children in the public schools, and abolish separate schools.”
—It is reported that “Lieutenant Whipple, U. S. A., found a pearl valued at $2,000 in a baked oyster he was eating at the Waldorf Astoria hotel,” in New York.
—Forest fires are devastating a large tract of country in Manitoba, along the line of the Southeastern Railway, and lumber campers have had narrow escapes.
—The citizens of Austin, Tex., in a mass meeting, have decided to build a steam plant to cost $250,000, to take the place of the dam and water system wrecked by the flood a week ago.
—The fear of hydrophobia has caused the British board of agriculture to enforce the old order forbidding the temporary entrance of foreign dogs into England. Tourists will be obliged to leave their dogs at home.
—A Washington dispatch states that “the House committee on military affairs to-day (April 24) directed a favorable report on the bill establishing four permanent camps in the four main sections of the country, for use both by federal troops and the national guard.”
—An anonymous donation to the Aero Club, of Paris, offers $20,000 to the aeronaut who will start in a balloon, from Longchamp, go around the Tower Eiffel, and return to the starting point, a total distance of eleven kilometers (nearly seven miles) in thirty minutes. This competition is international.
—A dispatch from Constantinople, dated April 24, states that “in view of the steps taken by the United States government in regard to the claims arising out of the Armenian massacres, the embassies of Great Britain, France, Austria, Italy, and Germany have asked their governments for instructions as to their similar claims.”
—It is said that Mayor Jones, of Toledo, Ohio, has “given up the socialistic scheme he inaugurated in his business a few months ago. It is explained that he found that some of the men employed in the establishment were not so anxious to work as others, and he decided that they should not, therefore, have the same compensation or profits that went to the industrious employees.”
—Rev. Rockwell Clancy has been all through the famine district of India, and has the following to say: “When the famine set in, the people began to sell everything they had in order that they might get a little grain for food. They took doors from their houses and sold them, and sold their furniture and farming utensils. When they had no longer anything to sell, they sold their children. Boys don't sell; traffic is largely in girls. I saw girls in one town sold for thirty cents apiece, just before I came away. They were bought up by Mohammedans for harems. The condition of famine-stricken India is awful to contemplate. I can not tell anything about the number who are dying, but when I left Bombay last February, there were some 60,000,000 people suffering from famine, and over 30,000,000 were in dire distress. Of these but 5,000,000 were receiving government aid.”
—Concerning the report that Mrs. Dewey has renounced Catholicism, Rev. Richard Burke, of Buffalo, N. Y., who gave Mrs. Hazen (now Mrs. Dewey) her first communion when she was received into the Roman Catholic Church, says: “I am afraid Mrs. Dewey was not well grounded in the faith. I have no doubt that she has deserted the church for political reasons. It has been reported to me that she ceased attending the church nearly two years ago; in fact, shortly after Dewey's victory at Manila. As I understand it, Dewey was engaged to Mrs. Hazen when he went to the Philippine station. Mrs. Dewey realized that such a national hero might aspire to the presidency. To a woman of such ambition the thought probably came before it occurred to Dewey himself. About that time Mrs. Hazen began to be remiss in her church attendance, and now she seems disposed to give up the faith, lest it might be regarded as an obstacle to her husband's candidacy. I hardly think she will make votes by it. Yet such women as Mrs. Leland Stanford and the wife of ex-Governor Campbell, of Ohio, have told me they would have joined the Catholic Church if they had not feared the effect on the political careers of their husbands.”
OREGON
By L. Johnson
MONITOR.—Our good general meeting was held at this place according to the appointment, and it was well attended; but as the secretary for the meeting will report the proceedings, I will only speak of other things in connection with the place, which were very interesting to me. I have lived among many of these same brethren for about eight years in Minnesota. Brother C. Johnson, who is now the elder of the church, and an ordained minister, was, during all those years, my nearest neighbor. In 1890 Brother Johnson and another family went to Monitor, and soon after a church of seven members was organized. It now has sixty-seven members, three being added while I was there. The most of these have come from Minnesota, and many young persons, whose parents were in the truth, have been converted. Some of those living in the vicinity, both Scandinavians and Americans, have also accepted the truth. Thirty-seven have been baptized since the church was organized.
Our meetings, except two days, when we had a Lutheran church, were held in a church owned by the Disciples, who willingly offered us the use of it. Our brethren have, however, begun to build a church, which, the Lord willing, will be ready this fall. It is centrally situated, and will be a great help for the work. The interest to hear the word of God is good, and I hope many more will receive the truth.
When I consider what the Lord has done at Monitor, and how he has blessed the efforts of Brother Johnson and others, I praise his holy name. There are several young persons in that church, who, I hope, will be workers in the vineyard of the Lord.
L. JOHNSON.
DAKOTA
By Daniel Nettleson
JAMESTOWN, N. D.—I was called here from the Minnesota Conference to assist in the institute and Bible school, which continued from January 5 to March 27. The institute occupied the first ten days. Nearly all the conference laborers were present. Some of the laborers met for the first time at this meeting.
The various branches of our work were considered, but special attention was given to the subject of organization,—what it has been to us, and what it is to us now. As we considered what God has said on this subject in his Word and the Testimonies, he gave us understanding and brought us to see eye to eye. There was special need of just such a meeting, and just such instruction as Brother Millman brought out in these lessons on organization. We learned that God is not pleased with haphazard work. God’s church is not to be like Babylon,—confusion,—but it is to be united and complete in him. “The Lord has provided his church with capabilities and blessings, that they may present to the world an image of his own sufficiency, and that his church may be complete in him, a continual representation of another, even the eternal world, of laws that are higher than earthly laws. His church is to be a temple built after the divine similitude, and the angelic Architect has brought his golden measuring rod from heaven, that every stone may be hewed and squared by the divine measurement, and polished to shine as an emblem of heaven, radiating in all directions the bright, clear beams of the Sun of Righteousness.” “The gift of the Holy Spirit, full, rich, and abundant, is to his church as an encompassing wall of fire, which the powers of hell shall not prevail against.” Thank the Lord! I am glad the Lord “comes personally by his Spirit into the midst of his church.”
The Lord has spoken good concerning Israel. God specially blessed us in the school as we studied present truth. “There are many precious truths contained in the word of God, but it is present truth that the flock needs now. Such subjects as the sanctuary, in connection with the twenty-three hundred days, the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus are perfectly calculated to explain the past Advent movement, and show what our present position is, establish the faith of the doubting, and give certainty to the glorious future. These, I have frequently seen, were the principal subjects on which the messengers should dwell.” And these are the principal subjects on which we did dwell; and as we studied them, the Lord gave us his Holy Spirit, and we were all taught of God. We took his yoke, and learned of him; and have proved that his yoke is easy, and his burden is light.
DANIEL NETTLESON.
MICHIGAN
By M. C. Guild
FLUSHING.— I met with the company here Sabbath and Sunday, March 10, 11. Brethren A. R. Sandborn and O. F. Butcher, also Sisters Mina and Clara Hildreth, were present. These workers have labored faithfully at this place. On Sunday a church of seventeen members was organized, and a full corps of officers were elected. A spirit of union and harmony prevailed. They have a neat house of worship which had already been dedicated. Their first quarterly meeting was held April 7, 8. It was well attended and was a precious occasion. Two were baptized, and two added to the church.
Here is a prosperous and well organized young people's society, and a lively interest is manifested by the members. Some in the country around are investigating the truth, and if the members of this church are faithful, we may expect to hear good reports from Flushing in the future.
M. C. GUILD.
Meeting at Mendon
By B. HAGLE
MENDON.—We held a three-days’ meeting at this place, which was a special season of seeking God. Many a heart was made to rejoice, and there was a drawing together. Where there was division existing among some, now there is brotherly love. Two persons were added to the church. The brethren and sisters came from Sturgis and Three Rivers, and all expressed themselves as receiving great blessings. Brother Freeman Harris was with us, and took part in delivering the message, which was especially important for this time. Brother H. G. Butler and others came from Battle Creek, and took charge of the singing, which was appreciated by all. This meeting was the best ever held in this church. We praise God for victories.
B. HAGLE.
