p. 14 | Review and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 9. (3/2/1905)

Keeping Up Appearances

It is deplorable to think how many naturally noble young men and young women owe their downfall to the foolish idea that, unless they live in a certain style, they will be looked down upon, and will not be able to get on in the world.

Dressing or living beyond one's means is nothing less than absolute dishonesty. If you are trying to do what you can not afford to do, you are living a lie. If you are wearing clothes that you can not afford, they are perpetual witnesses against you. They are labeled all over with falsehood. If your jewelry, your carriages, your furs, and your costly gowns tell me that you are rich, when you live in a poverty-stricken home, and when your mother is obliged to make all sorts of sacrifices to enable you to make this false display, you lie just as surely as you would if you should try to deceive me by your words.

The consciousness of being well dressed and yet owing for it, of riding in carriages which one can not afford, of wearing jewelry and tailor-made suits which are beyond one's means, or of patronizing expensive hotels and restaurants which one can not by any stretch of imagination or sophistry afford, is destructive to self-respect, to truth and honesty, and to manhood and womanhood. You can not afford to wear lies on your body or eat lies at expensive cafes any more than you can afford to tell lies with your tongue.

There is only one possible result upon character of falsehoods, whether acted or told, and that is perpetual deterioration and demoralization. No one can act a lie or live a lie without being dishonest. When a man sacrifices his honesty, he loses the mainspring of his character, and he can not be perfectly honest when he is lying by frequenting costly restaurants or hotels, by wearing expensive clothing, or by extravagant living in any of its varied expressions, when he can not afford it.

There are a thousand ways of lying, but all lead to the same end. It does not matter whether you wear lies, tell lies, act lies, or live lies, your character is ruined all the same.

There is no more demoralizing influence in modern life than the unnatural straining to seem other than we are. Nothing else so quickly lowers self-respect, takes the fine edge off honor, and blunts the conscience as the sense of being a sham, a gilded fraud, or an unreality. It cheapens standards, lowers ideals, saps ambition, and takes the spring and joy out of living. No man can make the most and the best of himself until he is absolutely honest with his own soul, and unfalteringly true to his highest ideals, and this is impossible while he is living a lie.

One must have a strong, level head, indeed, to live in a great city without being dazzled or led away by the glitter and show, the false display, and the flaunting of wealth on every hand. It takes a well-poised mind and a steady, well-balanced character to cling to one's aim, to keep dead in earnest through it all, to keep plodding, and to remain true to one's ideals. It takes courage to live a simple, natural life in the midst of superficiality, or to be true to one's self in the midst of unreality, but in the final balancing of accounts it is the only thing that pays.—Success.

Revenge and Forgiveness

“By taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing over, he is superior.”

Synopsis of the Message in Jamaica

By Hubert Fletcher

HUBERT FLETCHER

“And the isles shall wait for his law.” Isa. 42:4.

Prophecy shows us the prominent part the United States of America would act in giving the closing message to the world. God chose that nation, burning with ambition and zeal, backed by its facilities and resources, the most enterprising nation of to-day, to be the depository of this work, and gave to it, as to ancient Israel, the responsibility of bearing this work to the world.

As a great luminary, the third angel’s message had its rise in the fair land of liberty. From the township of Washington, New Hampshire, it began to diffuse its light; and as it rose higher and higher, its rays penetrated into other places, covering larger territories. Its advocates, burning with holy zeal, spared no sacrifice to publish the glad tidings—the truth that was so precious to them—to their neighbors, friends, and fellow men.

In the waters of the Caribbean, and nestled in her arms, are the romantic isles of the West Indies. No grander sight can greet the eye than the rays of the rising sun reflected on the waters of the sea. And as it scatters, it fills everywhere with light and glory. So it was, early in the nineties, when the rays of the third angel’s message penetrated beyond the shores of America. And glorious was the dawning of that morn on the fair island of Jamaica.

The canvassing work was started by Brother Patterson, of California. He had success in this. He was an experienced canvasser, and his purpose was to place the books and literature in the homes of the people. Many never knew to what denomination he belonged; but this they did know—that he was a Christian. It was impossible for the truth to be concealed. The soil had been prepared, the seed had been sown and watered, and it burst forth. A few in Kingston began the observance of the Sabbath. In the year 1893, Sister M. Harrison, who had previously accepted the Sabbath and its kindred truths, attended the General Conference, which was held in Battle Creek in the early part of February. An earnest appeal was there made for a laborer for Jamaica, and in May of the same year Elder A. J. Haysmer and his family were appointed to this field.

Meetings were first held at the home of Sister Harrison. But soon the house became too small, as the attendance increased. It was then decided to secure a larger place, and a house at 32 High-holborn Street was rented, which served as a dwelling-house, and also as a place in which to hold meetings. Soon the apartment on the lower floor became too small, and still the number increased, until all the partitions of the upper floor were removed, and this served as a meeting-room for some time.

Faithful house-to-house work was done. Hundreds of tracts and missionary papers were addressed and distributed, as in the early days in the States, and these, blessed of God, did not fail to bring good results. The staff of workers being increased by the addition of Elder F. I. Richardson, a tent effort was effected in August, 1894. The tent was pitched at the southwest corner of the Kingston race-course. The influence and memory of those meetings will long be retained by the writer. The tent was a forty-foot circular one, furnished with canvas stools, gasoline lamps, etc. The meetings were always crowded. The singing was inspiring. “Hymns and Tunes” was used, and the strains of those grand old hymns can still be heard ringing in the ear as they were sung then with devotion and fervency.

As the sublime truths of the prophecies and kindred subjects were presented, the hearts of the people burned within them. Little groups could be seen standing about the course, discussing the things they had heard; while many were pricked in their hearts, and were led to inquire, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

As a result of the tent effort, our numbers were so increased that our meeting-house became too small, and another place had to be sought. The Lord led in this matter. The way was opened for us to purchase an old Baptist church, which we had only to repair—the present building at 32 Text Lane. The love and union that existed then among the members will never be forgotten by the pioneers.

With Kingston as our center, the work began to extend to other parts of the island. Meetings were begun at Spanish Town, then at Font Hill, Devon, etc. Our force of laborers was increased from time to time, as the work assumed magnitude. As companies were raised up, buildings were erected in the respective places, which gave permanency to our work. The ministers of the different denominations did much to prevent the spread of the truth, telling the people that it was an American trick, and that the missionaries only wanted to get money from the people, and that when they had succeeded in this, they would go back to America. But as our churches were built, the people saw that our brethren had come to stay. The Lord greatly blessed the labors of the different workers, and in January, 1903, we were organized into a conference.

The Lord has truly blessed us, and now we are willing and ready to act our part in giving the message to those in other lands who have not yet had the light of the third angel’s message, and thus hasten the return of our Lord to earth.

A Woman's Meeting in China

By Bertha L. Selmon, M. D.

BERTHA L. SELMON, M. D.

The little woman who does my sewing was not well. I had not yet had a good excuse to visit her home, so I now gained her consent to go and help her take some treatment. I also wanted to see what kind of conditions she was living under. This much I knew of her history: For over two years she had supported a family of four children. She had been with me about two and

one-half months. During this time it was easier for her, because she had regular employment. She was not a convert to the gospel, but had heard a little, and seemed willing to learn. She could not read a word at first, but I taught her several hymns, and her daughter, who is nineteen years of age, also learned them.

I had done little among the women; for I lacked confidence in my ability to make them understand. The women are much more difficult to speak with than the men, for the men know the book language better. Now I found myself surrounded by a roomful of women and children. We had entered the only door in a long, narrow lane wall, and found ourselves in a very large courtyard, bordered by more than twenty houses. Into one of these my woman led me.

The floor of the two-room house, like the court outside, is bare, beaten earth. There is no ceiling in the house, but the rafters, made of material looking very much like corn-stalks, are blackened with smoke, and threads of dust and soot hang down everywhere. The walls are, like the floor, earth. The larger room has one bed, a pile of straw, an earth stove, and some narrow benches for seats. There is one window, which is open, except for sticks which cross it several inches apart. The small bedroom was darker still, with only a small opening in the wall to let in the light. Two beds and a few other crude articles of furniture nearly filled it. This is a typical Chinese home of the working class.

My errand accomplished, I began talking with the women, who seemed to understand me comparatively well. Soon the daughter came with their hymn-book, asking me to read a hymn which she was trying to learn. Then the three of us sang the child song so familiar to most of the little people in our native tongue, “Jesus loves me, this I know.” Almost before I knew it, I was explaining its meaning, and telling them how Jesus said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not.” Then I had to tell them who Jesus is, and who God is; for the Chinese all know one name whom they acknowledge as the Ruler of heaven and the Creator of earth. They know very little about him, and less of how to worship him. I told them how Satan tempted our first parents, and how all except the little children are sinners, and how Jesus freely gave his life to save us all.

The Chinese regard it very strange and unfilial to leave one's parents' home and go far away, so I told them how my parents wanted me to come and tell them of a Saviour, and that Jesus could not take sinners to heaven; for they would make it bad, just like this earth. I tried to tell them of heaven's purity and beauty, and of the home that is clean and pure which Jesus will give us if we will repent and give up our sins.

The blessing of God came into my own heart; and while I believe some other heart was touched, in my own was born a greater inspiration to work now, and to use the language I have, while I still strive day by day to add to its store. I am thankful that God showed me that I could begin, and for the love of the dear women that grew larger in my heart as I came in touch with their need. I am glad, too, that God sent me to China's waiting women.

Two General Meetings in Russia

By H. F. Schuberth

H. F. SCHUBERTH

THIS year it was again my privilege to attend the general meetings in Russia. I was accompanied by Brother J. Erzenberger. On account of the unfortunate war in the Far East, the Russians are prone to see in every stranger a disguised Japanese spy. They must have thought that of us; for just as we were taking the hack to drive to another depot in Warschau, a criminal officer met us, and began to talk to us in Russian. He put his hands upon our luggage, at the same time showing us some papers that he was carrying. The coachman told us this was a policeman.

As this inquisitive officer snatched our baggage and carried it again into the custom's office, we had to follow him. Then he brought a guard, who watched us while he searched all our things more carefully than I ever saw such work done before. As he found nothing objectionable, he requested Elder Erzenberger to empty his pockets. By means of this useless manipulation, we did miss our through train, and had to change cars three times on this part of our trip—a process not very pleasant in a land where one can not speak the language, nor understand what is said to him.

After four days' journey, we reached the Caucasus, where our general meeting for the South Russian Conference was to be held. About two hundred and fifty of our people were present. But best of all, God met with us, so that not only good confessions were made with the lips, but the people showed their earnestness by bringing in tithe and promised offerings, which had been previously kept back. The statement of the president, Elder H. J. Loebsack, that, after twenty years of existence as a field, the work here had actually been able to support itself for the first year, during 1903-04, thrilled all hearts with joy, and many promised that in the future they would be more faithful, bringing all their tithe into the treasury of the Lord. During 1903 there was $827.24 more tithe than for the previous year, and the other gifts were much larger than before.

A resolution of hearty thanks to God for his prospering hand was unanimously passed; it was resolved to pay a second tithe to the German Union Conference, for missionary purposes, and to support the educational fund, and to make renewed efforts to sell “Christ's Object Lessons” for the benefit of the Friedensau Industrial School, as well as to increase the circulation of our German health paper, Gute Gesundheit, and our other literature in general.

For the coming year, conference papers were granted to three ministers, one licentiate, two nurses, and several colporteurs. Elder Loebsack was again elected president.

From the gathering in the South, we took ticket over the most direct route to the meeting in the North Russian Mission; but we were compelled to stop over several times, and reached the meeting two days late. As most of our people in this section of the country live in rural districts, the meeting was eight hours by team from the railway station. One brother allowed us to use his house for the place of meeting. We all slept in straw in the attic of the house, while the barn served as our dining-room.

There were about two hundred who were thus quartered. As we did not have to go very far for the services, of course we could make the most of our time. There are now four hundred and eighty-eight members in the North Russian Mission, and last year's tithe was fourteen hundred and fifty dollars. Resolutions were passed with reference to working more earnestly with our tracts and other literature, the sale of “Christ's Object Lessons,” the support of our educational fund; and a call was made for more canvassers.

Next year there are to be three ministers, three licentiates, two Bible workers, one missionary nurse, and about six canvassers employed in this mission. Elder D. P. Gaede was asked to act as superintendent for another year.

After four very happy and blessed days together here, Elder Erzenberger left for Germany, while I went on to visit churches in the North. In Kief, the holy city of the Russians, ten were recently added to the church, so the light of present truth is finally shining in this dark place. In Riga, Dorpat, and Reval I held well-attended meetings. In Riga there is a good interest among the Lettonians, and in Dorpat there is an awakening among the Esthonians, while in

Reval our chief hearers are Germans.

In St. Petersburg, as well as in Lodz (an industrial city of four hundred thousand inhabitants, in Russian Poland), I found many earnest inquirers. This is the first year we could hold our meetings among the Germans, Esthonians, and Lettonians without fear of the police. We now have the permission of the Russian Senate to work openly among the Lutherans; but among the millions of those who belong to the real Orthodox faith, the work is just as hard and as much prohibited as before. May the Lord open the way to carry the gospel to these millions who sit in darkness, many of whom really seem anxious to receive the light for this time.

We have the following tracts translated into Russian: Bible Readings, Full Assurance of Faith, Which Day Do You Keep, and Why? Blessed Hope, Christian Temperance, Tobacco in the Light of the Bible, The Third Angel's Message, Sufferings of Christ; into Esthonian: Christian Temperance, Bible Readings, Christ and His Righteousness, The Bible, Full Assurance of Faith, Tobacco in the Light of Science; into Lettonian: Christian Temperance, Full Assurance of Faith, Importance of the Prophecies, The Bible, Blessed Hope, Search the Scriptures, Bible Readings, Tobacco in the Light of Science.

We have just begun a quarterly for the Russians. It will contain the Sabbath-school lessons, and some articles about church organization and church work. This small help is very much needed among our native Russian churches and believers. The ministers can not remain long enough with the new converts to instruct them as fully as they ought to be. If they remained too long, they might find a home in Siberia. If there is any country that needs our prayers and interest, it is Russia. If there is any field that is promising, it is Russia, with its one hundred and thirty millions of souls crying for light.

Burma

By H. B. Meyers

WE have much to be grateful for; the Lord has continued his mercies to us in strengthening us physically as well as spiritually, and thus helped us still to be of good courage in the conflict. We also see evidences of his blessing in the work here. During the past months there has not only been a revival in our night meetings, but we have also had some enjoyable Sabbath morning gatherings, at which the attendance both of adults and children has been larger than at any previous time. Some of our recent inquirers after the truth are now taking a deep interest in the advent message, and the present Sabbath-school studies in the book of Revelation have helped greatly to encourage the older adherents to the truth.

Our school is doing nicely. We have twenty-two pupils enrolled. We are now at the close of what has been an unusually heavy rainy season, even for Lower Burma, and wish for the advent of dry weather, when we shall be able to do more outdoor work.

Mrs. Meyers is having some good experiences in canvassing the town for the Oriental Watchman and Good Health, and the friendly greetings with which she is welcomed into most homes, and the appreciation shown for her literature, are very encouraging.

H. B. MEYERS.

Portugal

By C. E. Rentfro

LISBON.—We are indeed in a needy field. Surely we can not begin work for these people too soon. As we look at them rushing along in business or pleasure, our hearts cry out to God for help in learning the language. We have a good teacher.

We are considering the advisability of printing tracts here or using those sent from Brazil. There is a heavy duty on nearly everything that is imported. Several other denominations are doing work here. These have commodious quarters, and publish tracts and papers. A few colporteurs are selling Bibles from house to house, the sale of which amounts to a thousand dollars a month. A large per cent of the people can neither read nor write. In order to start a school or hold meetings, one must have a government license, and the laws are strict against proselyting.

The Brazil brethren sent us a number of their papers and tracts, and we expect soon to make an attempt to sell them. One of our needs is more literature on the subject of Christ's coming.

The city of Lisbon contains over three hundred thousand persons, about one twelfth of Portugal's population. One need not step out of the house to obtain necessaries, for “hawkers” go up and down the street, selling bread, vegetables, clothing, tinware, fruit, fish, coal-oil, olive-oil, etc.; others come to the house for orders in groceries.

We are able to read the news in the papers, and learn of drunken brawls in wine shops, in which some one is stabbed with a knife, as daily occurrences.

For a few months our weather will be about like that of the Central States in October. The climate is quite healthful.

C. E. RENTFRO.

The Panama Mission Field

By I. G. Knight

WITH grateful hearts we acknowledge the prospering hand of God in this field. There has been a steady, healthful growth throughout the field. We have increased our force of workers, so that at times we have had six paid laborers; and with their combined efforts we have, as a result, the addition of seventy to our number, fifty-seven having been baptized. This increases our constituency to one hundred and fifty-three.

Toward the latter part of the year my wife and I were obliged to withdraw from the work for a short time, on account of failing health. Still there were others on the way — Brother and Sister Peckover, from the Kansas Conference; Brother Stuyvesant and family came to the field in October, and are now in the

school and general missionary work on St. Andrews Island.

There has been a gain in all lines. Two chapels have been erected and paid for, and a third one is being built. A tent has just been secured for the field work. The total amount raised in the field during 1904 from various sources showed a gain of $859.78 over that raised in 1903.

I. G. KNIGHT.

The Gospel for Every People

THE heathen world is as much entitled to the gospel as the more uncivilized countries, and it often awakens there a more unselfish response. A returned missionary lately told of a woman in China who received the glad tidings, but hesitated for a long time to offer herself for baptism. On being questioned, she said she greatly desired to be baptized, but felt that she was too old to obey the command of Christ, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” She was greatly rejoiced to learn that she could do her work in her own neighborhood. If all Christians were as much concerned about their obedience to this command, it would not be long before the work of the gospel would be completed. There may be souls now sitting in darkness who, when they see the light, will rise up in the spirit of the apostles, and allow God to work mightily in them. We can help to send the message to all such.

_West Michigan_

By A. G. Haughey; E. A. Merriam

The third annual session of the West Michigan Conference was held in Grand Rapids, Mich., January 20-25. Nine business meetings were held. There were present two hundred and twenty-three delegates, representing forty-one churches. The reports presented by the various delegates from their several local fields were indicative of a good spiritual condition throughout the conference. Three new churches were admitted,—Rothbury, Bangor, and Holton,—thus making seventy-three churches and ten companies in the conference, with a membership of 4,766.

The Sabbath-school secretary’s report shows an addition of seven new schools, with an increase in membership of four hundred and eighty-nine and an increase in donations to missions of $342.11.

The educational secretary reports eighteen church-schools, with a total membership of four hundred and forty.

The medical report shows the medical institutions within the conference to be in a prosperous condition.

The treasurer’s report shows the tithe received in 1904 to be $24,600; the amount paid to laborers, $17,220. The Tract Society Department showed a net gain of $160, with a present worth of $1,000. The offerings to foreign fields amounted to $10,000.

Thirty-seven persons were granted licenses: fourteen, ministerial credentials; one was recommended for ordination; six received ministerial license; and sixteen, missionary license.

Progress has been made in every department of the work of the conference. Truly the Lord has blessed the work in West Michigan.

A. G. HAUGHEY, President. E. A. MERRIAM, Secretary.

Ceylon

By Harry Armstrong

COLOMBO.— The Lord is blessing us in opening up the way and bringing us in touch with a good class of people, and we are indeed thankful for these evidences of divine favor. Each month during the light of the moon we have a special week of meetings in our bungalow, and the attendance and interest are steadily growing. Several are now deeply interested, and we are very hopeful for the future of the work.

We find, however, that it is much slower work here in the East than in our home land. The public meetings are much more difficult to arrange for, owing first to the climate, and then to the customs of the people. And then when one is confined to the European or burgher element, the difficulties present themselves, such as government appointments, etc. These things, however, do not in any way deter us from pushing on in the work. I understand that we are here to find the difficulties and solve them, to surmount all the stumbling-blocks, and to make of them stepping-stones on our heavenward journey.

We are anxiously waiting upon God to strengthen our hands with more means and more workers. We are sorry that, owing to the depleted condition of our treasury, we can not have means for the opening up of the work in a more public way. If only we had sufficient means to begin a public effort, we should be so thankful. Halls are very costly here, and contributions are generally small. I can not think of anything that would answer our need so fully as a good, large tent, perhaps sixty by forty feet. I think we could secure a full attendance all through the season. And what a glorious thing it would be to preach these grand truths to the multitude! [Funds for a tent have since been donated, and the tent is now in preparation.—ED.]

This evening I intend to speak in the heart of the town, in the open air. I feel that I can not rest while so many are without the knowledge of these truths which have made us the remnant people of God. The Lord has given and is giving us his divine approval, and we are enjoying perfect health. We never loved the message more than we do now, and our hearts burn with the love of the truth.

We do ask you to kindly remember our situation here, and “as much as lieth in you” send relief, so that the work may make speedy advancement. Burma, India, and Ceylon are needy fields. They are white and ready to harvest, but the laborers are few. Our prayers ascend for the work now in progress in Washington.

HARRY ARMSTRONG.

Natal-Transvaal

By Herbert J. Edmed

The work in this field goes steadily onward. At Durban Elder Altman has closed his tent-meetings, and has held meetings in a hall, with a slightly increasing interest. But the interest there has been disappointing throughout the series. We were very sorry we could not give Elder Altman a stronger force of workers; but having neither the men nor the means, we were obliged to let him labor with only one helper, Brother Spearing. A few have taken their stand, and we rejoice in this manifestation of the Lord's blessing.

The work at Durban has recently been strengthened by Brethren H. Schmidt, F. Spearing, and C. Robinson, who formed a canvassing company and worked the city and the surrounding country, with a fair measure of success. The canvassing work goes rather hard just now, on account of the great depression of trade throughout our conference.

In Johannesburg Elder Kuehl and his wife, with Misses Webster and Keet, have just closed a series of tent-meetings. This was the third series, and they report that a few have also taken their stand for the truth. The church there is planning to erect a church building on the site so kindly donated by Brother John Wessels, and the Lord is blessing their effort.

In Vryheid Brother and Sister Ernst have had a very hard time. They found the times so depressing there that they decided to discontinue canvassing, and to devote their time to Bible work. There are five new Sabbath-keepers there, and their decision to obey the Lord has enraged the ministers, who have spared no means to warn their flocks against Brother Ernst's work. Yet he is of good courage, and we watch his work with deep interest.

In Maritzburg we are having a fair attendance at our public meetings, and the work of building a church proceeds encouragingly. We sold the old church at a fair price, and are building in a more central position. An architect prepared the plans for us free of cost, and will superintend the erection of the building for a nominal price. We rejoice in the addition of a few more members, who, we expect, will be ready for baptism when the new church is ready for the service.

In many respects this year has been one of great trial and great conflict. But while “all this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten Thee. . . . Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way.” We will earnestly press the battle to the gates. May the prayers of God's people follow our work day by day.

HERBERT J. EDMED.

_Basutoland_

By Minnie A. Chaney

KOLO.— We are glad to learn from week to week, through the dear REVIEW, the progress of the work of the Lord in Washington, D. C. The Lord is certainly with his people, and is leading them on to the promised land.

The sifting time has surely come, and O, how necessary it is to seek the Lord now as never before, and to “pray without ceasing”! Satan is working with great wrath to overthrow the children of God, and is stopping the ears of those in his ranks that they may not hear. We have noticed this so much in our work here in Basutoland. The indifference of the people is painful. They seem quite content with ignorance, and, in some instances, clearly choose it. Pray for us, that we may have wisdom from on high, and the power of the Spirit to awaken them out of sleep.

Basutoland is quite filled with missions and schools, and it is a popular thing to belong to the church. But the sad part is that people are taken into the church without knowing God, and are free to continue in drunkenness and sin, with apparently no conscience. And those thus indulging in sin are quick to testify with their lips and to pray in public, and, on being asked regarding their spiritual welfare, will almost invariably say that God is with them, and that they are progressing nicely in the Christian life. “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” May the dear Saviour show these people that they have a sickness, even unto death, and lead them to call upon the Great Physician.

We are so glad for the assistance of our fellow worker, Murray Kalaka. We have learned to love him, and believe that he is an earnest child of God. We

believe there are others here, also, who love the Lord, and we are endeavoring with the help of God, to lead them on in the way of life.

We have been deeply interested in reading of the progress of the work in other fields, especially in Russia, where so many have decided for the Lord, and have been so faithful amid severe persecution; and in Korea, whence came a call for help and for the baptism of those who accepted the truth through the one who received it on the sea. How wonderfully the Saviour is working for the perishing, and how faithfully he sends the message to the honest in heart! Then there is Ceylon. We have been deeply interested in that place, where the third angel's message has not heretofore been proclaimed, and where there is a population so well suited to reach many different people. Our attention was drawn there first by the fact that so many of the Boers were taken there as prisoners during the late war. Then just recently the reports came from Brother Armstrong, telling of the opening there. How good it is to give the message to those who are longing for truth and ready to heed the message. MINNIE A. CHANEY.

Chile

By F. H. Westphal

TRAIGUEN, PROVINCIA MALLECO.—Brother Carlos Krieghoff and I pitched our tent in Chancó, near Traiguen, the twenty-third of November, and immediately began our meetings. The Lord blessed the word spoken, and the thirty-first of December we baptized five willing souls in the name of our Master. It was good to see these dear souls leave the old man in the old year and begin the new year in a new life.

The attendance has not been large at any time, but it has been regular. Some who were not baptized are still deeply interested, and we hope that they will obey the truth. The people have supplied us with food, and have shown us great kindness, and we know that the truth is precious to them.

Other places are opening up before us. Yesterday a man who lives about twenty miles from here, called on us. He wishes us to hold meetings in his neighborhood in March. We promised to do this if possible. There is 'much to do, and we are glad this is the case. The man who has much to do is the man who is of good courage. I met a man on the steamer from England who seemed to be very happy while on the boat, but when I met him a few days after we landed in Buenos Ayres, he was discouraged. I asked why he was so gloomy. He answered that he could find no work. On the way he had not studied the language, and now he could not speak a word, neither could he find work. We must have much to do if we desire to be of good courage; and the Lord knew this better than we did, and so he gave us a world to save and a message to proclaim. Therefore, brethren, let us be up and doing while the day lasts, in order that we may be of good courage in the Lord. Send your money to the Mission Board to be used in spreading the truth, and give yourselves to the work, and you will be of good courage.

F. H. WESTPHAL.

The Jamaica Conference

By W. J. Tanner

THE third annual session of the Jamaica Conference assembled in Kingston, January 1, and lasted for four days. The churches in the island were not so well represented as last year, owing to extreme hard times. This also is the cause of the low ebb of the conference finances, which are never very good at the best. However, with strict economy and the assistance of the appropriation allowed us by the General Conference, together with the tithes and offerings collected in Jamaica, we were enabled to close the conference year with all debts paid.

It has been our hope and aim that the work in Jamaica should eventually be sufficiently prosperous to be self-supporting, but at the present moment such prospects are not very bright. Still there are indications of better times if only the island is spared from great calamities the next few years.

During the year 1904 the efforts of our laborers have been attended with a fair amount of success. In all, one hundred and fifty-nine have been baptized.

While the conference, during its session, disposed of a large amount of important work, yet by far the most important feature of the meetings was the evangelical services held in the town hall. Our church, which can accommodate about three hundred, we found to be too small for evening meetings during conference; and, hoping to reach a new class of people, we secured the use of the town hall. These meetings were well attended. Elder J. A. Strickland took the burden of the speaking, and the Lord abundantly blessed.

At the evening service in our church on January 5, Brother S. M. Jones was ordained to the gospel ministry. This is the first native Jamaican that the Lord has indicated as fully ready for the sacred office, and in the service of ordination the Holy Spirit was abundantly present to attest to the step. Elder J. B. Beckner was elected president of our little conference, and Brother Norman Johnson secretary. The latter, however, much to his regret and our sorrow, was taken down with fever in the midst of the session, and is still (January 17) unable to be about his work. Otherwise the workers in Jamaica are blessed with good health, as well as with good courage in the Lord.

W. J. TANNER.

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