Earlier text: North Central ChinaConvention of Self-Supporting Workers
By D. H. Kress, M. D.
THE Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute of Madison, Tenn., has just closed its annual meeting in the interest of self-supporting missionary work. The entire meeting was of a practical nature. The workers met together for the purpose of counsel, and to study the best methods of tilling the soil, conducting self-supporting schools, and of bettering in general the community in which they are located. A sweet spiritual atmosphere and a spirit of consecration and unity seldom seen in these days, existed among the workers. While obstacles have to be surmounted, and much self-sacrificing work has to be done, in starting and conducting a rural school, not a discouraging note was sounded by any one present. Unconsciously, the workers gave the impression that they had enlisted for life, and were planning to that end. The entire meeting was an inspiration to all who were present. I was pleased to see the advance made by this organized effort to conduct self-supporting work. This movement is in harmony with the demands of the message. All can not go forth as paid employees of the conferences. Many are standing idle because no man has hired them; but if they will move out by faith on the promise, "Whatsoever is right I will give you," they will find that their needs are as well provided for as are the needs of the regular conference employees. If one half of our Seventh-day Adventist farmers, settled in communities where we have so many Sabbath-keepers for the purpose of making money, would sell their houses and lands, and settle in some needy community for the purpose of being missionaries, great blessing would result. The land in the South is cheap, and intelligent cultivation has shown it to be very productive. Those who have already opened schools would welcome help of this kind. Various industries have already been started by the student workers. Brethren Mulford and West, who are located about thirty miles from the school at Madison, have an excellent sawmill, and a canning industry. These furnish employment to people in the community, and also assist in supporting the school in its work of training the children. Brother C. F. Alden's work was very highly spoken of by Senator Albright, Mrs. Pearl Williams Kelley, general secretary of the Tennessee Library Commission, and State officials who were present. Brother Alden's school is located in a district where great poverty exists, and where the land was considered almost worthless. Through intelligent cultivation he has demonstrated that this deserted land may be made to blossom as the rose. He has many visitors from various parts of the State. Brother Alden is regarded as an authority on soils, and his services are sought wherever farmers' institutes are conducted. Plans were also laid at this meeting to open up self-supporting medical missionary work in the city of Nashville. The aim is to secure property outside of the city as a training-center for city workers. The chief burden of the workers is to be a blessing to the community in which they are located by living the Christ-life. The Madison movement was at first regarded with suspicion, but it now has the confidence of the State officials and leaders in reforms. The words of encouragement by Mr. Taylor Stratton, Senator Albright, Miss Moore, State organizer of schools for the study of domestic science, and other influential persons, were highly appreciated. D. H. KRESS, M. D. The Southern California Camp-Meeting
By George A. Irwin
THE Southern California Conference held its thirteenth annual conference and camp-meeting in Glendale, a suburb of Los Angeles, August 5-18. The attendance was not so large as had been expected, owing to strict quarantine regulation adopted by the State board of health, and applying to children under fifteen years of age, infantile paralysis being epidemic in the city. Some who had come with their children were compelled to go home; and others, hearing of the quarantine, remained at home. Over four hundred dwelling-tents were pitched, and more would have been needed under ordinary conditions. Yet notwithstanding the quarantine, there were between fifteen hundred and eighteen hundred persons encamped on the ground. It seemed strange to have a large meeting like this without any children, or children's meetings, for which ample provision had been made. The first four days of the meeting were devoted largely to conference and other business meetings. At these meetings, reports were rendered in regard to the progress of the work in the various departments during the year. Space will forbid giving these reports in detail as they were given in the conference sessions, so we shall mention only the prominent features. During the year, 312 were baptized and taken into church fellowship. Six new churches were organized, with an aggregate membership of 131. Three17 new church buildings were erected and paid for, at an aggregate cost for buildings and grounds of $11,050. One church building was purchased from the Baptist people, moved, and repaired at a cost of $1,900. Five church buildings were dedicated free of debt. The total membership of the conference is 3,357. The tithe received during the year amounted to $65,500.53. This was a gain over the preceding year of $10,178.41, or a per capita tithe of $19.85. Offerings to missions amounted to $21,153.15, and for General Conference work $35,006.70, making a grand total of $121,750.38 in tithes and offerings given by this people for home and foreign work. This does not include the amount raised and paid out for church expenses and home missionary work. The Sabbath-school report showed a gain of twelve schools and 268 members. From this department, $8,520.67 was donated to missions. This was a gain of $2,840.45 over the past year. Less than one per cent of the offering was used locally, and it is expected that next year all will go to the foreign field. The educational work of the conference is in a prosperous condition. Twenty-two church-schools are being successfully operated, thus giving employment to thirty-three teachers, and furnishing Christian educational advantages to 675 of our children and youth. Much anxiety was manifested last year as to the outcome of the proposition to abandon the second tithe as a means of support for teachers, and return to the tuition plan; but the result from the tuition plan has proved very satisfactory. During the year $11,000 was raised by tuitions and donations, a sufficient amount to pay every teacher in full, and leave no deficit, as in former years. The past year has been the most successful in the history of the Fernando Academy. About 200 pupils were enrolled. This school is largely responsible for the successful church-school work that is being done in the conference, in that it has prepared teachers, and encouraged and fostered this branch of the work. At the same time it has sent out a number of young people who are doing excellent work in the regions beyond. After paying teachers and all operating expenses, the school has a net gain of $600. The medical and sanitarium work under the auspices and management of the conference is in a prosperous condition. The Glendale Sanitarium reported the largest patronage of any year of its existence, which brought to the institution a net gain of $7,516. The Paradise Valley Sanitarium was not so signally blessed financially in its year's operation, it having a net loss of $765.81 to report. The plant, however, was increased by the erection of a ladies' dormitory costing $5,474; the means being donated by a patient who is friendly to the institution. A deficit of $2,259 was sustained by the sanitarium treatment-rooms in the city of Los Angeles. The deficit, however, was accounted for in a large measure by the heavy expense entailed in moving, and in fitting up the present quarters in the heart of the city. Since these improvements have been made on the strength of a seven-year lease, it is expected that no similar report will have to be made in the future. Interesting reports were submitted to the conference by those in charge of the religious liberty, book and periodical, and young people's departments, showing activity and increase in each department. Brother Silas Davis was ordained to the gospel ministry by prayer and the laying on of hands. Elder F. M. Burg, former Bible teacher of Union College, was unanimously elected president, and Frank Lane was reelected secretary and treasurer. The following-named persons were associated with Elder Burg as an executive committee: J. A. Burden, H. G. Lucas, J. W. McCord, A. G. Christiansen, A. S. Booth, and the writer. The camp-meeting was a season of great spiritual refreshing. Each day the time was fully occupied with Bible studies, sermons, studies on church order and organization, home and practical religion, and mission work with our books and periodicals. The services on the two Sabbaths were especially blessed of God. Hundreds came forward for special prayer, giving themselves anew to God, and quite a number gave themselves to the Lord for the first time. Twenty-six were baptized at the close of the meeting, and several others will be baptized in their home churches. The Sabbath-school offerings for foreign missions amounted to $900, and the special collection for the same purpose amounted to $5,155 in cash and pledges. Twelve hundred dollars was raised in cash and pledges for the establishment of a school for the Mexican believers in Arizona. The sales made at the book-stand amounted to over $2,890. The three couples from among the workers of the conference whose names are given below, were selected by Elder Spicer for labor in the regions beyond: Brother Robinson and wife for Africa, Brother Davis and wife for Mexico, Brother McKeague and wife for Honolulu. The death of Sister J. O. Corliss on the last Friday of the meeting, brought a feeling of sadness to all hearts. An impressive memorial service was conducted in the large pavilion on Sabbath afternoon, in which several speakers took part, each paying a heartfelt tribute to the life and character of the deceased. The funeral and interment took place the following Monday at Mountain View. The laborers from outside the conference who took an active part in the meetings were Elders W. A. Spicer, J. N. Loughborough, J. O. Corliss, E. W. Farnsworth, and G. W. Reaser, and Dr. George Thomason. The people left the meeting for their homes full of courage, each determined to press the battle to the gate, and thus hasten the return of the blessed Master.
GEO. A. IRWIN. The South Missouri Camp-Meeting
By E. T. Russell
THE South Missouri camp-meeting was held on the German Seminary campus, at Clinton, Mo., August 29 to September 8. About four hundred of our people were in attendance, and the evening attendance of the citizens was good. Many were present in automobiles and carriages, and gave respectful attention to the word spoken. Elder M. Mackintosh began a series of meetings in the city a few weeks before the camp-meeting, and will continue to follow up the interest for some time. The general laborers present were G. B. Thompson, C. G. Bellah, M. B. Van Kirk, G. F. Haffner, J. H. Schilling, S. N. Curtiss, and the writer. At this meeting the St. Louis Mission field was again joined to the South Missouri Conference. A good spirit was manifested in all the meetings, and many of the people reconsecrated themselves to God. On the last Sabbath of the meeting twenty-six persons followed their Lord in baptism. The call was made for missions and other enterprises, and about $2,300 was given in cash and pledges. Elder P. G. Stanley was elected president of the conference. Elder C. J. Kunkel is to make North Missouri his field of labor, and will live in St. Joseph. Elder Z. Walker has accepted a call to the East Kansas Conference, and will live in Kansas City, Kans. Elder H. E. Lysinger will attend Union College this year. Everything seems to indicate that bright days are in store for this conference. May prosperity attend this work, and may the blessing of God rest upon this people. E. T. RUSSELL. North Missouri Camp-Meeting
By A. T. Robinson
THE North Missouri camp-meeting was held in the City Park at Hamilton, Mo., August 29 to September 8. The writer reached the ground the evening after the first Sabbath, and found a strong temperance program being rendered in the large tent, on which occasion Dr. G. A. Droll delivered a temperance address which was illustrated by stereopticon. The attendance of our own people was fairly good throughout the meeting, some leaving after the first few days, and their places being filled by others who came for the latter part. Thus a good portion of our people in the conference shared the blessings of the camp-meeting. There were three public services held each day, the evening services being quite well attended by the people of the town. The business of the conference, which passed off with the utmost harmony, occupied the nine-o'clock hour each day. An early morning devotional service was held, and meetings for the young people and the children were conducted at regular hours each day. The number in attendance who had not yielded their hearts to the Lord was comparatively small, and most of them surrendered during the meeting. On the closing day six young people were buried with their Lord in baptism. The writer occupied the eleven o'clock hour each day in a series of Bible studies. Many expressed themselves as having received much help through a knowledge of the way to live successful Christian lives, as taught in the Scriptures. The afternoon services, which were quite largely in the nature of revival meetings, proved a great help to our people, many of whom enjoy few religious privileges during the year between camp-meeting seasons. The evening discourses were planned largely for the benefit of the public. The laborers present during portions of the meeting, besides the conference workers, were Elders Chas. and G. B. Thompson, W. A. Spicer, E. E. Farnsworth, and the writer. Brother S. N. Curtiss, of the Kansas City Branch of the Pacific Press, was also present during the early part of the meeting. The earnest labors of these visiting brethren were much appreciated. Some changes were made in the personnel of the conference officers. Elder A. R. Ogden, who had carried the responsibility of the conference presidency for four years, had accepted the presidency of the Iowa Conference. The delegates and our people present deeply regretted the loss of Elder Ogden, but they were highly gratified that they were successful in securing the services of Elder E. E. Farnsworth, who responded to a call by telegram from the Southwestern Union Conference, and was present during the last two days of the meeting, having been elected president of the conference before he arrived. Elder Farnsworth attended the North Missouri camp-meeting two years ago in the interest of the young people's work, and he was welcomed to the position to which he had been chosen. The conference has prospered under Elder Ogden's administration, and a strong spirit of harmony and good-fellowship prevails. Among the important measures brought before the conference in the form of recommendations, which called forth earnest discussion and which were unanimously adopted, were the following:— "Whereas, This ever-expanding world-wide movement has assumed proportions demanding an expenditure equal to fifteen cents a week a member of the entire membership of this denomination, be it— "Resolved, That we cheerfully accept this responsibility as a sacred obligation, and that we earnestly endeavor to make our individual weekly offerings not less than fifteen cents. "Whereas, The plan of carrying forward18 an annual Harvest Ingathering campaign has proved a great blessing to those who have engaged therein, and has been a fruitful source of financial strength to the work in the needy mission fields, be it therefore— "Resolved, That we take hold of this movement this year with renewed zeal and energy, improving it as an opportunity for placing the truth in the hands of the people in the home land, and providing means for extending the work in the regions beyond." Other resolutions were passed, which recognized God's care over the work and workers during the past year, the importance of the canvassing work, and the obligation to help carry the financial burdens of Union College; set forth plans for handling the remainder of the old General Conference Association indebtedness which was assumed by the Central Union Conference at the time of its organization; emphasized the importance of the Sabbath-school work; and expressed appreciation of the faithful services of Elder and Mrs. Ogden in building up the work of the conference and the Sabbath-schools. The following are the new conference officers: President, Elder E. E. Farnsworth; secretary and treasurer of conference and tract society, Miss Allie Guthrie; executive committee, E. E. Farnsworth, C. J. Kunkle, V. Nutter, A. F. French, S. N. Curtiss; religious liberty secretary, J. C. Bradley; Sabbath-school secretary, Mrs. E. E. Farnsworth; corresponding secretary of educational and young people's departments, T. J. Roach; medical missionary secretary, Dr. G. A. Droll. Ministerial credentials were granted to E. E. Farnsworth, J. W. Beams, A. F. French, V. Nutter, J. M. Campbell, C. J. Kunkle; ministerial licenses to E. W. Swap, T. J. Roach, J. C. Bradley; and missionary licenses to Miss Allie Guthrie, Mrs. E. E. Farnsworth, Wm. Whorton, H. E. Darby, Lillian Lickey, W. H. Turner, Mrs. W. H. Turner. A. T. ROBINSON. The Baraboo (Wis.) Camp-Meeting
By William Henry Thurston
THIS meeting was held, according to appointment, September 5-10. The camp was located in the central part of the conference, and the weather was pleasant, but the attendance of our people was small. However, we had a good meeting, and all present were strengthened and encouraged by counsel, prayer, and study of the Word. From day to day, different lines of missionary work were studied, and many questions were considered with profit to all. Dr. W. T. Lindsay, of the Madison Sanitarium, with a trained nurse, was in attendance two days, and gave valuable instruction in medical missionary work. The Sabbath brought a great blessing to the camp. The Sabbath-school lesson was a practical one, and the offering to missions amounted to fifty-one dollars. The Holy Spirit was present, and in the following services conviction rested upon all, and reconsecration for service was made. Four gave their hearts to the Lord, and were baptized the following day. The attendance from the outside at the evening services was good, and some became much interested in present truth. No help was furnished from the union conference, nor from the General Conference, other meetings being in session elsewhere; but the Lord is ever present in the person of the Holy Spirit when his people meet together for worship. The day following the close of the meeting the conference committee and the sanitarium board held a council, giving careful study to the work for the fall and winter. The work in the sanitarium is moving on very satisfactorily, and much good is being done. It becomes necessary, however, for us to borrow a few thousand dollars until our subscription list is completed, to meet some notes that are past due. Among other things, the advisability of holding fall camp-meetings was considered, and in view of the small attendance the last two years and the expense of nearly one hundred dollars above receipts, it was the mind of the committee not to hold a fall camp-meeting next year, but to have the annual meeting quite centrally located, and urge all to attend. Some general meetings may be held during the winter. It would be well for us all to meditate upon the instruction and exhortation given in Heb. 10:25, 35-39: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching . . . Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." Quite a number have accepted the truth as the result of our tent efforts, and many others are studying to see if these things are so. Some have become interested through the work of our churches. If we all work, watch, and pray, greater results will follow. Our courage is good, and the work in the conference as a whole is prospering, and the outlook is hopeful. Work of the Press Bureau
By W. L. Burgan
As we continue to put forth efforts to have articles concerning our denomination published in the newspapers, the Spirit of the Lord goes before us, and the editors not only receive us cordially, but publish practically everything that is written. Success has crowned our efforts on a six weeks' tour among camp-meetings in the Central and Lake Union Conferences, with the result that the Adventists and the views they hold are much better known to-day in the localities where the meetings were held than before the camp-meetings began. The camp-meetings of the Indiana Conference at Kokomo, the East Michigan Conference at Bay City, the Nebraska Conference at College View, and the West Michigan Conference at Kalamazoo were visited, and were widely advertised through this powerful medium, which is within the reach of every one who will write for it. Not only were the meetings at Kokomo given very wide publicity through the press of that city, but the large dailies in Indianapolis and other cities in the State printed accounts. Scores of residents of Kokomo were attracted to the camp-grounds through reading the reports in the newspapers. While on their way to the camp-meeting some of our brethren and sisters were on an interurban trolley car which stopped several minutes in one of the towns. A resident of the town asked those on the trolley if they were going to the camp-meeting at Kokomo. Receiving a reply in the affirmative, the resident stated that he had read accounts of the meeting in the newspaper of his home town. We never can tell how widely advertised was this meeting, nor how many people had some phase of the message brought to their attention for the first time through the reading of the reports in the secular press. The Bay City papers published long accounts of the East Michigan Conference meeting, as well as the dailies of Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, and other cities in that territory. The writer had been warned that the Bay City editors would give no recognition to his items, and visited the offices anxious to learn how the editors felt toward our denomination. Not only was he given a cordial reception, but the editors were eager to know if he intended to furnish daily reports, as to do so would give them the services of a reporter who would otherwise attend the meetings, to gather news at some other source. The Lincoln newspapers threw open their columns for the publication of reports of the Nebraska camp-meeting, and at its close these papers alone, taking the accounts collectively, had published several pages about it. A camper, who evidently had looked upon the press feature of our work with incredulity as far as having success in getting items published is concerned, announced that he did not believe the big dailies of Omaha would publish accounts; but much to his surprise the papers of that city gave us very liberal space, notwithstanding the fact that the camp-meeting was held sixty miles away. Not only did the Omaha papers publish daily reports, but placed some of them on the front page, the show-window of a newspaper. Dailies in Hastings and other places throughout Nebraska also printed reports from the camp-meeting. The dailies of Kalamazoo were very liberal with their space for reports of the West Michigan Conference meeting. The dailies of Battle Creek and other cities also opened their columns, with the result that the people of the western section of that great State had opportunity to read of what the Adventists are doing toward spreading the gospel of the soon coming of our Lord. The success that has attended the efforts of several of our brethren at camp-meetings in different parts of the United States ought to inspire others to take an active part in the dissemination of the truth through this mighty medium. The Lord can and will use the secular press of the world as a powerful factor in the work of reaching every nation, kindred, tongue, and people with the gospel in this generation. W. L. BURGAN. Four Converts Baptized at Chatham
Four new converts were baptized at Chatham, Ontario, Canada, several weeks ago by Elder M. C. Kirkendall. Young People's Work
By O. J. Graf
Conducted by the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department of the General Conference M. E. KERN - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Secretary
MEADE MAC GUIRE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Field Secretary
MATILDA ERICKSON - - - - - - - - - - - Corresponding Secretary What Can Our Schools Do for the Young People's Work?
WHAT can our schools do for the young people's work? Much in every way. The school is a center of influence that is felt not only in the local and union conferences, but also in the uttermost parts of the earth. Efficiency in the field is quite likely to seek the level of efficiency in our schools. But to be more specific, I shall suggest the following ways in which the school can be a help to the young people's work:— First, we can conduct as nearly as possible model Missionary Volunteer Societies. Perhaps nothing that we can do will be more effective in building up this work in the field than for us to have in actual operation earnest, active societies in our schools. Ideals, methods, and spirit will be carried from here to all our churches. Hence we should as far as possible follow the plans outlined by the General Conference department in such matters as reporting, organization, and membership. Second, we can conduct a Missionary Volunteer Band. At Emmanuel Missionary College we have for a number of years conducted such a band. It meets once a week during the time of chapel exercise. Other missionary bands are meeting at the same time. The Missionary Volunteer Band studies and discusses such questions as "Standard of Attainment," "The Reading Courses," "Personal Work for Young People," "Practical Missionary Work," "How to Organize a Society," "Relation of the Missionary Volunteer Society to the Missionary Society of the Church," and "The Work of the Young People's Societies of Other Denominations." The work done in this band prepares our students to go into the field as conference secretaries, and to help build up societies in the churches. Third, we can encourage young men of ability who are looking forward to the ministry, to enter this work, as a stepping-stone to their life-work. It does not require very extensive observation to convince one that our most successful ministers and conference presidents are those who take an active interest in the young people and their work. Hence the advantage of entering the ministry through this channel. Fourth, we can interest our young people in the Standard of Attainment by encouraging our denominational history and Bible doctrine classes to take the Standard of Attainment examinations. Then we could also help to give character and dignity to the Certificate of Attainment by allowing those who hold the certificate credit for work in Bible doctrine and denominational history as far as the work done is the equivalent of what we require in these classes. The examining board of the Lake Union Conference at its recent meeting showed its spirit of cooperation by passing the following resolution:— "Resolved, That the Certificate of Attainment issued by the Young People's Society of Missionary Volunteers be accepted in lieu of examination in doctrines and denominational history, for teachers, where said certificate is not more than three years old, and the grade is at least eighty-five per cent." There is other help that we can lend; such as encouraging students to take the Reading Courses, to engage in magazine campaigns and the Harvest Ingathering campaign, and support missionaries in foreign fields by systematic giving. No doubt many other ways and means will suggest themselves to the reader's mind, so it is not necessary to go into further details. The young people's work and the educational work are most intimately related; and if the workers in the two departments cooperate as they should, the one is sure to strengthen and build up the other. Souls will be saved and workers prepared for the Lord's harvest. O. J. GRAF,
President Emmanuel Missionary College. "What the Young People's Work Has Done for Me"
ACTIVE work in our Young People's Missionary Volunteer organization has been a source of great spiritual help to me. I have experienced a keen interest in Bible study, and have found special help and strength in our consecration services and prayer bands. Personal work for others, with its mutual benefits, has been a direct result of this close association and communion together with the Father of all. I owe much of my interest in and zeal for missions to the studies and stirring talks given in connection with our young people's work. A realization of the enormity of the work to be done and the self-denial and self-sacrifice of the workers, has created in my heart a desire to deny self and to "send" where I can not "go." HELEN N. RICE,
Sanitarium, Cal. The work of the young people's society brings to those who take part in it the greatest problem of Christian life. How can we make our society a living agent for saving souls from the sin of the world and for spreading beyond our homes the light of the message? That is the question we face. It is more difficult to solve than crossing the Alps. It is this question that confronts the young people's society, that humbles me, that leads me to bow before the only God, the only Source of strength, for the solution of this great need. HALSEY RINE,
P. U. College, St. Helena, Cal. It has done for me what it has done for so many of our young people,—made me a part of God's work. The work which the young people have taken upon themselves to do, as a society under the direction of the church, has brought them into that relation to the church which they should occupy; it has made them a part of the church. Before, they "belonged to the church;" now, they are a part of the church. Then, they were a burden to the church; now, they help to bear the burden. Then, they were the anxiety of the church; now, they are learning to be anxious for others. To my mind, this is the best result of the organization of the young people. The church is God's organized representative on the earth; to be an active part of that representative of God is the greatest thing in the world. Every true church is a working body; every true member of the church is a working individual; if all the members of the church, young and old, are true members, they all will be workers. This is the ideal condition; and it is the condition where the young people are organized for work, and do work. MAX HILL,
Sanitarium, Cal. State and Church
By W. W. Prescott
Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of Religious Freedom, and the Campaign "to Make America Catholic." Conducted by the Religious Liberty Association. W. W. Prescott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary Enforcing the Blue-Laws of Pennsylvania
The people of Monroe County, Pennsylvania, have had a good example of what it means to enforce regard for a religious institution. The Law and Order Society of that county secured evidence against a druggist and a bootblack by employing some one to make a purchase at the drug store on Sunday, as a basis of arresting the druggist for breaking the Sunday law. It was not difficult to secure evidence against the bootblack, and thus two parties were brought into court. Commenting upon this matter, the Daily Record of Stroudsburg, Pa. (Sept. 11, 1912), shows that it is not in harmony with this Sunday-law crusade:— "The State treasury will be enriched by receiving the fines paid by these reputable persons. The State needs the money. Daubert went into the store of White, and bought two cigars on Sunday, the druggist himself selling them to him. Then Daubert forgot the obligation he owed White for past favors, swore out the complaint before Squire Robert Gruver. The readers of the Record know how the populace feels toward the fellows who seek evidence for prosecutions of this nature. The officers knew White sold on Sunday; he didn't try to hide anything. The officers knew the Greeks shined shoes on Sunday; they didn't try to hide anything. But Daubert had to be picked up to do the society's detective (?) work. "And it is not ended yet. They told the justice they were so very, very sorry that they were compelled to act. There are the old blue-laws of 1794, and they must be enforced. "Now, gentlemen, members of the Law and Order Society of Monroe County, get down to business. The laws of 1794 referred to call for the discontinuance of every kind of business, and you must stop everything in the borough on Sunday, or you are not prosecuting, but persecuting. There are trolleys here to be stopped, steam roads, livery teams, milk-wagons, newspaper wagons; there is no end to the violations of the blue-laws, and it is up to you, gentlemen, to stop these things. You have made yourselves the self-ordained conservators of the morals of the people; now carry out the work outlined. Either do this, or admit publicly that you are not sincere in your motives. That is the situation in a nutshell here in the borough of20 Stroudsburg, and no one can gainsay it. The law is plain; now go after the law right, and do it quick. It is too late to pick one here and there. Everything must be stopped, and at once." Can any one be so foolish as to suppose that the cause of true religion is advanced by any such methods as these? How much better it would be to remove from the statute-books these remnants of union of church and state in the colonial times, and depend wholly upon the preaching of the gospel in the effort to advance the interests of the kingdom of God upon earth! It becomes more and more apparent that the motive back of the effort to secure the passage of the Sunday-closing proviso attached to the Post-office Appropriation Bill was a religious one. While some who favored the proviso disclaimed any such idea, yet even they can not prevent this action of Congress from being interpreted and used as legislation in favor of the religious observance of Sunday. The general secretary of the Lord's Day Alliance, Dr. George W. Grannis, engineered the movement to secure this law, and regards it as a great victory in behalf of Sunday observance. This is clear from his statements in the public press. From an article by him in the Christian Advocate of New York (Sept. 12, 1912) we make the following extracts:— “The outcry of the secular press of New York City against the action of Congress closing all first- and second-class post-offices of the country to the public on the Lord's day ought not to pass unnoticed. “The reasons for this action, in common with most of the great movements which underlie the moral and spiritual interests of the nation, are not understood by those who deal almost exclusively with matters, secular and temporal. The fact is, conditions under the law that went into effect last Lord's day, will differ but little from what has been in operation in over ninety per cent of the offices for more than a year. The only difference, what has been gained depended almost entirely upon the will of the Postmaster-General. A word from him could have changed all. We had no fear of the present administration's going back to the old order, but we had no way of knowing how long the present administration would be in power, or what the attitude of a new administration might be. To make sure, Congress was appealed to, and saw fit to put its seal of approval upon a movement that has resulted in greatly increasing the efficiency of the service, and resulted in a great moral and spiritual uplift to the men in the service. We have the assurance from postmasters in many of the leading cities that since the men in the service have been relieved from unnecessary Sunday labor, there is a marked improvement in their moral tone. In further proof of this, the Hon. W. G. Haskell, postmaster of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, said to the writer in June last, that since the men in his office had a chance to attend church, eight of them had become Christians, and that he, though not a professed Christian, was daily helped and inspired to better living by their example. The Lord's Day Alliance of the United States, through its general secretary, has led this movement, and everywhere the men in the service express their gratitude through arrangements for public meetings, banquets, receptions, etc. “The following letter from Mr. Grandfield, First Assistant Postmaster-General, proves that the restriction of Sunday delivery of mail has not been the great hardship that the press of New York City would have people believe:— “Nov. 11, 1911.
“Your letter of the 10th instant, enclosing copy of the program of the twenty-third annual meeting of the Lord's Day Alliance of the United States, to be held in New York City on Monday evening, November 13, has been received. I regret exceedingly that the pressure of official business will prevent my attending the meeting. “The success that has attended the department's efforts to reduce Sunday work in post-offices is very gratifying, and speaks volumes not only for the tact displayed by our postmasters, but for the strong sentiment of the American people in favor of observing Sunday as a day of rest. The department has received thousands of letters commending this action to one protesting against Sunday closing, and the employees of the postal service throughout the country owe a debt of gratitude to your organization and similar organizations that have brought about the wonderful change in public sentiment.
“Yours very truly,
“C. P. Grandfield,
“First Assistant Postmaster-General.” “We could lengthen this story beyond all reasonable limit; but why should we? The mail service under the new order is better than ever in its history. The men in the service are a unit in declaring that it is the best of all reforms that have come to them. Business has not suffered, and the traveling public has in no sense been inconvenienced.” In spite of the outcry of the secular press, it is hardly likely that this proviso will be repealed. It is more probable that further legislation will be demanded and secured, now that the first step has been taken.