p. 24 | Review and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 43. (10/15/1914)

Earlier text: Our Colporteur Work in Europe

War Reports and School News

A POSTAL card from Brother A. F. Vaucher, secretary of the Latin Union Conference, written from Gland, Switzerland, says: “Brother Tieche and I left Paris on account of the war. I appreciate the articles on prayer in the REVIEW of August 13, and I hope these urgent calls will find a hearty response from our people in America. All is quiet in Switzerland now, but most of our church members are without labor. Nevertheless we are sure God will provide for our every need. The mission workers still in the field are ready to proclaim the message more powerfully than ever before.”

PROF. B. G. WILKINSON, president of the Columbia Union Conference, reports that although a number of students’ who would naturally attend the school in Mount Vernon have enrolled in the Washington Missionary College, the academy opened with only eight less than the attendance of last year. This certainly promises well for its coming school year. While in Ohio recently, Brother Wilkinson spoke by invitation in the Methodist Episcopal church of Akron, on the war situation, and in the evening addressed a union mass meeting made up of the congregations of the Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Reformed churches on the subject of temperance. His message at both services was kindly received. The pastors of the several churches with their congregations manifested a deep interest in the subjects presented.

A Ten-Thousand-Dollar Check

By E. R. Palmer

As an indication of the rapid growth of our publishing work, we have recently received a check for $10,000 from our Western Branch, in settlement for its September purchases. Brother J. W. Mace, the manager, says: “In token of our appreciation of the good services rendered in supplying our needs during the rush of 1914, we inclose the largest check ever sent by this office, $10,000.”

The increase of business in our Western Branch this year has been a source of great encouragement. During the first eight months the increase of business over the corresponding period of 1913 amounted to $27,000. It seems evident that the Western Branch this year will establish a new record for our branch offices, above the $100,000 mark.

Our home office was in a position to appreciate this large check just at this time; for on account of war conditions abroad, we have been making heavy investments in stock. Our purchases of paper in five weeks amounted to $10,500. While the business of the world is greatly disturbed and confused at this time, the work of our publishing houses continues to increase. We are thankful for these omens of God's care over his own, and are of good courage to push forward in the Lord's work with increased earnestness.

E. R. PALMER.

Harvest Ingathering Loyalty

By T. E. Bowen

THERE is a loyalty to missions manifested by our people throughout the entire field that is truly inspiring. Although a depression is felt because of the war, the Harvest Ingathering campaign for missions is being pushed.

From the Maritime Conference, the first to reach its portion of the $100,000 last year, its president, M. M. Hare, writes: “We have the Ingathering campaign well in hand. Our working aim for this field is the raising of $1,000, while our portion of the $100,000 is only $368.06. Last year we raised $900. We expect an even better showing this year.”

Brother L. Johnson, president of the Western Washington Conference, writes: “Our territory has been divided into districts, and a minister placed over each to carry the fall campaign, first with the Signs Temperance number, and afterward with the Ingathering REVIEW. We had 17,750 Signs on hand and an equal number of the REVIEW Extra. We hope this will be a beginning for the Harvest Ingathering work.”

The work is starting very encouragingly. Let us follow our Leader in this loving effort to reach souls, and we shall not only experience richly his blessing in our own hearts, but also see evidences of God's Spirit working upon the hearts of others. To serve with the Lord now is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon men. Taking the special REVIEW and going out in behalf of missions is one of the ways in which just now we may render efficient service for Christ.

T. E. BOWEN.

Elder and Mrs. Votaw Visit Washington

We have been glad to greet in Washington Elder and Mrs. H. H. Votaw, of Burma, who are on the way to Ohio, their former home. Elder Votaw was ordered home on short furlough, but hopes to be back in the field next year.

Increased Circulation for Adventist Magazines

The Pacific Press brethren report the printing of an edition of 50,000 copies of the November Signs Magazine. We believe that an equal number of the November Watchman was likewise printed. Now is the time to give an increased circulation to these excellent magazines.

West Indian Union Faces War Effects

In a note from the West Indies, Elder A. J. Haysmer, president of the West Indian Union Conference, says: “We are feeling the effects of the war considerably, prices going up and work getting scarce. It will affect finances throughout our union. We are getting out some literature — a leaflet and a special number of the Watchman — to meet the situation.”

Adventist Literature in Europe

LETTERS from Europe tell of the wide circulation of our periodicals and other smaller literature in these war times. Less work is being done with our books. The last word from Germany reported that their general paper, printed at the Hamburg office, was having about as large a circulation as in ordinary times, and considerable book business was also being done by the colporteurs.

Pacific Coast Educational Prospects

WRITING of the work on the Pacific Coast, Elder E. E. Andross, president of the Pacific Union Conference, states that the College of Medical Evangelists at Loma Linda has opened with an excellent spirit, and the prospects for the coming year are brighter than ever before in the history of the school. Including forty children in the church school department, the Pacific Union College opened with an enrollment of 290, sixty more than at the opening last year. Eighty of these are in the college department, and twelve are candidates for graduation at the end of this year. The opening of San Fernando Academy was most encouraging, and promises well for this year's work in that institution. Never before, Brother Andross states, has he seen such an interest as is now attending their evangelistic work. A greater desire to hear the message is found everywhere than at any time in the past.

Baptisms and Tracts in the Philippines

“WITHIN the last six weeks,” writes Elder L. V. Finster, from Manila, “I have baptized sixty-six persons.” Thus the work advances in the Philippines. From the island of Cebu, Dr. Carlos Fattebert sends us two tracts, our first in the Cebu-Visayan language.

Harvest Ingathering Review Translations

Word from F. F. Byington, manager of the International Publishing Association, states that the Harvest Ingathering REVIEW has been translated not only into the German and the Danish-Norwegian, as previously announced, but also into the Swedish. We know our brethren of these nationalities can be depended upon to do their part in the coming campaign, as well as those who speak the English language.

Work in the Amur Mission

UNDER date of July 26, Elder J. T. Boettcher, vice president of the European Division Conference, sends the following word from Vladivostok: “I was fourteen days on the road to reach this place. It is over six thousand miles from Riga. We have 123 members in the Amur Mission. Twenty-one have been baptized this year. Even though we have but few members in this place, a friend of the truth is building a meeting hall for us. We hold our meetings in private houses. I shall remain in Siberia until September.” The interests of this work have widely separated Brother Boettcher and his family. His daughter, Olivia, is attending the Washington Missionary College, and his wife is at her old home in Ohio. Let us remember our brethren away out on the firing line, in their endeavors to advance the boundaries of this movement.