Central New England ........$ 2,775.18
Greater New York .......... 1,510.46
Maine ..................... 852.89
New York ................. 2,326.50
Southern New England ..... 1,210.50
Vermont .................. 1,344.74
Western New York ......... 2,073.09
Total ...................... 12,093.36
Chesapeake ............... 787.73
Eastern Pennsylvania ..... 2,554.51
New Jersey ............... 1,202.45
Ohio .................... 6,302.43
Virginia ................. 1,034.77
West Pennsylvania ........ 1,976.56
West Virginia ............ 558.86
Total ...................... 14,417.31
***District of Columbia***
Washington churches ...... 1,384.54
Lake Union Conference
East Michigan ............ 3,181.78
Indiana .................. 5,248.02
North Michigan ............ 1,705.22
Northern Illinois ........ 2,968.06
Southern Illinois .......... 1,466.96
West Michigan ............ 8,733.70
Wisconsin .................. 5,046.25
Total ...................... 28,349.99
North Pacific Union Conference
Montana ................... 886.64
Upper Columbia ........... 3,036.43
Western Washington ........ 3,349.38
Idaho ...................... 1,037.65
Western Oregon ............. 2,992.35
Hawaii ..................... 21.05
Alaska ..................... 20.00
Total ...................... 11,343.50
***Southern Union Conference***
South Carolina ........... 268.09
Alabama .................... 623.14
Tennessee River ........... 1,405.31
Florida ................... 951.48
North Carolina ............ 954.75
Cumberland ................ 1,360.99
Louisiana ................. 572.54
Mississippi ................. 413.08
Georgia .................... 457.97
Conference not specified .... 97.41
Total ...................... 7,104.76
***Northern Union Conference***
Iowa ...................... 9,654.36
Minnesota ................. 5,766.98
South Dakota .............. 2,671.47
North Dakota .............. 2,156.63
Conference not specified .... 73.82
Total ...................... 20,323.26
***Pacific Union Conference***
Southern California ....... 4,792.48
Arizona ................... 466.79
California-Nevada ......... 10,249.03
Utah ...................... 440.58
Total ...................... 15,948.88
Southwestern Union Conference
Arkansas .................. 938.93
Oklahoma .................... 4,029.74
Texas ....................... 2,548.90
Not specified ............... 22.82
Total ...................... 7,540.39
Western Canadian Union Conference
Alberta ................... 1,211.35
British Columbia ............ 224.50
Manitoba .................... 349.76
Saskatchewan Mission Field .. 59.60
Total ...................... 1,845.21
Unknown
Unknown .................... 161.70
Foreign
Algeria ................... 13.33
Australia ................... 178.71
Bermuda ..................... 36.00
China ....................... 165.60
South Africa ................ 439.02
Jamaica ..................... 66.01
Yukon Territory ............. 20.00
England ..................... 282.77
West Africa ............... 50.00
Mexico ...................... 65.97
Costa Rica .................. 6.25
India ....................... 418.25
South America ............... 76.43
Switzerland ................. 9.69
Panama ...................... 27.11
Nicaragua ................... 9.00
Central American Mission .... 26.00
Trinidad .................... 28.69
Norway ...................... 25.00
Japan ....................... 12.50
Haiti ....................... 5.00
Egypt ..................... 51.55
Palestine ................... 2.00
Tobago, W. I. ............... 1.22
Cuba ........................ 8.00
Hungary ..................... 3.00
Tahiti ...................... 14.88
France ...................... 6.80
Philippine Islands .......... 1.00
Samoa ....................... 8.00
Barbados .................... 5.00
Portugal .................... 6.00
Straits Settlements ......... 10.08
Pitcairn Island .............. 20.00
New Zealand ................. 1.52
Fiji ........................ 4.87
St. Kitts ................... 7.51
Ireland ..................... 25.56
Russia ...................... 5.00
Denmark ..................... 14.59
Santa Domingo ............... 2.50
Total ...................... 2,160.41
Grand Total ................ $141,475.11
I. H. EVANS, Treasurer.
Experiences in Tennessee and Georgia
By Arthur W. Bartlett
In “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VII the following instruction is found: “Many of the colored race are rich in faith and trust. God sees among them precious jewels, that will one day shine out brightly. The colored people deserve more from the hands of the white people than they have received. There are thousands who have minds capable of cultivation and uplifting. With proper labor, many who have been looked upon as hopeless will become educators of their race. Through the grace of God, the race that the enemy has for generations oppressed may rise to the dignity of God-given manhood and womanhood. . . . The obligation to work for the colored people rests heavily upon us. Shall we not try to repair, as far as lies in our power, the injury that in the past has been done to these people? Shall not the number of missionaries to the South be multiplied? Shall we not hear of many volunteers who are ready to enter this field to bring souls out of darkness18and ignorance into the marvelous light in which we rejoice? God will pour out his Spirit upon those who respond to his call. In the strength of Christ they may do a work that will fill all heaven with rejoicing.”
Moved by these words, especially by the promise of the Spirit upon those who would respond to this most precious appeal, I laid my burden for the colored people before the members of the Indiana Conference Committee, and was authorized by them to labor in the most needy field of the South, and they agreed to pay me twenty dollars a month and traveling expenses. On my way to Georgia I stayed two weeks at Nashville, Tenn., and inspected our prosperous publishing house. I rejoiced at what God has wrought for that institution. While there I also visited the celebrated Fisk and Walden universities for the colored people. The presidents of these institutions treated me kindly, and gave me much instruction as to the best methods of reaching the colored people. Both universities are doing a great and good work in their line. I also had the pleasure of visiting the nice church building for colored people recently erected in Nashville. Here I met Elder J. E. White, and heard him preach a stirring sermon. Let us not forget to pray fervently for the work and workers at Nashville.
About three months ago I left Nashville for Brunswick, Ga., a beautiful city of ten thousand inhabitants, and almost every day since my arrival I have had some good experiences. In search for a room I met a preacher of the First-day Adventist Church. Thus I was at once introduced to this people in whose church I preached the next Sunday. Three members of that church now meet with us in our Sabbath meeting, and all the honest among them will soon gather round the standard of God’s Spirit and Word which has been raised in their midst. I found a little company of colored Sabbath-keepers here who were maintaining a small mission school by the help of the Southern Missionary Society. This company is led by a brother who was recently a Baptist minister of no mean qualifications. He and his entire family are, with one exception, all in the truth. I preach to this company weekly.
I was much pleased to find here a large and prosperous Normal and Manual Training-school for colored people, the only school of that kind to my knowledge in Georgia, excepting possibly the one in Atlanta. The principal of the school, Miss Bemus, is a talented white woman and is much devoted to her work. She is very friendly to our people and work, and at her request I have delivered two addresses to the students. Here is a door of utterance inviting us to enter. I have proposed to the principal that I be permitted to support a department for Bible instruction in the school where lectures might be given daily on the Word. My proposition was favorably considered, and I am praying for an opening for the gospel of Christ in that school.
I am now negotiating with the manager and owners of the large and costly Oglethorpe Hotel for the privilege of opening treatment rooms and a health food restaurant therein.
We have proposed to lease the old Advent church building that we may hold public services, and to provide a church-school for the youth. We shall soon be in possession of this building. I now hold Sabbath services for the white people in a private house, and am glad to say that new faces are continually seen at those meetings. I am practically alone in my work, as far as any ministerial or experienced laborer is concerned, and I feel deeply my need, first of the grace of God, then of human aid. O for laborers and money for this most needy field! Those who are interested in this work may address me at 700 D Street, Brunswick, Ga.
ARTHUR W. BARTLETT.
North Carolina
By W. L. Killen
THE tent season has arrived; and as we view the situation, we realize as never before the import of our Saviour’s words, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few.” Our first effort will soon begin at Greensboro, a city of twenty-eight thousand inhabitants.
Our conference is still young; we have very little money at our command, and it is no small matter to get even part of the help we need to carry forward such a work. Yet we feel that we must enter our cities, which have barely been touched with the tips of our fingers.
In our conference we have a few earnest young men and women, who, with a little training, would soon be able to go out to work in the great harvest-field; but these are growing up in their homes, having no special work in view. I am burdened for these young people, for we must look to them to carry this message in the South. Southern-born workers can accomplish the work much more easily and quickly than others. In one of our churches we have fifteen young men and women, every one of whom should go out as laborers in the next few years. But we are not able to provide school privileges for them more than four months in the year.
I feel constrained to set forth this situation in the columns of the REVIEW just as it is, and I am sure that some of our more highly favored brethren will be glad to study the situation with us, and perhaps give us real help. I expect to take some of these young people with me in tent work this summer. I am sure that many who read these lines will be glad to send us literature. We can use to good advantage a few hundred copies of the special temperance number of the Watchman, and the special naval edition of the Signs, small books, and a large number of tracts on all points of the truth. Send all post-paid. We feel that we can make our work self-supporting if we can secure these. Send your literature to my address, 917 Union St., Greensboro, N. C. I shall be glad to correspond with any one interested in our work.
W. L. KILLEN.
Early Experiences in the Publishing Work—No. 3
By John Norton Loughborough
As rapidly as possible, Brother Bates prepared the copy for his tract on the Sabbath. In the meantime, he received letters from persons, who, not knowing of his printing work, but who had heard of his advocating the third angel’s message and the Sabbath truth, stated that they were impressed by the Spirit of the Lord that he was in need of money. In three instances, as he told me, the letters contained each a five-dollar bill. Others contained smaller sums.
As the remittance mentioned in a former article had filled the larder with the necessary eatables, what came later was applied on the printer’s bill. So matters progressed until all the proofs had been read, and the day came when the printed sheets were to be completed. There was yet a portion of the bill unpaid. What should now be done?
After praying over the matter, Brother Bates decided that he would go, although it would be disappointing to him to do so, and tell the printer that he would not take the sheets away until the bill was fully paid, as that was the contract first made. Accordingly, he began the apology to Mr. Lindsay, expressing regret that the bill was not all paid. The printer interrupted his speech with words which brought happy surprise to Elder Bates. “Elder,” he said, “you may take your sheets at once, for the bill is all settled.” “What!” said the elder, “how is that?” “Well,” said the printer, “a man came in this morning, an entire stranger to me, and paid the remainder of the bill. He did not give me his name, so I can not tell you who he is. But the bill is paid, and the sheets are yours.”
With a glad heart Brother Bates took the sheets home, and he and Mrs. Bates were soon folding, stitching, and sending out this Sabbath tract free to any they thought might be induced to read it. The tract was in small type, set solid, and contained forty-eight pages. The title-page read, “The Seventh-day Sabbath, a Perpetual Sign, from the Beginning to the Entering into the Gates19of the Holy City, According to the Commandment. By Joseph Bates.” The imprint on this title-page was, “Press of Benjamin Lindsay, New Bedford, 1845.”
This book was a mighty lever in advancing the Sabbath truth, and by it many a soul was led to the light. Its pointed arguments and scripture proofs so forcibly arranged, led some in early times to call the tract “that hewing book on the Sabbath.”
Brother Bates never learned who paid the last of that bill for printing his Sabbath tract. It will be of interest to the reader, however, to know who did pay it. In the winter of 1883, after my return from the British mission, I was holding meetings in Memphis, Mich. In one of my discourses I referred to the publication of that first Sabbath tract. Brother Heman Gurney, who resided in the place, was in the audience. After meeting, he said to me, “Come home with me to dinner; I have something interesting to tell you.” As we sat at the dinner-table, he said, “Brother Loughborough, I suppose you would like to know who paid the last of the bill on Brother Bates’s tract?” I replied, “Yes, indeed I would.” “Well,” said he, “Brother Bates never knew who paid it. I, Heman Gurney, paid that bill, and there is a special providence connected with my getting the money, from a portion of which I paid that bill. I was a journeyman blacksmith. I worked for a man who owed me one hundred dollars, which he neglected to pay me. It ran on for a long time. Finally [in the 1844 movement, as singing evangelist with Brother Bates] I left the man’s shop, and he was very angry, and declared he would never pay me. After the 1844 movement I spoke to him about the debt, and he, in a rage, said, ‘If you ever mention the thing to me again, I will give you a whipping.’ So it ran on until the debt was outlawed, and I had decided that I should never get it.”
“On the morning of the day that Brother Bates’s sheets were to be completed, as I was going down the street of New Bedford to a shop in which I then worked, I saw this former employer on the opposite side of the street. He began to beckon to me, and called out, ‘Gurney, come over here.’ I started across the street, not knowing but I was now to receive the threatened ‘whipping.’ As I came up to him, he said, in a subdued tone, ‘Gurney, I honestly owe you one hundred dollars, and I want to pay it.’ Thereupon he took out his purse, and handed to me the one hundred dollars. Of course I thanked him. I said to myself, ‘This is a godsend; I will go and make the first investment with it by paying the balance of the bill on Brother Bates’s Sabbath tract.’ This I did before engaging in that day’s work.”
This is the interesting and true story in every particular of the first effort of Seventh-day Adventists to print a tract on the subject of the Lord’s Sabbath,—that memorial of himself, and his power, which had for so long been trodden underfoot, but was now to be exalted to its true position by the third angel’s message.
As we now look at the Lord’s opening providence thus connected with a people in the depths of poverty, it virtually says, “Go forward, trusting to see the Lord open the way and prosper your work, while you humbly trust him, and stick to the publishing of his sacred message to the world.” How clearly has this been proved in our experiences in the publishing work. If calamities have come to it, they have been allowed only to correct departures from the right course. God’s care and blessing have followed the printing of the truth, and we may be assured his blessing will ever follow those who obey his bidding in the publishing work.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
The Publishing Work
Conducted under the auspices of the General Conference Publishing Department.
C. H. JONES - - - - Chairman
E. R. PALMER - - - - Secretary
H. H. HALL - - - Assistant Secretary
Working with Publications
By BIRDIE CRUZAN
EVERY Saturday evening, after the Sabbath, we go out on the streets of Joplin, Mo., with from one to three hundred papers, which we place in the homes of the people, so that they may have them to read on Sunday. This is a mining town; and as is the rule in nearly all such towns, the people care very little about religion; but nearly all of them thank us for the papers, and some seem anxious to receive them. We wish to thank all the brethren and sisters for their kindness in sending so many papers, and to ask that they will continue the supply. Address 1213 W. Ninth St., Joplin, Mo.
BIRDIE CRUZAN.
Field Notes and Gleanings
APRIL 20 Brethren Andrew Nelson and T. J. Hickman organized a church of eleven members at Longdale, Okla.
BROTHER C. M. McDonald, who recently held meetings at Collinsville and Coody’s Bluff, Okla., reports that three took a stand for the truth at each place, and others are interested.
A MEMBER of the church at Hazelton, Mich., writes that a recent Sabbath ‘was a day when God’s presence could be felt; a Sabbath day when ten precious souls united with the church and celebrated the Lord’s Supper; a day when the members came together in love for one another, and praised God for his blessings.’
The teacher of a mission school at Mobile, Ala., Brother W. M. Jackson, who is working under the direction of the Southern Missionary Society, sends in a word of courage concerning his work. The school has been carried on about seven months, and was to close on May 20. Many opportunities for doing good and speaking words of truth have presented themselves, and in improving them rich blessings from God have been enjoyed.
FROM Bridgeport, Conn., Brother J. C. Stevens writes: ‘Sabbath, May 2, at a beautiful beach on the Long Island Sound, eight persons were baptized by the writer. All of these, except one, have recently taken their stand for the truth, being the direct result of our labors in this city; and there are still substantial hopes for others. Previous to the baptismal service, a church was organized, consisting of twenty-one members. It is a source of encouragement to us, and we are truly thankful that our Heavenly Father has seen fit to bless our labors here, and that we have been able to organize a church.’
Of their meetings at Goldsberry, Mo., where Brethren Meade MacGuire and H. B. Steele are laboring, Brother Steele writes that ‘at the tenth service, Sabbath morning, May 2, the Lord enabled Brother MacGuire to present the sufferings of Christ in a way that appealed to the whole congregation. The Spirit of God witnessed to the message borne, and thirteen precious souls responded to the call to surrender all. Baptism took place Sunday afternoon, when twelve dear souls followed the Saviour in this solemn ordinance. Two others were ready, but on account of rain were not present.’
A Wonderful Meeting at Fernando Academy
By H. G. LUCAS
Last fall the following words were sent to our school by Sister White: “In a place like Los Angeles, where the population is constantly changing, a wonderful opportunity is presented for the sale of our books. Why should not teachers and students from the San Fernando school make Los Angeles a special field for the sale of our books? If, with earnestness and faith they will work out the plan that has been given us for the use of this book, ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ angels of God will attend their steps, and the blessings of heaven will be upon their efforts.” In February it was decided to go ahead with the “Object Lessons” work. The Testimonies were read, the matter was presented to the school, and a class of thirty-five was organized. Twenty-seven was the actual number that went into the field last week under the direction of Brother Horsman, the field missionary agent.
Brother E. G. Fulton, of the vegetarian café, kindly allowed the young women the use of a portion of his house; and on his lot the young men pitched three 12 x 17 foot tents, for their use. In order to save expense, the young people were taken by team from Fernando to Los Angeles, a distance of twenty-one miles. The start was made early on Sunday morning, March 15. Tents were pitched and other necessary arrangements made in Los Angeles before nightfall. Brother Horsman held a meeting with the young people that evening, and encouraged them to go out with earnestness and in faith to present the book, “Christ’s Object Lessons.”
It was a great help to the work to have all the young people encamp on the same premises so as to enable them to hold evening meetings together, and relate their experiences. This served to encourage them in their labors. When Monday morning came, fifteen young men and twelve young women, many of whom had never sold a book or a paper before, started out to introduce “Object Lessons” to the people. Although the campaign was continued one week, not one of the twenty-seven turned back or fell out by the way. They had varied experiences. They had doors slammed in their faces; then they would find people who were interested in religious things; then some would be surprised to receive orders where they least expected them; some could work among the wealthy people; others could work only among the poorer classes. They all had opportunities to put into use the scripture that they had learned at school.
At the end of the first day they had taken fifty-eight orders. Their five days’ work were full of rich experiences. After the week’s work was over it was found that two hundred sixty-seven orders had been taken by the twenty-seven workers, or an average of about ten each.
Figures can never present the success of this “Object Lessons” campaign. The young people were used of the Lord to speak to the people when they needed help. On Sabbath afternoon they related their experiences to the Los Angeles church, whose members were encouraged by these efforts, and some determined to go out themselves to sell this wonderful book.
One young man found a lady who had been praying for a book that she had heard of, entitled “Bible Readings for the Home Circle.” He said that he knew the book, and offered to bring it to her, and he sold her both “Bible Readings” and “Object Lessons.” She said that the Lord must have sent him in answer to her prayers.
The young people returned to Fernando on Sunday, March 22, and as they came into chapel on Monday, March 23, their faces shone with their happiness. Elder Reaser gave an encouraging talk to the students, after which the young people who had been out on the firing line related their experiences. Then teachers and others spoke of their determination to work for the Lord. The meeting continued until one o’clock. The young people were not timid in telling of their work. Each one felt that a great blessing had been gained, and they advised others to go out and receive the same blessing.
The young people who did not go expressed regrets that they had remained at home. The remarkable experiences of those who went, and their wonderful success, stirred up the young people and the teachers to set apart one week in April when all who are willing can go. The first campaign paved the way for the second. So when the call was made, sixty volunteered. Our faith did not reach far enough to close the school during the first campaign, but the teachers had to remain here to carry on the school work for those who did not go out into the field; but teachers and students will go out together in the second campaign.
We call this a wonderful day at Fernando Academy because the young people of their own accord were induced by an invisible power to offer themselves to do definite work. It is this kind of work that is needed among our young people and older people in the denomination to-day. The teachers all feel glad that this spirit of work has come into our school. Both teachers and students are determined that, during the balance of this school year, and for future school years, they will carry out the following instruction: “If our young people would only realize it, there is no more acceptable work to be done in the home field than engaging in the sale of ‘Object Lessons,’ for, while they are thus helping to carry out the Lord’s plan for the relief of our schools, they are also bringing the present truth of the Word of God to the attention of the people.” I wish that all our colleges, academies, and intermediate schools could receive the same blessing that has come to us and which helped to make Monday, March 23, the best day of this school year.
H. G. LUCAS, Principal.
Imparting Received Blessings
BLESSINGS received are greatly increased when they are imparted to others.
Annual Meeting of the Constituency of the New England Sanitarium
By W. M. LEE
THE eighth annual meeting of the constituency of the New England Sanitarium was held at the sanitarium in Melrose, Mass., March 18, 1908.
In his address the president reviewed the dealings of God with the institution during the year just passed.
On Jan. 29, 1907, the New England Sanitarium constituency took a firm stand to place the institution in perfect harmony with the counsel given in the spirit of prophecy. In the Testimonies we are told that it was a providential opening that put us in possession of this magnificent location for a sanitarium.
During the time since the passing of the property to the conferences of the New England States, the institution has passed through some trying experiences. But in all of them the cause of truth has triumphed, and we stand in a better position to-day to do work for the Lord than ever before. While the patronage during the year 1907 was not quite so large as during the previous year, yet the financial statement of the treasurer showed quite a decided gain over the year 1906.
We have seen encouraging results from the recent Life and Health campaign during January and February. We believe if this work with our health journal would continue throughout the year, it would be an important factor in attracting the people, and would fill our institution with patients.
The treasurer’s report was then read and approved, subject to the auditor’s report.
As the term of office of twelve members of the constituency expired at this meeting, the following persons were elected to serve for two years: H. B. Tucker, W. A. Westworth, E. W. Farnsworth, C. O. Prince, P. F. Bicknell, W. R. Andrews, B. F. Machlan, F. M. Dana, I. P. Bradford, W. E. Fortune, C. P. Frye, and P. P. Lane. W. M. Lee was elected clerk and treasurer.
The following persons were elected to serve on the board of trustees: E. W. Farnsworth, C. O. Prince, P. F. Bicknell, A. P. Needham, W. A. Westworth, B. F. Machlan, W. M. Lee, and H. F. Ketring. H. F. Ketring was elected president for the coming year.
At a meeting of the former board of trustees, held March 3, 1908, the condition of the sanitarium was carefully investigated, and it was clearly seen that our present bath-rooms are altogether inadequate and unfit to do the necessary work, and to command the respect of a good class of patients. The board therefore voted that new bath-rooms should be provided, in order that we might draw to the institution a good, paying class of people. They also provided for some needed repairs on the buildings21that we already occupy. This action of the former board was approved by the new board of trustees, and steps are already being taken to carry out the will of the board. It was also voted to invite Dr. W. E. Bliss of the Madison (Wis.) Sanitarium to connect with the work at Melrose, and that Brother J. W. Davis be invited to act as business manager.
The future prospects of the New England Sanitarium were never brighter than they are at the present time. The cloud that for years has hung over that institution is rising, and the brethren and sisters throughout the Atlantic Union Conference feel more confidence in it than ever before.
The Testimonies, in speaking of this institution, say: “And here is to be done the very work that the Lord specified must be done in our medical institutions, — a work resembling the ministry of Christ, the greatest Medical Missionary our world has ever known, a noble, helpful, sympathetic work.” And again these encouraging words come to us through the spirit of prophecy: “Those who are acting a prominent part in connection with this sanitarium should be encouraged by what the Lord has done in behalf of the institution. Let all move forward unitedly.” In a more recent Testimony, the servant of the Lord tells us that there are brighter days ahead for the New England Sanitarium.
The family, consisting of about seventy persons, was never of better courage, to press forward and do the work that the Lord has said should be done in this place.
We earnestly desire that the Lord may lead, and that we may have an interest in the prayers of God’s people, that we may understand the Lord’s leadings.
W. M. LEE, Clerk.
Religious Liberty Notes
THE religious liberty department of the Central Union Conference is endeavoring to establish a newspaper correspondence bureau. This is a move in the right direction.
TWO more leaflets will soon be added to our regular series of “Religious Liberty Leaflets,” No. 13, “Alexander Campbell on Moral Societies,” and No. 14, “William Lloyd Garrison’s Protest against Sunday Legislation.”
From the North Michigan Conference News Sheet of April 21, 1908, we take the following suggestion: “When Luther was assailed by Satan, he threw an ink-bottle at him, and we can do the same by scattering the printed page.” The Religious Liberty literature will be a good kind of ink to throw just now.
Sunday evening, May 10, the secretary of the Religious Liberty Bureau gave an interesting and instructive stereopticon lecture on Religious Liberty to a full house at the Seventh-day Adventist Memorial church, Washington, D. C.
The Nashville Tennessean of May 3, 1908, contains a report of a recent Sabbath sermon on the subject of temperance, by Elder S. B. Horton, in which it is emphasized that it is the duty of the State to legislate against the liquor traffic.
One brother, sending in petitions from the State of Washington, says that his wife secured most of the signatures, and that “all but one she asked signed both petitions.” The letter and petitions were also accompanied with a prayer for God’s blessing on our work.
Prof. O. J. Graf, of Union College, College View, Neb., writes: “W. F. Crafts spoke in Lincoln about two weeks ago on ‘The March of Christ through the Centuries.’ Number present, 181; Adventists, 108; all others, 73. He seemed to know to whom he was speaking.”
The following extract from the Catholic Mirror of May 9, 1908, contains an appeal to all Catholics to participate in any movement for a better observance of Sunday: “We earnestly appeal to all Catholics, without distinction, not only to take no part in any movement tending toward a relaxation of the observance of the Sunday, but to use their influence and power as citizens to resist in the opposite direction.”
In a recent address on “Christian Education,” Dr. Jordan, the principal of the Sioux Falls (S. D.) College, took the position that state institutions of learning can not take the place of the church, and that as the state is altogether a worldly institution, it can not teach religion. Dr. Jordan further emphasized the fact that it is necessary for the church to have institutions where men and women can be educated for spreading the gospel.
Reference was made in this column a short time ago to the arrest of Henry E. Miles, of South Stukely, P. Q., an observer of the seventh-day Sabbath, for violation of the Sunday law in operating his mill. This case has recently come to trial, and the defendant was discharged under the exemption clause in the law in favor of one “who habitually and conscientiously observes the seventh day of the week as a Sabbath day, and actually abstains from work on that day.”
The following is the substance of a letter just received from a United States senator, concerning the Johnston Sunday bill for the District of Columbia, upon which the Senate Committee of the District of Columbia has rendered a favorable report: “I do not exactly agree with you that the bill to which you refer would be in violation of the Constitution. I do not think that a requirement of law that there shall be one day of rest establishes a religion of any kind, or prohibits its free exercise. A legal day of rest, one in seven, I think is necessary, and not necessarily as a day of worship, but as one of rest on which men can not be compelled to labor.”
Christian Liberty
Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of the Rights of Conscience
Conducted by the Religious Liberty Bureau
K. C. RUSSELL, ChairmanW. A. COLCORD, Secretary
Recommendations Adopted by the British Columbia Conference
AMONG the recommendations adopted at the last session of the British Columbia Conference are the following:—
Whereas, The Sunday closing movement is now being pressed upon the people; and,—
Whereas, The Lord’s Day Alliance is pressing Parliament to pass more stringent Sunday laws; and,—
Whereas, Now is the best time we shall ever have to educate the people upon this issue; therefore,—
We recommend, That the Executive Committee take active steps to place religious liberty literature in the hands of all who can be induced to read it.
Whereas, We have noted with pleasure the fearless, broad-minded position taken by our government, and especially by the attorney general, in reference to enforcing the “Lord’s Day Act,” notwithstanding the great pressure and earnest pleas of the religious organization known as the “Lord’s Day Alliance;” and,—
Whereas, This denomination known as Seventh-day Adventists are lovers of true religious liberty and equal rights for all; therefore,—
We recommend, That this conference assembled do express to our government, and to the attorney general in particular, our sincere appreciation and profound respect for their noble stand for religious liberty in refusing to enforce the “Lord’s Day Act.”
Considerable pressure is being brought to bear upon the government to secure the enforcement of the Lord’s Day Act, but thus far the attorney general has refused to authorize any prosecutions. Those in favor of enforcing the religious observance of Sunday will not rest satisfied until every one is compelled to pay at least an outward regard to the first day of the week.
Medical Missionary Department
Conducted by the Medical Department of the General Conference