p. 20 | Review and Herald, Vol. 79, No. 49. (12/9/1902)

British Virgin Islands

By L. E. Wellman

L. E. WELLMAN

OUR field of labor, the British Virgin Islands, lies about one hundred miles directly east of Porto Rico. The group consists of the two principal islands of Tortola and Virgin Gorda, and many outlying keys, the largest of which are Anegada and Jost van Dyke. The largest of the group is Tortola, where are located the government office and the residence of the commissioner. Government affairs are directed, in the main, by the governing body in the Leeward Islands.

The people of Tortola, unlike the inhabitants of nearly all the other British West Indies, own their own land, and are consequently independent of landlords and estate owners, who almost invariably oppress and tyrannize over those who are dependent upon them for the necessities of life.

The soil, although very stony, is quite fertile, and produces good crops of sugar cane, bananas, plantains, sweet potatoes, yams, etc. All crops have been much injured by prolonged drought, however, this year. Stock raising is also quite generally practiced, nearly every family having several head of cattle.

The whole island is rough and broken, high mountains running from end to end. The roads can scarcely be called such, being mere paths over the mountains or along the seacoast. Communication between different parts of the island is carried on by people on foot, on horseback, or in small sailboats.

We landed in Road Town, July 1, 1902, and immediately began to arrange our home and meeting room, that we might begin aggressive work. We have regular services on Sabbath, Sunday afternoon, and Tuesday evening, and the rest of our time is spent in holding meetings and visiting in the country districts. Already we have two regular appointments in the east end of the island, and one in the west end, and many invitations in other parts, which we shall accept as soon as we can arrange to do so. We have not yet spoken publicly upon the Sabbath question, but some have been inquiring privately, and six have already begun to obey, and we expect that others will take their stand for the truth soon.

Elder Haysmer was with us in August for a visit among these islands. We went over nearly the whole of this island on foot, visiting from house to house, getting acquainted with the people, and distributing reading matter to all who would receive it. We found nearly every one friendly.

We also paid a visit to Anegada, a coral reef lying about forty miles northeast of Road Town. This island, once so destructive to the noble ships sailing in these waters, is very flat, nowhere rising more than twenty-five or thirty feet above sea level, and completely surrounded by hidden shoals and treacherous reefs. Several hundred people live here. Crossing the Anegada channel, twenty-one miles wide, in a small, open sailboat, even in pleasant weather, is not an enviable trip, but when a storm breaks upon one, it is not only disagreeable, but dangerous.

We left Road Town about half-past two on Sunday morning, with scarcely enough wind to carry us out of the harbor; but once outside, we found more than we wished for, and by the time we reached the channel, a storm was upon us. Waves continually broke over us, and, although protected with waterproofs, our clothing was well soaked. After six hours' battling with the storm, we cast anchor in quiet waters about a mile off shore, and were carried the rest of the way in a rowboat, and on the back of one of the men, it being impossible to come up to the shore in a boat. We were indeed glad to get on warm, dry clothing, after being so long exposed to winds and waves.

That evening Elder Haysmer was invited by the Wesleyan local preachers to speak in their chapel, which he did, the house being well filled with attentive listeners. The Wesleyan pastor, resident in Road Town, was not well pleased, however, and has notified us that any further acceptance on our part of such invitations means prosecution. We held two other services in the open air, visited nearly every family, distributed much literature, and returned, feeling that we had spent a most profitable time.

While there, I promised to come again as soon as possible, and during the last days of September I made them another visit. I had a profitable and enjoyable time, visiting and talking with the people, who seemed very glad that I had returned for a few days. I also held four services with them, having an attendance of about three hundred each night, and it was with reluctance that I left so soon, being compelled to do so by appointments here.

I believe that a tent should be pitched in Anegada at once. The Lord has many precious souls there waiting for light. I do hope that arrangements can be made soon to hold a longer series of meetings there, for I am sure it would result in many accepting the fullness of his Word, and walking in the light of the third angel's message.

The Lord is leading, and we are of good courage. Pray for us that we may have wisdom, that we may be the instruments in God's hands of bringing to many a saving knowledge of the truth.

General Mission Notes

A SIGNIFICANT fact in the progress of China was the departure recently of eight young women, representatives of high-class families, for Yokohama, Japan, where they will enter upon a course of study.

Korean Mission Work

A KOREAN, as soon as he is converted, immediately begins work among his relatives and neighbors. As a result, the missionary, instead of having to go out to seek the people, has more than he can do caring for those who come seeking him. This is one of the characteristics of mission work among the Koreans.

The North German Missionary Society

The North German Missionary Society, having its headquarters at Bremen, began work among the Evhe negroes of the Slave Coast, West Africa, more than fifty years ago. Since the first of the pioneers was carried off by fever in 1847, sixty-five men and women have laid down their lives in this service. But all this sacrifice has not been in vain. There are now in Evheland and German Togoland twenty-five hundred members of the Christian church, and one thousand children in its thirty-six schools.

Romanized Literature in China

One of the most important aids to missionary progress, if it can be carried out, is the attempt now being made by the missionaries of China to introduce the Roman alphabet as a substitute for the cumbersome aggregation of complicated signs which is used at present. Some progress has been made. The American Presbyterian Press at Shanghai has just completed the Ming-po Romanized Bible, which is the first complete Bible with references ever published in China. They propose to issue during the year, by way of experiment, a monthly paper, a hymn and tune book, and some parts of the New Testament in Roman type.

General Conference Council

By Arthur G. Daniells; H. E. Osborne

A MEETING of the General Conference Committee and other brethren in council was held in Battle Creek, November 10–25.

Nearly all of the presidents of the union conferences and members of the General Conference Committee in the United States were present, together with presidents of various State conferences and representatives of the publishing and medical missionary interests.

Questions of finance and administration, of the relation of various departments of the work to one another, of organization and methods, were considered. The following actions of general interest were taken by the council:—

Financial Policy

Whereas, The work of carrying on the third angel’s message is rapidly enlarging and extending into new fields; and,—

Whereas, Unless careful management be given to the operations in extending the message, large debts will be contracted; therefore,—

1. We recommend, That all evangelical and missionary enterprises carried on in the name of the denomination, or under the denomination’s support, be conducted on a strictly cash basis.

Whereas, Plans have already been adopted for distributing a portion of the assets and liabilities of the General Conference Association; and,—

Whereas, Most of our corporations have now been organized, and have accepted their assignment of liabilities and assets made at our last fall council; therefore,—

2. We hereby request the officers of the General Conference Association to proceed at once to carry into effect before Jan. 1, 1903, the divisions hitherto recommended, and to use every endeavor to liquidate the remaining liabilities as rapidly as possible.

Whereas, Most of our corporations and institutions are carrying large liabilities; therefore,—

3. We recommend, That said corporations and institutions be requested to give special attention to the rapid liquidation of their obligations.

4. We further recommend,—

(a) That the General Conference or Mission Board from this day be not held financially responsible for any obligations which they have not assumed by their own action.

(b) That the foregoing be the general policy of the union and State conferences and other organizations and institutions of the denomination.

(c) That all parties undertaking local enterprises, such as institutions, church buildings, and other undertakings in this country, secure their means in their respective local territories, and not by general call for means unless previously arranged.

The Message to the World

Whereas, The one great work of this people is to carry the third angel’s message in this generation to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; and,—

Whereas, About four fifths of the laborers, and the means with which to support them, are now gathered in the United States, where there is only about one twentieth of the world’s population; therefore,—

1. We recommend, That a systematic and thorough campaign be entered upon and kept up to turn the attention of conference committees, ministers, and people to the needs of the fields outside of their respective conferences and outside of the United States; and that all conference resources of ministers and money be held open by the conference management to the needs and calls of the regions beyond, the same as within the bounds of local conferences.

2. We recommend, That conferences urge their laborers to move out into needy fields, especially into fields outside of the United States, and pledge to support them there, as their own laborers, until they have raised up a sufficient constituency to give them their support.

3. We recommend, That in all cases where laborers are sent into another field, as above suggested, they work under the direction of the committee into whose fields they are sent; that the committee under whose direction they labor audit their accounts; and that all appropriations for their support be sent to the treasury of the Mission Board.

4. We recommend, That the General Conference and union and State conferences give the internal workings and the expenses of administration careful study, to the end that all unnecessary expenses be eliminated, and the work put upon a sound basis.

5. We recommend, That we encourage the States that are able to do so, to set aside a definite per cent of the regular tithe as an appropriation to the general work of the Mission Board.

6. We recommend, That this forward movement in behalf of missions be placed clearly before our people, and that their responsibility to pay a full tithe into the Lord’s treasury be emphasized.

7. We recommend, That in addition to this devotion of conference resources to destitute fields, we urge all our laborers and people to agitate the matter of the regular weekly offerings to missions, known as the ten-cent-a-week plan, by which a large treasure may easily be turned to the evangelization of the world.

Educational Work

The subject of education occupied the attention of the council during two meetings, and the following recommendations, presented by a special committee, were adopted:—

Believing that the work of Christian education is inseparable from that of the gospel,—

We recommend, That the Mission Board be advised to encourage the establishment, in the larger mission fields, of training schools similar to those conducted in England and France, these schools to be both for the training of workers and for general education.

In view of the sentiment that the church-school teacher should be above local influences, and that church schools should be established wherever necessary,—

We recommend, That the Department of Education give special study to the question of the support of teachers and the maintenance of church schools, and report on the subject to the next General Conference.

We recommend, That the need of suitable text-books, adapted to our denominational school work, be brought to the attention of those interested in the educational work, and that they be invited to submit to the Department of Education suggestions (with or without manuscript) which they may feel may be of any assistance in meeting this need.

We recommend, That those who are prepared to do so, be encouraged to study the subject of Christian education with the churches.

Medical Missionary Work

It was voted,—

That this General Conference Committee and council renew our hearty co-operation with the Battle Creek Sanitarium Board and the Medical Missionary Association in their plans and work to recover from the effects of the fire, to renew the institution, and to promote their work as never before.

That this council approve of the Sanitarium getting money on bonds to satisfy its indebtedness, from whomsoever it may be able, at the lowest possible rate of interest.

That this council appoint Dr. S. P. S. Edwards as general field secretary for promoting an educational campaign among our people in behalf of the medical missionary work.

That each conference be requested to select a competent man to co-operate in this work in the local fields.

That an earnest and persevering effort be put forth by the General Conference Committee to raise,—

(1) Three thousand dollars remaining on the appropriation voted one year ago, for the London and Belfast treatment rooms.

(2) Twenty thousand dollars recommended at the Friedensau council for the establishment of a sanitarium in England; this sum to be expended under the direction of the British Union Conference Committee.

“Christ’s Object Lessons”

We recommend, That each Conference continue energetically the campaign on “Christ’s Object Lessons” until the full quota of books is sold.

Whereas, The author of “Christ’s Object Lessons” has donated the royalty on this book for the benefit of the schools, to enable them to liquidate their debts, and has signified her willingness to continue this gift as long as it is used for the advancement of education; therefore,—

Resolved, That we signify our approval of this plan of aiding our educational work, and we request the publishing houses to furnish us the books, boxed and F. O. B., at twenty-five cents per copy, as long as they are handled by our people without profit.

Whereas, Our brethren in Europe have requested that the proceeds from the sales of the German and Scandinavian editions of “Christ’s Object Lessons” in this country be used in aid of the German and Scandinavian training schools in Europe,—

Resolved, That we recognize the right of our German and Scandinavian brethren in America to use the proceeds from their sales of “Christ’s Object Lessons” in their own languages as they desire; but we would suggest to them the plan of dividing the proceeds, allowing one half to be sent to the European fields for the purpose mentioned.

Literature Campaign

It was voted,—

That the General Conference and union conference committees unite in an earnest campaign in behalf of the circulation of tracts dealing with the stirring issues of this message.

That our people be urged to use the experience and favor gained through the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” in selling our religious literature.

Appointments to the Field

While the council did not attempt to make detailed recommendations regarding workers for the mission fields, the following appointments were made during the session:—

That Dr. J. M. Keichline be invited to go to Egypt.

That Dr. V. Pampaian be invited to go to Egypt.

That J. A. Strickland and his wife, of Virginia, be invited to go to Jamaica, West Indies.

That H. Armstrong and his wife, of Scotland, be invited to go to India, in harmony with the recommendation of the European General Conference.

That B. E. Connerly and his wife, of Buffalo, be invited to go to Porto Rico.

That the Mission Board and the officers of the General Conference Publishing Department unite in an effort during the coming winter to secure a few good canvassers for the Southern Union Conference, South Africa, and Canada, in response to urgent calls from those fields.

That two ministers of experience be selected for the Australasian field.

A. G. DANIELLS, Chairman.

H. E. OSBORNE, Secretary.

F. W. FIELD

By F. W. Field

Japan

TOKIO.—We are glad to be able to give a good report from this field. There are evidences of progress in the different departments of the work, and encouraging prospects for the future. At Wakamatsu, where the brethren labored during the summer, some are deeply interested, and seem just on the point of deciding to obey the truth. Two of the brethren remained there to carry on the work, and regular weekly meetings and Sabbath school are kept up.

On Sabbath, September 27, at our Sabbath service in Shiba, four persons were baptized and received into the Tokio church. Three of these are members or relatives of families already in the truth. We are rejoiced to see the young people among us taking their stand on the Lord's side.

Our paper, the Owari No Fukuin, continues to do a good work. At the last business meeting of the church, it was reported that two hundred and thirty copies of the paper are taken monthly by our members, for use in missionary work. This is a good beginning; but we feel sure that it can be much increased if all our members will do their best. This summer we were much encouraged by receiving an order for twenty-five copies of the paper for one year from workers in an American city on the Pacific Coast. Are there not other churches in America that could use clubs of this paper among the Japanese? Any such should address W. D. Burden, 2 Gogochi, Shiba Koyen, Tokio, Japan.

Our publishing work is still largely in the form of plans, for we have not the means to do what is urgently needed. At a recent meeting of the workers it was voted to prepare at once the matter for five or six small tracts on the main points of our faith. Two of the brethren have just completed a translation of “The Marshalling of the Nations.” We hope that its publication need not be long delayed. We present these urgent needs, believing that some of our brethren of means will respond with liberal gifts to support this work. The means we have for a printing outfit must lie on deposit till we can secure some capital with which to do the work.

We have been much encouraged of late by the arrival of additional workers. October 22 Dr. S. A. Lockwood and his wife landed at Yokohama after a safe but stormy voyage. They have come to begin the medical work in Japan. Brother and sister Wilbur came on the same boat, and went on their way to China, to engage in the medical work in that great field.

F. W. FIELD

Franklin, Indiana

By C. H. Bliss

Indiana

FRANKLIN.—Although I have not reported through the REVIEW for some time, I still love the truth, and enjoy the privilege of preaching it to the world. After the camp meeting at Franklin, I was associated with Brethren Donnell and Moody and several Bible workers in a series of meetings at this place. We were successful in securing a hall centrally located. We have been here about eight weeks. The attendance is from twenty-five to one hundred. We have circulated about one thousand copies of The Signs and two hundred of The Life Boat. We have also sold about fifty dollars' worth of books. We have organized a Sabbath school of twenty-five members. Ten have accepted the faith, and many others are favorable. We are hopeful for a good church here. We desire an interest in the prayers of God's people. C. H. BLISS.

Bethel Industrial Academy

By H. A. Washburn

This institution, which is an intermediate school preparatory to the Emmanuel Missionary College, began the fourth year of its work on September 3, with the most encouraging outlook of its history; and the fall term is approaching its conclusion with as good a prospect as when it began. The enrollment at the beginning of the term was eighty-five; it has increased to one hundred and thirty-seven, about fifty of the number being pupils of church-school grade. This enrollment is over one third more than that of any previous fall term, as our people in Wisconsin are beginning to learn what a blessing an intermediate school is in their borders. Twenty have written that they intend to come during the next month. The goodly number of students is not more noticeable than the superior intelligence and good spirit which we have found in our school this year. The success of the school is found to lie in its keeping within the proper bounds of an intermediate school, and for this reason practically all the work in classes is on the common, essential branches, with some industrial classes. The students from high schools have recognized their general weakness in some one or more branches of elementary work, and have taken the classes they most need. Daily classes have been conducted in agriculture, cooking, sewing, and carpentry. The carpentry class spend from two to four hours daily in actual work, and they have erected a fourteen-room cottage during the term, and will now begin the finishing of the building. All building and repairing has been done by teachers and pupils, without additional expense. The students are learning to appreciate industrial training, and have not warred against it as formerly. The Spirit of God has manifested his presence in a most precious way during the term, and the blessed fruits of his presence have been a daily inspiration. We have found a wonderful inspiration from the lives of our students, especially some who knew nothing of present truth before coming here. Our Bible classes have seemed richer and sweeter than ever before, and frequent testimony is borne by students to what the Lord is doing for them in the study of his Word. The same can be said of our students' meetings on Sabbath afternoon. Most of the youth coming from the churches make a profession of Christianity, and have their names on the church records, yet have no real Christian experience. These have become acquainted with the Saviour, and perhaps twenty-five who made no profession at the beginning of the term have begun the service of God. Several students not of our faith have been converted, and are having a precious experience. Their parents rejoice, and write excellent letters of appreciation of the school. It would be well if all our own people understood and appreciated our schools as do some of these who know nothing of the truth for this time. A missionary spirit has been general among the students. Letters from workers in various distant fields

have come to the school frequently, and they have resulted in awakening a deep interest in the work in regions beyond, as well as in those near by. In the students' daily prayer meeting they may be heard praying for those who are going out before them in opening the way into the distant fields to which they hope soon to go themselves.

We feel impressed that this school is a blessing to the Wisconsin Conference, and only wish that similar schools, somewhat smaller, were sprinkled over every conference. Much wisdom is needed in the establishment of these schools, but the Lord has been giving experience in the work, so it need not be an experiment in any locality.

H. A. WASHBURN.

Hayti

By Henri Williams

CAPE HAYTIEN.—This island is only eight days from New York, so but little money and time need be consumed in reaching it. The state religion is Catholic. This statement alone presents the needs of the people. Protestant churches are established in the principal cities, but progress is very slow among the people, who have been ninety-nine years under papal teachers.

A Spanish woman, who never saw nor read the Bible until I loaned one to her a short time ago, after a few readings accepted the truth. Later she went to St. Kitts, where she was baptized and united with the church. She was a professor of the Roman Catholic faith. This is evidence that the grace of God will save sinners in this island as well as elsewhere.

I have tried to tell in few words the needs of this field; and the need of the field is surely the call of the hour in this part of the vineyard as well as elsewhere. — HENRI WILLIAMS.

A Sanitarium for the South

KNOWING that the readers of the REVIEW are interested in every branch of the work of the third angel's message, and hail with pleasure reports of advance in each part of the great harvest field, the writer thought well to give a brief description of the Fairview Sanitarium, recently opened at Asheville, N. C. The Northern States have had the advantages of well-equipped sanitariums for a long time, and a string of our sanitariums, extending from Massachusetts to California, has provided the people with abundant opportunity to avail themselves, when sick, of the benefits to be derived at these places. But the Southern States have been sadly neglected, and until quite recently entirely unprovided with such opportunity. While for years our splendid sanitariums here and there throughout the North have been as beacon lights to guide the people in the way of healthful living, a generous, noble, and appreciative people in the wide South land have been groping in the dark, languishing for lack of that which it was our duty to give.

To supply in some measure the need for sanitariums in the South, conducted in accordance with the principles which we as a people hold dear, a small institution has been opened in the suburbs of Asheville, the beautiful mountain city of western North Carolina. This sanitarium, called Fairview Sanitarium because of the extensive and delightful view of mountain and valley which its position commands, is built among the pines on the sunny slope of hills overlooking the city, and is a quiet, homelike place. The rooms are large and well ventilated. They are heated with pure, warm air from furnace and open fires, and are lighted with electricity. The suburban location gives pure air, and freedom from dust, noise, and the germs of disease. Copious mountain springs, high above the sanitarium, furnish the place with an abundant supply of purest mountain water.

It is hoped that the beautiful surroundings and the pure, invigorating air of the region, together with correct habits of living and rational measures of treatment, may be the means in the hands of God-fearing workers, of bringing many a weary, disease-burdened soul in closer harmony with the Creator, who giveth life and breath to all creatures. It is the purpose of the management that the sanitarium shall be educational in character, and that all possible shall be done to promulgate the principles of healthful living, not only among the patients who visit the institution, but also among the inhabitants of the hill country round about, to the end that man may be happier and God more honored.

On account of the excellent climate of western North Carolina, thousands of health seekers visit the region every year. They find accommodations at numerous hotels and boarding houses, where but little or no attention is given to matters of hygiene as related to diet, and they are attended by physicians who resort largely to the use of drugs. It is the purpose of the Fairview Sanitarium to provide a thoroughly hygienic diet for its patrons, and to use the same rational measures of treatment that are so successfully employed at Battle Creek.

Nurses from the Battle Creek Sanitarium have charge of well-equipped treatment rooms in Asheville, and will co-operate with the sanitarium for the upbuilding of the work.

The training of other nurses has already been entered upon, and the wide-awake class is receiving daily instruction. One sturdy young man, a native of Carolina who has consecrated his life to medical missionary service, has taken hold of the work with a zeal not surpassed in our Northern sanitariums. An intelligent colored sister has eagerly improved her opportunity to become acquainted with hygienic cookery.

The institution has the good will of the people of Asheville, and of the medical fraternity. There is abundant evidence that the Lord has opened the way for the work, and it is hoped that those connected with it may relate themselves to him in such a way that his blessing may attend their efforts.

Dr. Geo. P. Edwards, who was formerly connected with the Battle Creek Sanitarium, and who spent several years in India with Dr. Place and Elder Robinson, is in charge of the new sanitarium.

The School in Paris

By B. G. Wilkinson

AFTER the blessings which attended our school at Geneva last year, we decided, if possible, to continue the same work this year; and we also hoped, if we could find a suitable place, to locate the school in France. One great difficulty presented itself against this plan. The canvassing work has never found an encouraging reception in the French nation. First, because the French people have long been educated away from reading serious literature. A love story, a romance, or a cheap class of reading will readily find a great sale, provided the price does not go much over twenty-five or fifty cents; and the cheaper, the greater the circulation. Secondly, because our reading is Protestant, and therefore it is generally rejected. During the year 1900 an effort was made to put a strong force of canvassers in the city of Paris; and no outlay of expense was withheld to get the work started in this city. But the workers all returned with the declaration that in Paris they could not even give away our papers and tracts, much less sell them; and as to our higher-priced books, they were out of the question.

It can readily be seen that this state of affairs would affect our school, for in these Catholic countries of Latin-Europe, our young people are very poor, and while attending the school, must receive help, or else they must earn their expenses by some means. Thus, at the school of Geneva, last winter some of the students earned all their expenses by canvassing. But Geneva is in Switzerland, and Switzerland is not France.

So it was with anxious thought that we started out early this fall to visit the large cities of France, with a view of finding conditions favorable for a school, and for starting our work in that country. We visited quite a number of cities, and while in some of them we found conditions more favorable in some respects than in Paris, yet we felt that the interests of the work demanded that it be started in Paris. The greatest difficulty that Paris presents to our work is what is called “la concierge.” The concierge is something absolutely unknown in America, and is not very much known in other European countries. But it is the prevailing thing at Paris.

What is the concierge? Well, when a rich proprietor builds a house in the city, the house is supposed to contain all the way from seven to five hundred apartments. Each apartment constitutes a complete home for one family, and contains a small, dark corner called a kitchen, then a dining room, a parlor, a larger or a smaller number of bedrooms, according to the size and price of the apartment, so that in each large house there will be from seven to five hundred families. Now, according to the custom, at the large entrance to the stairways and courts of this house is a small apartment, which must be passed by everybody who goes in or out of the building. In this apartment dwells the concierge. This person, whether male or female, is, so to speak, the proprietor’s watchdog. The concierge pays nothing for his apartment. He gets no salary from the proprietor, but every renter, upon entering, pays this concierge all

the way from two dollars to ten dollars; and when the New Year’s day comes, the renter must give another liberal donation to the concierge. Suppose the renter determines not to give the concierge his dues, what happens?—He loses his letters. The postman delivers no mail to individuals. All mail must pass through the hands of the concierge. If the renter’s friends come to visit him, they never reach him. The concierge tells them that he is not at home; for every stranger entering the staircases must ask permission of the concierge. The concierge can subject the renter to a miserable existence if he wishes. He can keep the stairways dirty. He can send astray the renter’s groceries, coal, and other articles delivered by merchants.

This concierge is a thorn in the flesh to our canvassers; for it is against the law for anybody to enter the house without the permission of the concierge. And to our canvassers you may be sure this permission is very rarely given.

Our school opened in Paris the twenty-seventh of October. After two or three weeks of hard tramping in the city, we found a suitable and reasonably economical apartment. Knowing that the majority of our students must come from Switzerland, and that it is a journey of fifteen hours from Switzerland to Paris, we had hardly dared to hope, in view of this large expense, for more than eight or ten students. But our school opened, with sixteen. We had over thirty applications, but owing to our limited room, we could take only seventeen students, the number which we now have. And in three of our bedrooms the students are sleeping four in a room. There is not one hired person in our school. All the work is done by the students.

Most of these students have pledged to pay all their expenses, yet they hope to earn at least a part of the same, if not all, by canvassing in the city.

Our school is to continue six months, and we count it a blessing from the Lord that we were able to find in this city a proprietor who would rent us a large apartment for six months. Such apartments are usually rented upon contract for three, six, or nine years. We have also been fortunate in having a good concierge. Instead of our students being compelled to go to the public washing houses, where the law compels family washing to be done, and where it is done by a lower class of women, our concierge has kindly given us the use of her little court. Here we do our weekly washing; and, moreover, she permits us to do it on Sunday, although she is a Catholic.

Our students have come from Italy, Switzerland, France, and one from Nebraska. They are having wonderful experiences with policemen and concierges when canvassing. The Lord has blessed us, and we look forward to his continued blessings.

B. G. WILKINSON.

Week of Prayer Notes

By W. A. S.

The Cry of the Fields

If the readers of the REVIEW could go through the letters that come to the Mission Board, and see how, intermingled with business and details not intended for publication, the cries for more help come pressing in from the hearts of our workers, all would realize how anxiously the fields await the news of re-enforcements on the way.

India's Cry

Here is a paragraph from Brother J. L. Shaw’s letter, just received from Calcutta, India:—

“The work in this field is growing, and we as workers are being severely taxed to meet the demands made upon us. We have reached the point where we shall have either to narrow down our work or have more help. As workers, I believe our hearts are being drawn more and more toward the work in this field. Between three and four thousand rupees [$1,000 or $1,300] have been pledged by the workers toward a school for natives, and without pressure some have pledged all they have. For my own part, my heart is wrapped up in this field, and I feel to offer my salary for the coming year to the Mission Board, providing they will send us help to circulate our literature through this country among the English-speaking people. How I shall get on need not concern the Board. The Lord always has provided, and will continue still. We have begun a good work in the circulation of the Oriental Watchman, and I cannot bear to see this work cut down.”

Surely the help must go; and without insisting on any such sacrifice as the great need prompts our brother to suggest. Over half the world is in Asia, unwarned. Personal contact with the needy East must forever bind hearts to the work there.

Another Call From Africa

Brother Anderson, of the Matebeleland Mission, repeats his plea for Barotseland, the country beyond the Zambezi, saying in a recent letter:—

“We feel very anxious about Barotseland. The king is just back from the coronation in England, and is asking for missionaries. I longed to go to him, when I saw him in Buluwayo, and tell him that we were ready to enter his country. He wants industrial missions established. We ought to be ready to enter that field next April.”

“The Lord wants us to be the head and not the tail. We can see how matters have been held so that we might enter the field. If we enter now, we shall be the first to occupy the land. The French have been there for years, and are now in disfavor. Shall we enter now? If we are there first, we shall not have so much to meet from those who are against the truth. I was informed a few weeks ago that a prominent missionary had petitioned the government to have us banished from this country because we teach the Sabbath and other heretical doctrines that unsettle the native mind. I am glad that our work is attracting attention. We want rightly to represent the Master when the world inspects our work.”

Who can fail to see that the time to favor Zion, has come? W. A. S.

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