It is now over a year since we sent a general report of our work in these islands to the REVIEW AND HERALD. Our annual meeting was held this year in Colo, the hilly part of Viti Levu, the largest island in the group.
This location, though not so easy of access as places on the coast, afforded opportunity for a large number of our people to attend the council, and also made a pleasant change for our European workers, as the scenery is more beautiful and the climate much cooler than the coastal districts.
We were pleased to have with us Elder J. E. Fulton, president of the Australasian Union Conference, who, with his wife, was just returning from the General Conference. His report of that wonderful meeting in which we have been so interested, brought joy and courage to us all, and inspired us with a determination to be faithful until we shall all meet in that great gathering when representatives of every nation under heaven shall unite in singing the final song of victory.
A good spirit pervaded the meetings from first to last, and our native brethren freely responded to an invitation for deeper consecration in the things of God. Some arose two or three times in each meeting as the Holy Spirit revealed wrongs that should be confessed.
The reports from the workers showed that several persons have united with the churches and companies in the Colo district during the past year. At the close of the meeting, seven candidates presented themselves for baptism, five of whom received this sacred rite in the presence of a large gathering of people.
The training-school at Buresala has had a successful year, and furnished two more teachers for the field. An appeal to the brethren in council for more mature persons to fit themselves for service was responded to by several arising and expressing their intention to enter the school with this object in view.
The government has just given permission for another native worker and his wife to go to New Guinea. These will be a great help in giving the message to their benighted fellow men in that needy field. We expect that by the time this is printed these two young workers will be ready to leave for their new field of labor.
A beginning has been made among the 40,000 indentured Indians in this colony, which is a big task, as it is chiefly the illiterate class that is brought here. Sister Meyers has her hands full in teaching and visiting among them. We hope soon to have more workers to assist in this work, and also have a more suitable and permanent location.
CHURCH AT LAU, FIJI
Built by our native minister, Pauliasi Bunoa (at corner).
We are indeed grateful for what God has done for his work in Fiji, but we feel that we must have more of that power in our labors which comes alone through a baptism of the Holy Spirit. To this end let us continue to pray earnestly.
European Division Council in Budapest
By Ludwig Richard Conradi
L. R. CONRADI
THE call to attend the fall session of the General Conference Committee in Takoma Park was somewhat unexpected, but when I carefully perused the important questions that were to be considered, I felt clear in accepting the invitation. Though conditions would not permit me to remain throughout the whole council, yet the deliberations were of such a nature that I felt fully paid for the time and expense incurred in attending the meeting. When we consider the fact that the European Division already has over 32,000 members and some 650,000,000 people within its borders, it is very apparent that we must keep in constant touch with the General Conference in order not only to preserve the unity of the work, but also to reap the benefits which are derived from such important deliberations.
Reaching New York October 9, on the “Imperator,” I spoke the same night to the German church, and Sabbath afternoon to about 800 of our people in the Y. M. C. A. building in Brooklyn. In Takoma Park I enjoyed the privilege of addressing quite a large congregation of our people in their new church building, and also of speaking every day to the students of the Seminary. We were so busy until the last moment that the automobile took me down at night direct to the train, and from the train I went to the boat, which sailed within an hour.
I reached Hamburg the evening of the twenty-eighth, and had just time to pick up my documents for our own European Division Committee meeting, which began October 30, in Budapest. I met with the Danube Union Committee here also, as a number of important matters were to be considered before they had their annual meetings throughout their union. As the other brethren of the division committee were engaged in important meetings, we called in only the nearest ones. Brethren Boettcher, Schuberth, Oblaender, Schubert, Huenergardt, Dail, and Hartkop, and the writer were present, and the five days spent together were very busy ones indeed. Quite a number of important decisions were made, while some of the actions taken at the General Conference Committee Council, had to be left over till our spring meeting, when the committee would be more fully represented.
The work in the Russian Empire received our special attention. There was really only one union in the immense European Russian field, with its 150,000,000 people. It was very apparent, however, that we could not profitably continue the work longer with the one general organization. It was accordingly voted that, from Jan. 1, 1914, European Russia be divided into two unions, the East Russian Union and the West Russian Union. Western Russia, with its headquarters at Riga, would take in three conferences and three mission fields, and the East Russian Union would take in three conferences and four mission fields. The Volga and Ural fields, which had hitherto belonged to the Siberian Union Mission but were in European Russia, were joined to the East Russian Union; and the Trans-Caucasian field, which is really in Asiatic territory, was joined to the division conference missions. Elder Reinke, who is located at St. Petersburg, will take charge of the East Russian Union, and Elder Boettcher, for the present, of the West Russian Union.
As Elder G. Perk urged his return to Germany, it was decided that he be transferred to the West German Union, and that the remaining fields of the old Siberian Union Mission be placed under the direct supervision of the division.
As the work is fast developing on the Pacific coast, it was decided that the Amur and coast provinces be separated from the East Siberian Mission, as a separate organization, with Elder Goebel in charge. Several workers were transferred from the Russian field to the Siberian missions.
Another important action was the recommendation to organize Roumania as the first conference in the Balkan field. Further, Elder P. Badaut, who has thus far labored with success in the Algerian Mission, was invited to proceed to Mauritius, where we now have some Sabbath-keepers, with the understanding that after working up the interest there, he proceed to Madagascar, and make that his field of labor. Elder Kotz was put in full charge of the Pare Mission field, German East Africa.
The appropriations for 1914 were carefully considered, and the following list of estimates will give an idea of the European Division field, its needs and its supplies:—
Latin Union ....................$ 15,700
Danube Union .................. 13,150
Siberian, Amur, Turkestan, and
Trans-Caucasian Missions... 6,800
Russian Unions ................. 5,500
Levant Union Mission .......... 9,000
Persian Mission ............... 1,250
Syrian Mission ................ 3,000
Egyptian Mission .............. 3,000
North African Mission ......... 2,000
Abyssinian Mission ............. 2,200
British East African Mission.. 12,500
Victoria Nyanza Mission........ 16,000
Pare Mission .................. 5,000
Canary Islands Mission......... 1,000
West African Mission........... 11,000
Miscellaneous ................. 700
European Division Conference.. 9,200
Madagascar Mission ........... 1,500
Emergencies ................... 10,500
Total .........................$129,000
Our income for 1914 is estimated as follows:— Mission offerings and gifts....$ 81,000
Surplus tithes of unions ...... 8,000
Surplus of Sustentation Fund... 17,000
First and second tithe of Ger-
man unions .................... 23,000
Total .........................$129,000
It will be noticed that the Danube Union, taking in Hungary and some of the Balkan fields, comes in with quite a heavy appropriation for the first time. But up to this time, the East and West German Unions had spent their second tithe in these fields, while now, from Jan. 1, 1914, the East German, West German, and Central European Unions will pay their second tithe, amounting to about $20,000, to the European Division, which amount will more than balance the above appropriation.
Elders Boettcher and Dail are attending the five general meetings in the Danube Union this fall. Then Elder Boettcher will return to Russia and assist there in general meetings. I intend to leave November 9 for Freetown, Sierra Leone, and on my way visit our workers in the Canary Islands. If all goes well, I expect to return by January 1, and immediately enter into a series of conference and union committee meetings, lasting till the end of April.
We are grateful indeed that as far as we can see from our reports, our net increase during the three quarters of 1913 will come up to about 2,700 members, while our gross additions will be about 4,000. Our income is also increasing relatively, but the preparations for war and the uncertain conditions in the Balkan States have seriously affected the financial conditions of Europe. But as we see God's cause enlarging and extending and prospering in spite of the many difficulties, we feel indeed grateful to our blessed Lord, who directs this cause. To him be all the honor and praise.
Another Baptism at Cosmopolis, Brazil
By F. W. Spies
F. W. SPIES
Invited by Brother J. H. Boehm to be present at the second baptismal service at Cosmopolis, I went there October 10, and after several interesting meetings, on Sunday afternoon Brother Boehm buried four more persons with their Lord in baptism.
The history of the work at Cosmopolis again reveals how wonderfully God cares for his jewels, even though they may for a time be apparently hidden away among a great amount of rubbish.
About four years ago a Bible colporteur went through the colony of Cosmopolis, selling Bibles. A Catholic family, among others, purchased one of them. As they began to read this volume, which to them hitherto had been an unknown book, their hearts were rejoiced beyond measure to have obtained a copy of God's Word, and the Bible soon became more precious to them than anything else in the world, and they read and studied it untiringly.13
After studying the Bible for a time, they came into contact with different Protestant people who professed to follow the teachings of the Book, and who urged them to unite with them. But as they tested the lives and the teachings of these different church people by the Book, they felt that these could not be the people whom the Book described as God's people. And they continued praying to the Lord that he might send them the people who really and wholly obeyed his Word. Meanwhile, in their study they also noticed that the Bible commands that the seventh day be kept holy, and not the first.
In this way four years passed by, when one day one of our canvassers called at that home. The husband was away at the time, but the wife felt so drawn to the canvasser as he talked about his books and the truth they contained that she urged him to wait until her husband came home. This, however, the canvasser felt he could not do, and so went on. But as he continued his work, the conviction fastened upon him more and more that he must return to that family, and he did so, and until midnight studied with them from the Bible the subject of the coming of the Lord. But he did not say anything about the Sabbath. After having left them the second time, the conviction began to grow upon him that he must again return and tell them of the Sabbath. This time he studied the Sabbath question with them, and they were rejoiced to find a people who so thoroughly believe in and follow the Bible, and they asked that a minister be sent them who could more fully instruct them in the truth of God's Word.
Brother Boehm and his wife had at this time just arrived in Brazil, and as he had command of the German language, he was invited to go to Cosmopolis and labor among these people. He went, and was gladly received, and since his stay there eight persons have been baptized, and the prospect is that in the very near future others will follow their example. Still others are interested, and give hope of coming out fully on the Lord's side.
These experiences show that the Lord is watching, and knows his own no matter where they may be living, and that he is preparing them for the day of Jesus' coming. May we ever be in a position where, like Philip of old, he can use us to give the needed assistance to those whom the Holy Spirit is leading toward the full light, and thus hasten the coming of the great day.
The Noon-Hour Prayer
“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and he shall hear my voice.” “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends.”
THE words of the following poem bring to God’s children encouragement to continue constant in prayer:—
“Thou hast prayed for me, I know it.
I have felt the cooling stream
From before the throne of mercy
Where the living waters gleam;
I have heard the voice of angels,
Whispering softly in the night:
‘God will keep thee, weary pilgrim;
He will guide thy steps aright.’”
“Surely prayer and supplication
Have ascended to the throne;
There my every want and weakness,
By a faithful servant shown,
Has been laid before the Master,
And his gentle mercy sought;
Peace and mercy have descended
By his rich atonement bought.
“O, my friend, continue praying,
Bind me to the throne of grace!
There my weak and weary spirit
Finds a welcome resting-place;
Pray that he may send his angels
Round about the way to camp;
Let the beacon of his mercy
Be my only guiding lamp.
“Much a righteous man availeth
When below the mercy-seat
He has bowed in humble reverence
For some other to entreat;
So if blessings wait upon me,
Comforts heal my every care,
I shall know thy soul is waiting
In a sacred hour of prayer.”
Requests for Prayer
308. An anxious mother in Oregon asks prayer for the healing of her only daughter, who, through an accident, was left weak-minded and unable to speak.
309. From Oregon also comes the request of a sister that we pray for her restoration to health.
310. A sister in California desires prayer for the healing of body and mind.
311. Writing from Ohio, a mother requests our united prayers for the healing of her two daughters.
312. A sister in Washington asks prayer for her sister in England, who has been ill for over twenty years.
313. An anxious and afflicted sister writes from Michigan: “I am sending in a request for prayer that the Lord will save my children, and that he will heal me. I have cataracts on my eyes.”
314. Another sister, also from Michigan, who was obliged to give up the Bible work fifteen years ago because of a nervous breakdown, begs our prayers that she may be completely healed.
315. From the same State (Michigan) another sister asks prayer for healing, and also desires that we remember a friend who is very ill.
316. “Please pray that my hearing may be restored if it is the Lord’s will,” is the request of an Indiana sister.
Importance of the Comma
By Forbes Phillips
EARLY in the world's history, philosophers urged upon their generation the necessity of considering small things. The comma is about the smallest thing in practical life, but it is far from being the least important. In a domestic difficulty, where a husband and wife quarreled and sought separation, a legal gentleman was kind enough to try to patch up a peace. He recommended overtures from the husband, and suggested that he write to his spouse the simple and touching message: “May Heaven cherish and keep you, from your affectionate husband John.” This John duly despatched on a picture post-card, but he omitted the comma, and the message ran: “May Heaven cherish and keep you from your affectionate husband John.”
The misplacing of a comma involved two big commercial houses in a lawsuit. A memorandum was sent: “Can let you have the hundred pieces at sixteen and nine, thousand more at same rate.” When the message arrived, it read: “Can let you have the hundred pieces at sixteen, and nine thousand more at same rate.” A careless clerk had transposed a comma, unconscious of the part it was destined to play.
Clerics are fond of quoting the aphorism, “For one point Raynhard lost his only priory.” According to the story, in pre-Reformation days a good and holy prior, Clement, ruled over his religious house with great wisdom and liberality. Over the entrance to the priory he caused to be written:—
“Be open evermore, O thou my door,
To none be shut, to honest or to poor.”
This free invitation was generously interpreted by the mendicants, and people came from far and wide to honor it.
When the good Clement died, a very different man was appointed as his successor, a priest by the name of Raynhard, who was as niggardly as his predecessor had been lavish. The sign over the entrance of the priory did not interpret his sentiments or his outlook on life. His meanness could not tolerate it, nor would it permit him to go to the expense of a fresh motto. He simply changed the meaning by altering the position of a comma, which made the couplet read:—14“Be open evermore, O thou my door,
To none, be shut to honest or to poor.”
At a dinner in New York a well-known man gave the toast, “Woman—without her, man is a brute.” A paper reported Mr. — as saying, “Woman without her man is a brute.”
Most people have heard of the message, “Don’t come too late,” which by the insertion of a comma, became, “Don’t come, too late.” Then there was the barber who advertised on his signboard:—
“What do you think
I’ll shave you for nothing
And give you a drink.”
Of course, there was a rush of customers at once; but the barber’s rendering was:—
“What! Do you think
I’ll shave you for nothing
And give you a drink?”
Care has to be exercised in noticing the comma when reading. There is the case of the curate who had to give out the notice, “A sailor, going to sea, his wife desires the prayers of the congregation.” But when the nervous curate gave out the notice, the congregation was startled by being informed that “a sailor going to see his wife, desires the prayers of the congregation.”—Forbes Phillips, in Answers.
Character and Endurance
By Wm. Jennings Bryan
CHARACTER is the power of endurance among men. I have seen men start out with brilliant prospects, and fall; and I have never yet known a real failure in politics which was not traceable to a breakdown in the morals of the man. Not, I mean, in his habits necessarily, for that is not the only indication of morals; but in his conception of life, in the fundamentals which control him.—Wm. Jennings Bryan.
What Is Your Response?
By M. C. Wilcox
M. C. WILCOX
“God gave his only begotten Son; his Son gave himself.”
God gave his Son, because for thee, O soul, he bore
Such love as heaven could not hold and God endure;
And therefore at eternal cost he oped the door,
And gave his Son, his only Son, earth’s ills to cure.
God gave, God gave the wondrous price for me and thee,
The lonely life, the death of shame, the thorn-crowned brow,—
Amazing love, deeper than the unmeasured sea,—
God gave his Son, his Son himself; what givest thou?
The Christ of God loved man, and therefore gave himself
For us, that us he might redeem from sin and wrong;
He bought us with a price above all worldly pelf,
He fought our fight for us, and conquered e’en the strong,
And spoiled the strong one’s house, victor o’er all his foes.
On high he sits, King-Priest, and waits thee to endow
With greater power, far richer gifts—for that he died and rose—
God gave his Son, his Son himself; what givest thou?
Mountain View, Cal.
The Arizona Conference
By J. J. Ireland
The twelfth annual session of the Arizona Conference was held in Phoenix, the capital city, in connection with the annual camp-meeting, October 30 to November 9. On this camp-ground, which was located in the residence portion of the city near the headquarters of the conference, there were pitched twelve family tents, and one 35 x 70-ft. assembly tent in which the meetings were held. The intermediate school building, which was in the adjoining block, was used for the children's, young people's, and Spanish meetings.
The Phoenix church is the largest one in the conference, and represents about two thirds of the entire conference membership. The attendance of our people at the Sabbath meetings was two hundred, while during the week it was from one hundred and twenty-five to one hundred and fifty.
In addition to the laborers from the local field, Elders E. E. Andross, E. W. Farnsworth, and A. S. Booth were present from the union conference and carried the burden of the preaching services. Brother J. R. Ferren, the missionary secretary of the union conference, had charge of the publicity work, and also labored to build up the interest in home missionary endeavor.
The sales of books, tracts, and periodicals at this meeting amounted to $193.15, and of this sum $97.50 represented the cost of the tracts purchased to be used in public and private work.
In the conference there was an encouraging growth the past year, over seventy persons having been baptized, and it was reported that about fifty others had accepted the truth. Of these some were awaiting baptism.
The tithes for the year amounted to $5,095.53, or an increase over the previous year of $769.55. The offerings for missions for the year amounted to $2,050.85, or a gain of $490.20 over last year. On the camp-ground the contributions for missions amounted to $124.58.
In Phoenix the conference is conducting an excellent intermediate school, which has a present enrolment of sixty students. A new school building 24 x 64 feet was erected the past summer to meet the demands of the growing attendance. For the furtherance of this work $337.50 was raised on the camp-ground. The further interest of the brethren in educational work was also shown by the pledging of $276 toward the improvement fund of the Pacific Union College to assist this institution in building up its work.
In the services for consecration there was manifested the same deep determination to know what the Lord would have us do at this time to advance his work that has been seen at all the general meetings held in this union conference this year. In every instance the Lord has blessed such surrenders for service with a large measure of his Holy Spirit.
The canvassers who have been in the field with the general agent have met with excellent success in placing our literature in the hands of the people. This is true especially with the Spanish publications. In some towns more literature was sold to the Mexican people than to those who speak English; and where these books were delivered, they were highly prized.
Elder G. W. Reaser was reelected unanimously to the position of president of the conference. In this work of carrying the gospel message to answer the calls that are coming in from many parts of the conference, he will be assisted by Elders W. L. Sims, I. P. Dillon, and Marcial Serna; and also by Brother Martin Hollister, who was ordained to the gospel ministry and given ministerial credentials at this meeting.
In order that the president of the conference may have more time for aggressive field work, the union conference treasurer was asked to conduct the local conference and tract society business from the union conference office.
Following the camp-meeting a special series of gospel meetings began in15Phoenix in a centrally located hall, under the leadership of Elder A. S. Booth, of the Southern California Conference. It is expected that there will be a large ingathering from this effort. Elders Sims and Dillon will continue their meetings in the upper Gila Valley in eastern Arizona, where there is an excellent interest to hear the truth.
The past year has been an excellent one for the cause in Arizona, and we expect it is only the beginning of the accomplishment of a great work for this field. J. J. IRELAND,
Milk in Blocks
WE are told that in winter-time in Siberia milk goes to the buyer in a block instead of a quart. The people buy their milk frozen, and for convenience it is allowed to freeze about a stick, which serves as a handle by which to carry it. The milkman leaves one block or two blocks, as the case may be, at the houses of his customers.
The little children of Irkutsk, instead of asking their mothers for a drink of milk, ask for a bite of milk.
In winter the people do not say, “Be careful not to spill the milk,” but, “Be careful not to break the milk.” Broken milk is better than spilled milk, though, because there is opportunity to save the pieces.—The Comrade.
Little Wayside Kindnesses
“I SOMETIMES think we are in danger of being too busy to be really useful,” said an old lady thoughtfully. “We hear so much about making every minute count, and always having some work or course of study for spare hours; and having our activities all systematized, that there is no place left for small wayside kindnesses. We go to see the sick neighbor, and relieve the poor neighbor, but for the common, every-day neighbor, who has not fallen by the way, so far as we can see, we haven’t a minute to spare. But everybody who needs a cup of cold water isn’t calling the fact out to the world, and there are a great many little pauses by the way which are no waste of time.”
A Grateful Heart
“THOU that hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more—a grateful heart.”
Among the Churches of California
By A. E. Place
RECENTLY, at the request of our conference committee, I visited our churches at Alameda, Haywards, Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, and Morgan Hill. It was a pleasure to meet the brethren in these churches.
Some seem to see a great difference between the East and the West. Nearly all of my work in the message has been done in the East, from Maine to the Virginias; but the last three years have been spent in California, and as I look over the ground, human nature seems to be very much the same. Certainly the message we have to give to the world is the same the world over. It does the same work upon Americans, Japanese, Portuguese, and the rest. As far as the responses to the truth we have loved so long—the look of the eye, the shake of the hand, the “God bless you,” etc.—are concerned, I can scarcely realize that a continent separates between me and the churches of New York or New England.
Faith in the threefold message and in its glorious triumph in “yet a little while,” a willingness and desire to take hold of the Ingathering campaign, or, in a word, to do duty in God’s order and by under his Spirit, seem to be the good things I have met with in these churches. It has been a blessing to me to study with them the truths we have so long loved, and it is a pleasure once more to send a report to ‘the good old REVIEW.’
Through tent efforts and the camp-meeting this season a good work has been done here at San Jose. Between sixty and seventy have accepted the faith, and others are in the valley of decision.
Whatever men may say or men may do, in spite of all the unpleasant and trying conditions existing among us, one thing is certain,—the Seventh-day Adventist people are carrying to the world a unifying message, which is preparing a people to stand without ‘spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing,’ at the appearing of the Lord himself. What an opportunity is held before every soul today!
A. E. PLACE.
A Personal Experience
By Daniel H. Kress
RECENTLY at the close of a meeting a friend came to me and said, “Dr. Kress, I have heard that you have got straightened out. Come up and see us and help straighten us out.” I do not know when I shall be able to visit this friend; and as others may have heard the same report, it occurred to me that what I should say to one I might as well say to all.
Yes, God has straightened me out. For several years I have been groping my way along as best I could, trying to do my best, but not feeling that joy in service that I once possessed. At times I almost despaired of my future. I passed through periods of depression, but continued to work, concealing my feelings as best I could. Three years ago at a thanksgiving meeting held at Washington, Elder Irwin arose and said, “Well, I thank God I am alive.” Truthfully I could not even say that much. This Thanksgiving day I am thankful that I can say it. Never in all my Christian experience has my heart been so filled with gratitude to my Redeemer as now. All I can say is God has been good to me. He led me by ways I knew not, and I found fault with his kind providences. “I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. . . . Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
There are reasons why God has permitted me to pass through these experiences. He did not afflict willingly. What he did was for my sake, and for the sake of this precious cause. I thank him now for these experiences, and believe that he can make my latter end a greater blessing than my beginning, and that these light afflictions may work for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
I have learned some valuable lessons: one of them is that God has his hand upon the lever of circumstance, and works everything after the counsel of his own will; that he reigns not merely in heaven, but among the inhabitants of this earth. He protects his cause. When men become inflated, he, in mercy, may suffer them to continue for a time; but sooner or later, through some means they will be separated from his work. He will not even then forsake them, but to protect his name he separates them from having a part in his organized work. I was one of these men, and for the benefit of those who have sympathized with me and thought possibly I was not fairly dealt with, I wish to say, God’s hand was in it all; he has dealt justly and in mercy with me. There never was a time in my experience when I felt the love I now feel in my heart for him and every one else. There never was a time when I loved this truth so well. I somehow feel that the time is short, much shorter than possibly many of us believe, and that God is pouring out his Spirit to prepare a people to pass through the trying times which are before them, and that he is placing in their hearts his love, that they may be able to reveal it to those with whom they associate.
I have no fault to find with any human being. No one can harm the one who is a follower of that which is good. If during the three or four years that I have been in this confused condition I have placed obstacles in the way of any of my acquaintances, I wish to do all in my power from henceforth to remove them. I shall trust God to restore to me the years which the canker-worms have destroyed.
I trust this experience may make me more compassionate and a greater help to those who may be passing through a similar experience. Let us not think it strange concerning the fiery trials which are to try us, as though some strange thing happened unto us, for after we have been tried we shall come forth as gold.
D. H. KRESS.
Singapore
By R. P. Montgomery
We are glad to report progress in the work at this place. For about one year we have had a lively interest among the Chinese. Prior to this time it seemed as if nothing could be done for these people in this English colony. But we can certainly praise the Lord for what he is doing for us. The Spirit of the Lord has been at work, and after several years of sowing the seed, we are beginning to reap. Recently eight Chinese were baptized, all of whom are faithful. The attendance at our Sabbath-school and Chinese meetings is good. Through the faithful and patient efforts of our Chinese workers, Brother Chan and his daughter, Chan Teck Sung, these people have had line upon line and precept upon precept taught them. Many of them have been keeping the Sabbath for months.
After our return from the council held in Java, Elder F. A. Detamore gave these Chinese some special Bible studies preparatory to baptism, and it was our blessed privilege to see fifteen of them follow their Lord in baptism.
At the next prayer-meeting it would have done your hearts good could you have listened as they testified to the goodness of the Lord in leading them into the light of present truth. This makes a good addition to our number in Singapore. When you pray, remember Malaysia. R. P. MONTGOMERY.
GUSTAVUS P. RODGERS
By Gustavus P. Rodgers
Maryland
BALTIMORE.—It has been six months since we reported the work among the ninety thousand colored people of this great city. Our silence was not because we had nothing to report, but because of the pressure of work. We are of good courage in the Lord, and see evidences of a rich harvest in the near future. Being still the only worker in the city, I am taxed to the utmost endeavoring to keep all engagements and answer calls to enter the unworked districts.
Our church building has proved a great help in our efforts to win our way to the people. The church is packed at our Sunday night services, and these meetings seem to be enjoyed by all. Just before leaving for the West, Elder L. C. Sheafe preached for us. Elder J. M. Campbell occupied the pulpit November 30.
Our Missionary Volunteer Society is doing good work. The programs are so arranged that our young people will quickly develop into workers for God.
We are planning to hold a general meeting for five days beginning Jan. 7, 1914, and hope that many of our brethren and sisters from this and neighboring conferences will be able to attend. All who plan to come should notify the writer at 1901 Druid Hill Ave., Baltimore, Md. Letters and printed programs will be mailed to our churches soon.
We earnestly solicit the prayers of the readers of this paper for our success. Our aim is to bring souls to Christ. Our membership is steadily increasing, and in the near future twelve new believers will join us who are already keeping the Sabbath. We are of good courage and see victory ahead.
