“God leads in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.” These words are forced from the lips of those who have watched the progress of events since the first steps were taken toward moving Battle Creek College. Where to locate was the great question. God had promised to lead. He has led in a miraculous way.
I.— FRONT VIEW OF THE COURTHOUSE BUILDING.
When the disposal of the Battle Creek plant was the all-important question, Dr. Kellogg arranged for the purchase of the buildings. He has promised the educational society its equity after the mortgage sale, the first of November. This equity will be applied on the new buildings at Berrien Springs. To escape an $80,000 debt and have about $25,000 to put into the new plant was recognized as providential leading. At first it was as if we were compelled to move forward by some unseen force, but to-day we look upon the temporary quarters, and thank God for having directed us to Berrien Springs. As work on the farm progresses, and the site for the buildings is cleared, it becomes evident to all that the choice was a wise one.
Among all the locations which were considered, in no other place could the school have rented buildings to accommodate its students until the institution could erect permanent buildings. Cut 1 gives a view of the courthouse buildings, in which the school work will be carried on. There is a chapel with a seating capacity for three hundred, and ample room for offices and class work. When the first service was held in the chapel, some one expressed the thought that these buildings must have been held in trust for just such a time as this. There was another cause for rejoicing that same evening. For weeks it has been a question what to do for a dormitory and dining-room. The village is small, and it seemed impossible to find room enough for the prospective students. It was a test of faith. Cuts 2 and 3 show the north and east sides of the hotel which has been procured for a students’ home. This building has over fifty sleeping-rooms, a large dining-hall, plenty of kitchen room, besides several public rooms. Mrs. H. P. Holser, a woman of wide experience, will act as matron and preceptress. Without doubt God has directed in this movement.
The time has fully come for a training school which will be such in the truest sense of the term. There are men and women of ability scattered all through our churches who should become missionaries. They are waiting for the opportunity to take a brief training. They can now get this training. Emmanuel Missionary College offers it.
“It should be the aim of our schools,” says the Spirit of Prophecy, “to provide the best instruction and training for Bible workers. Our Conferences should see that the schools are provided with teachers who are thorough Bible teachers, and who have a deep Christian experience. The best ministerial talent should be brought into our schools.”
This instruction has been followed. The General Conference recognized the importance of the time and the demand for laborers. As a result the school will have the assistance of Elders W. W. Prescott, A. G. Daniells, and W. A. Spicer, and we hope Elder and Mrs. Haskell. These individuals will spend some time in the school, giving regular instruction to ministers and other evangelical workers.
The Lord has done abundantly above what we could ask. The Conference has followed divine instruction in furnishing teachers. What remains to insure success? The answer is given in “An Appeal for Missions” addressed to and published by the Foreign Mission Board in 1898. Here is the instruction:—
“The churches have a part to act. They should see that those who ought to receive its benefits attend the school. They should assist worthy persons, who have not the means, to obtain an education.
“If our church-members were awake, they would multiply their resources; they would send men and women to our schools, not to go through a long course of study, but to learn quickly, and to go out into the field. . . . Let workers enter the field without going through many preliminaries.”
2.— NORTH FRONT OF HOTEL.
Aside from the attention given to the ministerial department, the entire force of the faculty will be devoted to the training of workers to enter our various institutions and to work everywhere in the cause. Students are prepared by this institution to enter the medical school or the nurses’ class. Christian business men, office help, bookkeepers, and stenographers can receive a training here. Ministers, canvassers, and teachers not only receive a training, but, when qualified, will be put to work.
It is time for individuals and for the churches to step out. The Third Angel’s Message called us out of the world to keep the Sabbath. To-day it calls us to take another step,—to grasp the principles of Christian education and become active missionaries. Let us cut loose from those things which bind us, and come at once. Let the faith which was required to move the institution out of Battle Creek now lead churches and individuals to follow the further direction of the Lord in the education of an army of workers.
As God directed in the selection of the new site; as He has provided commodious winter quarters for the school; and as a strong corps of teachers has been provided by the General Conference, the questions still to be answered are these: First, will those who should take a preparation now respond to the call? Secondly, will men of means who hear the pleadings of needy fields assist worthy persons who lack means, to prepare for this work?
The fall term opens October 30. Every student should endeavor to be present at the opening session. Write for calendar. All who are interested in the school or who desire to help in any way should correspond with
E. A. SUTHERLAND.
ARKANSAS
CATCHER.—After having spent a very short time at Rogers camp-meeting, Brother Ryles and myself came to Catcher, Ark., where we began Bible work. The Lord has given us success thus far. After two months’ Bible work, eight have accepted the truth. Last Sabbath witnessed their first Sabbath-keeping.
This coming Sabbath will witness the keeping of the Sabbath by the whole “Monarch” church (colored). This church’s history would interest all, but space will not permit us to give it. Twenty have acknowledged the Sabbath. So this coming Sabbath their church will be turned into a church of Sabbath-keepers. Much of this success can be attributed to the influence of our books that were sold here some time ago. We desire the prayers of God’s people that power be given us that we may push the work among the colored people to the front in this Conference. SIDNEY SCOTT.
ROBINSON.—I do not think the truth has ever been presented here. This is a small place with one church, a Methodist. These people have just closed a revival effort, which was declared to be a failure. The people do not seem to be satisfied, but are hungering for something better, they know not what; but I think it is the Third Angel’s Message. The ministers are disgusted and pronounce it a hard place; but a nicer class of people I never saw. They are orderly and honest. They have a good schoolhouse and school. I would like to see an effort made here, and will gladly furnish any particulars. CHAS. N. EASTMAN.
NEBRASKA CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.
By J. F. Beatty
Including Wyoming and the Black Hills of South Dakota.
THE twenty-fourth annual session of the Nebraska Conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Lincoln, Neb., Sept. 3-16, 1901. Seven meetings were held, and about eighty delegates were present from the various churches.
Two new churches were admitted to the Conference,—one, a Danish church of eighteen members, at Meadow Grove, Neb., and the other, an English church of eight members, at Columbus Creek, Wyo. This increases the list of churches to seventy-two, and the membership to about twenty-six hundred.
A committee of fifteen was chosen to appoint the usual smaller committees, whose duty it should be to prepare and bring matters of business before the Conference, first presenting them before said large committee.
The following are, in brief, some of the recommendations and plans presented before the Conference, and approved:—
That the constitution be so changed as to admit the Sabbath-school Association as a department of the Conference, also that the church-school and young people’s work be under the direction of the Conference, and that field secretaries be elected for each of these. The Sabbath-school Association in session voted to become a department of the Conference, and as the tract society was already such, all the work is now under one organization.
It was voted that we approve the steps taken in the organization of the Northwestern Union Conference, and that we pay said Conference a tithe, and also pay a second tithe to the General Conference for the support of the general work.
A large degree of enthusiasm was manifested in the recommendation to continue the ten-cent-a-week plan of offerings, nearly the whole assembly voting to carry it out the ensuing year.
Another important resolution was that relating to the canvassing work, and the distribution of our tracts and papers. The Conference voted to continue their liberal treatment toward our canvassers, and recommended that each church encourage, in every way possible, one or more of its members to engage in this work. Also that the churches continue the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and that the State Agent, assisted by the district superintendents, spend as much time as possible giving instruction in their sale and in the use of our tracts and periodicals.
The following are the officers elected for the coming year:— President, N. P. Nelson; Secretary and Treasurer, J. F. Beatty; Secretary and Treasurer of the Missionary Department, Mary F. Beatty; State Canvassing Agent, F. Jencks; Secretary and Treasurer of the Sabbath-school Department, Ida Nelson; Field Secretary of the Young People’s Work, Luther Warren; Educational Secretary, G. M. Brown; Transportation Agent, J. Sutherland. Executive Committee: N. P. Nelson, O. S. Ferren, G. M. Brown, G. A. Kirkle, J. Sutherland. Nebraska Conference Association: N. P. Nelson, T. McAlpine, J. Sutherland, D. W. Lapham, John Christensen.
Delegates to the Northwestern Union Conference: N. P. Nelson, G. M. Brown, O. S. Ferren, G. A. Kirkle, F. Jencks, J. F. Beatty, G. Mathiesen, M. W. Blue, Paul Nelson.
Credentials and licenses were granted as follows:—
Credentials: N. P. Nelson, W. B. Hill, G. H. Smith, G. M. Brown, Luther Warren, O. S. Ferren, J. H. Wheeler, Fred Anderson, R. F. Andrews, P. P. Gaede, V. Leer. Ordination and Credentials: L. E. Johnson, A. C. Anderson. Ministerial Licenses: C. R. Kite, O. A. Hall, W. H. Campbell, John Miller. Missionary Licenses: O. E. Jones, A. S. Baird, J. F. Beatty, W. J. Wilson, C. S. Anderson, C. H. Miller, Mary F. Beatty, Mrs. E. M. Peebles, Esther Smith, Pearl West, F. Jencks, Myrtle Ferren, G. A. Kirkle, J. Nethery, J. B. Mourer, Clara Beatty, George Runck, Robert Ryan, Stella B. Lowry, Ida Nelson, Ella Hedgecock, G. P. Loy, Lilia Warren. Colporteur Licenses: E. L. Cook, J. W. Beams, Franklin Hess, J. H. Johnson, W. H. White, B. M. Garton, John F. Anderson, C. S. Wilbur.
Reports from the Conference Treasurer and the Missionary Department were rendered, and were encouraging in many respects, showing a prosperous condition of affairs. Over sixteen thousand dollars’ worth of books was sold the past year, and five thousand dollars has been turned over to Union College on the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Our donations to foreign missions were more than double those of the preceding year, besides the special offerings, which were liberal. It was also a matter of much rejoicing that our Conference is now entirely free from debt.
Most of the business meetings were well attended, and a lively interest taken in the discussion of plans of work, etc. We trust the same interest and earnestness may be manifest in carrying them out, that the message may be greatly hastened.
J. F. BEATTY, Sec.
COLORED CAMP-MEETING.
The following is a reduced facsimile of a poster for a colored camp-meeting (size 22 x 14½ inches), just received from Nashville, Tenn. Of this poster, Elder J. E. White writes as follows:—
“As a matter of curiosity I send you a copy of the first poster that was ever issued by Seventh-day Adventists for a colored camp-meeting in the South. I have desired to see something of this kind for a number of years, but until this season it has been impossible. We shall not be able to have a large camp-meeting at this time, but we thought it was best to make a start. It will be held at Edgefield Junction, where we have a little church, and in the yard of the church there is a nice grove, and also at Brother Lowe’s place. So between the two we shall have room to pitch our tent. It is a little late in the season, but we shall have stoves in our tents, so I think it will be quite comfortable. We are praying that this may be a success. “J. E. WHITE.”
Leading Events of Week Oct. 13–19.
By A. J. B.
— The usual number of murders, suicides, and robberies this week.
— A San Jose, Cal., fire burned over four acres of the town the 14th inst.
— The thirty days of official mourning for President McKinley ended Friday night, October 18.
— Ten sailors deserted from the United States training-ship “Buffalo,” at Kiel, Germany, the 15th.
— A new 10,000,000-gallon reservoir at East Liverpool, Ohio, burst the 13th inst. Loss, $150,000. No lives lost.
— The ninth national convention of the Spiritualists of America is now in session in Washington, D. C.
— An appointment has been made for “an interview between Cardinal Gibbons and the President,” on the 27th of this month.
— It is reported that “Boer invaders, 500 strong, have reached Saldanha Bay, near Hopefield, after a march through Cape Colony.”
— The Philippines were swept by a typhoon the 16th inst., twenty persons perishing in Manila Bay, and many vessels being damaged.
— Great Britain and Russia have come to a complete agreement regarding the Afghan situation. So says a St. Petersburg dispatch of the 18th.
— On the 13th inst., Count de la Vaulx, with three companions, left Les Sablettes, near Toulon, France, “on a balloon voyage across the Mediterranean to Algeria.”
— The 16th inst. 120 Scots Guards accompanying a steam convoy were attacked by 200 Boers near Lefuw Kop, South Africa, the fight lasting all day Sunday. Boers were defeated, and left twenty dead on the field. Eleven British wounded.
— A Paris dispatch of the 18th inst. states that “reports have been received of a French reverse in West Africa. The natives of the ivory coast colony have revolted. The French commander, General Combes, with 1,100 men, has had several fights with the rebels. He lost 70 killed and 200 wounded.”
— A Vienna dispatch of the 16th states that in Kishinef, Bessarabia, Russia, 1,000 students “attacked and wrecked the house of the governor, the headquarters of the police, and the office of the Official Gazette.” A fight took place with the police, eleven persons being killed and thirty-six wounded.
— Wednesday, the 16th, the steamship “Nederland” arrived at Antwerp; the “Rhynland,” at Browhead; the “K. P. Wilhelm,” at Cherbourg; the “Ethiopia” and “Livonian,” at Glasgow; the “Montividean,” at London; the “Trave,” at Naples; the “Teutonic,” at New York; the “New England” and “Majestic,” at Queenstown; the “St. Paul,” at Southampton. On the same day the “Oceanic,” “St. Louis,” “Vaderland,” and “S. of Nebraska” sailed from New York, and the “Saxonia” from Queenstown.
— On the 15th inst. the physicians and surgeons who attended President McKinley (seven in number) presented to the State Medical Society, gathered in New York in semiannual session, “a lengthy report covering the medical and surgical history of the case,” signed by them all. The chief physician, Dr. Mann, stated that “there was absolutely no bacteriological infection,” and also said: “If you ask me what caused the President’s death, I could not tell you. I doubt if that will ever be discovered. Among contributory causes, however, were the President’s age, his lack of exercise, and his naturally weak heart, which made his pulse high.” According to the Buffalo court and jury, Czolgosz was the cause of his death.
— Wall Street financiers are after the Texas oil shares.
— Miss Stone is still in the hands of the Bulgarian bandits.
— President McKinley’s doctor bills amount to $50,000. Congress will probably settle the same.
— A sixteen-year-old girl of London, England, testifies that a hypnotist and her husband have had her under their control for some time.
— According to latest news, “a reign of terror exists in Rome, on account of the number of robberies.”
— The Illinois Central Railway decides to increase the wages of all its employees, from yardman to conductor.
— Two armed Italians, anarchist suspects, were arrested in the presidential palace, in Rio Janeiro, the 13th inst.
— Technology students of Boston, 600 in number, voted the 14th inst. to abolish “cane rushes.” A most sensible idea!
— General Chaffee cabled President Roosevelt the 16th inst., “advising against a reduction of the force now in the Philippines, as proposed by General Corbin.”
— Under date of the 18th, a dispatch from Rome contradicts all recent reports stating the Pope has ill health, and affirms that Leo is “in perfect health, and holds audiences regularly.”
— New Zealand declines to join the Australian commonwealth, believing that in federation she would have “little or nothing to gain, and almost everything to lose,” so long as England holds command of the sea. The countries are too far remote to be of service to each other in case of need.
— At the annual convention of the Christian Foreign Missionary societies, in session in Minneapolis, it is stated that “the diminution of contributions to the treasury is due to the influence of Mark Twain.” But suppose Mr. Clemens’s statements are true. Then what?
— On the 16th inst. the starving peasants of Samara, Russia, “stormed the municipal buildings and the residences of wealthy persons, setting some on fire. Troops were summoned, and fourteen peasants were killed.” Similar riots are also reported from Anderweska, where two landowners were murdered, and also from Pestrawka.
— A Manila dispatch dated the 18th says: “Five hundred insurgent bolomen rushed forty-six men of Company E, Ninth Infantry, at Bangajon, on the Gandara River, Island of Samar, and killed ten and wounded six. Re-enforcements arrived for the Americans, and the other men of the Ninth were rescued. Nearly 100 bolomen were killed.” Forty-five men of Company C, Ninth Infantry, were massacred on this same island the 28th ult., while eating breakfast.
— According to a dispatch from Rome, Italy, dated the 16th, Mussolino, the famous Italian bandit, has been captured. He was unjustly imprisoned two years ago, and upon escaping vowed to kill the fifteen witnesses responsible for his conviction. He succeeded in dispatching twelve of them. He was a friend of the poor, and it was owing to the sympathy of the peasantry that he always escaped capture, despite the immense reward the government offered for his capture.
— Southern newspapers denounce President Roosevelt for entertaining Booker T. Washington, the colored leader, at the White House on Wednesday, the 16th. Mr. Washington is a personal friend of the President; but no hotel in Washington would give him, or any colored man, accommodations. It will be remembered that Mr. Roosevelt, when vice-president, took Mr. Washington to his home in New York City, the hotels of that city having refused him accommodations. Speaking of the incident, the Memphis (Tenn.) Scimitar says: “The most damnable outrage which has ever been perpetrated by any citizen of the United States was committed by the President when he invited a nigger to dine with him at the White House.” The Commercial Appeal, of the same place, says: “It is now incumbent on those white Democrats of the South who had received appointments at the hands of President Roosevelt to resign their offices. They cannot afford to remain the recipients of any favor at his hands. Certainly there is no honor attached to his benevolences or bestowals.” So far as is known, Mr. Washington is “the first colored man to be honored with the privilege of dining in the White House with the President of the United States.” But Washington is dominated by Southern etiquette, and always draws the color line. A. J. B.
OHIO
By A. G. Haughey
Since camp-meeting, Brethren C. C. Webster and B. L. House have conducted a series of meetings in a tent at Middlefield, Ohio. I spent Sabbath and Sunday, October 12 and 13, with them. On Sabbath I had the privilege of organizing a company of fourteen into a church. On Sunday another sister requested membership, and went forward in baptism. Four others are keeping the Sabbath, and still others are interested.
Already a good beginning has been made toward securing funds for a house of worship.
A. G. HAUGHEY.
NORTHERN RUSSIA.
By Ludwig Richard Conradi
After good meetings held en route, at Magdeburg, Danzig, Königsberg, etc., the writer, in company with Elder J. T. Boettcher, crossed the Russian border, September 24. A general meeting for northern Russia had been appointed at Riga, September 25–29, and we were glad to find the seven churches of Petersburg, Riga, Reval, Libau, Lodz, Pullin, and Rowno, well represented.
Our work in this part of Russia is now six years old, and, although we have but few workers, there is a membership of more than two hundred, and a small beginning has been made in the larger cities. Last quarter about twenty-five were added to our membership, and the growth this quarter will probably be as large. The tithe and offerings amount to about one thousand dollars, and as six workers received permission to labor, one can readily see that as much more is needed to keep them in the field.
The Lord blessed the word spoken and the instruction given. Our brethren were encouraged, and four others united with us. Elder D. Gade was welcomed as director of the North-Russian Mission field, and three others were associated with him on the mission board. During the meeting, twenty dollars was given toward “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and all promised to help sell the book. Several young people wish to attend our school at Friedensau.
This newly organized field has a population of over thirty-five millions, who speak half a dozen different tongues. We feel indeed grateful for the Lord’s blessings upon His waiting people, and for His protecting care over us. We hope the work here may quickly develop, but in order that it may, the brethren must have financial help, especially now. Not less than sixteen Russian provinces again suffer from poor crops, and in these very provinces the most of our people live. The government must aid, and is providing public work, and yet some are already suffering from famine. Shall the Lord’s work be hindered on account of this, or will our brethren elsewhere rally to its support? Who will respond?
While Elder Boettcher has gone south to visit some of the churches on the way to the place of the other general meeting, I am visiting Petersburg and Finland. Pray for us. L. R. CONRADI.
ONTARIO
By P. M. Howe; J. F. Ballenger
PETROLIA.—Since our last report the interest has continued good, so that, at this writing, October 13, it is as great as at any time since we pitched our tent here, if not greater. Twenty-three adults are keeping the Sabbath as the result of our labors, and we are confident that several others will obey. We have tried to comply with all the conditions given by the Spirit of the Lord, and we are more than ever convinced that when these conditions are met, there will rarely be a failure. Not a word of censure, faultfinding, or complaint has been uttered by any one of our tent company during the season. Love, union, and harmony have prevailed, and never before have we realized such marked answers to prayer as during this series of meetings.
The following instance, among others, will show how the Spirit of the Lord is working on hearts: Sister Hattie Allems, our Bible worker, was giving a reading to a lady when another lady came in and railed out in the bitterest terms against Sister Allems and the people she represented. But in less than one hour’s conversation she acknowledged that the Spirit of God was present, and actually made arrangements to have the readings at her house.
The prospect is good that, with the three that were keeping the Sabbath when we came, we shall be able to bind off the work here with a strong church. A gentleman who has lived here for a number of years said to us, “You have captured some of the best people in Petrolia.” We are still holding our meetings in the tent, and with the use of a large stove we keep quite comfortable. We have secured a hall on the main street of the city, have seated it with chairs, and shall soon move into it. Let all our brethren remember the work in Ontario.
P. M. HOWE,
J. F. BALLENGER.
“I am the resurrection and the life.”—*Jesus
Obituaries
“I am the resurrection and the life.”—*Jesus
PRATT.— Died Sept. 27, 1901, at the home of her niece, Mrs. N. S. George, in Cumro, Neb., of stomach trouble, Sister Calista Pratt, aged 70 years. Sister Pratt was a faithful member of the Shelton (Neb.) church, where funeral services were conducted by the writer, September 29, a large circle of friends and acquaintances being present. GEO. M. BROWN.
MERRILL.— Died at Boulder, Colo., Aug. 29, 1901, of consumption, after a long and painful illness, Sister Edna Alice Merrell, in her thirty-eighth year. She died as she had lived—a devout Christian. Her works do follow her. Sister Merrell was an honored and faithful member of the Amboy (Minnesota) Seventh-day Adventist church. She leaves her companion, Brother N. A. Merrell, two brothers, and one sister to mourn their loss. We laid her to rest September 1, in the Pleasant View Cemetery, three miles west of Amboy. Funeral service was held in the Christian church. Words of comfort were given by the writer, from those scriptures which hopefully point us forward to the glad reunion in the first resurrection. O. O. BERNSTEIN.
HOLSER.—Elder H. P. Holser was born in New York City, Oct. 5, 1856, and fell asleep Sept. 11, 1901, in Cañon City, Colo. Our dear brother was a great sufferer during his long illness, but not a word of complaint was ever heard to pass his lips; and when we found that he must lay down the armor and rest awhile, he longed for the time to come. The last day of his life was spent in talking with his neighbors, who came to bid him good-by, about the future life, and never a greater benediction of blessing passed the lips of any man since the death of our Lord. His last act was to lay his hands on the heads of his two darling girls and bless them. Then taking his wife by the hand, he held her fast until the very last. We laid him to rest Sabbath, September 14, where the great Rockies “their vigil will keep” until the Life-giver comes. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer. G. F. WATSON.695
SCOVEL.— Died at Telluride, Colo., Jan. 9, 1901, Oliver Curtis Scovel, in the twenty-sixth year of his age. He accepted present truth and was baptized three years ago. His last Sabbath was spent at the January quarterly meeting, at which he gave an unusually clear testimony, saying it was the happiest day of his life. The next Wednesday he was instantly killed by a falling tree while getting out firewood. Funeral services were conducted by Elder B. W. Marsh. MRS. F. E. SCOVEL.
GORHAM.— Died at Spirit Lake, Iowa, Aug. 23, 1901, Wallace A. Gorham, aged 68 years. Brother Gorham was converted at the age of twenty-two, and joined the Congregational Church. He accepted the light of present truth in 1890, and was faithful to the claims of truth to the day of his death. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. B. A. Rayson (Congregationalist). THOS. H. JEYS.
WARD.—Instantly killed in Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 1, 1901, Thomas E. Ward, aged 26 years, 5 months, 5 days. The deceased was walking between two tracks, and stepping aside to avoid one train, was struck by the engine of another moving rapidly in an opposite direction. Not being on the track, his body was not mutilated by the wheels. Brother Ward was secretary of the Tennessee River Conference, and carried ministerial license. He had spent the greater part of the summer in tent work; and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He leaves a wife (a daughter of the writer), an aged mother, and three brothers to mourn their loss. C. P. BOLLMAN.
WATERS.—Fell asleep in Jesus, Sept. 10, 1901, my loving wife, Laura J. Waters, from cranial hemorrhage. Together we accepted the Third Angel’s Message under the labors of Elders J. H. Waggoner and M. E. Cornell, when the Hillsdale (Mich.) church was first organized. We moved from Gainesville, Ga., to Coalgate, I. T., last spring, to represent the truth here and be with our children. She was always a diligent worker for present truth, a careful observer of the Sabbath, and we confidently expect to meet her in that brighter and better world. THAD. WATERS.
BYERS.—Died at Mesick, Mich., Sept. 16, 1901, of bowel trouble, R. Z., son of A. M. and Stella Byers, aged 11 years, 5 months, 26 days. R. Z. was always an obedient boy, and had a deep interest in doing what a child could to help enlighten the world of the coming of the Saviour, having sold large quantities of tracts, books, and papers. He will be greatly missed, not only in the home, but also in the school and Sabbath-school where he was a very attentive pupil. He passed away with a childlike faith in Jesus. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer. O. E. DAVIS.
A Matter Which Should Have Immediate Attention.
By John Harvey Kellogg
EVERY person who recognizes and believes the truths which are held by Seventh-day Adventists, for the promotion and propagation of which all our organizations and institutions have been created, owes himself and the cause a duty, the performance of which should receive immediate attention. This duty is nothing more nor less than the consecration of himself, soul and body, to the carrying forward of this great work in the world. This work and the principles which it represents are either a tremendous delusion, or else the most solemn, the most wonderful, and most important matter the human mind is capable of comprehending, a truth and a work the value of which the world has never before known.
The light which Providence has permitted this people, to receive is incomparably greater and clearer than that which stirred the hearts of the noble army of martyrs who, during the ages, have yielded up all their worldly possessions, and even laid down their lives, for the truth. How many of the thousands who have received and profess to believe what we call present truth are really prepared to make any genuine sacrifice in its behalf? There certainly are some, many without doubt, as is evidenced by the generous support which has been accorded various institutions and denominational enterprises, and the half-million dollars which is annually raised in carrying forward the various lines of our missionary work.
But has not the time come when the first thought and the first business of every man and woman who believes this truth should be the promotion of the cause of truth in the earth? The ordinary affairs of life, common commercial business, buying and selling for gain, sowing and reaping, various vocations of life,—do not these things keep the larger share of the attention of the great majority of those who call themselves Seventh-day Adventists? Why should the work of promulgating the truth be left to the ministers and Bible workers? Why should not every man and woman who believes the truth recognize what we call the cause as his cause, and regard the work of presenting this truth to the world as his work? Why should farmers plow, sow, and reap simply to make money to buy more land to plow and sow and reap to buy more land to plow and sow and reap, and so continue to add to their earthly possessions from year to year, while multitudes about them and millions in every land are dying in ignorance and darkness?
It is right to plow and sow and reap, but the profits of the harvest which are not needed beyond one's necessities belong to God. To invest the fruit of one's labors in land or business simply for the sake of building up a business is to bury one's talents in the earth in the most literal sense.
There is great need for preachers to proclaim truth, for more Bible workers to unfold the Scriptures from house to house, for more canvassers to circulate the printed page, for more doctors and nurses to administer to the needs of sin-sick souls and bodies. There is just as great need for missionary farmers and business men who will conduct their business not for worldly gain, but to earn means with which to replenish the Lord's treasury and carry forward the noble enterprises which have been established in the interests of truth.
Many thousands of dollars are lost to the cause every year by bad investments, by failure of banks, by the neglect of those whose hearts are really in the work to make a will or otherwise to provide for the proper use of their competence after death. There is no bank in which money can be deposited so safely as in the cause of truth. There is no way in which a person can invest means on which the returns will be so great as to contribute to the advancement of the cause of truth in the world.
A wealthy capitalist of Chicago said to the writer a few days ago, “I am not going to leave any money for the heirs to squabble over, or for the State to collect an inheritance tax upon. I am going to see that all my property is distributed before I am dead.” And this gentleman is carrying out his project. He has given careful study to the subject, and has seen great results from his contributions, which have amounted to more than half a million dollars, and he has millions more to give away. He has adopted a most unique method of giving. He gives fifty thousand or one hundred thousand dollars to some worthy enterprise, with the understanding that he shall receive an annuity amounting to two per cent. He stated that he has given away nearly a million dollars in this way. This allows him an income which he can use in giving to help in various other enterprises as he may see fit.
This plan is an ideal one. There are many readers of this paper who might profit by this suggestion. Instead of waiting until you are dead to have your property invested in the cause of truth, make an investment while you are alive, reserving a stated income. This may perhaps be arranged anywhere from three to five per cent. Arrangements of this kind can safely be made with any of our institutions.
There are farmers whose property does not yield them a profit of more than three or four per cent annual interest on the money invested. In such a case, the property might be sold, and the money invested in some worthy institution yielding an annual cash income, while the farmer and his family would be entirely relieved of the burden of care and anxiety respecting probable losses, and could devote their time to missionary work. Quite a number have already adopted this plan, and there are doubtless many more who might wisely consider it; not, however, that all should sell their farms. This plan is especially adapted to those advanced in years, and who are wholly or in part incapacitated for active muscular effort.
The thought that ought to be uppermost in the mind of every person who knows the truth that this people profess is, “What can I do which will to the highest degree promote its advancement, and in what way can I so arrange my financial or other affairs as to help and encourage this noble cause to the greatest degree?”
