THE New York Legislature has certainly contributed its share of interest in the Sunday-enforcement movement during the past winter. There have been introduced in the legislature no less than twenty-five bills pertaining to the Sunday question in one form or another. The bills have been of such a nature that the committee to which they have been referred has segregated them, giving hearings on different bills on different occasions. On Wednesday, March 24, four bills known as the “Jew bills,” came up for hearing. These bills were introduced by three Hebrews, and one representative from New York City, in the interest of the Jews. There is very little difference in the reading of the bills. We here give one, that the reader may see the import of all:—
“An ACT
“To amend the penal law, in relation to permitting labor and secular business on the first day of the week by certain persons.16
“The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:—
SECTION 1.—Section 2144 of chapter — of the laws of 1909, entitled ‘An act providing for the punishment of crime, constituting chapter 40 of the consolidated laws,’ is hereby amended to read as follows:—
“SEC. 2144—Persons observing another day as a sabbath.—[It is a sufficient defense to a prosecution for work or labor on the first day of the week that the defendant uniformly keeps another day of the week as holy time, and does not labor on that day, and that the labor complained of was done in such manner as not to interrupt or disturb other persons in observing the first day of the week as holy time.] No person who conscientiously believes that the seventh day of the week ought to be observed as the Sabbath, and actually refrains from secular business and labor on that day, or who conscientiously believes that the Sabbath begins at sundown on Friday night and ends at sundown on Saturday night, and actually refrains from secular business and labor during said period, and who has filed written notice of such belief with the clerk of the county in which such person resides, shall be liable to prosecution for performing secular business and labor on Sunday, provided he disturbs no other person who is attending public worship.
“SEC. 2.—This act shall take effect Sept. 1, 1909.
“EXPLANATION.— Matter in italics is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted.”
It will be readily seen that the Jews were desirous of receiving some peculiar favors, and so asked for this exemption clause. We, of course, could not speak in favor of the bill, since we do not consider the state has any right to grant exemptions, from the fact that every person has a right to worship God as he chooses, providing he infringes upon no rights of his fellows. The Jewish rabbi and several other Jews desired very much that we stand with them, and speak in favor of the measure. We told them we could not do so, because we believed that we must stand for principle.
Elder A. J. Clark, who has been watching matters in the legislature the past winter in the interest of the New York conferences, had been promised a hearing against the bills, and it was not expected that any of the Sunday forces would appear against them. To our surprise, however, we learned that a large number had appeared to speak against the measures. The politico-religionists said that Seventh-day Adventists should not have a minute of their time in opposing the bill, and we felt indeed thankful that we were not to be classed with them. Neither could we speak in favor of the bills. We had to stand alone. But how could we get a hearing, since we desired so much to speak on the principles of religious liberty? The Lord certainly opened the way.
When the hearing opened, the chairman said that the opposers of the bill should have forty-five minutes, those who favored the bill should have the same length of time; then, he said, there would be given time to the Seventh-day Adventists. We surely felt that the Lord gave us the victory.
The first speaker to oppose the bills was a Roman Catholic lawyer, a Mr. Malone, of New York. He said he appeared in behalf of the Federation of Churches of New York, representing three hundred ten Protestant churches, and thirty-two denominations. He further said he represented Archbishop Farley, Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York, eight hundred Catholic priests, and all the Roman Catholics of the New York diocese. In other words, he said he had come before the committee to represent all the forces of Sunday observance to protest against the measures.
He started out by reading an article from the Cyclopædia, article Sunday, as to the meaning and purposes of Sunday. This was his religious, civil, and political reason, and upon this definition of Sunday he spoke to the committee for nearly half an hour. He told how they kept another day for the Sabbath than did the seventh-day observers. The majority, he said, had recognized this first day, and so it was necessary for all to keep it. He said that he had also come from patriotic motives, since he thought it was better to tell the Jews and seventh-day observers what might happen if they sought to break down the American institution of Sunday; whereas, if they showed their loyalty and patriotism by observing this American institution, they would all be happy and peaceful.
He sounded the note of warning and danger by telling the Jews and seventh-day observers that if they insisted in destroying the one holy day and holiday of America, it would create a great deal of prejudice against them, and it would very much hurt their standing. He said the American people could not afford to allow the American sabbath to be secularized, and this would be done if this exemption were granted them.
It was evident to all what the drift of his speech meant, and it was a sign to seventh-day observers of what will happen when these Sunday forces come into power. It was clear to us who understand the signs of the times, that the forces are uniting, and all are standing on one common ground, and that they purpose to see to it that all who do not come into line may expect something to happen.
The next speaker was a lawyer from New York, by the name of General Perrine. He said that to allow this bill to pass was to sound the death knell of liberty in America. It would destroy all respect for religion, religious rights, and especially would it have a tendency to ruin all respect for the American Sunday. By some sort of process of reasoning he adduced proof that there were over fifty-three millions of people in this country who respected Sunday as a religious institution, whereas there were but one hundred seventy-seven thousand Jews who kept Saturday, there being, he claimed, thousands of Jews who did not observe their own sabbath. So he thought that it would hardly be fair to have all those millions yield to so small a minority.
He made a tirade on the Jews and seventh-day observers, and finally said that he should hate to see a boycott in America, or perhaps a Kishnieff. His remarks were certainly rabid, and made plain what might happen, and also what the Sunday workers were thinking about.
There were representatives from the various butchers’ associations, meat-cutters’ associations, and labor organizations, all pleading that it would be unfair to the working men if the Jews had the privilege of getting work and doing business on a day on which the rest had to cease from labor. It would, they said, do one of two things, either compel the majority to work on Sunday or else give the seventh-day observers an unfair advantage. Of course nothing was said about those who keep the seventh day losing a day. That counted for nothing. In it all there was manifested that spirit of selfishness characteristic of those who want it all, or else they do not propose to see others get anything.
A letter was read from Dr. Wm. Huntington, of New York, objecting to the Jews coming to this country and tearing down our institutions, finding fault with the Bible being read in our schools, and demanding privileges which would destroy respect for the liberties of the American people; also one from Bishop Greer, who hoped that nothing would be done to lessen the sacredness of the Sunday institution.
Instead of the hearing of the opposition lasting only forty-five minutes, it lasted over an hour and a half. All through the speeches one thing was very discernible, and that was the spirit of opposition to seventh-day observers, and the ignoring of the rights of those who do not come into harmony with the popular idea of “Americanism” and “American institutions” as interpreted by them.
As we listened to these men bitterly opposing all those who differed with them, and throwing out their hints and suggestions as to what might happen if the prejudices of the American people were aroused by the conduct of seventh-day observers should they persist in keeping the seventh day and working on the first day, we were reminded of what the Word of God has declared would be decreed against those who refuse to worship the image and the beast and receive his mark, and what the spirit of prophecy has likewise said concerning the people who would be loyal to the truth of God.
F. C. GILBERT.
(To be concluded)
South Africa
By Eliza Pritchard
BLOEMFONTEIN, O. R. C.—The accompanying picture shows our missionaries as they start out from our office when selling and distributing our literature.
Our work in this capital has stirred up much opposition for the last eight years. Several times people were warned against us and our books. These efforts have led some to investigate our teachings, and consequently many who have gone to other countries, have taken the truth with them. Many hundreds of books have been sold in this city and its suburbs, and in the villages in the country round about here, and many thousands of tracts have been given away. The prejudice is very great, but we are of good courage, for we believe that even the wrath of man will praise God, and the remainder of wrath the Lord will restrain. Ps. 76:10.
It was at the beginning of the cruel war between Boer and Briton, that Sister Wocke found the truth, and great blessings have been experienced by this little company and others. Since then my brother, my little sister, and myself were taken to Union College in Cape Town by her, and there I found the truth; and my desire is to do all I can to make it known to others.
Sabbath forenoon we meet at Sister Wocke's house, where our office is, and in the afternoon we meet with the native people, of whom there is a goodly company in the church in the Location. We have good times. Seventeen or eighteen natives are preparing for baptism.
On Sundays Sister Firks (the woman in the cart in the picture) has studies with the native people. On Tuesdays Sister Wocke has studies with the native people on St. George's Street. The woman with the bicycle is Sister Purchase, who also assists in the Dutch work. The woman next to Sister Firks's cart is Sister Wessels, who is now preparing to be a teacher; next to her is Sister Wocke's husband and two children, and myself, standing next to the mule cart.
Elder J. M. Freeman, in spite of the prejudice, labored faithfully here, and God has given his blessing, especially on the native work. We ask an interest in your prayers for this hard field.
ELIZA PRITCHARD.
New Hampshire
By A. E. SANDERSON
KEENE.—In the year 1903 a church of twelve members was organized as a result of the labors of Sister E. M. Wilbur. Since that time the membership has increased to forty-one. Tent efforts in 1907 and 1908 were blessed with precious souls accepting the truth.
A church-and-school building has been erected and was dedicated, free from debt, Jan. 17, 1909. The property is valued at three thousand dollars, and is deeded to the Central New England Conference.
Elder F. W. Stray is conducting meetings in the church, with excellent interest and attendance. Sister E. L. Chamberlain is teaching a prosperous church-school. An excellent spirit of unity and brotherly love exists, and all feel to praise God for his rich blessings.
A. E. SANDERSON.
A Victory in Maine
By W. A. C.
WRITING under date of April 4, Brother W. O. Howe, our religious liberty secretary for Maine, informs us that the Sunday bill introduced in the Maine Legislature during its present session, was defeated in the Senate by a vote of fourteen to thirteen. He attributes the result to the watering of the “good seed that was sown before the committee” at the hearing, which took place a few weeks ago, and was reported in the REVIEW of February 25.
The defeat of such measures having been so general throughout the country this winter, Congress included, and our people having taken so leading a part in opposing them, and contributed so much, doubtless, to their defeat, we can expect nothing else than that, in the near future, we shall have to meet a more determined opposition than we have yet experienced. W. A. C.
Baptisms in Mexico and California
A REPORT from Mexico states that on March 27 five young people were baptized, and added to the church at Mexico City.
ON Sabbath, March 20, seventeen persons were baptized at Lodi, Cal., of whom all but two were members of the Western Normal Institute. Three were rebaptisms.
Well Pleased With It
By W. A. C.
A LAWYER from a Western State, who is also a member of the State legislature, writes as follows: “I desire to subscribe for your Liberty magazine of religious freedom. I have No. 1, Vol. 4, First Quarter, 1909. Somebody sent me that number. I am so well pleased with it that I want more. I should like to know to whom and how much I must send to become a regular subscriber.”
This gentleman doubtless received the magazine through one of the lists regularly supplied by our conferences to the members of the State legislatures. This case is good proof that the sowing of seed in this way is not altogether without fruit. W. A. C.
Christian Liberty
Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the
Current History of the Rights of Conscience
Conducted by the Religious Liberty Bureau
K. C. RUSSELL Chairman
W. A. COLCORD Secretary
Thankful for Victories Won
A MINISTER from the South writes as follows: “I think our people everywhere have had, during the past year, a most positive reason to be thankful for the organization of the Religious Liberty Department of the General Conference. Decided and very signal victories have surely been won by it. The reports seen in the REVIEW are very commendatory to the Bureau, and also most gratifying to our people generally. I shall add my feeble prayers to the many others that ascend in behalf of the enlarged success of your work.”
The Influence of Kindness
By W. J. Bryan
THE astronomer can tell us how far it is from each star to the earth, but no human being can calculate the effect of a kind word or a kind deed. The monuments of granite and of bronze will crumble into dust, but there is a monument which endures; it is the lasting influence which heart exerts upon heart.— W. J. Bryan.
A Series of Missionary Volunteer Meetings
By M. E. K.
The Missionary Volunteer Department, as such, is nearly two years old. In every conference and in most of the union conferences in the United States, some one has been appointed to lead out in this work. That these workers in the various union conferences might have the privilege of counseling together, and for the general upbuilding of the work, a series of secretaries’ councils and Missionary Volunteer conventions has been held.
Atlantic Union Conference
During the last days of the old year, the Missionary Volunteer secretaries of the Atlantic Union Conference met at South Lancaster, Mass. Besides the secretaries, Elder E. W. Farnsworth, president of the union conference, Elder C. H. Edwards, president of the Southern New England Conference, Elder O. Montgomery, president of the Vermont Conference, and Mrs. Montgomery, were present. The students and teachers of the Academy, manifested a deep interest in the meetings also. The Atlantic Union Conference has made decided advancement in the work for the young people, and the workers went out from this meeting with renewed courage. Returning by way of New York, I was privileged to meet with the workers of the Greater New York Conference in council and also with the young people on Sabbath afternoon, in a union meeting.
Lake Union Conference
I left Washington, January 11, for the Lake Union Conference council at Berrien Springs, stopping at Mount Vernon College, Ohio, a few hours on the way. All the conferences of the Lake Union Conference except Wisconsin were represented. Perhaps no union conference has so many young people as this one, and the workers are very earnestly seeking to know how to lead this host of young people to enlist in the war. The teachers in the college are deeply interested in the Missionary Volunteer work, and we expect to see many young people trained in this school for this branch of the work.
Central and Northern Union Conferences
At College View, Neb., all the Missionary Volunteer secretaries of the Central Union Conference, and all but one from the Northern Union Conference, met in council. It being the time of the college board meeting, we had the benefit of the counsel of several of the conference presidents also. The program had been well prepared, and the meetings were all well attended. Here, too, there are young people looking to the Missionary Volunteer work as the field of their future endeavor. A Young People’s Band in the college is making a special study through the year of this branch of the Lord’s work. To help our young people where they are in the field, and to be a leader in their activities, is surely the highest kind of missionary work.
North Pacific Union Conference
After leaving College View, I spent nearly a month in the North Pacific Union Conference. The officers of this union conference are wide-awake to the great possibilities in the lives of our young people, and are making every effort possible to encourage this work.
It was a great pleasure to me to meet with the students and teachers of the Mount Ellis Academy, at Bozeman, Mont. A good interest was manifested in all that pertains to our success as young people, and two young men made definite decisions to yield all to Christ. En route to the Spokane convention, I stopped a few hours with Dr. and Mrs. H. B. Farnsworth, at Missoula, and spoke to the church in the evening.
The Spokane young people had made good preparation for their convention, and the whole church took hold of the work in a way that showed an appreciation of the great work we are called to do. We confidently expect to see many of these young people in school next year, and in the Lord’s work.
At College Place, Wash., there was both a secretaries’ council and a young people’s convention. Careful study was made by the secretaries and others in council, each day, of the various phases of our work and the best methods of carrying it forward. Among other things, definite plans were laid for the young people’s work at camp-meeting this coming season. The students of Walla Walla College, are doing active Christian work. Some meetings are being held in surrounding territory, and several of the young people assist Elder O. A. Johnson in a series of meetings in the city of Walla Walla. At one of our meetings about twenty responded to a call for definite decisions to walk in the Christian way.
Elder O. K. Butler, Missionary Volunteer secretary for the North Pacific Union Conference, accompanied me to Seattle and Portland, where Missionary Volunteer conventions were held. The one at Seattle was very well attended. Nearly all the conference laborers were present, and a large number of delegates from all parts of the Western Washington Conference. Note-books were in evidence all through the convention, showing a determination to make use of the plans developed there. A good spirit of seeking God was present, and a large number made definite work of getting into right relations with God. The Portland convention was more local. On the Sabbath there was a large attendance. In the afternoon a large number responded to a call to put away sin.
Pacific Union Conference
My first stop in the Pacific Union Conference was at St. Helena, Cal., at the home of Sister E. G. White. Her counsel and encouragement were much appreciated. Having been so wondrously blessed of God in missionary labor in her youth, she knows from experience that young people can do acceptable service in laboring for souls. Some think they must reach too high, she said, and do some great thing. Let them do what their hands find to do. On one of the two days at St. Helena, in company with Elder W. C. White and Brother W. H. Covell, I visited the school property recently purchased near Sonoma. The place seems eminently fitted for a union conference training-school. There are nearly three thou-
sand acres in all, with about six hundred acres of tillable land. There is plenty of wood and water, and a mansion containing about thirty rooms.
One evening was spent in Mountain View, where, it is said, at least one third of the ammunition used by our Missionary Volunteers is produced. Elder M. C. Wilcox and other workers there, are much interested in all that pertains to our youth.
A California Conference Missionary Volunteer council was held at Lodi, where the new normal school is located. This meeting was well attended, and excellent work was done in the presentation of topics, discussions, and reports. Sabbath was a day not soon to be forgotten. About eighty decided to take advance steps in the Christian life. Besides Sister Carrie R. King and Brother I. C. Colcord, who had charge of the convention, Elders J. O. Corliss and A. O. Tait were among the California workers present.
At the close of this meeting, Brother Colcord and I went to Fernando, where the council for the Pacific Union Conference was held. En route we spent two nights and a day with the Fresno church, where there is a large company of young people; and a day with the intermediate school at Armona. The regular work of the school was laid aside, and the time given to us. It is a great encouragement to believers in the advent message to see the children thus gathered into schools in the country, and receiving an all-round education. Such children, who know the Lord, can do much to make him known to others.
The Academy and church at Fernando were taxed to accommodate the delegates who came to the Southern California convention, held at the time of the council. Most of the school work was laid aside, and nearly every one entered heartily into seeking the Lord and studying the Missionary Volunteer problems. The churches of the Southern California Conference are in a comparatively small territory, nearly all being in the vicinity of Los Angeles. In this conference more attention has been given to the work of the young people than in many places, and the results show the wisdom of such a policy. Elder Luther Warren, who has for so many years labored in a definite way for the young people, attended this meeting. Elders N. Z. Town and J. N. Anderson and Miss Ida Thompson were greatly blessed in presenting the needs of foreign missions. On Sabbath afternoon, after a sermon by Elder R. S. Owen, there was a precious season of seeking God, in which a very large number took part.
A few hours at Loma Linda, “Hill Beautiful,” surrounded as it is for miles by orange groves, left an impression of the beauty of Southern California in winter to which it was pleasant to revert during the trip of three days and nights to Keene, Tex., much of which was through the desert.
Southwestern Union Conference
At Keene, the Missionary Volunteer secretaries were present, also the president of the union conference and the presidents of each of the State conferences of this division. The school and church at Keene manifested a deep interest in all the meetings. Nearly one whole meeting was spent in answering questions which had been handed in.18A spirit to seek God for forgiveness of sin and for a deeper heart-work came in, and many found the Saviour who had not known him, or who had been following afar off.
Southern Union Conference
No Missionary Volunteer council was held in the Southern Union Conference; but a very profitable young people’s convention was held at Graysville, Tenn., and some institutions were visited and councils held with workers which helped me to understand better the work in the South. One day was all too short to spend at our training-school for the colored people. In speaking of the work for the colored people, Sister White says: “Hundreds of mission schools must be established; for there is no method of giving the truth to these people so effectual and economical as small schools.”
At Huntsville, Ala., the teachers are trained for these schools. It was a great pleasure to meet the earnest young people and workers in the school at Huntsville. Many work a year on the farm for the privilege of entering school the next year. Could not some of our Missionary Volunteer societies in the North raise a scholarship fund to help some of these earnest young people along, that workers may be quickly prepared for this great mission field at our doors? The little sanitarium at Huntsville is nearly completed. But it must be furnished. Some of our Missionary Volunteers are going to give something toward furnishing the rooms of this and the sanitarium for colored people at Nashville, Tenn.
I visited our institutions in and around Nashville, and also the Meharry Medical College for colored students. In company with Elder C. F. McVagh, I visited the Hillcrest school, which Professors O. R. Staines, and Floyd Bralliar are starting for the training of Northern colored young people for the Southern work. These two brethren took us across the country a few miles in a carriage to the Madison school. There we had a council with several of the workers on what our Missionary Volunteers can do for the Southern work, and we arranged for some articles of information, and a series of Missionary Volunteer lessons to be given this summer. The students of the Madison school are an earnest class, having dedicated themselves to a definite line of work.
Two nights and a day brought me home again, March 25, where I found an abundance of work to do after so long an absence. This tour has impressed me more deeply than ever with the possibilities there are in the lives of our youth when consecrated to God and placed under wise leadership. I have often been reminded of the words in “Education:” “Already many hearts are responding to the call of the Masterworker, and their numbers will increase.” I am especially impressed, too, with the need of a genuine revival in all our homes, and with the desire of many parents and children to be more faithful to God and to one another. M. E. K.
Young People's Work
By M. E. Kern; Matilda Erickson
Conducted by the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department of the General Conference
M. E. KERN . . . . . Chairman
MATILDA ERICKSON . . . . . Secretary
Winter Canvassing
By E. R. P.
It may seem peculiar to write about winter canvassing when winter is well over. We should explain, therefore, that what we publish on this question is intended to apply to next winter.
We have recently received a letter from one of our young sisters in eastern Canada which we think should be read by a large number of our strong, six-foot-tall men, who have been hibernating during the past winter, waiting for the weather to get lukewarm and sunshiny.
She says: “You spoke in your last letter of wondering how I got along during the cold weather. I have worked on just the same. I have bundled up, and started out without stopping to think about the cold. The weather is never so cold here in — as elsewhere in the provinces. There have been only a few days this winter when the thermometer has registered more than twenty degrees below zero, but the air being so damp, it is a penetrating cold.”
This good sister writes as though twenty degrees below zero were a very agreeable, pleasant temperature for a good, hustling canvasser, and she has succeeded in doing a good business far up in the North, where “the fur is thick on the foxes.”
We very much hope that this paragraph will catch the eye of all our boys and girls who burrow as soon as the temperature goes below freezing, and wait for warm weather.
We are deliberately planning to break up this hibernating idea entirely, and do away with it altogether. A good beginning was made during the winter just passed. We hope to have the movement for winter canvassing in full swing before the thermometer gives its first notice of the approach of another winter. E. R. P.
Work for the Children
By E. R. P.
WOMEN and children have been the greatest sufferers from the curse of intemperance. The Temperance number of the Youth's Instructor is an effective weapon with which they can fight one of their greatest foes.
Recently a little girl from the Takoma Park church-school secured five copies of the Temperance number of the Instructor, and sold them in a half-hour. Several other little girls caught the spirit of enterprise and work, and succeeded well. Other children in other church-schools and Sabbath-schools can do as well as these little girls have done here in Takoma Park.
This experience has suggested the thought, Why not have a real, modern,19up-to-date “children's crusade” against intemperance? It would be a blessed thing for the children, and for the people they visit, if all the boys and girls, with their swift feet, smiling faces, and childish energy, would join in fighting the great monster with this beautiful Temperance number of the Youth's Instructor. E. R. P.
Guarding Another’s Reputation
BELIEVE nothing against another but upon good authority, nor report what may hurt another unless it be a greater hurt to some one else to conceal it.—Penn.
The Ten-Cent Magazines
By E. R. P.
It is very encouraging to note the progress being made in the sale of our new ten-cent magazines. One year ago, during the month of March, 1908, there were only two of these magazines,—Life and Health and Liberty,—of which fifty thousand copies were sold during the month. These two magazines still stand at practically the same figure for the month of March, 1909; but at the same time, the circulation of the ten-cent magazines has been greatly increased; for the Signs of the Times Monthly and Watchman have both entered the field during the past year, and the Youth's Instructor has issued a ten-cent Temperance number.
The sale of all these magazines for the month of March, 1909, reached a total of one hundred seventy-five thousand copies, a gain of two hundred fifty per cent over the corresponding month last year.
It is with great satisfaction that we see both the Signs and the Watchman starting off prosperously in this new form; and it is with even greater satisfaction and thanksgiving that we see a new line of Christian endeavor being established which promises to be as successful as the subscription book work.
The hard problem of how to sell our periodicals in America is thus being solved. The work appears to be self-supporting and entirely satisfactory to agents. It seems probable that these ten-cent magazines will be the means by which our workers will reach successfully the great cities, where the work has been very expensive, and has been surrounded with almost insurmountable difficulties. May the good work go on with power. E. R. P.
The Publishing Work
Conducted under the auspices of the General Conference Publishing Department.
C. H. JONES - - - - Chairman
E. R. PALMER - - - - Secretary
H. H. HALL - - - - Assistant Secretary
A Faithful Record Closed
By E. R. P.
THE readers of the REVIEW have already learned of the death of Brother J. Q. Herrington, of Pennsylvania; but it seems fitting that special mention should be made of the death of this dear brother in the columns of our Publishing department.
Brother Herrington was one of the oldest and most faithful canvassers ever employed in Pennsylvania. He accepted the third angel’s message while employed in one of the great steel mills of Pittsburgh. Almost immediately he entered the field as an active, energetic canvasser, where he has worked continuously for about twenty years.
Although he entered the work at a time when very little instruction was given to agents, yet the Lord rewarded the faith and energy of our brother with good success from the first. Brother Herrington was probably permitted to see more of the fruits of his labors than has been given to most canvassers. A large number of persons are now rejoicing in the truth as the result of the work he has done, several of whom were present at the funeral. Indeed, the minister, Elder N. S. Ashton, who conducted the funeral services, together with his family, received his first impression of present truth from a book sold to him by Brother Herrington.
Brother Herrington never occupied any position of great prominence, such as might be coveted by those who would have men call them great, but he did his work faithfully and well, and there is every reason to believe that he is numbered among those who are called great in the kingdom of God. E. R. P.
Two New Sanitariums for the Colored People
By W. A. Ruble; D. H. Kress; G. H. Heald
How We Can Help
Two new sanitariums are soon to be in operation for the colored people in the South. It is high time; for with nearly a hundred sanitariums all over the world, we have not yet a sanitarium in the South for this people. We have been slow in responding to the calls that we have received in this matter. But now the situation is soon to be relieved in two Southern centers of our work, and the call comes to our medical workers to help in hastening the enterprises to completion.
At Huntsville, Ala., an institution has been built. It is well planned and constructed. The basement accommodates treatment-rooms, furnace room, and storage. The first floor has offices, dining-room, kitchen, and a patients’ room. On the second floor there are a number of good rooms for patients. The work on this building is progressing as rapidly as the means furnished will justify.
The new sanitarium on Foster Street, in Nashville, Tenn., is well located, between the part of the city occupied by the white population and that occupied by the colored. The building was on the property when purchased. This is being remodeled and furnished and equipped as fast as can be done with the means at hand.
Sister White, under the dates of January 4 and July 19, 1905, wrote:—
“Special efforts must also be made just now to help the colored people. The sanitarium that has been established in Nashville for the colored people must be provided with better facilities, and those who are making efforts to build at Huntsville an orphanage for colored people, must have help.”
“Over and over again the light has been given that a special work is to be done also in Huntsville. . . . On the beautiful farm of over three hundred acres, God purposes that an efficient missionary training-school shall be conducted, which will develop many workers for the colored people.
“A small sanitarium should also be established in connection with the Huntsville school. The sanitarium building should not be of a shoddy character, neither should it be narrow and contracted. It should be built substantially, and there should be in it room for the physician and nurses to carry on the work of healing the sick, and giving patients and students an education in regard to the right principles of living.”
In addition to the great work of ministering to the sick among the colored people, there is a loud call for colored nurses, and a training-school for these must be conducted in connection with such an institution.
The object of this article is to appeal to our medical missionary workers and sanitariums to co-operate with the medical department of the General Conference in raising a fund for the completion and equipment of these institutions. None will appreciate more keenly than our medical workers the importance of getting work like this completed and properly equipped without delay. Will not every physician, nurse, and sanitarium manager take this matter up and solicit contributions, large or small, from those within reach, both in our churches and among those not of our faith? Our sanitarium workers especially will be able to agitate strongly in behalf of these new institutions. Do not wait. Make the gifts as large as possible, for the money is needed at once.
We hope to hear from workers concerning this appeal, and shall be glad to supply any further information. Make money-orders or drafts payable to the treasurer of the General Conference, I. H. Evans, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. In remitting, state always that it is for the Southern sanitarium fund, and the money will be sent at once to the South to enable these worthy enterprises to minister to the sick, and to prepare workers for the great field among the colored people of the South.