In establishing a work such as we have here in Columbus, the first thing to be looked after is a suitable building to be used as headquarters. This should be located in a good, respectable section of the city, as nearly central as possible, and on a popular thoroughfare, where it will be both conspicuous and easy of access. The building should be such as will give character to the work and command the respect of the best citizens. Care should be taken to prevent giving the impression that your work is along the ordinary city mission lines: give it an educational aspect.
The arrangement of the building is also a very important matter. In this respect our building is quite ideal. It has ten rooms, all modern, with a large double parlor on the first floor. These rooms are separated by sliding doors, and can be thrown into one, making seating room for a class of about fifty. The second parlor is fitted up for our class room, with blackboard, charts, maps, folding chairs, and a floor covering of linoleum. This room has a private side entrance, so that when the class is not too large, they can enter and depart without disturbing the other part of the house. We usually have to use both parlors, however, as our classes range from twenty-five to forty persons each. Our front parlor is fitted up in a modern way, and affords us a respectable place to entertain visitors. We have a place to which we are not ashamed to invite the best citizens, and to which the better classes are not ashamed to come.
Besides affording headquarters for our work and a place for classes to meet for systematic study of the Bible, it also affords a home for the workers. Care also should be taken not to secure too large a place. This place is abundantly large to accommodate my family and five workers, which is a sufficiently large number to live in one house. If more workers are available and the territory demands it, branch institutions should be started in other parts of the city.
At this point it will perhaps be in order for me to make a few suggestions as to the qualifications which in my judgment are necessary for the individuals who undertake a work of this nature, and for those whom they associate with them in the work.
Leaders should be Bible teachers of unquestioned ability, or else have associated with them such teachers to instruct the classes at the institute. They should be willing, if necessary, to expend every dollar of their wages for the support of the work. They should have ability to meet business men, to solicit and collect such funds as may be necessary to maintain the work, or associate with them persons to attend to this duty; for it is very important. They must be examples to the other helpers in performing faithful work, requiring no service from their associates that they do not do themselves. Men with large families will do better to place them in private quarters, as it is not the best policy to have them in a home of this kind; one or two children can be easily managed if care is taken. They should be both patient and kind, tactful in adjusting any difference that may arise between helpers. If they have wives, they should be of the consecrated, praying type—full of wisdom, patient, and willing to economize and sacrifice for the work.
The helpers must be persons who are willing and anxious to work, ready to endure hardness for Christ. They should have good address, and be apt in meeting strangers. The very best talent obtainable is none too good for city work. Favor can be shown to helpers, however, by allowing them to take up work among the class of readers for which they are best adapted. The half-hearted, indolent, worldly, or sentimental type should never be admitted. Persons of prayer and faith, having an irresistible desire to spread the truth, are the kind needed,—those who will be faithful in every duty.
Having become established, the next move is to begin work. The territory surrounding the institute should be divided among the helpers, and first worked. Each worker should take out a class of from five hundred to one thousand families. If the readers are visited once each week, five hundred makes a very good class; but where visits are made once every two weeks, and two lessons given at each visit, the work seems to be about as effective, besides enabling the worker to visit twice the number of readers. I have followed this method this season, and am in favor of it, as it doubles our capacity for reaching the people. After the class becomes interested, and the indifferent sifted out, three or four lessons can be given to the readers at each visit; by this means the course can be considerably shortened. When beginning with a new class of readers, care should be taken to make each one understand the nature of the work. Special invitations should be given to the interested ones, from time to time, to attend the regular classes at the institute. At this point I might say that ordinarily I do not think it best to hold more than three regular classes at the institute each week. We have our classes on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday evenings. This gives a larger attendance at each class, besides leaving other evenings open in which to do personal work among others who do not attend the class.
In addition to the classes at the institute, a systematic method for conducting cottage meetings among the readers should be adopted. To do this, each worker should divide his territory into a number of sections, and endeavor to hold a cottage meeting at some home in each of these sections at least once a month, or oftener if thought best. The worker should know where the next meeting will be held in time to invite his readers to attend the meetings in their respective localities. To do this successfully, each reader must be informed of this plan when the class is made up. These meetings should begin to be held at an early date in the course, perhaps sometime during the second month's work. At these gatherings the time can be spent in reviewing and confirming in their minds the main points in the subjects already covered in the printed lessons. When a section of a city is thus worked, the honest will have been found, and no one can say he did not have abundant opportunity to know the truth. This method can be successfully followed without an institute. An institute, however, gives character to the work, and should be maintained where possible, even though it be on a small scale. I would also advise that during the hot summer months, where it is possible, in place of the classes at the institute, a few short, spicy series of tent-meetings be held in different localities where work is being done, to which all could be invited. This will be found very effective. For this, I prefer a tent about twenty-eight by thirty-six feet, one that can be easily and quickly moved, and one for which room can be had on almost any vacant lot.
When the course of printed lessons is completed, the cottage meeting work can be continued in localities where thought best. At any rate, each family should then be canvassed for subscriptions to our papers. It is supposed, of course, that previous to this time the worker will have been diligent in selling each reader as many books as possible. In addition to this, all the old readers ought to be re-canvassed several times each year with some special literature in the way of books and periodicals. As soon as work with one class of readers is properly bound off, a new class should be taken out, and the process repeated. By diligent and persevering effort, two classes can be handled every fourteen months. All literature given away or sold should have the name and address of the institute, with phone numbers, and an invitation for those who are interested to call upon you. In my next article I will give suggestions for financing efforts of this nature, which will conclude this series.
Columbus, Ohio.
Our Cooking Class
By F. O. Raymond
Vegetable Versus Animal Proteids
F. O. RAYMOND
By chemical analysis lean beef is found to be about 70 per cent, or about two thirds, water; 20 per cent, or one fifth, proteid; 5 per cent fat; and 1 per cent mineral (ash), giving a total nutritive value of nearly 30 per cent, yielding about 700 calories, or heat units, per pound in the body.
Dry beans are about 12 per cent water; 24 per cent, or nearly one fourth, proteid; nearly 60 per cent, or more than one half, starch; 2 per cent fat; and 4 per cent mineral (ash), giving a total nutritive value of nearly 85 per cent, yielding 1600 calories, or heat units, per pound in the body.
Nuts have approximately the same composition as beans, except that fat takes the place of starch, and vice versa.
Thus, pound for pound, beans supply a little more proteid, or tissue builder, than meat, and in addition a large amount of starch, making their total nutriment about three times that of beef-steak, while they cost only about one third as much, so that a dollar invested in beans will purchase more than three times as much proteid, or, including starch, nine times as much real food, as it would if used for beef-steak. From this it appears that the legumes — peas, beans, and lentils — are unquestionably the poor man's meat.
In point of digestibility, however, meat is, in general, found superior to vegetable proteids, digesting more quickly and completely and occasioning less disturbance than the latter, so that if this were the only consideration, we should recommend meat as a valuable article of diet. But when we take into account that the whole animal creation is suffering under the curse so that comparatively a small portion of cattle, game, fish, or fowl are found perfectly healthy; that the bodies of even these are filled with poisons and waste products of broken-down tissue; that the conditions under which these are prepared for the market are generally exceedingly unhygienic, we have the strongest reason for turning from the “flesh-pots of Egypt” in search of something purer, better, and more in harmony with the Creator’s original provision for man. This we find in the natural fruits of the earth, especially in nuts, legumes, and grains, and in the less objectionable animal products, milk, butter, and eggs. With such abundant supply of wholesome nourishment, extreme indeed must be the condition of one requiring a flesh-meat diet.
“The history of the wilderness life of Israel was chronicled for the benefit of the Israel of God to the close of time, . . . that they may be instructed in their preparation for the heavenly Canaan.” “God might as easily have provided them with flesh as with manna; but a restriction was placed upon them for their good. . . . The perverted appetite was to be brought into a more healthy state, that they might enjoy the food originally provided for man, — the fruits of the earth, which God gave to Adam and Eve in Eden. . . . Had they been willing to deny appetite in obedience to his wise restrictions, feebleness and disease would have been unknown among them. Their descendants would have possessed both physical and mental strength. They would have had clear perceptions of truth and duty, keen discrimination and sound judgment. But their unwillingness to submit to the restrictions and requirements of God prevented them to a great extent from reaching the high standard which he desired them to attain, and from receiving the blessings which he was ready to bestow upon them.” — “Patriarchs and Prophets,” pages 293, 378.
They “lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” Ps. 106: 14, 15.
“Meat should not be placed before our children. Its influence is to excite and strengthen the lower passions, and has a tendency to deaden the moral powers. Grains and fruits, prepared free from grease and in as natural a condition as possible, should be the food for the tables of all who claim to be preparing for translation to heaven. The less feverish the diet, the more easily can the passions be controlled.” — “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. II, page 352.
“Concerning flesh-meat we should educate the people to let it alone. Its use is contrary to the best development of the physical, mental, and moral powers. . . . Milk, eggs, and butter should not be classed with flesh meat. In some cases the use of eggs is beneficial. . . . There are poor families whose diet consists largely of bread and milk. They have little fruit, and can not afford to purchase the nut foods. In teaching health reform, as in all other gospel work, we are to meet the people where they are. . . . Let the diet reform be progressive. . . . The time will soon come when there will be no safety in using eggs, milk, cream, or butter, because disease in animals is increasing in proportion to the increase of wickedness among men.” — Id., Vol. VII, pages 134, 135.
While, mindful of the experience of God’s people in the past, and in harmony with the revelations of medical science and the clear statements of the spirit of prophecy, we are staunch vegetarians, let us not take the extreme position that never under any circumstances may meat be allowed, for such is not the teaching of either the Bible or the Testimonies. Our God is reasonable, and requires but reasonable service.
Recipes
The following recipes were left over from our last lesson: —
Mock Chicken Salad
Take 1 pound nuttolene, 1 cup celery cut into crescents, 5 hard-boiled eggs, 3 cups mayonnaise; cut the nuttolene into very thin slices, and these into very narrow strips. Divide into equal portions, and place upon tins in a moderately warm oven, allowing one half to become moderately dry and oily, and leave the other half until of a light brown, but not scorched. Put eggs through a wire sieve or potato ricer, and fold all ingredients carefully together. Serve cold upon a lettuce leaf.
Nut Cake
Take 6 eggs (fresh and cold), 2 tablespoonfuls hot water, 1 tablespoonful lemon juice, a little grated lemon rind, a pinch of salt, 1 cup sugar, 1¾ cups white flour, 1 cup ground or finely chopped English walnut meats; sift flour and sugar several times separately, break eggs into a large bowl, add salt and water, and with a wire egg whip begin beating at once, setting the bowl into a pan of hot water until the contents are lukewarm. When eggs are about half beaten, whip in lemon juice and the rind, and continue beating until very light and fine grained before adding the sugar. Lastly, with as little manipulation as possible, fold in the flour and nuts, turn into the cake tin, and bake in a moderately warm oven for about forty minutes, or until an inserted broom straw comes out clean. See that the oven is well closed while baking; when done, remove the cake, and turn it up side down to cool.
Our next lesson will give special attention to simple, healthful ways of cooking legumes.
Washington, D. C.
Talks to Wives
By Mary Stewart Cutting
MARRIAGE is not a set of rules. It is a condition of life, made by the characters of the two persons who enter into it. There are homes that seem of a deadly dulness, fit to drive any man abroad; there are women whose daily conversation consists of nothing but complaint about servants, and housekeeping, and nerves, and the press of engagements, and disappointing dressmakers: complaints of lack of money, or complaints of the strain of shopping with it. There are women who are too absorbed in their children to consider the children’s father; women who have no knowledge of their husbands’ business lives beyond the fact that those husbands forget the13commissions given them in the morning, and are too tired in the evening to want to go out anywhere—a scathing fact, which somehow militates against a man. And there are women, a larger class, perhaps, than all of these, good, unselfish, loving, who lack disastrously in some fine quality of humor, of appreciation, of friendliness.
The wife who is her husband’s comrade has little to fear. It is one of the greatest factors in keeping him always hers—that of being “friends” with him—in being truly interested in all he does and plans and wishes for, and having the comrade sense of humor that can always laugh at “his” jokes and make merry by the way, instead of taking account of everything with terrible seriousness.—Mary Stewart Cutting, in Harper’s Bazar.
The Baby's Three Needs
WHEN it is considered that the whole after-life of a human being can be tempered for good or ill by the management of the first year of existence, it seems impossible to repeat too often the few fundamental rules that should govern all who have the care of infants.
One might sum up the needs of babies in three words — fresh air, regularity, quiet. Babies are but little animals, it is true; but after all, they are little animals with a great deal to do for themselves, and they should receive all the assistance possible from those in charge of them, to enable them to perform this work properly.
In the first year of life great changes are going on in the body, and the baby needs all the help possible to meet the demands made upon its tiny system in the way of tissue formation. A baby can not speak up and tell us that its meals do not seem to set well, or that a dissipated evening gives it a disturbed night, so there is nothing for parents to do but to watch carefully for all the small but unmistakable signs that things are not going well.
Fresh air comes first in the list of requirements, because it is probable that very few babies indeed get all of it that they are entitled to. It has been noted by a wise physician that babies with pneumonia do best if they are kept in the open air as far as possible, and he even tells of nurses clad in fur-lined gloves and coats because the sick-room is kept so cold. But the sick child who would die in a warm, close room recovers under these conditions.
As to well babies, never mind what month they are born in, wrap them up warmly, shield them from direct draft, but let them breathe outside air day and night. If the weather is really too terrible to face, then wrap them up in a south room, and open all the windows.
Whatever the baby's diet may be, natural or artificial, it should be administered with unwavering regularity. The tiniest specimen of humanity is an incarnation of artful cunning where its appetite is concerned, and if it finds that bawling results in feeding, it will bawl, and small blame to it. But the enviable child is the one whose mother is not disturbed by this fact, and who rigidly adheres to times and seasons.
Babies should never be excited by too much play, and especially is this true of the evening hours. There is nothing more entrancing than a gasping, gurgling, hysterical baby; but it is a cruel entertainment, for which the frail, tiny nervous system must pay the price.—Exchange.
The Breakfast Table
Even in families called intelligent the breakfast table is usually interrupted by a mad rush for the cars or for school. But if we want wholesome, beautiful children, we shall follow the breakfast with a short period of leisure, and then go serenely about the day’s work. One of the first needs in the child’s day is for general ’bodily exercise, and this can better be given in the home than in the school; for in the home the exercise can be purposeful, some household service which will be of real use. Here, again, the service can be made a joy or a task, according to the spirit we put into it. It must be remembered that the childish will to do is rather fitful and uncertain, given to taking up occupations with enthusiasm and then dropping them before completion. The remedy is to fill out and complete the will, and this, it seems to me, can best be done by working merrily and joyfully with the child.
A small boy will help you make his bed and “tidy up” his room with the greatest pleasure if you give him your good company at the same time—the only sort of company you ought ever to give any one—while he would find it a very dull and distasteful task if he had to do it alone. Tell him a story, sing a duet with him, try to outwhistle him; in short, see to it that you are merry workers in this merry, charming world. But do not rob him of the service, with its measure of health and good spirit, and do not teach him to look down on women while he is still in knickerbockers by forcing him to think that these homely, necessary tasks are unsuitable for him, but none too good for his mother or sisters, or the women servants. In no case, however, may this service be paid for in other coin than loving appreciation, for that is to turn the child into a miserable little trader, and quite rob the service of value.
A day is well begun which has in it these wholesome elements of home life, this serenity and good comradeship and service. The home life is the primary thing, and the school life quite secondary.—Henderson in 'Education and the Larger Life.'
Try It
A FAMOUS English gardener once heard a nobleman say, complainingly, “I can not have a rose garden, though I have often tried, because the soil around my castle is too poor for roses.”
“That is no reason at all,” replied the gardener. “You must go to work and make it better. Any ground can be made fit for roses if pains are taken to prepare it. The poorest soil can be made rich.”
It was a wise saying, and it is true in other places than rose gardens. Some young people say, “I can’t be cheerful,” or “I can’t be sweet tempered,” or “I can’t be forgiving,” as if they were not responsible for the growths in their soul garden because the soil is poor. But “any ground can be made fit for roses,” and any heart can be made fit for the loveliest blossoms of character.—Young People.
C. E. RENTFRO
By C. E. RENTFRO
Obedience
C. E. RENTFRO
“AND the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. . . . And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; . . . and Samuel was laid down to sleep; that the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me.” 1 Sam. 3: 1-4.
In these words we have unfolded a secret that is really not a secret. We see the result of proper training and education on the part of parents. And what is it?—Prompt obedience.
When a child learns early in life that it is as necessary to obey the parents as it is to partake of the daily food, later when God calls him, he will answer, “Here am I; for thou calledst me.”
The habit of prompt obedience or of wilful disobedience clings to one all through life. How plainly this may be seen by the gospel worker, who, when presenting the claims of God’s holy law and Sabbath, hears the questioning and caviling, many times, instead of, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.”
This may be seen in families where one child has been accustomed to prompt obedience, while another presents excuses in order to evade acquiescence to the parents’ requirements. When the minister presents the demands of God’s law, the disobedient child or person of mature years begins to present the same excuses that he has made all through life. The other responds, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.” “Here am I; send me.”
Parents, how important it is to train our children in habits of strict obedience. This education may result in their eternal salvation. They will not begin to say: “O what difference does it make which day I keep, just so I do right in other things?” Listen to Samuel:—
“And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” 1 Sam. 15: 22, 23.
Carcavellos, Portugal.
Australasian Union Conference
By Ole Andres Olsen
O. A. OLSEN
THIS meeting was held at the Seventh-day Adventist church in Coorambong, New South Wales, Australia, Sept. 13–23, 1906. The attendance was large, the various divisions of the field and departments of the work being represented by ninety-two delegates; there were also a goodly number of visitors. It was the largest gathering of believers at a union conference in Australia up to the present, and this is what we may expect at every such meeting in the future.
The occasion was both interesting and profitable. The blessing of the Lord and the presence of the Holy Spirit were very manifest from the beginning, and as the conference progressed, the meetings grew in spirit and power. The harmony experienced was a marked characteristic.
We had a heavy program to carry through, as there were so many interests calling for careful study and planning that ten days was thought too little time; but the unity and hearty co-operation on the part of those present not only made the work easy, but also enabled us to accomplish much in a short time.
It is not possible to give any just idea of the nature and spirit of the meeting on paper, nor of the subjects that were considered and passed upon. The reports from the different conferences, and the missions as well, were all of an encouraging character.
The present membership of the Australasian Union Conference is 3,999, showing an increase of 1,228 for the three years since the previous conference. There is also a gain of fourteen ministers, fewer licensed ministers by two, and an increase of twenty-three Bible workers. We now have twenty-nine ministers, thirteen licensed ministers, and forty-nine Bible workers; or a total of ninety-one laborers.
The total amount of tithe received from the conferences and missions is £19,823 13s. 2½d., or an increase during the past two years of £6,180 15s. 10½d.
Our one hundred and seventy-eight Sabbath-schools have a membership of 4,405, while the contributions to missions from this source have amounted to £1,849 9s. 5d. The annual contributions have increased £488 5s. 8d., while the miscellaneous gifts have reached £1,315 9s. 4½d. The total amount given to missions equals £4,302 2s. 7½d. Two years ago we had thirty-two canvassers less in the field, and since that time our sales have increased to the value of £15,236 7s. 2d.
Another feature of interest was the presence of Brother Pauliasi Bunoa, of Fiji. He was among the first to accept the truth under the labors of Brethren Fulton and Parker. For many years he had been connected with the Methodist denomination, laboring as a minister with good success for thirty-two years. When the truth came to him, he gave it careful consideration, saw its genuineness, and obeyed. It was very interesting to learn of his experiences, and to note how similar they were to others of like circumstances. He seems to have a very intelligent idea of the truth and nature of the third angel’s message. This was the first time he had been away from the islands; and what he saw and experienced on arriving in Australia was of great interest to him; but he adjusted himself to the whole situation in a very consistent manner. While he could not understand anything that was said, Brother Parker, or some other one, translated to him the leading points, and he enjoyed the conference very much.
AUSTRALASIA WILL DO ITS SHARE
Since accepting present truth, he has been a licensed minister in Fiji for seven years. The Lord has blessed his labors, and given him souls as a seal of his ministry. The brethren felt free to recommend him for ordination, and this took place the last Sabbath afternoon of our conference. Both the forenoon and afternoon of that day will be a time long to be remembered on account of the presence and power of God’s Holy Spirit and gracious blessing. The Lord witnessed with power to the word spoken, and his signal blessing attended the ordination service. After a few introductory remarks by the writer, Brother Gates spoke of the work in the island field, and especially of Fiji, and of Brother Pauliasi’s connection with the message.
Brother Parker also spoke very feelingly; then Brother Pauliasi arose and in a very clear and intelligent statement presented his position and relation to the work of the last warning message, Brother Fulton translating. All this was listened to with the deepest interest, and the Spirit of God witnessed to the work. Then as we gathered upon the platform, bowing in prayer, and consecrating our first native brother from the island field to the gospel ministry, the power and presence of the Holy Spirit seemed to fill the house; and many testified to the fact that it was the greatest occasion of their lives. After this, we had a general testimony and praise meeting in which the whole congregation took part. So many wanted to speak at one time, that we found it necessary to separate the congregation into five divisions. It was a refreshing season.
The Lord has greatly blessed the work among the islands, and the conference felt a special burden to extend the labors in the island field. The conference recommended that Brother and Sister Teasdale, and Sister Skadsheim—a Bible worker—go to Java. An urgent call had come from that field during the conference, and the way seemed providentially opened just now. They will sail from Sydney about November 1. Brother and Sister Wantzlick, who have been laboring in North Queensland for a time, were recommended to make Sumatra their field of labor, thus supplying the place that was made vacant when Brother Munson and his family came away from there. Two young men, Brethren J. Mills and W. W. Fletcher, go to connect with Brother Jones in Singapore as teacher of the school and general missionary worker. On account of the failing health of Sister Piper, it becomes necessary for Brother and Sister Piper to leave the work in Rarotonga for a time. Brother and Sister W. H. Pascoe, of New Zealand, will go there and take up the work. Two young men—Gordon Smith, a nurse from the Wahroonga Sanitarium, and George Marriott, from the Avondale School—will go to connect with the work in Fiji.
The conference has planned the publication of a small paper in the Society group and the Cook Islands, in the Tahitian and Rarotongan languages, respectively; also at an early date to begin the publication of a small monthly in the Malay at Singapore.
We would have been glad to be15able to re-enforce the beginning that has been made in the Philippines, but could not see our way clear to do so at present. Indeed, the opening providence of God is going ahead of our ability to meet it; but we shall continue to pray and labor to the end that more laborers may be prepared to go forth to fill the many earnest calls for this time, when the Spirit of the Lord seems specially to work upon the hearts of the people.
In the general program, the hour from 6 to 7 A. M. was given to devotional meeting every day, and from 9 to 10 to Bible study. These morning meetings were especially blessed. We had received a number of communications from the pen of Sister White, bearing upon our time and the work in which we are engaged, and these were read from time to time in these early morning meetings. The Spirit of the Lord witnessed to these Testimonies in a very special manner. I think that I was never before connected with a meeting where there seemed to be such a signal blessing come with the reading of the communications from God’s servant.
AUSTRALASIAN UNION CONFERENCE
In the Bible study we took up the responsibilities of ministers, our high calling as a people, and the form of organization that the providence of God has specially developed among this people. As these lines of thought were taken up day after day, a better understanding was gained as to our relation to the work, both individually and collectively.
The hours from 10:15 to 12:30 and from 3:30 to 5:30 in the afternoon were devoted to conference matters; and instead of these being dry business meetings, they seemed more like revival services. The large attendance day after day testified to the continued interest in the study of the work and plans with reference to its progress.
The evening services were devoted to reports from the field, including both conferences and mission fields; and these were listened to with the deepest interest and sympathy. As our missionaries from the distant islands related their many experiences, our people were greatly encouraged and blessed by noticing the leading providence of God, as brought to view in such a very marked manner.
The conference was a great blessing to the school. Arrangements were made so that many of the students could attend most of the meetings, and they improved the opportunity to the best advantage.
We were able to close all our business and recommendations in good time, and the last evening was spent in a general testimony and praise service. We would be glad to make mention of many expressions that came from the lips of the brethren and sisters generally, and also the laborers. There was a determination on the part of all to profit by the instruction received, the blessings experienced, and to unite in pushing forward with great earnestness to the final triumph of the message; and with the hope that as we have been together here, we may also share the blessings of salvation in God’s kingdom.
But it would be injustice if I should not mention a very interesting experience the day after the closing of the conference. The president of the school had kindly invited all the delegates and friends to visit the school in the class work, and also in the industrial departments. Many of the delegates availed themselves of the opportunity. At 11 A. M. they all gathered in the chapel for the dedication of the new school building. This proved a very interesting occasion. After some remarks by the president, Prof. C. W. Irwin, concerning the work and cost of the building, the amount of student labor that had been put into it, and many other interesting items, he stated to the congregation that he felt it a privilege to show the appreciation of the blessing of the Lord and the prosperity of the work by a donation from the school to the missionary work, and handed a check to the president of the union conference to the value of one hundred and five pounds. Thirty pounds of this was a direct contribution from the faculty to pay the traveling expenses of Joseph Mills to Singapore and of George Marriott to Fiji; and seventy-five pounds was a donation to the Mission Board of the union conference.
This donation was appreciated not only for its money value to the missionary work, but because it shows a binding influence and hearty co-operation in connection with the other branches of the work. At the close of this service, the school invited the entire delegation to dine with the students in the school dining-room. Three long tables had been arranged, capable of seating one hundred and sixty persons at one sitting. It was a most happy occasion indeed, and was much enjoyed by the visitors of the school.
A marked feature of the conference from beginning to end was the unity in all departments. Whether the subject under consideration was the educational, the medical, the publishing, or some other phase of the work, every one fully appreciated that he was part of one great work.
Thus closed our good conference, with the wish on the part of all to be faithful to God’s truth, to his work, and to be earnest in our calling, dedicating every power of our being to the forwarding of the great and glorious work of the third angel’s message to all the world in this generation, and with the earnest desire that all might have a part in the great meeting and in the final consummation.
