We still continue meetings three times each week in the city of Mexico. At our last quarterly meeting three new ones were baptized and received into the church. One other was received on profession of faith. During the last quarter over one hundred and thirty-five dollars was received in donations from collections taken up on the Sabbath. Besides this, over forty dollars was received from the Sabbath-school collections of our little company.
Brother Gillis, from the Pacific Press, has been with us for about three months, in charge of the printing work. The two canvassers who are spending all their time in the field are meeting with success, so that we are printing four thousand copies of our Spanish paper this year. A considerable quantity of literature besides the paper is being distributed.
The Pacific Press kindly gave us a small printing-press that had passed through the fire. It is now being repaired, and we hope to have it in operation soon. It is a cylinder press, and will help us very much in getting out our paper, which at present is run on a little foot-press. We are glad to see the increase in sales of books and other literature in the United States and elsewhere, and long to see the time when Mexico will be doing what ought to be done and can be done in that work. Remember Mexico and the work and workers in this dark part of the great harvest-field. G. W. CAVINESS.
Maine and Eastern Pennsylvania Camp-Meetings
By E. W. Farnsworth
It was my privilege to attend part of the camp-meeting held at Milo, Maine. A tent effort had been carried on in that city during the summer by Brethren Giles, Brown, and other workers. A genuine interest had been created in the community to hear the truth, and there was a good attendance at the meetings. The large tent was filled to its utmost capacity. The discourses given during the camp-meeting were calculated to confirm the people in the truths of the message. When I was there, twelve or fifteen had decided to keep the Sabbath.
The camp-meeting was preceded by a workers' meeting, in which the business of the conference was conducted. The officers were re-elected, and the reports showed that a good work had been done during the past year in the circulation of literature, thousands of pages having been placed in the homes of the people. The sale of books has been small, as they have no State canvassing agent to look after this department of work.
Elder W. A. Westworth and Brother E. R. Palmer assisted in the meetings, and rendered valuable help. So far as I attended it, the camp-meeting was a good one, and no doubt others will furnish a more complete report, as I was obliged to leave before the meeting closed.
The eastern Pennsylvania camp-meeting was held in Philadelphia, August 26 to September 2. This was an occasion of great blessing to those who were present. The camp was located in a populous part of the city, near where Elder Bernstein and a company of workers held a tent-meeting during the summer. There was a good attendance of people from the city as well as of our own brethren and sisters.
I did not arrive till the meeting had been in progress several days. Elder C. H. Edwards, of Greater New York, and Prof. H. R. Salisbury, of Washington, D. C., were present part of the time, and rendered valuable assistance. Prof. B. F. Machlan, of South Lancaster, labored earnestly for the young people.
The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference has carried on quite a number of tent efforts during the summer, employing several young men in connection with its older workers, and these efforts have been greatly blessed. About one hundred have accepted the truth during the summer, and there is still good interest in several localities. The reports of the laborers were a source of great encouragement to the brethren and sisters, and they took hold heartily in raising a tent- and camp-meeting fund with which to purchase other tents and a camp-meeting outfit. About five hundred dollars was pledged for this purpose.
There was no conference business connected with this camp-meeting, so there was more time for Bible instruction and spiritual labor for the people. The outside interest was such that we see no reason why a good company should not be brought out in this place, especially since the interest will be followed up with faithful effort.
We were greatly pleased to greet a number of brethren and sisters from the New Jersey Conference at this meeting, and share with them its blessings.
Nineteen were baptized before the meeting closed at the church on Fifty-second Street. The outlook is bright before the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. Quite a number of young people expect to enter our schools to fit themselves as laborers. It is very encouraging to see our youth devoting their lives to the service of God.
E. W. FARNSWORTH.
Greece
By W. E. Howell; Hattie B. Howell; Sophia B. Kinner
It is now more than a year since the Mission Board invited us to go to Greece to light the torch of truth and herald the return of our Master, among the intelligent and interesting people of that historic land. At that time we had just entered upon the establishment of the educational work in connection with the Loma Linda Sanitarium, and could not well leave at that critical juncture. Ever since our return to America, however, from nearly five years’ missionary effort among the Chinese in Honolulu, we have held ourselves subject to call from America to more destitute fields. After the school work was well organized at Loma Linda, and embarrassment would not follow our separation from it, we accepted the call of the Mission Board, and set out upon our long journey.
We wish to say, in passing, that some of the best and sweetest experiences in more than a decade of service in our schools, were enjoyed at Loma Linda. If the noble young people who were connected with the work there as students remain true to God and the principles taught them, the field force will at an early day be increased by some effectual harvesters for the garner of heaven. It is character that the Lord of the harvest is searching for and seeking to develop, and the young person who puts himself in harmony with God’s providences in the individual life, and who does not thwart the divine purpose in the process of purifying and disciplining, will one day be led into a way that he knew not of, and will enjoy the sweets of unselfish service.
We wish here to express our hearty gratitude and praise to God, before all the people, for having brought us in safety across the continent of America, the Atlantic Ocean, the continent of Europe, and the Mediterranean Sea. We were greatly prospered in our journey both by land and by sea, having spent in travel nine days at sea and thirteen on land. Again and again we recognized the hand of Providence in marked experiences and incidents en route. “Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.” “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.”
We have now been nearly a month among the Greeks. On every hand we may hear used with perfect ease, by man, woman, and child, peasant and scholar alike, the same language and to some extent the same words that we American boys and girls used to wrestle with in college days and use as a synonym17of all that is difficult or obscure to the understanding. Our first impressions of the people are favorable. Intelligence, hospitality, enterprise, temperance, and courtesy are noticeable among their good characteristics.
We have now settled in Kephisia (Kee-fee-see’ah), a village of thirteen hundred and sixty inhabitants, about eight miles from the center of Athens, but regarded as one of its suburbs. Hourly service by steam train gives easy and frequent access to the city. Will all who read this article kindly take note of our address — Kephisia, Athens, Greece.
In closing, we wish to express our gratitude to the many friends we have met and to those whose acquaintance we have formed on our journey from California to Greece, for their kindly ministry to our comfort and pleasure en route, and to ask their prayers for successful service among this people.
W. E. HOWELL,
HATTIE B. HOWELL,
SOPHIA B. KINNER.
A Country Camp-Meeting
By William Ambrose Spicer
The Tennessee River Conference, embracing western Tennessee and Kentucky, held its annual camp-meeting August 2-10. It was an interesting experiment in one way, in that it was held in a country farming village, six miles from the railway station of Denver. Elder Lowry had been holding a tent effort there. Some had just begun to keep the Sabbath, and the neighborhood was so interested that the farmers pleaded to be allowed the privilege of having the camp-meeting in their neighborhood, and promised to transport the people and equipment free of charge. Most generously they fulfilled every promise.
Every night the people came in from all directions, and there was a large audience. One evening, when a call was made for those to rise who had decided to keep the Sabbath, seventeen adults responded.
The conference has made encouraging growth in its finances, and faces the new year with bright prospects. Two men were ordained to the ministry, Brethren Rowe and Ballsbaugh. Brother Rowe has charge of the conference intermediate school at Hazel, Ky., which is prospering and doing good work for the young people. There was a good representation of the union interests at the meeting. Elder Butler attending throughout, while I. A. Ford and R. W. Parmele represented the publishing interests; Professors Tenney, Van Kirk, and Sutherland the educational work; and Dr. Lydia Parmele and L. A. Hansen the medical department. Elders J. S. Washburn and C. P. Bollman were also present.
When Elders Butler and Sharp led out in behalf of the $150,000 fund, the small company present quickly raised over four hundred dollars in cash and pledges. The brethren in these conferences mean to make earnest effort to raise the six thousand dollars assumed by them by the end of the year. Then they desire to go on lifting till the whole is made up. But surely the whole sum coming from northern and western conferences will have been raised by that time. At any rate, the South, which gets the first fifty thousand dollars, is heart and soul devoted to the purpose of raising its proportion, and more if possible.
The converting and reconverting grace of God was in the meetings. Seven or eight were baptized, and the development of the local interest must lead a number to join our ranks by baptism.
W. A. SPICER.
What Has Been Done
By C. P. Bollman
It is only natural that those who contribute to support any branch of the cause should desire to know what is being accomplished in that particular part of the work. We will therefore make a brief statement in regard to the principal schools of the Southern Missionary Society.
Vicksburg has quite a large church building, a two-story mission house, and a small rear cottage now used for laundry and bath-room. The city has built up around this property until it would sell for much more than it cost. Though carried on the inventory of the Southern Missionary Society at five thousand dollars, it is estimated by disinterested persons to be worth twice that. It will probably be sold, and the work moved to one of the suburbs, where buildings can be provided at much less cost, and the surplus used to establish small schools in several places.
The Southern Missionary Society also has a neat school and church building at Columbus.
The old portable tabernacle that has done service so long at Yazoo is being replaced by a more substantial building, the needed funds being supplied in part by colored Sabbath-keepers who have been raised up there.
A strong work has been built up in Natchez, within the past year and a half. A school and church building will be erected there in the near future, and this bids fair to become the center of the work for the colored people in Mississippi. The building to be erected will cost about one thousand dollars.
The Southern Missionary Society also owns a neat school and church building at Jackson, Miss., the capital of the State. This property is well located, and is now worth much more than it cost, about nine hundred dollars.
About a year ago, the Society erected a building in Greenville, Miss., with a school and meeting-room, and also living-rooms.
Edgefield Junction has a school and church building.
In Nashville there is a neat church building with a very comfortable school-room in the basement. The property is valued at fifteen hundred dollars.
The other places mentioned are as yet without buildings owned by our people, though the prospects for building at several of them are encouraging.
The buildings erected at these places are modest and inexpensive, though we are trying to have them witness for the truth.
This branch of the cause is not in debt, and has become self-supporting in a number of places, as appears from the list. Every dollar is made to go just as far as possible. Nearly all the schools collect some tuition from the pupils who are able to pay, and this helps just that much in establishing and maintaining schools in other places.
The colored believers are for the most part faithful in paying tithe, and thus help the general work in the conferences where they are located. They are loyal to the truth and to the organized work, and appreciate what is being done to help them. As a consequence, the progress of the cause is not dependent entirely upon the work of paid laborers, but is carried forward to quite an extent by missionary effort on the part of the rank and file of the believers. There is no part of the work in this country that has been done more economically, or has more to show for money expended, than has this branch of the cause.
We believe that now is the opportune time to give a new impetus to this department of the cause in the South. The hearts of many are being turned this way, and our colored brethren themselves are of good courage and alive in the work. Let us take hold and help them by a good, liberal donation to this particular branch of the cause.
C. P. BOLLMAN,
Sec. S. M. S.
Ecuador
By THOS. H. DAVIS.
LITTLE did I think on moving my family to the interior that my dear companion would be taken away by death here in Ambato. July 16, after five days of sickness, she fell asleep. Many friends came to sympathize with me. We laid her in the municipal cemetery under a large mulberry tree to await the voice of the Life-giver. At first we thought it would not be possible that the Lord would permit her death, leaving behind three little ones. But after we had prayed together, she seemed willing to go. She called the children, and also gave instructions about her burial. What a loss, especially for the little girls! Only those who have passed through such an experience can fully realize what it is to have a dear companion taken away—a companion who has suffered with one for the truth’s sake. We had our plans laid more definitely than before to carry the truth to the people of Ecuador as quickly as possible. My mind goes now to the verse in Revelation: “That they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” The trial was hard for me to bear; but the Lord gives me courage to press onward. Brother Casebeer and family18were away to the coast, and Brother Yepez had gone to Quito, so I was all alone.
Now I am trying to keep the little work going that was started by Brother and Sister Casebeer here in Ambato. Yesterday, Sabbath, all the day pupils were out to Sabbath-school. Brother Yepez, who was baptized by Brother Westphal when he was here, is with me now, and thinks of connecting with our college in Argentina. Elder Casebeer and myself expect to make a trip along the coast soon, and try to start something more definite in the work. Our faith is in God, and we believe that some souls will hear and accept this truth in Ecuador. THOS. H. DAVIS.
Mississippi
By Page Shepard
NATCHEZ.—I praise the Lord for the Southern Missionary Society, with its faithful ministry in furnishing my people with instructors to lead them out of the mire of unbelief and spiritual lethargy. The schools operated by the Society are a great factor in diffusing light among the people, and in breaking down prejudice. The mission school was a blessing to the community here the past term, which ended May 31. Some of the pupils are keeping the Sabbath, and eight adults have been added to the remnant church by baptism since January. Clothing has been distributed to needy persons. The work has won a place in the hearts of those who know it. May the Lord greatly bless and enlarge the bounds of the Society’s usefulness, and may God’s people rally to its appeal for help, before the door of opportunity shall be closed. PAGE SHEPARD.
Central America
By H. C. Goodrich
BELIZE, BRITISH HONDURAS.—Brother Cardey and I visited some of the churches in the Bay Islands. On account of the quarantine, I had not visited the churches there for one year. We stayed only from two to four days in a place, holding meetings two or three times daily. At French Harbor (Ruatan) and at Bonacca the Lord wrought mightily for his people. At the latter place twenty came forward to seek the Lord, some of them for the first time. Their testimonies bore witness to a determination to begin a new life.
Some of the Bonacca brethren have been holding meetings in another neighborhood on the North Side. Quite an interest has been awakened, and several have begun to keep the Sabbath, and are calling for a minister. They have also begun to talk of building a little church. At French Harbor a man who has long allowed tobacco to keep him back declared his determination to be free, and with his wife and two daughters took his stand on the Lord’s side.
It seems to me that everywhere there is the moving of the Holy Spirit on the hearts of men. And it does not depend on a minister’s presence altogether; for where our lay brethren go out to help interested ones, the same Spirit works with them also, proving that the Lord is no respecter of persons.
The morning we left Ceiba, Brother and Sister Moncada were baptized. We left the town about 8 A. M., and went three miles to a river that runs through his plantation. There, with the field of bananas stretching out on one side, and large spreading trees shading the place on the other, was a quiet place in the mountain stream. Here was a little booth, built for the occasion, of cocoanut leaves. It was a beautiful place; and after a fifteen-minute talk on the responsibility of church relationship, these first Spanish converts in Spanish Honduras were buried with their Lord in baptism.
About twenty-five were present. Among them was the Wesleyan local preacher, who walked all the way that he might see a baptism. He seemed deeply impressed, and we hope to see an interest kindled that will lead him to obey God’s Word.
Returning, we found the boat waiting that was to take Mrs. Goodrich and Mildred and Sister Cardey to Belize. A few hours later Brother Cardey and I boarded another boat for the Bay Islands. We arrived at French Harbor at 7 P. M., and half an hour later we had the little church filled. We spent ten other days on this trip. And when we arrived at Utilla, on our way to Belize, we found that the boat on which Mrs. Goodrich had sailed had put in there, on account of calms and storms, and had left only twelve hours before we arrived.
I am thankful for what I have seen of God’s goodness. He will make all things work together for good to those who love him. H. C. GOODRICH.
West Africa
By D. C. Babcock
FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE.—Beginning with August, Brother Browne will conduct a training-class in the points of present truth, three hours each day, in Freetown. This class will consist of young men who have embraced the truth and are preparing for the work. He will take them first to Waterloo, a town of three thousand population, and canvass it while they are carrying on their studies. The profits that at least some of them make will be applied on our church building.
This building is much appreciated by all. The cost of erection has been very small, considering the expense of building in this country. The cost of everything will be met by seven hundred and fifty dollars, and the seating capacity will be three hundred. I did not intend to build so large when I began. But when I laid the foundation, several prominent men visited me, and urged me to plan a larger house of worship. With a good mission house and a substantial church building, the people have evidence of success in the progress of our work.
Yesterday (July 20) our church was organized. We baptized seven to-day. Twenty members compose our first organization, and several others will soon be added. At least seventy-five per cent of our company are young men, from twenty-five to thirty years of age. Some have had excellent advantages in literary training, and are anxious to be fitted for the work.
A young man came to me yesterday after meeting, and said, "I wish to cast my lot with your people. My time expires next month, and I want to remain here in Africa, and work in this message." He was trained in the Kingston College, Jamaica. He learned the truth in this way: Brother Browne met a young man, a trainer in gymnastics for the battalion. He accepted the message, and at once went to work for this young friend. It seems that the Spirit of God is sending conviction to these young men's hearts. Fifty per cent of the army will soon disband, and many of our young men say they would rather work for the Lord than go back to home and friends. We came to the right place at the right time. It is God's providence.
D. C. BABCOCK.
North Dakota Camp-Meeting
By GEO. F. ENOCH.
A SMALL camp-meeting for the believers in the northeastern part of North Dakota was held at Devils Lake, July 9-14. Beautiful for location by the side of the Chautauqua grounds, everything was auspicious for a blessed seeking of God together. From the first, the keynote, “The advent message to all the world in this generation,” was struck. There was hearty response on the part of all present.
Elder Reppe, of Minnesota, and the writer were present, in addition to the conference workers. The morning social meetings were seasons of refreshing. The Sabbath was a most blessed day. The Lord drew graciously near, and our hearts were melted with the love of God. Almost every one present took part in the service. Jesus came to the feast. We supped with him and he with us, we confessing our sins, he drawing near with his cleansing, healing power. The shout of victory was heard in the camp. Fathers and mothers in Israel, whose hair had become gray in the third angel’s message, with tears in their voices thanked God for what they saw and heard. The young reconsecrated themselves to God.
There were but eighty-six, including children, present at the Sabbath-school; yet when the needs of the world-wide field were presented in the power of the Holy Spirit, over nine hundred dollars was raised in cash and pledges to meet the call of the hour, and this after nearly six hundred had been pledged for the home work. But this was not the greatest donation. The young men and women present solemnly pledged their lives to the Master, consecrating their19talents and all the possibilities God had yet wrapped up in their strong young minds and bodies to him for the finishing of the work. Parents gave their children to God for service. A large number promised that hereafter they would farm for the finishing of the work, and not for selfish or worldly advancement, and all arose and pledged themselves according to their several ability to stand loyally by this cause and message and to co-operate with God for the finishing of the work.
Thus the blessed scenes of the other camp-meetings were reproduced here. From the seven camp-meetings attended this season by the writer, the people have returned home with a spirit of self-denial and a willingness to bear daily the cross that speaks volumes for the success of the message in the days to come.
GEO. F. ENOCH.
The Ontario Camp-Meeting
By A. O. BURRILL
This meeting was held, according to appointment, at Niagara Falls, August 15-25. Some were there from Illinois, and quite a number from western New York. There were thirty family tents and two pavilions, besides the book tent; and the attendance numbered about two hundred.
Elder Howe and Brother Hancock were holding a tent-meeting, and had developed quite an interest. It now seems likely that there will be a company of believers raised up at that place.
The first Sabbath quite a number came forward for the purpose of seeking the Lord. The work of the conference passed off pleasantly. Elder E. Leland was chosen president. This conference stands loyal to the principles of organization and the spirit of prophecy.
The finances of the conference are in a good condition. After paying all the laborers, there remained about two hundred dollars on hand.
The new addition to the academy building is well along in construction, and all is paid for to the present writing. It will not be completed until about the middle of October. When finished, the school will have accommodation for about forty students. This school is well located, being within the reach of good markets for all that the school farm produces.
The spirit of confession came into the meeting, and all, or nearly all, were much benefited. Seven were baptized. The ministers from outside of the conference were Professor Griggs, Elders C. F. McVagh, H. W. Carr, and G. D. Ballou. An interesting feature of the meeting was the reports of the success of the students with “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Four of the students had taken about nine hundred dollars’ worth of orders for this book in six weeks. This has demonstrated that this book can be sold by our students, and will settle the question about our students’ selling our books in Ontario.
A. O. BURRILL.
The Missouri Camp-Meeting
By K. C. Russell
This meeting was held at Eldon, Mo., August 8-18, in a beautiful grove about a mile from the town. The attendance of our people was not large. The evening services were well attended by the citizens of Eldon, and a lively interest was manifested on the part of some.
The lines of truth presented were substantially the same as are usually given at our State camp-meetings, which embraced a discussion on all the various departments of the cause. Much emphasis was placed on the important subject of the spirit of prophecy and on that of organization.
The last Sabbath of the meeting was a remarkable one, owing to the manifestation of the Holy Spirit's power in converting precious souls to the truth and in reclaiming those who were backslidden.
Many who were in attendance said that this was the best meeting they ever20attended, and I feel confident that better days are in store for the Missouri Conference, if the principles which the people pledged to live out by the grace of God are maintained in their daily lives.
Elder D. U. Hale was unanimously elected president of this conference. Our brethren and sisters will remember Brother Hale, as he has labored as a missionary on the western coast of Africa, and also in South America.
A substantial interest was manifested in our foreign work, as was indicated by the action of the conference in voting one thousand dollars of its surplus tithe to the foreign mission work. Nearly four thousand dollars was raised on the $5,000 fund, one hundred and seventeen dollars for the work among the blind people of the United States, and the Sabbath offering to foreign missions was excellent.
The laborers in attendance, besides the local conference workers, were Elder R. C. Porter, president of the Southwestern Union Conference; Elder E. T. Russell, president of the Central Union Conference; Prof. C. C. Lewis, president of Union College; Elder H. F. Graf, of Brazil, South America; Prof. B. G. Wilkinson, of the Washington Foreign Mission Seminary; C. L. Benson, assistant secretary of the Central Union Conference; and the writer. Elder E. A. Merrill was left to follow up the interest in Eldon, which was awakened as a result of the camp-meeting.
We regret to say that Elder H. M. Stewart, the former president of the Missouri Conference, was taken sick during the meeting, and was able to attend only a few of the services. We trust that the Lord may restore him to health, and thus he be enabled to join in the proclamation of the third angel's message throughout the important State of Missouri. K. C. RUSSELL.
The Oakwood Manual Training-School
By W. J. Blake
WE are drawing near the time of our general annual collection for the work among the colored people, and as the Oakwood Manual Training-school, at Huntsville, Ala., is to be one of the beneficiaries of the fund, we feel sure that our brethren and sisters will be glad to know something of the needs of the institution, as well as some of the victories gained during the past year.
We wish you to remember the fact that immediately following the last annual collection, our main school building was consumed by fire. This sad misfortune placed the school in great need of help financially. Plans were at once laid for the erection of new buildings. The larger portion of the means necessary to complete these buildings has been raised, but there is yet an urgent need for additional funds for thoroughly equipping the institution. We are glad to say that although our chapel and recitation rooms were burned, yet the work of the school has gone steadily forward without interruption. The students and faculty have been willing to crowd themselves into small and uncomfortable quarters, patiently waiting the coming of better equipment, and we are glad to say that our hopes are being partially realized, for the school is now able to occupy the new chapel in Study Hall.
The boys' dormitory is greatly needed, and we are hoping that the way may soon be opened for the erection of this plain building.
There are good prospects for a full school the coming year. In harmony with the counsel from the spirit of prophecy, the management is planning facilities for accommodating one hundred pupils; and we have reason to believe that were our equipment complete, this attendance would be realized.
Sanitarium work is to be opened in connection with the school as soon as possible. This will afford opportunity for the training of nurses, a much-needed acquisition to our work. Our doctor is already at work in the interest of the medical department of the school. There is a great and important work before our training-school, and we hope our brethren and sisters will rally to the support of this work in the October collection. Our teachers here have been working very hard the past year, and yet have received a very small portion of their wages. Funds have not been on hand with which to pay these faithful workers. This is not as it should be, and we are hoping that our annual collection will be so large that such a lack of means may not exist the coming year.
W. J. BLAKE, Principal.
Courage in Egypt
By Jay J. Nethery
OUR hearts are cheered to read the good reports from different parts of the world-wide field. It is truly a grand age in which we are living, as soon we shall see the Saviour visibly appearing in the clouds of heaven. Before God's people experience this, they must first warn the world of that day. What a mighty responsibility! This can easily be done when every soul is submissive to the Spirit of God.
The reports of the Gland meeting are so interesting that we can hardly wait until the good old REVIEW makes its weekly appearance. The move made in regard to turning the Washington training-school into a foreign missionary seminary will cheer the hearts of the foreign missionaries. We rejoice to know that soon many, we hope hundreds, will be in training for the front. Although the few workers in the Levant are greatly disappointed in losing the direct efforts of Professor and Mrs. Salisbury, whose coming we had been looking forward to with joy, still when we see that the change is for a great missionary advance the world over, by which we hope the Levant may be materially benefited, we can only submit to the leading of the Lord, and pray that the school may be all that it should be. We know that it will be if the consecrated young people of the States, who are needed in the difficult fields, will offer themselves for service and attend the school. May this be so! Where are the young men and women whom God is calling into the mission-fields? I hope our young people may take advantage of this excellent opportunity. It is true that there are multitudes of difficulties to be encountered which may not be met in the home land, but this is no reason for staying at home. Come, expecting to meet difficulties, and to conquer by God's help. How true is the following:—
“Those who engage in this work should not consult their ease or inclination; neither should they have love for popularity or display. When churches see young men possessing zeal to qualify themselves to extend their labors to the cities, villages, and towns that have never been aroused to the truth, and missionaries volunteering to go to other nations to carry the truth to them, the churches will be encouraged and strengthened far more than to themselves receive the labors of inexperienced young men.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. III, page 204.
Here is one way of doing missionary work at home while in a foreign field. I am confident that if the young people will offer themselves for the missions, the churches will be aroused to a higher interest, in the message, and the tithe will more freely find its way into the treasury to support these workers. Sometimes the brethren and sisters, as well as the workers in the home land, are somewhat discouraged as they see so much time and money expended at home, and such small results in places where the truth has been preached over and over again. Truly the time has come to strengthen the work in distant fields, and allow our energetic churches at home to warn the few remaining neighbors, who need to have their attention called to the message.
Last Sabbath was a good day in Egypt. The two Egyptian young men who have been keeping the Sabbath since last January, were, with their mother and Brother Awada's oldest daughter, baptized in a canal leading from the Nile. The Lord has been blessing these persons. The aged mother was very happy that she could take this step with her twin sons, whom she has been anxious to educate. The different points of faith have been studied with them carefully, and they all felt that the Lord had especially blessed them in allowing them to know the message for these days. The young men are planning to attend our school in England this coming year. This would be a great help to them, and may the Lord prepare them that they may be the means of carrying the truth to the inhabitants of their own country.
We find some interest among the different nationalities. The great need is for more workers to join the few here. We realize that such fields as China, Korea, India, and other densely populated portions must soon be supplied, but at the same time we feel that Egypt should have a few more workers. Such places as Alexandria and Port Said, being important ports in the world, and having large populations, should be occupied at once. Therefore we add our note to the bugle-call to service. May the Lord impress the right ones to answer the call to Egypt, as well as to the other parts of the world-wide field. Any question regarding climate, customs of the people, etc., from any one who has an idea of coming here to labor, will be gladly answered.
We are now in the midst of the heat. It is not unbearable, although it is warm. The evenings are always pleasant. This is called the “Land of Darkness,” but it is doubtful if there is any place on earth where there is more sunshine, or such beautiful moonshine and starlit skies.
JAY J. NETHERY.
Cairo.
H. G. THURSTON
By H. G. Thurston
Arizona
We are glad to report an onward move in this conference, which indicates increased success in the several branches of the work. Earnest efforts are being put forth to revive the book work, and these efforts are not without visible results. We believe we shall be able in the near future to report most encouraging conditions. Already some of our inexperienced workers have begun to canvass, and are having success, while others are soon to join in this good work. Our churches are catching the missionary spirit, and as the result of a thorough effort put forth with our publications throughout the field, it will be much easier for our ministers to reap a harvest of souls in the future than now. However, our ministers and workers report progress, and we need one or two wide-awake, successful ministers to join our conference. If they understand Spanish, it will be of great advantage, as about two fifths of the population speak that language.
The importance of church-schools is being considered in several places, and we expect to have other new schools this year. In Phoenix we have plans under way which will give us most of the advantages of an intermediate school. This school is to open in September, and continue for eight months.
The sanitarium is now having its period of summer rest; but with the present added talent in the medical profession, there should be even greater prosperity than last season, and we look for a full house from fall till spring. A farm is also being added to the sanitarium property, and an elevated portion of this farm will be fitted up with cottages for tubercular patients. These cottages will be pleasantly situated on and near the banks of a running stream, with good shade.
Altogether, we have every reason to be hopeful for the future of our work in Arizona, and shall be glad to correspond with those who desire to locate among us and enjoy the benefits of this most wonderful climate.