THERE are so many things to tell about these inspiring visits to our schools that one hardly knows what to leave out. Generally speaking, their story is one of progress, though not without the battles and marches which only can spell advancement. One thing is sure, our schools are steadily gaining in comprehension of what the length and breadth of their function in this advent movement really are. A deeper sense of this inevitably drives responsible leaders to God for greater wisdom and capacity to direct, and leads them to turn to the people, old and young, in appeal for coöperation and support. This, in turn, marks progress.
Kansas Academies
The State of Kansas, with its achievements in prohibition, its woman suffrage, and its one telephone for every home in the State, affords a promising field for equally aggressive achievement in the development of Christian education. As a result of uniting her two conferences into one for the sake of more economic and efficient administration, the question of uniting her two academies is a pressing one.
Strode Industrial Academy, a school of twelve grades, is located near the Oklahoma line, in the southeastern part of the State. With our shortage of school administrators the past year, Prof. Varner Johns, former educational superintendent of the Colorado Conference, was called to take the principalship. He and Mrs. Johns united in working the field vigorously for students last summer, with the result that they have seventy-six this year, as compared with forty-eight last. This body of young people seems thoroughly imbued with the spirit of work and a purpose to make service for God their highest aim. Their quarters are so limited, however, that students have to be put out among neighbors.
Hill Agricultural Academy, a school of ten grades, is located near the Nebraska line in the northwestern part of the State. Prof. H. H. Howard, the21principal, has stood by the school for four years, and has steadily built up its interests. The school has only one small building, however, for all its work as a boarding school. It can room only sixteen students and teachers; the rest of its enrolment of forty-four are day students. It must soon build or cease to grow.
There is good reason to believe that Kansas will rise to the situation and work out a plan for her two schools that will assure progress in educating her large body of young people.
Clinton German Seminary
Unique among our schools are three seminaries established seven years ago for three nationalities of foreign origin that constitute a sufficiently large and substantial element in our church membership to merit special provision for the education of their young people. These nationalities are the Germans, the Danish-Norwegians, and the Swedes. The three seminaries conducted by and for them are the German Seminary, at Clinton, Mo., the Danish-Norwegian Seminary, at Hutchinson, Minn., and the Swedish Seminary, at La Grange, Ill.
These schools were first operated as departments of Union College, but because of certain handicaps in realizing fully the purpose of their organization while attached to an English school, they were all removed the same year to their present location. Their general policies are directed by boards of corresponding nationality in the North American Foreign Department, in counsel and co-operation with the Union and the North American Department of Education. Their aim is to develop workers for the large populations of their own nationalities in America, many of whom cannot be reached through the English language.
The Clinton German Seminary, under the principalship of Prof. F. R. Isaac, is enjoying the largest enrolment of its history, one hundred and fifty-three mature, stalwart young men and women. The work of the school is conducted largely in German, and aims to develop chiefly ministers, Bible workers, and teachers. A suggestion of how urgent is the need of such a school is contained in the fact that twenty more German church schools could now be carried on if we had teachers to conduct them in the German language. As it is, they must wait till the teachers can be prepared. The seminary is building up a normal department for this purpose. Though hampered this year by the director's failure in health after two months' faithful service, yet satisfactory arrangements have now been made for continuing the work, with the prospect of six graduates to take up teaching next year.
This school bears numerous marks of thrift—well-kept premises; order and discipline in and about the buildings; a productive farm and registered dairy stock; a carpentry department just being installed; a thriving greenhouse, with an expert gardener and florist, who with student classes is growing winter vegetables for the market, and flowers indoors and out; a growing library, and laboratory equipment; a hard-working faculty; and an excellent spirit in the student body.
Danish-Norwegian Seminary
This institution is located in a State—Minnesota—whose population is at least two thirds Scandinavian. The main structure is substantially built of brick, with maple flooring, and was purchased from the Lutherans. One wing has never been completed above the foundation, but pledges to cover a considerable part of what remains to be done, are already on hand. The farm of one hundred and sixty acres lies in a fertile section of the State, and affords much labor for students. The editor of a local paper told me the value of this land had more than trebled since it was purchased seven years ago.
The aim of the school is to develop laborers who can work for their own nationalities in their own tongue, as also those who can labor in mixed communities, for either English or Scandinavian people as the case may call for. More than one hundred mature students are in attendance, the enrolment being somewhat reduced this year because of crop failure. Most of the instruction is given in Danish and Norwegian. The president is by birth a European, of Danish-Norwegian parentage. The other Scandinavian members of the faculty, though American born, have been well educated in their native tongue in America and Europe. The teachers are thoroughly loyal to the denominational school courses and standards, making only such modifications as their special demands in language and textbooks require. The morale of the student body is so good that Professor Andreasen, the president, told me they had had no need of a preceptor or a preceptress this year up to the present, so far as discipline is concerned.
Like the German Seminary, this school, while incorporated in the local Union, draws students and support from the entire Division Conference. Members of the faculty have been very considerate of other schools in soliciting students. Our other school men and our conference officers everywhere should remember these important seminaries, and encourage young people of suitable nationality to attend them. Both nationalities afford much of our most loyal and substantial church membership. There can be no danger in our giving strong support to their separate educational enterprises.
Thrift, cleanliness, and sobriety characterize all the work of the school at Hutchinson. Class work in carpentry and cabinetmaking, in sewing, cooking, printing, and agriculture, is maintained, all students working two hours a day, besides five hours a week if they take a trade. The seminary enjoys the highest esteem and confidence of Hutchinson citizens.
W. E. HOWELL.
Home Missionary Department
E. M. GRAHAM General Secretary
F. W. PAAP N. Am. Div. Secretary
Educational Department
By FREDERICK GRIGGS; W. E. HOWELL
FREDERICK GRIGGS - - General Secretary
W. E. HOWELL - - Assistant Secretary
News and Miscellany
Notes and clippings from the daily and weekly press
— The annual fire loss in New York City is $6,000,000, caused mostly by carelessness.
— A miniature automobile horn blown by pressing an electric button, has been invented to replace doorbells.
— The Indian who gained great wealth from discovering the Klondike gold fields, recently died in poverty.
— An inventor living at Troy, N. Y., has patented a laundry machine that irons an entire skirt over a conical roller at a single operation.
— It is stated that there are 10,000 towns west of the Missouri River, each having over 300 population, where the gospel is not preached by any one.
— Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for missions was a recent gift from Mrs. D. Willard James, of New York, to the Methodist Board. She has already given $7,000,000 to various funds for retired ministers.
— Dr. Percival Lowell, founder and director of the Lowell Observatory at Flagstaff, Ariz., and an astronomer of international reputation, died November 12, from a stroke of apoplexy. Dr. Lowell was best known as the principal exponent of the theory that Mars is inhabited. He was the brother of A. Lawrence Lowell, president of Harvard University, and a cousin of James Russell Lowell.
— The United States cruiser “Boston,” considered at one time the fastest and best ship in the United States Navy, will soon be relegated to the scrap heap. Some years ago the ship ran aground. It was found that the cost of repairing her practically amounted to reconstruction, so the Navy Department advised dismantling her. She was launched at Chester, Pa., in 1886, and took an active part in the Spanish-American War.
— The white potato crop is the smallest since 1911, says the Department of Agriculture’s latest monthly report. The outlook for corn is more favorable, though it is still about 300,000,000 bushels less than was harvested a year ago. Wheat also has taken a drop, the estimated production being about 400,000,000 bushels under last year’s crop. Oats, barley, buckwheat, and apples show smaller yields than were estimated in September.
— Henryk Sienkiewicz, the most widely read Polish author of his time, died at Vevey, Switzerland, on the shore of Lake Geneva, November 18. He was distinguished for his patriotism as well as for his literary productions. He was born in 1845, and a considerable part of his life was spent in exile. He was a prolific writer, but the work which brought him greatest reputation and financial profit was “Quo Vadis,” a novel which, with fascinating vividness, purports to describe Roman life in the days of Nero. It has been translated into thirty different languages.22
— “To be useful in the world needs preparation. Everything really useful must be shaped to fit some place or task. Youth is the time to follow the advice of the old Persian proverb, ‘Square thyself for use; a stone that may fit in the wall is not left in the road.’”
— To soar over the north pole in a hydroaeroplane is the ambition of Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer who a few years ago attained the south pole. Captain Amundsen arrived in New York recently from Copenhagen to purchase two hydroaeroplanes for that purpose. Starting in the summer of 1918, he said, he expects to be in the far north from three to five years. The main object of his flight, Captain Amundsen declared, would be to study the air currents around the pole.
— According to a report received by the National Geographic Society, the United States now owns exactly 8,000 islands, supporting a population of 10,000,000. The commerce of these islands exceeds $300,000,000, or more than that of the United States in any year prior to 1850. American capital invested in the islands aggregates approximately $400,000,000, and from them there is shipped to the United States $100,000,000 worth of products every year, and they take in exchange products of about equal value.
— President Wilson gave the wireless flash which bathed the Statue of Liberty in light at six o’clock on the night of December 2. Bartholdi’s famous symbol of American freedom, which has been for thirty years a token of welcome to the United States to millions of immigrants from every land, will be illuminated every night hereafter from top to bottom. Funds to install the permanent lighting system for the statue, the gift to the United States of 400,000 citizens of France, were provided by public subscription.
— The Japanese, like the Chinese, have no alphabet, in the ordinary sense, every word in their written language being represented by a separate character. In telegraphing in those languages, therefore, about 10,000 words are selected, and figures ranging from 1 to 9,999 are allotted to each word. Each word of a message to be transmitted by telegraph is first given its proper number by the telegraph clerk, by means of a dictionary which has been prepared under the authority of the government. These numbers are then transmitted by the Morse alphabet, and when received, the message is translated back into the Chinese or Japanese characters by reference to a corresponding dictionary.
— Yale University began its work as an academy at Saybrook, Conn. Two hundred years ago the academic foundation was transplanted to New Haven, Conn., and that removal was celebrated this year. The most picturesque feature of the celebration was a historical pageant. This was participated in by more than 7,000 persons. The Yale ‘Bowl,’ with its accommodations for nearly 60,000 persons, was the setting, while upon the green turf were depicted the episodes and incidents of college life. The interludes were allegorical, and many hundreds of children and their elders took part in the groupings and dances. The pageant had been arranged at a cost of about $60,000, and drew Yale alumni from far and near.
— Dr. Thomas D. Wood, of Columbia University, announces some astounding facts in relation to the 20,000,000 children in the public schools. He says that there are 1,000,000 with defective hearing, 5,000,000 with defective vision, 6,000,000 suffering from malnutrition, 10,000,000 have defective teeth, and 6,000,000 have adenoids and enlarged tonsils needing attention.
— Some relief in the present tense news-print paper situation is likely to be afforded by the fact that several additional mills will be put into operation within the next few months in the United States and Canada. The output of these new mills, in the opinion of officials of the Department of Commerce, will go a long way toward increasing the supply of news-print paper to meet the demands, which are said by the manufacturers and jobbers to be responsible for the prevailing exorbitant prices. While, in time, the increased output from the additional mills is expected to have its effect, officials of the Federal Trade Commission doubt if there will be any immediate reduction in the market price as a result of the present government inquiry. This is a time, they understand, when publishers make their contracts for the next year’s supply. Under the present circumstances the officials would not be surprised if the paper manufacturers and jobbers undertook to increase the prices, which at present are shown to be out of all proportion to the cost of manufacture.
— Buddhism is credited with a revived life in Japan. It is imitating Christian missions in some phases of their propaganda. It is characterized by aggressiveness and adaptability. One of the forms of activity shown is the ‘Sunday school.’ The work was inaugurated at the time of the emperor’s coronation a year ago. In six months, it is stated, there were 800 schools, with 120,000 children. The Buddhist sect best known for its imitation of Christianity is the Nishi Hongwana-ji, which has a board which acts for all Japan. This board gives a banner to the best school, and confers medals for special merit. The child having the best record in each school is given the privilege of visiting the far-famed building and treasures of the West Hongwana-ji temples. In every detail the schools imitate the Christian schools — the same officers and committees; the same classification of departments. They have gone so far as to organize mothers’ meetings, young men’s associations, and special meetings for children, corresponding to our children’s day, rally day, etc. In literature for children it is difficult to tell which is Christian and which is Buddhist, so closely do the text cards, ‘Life of Buddha’ series, attendance cards, etc., conform to those used in Christian Sabbath schools. But the climax of imitation is reached in the music. Christian hymns — words, tunes, and all — have been appropriated. Such songs as ‘O for a thousand tongues to sing,’ ‘Jesus loves me! this I know,’ ‘Bringing in the sheaves,’ ‘God is love,’ are being used by the Buddhists, practically the only change being the substitution of the name of Buddha for that of Jesus. Many fundamental truths of the Christian religion have been brought into their stories and songs. Buddha is referred to again and again as ‘heavenly Father.’
West Point Cadet Corps Expansion
—It is reported that the cadet barracks at West Point are already crowded as a result of the recent act of Congress doubling the cadet corps there. When the corps reaches the authorized maximum, there will be between 900 and 1,000 cadets, and this increase in students will make necessary the construction of new mess halls, barracks, hospitals, officers' quarters, and alterations in other buildings, estimated to involve an expenditure of $3,074,079. The last session of Congress appropriated $120,603.35 for buildings and grounds at West Point.
OBITUARIES
WILSON.—Lyman Wilson was born in Bowne, Mich., Aug. 7, 1859, and died in Bauer, Mich., Nov. 19, 1916. He gave his heart to God shortly before his death, and fell asleep trusting in the saving power of his Saviour. His wife, one daughter, several brothers, and other relatives are left to mourn. Wm. Guthrie, W. H. Sherrig.
GREER.—William John Greer was born in Ireland, July 15, 1853, and died in North Yakima, Wash., Oct. 31, 1916. He accepted the third angel's message in 1912, being baptized by Elder P. A. Hanson, and ever remained faithful to the cause he loved. He sleeps in the hope of a soon-coming Saviour and a glorious resurrection. His companion and three children mourn. J. K. Luther.
MAXSON.—Henry J. Maxson died Oct. 27, 1916, aged 81 years and 7 months. New York was his native State, but for many years he lived in Waterloo, Iowa. Ten years ago he moved to Prescott, Wash. He heard and accepted the third angel's message seven years ago. We laid him to rest beside his companion, who fell asleep in Jesus only a few months before he was called to rest. One daughter survives. Oscar Hill.
SEWELL.—Solomon Sewell was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, May 26, 1835. He was united in marriage to Mary C. Kelly Dec. 24, 1863, and to them were born ten children. About twenty-three years ago Brother Sewell united with the Seventh-day Adventist church, and to the end of his life he was devoted to the cause of the third angel's message. After a very brief illness he fell asleep in the hope of eternal life. J. J. Marietta.
KOONTZ.—Cora Louise Butler was born in Buffalo, N. Y., May 18, 1860. She was married to John I. Koontz in Mapleton, Iowa, Aug. 16, 1881. The following spring they settled in Ottawa, Iowa, where they have since resided. Mrs. Koontz united with the Seventh-day Adventist church in 1897, and remained a faithful and consistent member until her death. She is survived by her husband and four children. W. A. McKibben.
DESCOMBES.—Bertha Cornelia Descombes was born in Switzerland, in the year 1883. Her parents settled in Berlin, Ontario, when she was five years of age, and she died at the family home in that place Oct. 29, 1916. When fourteen years of age she was baptized by Elder H. F. Holser, and until her death remained a firm believer in the third angel's message. An aged father and mother are left to mourn, but they sorrow in hope. A. V. Olson.
TOWER.—Laura L. Mallitte was born in Ypsilanti, Mich., Feb. 19, 1829. When she was thirteen years of age, her parents moved to Barry County, and three years later she taught the first school in Woodland. In 1846 she was married to Harvey Tower, and to them were born eleven children. Sister Tower accepted the third angel's message in 1875, and was faithful unto death. She fell asleep at the home of her daughter, Sept. 27, 1916. W. C. Hebner.
HUDSON.—Charlotte M. Hudson, née Hall, was born Aug. 5, 1839, near London, Canada, and fell asleep in Jesus, in Fresno, Cal., Aug. 28, 1916. In early days her parents came to Illinois, and in 1850 she crossed the plains with them to California. Her marriage to George Hudson took place in 1859. She was left a widow twenty years later. In 1860 she went to Honolulu, and there accepted present truth, receiving baptism from her son-in-law, Elder B. L. Howe. Sister Hudson was a faithful wife, a loving mother, a considerate neighbor, and a conscientious Christian. She is survived by five children. E. H. Adams.23
BORDO.—Mrs. Ida M. Saxby-Bordo was born in Springfield, Mass., in the year 1855. She died Oct. 12, 1916. Sister Bordo was born in the message, and united with the Seventh-day Adventist church by baptism at the age of thirteen, remaining faithful until death. She is survived by her husband, one son, three daughters, and two brothers. We feel assured that she will receive a crown of righteousness when the Saviour comes to claim his own. C. S. Wiest.
STRATTON.—Lena Maria Bell was born in Fairfax, Vt., June 2, 1854. She was married to Leman H. Stratton Oct. 31, 1874. Two sons were born to them, one of whom died in infancy. She loved children, and a number of young people can testify to her motherly care. She was a mother to the writer for sixteen years. Thirty-five years ago, under the labors of Elder H. W. Pierce, she embraced present truth. She died in Cambridge, Vt., Oct. 26, 1916. Her husband and son mourn, but they sorrow in hope. Mrs. A. M. Cram.
WEIAND.—William Weiand was born in Germany, March 28, 1845, and died at the home of his daughter, in Spokane, Wash., Nov. 20, 1916. He was married to Bertha Scheel in 1868, and to them were born six children. In 1882 he came to America. He lived in Ohio until 1889, when he came to Ritzville, Wash., being one of the pioneers in Adams County. In 1906 he moved to Spokane, and there his wife died in 1915. He bore the sufferings of his last illness with Christian fortitude. Three daughters survive. A. M. Dart.
DURST.—Melchior Durst was born in Switzerland seventy-eight years ago. At the age of twenty-six he came to the United States, and finally settled near Portland, Ore. Thirty years ago he accepted present truth under the labors of Elder C. L. Boyd. In 1904 he was married to Louise Schuler, and to them was born one son. Brother Durst fell asleep Oct. 8, 1916, and rests in the cemetery at Gaston, Ore., awaiting the call of the Life-giver. His wife and son, three sisters, and one brother are left to mourn, but they sorrow in hope. J. L. Kay.
KLATT.—Mary Galbraith was born in Lorneville, New Brunswick, Nov. 20, 1871. She was married to Hans H. L. Klatt May 12, 1915. About nine years ago she became a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church at St. John, New Brunswick, having accepted the third angel's message through the efforts of Elder J. O. Miller. She suffered much during her last illness, but she was perfectly resigned to the will of God. Her death occurred in St. John, Nov. 17, 1916. Her husband and many relatives are left to mourn. Geo. H. Skinner.
JENSEN.—Mrs. Kersten Jensen, née Peterson, was born in Denmark, Jan. 1, 1848. She came to America, a widow with two children, in 1883, and that year was married to Jacob Jensen, of Fremont, Wis. They resided at that place until last spring, when they removed to Oshkosh, where Sister Jensen died Nov. 16, 1916. She was an earnest member of the Seventh-day Adventist church. Her companion, one daughter, one brother, two sisters, and many other relatives and friends are left to mourn. Our sister sleeps in hope of the resurrection. P. A. Hanson.
ALLRED.—Mrs. Harriett Amanda Allred died in Lincoln, Nebr., Nov. 19, 1916, aged nearly 62 years. She accepted present truth under the labors of Elder M. Enoch about thirty-two years ago, and remained faithful until called by death. Our sister was a devoted wife, a kind and loving mother, and was highly respected by all who knew her. Her husband, one daughter, and three sons are left to mourn. The sufferings of a long illness were all patiently borne, and she fell asleep fully resigned to the will of God, confident of a part in the first resurrection. Funeral services were conducted by the writer, assisted by C. E. AcMoody. J. S. Hart.
HAMEL.—Louis C. Hamel was born near Merrill, Wis., Dec. 9, 1858, and died in Minneapolis, Minn., Nov. 28, 1916. He was married to Alice Cornell, and to them were born eleven children, of whom nine, with their mother, are left to mourn. Years ago, while living in Nebraska, Brother and Sister Hamel accepted the third angel's message, and as the end drew near he expressed anew his confidence in God. Funeral services were held at Appleton, Wis. E. F. Ferris.
PARLIN.—Elmer E. Parlin died at his home, in Oakland, Cal., Nov. 4, 1916. Brother Parlin was born in Lysander, N. Y., May 10, 1861. He was married to Amanda H. Webber March 15, 1888. They accepted the Seventh-day Adventist faith and were baptized in January, 1891. In 1893 Brother Parlin was connected with our branch publishing house in New York City. In 1895 he and his wife went to Battle Creek, Mich., and spent about one year and a half in connection with the International Tract Society and Religious Liberty offices. Following this, they came to California, and both Brother and Sister Parlin were very active in the work in San Francisco and Oakland. Brother Parlin was a good counselor and a good worker, and for a long time served on the conference committee, and in other important capacities. Many persons are rejoicing in the truth today because of the faithful labors of Brother and Sister Parlin. A large congregation assembled in the Oakland church on November 8, to pay their respects to his memory, and to show their sympathy with his wife and other relatives, who mourn the loss of this true-hearted Christian man. His death came suddenly, as a result of a rupture of an artery near the heart. He was conscious to the last moment, and expressed a clear confidence in the hope of the soon coming of Christ and the great resurrection day. A. O. Taft.
Appointments and Notices
By F. M. Wilcox; I. A. Ford
Review and Herald Publishing Association
NOTICE is hereby given that the thirteenth annual meeting of the members of the constituency of the Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D. C., will be held in the Seventh-day Adventist church at Takoma Park, Md., at 7 P. M., Jan. 30, 1917, for the election of five trustees for the coming year, to take the place of five whose term of office expires at that time, and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
The members of this corporation consist of the trustees of this corporation, and the members of the following committees: the executive committee of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the executive committee of the North American Division Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the executive committee of the Atlantic Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the executive committee of the Eastern Canadian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the executive committee of the Lake Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the executive committee of the Columbia Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the executive committee of each local conference of Seventh-day Adventists within the territory of the above-named Union Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists; and the general agents of the above-named Union Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists, the field agents and the tract society secretaries within the territory of the above-named Union Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists, the editors of periodicals published by the Review and Herald Publishing Association, the managers of the publishing house departments and branch offices, and such persons as have received certificates of membership in the association.
By order of the Board of Trustees,
F. M. Wilcox, President.
I. A. Ford, Secretary.
An Important Court Decision
THE supreme court of criminal appeals of the State of Oklahoma has just handed down a very important decision in the case of G. J. Krieger et al. v. the State of Oklahoma. This decision is a reversal of the Blaine County court decision, which condemned G. J. Krieger and son for exposing merchandise for sale on Sunday. These men are Sabbatarians, and are conducting a general mercantile business in Hitchcock, Okla. The supreme court of Oklahoma guarantees full religious liberty to all those who observe another day than Sunday as holy time. All three judges concurred in one of the most learned and able opinions which was ever written upon this subject, and it is a long step forward instead of backward.
This decision, with arguments before the court, is printed in the issue of Liberty, First Quarter, 1917, now ready.
This decision is most important to Seventh-day Adventists, as it is the first instance where a State supreme court ever handed down a decision so favorable to Sabbatarians.
In the same number of Liberty appears the report of the recent campaign in the State of Oregon which resulted in wiping the blue laws off the statute books by a majority vote of 32,163.
These two articles alone make this number of Liberty so important that it should have an extremely large circulation.
The prices are: Single copy, 10 cents; 5 to 40 copies, 5 cents each; 50 or more copies, 4 cents each. This number is especially appropriate to use in an educational campaign, sending to all leading men of each community. This number will be mailed separately to lists of names you may furnish, for five cents a copy. Orders should come through your conference tract society.
Its Own Recommendation
MANY are the letters coming to the publishers of the Present Truth Series from individuals who have in one way or another come into possession of copies of the Series. The following are some of the latest received:—
“KIND SIRS: I have one of your papers called, “Life Only in Christ,” Extra No. 20, in which I have become quite interested, so I am inclosing enough stamps to pay for about thirty or thirty-five papers in all. I want about eight of these Extras No. 20, and two each of any other kind you may happen to have on hand. I notice you charge fifteen cents for twenty-five. Should also be glad to accept any free tracts you may have. I hope you will favor me with an early reply, as I wish to distribute a few among my friends for Christmas.”
“DEAR SIR: A short time ago a friend of mine picked up a September number of the REVIEW AND HERALD on a steamer from Boston to Portland, Maine, and brought the number to me. I passed it along to another Christian brother, who is a believer in immortality now, and not when Jesus comes to reign, and I was pleased to have the truth to hand him as in that number. Inclosed find fifteen cents in stamps for a few back numbers to hand to hungry people. I should be glad to get subscribers to this paper for you where I work.”
Bible Studies on Christ’s Second Coming
By Editor
We shall begin next week the special Bible studies on the message, which we plan to continue throughout the year. Elder O. F. Butcher, Bible teacher in South Lancaster Academy, will introduce the series by articles on the second coming of Christ.
An Economic Phenomenon
WHAT Zion's Herald for September 6 calls an “economic phenomenon” is seen in the wonderful increase of the automobile industry in the United States during the last two or three years. No fewer than 2,932,455 automobiles are officially registered in the various States. There was paid into the State treasuries for license fees during the first six months of 1916, $14,261,000. By the end of the year there will have been manufactured in this country 1,500,000 new machines, at a retail value of more than $1,000,000,000. The growth of this industry in 1914 amounted to 68 per cent over the preceding year, and 75 per cent in 1915.
This industry is rapidly changing the economic and social conditions in many parts of the country. In many instances this means of transportation has proved a great blessing to communities and to individuals. With others it has been a luxury rather than a necessity. Thousands of men have mortgaged their homes in order to obtain an automobile which was wholly unneeded in the development of their business. A desire to emulate the rich or those more fortunately situated has led to the financial undoing of thousands. What might be an actual necessity with one would be a luxury and a needless expense in the case of another.
We need to bind about our supposed wants. In these times of the high cost of living, and times as well of great necessity in the mission field and of actual want among the poor and unfortunate, we need to distinguish between a needless luxury and that which is a necessity in the carrying forward of our work. We may make of a house, a horse, or an automobile, or for that matter any other object of interest, an idol, placing our affections on it instead of on God; or we may use the things of this world as not abusing them. In every relationship let us seek to know what the Master would have us do. That which will honor him and advance his work will prove in the end to be for our highest good.
The West Indian Union
By John L. Shaw
AFTER a somewhat uneventful passage of nine days, I arrived at Port of Spain, Trinidad. Our boat stopped two days at the island of Grenada, where we have two churches.
I have been visiting the churches throughout the field, and getting acquainted with our people, the work, and workers. I returned yesterday from a nine-day trip to British Guiana. Our work is going forward in that field encouragingly. As the result of a recent tent effort in Georgetown, conducted by Elders I. G. Knight and M. B. Butterfield, a baptismal class of sixty-four was organized. Some of these have already been baptized, and most of the others will take this step in the near future. We shall then have a church of nearly two hundred members. The church building here is too small for the attendance. Though many of our people in the West Indies have little of this world's goods, their zeal in attending church services and in missionary work is encouraging.
J. L. SHAW.
“The Sea and the Waves Roaring”
AMONG the signs given by Christ are those indicated in the very familiar words, “Upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” Many are the disasters by land and sea reported in the newspapers recently. Last month most extraordinary weather conditions prevailed in France, which culminated in a tidal wave in the Gulf of Marseilles, on the Mediterranean coast. Many vessels foundered. Concerning this storm the Washington, D. C., Post of November 20, says:—
“According to M. Angot, director of the Weather Bureau, the fluctuations of the barometer yesterday beat all the records of sixty years for quick changes. From 721 millimeters, which already was 39 below normal, it dropped 44 millimeters in 36 hours. . . . The storm beat all records for twenty years on the Mediterranean coast.”
Graduate Nurses Sail for Peru
Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Borrowdale, graduate nurses of Melrose Sanitarium, and recently of Ohio, sailed last week on the steamship “Heredia,” via Panama, for Mollendo, Peru. These young people answer one more of the urgent calls for additional help in the Lake Titicaca region.
A Review in Every English-Speaking Home
By Editor
THE REVIEW IN EVERY ENGLISH-SPEAKING SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST FAMILY,—this is our slogan for 1917. Will you help us reach the realization of this purpose? It will be made possible if each reader will see to it that every family in his local church has a copy.
South Lancaster Academy Week of Prayer
A PERSONAL letter from Prof. W. G. Wirth, principal of South Lancaster Academy, states that the school enjoyed an excellent week of prayer. Elder G. B. Thompson was with them, and led in the services. As a result of the meetings, about twenty students asked for baptism.
Reports from the Far East
N. Z. Town reports for himself and Professor Griggs, profitable meetings in New Zealand and Australia, in the interests of the educational and the publishing work. Brother C. H. Watson, president of the Australasian Union Conference, accompanied Brother Town to India, intending later to visit Malaysia, and possibly other sections of the Asiatic Division field, in the interest of closer coöperation, especially in the issuing of publications in the English language. Our readers will follow, from week to week, the interesting reports which we shall publish from our brethren visiting the Far East.
Missionaries Return Home to Rest
A NOTE from H. B. Thomas, secretary-treasurer of the California Conference, says: “The arrival at San Francisco of the steamship ‘China,’ Tuesday, December 12, brought to our shores Brother and Sister Frederick Lee and their two children, of the Central China Mission, and Sister B. Miller and son Percy, from the East China Mission. After spending a few days in sunny California, Brother and Sister Lee go on to the home of Sister Lee’s parents, in Falmouth, Maine. Sister Miller and her son continue their journey in a few days, going to the State of Maine also. Our prayers and sympathies are with these good people, who have returned to the homeland to rest and recuperate, preparatory to further service in the Lord’s work.”
Safe Arrival of the Empress of Asia
LETTERS mailed from Yokohama, Japan, received last week, report the safe arrival of the steamship “Empress of Asia,” on which Brethren Daniells and Knox and their party sailed. A rather rough voyage had been experienced, but all were well.