OUR responsibility to the needy is so evidently set forth in the Scriptures that there is left no room for mistake. Without doubt the proper discharge of our duty in this particular is evidence of the possession of a faith that works by love, while its neglect will be considered evidence of our lack of such faith. To the one class our Saviour represents himself as saying in the day of his coming: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” And then to the astonished but happy righteous he will explain that “inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
The needy do appeal to us. Our hearts go out to them, but too often in our many cares and burdens we are prone to overlook and miss the opportunity before us. In every conference there are cases that seem to demand attention from the conference rather than the individual. The donation from all the churches for Sabbath, April 2, is, by appointment of the General Conference, devoted to the local and union conferences in their care, for the aged, the orphans, and needy among them. This should, therefore, be a liberal offering, for in every conference there surely is need; and while doubtless there are many of us who can not do in our own homes all we would for the less favored, yet in this arrangement we may have a part in this work that is evidently so essential for Christian growth and development.
There is no other work we can enter upon that will take its place, no busy activity nor service that will be acceptable to the Lord with this lacking. With a tender and practical sympathy for the needy lacking in our lives, all our service seems to be distasteful to God.
It is to be hoped that all will deal liberally on this occasion, that the conferences and institutions may be able properly to discharge their duty to those who are dependent upon their care. Send all funds to the local conference treasury. W. T. KNOX.
Canvass for “Ministry of Healing”
By L. A. Hansen
We are about to prepare a canvass for “Ministry” of Healing.” Some of our agents who have had experience in selling this book, doubtless have valuable items of interest or “selling points” which they could furnish. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions that might be helpful in the preparation of a printed canvass. These suggestions should be sent me at once at Takoma Park, Washington, D. C.
L. A. HANSEN,
Australasian Union Conference Cable Address
WE are asked to announce that the cable address of the Australasian Union Conference has been changed to “Adventist,” Sydney.
The Spirit of Legislative Religion
The spirit of legislative religion seems in the very air. Here is the Baptist Missions magazine for March saying: “A Sunday movement of overwhelming power is the next movement needed in this country.”
Annual Conference in Kief
By postal card, dated March 7, Elder W. J. Fitzgerald reports “a splendid meeting” in Kief, where the annual conference of the Little Russian mission field was in progress. “Hall packed daily,” he adds, “and this in Kief, the Jerusalem of Russia, to which hundreds of thousands of Greek Catholics make pilgrimage every year.”
A Chassu Hymn-Book
By Editor
We have received from our Hamburg Publishing House a copy of a little hymn-book in the Chassu language, of German East Africa. It contains fifty-five hymns. The chorus of the hymn, “Come to the Saviour,” reads:—
“Ee ni yedi, yedi haiwa,
Kaya yetu uko’wanga.
Twaki yose hakwe Yesu.
Yoya, nazi nami.”
We are glad to think of the gospel invitation ringing out in song in that language which had never been reduced to writing when our brethren began their work. Most of the hymns are translations from our German song-book.
D. K. Royer Enters Southern Publishing Work
ACCEPTING an earnest call from the South, Brother D. K. Royer has resigned his work as secretary and treasurer of the New Jersey Conference, to enter the circulation department of the Southern Publishing Association, at Nashville.
Refreshing Showers of the Latter Rain
“I NEVER felt before,” writes Elder W. J. Tanner, from the island of Haiti, “such refreshing showers of the latter rain as I have experienced since the beginning of the year. This does not mean that we are not having our troubles. These are coming to us, a whole series of them; but the blessing of God overbalances them all.”
General Conference Committee Council
By Editor
BEFORE another number reaches our readers, the General Conference Committee Council will be in session. This will embrace about twenty-five of our leading brethren in the United States, with Elder L. R. Conradi from Europe. Many important questions relative to the prosecution of the work will be considered. Let us pray God to give the Council wisdom.
The Johnston Sunday Bill
By Editor
ANOTHER week has passed without any further action having been taken upon the Johnston Sunday bill. We are therefore encouraged to believe that it may not pass during the present session of Congress, and that the delay already experienced in reaching its present status is an evidence that the Lord has answered our prayers. Let it be remembered, however, that, notwithstanding the present hopeful outlook, it is possible for the bill to become law in a very few days.
April Watchman Contents
By Editor
The cover page of the April Watchman is printed in two colors, and illustrates the giving of the law on Mount Sinai. Its contents cover a wide range of discussion, dealing with many of the important happenings of the world at the present time. Among the editorials we note: “The Law of God Upheld Before the World,” “The Background of the Coming Struggle,” and “The Bible and the Miraculous.” In the General Articles department are found “The Mystery of Godliness,” “The Dangers of Modern Colonial Expansion,” “Protestantism’s Anniversary,” “Ex-Governor Folk on Religious Legislation,” “Comets—What They Are,” “The Future of Our World,” “Developments Leading to the Present Open Door in Turkey,” and the “Sanctuary in Heaven.” Other articles, reports, notes, and items will be found of special interest. We hope all will co-operate in giving this number of the Watchman a wide circulation.
March-April Christian Education Review
THE March-April number of Christian Education contains much excellent instruction for those interested in the great field it represents. Prof. J. H. Haughey writes upon “The Study and Practise of Agriculture in Its Relation to Education.” Miss Bessie M. DeGraw writes on the “Province of Physical Culture in the Complete Education.” This number contains a symposium of “The Industries Among the Schools,” also “A Consensus of Opinion Regarding Physical Culture,” from the schools of the denomination. The editors write of “Back to the Land,” “Ideals and Reals.” Among the excellent things which are contained in other departments of the journal appear articles from Profs. C. C. Lewis, C. W. Irwin, and M. E. Cady, and from Sarah E. Peck, and other leading educators of the denomination. The Home School department, in charge of Mrs. Alice Maynard Bourdeau, contains some excellent suggestions for home work. This number will be found of deep interest to parent, teacher, and student in their work.