p. 18 | Review and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 38. (9/10/1914)

Danger for the Young

By Carrie R. Moon

MRS. CARRIE R. MOON

PAUL, in writing to Timothy, said: “In the last days perilous times shall come. . . . Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”

Many parents do not know how wickedness has increased since the days when they were young. In the innocence of their own hearts, they see only good in others, and for that reason they do not realize the dangers that surround their boys and girls.

Perhaps many who have read, in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, the following words, do not really sense the dangers that led to their being given: “Work as if working for your lives to save your children from being drowned in the polluting, corrupting influences of the world.”

Constant care on the part of parents is the price that must be paid if they would have their children grow up with pure minds in these evil days. The children must be guarded from evil associations while they are too young to have settled principles. Some parents allow their children to play on the streets with a promiscuous company of other children, even remaining out in the evening. Many learn in this way their first lessons in evil. As Elizabeth Rosser truly said,—

“The night is falling, When gilded sin doth walk about the streets.”

“Come, shut the door, and gather round the hearthstone. Are all the children in?”

A practice which is not uncommon in some families is that of allowing children to spend the night with schoolmates or other young friends. If the parents could know the foul poisons that are often breathed into the pure minds of their children at such times, they would shudder at the thought.

But even the greatest care is not enough to insure safety. The children must be instructed. There must be so close a bond of companionship between parents and children that Satan will not be able to get in between them. Those children who feel perfectly free to come to their parents with questions concerning all that they wish to know, knowing that their questions will be answered truthfully, and who can come freely and tell anything that occurs in their associations with others, are not likely to be led far astray. Mothers should learn how to tell the story of life to their children in such a way as to impress the young hearts with a sense of the sacredness of the bodies that God has given them. Children who have thus been taught will go to the mother instead of to other children for conversation upon such topics.

An incident illustrating the awful consequences of a lack of care on the part of parents occurred only a few months ago in an American town. Eleven young people, between the ages of fourteen and twenty years, all children of respectable families, were arrested, accused of a long list of crimes. Rigid examination brought confessions which revealed the fact that this was one of the most perfectly organized gangs for the commission of petty crimes that was ever known in that vicinity. Three members of the gang were girls, the youngest being only fourteen years of age. The girls confessed that they had made a practice of meeting the boys at dance halls, and staying with them till two or three o’clock in the morning, sleeping in barns and other rendezvous, while their mothers believed that they were spending the night at the home of some of their girl friends. The account of the affair published in the daily paper ended with these words, which will touch a sympathetic chord in the heart of every mother: “There were heart-rending scenes at the police station today. Mothers came to see their children, and when told of the serious crimes which their children had confessed, broke down and sobbed. With a maternal love that causes them to doubt that their sons and daughters are guilty, they kissed their children, and departed with eyes blinded with tears.” Comment is unnecessary. The story carries its own sad lesson.

Another of Satan’s workshops is the city parks. Those who sit in one of our public parks for a little while in the late afternoon will see things that will make them long to put protecting arms around those young girls and warn them of their danger—yes, and to warn the boys also, for they need a mother’s loving counsel just as much as the girls do.

“It is a critical time for children. Influences will be thrown around them to wean them from you, which you must counteract. Teach them to make you their confidant. Let them whisper in your ear their trials and joys. By encouraging this, you will save them from many a snare that Satan has prepared for their inexperienced feet. . . . Satan and his host are making most powerful efforts to sway the minds of the children, and they must be treated with candor, Christian tenderness, and love. This will give you a strong influence over them.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. I, page 387.

Satan is working with all his power to destroy all the young people of these last days, and more especially the children of Seventh-day Adventists; but at the same time “angels are watching the children with the deepest interest to see what characters they develop.” It is the duty and privilege of parents to help their boys and girls in this work of character building. Parents should remember that they cannot always keep their children with them under their personal care and influence. The children must go out from the home nest and battle with the world alone. To prepare them for this should be the daily effort of the parents. The mother of Moses should be an example to all mothers in this respect. She knew that her son was to be taken from her while he was yet a child and be surrounded by all the vices and alluring temptations that a king’s court could offer. With the greatest earnestness she improved the few years of his earliest childhood that were allowed her to instill into his heart such principles as would make it possible for him to be true to God and to his own manhood in the midst of such influences. His after life of service to God was the result of his mother’s efforts for him.

To mothers is given the most sacred responsibility and the greatest privilege ever given to mortals. How thankful they should be that to them is given the privilege of giving to these little ones their first education—of molding the plastic clay before any less loving hands have come in contact with it! How carefully they should guard their dear ones from evil, train them to live by principle, and pray that the Lord will seal them for his own throughout eternity—“that our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as cornerstones, polished after the similitude of a palace”! Mothers who allow anything to come between them and this duty to their children may have years of sorrow when it is too late to correct their fatal mistake.

“O mother, guard the feet of inexperience, Too prone to wander in the paths of sin. O, shut the door of love against temptations! Are all the children in?”

South Bend, Ind.

“Tear It Up!”—A Lincoln Story

THERE is enough wisdom in this little story to occupy us for a week. Indeed, most of us would do well to remember its lesson all our lives.

Secretary Stanton was once greatly vexed because an army officer had refused to understand an order, or at all events had not obeyed it.

“I believe I’ll sit down,” said Stanton, “and give that man a piece of my mind.”

“Do so,” said Lincoln; “write it now, while you have it on your mind. Make it sharp; cut him all up.”

Stanton did not need a second invitation. It was a crushing letter, and he read it to the President.

“That’s right,” said Lincoln; “that’s a good one.”

“Whom can I send it by?” mused the Secretary.

“Send it!” replied Lincoln. “Send it! Why, don’t send it at all. Tear it up. You have freed your mind on the subject, and that is all that is necessary. Tear it up. You never want to send such letters; I never do.”—Southern Cross.

Washington

By J. F. Piper; S. N. Rittenhouse

SEATTLE.—Next Sunday evening, August 9, will be the last meeting of our series in this city. There has been a good attendance from the very first, averaging about two hundred and fifty, and only a very few evenings falling below two hundred. The most encouraging feature has been the regular attendance of the same persons, many not having missed a single service.

A song service of from fifteen to twenty minutes is conducted each evening, in which all take part. The choir of about forty voices has done good, faithful work, and some who are now rejoicing in present truth have expressed themselves as coming at first to hear the music. The Spirit of God took hold of their hearts and made them realize that they were not obeying the Lord; and now they are living up to the light of the message presented.

Another interesting feature is the question department. It has been the plan to take up from the audience all questions they care to hand in at the close of the sermon, and answer them before the meeting is dismissed. This part of the meeting has lasted as long as an hour after the close of the regular service, but nearly all have seemed glad to stay and hear the answers.

The attention of the public has been called to the meetings through the medium of the newspapers. The first few weeks advertisements were placed in the daily papers; and the reports of the sermons have been quite generally published. This has brought to us those who were desirous of knowing the way of life, some even coming as far as from Bellingham to hear the truth. This was brought about by the report of one of the sermons in the newspaper.

We also used a club of one hundred Signs each week. One sister who was faithful in distributing these papers each week to the same persons, is now rejoicing in the knowledge that at least one woman who became interested in the truth through these Signs, finally came to the meetings and is now a Sabbath keeper.

Sunday afternoon it is planned to hold baptismal services in Green Lake, a beautiful body of water in the midst of the city. At this writing, all arrangements have not been completed, but we know of at least thirty-three who will follow the example of their Lord in baptism. Others are satisfied with their present baptism, and still others will go forward in this ordinance at a later date. We know of fifty-five who have begun to live up to all God's commandments since the beginning of the meetings; and there are many others who are still in the valley of decision. We trust that a united prayer will ascend to God for those who have so recently renounced the world and started to obey the truth, and more especially for those who have not as yet had the courage to step out on the promises of God. Truly it does take faith to obey all this truth in this age of infidelity and turmoil, and especially so in these large cities.

All through the meetings God has greatly blessed the efforts put forth for the spreading of his truth; and to him we ascribe all the praise and honor. We greatly rejoice that God has permitted us to have a part in the finishing of his great work; and we trust that the work, which is comparatively only begun in this city, will go forward and result in the salvation of many souls.

Those composing our company of workers here are: Mrs. Piper, Miss Bessie Woolsey, and Miss Opal Clark, Bible workers; Mrs. Rittenhouse, music director; and Arthur Russell, tent master.

J. F. PIPER.

S. N. RITTENHOUSE.

Early Sunday School Work

By Richard Hook, Sr.

I READ with much interest a note in the July Sabbath School Worker regarding the work of Robert Raikes, the father of the Sunday school movement. Having been a pupil and teacher in these schools later, I thought the few additional thoughts which follow might be of interest:—

It was in 1780 that Mr. Raikes began his work in the city of Gloucester, Mass., and early in the nineteenth century Rev. Charles Holder, a minister of Taynton, started a school in that place. These men, whose pictures hung on the wall of the Taynton Sunday school which I attended, saw the dire need of the people, who were ignorant and very superstitious, and set about to educate those who would join their classes in Bible study. My mother, grandmother, and some others in the neighborhood had become interested in religious things; for there was a great religious awakening about that time, and many ministers were preaching the second advent of Christ.

At about eight o'clock each Sunday morning I was started to Sunday school, in company with other children of our neighborhood. The school was three miles away and began at half past nine. We took our dinners in small bags fastened about the neck and hidden inside our smock frocks. Then we stayed to the afternoon session, which convened at two o'clock. Every month we were called from the gallery to the aisle of the church and questioned on the catechism. We did not usually reach home until about six in the evening. There we showed our tickets; for every scholar who was on time at Sunday school and repeated his verse received a ticket each time, on which was given a new text for the following week. After reaching home we were also required to give the text and a synopsis of the sermon to our parents.

How I wish that every child today had as great privileges as I enjoyed! Our home Sunday school was only six or seven miles from Robert Raikes's original school, where I believe he not only paid the teachers a shilling (twenty-four cents) a Sunday for their work, but paid one penny (two cents) to each child who attended. The Bible was our textbook; and as the day schools were very inadequate we had an A B C class, a syllable class, and then a more advanced group in our Sunday school. At the age of sixteen I was confirmed and became a teacher of the boys, at one shilling a week, the girls being grouped in separate classes. I taught the first class that was able to read in the Bible, and secured pupil teachers for the other classes. Many children in the intermediate classes of today know more than I did, but I had learned to pray to God and to love his Word, and was pleased to help others learn to read and understand it.

Later I began to attend missionary and prayer meetings at the Methodist Church. What I heard there gave me a thirst for greater knowledge in the things of God. I can attribute my first real religious awakening to the responses made to each of the ten commandments after they were read by the minister, and to the words of the following evening hymn, which was sung at the first of these meetings which I attended:—

“Glory to thee, my God, this night, For all the blessings of the light; Keep me, O keep me, King of kings, Beneath thine own almighty wings.

“Forgive me, Lord, for thy dear Son, The ill which I this day have done; That with the world, myself, and thee, I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.

“Teach me to live that I may dread The grave as little as my bed; Teach me to die, that so I may Rise glorious at the judgment day.

“Be thou my guardian while I sleep; Thy watchful station near me keep; My heart with love celestial fill, And guard me from the approach of ill.

“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, Praise him all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”

With my new religious experience came a desire for an education, and when I was seventeen years old father allowed me to go to a school where trained teachers were employed, three days in the week. I also attended three nights each week. There I met good Christian friends who encouraged me in the right way. Later I left home to work, and the enemy tempted me and got the victory for a time. But, praise God, I was at last delivered from his power and led finally into the light of present truth. In 1886 Elder Charles Sturdevant came to give Bible readings in our home in Chicago, Ill., and since then the Bible has been a new book to me—a mine filled with priceless treasures, a never-failing fountain from which we may draw abounding grace.

I have in my possession certificates given me by the ministers of the two churches where I taught in Sunday school. In one place I received pay; at the other it was purely a labor of love. I have also a medal which I received at the centennial anniversary of Robert Raikes's first Sunday school, which was celebrated in July, 1880. I have today a heart full of joy and thanksgiving to God for all his mercy and goodness to the children of men. I am still growing in grace and in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom to know aright is “life eternal.”

RICHARD HOOK, SR.

Eastern Pennsylvania

By H. M. J. Richards

OUR annual camp meeting, held at Allentown, June 18-28, was more largely attended than any previous one, and the spiritual interest was good. The business was dispatched with both carefulness and rapidity. The offerings to foreign missions aggregated four thousand dollars. Reports of work done in new fields during the previous year showed that one hundred and eight had been baptized and one hundred and twenty-five had begun to keep the Sabbath. Four new companies were organized, and one of these companies was organized into a church just before the camp meeting. The tithe has increased from year to year, the tithe for the actual twelve months of 1912 being $19,935.91, while that for the actual twelve months of 1913 was $20,852.60. The tithe for the biennial period of 1910-11 was $36,295.24; that for 1912-13 was $40,788.51. Of this latter amount we sent on for fields outside of the conference $11,138.94.

In addition to this dividing of the tithe with other needy fields and the general work, we have given the following offerings to foreign missions: in 1912, $9,927.51; in 1913, $10,532.50. Thus the total amount of the foreign mission offerings alone for the two years was $20,460.01. Of this amount our Sabbath schools contributed in 1912 the sum of $2,869.88, and in 1913, $3,733.51. For this large increase in our Sabbath school offerings we feel exceedingly grateful, as it indicates a growing interest and life in our Sabbath schools throughout the conference.

We have forty-six Sabbath schools, with an enrollment of 1,214. We have thirty-five organized churches and six companies of believers. The recorded church membership is 1,150. There are fourteen church buildings, and one other is in course of construction.

The book sales for 1913 amounted to $11,665.75.

The young people's department reports twelve local societies and a membership of 171. This is an increase of two societies over the previous year. A strong interest is being awakened in the Standard of Attainment and the Reading Course. Twenty-three of our earnest and consecrated young people attended Mount Vernon College last year, and a goodly number are arranging to go to Washington College next year, while some will return to Mount Vernon.

We have but one church school at present, at Fairhill. Its work has been very successful, and the attendance good. Plans for other schools are being laid.

The help of the workers from the North American and General Conferences was greatly appreciated, as also the assistance from the union conference officers. Elder Spicer, representing the foreign mission work, gave most stirring talks, which did us all good. Elder Wilkinson, our union president, was with us the last half of the meeting, and rendered very efficient help. Both Sabbaths were days marked by the presence of God and by consecration of the people to his service. Twenty-eight were baptized, and a number of others will be baptized at their homes.

On the last Sabbath, Brother F. A. Harter was ordained to the ministry. The Spirit of the Lord witnessed to the sacredness of the occasion. All rejoiced because of the precious truth committed to us, and workers and people consecrated themselves to speedily send this saving truth to the multitudes waiting in darkness in the fields far and near, "to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith which is in" Christ.

The expenses of the camp meeting were all met by the receipts from rent and sales. The former officers were reelected, except C. D. Wolff, the field agent, whose health demands that he take one year of rest. C. V. Leech was elected in his place.

We now have five tent companies in the field. Good interest is reported. We confidently expect many to accept the truth this summer from these efforts. We are of good courage, though, from a human standpoint, we have a problem, to reach the many millions in this conference in so short a time. But when we consider that the work is God's, and that he has promised to cut it short in righteousness in this generation, we take courage, knowing that all the resources of Heaven are pledged for the successful accomplishment of the great task, and we consecrate ourselves anew to assist in carrying out the divine purpose.

H. M. J. RICHARDS.

Panayan Station, Philippine Islands

By Elbridge M. Adams

THE Philippine Islands look very small on the map, but they have been a subject of no little concern to the United States. Politically we leave them in the hand of the politician. There are, however, between eight and nine million people dwelling in this archipelago, for every one of whom Jesus shed his precious blood. The tongues and dialects represented here are included in the scope of the everlasting gospel to be preached unto them that dwell on the earth.

The writer and his family the first of this year opened a station in Iloilo, on the island of Panay, among the Visayans. The Visayans comprise 46.8 per cent of the population of the civilized tribes, of which there are eight, and 42.6 per cent of the entire population.

Moro market day, Philippine Islands. Foreground, single oxcarts with oxen at rest, during noon hour. Large Catholic church at right, with the Moro watchtower in background.

There are sixteen wild tribes. The important Visayan islands are Panay, Cebu, Negros, Samar, Leyte, and Bohol. Although the Tagals have had advantages over the other tribes, since the American occupation the Visayans have forged ahead until they are now second to none. They have made great progress agriculturally. In fact, Occidental Negros is considered to be first in this respect.

Brother Floyd Ashbaugh in the past two years has sold several hundred dollars' worth of books in the Spanish and English languages on the islands of Panay and Negros. It is too early to report results from evangelistic efforts. There seems to be a great demand for Bible study. A young man, who for a short time has been coming to the writer's home twice a week for Bible studies, has asked for about two hours every night. He is a teacher in the public school. The outlook is very good for a large harvest of souls from among these unfortunate people.

ELBRIDGE M. ADAMS.

The North Carolina Annual Conference and Camp Meeting

By W. W. Fastman

ON a conveniently situated and well-shaded lot, three fourths of a mile from the business section of the city of Greensboro, the North Carolina annual conference and camp meeting were held, August 13-23. The weather was warm most of the time, but several showers during the meeting helped to cool the atmosphere and add to the comfort of the two hundred or more campers. The seating capacity was often overtaxed to provide for the people from the city, especially at the evening and Sunday meetings. A splendid interest was manifested, and the best attention was given to the word spoken.

The reports rendered at the conference were encouraging. Success has attended the efforts of the laborers, and one hundred and twenty-three believers have been added to the church membership during the year. One church was organized and received into the conference. A good gain was shown in both tithe and offerings over the preceding year. The book and magazine sales by the colporteurs amount to $13,927.71, a good increase over the sales of the previous year. Total sales of literature from the tract society office amount to about sixteen thousand dollars.

The business of the conference was transacted harmoniously. Elder J. H. Behrens was elected president of the conference; J. W. Winn, secretary and treasurer of the conference and tract society; J. W. Siler, field missionary agent; Mrs. J. H. Behrens, educational, young people's, and Sabbath school secretary.

When the cause of missions was presented, the brethren freely gave in cash and pledges over $2,000, besides $75.25 Sabbath school offerings for the two Sabbaths. Little urging was necessary. It was truly encouraging to see how the hearts of the brethren and sisters were moved by the appeals from the needy mission fields. The meeting was especially marked with the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The laborers carrying the burdens of the meeting were: Elders O. Montgomery, L. A. Hoopes, V. O. Cole, G. G. Lowry, C. B. Haynes, Prof. L. H. Wood, the local workers, and the writer.

The home missionary work was presented, and met with a hearty reception on the part of the brethren and sisters. One interesting feature of the meeting was one afternoon spent by quite a number of the campers in a campaign of actual work in the city, selling our magazines, distributing literature, and inviting people to the meetings.

Many gave encouraging reports of this effort, and some said this experience would help them, when they returned to their homes, to continue the good work among their neighbors.

A baptismal service was held Sunday afternoon, fourteen candidates being baptized by Elder G. G. Lowry. A conference church was organized at the meeting, and the ordinance of the Lord's house celebrated for their benefit on the last Sabbath afternoon of the meeting, Elders J. H. Behrens and G. G. Lowry officiating.

Altogether this was an encouraging meeting, and many of the brethren expressed themselves as hopeful that there were better days ahead for the North Carolina Conference.

W. W. FASTMAN.

Florida

By W. H. Smith

JACKSONVILLE. — While evidences upon every hand are speaking to the world in thundering tones that this old earth is rapidly ripening for the harvest of destruction, it is rejoicing to know that the Spirit of God is working upon the hearts of men and women as never before to prepare them for the reception of God's great message of truth for this time. This is being demonstrated in connection with our work here in a wonderful manner. Our attention from week to week is being called to precious souls here and there in various parts of the city, who are hungering for the truth of God. The great need of the hour is men and women who will consecrate their lives to God and become faithful hunters in searching out the honest hearted.

Last Sabbath was a day of special blessing to the little church here. Eleven precious souls were buried with their Lord in the beautiful St. John's River. There will be another baptismal service in the near future, when at least six or seven others will follow their Lord in the same ordinance.

With few exceptions, our people here are awakening to a realization of the importance of the times in which we are living, and the great responsibility that is resting upon those who know the truth, to be up and doing while the door of mercy is yet open, knowing that soon the night will come, when no man can work. We have divided the city into sections, and our church into missionary bands, and assigned to each a territory in which to work. Every Sunday morning a large company go out with papers and periodicals in their arms, to carry to the doors of the multitudes who sit in darkness. Many minds have been exercised over the things that they see, but they have no realization of the purpose of God in the events taking place. One brother who is past the sixty-year mark, and is a retired minister, having spent over thirty years of his life in proclaiming this message, helps to form one of these companies, which can be seen on the street every Sunday morning, going from door to door with the truth-laden literature. May God hasten the day when every church in every conference will be following the example of the Jacksonville church. What a mighty army God will have when all will fall into line and be faithful workers for him! We earnestly ask all readers of the REVIEW to remember the work here in their prayers. W. H. SMITH.

First Fruits of the Washington (D. C.) Tent Effort

By M. E. OLSEN

MEMBERS of the REVIEW family will be interested to learn that the tent meetings conducted in the city of Washington by Elder R. E. Harter, president of the District Conference, have attracted general attention, and already some promising fruit has been gathered in. The meetings began on the third Sunday in June, with a stirring sermon on the second coming of Christ. The large tent was well filled. During the week nights following, the attendance was good, and gradually increased. The last three or four Sunday nights the tent has been crowded with attentive listeners, and a large number of people have stood on the outside.

Among the subjects that have been presented with clearness and power are: “The United States in Prophecy,” “Religious Liberty,” “Law and Love,” “The Union of Church and State,” “Church Federation,” and “The Battle of Armageddon.” On Monday evenings Dr. Miller, superintendent of the Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium, has given a lecture on some phase of healthful living, thus giving the people an opportunity to become acquainted with an important part of the message intrusted to us. A goodly number are present every night, and many seem deeply interested.

One very helpful and attractive feature of the meetings is the gospel singing, which is in charge of Brother H. de Fluiter, of Colorado. On most evenings there is a large choir, composed chiefly of members of the Takoma Park and Memorial churches. Brother de Fluiter not only sings the gospel with rare effect, but has the art of evoking the spirit of song in an audience.

The cheerful cooperation of the Takoma Park and Memorial churches, in singing, in circulating the announcements, and in bringing their friends and neighbors to the services, has added much to the success of the meetings. The members of the Review and Herald orchestra and band have taken hold nobly in helping to make the music all that it should be, and their efforts have been appreciated.

Indeed, the spirit of helpfulness has been shown in many ways. Some of the young men in the Review Office discovered that there was a great demand for tracts at the close of the meetings. They passed the word around among themselves, and soon brought in five or six dollars to furnish an increased supply.

More recently, the members of the Memorial, the Takoma Park, and the College-Sanitarium churches united and purchased twenty-seven thousand copies of the War Extra of the REVIEW for circulation in the city of Washington in connection with the tent effort.

The Bible workers, Miss Morris, Miss Kern, and Miss Belmont, as well as Brother Davis, the tent master, are diligently visiting the people throughout the neighborhood, and circulating the weekly Signs and other reading matter, besides giving Bible readings in the homes of interested persons. Mrs. Harter is also busily engaged in the work, and all are earnestly praying that a full harvest of souls may be gathered in. Already thirteen converts have been baptized, and seven other candidates are ready to go forward at the next opportunity. These persons have not only attended the meetings at the tent, but have been the objects of earnest personal labor on the part of the Bible workers.

Best of all, the interest is still a growing one, and many earnest men and women are carefully weighing the evidences. God grant that they may clearly see the path of duty, and have the courage to step out and walk in it. M. E. OLSEN.

Editors Eager for Our Views on European War

By Walter L. Burgan

Surely the Lord has been good to his people in leading them to take advantage of the opportunities before them to herald the message of his soon coming. As the terrible war in Europe continues, reports are received from different parts of our country telling of requests received from editors for articles giving the Bible interpretation of the conflict. Our constancy in the past, when the world was more at peace than it is today, in giving the newspapers write-ups of our work and our doctrines, has introduced us to the editors, as it were, and they now appreciate the fact that the Adventists are the one denomination which has been predicting these things coming upon the earth. The result is that the editors are now anxious for our ministers to give their views through the columns of the newspapers. Quite a number of long clippings of articles dealing with the European war, have already been received, and requests are being made for more material, with the statement that the editors are willing to print such news.

From the Chesapeake Conference come these encouraging words, indicating that the editors are now changing their position, and instead of our men hunting them up they are calling upon our workers to furnish them information for their readers:—

“Several experiences of very recent date show how much the editors of the daily papers appreciate the information to be obtained from the Seventh-day Adventists. A reporter of the Frederick daily Post called on Elder S. T. Shadel, and asked him to write an article for the paper on the present outlook in Europe from a prophetic standpoint. Elder Shadel did so, and the article was printed entire, making more than a column. With this was the announcement that he would preach on the subject the following night at the tent, and about two hundred and fifty persons attended the meeting.”

“The editor of the religious department of the Baltimore News called Elder R. T. Baer the other day by telephone and asked if a statement was not made at our conference meeting two years ago that predicted this whole European situation. He asked that an article on the subject be prepared and sent to him for publication. This has been prepared, and is now on the way to the office of the editor. The results remain to be seen. We believe that our workers everywhere should take advantage of the opportunities now open to them through the columns of the press.”

Two of the workers in Seattle, Wash., in speaking of the success of their tent effort this summer, give the newspapers credit for the increase in their attendance. They say:—

“The newspapers have been largely used to call the attention of the public to the meetings; then, too, the reports of the sermons have been quite generally published. This has brought to us those who were desirous of knowing the way of life, some even coming as far as from Bellingham, one hundred and twenty-five miles distant, to hear the truth. This was brought about by the printing of the sermons.”

From Iowa comes this word:—

“We have succeeded in getting one paper to print a short article each day. We like the plan because the people have learned to watch the daily paper, and if one issue omits the article, they tell us of it.”

WALTER L. BURGAN.

New Jersey

By A. R. SANDBORN

Sabbath morning, August 15, a letter came from Elder W. T. Knox, stating the condition of our brethren in Europe, and the influence the present war will have on foreign missionary work. This letter came just in time for our meeting in Trenton, and I presented it to the church. It made such an impression on our brethren and sisters that, although they had given about one hundred dollars at camp meeting, they gave more than another hundred at this meeting. All felt that we must stand by our missionaries in this crisis and not permit the work to be stopped.

Monday morning, I met with eleven workers in Jersey City, and presented the matter before them. The same hearty response was given as in Trenton. I then visited two persons in the city, and they were so impressed with the needs of the cause at this present time that one of them gave me one hundred dollars in cash for missions. Both said they would sacrifice to the limit before they would see the work hindered.

Sabbath, August 22, I met with the church in Rockaway. We celebrated the ordinances, and following this service nine persons were buried with their Lord in baptism. At this meeting I presented the needs of the mission fields, reading Elder Knox's letter. Although the church is small and has limited means, about ninety dollars was raised with little effort.

Truly our people are loyal to this message, and when we as laborers present the needs of the cause with desperate earnestness, they will lift.

A letter was sent out to all our churches and isolated members, quoting quite fully from Elder Knox's letter, and already money is coming in as a result. It seems to me that the Lord has permitted the present situation to come at this time to arouse us; and if we fail to be aroused, we are on dangerous ground, and are liable to fail in the final struggle.

A. R. SANDBORN.

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