Earlier text: The Higher PlaneJ. W. ERKENBECK
By J. W. Erkenbeck
GUADALAJARA.—The work is progressing in the sanitarium. Our patronage is good, considering the effort that has been made against us. Catholic papers and handbills have been published, forbidding the people to go to the sanitarium for treatment. These have been distributed by boys. This has affected the patronage in the ladies’ bath rooms, but the Lord has sent us a goodly number of house patients; so we are prospering. The last two weeks have been the best in the history of the sanitarium for the gentlemen’s bath rooms. Our meeting last Sabbath evening was pronounced by all present the best that has ever been held in the sanitarium. The Lord came in, and gave us a good refreshing. The thrusts of the enemy from without have caused our helpers to be of better courage, and to seek a spirit of devotion and unity. We are of good courage, having confidence that the Lord will care for his work. MRS. M. E. KNEELAND
By Mrs. M. E. Kneeland
SAN FERNANDO.—We had a meeting with the church at Couva the first Sabbath and Sunday in July. This is the oldest church of our people in the island, having been organized by Elder Webster in 1895. Here we have a comfortable church building containing a cement baptistery. On this occasion baptism was administered to eight individuals. Six of these were from Princes' Town, and had accepted the truth during the tent effort; the other two were from San Fernando. The brethren in Couva were anxious to have their church school reopened. Several persons here have had considerable experience as schoolteachers, but we do not want to have a school until we can have some instruction in church-school methods of teaching. We are planning to have a meeting of our canvassers, and hope then to have some instruction in this work also, and if possible find a native teacher for the Couva school. We are all in good health, and enjoying our work. COPIAPO.—We came here a little more than a month ago to follow up the work begun by Brother Davis. As a result of his canvassing and preaching, about twelve persons are keeping the Sabbath. As he went back to the States before they were thoroughly instructed, there was yet much for them to learn. They receive the word with gladness. I hope the time will soon come when we shall have medical workers in Chile. But I shall not wait until then. I had some training in College View, and have given a good many treatments; and with the aid of “Home Hand-Book,” which I am studying, I hope to be a blessing to the people in the community, and as far as my influence reaches. An American dentist in Valparaiso took great interest in instructing me in the art of extracting teeth. So I shall go with my Bible, fomentation cloths, and a pair of forceps, and expect to have success. As I am feeling more at home in Spanish, I have begun the study of German, as there are thousands of Germans, especially in the south. I studied it while in college; but through disease I am not able to speak very much now. We need a German worker for the south. There is so much to do in this field! There are millions of Indians in whose dialects the Bible has not yet been translated. Something must be done for them. There is a brother in the south whom I baptized last summer. He speaks the dialect of the Indians, and I expect to make a trip among them with him next summer. We were much interested in the account of Brother Booth’s labors in Central Africa. When we think of Africa’s, China’s, and India’s millions, yes, hundreds of millions, our souls would faint were it not for His promise, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
H. F. KETRING. The Wisconsin Camp Meeting
By W. A. S.
Our Wisconsin brethren closed a profitable camp meeting in Grand Rapids, August 24. The camp was in the edge of the town, easy of access, and large numbers of the citizens attended the evening services. Elder Brunson occupied the evening hours with studies of the great fundamentals of Christian experience. From the general expression of appreciation on the part of the people, there is reason to hope for the reaping of definite fruit of the meeting in the effort now being made to follow up the interest. Brethren Ritchie and Moody are continuing the meetings in the town. We all felt that the business meetings were seasons of special blessing. When the business is the Master's work, there is no reason why the business meetings should not have all the business temperature of a consecration service. Goodness that is not good for something is only badness wrongly labeled, and so a camp meeting needs to have constantly before it the work that must be done, and the best ways of taking hold of it. We are saved to serve in these times, or we are not saved at all. The reports and considerations of the various branches of the work showed progress in Wisconsin during the year. Most encouraging of all, however, was the settled determination to make an even more active campaign the coming year. This is the people's war, and all the people must rally to the work of winning souls and bearing the witness into new communities. The paid conference workers can never do it all. Whole conferences of believers must rise up and bear the message. The brethren subscribed one thousand dollars for the sanitarium enterprise at Madison, where there is a specially favorable opening for enlarging the work. The needs of Scotland were presented, and between seven hundred and eight hundred dollars was subscribed, and by vote the brethren instructed their committee to exercise its discretion as to sending a laborer to that field, in addition. The conference also continued its support of Sister Ida Thompson in China, glad of this tie that binds their hearts to the needy East. That which fills hearts' with joy is the thought that the world can be quickly warned if only we as a people rise up and make it the one business of our lives. About sixty of the young people in one of the meetings rose to declare their readiness of heart to go anywhere the Lord might call, whenever fitted for service. Hearts of parents were touched, and in response fathers17 and mothers pledged themselves to let the youth go with their blessing, while they at home stood by with the means to send them forth to the ends of the earth. The church schools, and the State school at Bethel, are strong missionary influences. One could but remark the splendid influence of the Bethel school upon the young people who have attended it. I saw the same thing at the Ohio meeting, among students of the Mount Vernon school. Our German and Scandinavian brethren had tents for their special services. The American brethren heartily took up the matter of doing more for the foreign-speaking peoples in the land, of whom Wisconsin has large numbers. During the meetings fifty souls were baptized in the Wisconsin River. In the main, I believe, the conference officers formerly serving were continued, Elder Covert being re-elected president for another year. W. A. S. Hawaiian Islands
By J. H. Behrens
HONOLULU.—I have at present a class of ten young men who are studying the Bible in order to obtain a better knowledge of it that they may help the Chinese people. Seven of these came of their own accord and asked for this help, and of these one has already requested baptism, and desires to unite with the church. Two, who have come from another school, wish to continue their studies in our schools on the mainland, if only they can find work to pay their way. Coming, as they do, from other schools, and asking to study the Bible with us, in order to help their own people, we feel sure that God's hand has led them to seek his truth; for, when asked why they did not study the Bible with their regular instructors in their schools, they replied, “We do not care to study theology; we wish to know the truth, and which of the many churches is the right one.” British Guiana
By Mrs. J. A. Morrow
GEORGETOWN.—Two weeks ago twelve united with the church—ten by baptism, two on former baptism. Yesterday an excellent lady, whom Mr. Morrow and I have visited, and with whom we have been holding Bible readings, attended the Sabbath service, and took her stand upon the commandments of God. We are of good courage. Praising God for what he has done, we go forward trusting him to do still greater things. Meadow Valley and Arbundale
By Swin Swinson
Meadow Valley and Arbundale.—A series of tent meetings was held at Meadow Valley, Wis., from June 13 to August 10, by Brethren S. Swinson and L. L. French. As a result eight took their stand for the truth. Five were baptized by the writer, and others are interested. August 8 I went to Arbundale, and baptized six who accepted the present truth last winter or spring through the labors of Brother C. A. Tellyas, who, while working in a lumber camp, held Bible readings in the evenings. The Lord blessed by bringing out some precious souls. Others had accepted the truth, and were baptized at the camp meeting at Grand Rapids. Now is the time to press the battle to the gates of the enemy, and faith and courage should be the watchword of every soul. Swin Swinson. Vermont and Maine Camp Meetings
By H. W. Cottrell
These meetings were held on the same dates,—August 21 to September 1, 1902. The Vermont camp was located at Barre, within the city limits, in a good residential section. The attendance from the city was good, and the different parts of the conference were well represented by our own people. All the ministers of the conference were present, and assisted in the work of the camp. Professor Mattson, of the South Lancaster Academy, was present during the entire ten days, and Dr. Prince was in attendance in the interest of the sanitarium work during the first few days. Professor Griggs and the writer were present the first week of the camp, and Brother and Sister Franke, Brother and Sister Haskell, and Brother Miles were in attendance the latter part of the meeting. The various interests of the work were each considered, and plans devised for the furtherance of the same. The tract department of the conference is not entirely free from debt, but there are perfectly reliable resources that are nearly sufficient to cover the amount, besides some questionable resources, from which some money may be received. A special effort was put forth to encourage the despondent ones and those who had never accepted Christ to yield their lives to him. At the close of the first service on the first Sabbath, we made a request that the unconverted and those who were actually backslidden in heart, yield their lives to the Lord, adding that no one should come forward unless he belonged in one or the other of these classes. Thirty-three responded. The brethren and sisters gladly received broader views of the great work that rests upon us as a people, and without solicitation, selected one of the strongest ministers, proposing to the Mission Board that he be sent to Great Britain to connect with the work there, entirely at the expense of the Vermont Conference. The people were greatly blessed in this decision, and as soon as the action was taken, the spirit of liberality came in among them, as was seen by the various contributions that followed. The conference will also pay the salary of one teacher in the union conference academy. Elders Franke, Haskell, and Miles rendered valuable assistance during the latter part of the meeting, and the services were well attended by the people from the city. Elder Watt was re-elected president. Elders Franke, Miles, and Gilbert were in attendance during the first part of the Maine camp meeting, and rendered good service. I understand that Elder Franke had especial freedom in presenting the truth, and large crowds were in attendance. I am informed that a few persons from the city accepted the Sabbath as the result of his sermons on the ground. There were present from abroad the last few days of the series, Elder Gilbert, Professor Griggs, Dr. Prince, and the writer, each rendering, under the Lord, the best service he could, which was appreciated, especially by our own people. There was a special effort put forth to help the unconverted and any who were discouraged, and twenty-four were brought to the liberty of the gospel. One feature of especial interest that I will mention, is that the business meetings in each of these conferences were just as spiritual in every respect as any social meetings that I ever attended, and I am sure that this condition should exist in every meeting of each session of every conference. The Sabbath-school Department, the Book Department, the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons,” the Material Fund, and subscriptions for periodicals, each received due attention. The conference voted unanimously to pay the salary of a teacher in the South Lancaster Academy from the tithe treasury; as soon as this action was passed, a man arose and said that the Lord was moving upon his heart to contribute one hundred dollars to this general enterprise, that there be no shortage in the tithe funds. Without one word from any one, that spirit of liberality continued with the people until an amount of money was received considerably larger than the salary of a teacher for the entire year. This was the first unsolicited contribution that I ever knew to be given by a public congregation. Joy filled the hearts of all, and a song of praise was then rendered to the Lord. All are filled with courage. Both tithe and freewill offerings will doubtless flow into the treasury as never before. Elder P. F. Bicknell was elected conference president, Miss Morton was re-elected secretary and treasurer, and Mrs. P. F. Bicknell was elected conference canvassing agent. H. W. COTTRELL. Virginia Conference Session
By R. D. Hottel; A. M. Neff
THE nineteenth annual session of the Virginia Conference convened at 9 A. M., Aug. 10, 1902, at Westover Park, Lynchburg, Va., in connection with the camp meeting. There were present thirty delegates, representing twelve churches, and ten delegates at large. Two new churches were added to the conference. There was a net gain in membership of eighteen. The officers for the coming year are as follows: President, R. D. Hottel; Secretary, A. M. Neff; Treasurer, O. F. Dart; Secretary and Treasurer of the Tract Society Department, A. M. Neff; Secretary of the Sabbath-school Department, Mrs. B. F. Purdham; Conference Committee, R. D. Hottel, H. W. Herrell, A. C. Neff, F. L. Whitehead, W. F. Davis; Board of Incorporation, R. D. Hottel, H. W. Herrell, A. C. Neff, F. L. Whitehead, W. F. Davis, O. F. Dart, A. M. Neff; Custodian of conference property, B. F. Purdham. Credentials were granted to R. D. Hottel, B. F. Purdham, A. C. Neff, H. W. Herrell, Lee S. Wheeler, M. S. Wooding, T. H. Painter, and I. E. Kimball. Licenses were given to George W. Lewis, J. A. Strickland, and missionary credentials to Mrs. I. E. Kimball, Mrs. M. S. Wooding, T. Marie Mohr, and Rebecca Clayborn. There will be three tents in the field during the remainder of the season,—one at Lynchburg, B. F. Purdham and T. H. Painter in charge; one at Norfolk, R. D. Hottel and Lee S. Wheeler in charge, assisted by J. A. Strickland; one at Alexandria, H. W. Herrell and George W. Lewis in charge. The Northern New York Camp Meeting
By S. B. Whitney
This meeting was held in Brushton, August 26-31. Considering the shortness of the notice and the scattered condition of our people, the attendance was encouraging. Fourteen tents were filled to their utmost capacity, some to overflowing, and numbers occupied rooms in the village. We were disappointed in not having ministerial help from abroad, only a few of our conference laborers being present, but the Lord graciously supplied the lack of laborers by working for us in a wonderful manner. Evidently his people had been seeking him at home, and felt the need of his presence; for the work of drawing near to him began at the first evening's service, and continued through the entire meeting. This developed a spirit of deep penitence for past backslidings, and with that came the faith to claim the forgiveness of sins and the righteousness of Christ, which brought the notes of victory. It was the general verdict that no such meeting had been held in this part of the State for the last twenty years, at least. Here I met dear old pioneers in this work, several having passed the age of fourscore years, with some of whom I became acquainted over forty years ago. Apparently these aged soldiers are as strong in the faith of the coming of the Lord as ever. Their testimony had the true advent ring, and added much to the interest and strength of the meeting, while their own souls were cheered and comforted as they saw the old-time spirit of consecration and devotion coming back to the church. As one result of the meeting, eight souls, ranging from mature age to tender youth, were baptized into the death and name of Jesus. Another feature of the occasion, which furnishes a reason for its success, was the frequency with which a grove of cedars near by was visited by the campers, as is attested by the manner in which the path leading to it was trodden. Still another, showing the favoring providence of God, is the fact that the week of our meeting was the only really fine one of the season in these parts, and was about as nearly perfect, as to weather, as is possible under existing conditions. The farewell meeting was held early in the morning of September 1, at which nearly all the campers were present. S. B. WHITNEY. Annual Meeting of the Swedish Conference
By E. Ahren
THE twenty-first annual meeting of the Swedish Conference was held at Nyhyttan, Järnboas, Sweden, June 18-24, 1902. Nyhyttan is a beautiful country place, where are located the conference school and school farm. The meetings were held in a new tent, which seats approximately five hundred persons. Most of the time the weather was favorable. Sixty-eight delegates represented the Swedish churches, and about two hundred brethren were present from various parts of the country. The public meetings were well attended by those not of our faith. The presence and valuable instruction of Brethren A. G. Daniells, L. R. Conradi, H. W. Cottrell, H. Shultz, N. P. Nelson, C. W. Flaiz, and Dr. Ottosen were much appreciated. An advisory committee of seventeen members was elected to discuss and prepare matters that were to come before the conference, and also to nominate the usually appointed standing committees. We give herewith a summary of the business of the conference:— “As Sister E. G. White has liberally donated the manuscript of the new book, ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ for the relief of the schools, and the General Conference in America has freely given us the plates of this book (for which we express our hearty thanks), therefore,— “1. We Recommend, (a) That the publishing house in Stockholm bear all the expenses connected with publishing and binding five thousand copies of said book, and (b) that we ask all our church members to assist in selling an average of seven copies per member, without receiving any percentage, and that all our conference workers do their best to see that this plan is carried out; and, further, (c) that all the money raised in this manner be expressly used in the school and medical missionary work in Sweden.” “As our foreign conferences in general have adopted the plan of settling with all workers in their respective fields, and of giving one tenth of the tithe, as well as the Sabbath-school collections and annual offerings, to the work in their respective mission fields, therefore,— “2. Resolved, That we as a conference adopt this same plan, asking the European General Conference kindly to support us in carrying out this plan, as long as such assistance may seem necessary.” “3. Voted, That the conference year begin with the month of January, and that the books be audited at the beginning of the year.” “As the medical missionary work is a part of the message that is to prepare a people for the coming of the Lord, therefore,— “4. Resolved, (a) That we, by our personal example and efforts, work for the furtherance of this branch of the cause, and (b) that plans be laid to open a health home or institution in Örebro, or some other suitable place, the first of next October; (c) that means be solicited for establishing a health-food factory in Sweden; and (d) that suitable health literature be published, and circulated throughout our field.” The circulation of our books, tracts, and papers, was further discussed in a profitable and practical manner, and it is to be hoped that Sweden will continue to take an active part in the distribution of our literature. The statistics at the close of the conference year (March 31, 1902) show 28 churches, with a membership of 744; an annual tithe of kroner 12,929.38, with kroner 1,473.75 in gifts, and book sales amounting to kroner 83,308.77. As a result of a unanimous vote, the following officers were elected for the coming year: President, O. Johnson; Vice-President, J. M. Erikson; Secretary, E. Ahren; Treasurer, J. R. Lindkvist; Secretary of Sabbath-school and Missionary Department, Ellen Niemann; Auditors, A. J. Settergren, E. Lind; General Agent, E. Lind; Executive Committee, O. Johnson, J. M. Erikson, J. R. Lindkvist, B. J. Karlson, C. Kahlström. Ministerial credentials were granted to O. Johnson, K. A. Färnström, F. R. Öberg, A. J. Settergren, L. Karlson, J. M. Erikson, E. Ahren. Brethren B. J. Karlson and Birger Anderson received ministerial licenses; and Nils Anderson, A. Lundgren, O. Lund, Mathilda Lundgren, and Mathilda Olsen received missionary licenses. Thankful to God for his loving care, and with a determination to press forward, we begin another year in the history of the Swedish Conference. Ohio Camp Meeting
By A. G. Haughey
The Ohio camp meeting and the forty-first annual conference was held on the fair grounds at Coshocton, Ohio, August 7-18. Most of the conference laborers were present one week before the time of opening. During this period Elder William Covert was with us, and rendered valuable service as an instructor, his principal theme being that of unity and harmony, in which all present were deeply interested. Everything was in readiness for the opening service, August 7, which was introduced by entertaining about one hundred of the leading citizens of Coshocton County at a hygienic dinner at 5 P. M., followed by a preaching service at 7:30 P. M. About eight hundred persons besides members of the conference were present at this first meeting. The hygienic dinner was given as a means of advertising the camp meeting, and proved a complete success. Prof. W. W. Prescott and Elder W. A. Spicer were with us during the greater part of the meeting, and it was their privilege to speak to large and attentive audiences. Professor Prescott conducted a series of Bible lessons with the conference laborers, with which all were well pleased. J. B. Blosser was also present, and rendered valuable assistance in arousing an interest on the part of the people in the circulation of our literature. On the last Sabbath of the meeting six brethren—M. C. Kirkendall, C. C. Webster, J. O. Miller, N. W. Lawrence, Francis M. Fairchild, and W. H. Granger—were ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, Elder D. E. Lindsey offering the prayer, Elder W. A. Spicer delivering the charge, and the writer speaking the words of welcome. In the afternoon, following the preaching services, twenty-six persons expressed their faith in the Lord by following him in the ordinance of baptism. Nearly all of these were new converts to the faith. One noticeable feature was the fact that of one family, the father, mother, two sons, and four daughters were all baptized. On the last day of the meeting four public services were held, with from three to five thousand interested persons in attendance. There was a spirit of restfulness and unity in all the deliberations of the conference. It had been the studied effort of the conference committee to keep out, as far as possible, business matters. While seven conference meetings were held, not a single resolution was offered, nor any spirit of debate manifested. The business meetings were spiritual blessings to all who attended. It was the expression of many that this camp meeting was the best one they had ever attended. The meetings in the interest of the educational work, of which the Mount Vernon Academy is the central figure, were especially interesting. The various departments of the work in the conference were more closely united under one general executive committee than for many years in the past. The following-named persons were elected: President, H. H. Burkholder; Vice-President, D. E. Lindsey; Missionary Secretary, N. S. Miller; Auditor, W. H. Edwards; Canvassing Agent, G. P. Gaede; Treasurer, C. V. Hamer; Educational Secretary, Bessie E. Russell; Executive Committee, H. H. Burkholder, D. E. Lindsey, Thomas Thornton, R. R. Kennedy, M. C. Kirkendall, G. C. Quillian, and B. J. Ferciot. Ministerial licenses were granted to sixteen persons, and missionary licenses to twenty-five. From the reports of labor given, it was ascertained that eight companies of Sabbath keepers had been raised up during the year, three of which were admitted into the conference as duly organized churches. The following facts were gleaned from the financial reports. While the Sabbath-school donations had decreased during the year, the amount donated to foreign missions had increased more than $200. During the past two years there had been an increase of $6,306.53 in the tithe, over that of the two preceding years. Nearly $11,000 had been paid on conference debts, $5,000 of which had been raised as the result of the campaign for the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons;” $2,500 had been expended in the support of laborers outside of Ohio,—without injury to the progress of the work in the State,—among whom are the following: Elder S. G. Haughey, England; Elder F. W. Field, Japan; Ida M. Walters, Katherine E. Miller, Lela Gibson, and Flora McCollister, New York; Mrs. Jessie B. Maybury, Tennessee; Sadie Baker and Cora Gibson, Canada; Elder M. S. Babcock, Nova Scotia. Ohio now has an excellent school in successful operation, and the following statement is being realized: “In regard to the Mount Vernon institution, I would, could my voice be heard across the broad Pacific, say, Let the buildings be converted into a seminary for the education of our youth. I have been shown that there should be school buildings located in Ohio, which would give character to the work.”—Mrs. E. G. White. Fully one half of the present corps of laborers in Ohio were students in the Mount Vernon Academy, and many more have gone to other fields. From this time forth Ohio should be prepared to send many missionaries to various parts of the field.19 We willingly sever our official connection with the Ohio Conference, and cheerfully turn over the work to other laborers. A. G. HAUGHEY. Object of the Institute
By J. B. Blosser
The canvassers’ institute that will be held at Berrien Springs, Mich., beginning October 15, is designed to give a thorough training to those who are desirous of entering the canvassing work as a means of saving souls. The purpose is to raise the standard of this branch of the work by giving a better training to those entering it than is possible for them to get in an ordinary canvassers’ institute. The following from “Manual for Canvassers,” pages 63, 64, sets forth the object sought: “Canvassers are to be educated and trained to do the work required in selling the books upon present truth which the people need. There is need of men of deep Christian experience, men of well-balanced minds, strong, well-educated men, to engage in this work. The Lord desires those to take hold of the canvassing work who are capable of educating others, who can awaken in promising young men and women an interest in this line, leading them to take up the book work and handle it successfully. Some have the talent, education, and experience which would enable them to educate the youth for the canvassing work in such a way that much more would be accomplished than is now being done. . . . Educate, educate, educate young men and women to sell the books which the Lord by his Holy Spirit has stirred his servants to write.” Those whose hearts have been touched with the Holy Spirit, and who believe that God can use them in this work, should come, no matter in what conference they live, or where they desire to work. Each will be encouraged to return to his home conference to labor unless he has a burden to go to distant fields. Those attending will board at the college, where board can be had at reasonable rates on the European plan. The average cost will be about $1.50 a week. For further particulars regarding expense, address Emmanuel Missionary College. At least half of the ten weeks’ course will be devoted to actual canvassing in the surrounding country, with competent leaders, and in this way those who attend can make their expenses, or even more. Those desiring to come should first write to the undersigned, at Berrien Springs, Mich. J. B. BLOSSER.
Lake Union General Agent. Chautauqua Health Educational Work
By David Paulson
THE Chautauqua idea has become so popular during the last few years that now almost every State has one or more of these great summer educational assemblies. To these gather thousands from the best society, to enjoy two weeks of recreation, and at the same time listen to lectures from famous men and women, as well as to study various specialties. These occasions furnish most favorable opportunities to present our health principles, and for several years past some of our trained medical missionary workers have had a place on the program of the leading State Chautauquas. This year I had an opportunity to fill out the last half of the time in the Old Salem Chautauqua in Illinois, Dr. Geisel being called to a similar work at Rockford. Morning classes were conducted upon the most important health topics, and in the afternoon Lucy Winegar gave practical lessons on hygienic cookery. On account of the large attendance, it was necessary to hold these classes in the great auditorium, and hundreds of the most intelligent people on the ground were in attendance. Never before have I witnessed such deep interest and profound enthusiasm for the life-giving principles which God has imparted to us. At the conclusion of each lesson the people would line up in large numbers about the great platform, and besiege us with additional questions. They would follow our workers to their tents, to secure still further information in regard to the very truths that were given to us more than a quarter of a century ago. In the highest terms the Chautauqua management expressed their appreciation of this work. The Lord has committed to our hands the most beautiful and fascinating truths, and he has created a hunger and thirst in the hearts of the multitude for them, and he will speedily use other means to get them before the people if we are untrue to our God-given trust. Some of our largest daily papers are now carrying into millions of homes some of the very truths that we supposed a few years ago were specially committed to us. May the Lord put into each of our hearts some of that same kind of love for humanity that a true mother exhibits in caring for her helpless child. Then the argumentative and controversial spirit will be banished from our minds, and a sweet, persuasive influence will take its place, and will win its way to every honest heart with which it comes in contact. In a recent letter, Brother J. N. Anderson, of China, reports two Chinamen who have accepted the truth as far as they have heard it. They are assisting him in evangelistic work. Meetings in Wakamatsu, Japan
AN interest has been developing in Wakamatsu, Japan, and Brother Burden, with three native brethren, has gone there to hold a month's meetings. This is a city of over thirty thousand inhabitants. New Hebrides Population and Missions
THE New Hebrides Magazine for February states that the population of these islands is 56,000, of whom 16,000 are professedly Christians and 40,000 heathen. There are twenty-one ordained missionaries and four medical missionaries. The native contributions to missions in money, produce, and labor amounted to almost two thousand pounds. Missionary Contributions from the Fijian Islands
The contributions from the Fijian Islands for missionary purposes last year amounted to $25,000. In 1835 the first missionaries went among them, some of whom later lost their lives in endeavoring to labor for the people. To-day the islands have become nominally Christian and civilized. About eighty of the two hundred islands forming the group are inhabited. The population aggregated 121,000, of whom about 100,000 are natives. Nyassaland Party Reaches Durban
BROTHER JOSEPH BOOTH writes from Durban, Natal, under date of July 27, that the Nyassaland party is that far on their journey; that they are well, and grateful to God for the various tokens of his presence and blessing with them. The rainy season will set in about the last of November, and they are anxious to reach the farm before that time, so that everything will be ready for it, and especially that they may be able to extend their accommodations a little to meet the needs of the large party that is now returning to the field. We hope soon to have reports from Brother Booth for our readers. Mission to Lepers in Asia
In India, China, and Japan there are more than one million lepers. The great majority of these are miserable outcasts, who have neither help nor hope, and who are left to beg or starve. It is quite impossible for us at home to form an adequate conception of their dreadful hardships. They hover in their wretched hovels from morning till evening, hungry, naked, and cold, with no hope in life or death. The mission to lepers has for twenty-seven years sought out these unhappy men and women burdened with sin, tortured with pain, and cast off from society. This work is carried on at sixty-two stations in India, Burma, Ceylon, China, Japan, and Sumatra. During the last year there were 418 baptisms and 1,797 professed Christians in the mission homes. The London Sabbath Schools
By Harry Champness
JULY 2 all the Sabbath schools from different parts of London met together for their annual outing in Epping forest. They came from Hornsey Rise (North), Balham (South), Dulwich (South), Croydon (South), Westbourne Park (West), Leytonstone (East), and Hackney (East). Epping forest is one of those fine old romantic forests that have been preserved intact in their natural grandeur. The inroads of modern civilization have not yet destroyed its beauty, thanks to the care of those who are jealously guarding the outlying districts of London from the ruthless hand of the speculator. Here the works of God stand out in all their loveliness, as far as the curse has permitted them, and sets one longing to see the day dawn when the creation itself shall be delivered and set free to enjoy and share the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Our Sabbath schools of London have grown considerably the last two or three years, so that now there are about three hundred connected with them, including adults and children. In such a large city as this we find it to be of mutual benefit and encouragement to meet together thus once a year in order that the brethren and sisters and their children may have the opportunity of becoming acquainted with one another as they come together from different parts of this great city. The Temple Made a Marketplace
“AND the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: and when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; and said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.” John 2: 13–16. IT was an honorable business to sell oxen, sheep, and doves, and to change the money of travelers into the currency of the Jews. Many of the people came to the temple from far-off lands, and they could not bring with them the required offerings; so when they arrived at Jerusalem, it was necessary for them to get their money changed, and then buy from the Jews the required things for the temple service. THE priests who were set apart as ministers of the temple saw these needs, and arranged to supply them. Little by little the traffic came nearer and nearer to the temple, until it was regarded as an important department of the work of the temple, and was admitted to the temple courts. Thus the Lord’s house became a place of traffic, and this work, carried on under the garb of religion, was completed, and the house of God became a “den of thieves.” “AND Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. . . . And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations: and that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean.” Lev. 10: 1, 2, 8–10. GOD requires a clear line of separation between his service and the world. The young man who came to Jesus, and asked what good thing he could do that he might gain eternal life, was told to sell all he had, and follow him. If he was to become a laborer with Jesus, he could not take his riches or his business along with him. The almost irresistible tendency of the church has always been to drift into formalism, institutionalism, or commercialism. And these three are closely allied. OUR tract societies naturally drift from the tract and missionary work into shopkeeping and bookkeeping as their principal work, instead of making them incidental to the one great mission we have in hand. There is danger that we shall work for per cents only, and forget those old lines of free missionary work for which our societies were organized. In the multitude of our routine duties, we may toil day after day, and finally discover that we have missed the work of God entirely. THERE is no work more sacred than that of the gospel canvasser. His consecration must be complete, his eye single, and his dependence must be wholly upon God. It is an easy thing for God to give success, and all the support we need. Shall we, then, with the resources of God at our command, encumber ourselves with worldly trifles, traffic, and commerce as a sort of safety valve to provide for our support if God should fail us? O brethren, let us trust in God; let us keep the commerce out of the temple courts: and let us turn our backs resolutely upon the flattering offers of the world that would lead us away from our legitimate work.