DURING the year 1909, forty-three believers have been baptized in the republic of Mexico. There are fully thirty-five more who have requested baptism, and are only waiting until one of our two ordained ministers can visit the localities where they reside.
The Hookworm Disease
By W. A. R.
The wide-spread agitation over this subject at the present time reveals to a thoughtful person something of the importance of this dreadful disease which is causing so much poverty, sickness, and distress in a certain part of our fair land. There has just been held in Atlanta, Ga., a conference of leading medical men and other scientists, numbering several hundreds, from all parts of the Southern States for the consideration of this subject and the eradication of this pest. It was the privilege of the writer to represent our denominational medical work in this conference, and I shall endeavor to give here a short synopsis of the conclusions arrived at there.
When we realize, as has been demonstrated scientifically, that in the sandy and sandy loam regions in the Southern States, from Virginia to Mexico, whether in the coast region, along river courses, or in upland regions, from twenty-five to eighty per cent of the population are infested with hookworm, and when we consider the dreadful results following in the wake of this disease, and realize the ease with which the disease might be eradicated, we appreciate to some degree the importance of quick, vigorous, and determined effort to do away with this scourge.
Aside from the introduction of slavery and its attendant evils into the United States, no greater curse has come to the Southland than the hookworm. Hundreds of people annually surrender their lives to this intestinal parasite. Thousands are incapacitated for any kind of labor. Millions are having their life-blood sapped and their usefulness impaired. These are demonstrated facts of science.
Introduction of the Disease
The fallacy of the old saying, “Even exchange is no robbery,” is seen in the evils growing out of an indiscriminate mixing of two races so different as the Caucasian and Ethiopian races. To our colored brother we as a white race have given the dread disease tuberculosis. This disease is destroying the colored race among us three times as rapidly as it does the white race; that is, tuberculosis is three times as fatal to the black man as to the white man. We shall not be able to discuss the reasons for this here. On the other hand, the Negro has brought to us the hookworm, which is many times more fatal to the white man than to the black. The adage should be revised to read, “Even exchange is multiplied robbery.”
The Worm
Male and female worms exist in the proportion of about one of the former to four of the latter. The female is about a third of an inch in length, and about the size of a thread. The habitat of the parasite is the intestinal canal, preferably of the human being. It attaches itself to the mucous lining of the intestine just beyond the stomach, sucks and bores its way into the wall of the intestine, sapping the blood and injecting a poisonous secretion into the circulation. This probably causes the greatest amount of damage to the individual, or host, harboring the worm. Attached thus to its host, it begins its threefold work of sapping the life current, injecting its deadly poison, and laying eggs. Of these latter the female lays at the rate of several a minute, and seems to be able to keep up the rate indefinitely. It may continue this work for many years, and thus probably lays millions of eggs in all. There may be from one to many thousands of these worms in the intestine of a single individual. Microscopical examination will reveal their presence when as few as a dozen, or possibly fewer, of the worms are present. So few as a dozen worms may not cause any noticeable symptoms, but large numbers cause very serious disorders. The eggs are ejected from the female, and later from the host in the excreta. These eggs probably hatch only outside of the human body. Deposited in the damp, warm sandy soil, they find favorable conditions for hatching. The little worms, or larvae, are liberated in the soil, and there await their opportunity to gain access to the body of a new host. This opportunity comes when the skin, as the feet, hands, or other parts of the body, comes in contact with the moist earth. Drying kills the larvae and destroys the eggs.
Having gotten access to the skin, these tiny worms, which in this stage are invisible to the naked eye, begin to burrow into the skin around the hairs, and into the sweat- and oil-glands. After a few hours they have worked their way through the skin into the lymphatics, a part of the circulation. From there they proceed through the lymph channels to the heart, and are pumped with the blood to the lungs. Here they encounter difficulty in passing through the fine capillary tubes of blood-vessels in the lungs, and lodge in the small blood-vessels. Being quite active, they again begin to burrow, and soon reach the air-passages in the lungs. They work their way along these tubules until they reach the trachea (windpipe), when they come up into the throat and are swallowed, pass through the stomach into the intestines, and there attach themselves and begin their life-work. It will be asked if this is the only way the worm may gain access to the intestines. It may be possible that a very few may enter with the food, but it is very unlikely that infection takes place in this way.
Symptoms and Results of the Disease
These are varied:—
1. The most constant and certain symptoms are “ground itch,” “dew itch,” or “barnyard itch,” as it is called. This most often appears on the feet, but may be seen on any part of the body exposed to the soil. Any person having this symptom will most certainly have hookworms in the intestines within a few weeks after such manifestations. Any person who has had ground itch at any time in his life most likely still has hookworms unless he has been freed from them by treatment.
2. Anemia. Lack of blood from the two causes—the sucking of the blood by the worm and the poisoning by injecting toxin—manifests itself in the pale, pearly skin, blue lips, and white sclera of the eye. The anemia is especially noticeable in the forehead and the alae of the nose.
3. Loss of strength and vigor. When this disease was called anew to our attention a few years ago, some newspapers announced the discovery of the germ of laziness. It is true that a great deal of the inactivity of people where this disease prevails is due to this cause, but it is no more a thing to be treated lightly than any other severe infection. If half the people about us had from a few hundred to several thousands of bloodsuckers, or ticks, or even mosquitoes, sucking their blood continuously, we would think it time something was being done. Is it any the less urgent because these parasites are hidden in the intestines?
4. Emaciation. Many of those suffering from this disease are thin in flesh, flabby of muscle, small in stature, and older looking than normal. Often men and women of age will look like children of seven or eight years as far as development goes, but will have an old, drawn, anxious look.
5. Dropsy. A noticeable puffiness under the eyes is often seen in this disease. The feet and ankles may be swollen, possibly the hands. The abdomen contains excessive fluid, and becomes enlarged and pendulous, causing a “pot-bellied” appearance.
6. Winged scapula. The shoulder-blades seem lifted from the back. This may be to such an extent that the hand can be pressed in behind the shoulder-blades several finger breadths.
7. The evidence upon which the absolute diagnosis of the disease is based is the finding of the eggs by means of the microscope in the excreta from the bowel. This is the most certain, easy, and generally accepted evidence, and is the one sought in every scientific diagnosis. There should be no hesitancy in submitting to this kind of procedure on the part of any one who suspects he has the disease, or who is in a locality where this disease prevails. To refuse to do this or to hesitate is folly, based on false modesty. Science is exact, and should not in this most important disease be frustrated by foolish sentiment.
Treatment
One of the best lessons I ever learned in grammar was the application of this sentence, which was given for analysis: “Pitt’s perplexing question was, ‘What are you going to do about it?’” That is the question before us now. There is no disease known to medical science that could be eradicated more easily than hookworm disease. One year’s time should, in a civilized nation, completely exterminate this disease which is costing us so dearly. It is not the late war, it is not the slavery question, it is not the race problem, it is not the tariff, not even the liquor traffic or tuberculosis, that is the great menace now to the South, but it is the hookworm. There is nothing under the shining sun that can demonstrate so conclusively and promptly and completely whether we will observe simple sanitary rules and adopt simple measures for doing away with this scourge as will our attitude toward this most important question in the near future.
What, then, is the conclusion of this whole matter? I will summarize it17under three heads; namely, 1. Educate; 2. Educate; 3. EDUCATE.
1. Educate the people concerning the necessity of sanitary conditions about their premises. The spread of the disease would be impossible if sanitary rules were observed. All excreta from the bowels must be thoroughly disinfected, and must not under any circumstance be deposited in or on the ground until this is done. This same precaution would diminish the number of cases of typhoid fever and some other diseases by ninety per cent. This new agitation over the hookworm may add force to our long-standing demand for better hygienic conditions everywhere. In this way the disease may be a blessing in disguise.
Proper sewerage must be provided in cities, and sanitary dry closets in the country are absolute necessities. We must not longer follow the primitive custom of heathenism in polluting the ground, else we shall continue to reap the results of this defiling habit. Water-tight buckets must be provided for our closets, with dry earth, slaked lime, and an occasional administration of chlorid of lime to keep the buckets free from odor. Cesspools for closets are dangerous because of drainage toward adjacent wells, as well as on account of foul odors. Where used, however, they must be kept dry and odorless with dry earth, slaked lime, chlorid of lime, etc.
2. Educate the people to recognize the symptoms and appreciate the dangers of the disease. This can be done by physicians, ministers, teachers, lecturers, and mothers and fathers. Any one who tries to calm your fears about this dreadful disease lacks wisdom. Every person living in a sandy country in the Southern States or in California should know by having a proper examination made whether or not he has the disease.
3. Educate the people to seek treatment for the disease. This should be given only by a competent physician. The treatment is very simple, is certain, costs but little, and does not incapacitate a person at all for his daily duties. It is well, however, for a person under treatment to take one day off for this purpose. The treatment consists in the proper use of Epson salt or other saline, thymol or beta-naphtol, in proper doses. There is therefore no excuse either for further infection or for a person to suffer longer with this easily curable but devastating disease. As a preventive measure it is well for those living in a region where the disease prevails to wear boots or shoes to protect the feet from the moist earth, and also to keep his hands as free from the soil as possible.
Next week I hope to make some propositions to enable our people to join in this warfare against the greatest scourge of the sunny Southland.
W. A. R.
Medical Missionary Department
Conducted by the Medical Department of the General Conference
W. A. RUBLE, M. D. Secretary
D. H. KRESS, M. D. Field Secretaries
L. A. HANSEN
Medical Missionary Work in Bolivia
By F. A. Stahl
We are thankful for the openings God has given and is giving us in Bolivia. We felt that the best way to begin operations here would be to introduce the medical work first, as we could render efficient service in that, even though we did not know the language. We were informed that there was a great deal of prejudice toward all foreigners engaged in medical work; but we trusted the Lord for guidance, and in a quiet way let it be known that we understood how to care for the sick. Soon we received a call from one of the first Bolivian families. This family is so prominent that the two physicians on the case would not dare turn us down, even if they felt so inclined. I also visited other doctors, and explained our methods (most of them understand German). They admitted that these were new to them, and they gave me a case at the hospital, to demonstrate our treatments before them. Not having any conveniences, I am having an interesting time. But the Lord is blessing, and our methods are gaining the favor of the physicians.
At the present writing, I am also nursing an Englishman, assistant manager of the new railway. He is very ill. Many Englishmen and Americans have called upon me since I have been on this case, saying they were thankful that there was a man nurse in Bolivia. These men are far from their home land, and the Lord wants them to hear the last warning message—some for the first time, others to receive the call again.
We are rejoicing that the Lord is in the medical work, and our prayer is that it may indeed prove an effective means of advancing the cause of God in this part of the field. F. A. STAHL.
Sanitarium Relief Campaign
By L. A. HANSEN
The Relief Campaign
The reception that is being given the campaign for relief of our sanitariums is a very encouraging one. There are objections to meet and some unfavorable conditions. These give way, however, to a general co-operation in the movement. The very fact that it is launched by our brethren as a general movement is sufficient reason to many for taking hold of it. The very situation of need makes a strong appeal. Apparently but very few are disposed to hold back after giving the proposition thoughtful consideration.
Up to this time where the campaign has been presented at our union conference meetings, it has had a hearty support. To all appearances it will go forward readily and steadily.
The Southern Union Conference
To this union conference really belongs the credit of having made a move in this direction even before the matter was taken up by the General Conference Committee at the council held at College View last October. Elder C. F. McVagh there reported that they were already selling “Ministry of Healing,” and were realizing some of the benefits of the effort.
At the recent conference session at Nashville the matter took formal shape in the adoption of the recommendations dealing with it. Dr. W. A. Ruble presented the general situation, calling for a relief campaign. He also outlined the favorable development of the sanitarium work, calling attention to many features in connection therewith that give great cause for gratitude. A number of others expressed their appreciation of the progress and results of this branch of our work.
The proceeds of the campaign for this conference are to be devoted to the relief of the Nashville Sanitarium. This institution is well established, but has met with some reverses by fire, boiler explosion, serious break in patronage, and much difficulty in securing an ample water-supply, entailing heavy expense. Coupled with this there is an initial building debt. The financial statement as read at the meeting showed that if the institution could be relieved of its interest account, it would be more than earning its way.
It has for some time been enjoying a very good patronage, its capacity being well tried. It has on its register names of persons from seventeen different States. This list includes several prominent educators, from Nashville and elsewhere, quite a few physicians, ministers of various denominations, legislators, public men, and a number of other persons of influence.
One physician experienced such marked improvement and was so well pleased that he became quite active in influencing others to go to the sanitarium. At last accounts about eighteen persons had come as a result of his work.
Surely there is a good future for this institution, which has manifestly been blessed of God, and which seems so well situated to fill a useful place in this “Athens of the South.”
The management is faithfully applying every dollar received from the relief campaign toward meeting the standing indebtedness of the institution.
The Central Union Conference
In this conference the matter was taken hold of in a businesslike manner at its recent conference meeting at St. Joseph, Mo. The committee on plans gave an entire session to the consideration of it and to drafting recommendations suitable to local conditions. The Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium is the most needy institution in this union conference. Those at College View and Hastings, Neb., and Wichita, Kan., are fairly in the way of taking care of themselves, though they can well use and will appreciate all the help that may come to them. Provision was made for the Nebraska and Kansas conferences to share their campaign proceeds with the Colorado sanitarium according to their willingness to do so.
The discussion of the measure before the conference body was altogether of a favorable nature. While the brethren felt that they should not close their eyes to the gravity of the financial questions involved, they also felt impelled to look hopefully on the situation and give due attention to the advancement of the work. A number of interesting items were presented, showing the good that our sanitariums are doing. Elder A. T. Robinson, of Nebraska, told of a bequest of thirty-six thousand dollars which was made to that conference as the result of the kind care bestowed upon a patient at the Nebraska Sanitarium.
Mention was made of the friendly attitude of a number of State legislators toward our work as the result of their stay at one of our sanitariums. It was stated that several millionaires had been guests at the Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium. Elder C. R. Kite, formerly chaplain of that institution, bore testimony to18the good interest shown by the patients in the religious services. Instances were cited of individuals accepting the whole truth through this means.
The recommendations for the campaign were carried with a unanimous vote. Soon after this the delegates and workers of the Kansas Conference met and laid definite plans for the campaign in that State.
A Good Start
Prof. E. A. Sutherland reports that early in January the church at the Madison, Tenn., school had sold its number of “Ministry of Healing” for the first year’s work, and made remittance of the money. With the sale of five numbers of Life and Health for each member, this will leave that church clear on this proposition for a year.
The Hillcrest (Tenn.) church and the companies at several of the branches of the Madison school have ordered their books, and very likely have by this time disposed of them. This is the first report we have received of work so far advanced in the present campaign.
L. A. HANSEN, Field Secretary.
The Mohammedan’s Challenge to Christianity
MOHAMMEDANISM, from the very outset, has put it down as one of its great oracles of faith that its creed must be spread throughout the whole world. If we were in the Turkish capital and asked the new sultan the secret of his success and power, he would show us, carefully guarded in a sacred closet, the old mantle of Mohammed, the sword of Mohammed, and that green standard on which are the words, “There is no God but one, and Mohammed is God’s apostle.” I wish you could go with me to Cairo and see the strength of Mohammedanism as a religion. Cairo is the Oxford and the Cambridge of the Moslem world. There is a university where ten thousand students study Mohammed’s book and go out as the fanatic devotees of the religion of Mohammed. The whole Mohammedan world gathers around a black stone. Two months ago you might have seen seventy thousand men and women running a race around the black house and kissing the black stone, saying, “There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.”
The real strength of this religion is measured in terms of devotion and conviction and other characteristics—a strong man fully armed, a veritable Goliath, defying the armies of the living God in three continents for thirteen centuries. The call to prayer was taken up first in the Philippine Islands, and carried over to China. The cry was taken up in Persia, and throughout all Arabia. You might have heard that cry on the steppes of Siberia, far to the north, while in the Russian empire there are no less than fourteen and one-half million Mohammedans. In Malaysia, Java, and Sumatra there are thirty million ; in Africa, fifty-eight million; fifty-four million north of the equator and four million south of the equator; and yet I have not mentioned the greatest Mohammedan problem in the world, for in India there are sixty-two million eight hundred thousand Mohammedans. And this vast problem, measured over the whole world, means that every third person—including men, women, and children—in the Dark Continent says that he is a Moslem, and that every sixth person in the whole population of the globe lives and dies a Mohammedan. Every sixth soul that goes out from the sunlight into the dark goes muttering the name of Mohammed.
The strength of this religion is its solidarity. Hinduism is divided and subdivided, and it is a religion of caste. But Mohammedanism is a great unity, with one prophet, one hope, and with one great ambition to make the world Moslem. That is why the sultan gives Germany permission to build the Bagdad railway on condition of protecting the Moslems in China. That is the reason that a lonely missionary, writing from the West India Islands, says this: “My work here is among the East Indians, although we meet the creoles also. Miss Stanley has encountered much Mohammedan opposition. . . . To us out here it seems that the keystone of the arch in the present day of missionary work is Mohammedanism.” Was there ever a stronger testimony that this mighty giant stretches out like a great octopus?
This religion is strong and mighty because it has great truths. Its adherents believe in God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. They believe in Jesus as a prophet. They even believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary. They believe he ascended to heaven. They believe he is coming again. They believe in the forgiveness of sins, in the resurrection of the body, and in the life everlasting. The Mohammedans believe these things not in a loose sense, not as a mere opinion, but as a heart conviction. Bancroft says, “A Calvinist and a coward never went together.” The Mohammedans are the Calvinists of the Orient.
The Moslem world appeals to our love. Did you ever think of that world as the greatest social problem? The Mohammedan world is the most degraded, the most hopeless part of the non-Christian world. Illiteracy, superstition, and social degradation because of polygamy do not obtain in Japan or China or India among the Buddhists or Confucianists as it obtains in the Moslem world. In India there are sixty-two and one-half million Mohammedans, and by the government census ninety-six and one-half per cent of those people can neither read nor write. The ameer of Afghanistan has a motor carriage, uses smokeless powder, phonographs, and Remington typewriters, and yet he has hanging around his neck an amulet which is supposed to protect him against bullet wounds! There is the most groveling ignorance, the most awful superstition. The Mohammedan world is socially degraded, socially hopeless.
A score of women have come to our hospital and have begged for poison to end the lives of those they hated. I shall not forget how I was told of a company of women who came to see a missionary, and as she showed them the simple comforts of home and innocent childhood and pictures on the wall and joy and peace, a Moslem woman said, “I foreswear you by the life of Jesus, tell me the truth. Do you believe in a future life?” The missionary said, “Yes, we all do.” And the woman almost kissed the words as she said, “Why, your life is heaven now, and our life is hell.” And what can be the life of your Moslem sisters but hell with the horrors of polygamy, concubinage, and divorce? If the women are degraded, what do you think of the men? Do you suppose you can rob motherhood of honor and not damage manhood? The most pitiful thing is not the degradation of womanhood, but the degradation of Mohammedan manhood.
You whose boys are scattered over the college world, you know what it means; but your boy in his university temptations turns to a book which is as pure as any book in God’s world,—he turns to the life of Jesus, and he lifts up his eyes to heaven. There is hope for that boy. The Mohammedan boy goes to college, and he wrestles with temptations more fierce, and he turns to Mohammed’s bible,—you don’t dare read it in public,—he turns to Mohammed’s life,—a man who died with thirteen wives on his hands,—and to Mohammed’s paradise. Is there hope in that religion? Do you need to turn the pages of your Bible to find an argument to carry the gospel to the Mohammedans? I tell you those who live without Christ are without hope now. And that world is without hope when they die.
There are changes in the Moslem world,—new liberty in Turkey, new intellectual life in Persia, railroads in Egypt,—and all the way from Morocco to Calcutta you can see in this great Moslem world the beginning of movements such as were in Japan thirty years ago, or in China six years ago. The morning light is breaking. The Mohammedan world is awakening. God is calling us to reinforce the lonely workers.
I want to conclude by asking you to take this Mohammedan world and put it as a big burden in your home, and take your son and your daughter and send them out as missionaries to the Moslem world. Why not? “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.” Doesn’t he expect you, perhaps, to give your only begotten son or daughter to go and be a missionary? Are you willing to take your missions among Moslems and support them by funds and forces in order that the cry of these lonely workers may not ring to God and be your condemnation? I was in Bahrein, Arabia, for four years, the only missionary. There are missionaries to-night in Persia and in North Africa, standing all alone. Do you hear their cry? I can hear it. God grant unto us something of the spirit of the early pioneers to win the Mohammedan world for Jesus Christ. True, our only weapon is love, our only sword the Word of God, our only defense and our only hope his presence!
— Abstract from address by Dr. S. M. Zwemer in St. Paul’s Church, Lincoln, Neb.
Trusting God More Fully
“Happy is he who makes one other man trust God more than he did before. He has done a great and influential work in creation. Happy we, if we know how to trust God as he should be trusted.”
Young People's Work
Conducted by the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department of the General Conference
M. E. KERN - - - - Secretary
MATILDA ERICKSON - Corresponding Secretary
Otsego (Mich.) Academy
By C. A. Hansen; Fred Green
We are pleased to report that the good hand of the Lord has been upon us in our school work here at Otsego. From the very first, we could see God's Spirit impressing young hearts to come to school, and since the beginning of the term the students have striven to excel in the work given them to do. We have forty-three students in our academic department, and fifteen in the church-school.
This school stands for helping all who desire to better themselves and gain a Christian education. We find many young men and women who are anxious now to gain a firmer foothold on the higher ground of usefulness.
We as teachers look forward in faith with joy to the day when these young people will be actually engaged in service for the closing of the message so dear to us all. We ask an interest in the prayers of all God's people.
C. A. HANSEN, Principal,
FRED GREEN, Business Manager.
Facts Which Appeal
By W. E. Hancock
It is the boast of the Catholic Church that she never changes. This is one of the few facts of her history which she is willing to acknowledge unflinchingly, and seems to be proud of it. Her purpose has always been to subject human minds to a system of religion which makes gods of one class of men, and moral slaves of the rest. The two chief means by which this has been accomplished have been evangelization and colonization. The methods employed in both colonization and evangelization have been the same, persuasion and the sword, combined with an enforcement of gross ignorance, in order that by superstition they might allure the blind multitude.
These facts are forcibly shown in the history of every nation to-day which is held in the throes of the Catholic religion. Spain, Italy, Austria, and all the Latin republics of the Americas present the sure results of the never-changing policy of the Catholic Church. In spite of the determined efforts often made by the governments of nearly all these countries toward educational reforms, they have been able to accomplish but little in dispelling the gross ignorance of the masses of people who are held and controlled by the Catholic Church. All the results of ignorance and superstition are to be combated by the missionaries and educators of these countries.
Many of the more enlightened classes of people in these countries realize these conditions, and are sending their children to the “modern schools,” and even to schools conducted by Protestant missionary societies. These conditions present opportunities, which, if seized now, will certainly bring a fruitful harvest to our cause in the near future in these countries.
It has not been without a great struggle that these conditions have been created. The church is holding on tenaciously to the masses. She has not failed to use medieval methods to retain control of the governments where she has held sway. Still she is losing ground. The struggles which these countries are experiencing in getting out of her clutches ought to be a signal warning to Protestant countries to steer clear of her influence.
Many things are done by the present government of Guatemala which fall far short of the standards of the more enlightened people of other nations; but we ought to be thankful that perfect liberty is granted in carrying on missionary enterprises. We should work all the more diligently while we have abundant opportunity.
We need prayerful, patient, earnest workers to begin and work hard, not expecting to make a display. There is great need not only of school work, but also of mission work, and of canvassers. Something ought to be done for the poor, uneducated class. If this kind of work is entered into, results are sure to follow.
The Guatemala English School is giving us acquaintances and friends among the best class of people. If it is conducted so as to be successful, it will certainly be the means of reaching some of this class. This need impressed us as so urgent that we requested one thousand dollars to help us place the school upon the basis which will meet the demands laid upon us in this work. Owing to the pressing needs of enterprises already projected, an appropriation for this work could not be made now. We are glad, however, that Sister Alice Fieldburg has been sent to help us in the teaching work. With the prospects before us, I am sure that the running expenses of the school will be met this year. But we have had to move and to buy some desks, blackboards, furniture for a parlor, and a few maps and charts, all of which we hope will be replaced by donations from those who are interested in this work. Part of the money has been advanced from private means, with the expectation that friends will be impressed to supply the deficiency by donations. To make up this deficiency, we need one hundred fifty dollars. Any one making a donation to the Guatemala English School may send the money to H. H. Cobban, Cristobal, R. de Panama, or to the General Conference, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. W. E. HANCOCK.
Merida, Yucatan
By E. R. P.
LETTERS from Brethren J. A. P. Green and J. L. Brown, of Mexico, bring the good news that these brethren have reached their new field in Merida, Yucatan, and have already begun work with excellent success. Brother Green writes:—
“We are now in Merida, Yucatan, ‘the Egypt of the Western hemisphere,’ said to be the cleanest city in the tropics. I am glad Brother Brown and I can work together. We are working out more new ways of getting along. As we learn more of the language, we can make our wants known, and the work goes much easier.”
“Upon arriving in Merida, we looked around for missionaries, and found a Presbyterian Church minister, who is a Spaniard. We told him about our work, and our need of a place to live. He kindly searched around, and secured a beautiful, unfurnished room for us in a20private home, at five dollars a month for us both. In Merida nearly all the people sleep in hammocks; so we purchased two hammocks, quilts, and pillows, and completed the furnishing of the room with a table and three chairs. The first night we suffered with the cold. The second night we slept with our clothes on. The third night we tried sleeping together in one hammock, so we could get the full benefit of all our bedding, but that was not a very comfortable arrangement. To-night we will try sleeping in our overcoats. We miss the soft mattresses at home. However, we shall soon get used to it, and all will be well.”
“During the first nine hours of our work we secured orders to the value of one hundred fifty-seven dollars gold, and have headed our list with the names of some of the most influential people of Merida. I am hoping to grow stronger and more competent, as we gain in experience, so that God can use me to do great things for him.”
Brother Brown also writes: “One thing especially worth noting is how the gospel is-taking hold of these dear people. This morning we visited the only Protestant church in town. It was full of men, women, and children. We long for the day when, as we visit these towns, we shall meet with those of like faith.”
The many interesting letters we are now receiving from Mexico give us a wonderfully vivid picture of the struggles and hardships, and the blessings and victories, which constitute the struggle and reward of our foreign missionaries.
E. R. P.
Gland School, Switzerland
By Jean Vuilleumier
Our work this winter is more satisfactory than it has been at any previous period. Mrs. Elford is rendering us most valuable assistance, as does Miss Roth. Above all, the Lord is helping us wonderfully. We are witnessing from time to time the Lord's Spirit working upon the hearts of our students. A young lady from Denmark was baptized recently.
When all subscriptions and pledges are met, our building will be half paid for. When it is paid for, and we have no expense for rent, we shall be able to plan for various improvements. We have just bought a piano for our singing classes. We should have efficient help in this study, and ought to be educating some one to give this branch an impetus and good standing. We aim at training good singing evangelists. There ought to be a fair crop of Moodys and Sankeys coming forth from our schools.
JEAN VUILLEUMIER.
The Missionary and Publishing Work
Notes, Plans, Reports, Statistics, and Other Information Regarding Missionary Endeavor and the Circulation of Gospel Literature.
Conducted by the Missionary and Publishing Department of the General Conference.
E. R. PALMER - - - - Secretary
N. Z. TOWN - - - - Assistant Secretary
A. J. S. BOURDEAU - - - Missionary Secretary
Prepare for Next Year's School
By F. G.
THE time is already here when definite plans should be laid by our young people who are not in school this year to attend one next year. Young men and women can not realize too strongly the value of a good education. It increases the enjoyment of this life by enabling them to serve their fellow men much more acceptably, and to appreciate the good gifts of the Lord; but it takes time and money to acquire an education.
We have thousands of young men and women who are not connected with our schools, who should attend our intermediate and advanced schools this coming year. Plans to this end often need to be laid far in advance, for in many instances it requires not only the earnest efforts of the young man or woman, but of the family, and even of the church, to make schooling possible.
Our canvassing work is proving a means of great advantage to young men and women in the gaining of funds with which to obtain their schooling. The canvassing work is a great education in itself; in fact, there is no plan that can be suggested for securing funds for school work that is not an education to the young man or the young woman who puts forth the proper effort. One young man, who now occupies an important place in one of our schools as teacher, put himself through a long course of study by raising each summer a crop of grain on some land, of which he secured the use. But whatever effort is necessary to make possible this next year's schooling, it is certainly none too early to begin to talk about it, and lay plans for it. F. G.
Christian Education
By Frederick Griggs
Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference